Gabriella's blog
When I was asked to write a blog about my time as Miss Wales, I didn’t know how I would ever be able to put it into words. It has been the most incredible and rewarding experience of my life. After working so hard for so many years, it was a dream come true and more than I could ever imagine.
The first few weeks consisted of lots of media opportunities, and my first official engagement as Miss Wales was an interview at the BBC Radio Cymru studios. I was also invited on to S4C for an interview and to model live on Prynhawn Da. In May,
Shortly after, I travelled to Alicante for photoshoots with photographer Kev Wise, with Miss Wales 2018, Bethany Harris.
I also was invited to attend the Wales International Film Festival, The Homeless World Cup in Cardiff; India Independence Day, Navarati and Diwali with the Indian Community of Wales and charity balls in support of A-Sisterhood, Care After Combat, and The Read Foundation
The next few months consisted of me preparing to go to Miss World, visiting my sponsors 102 Couture to find my dream Miss World gown, perfecting my smile with Laffan Dental, choosing diamonds with Cardiff Diamonds, making sure my skin and hair was glowing with The Beauty Medics and Michelle Marshall Salon, and choosing lashes with Totally Lashed Up.
Another memory that stands out to me was being a guest at Thrive Women’s Aid’s annual fundraising fashion show. It was an honour for me to be able to tell everyone the work I had been doing with them over the years, and to announce that £4,000 donation to them from Beauty With A Purpose in addition to the £10,000 being donated to Cardiff Women’s Aid. I was and still am so proud of this and will be one of the proudest moments of my time as Miss Wales. I was also invited as a guest speaker at Thrive’s 40th anniversary to talk about my work with Women’s Aid and and Beauty With A Purpose project in front of a room full of inspirational people including fellow ambassador Michael Sheen, the South Wales Police Crime Commissioner, and the CEO of Welsh Women’s Aid.
Next came the big one – Miss World in London. Looking back over the incredible journey I went on with 110 other women from all over the world, it is truly hard to put into words how lifechanging the experience was. I was so happy to have placed in the top 40 for Top Model and have the opportunity to walk for top British designer Zandra Rhodes. I also auditioned for the talent round where I sang ‘Calon Lân’, and to my surprise I made it to the talent finals where I sang on one of the stages at the O2 and was also chosen to perform live at the final itself and record the ‘World in Union’ at Abbey Road Studios. I still can’t believe that little old me from Port Talbot recorded a song at Abbey Road.
After coming back from Miss World, the next few months saw the world turned upside down with the pandemic. Who would have thought that I would still be Miss Wales for almost two years? We are still in unprecedented times, but we will get there eventually. We will be back better than ever!
To the next Miss Wales whoever you may be, you are in for the experience of a lifetime. Take every opportunity that comes your way, and I am here to help you all the way.
Gabriella x