Former Miss GB contestant Orlaith McAllister has launched a search to find ‘Miss Belfast City’, in a glamorous beauty talent event being supported by Santiano wines.
The competition, which is run as part of the Miss Great Britain Pageant, is being fronted by the former model and Big Brother Star, who hopes that a Belfast beauty can regain the crown won by Gemma Garrett in 2007.
Discussing the new beauty show format, Orlaith said: “There are so many gorgeous girls in Northern Ireland and, I feel, that by imposing restrictions on single mothers, we are excluding a significant percentage of the population.
“The world has changed since the competition first started out in the 1950s. I think if a woman can single-handedly raise a child while pursuing a career and can still manage to look after her appearance it is something to be commended rather than shunned.”
Orlaith also believes that the exclusion of bikinis this year will encourage more girls to apply who may have been reluctant to bare all in the past: “Being body-beautiful will only get you so far in life. Ambition, hard work and persistence are key to success in any industry. For that reason I believe a bikini round is totally redundant in this day and age.
“As Managing Director of Talent Models we seek to promote talent which goes beyond physical beauty. We provide a platform for those with ambition and drive to put themselves out there and forge a successful career whether it be in TV presenting, acting or modelling.”
Auditions for Miss Belfast City are held at Monzu restaurant’s Club Capri, with thirty successful applicants progressing to the ‘boot camp’ round to receive four days modelling training before participating in the Grand Final. The winner will be crowned “Miss Belfast City” and go on to represent Northern Ireland in the star-studded Miss Great Britain final which is held in London in June.
Further information about Miss Belfast City can be found at www.unitedwines.co.uk and www.talentmodels.co.uk
