Passionate about beauty pageants, paediatric nurse Rebecca Sinnarajah 22, was born and brought up in the UK to parents Vasanthan and Reno who hail from Sri Lanka. Rebecca is also a dancer who has won many awards. Rebecca was inspired to apply for the competition by last year’s winner, 24-year-old junior doctor Bhasa Mukerjee, who also became the first South Asian to win the title. In a departure from tradition and under the new normal the initial rounds of the pageant were held virtually with the applicants having to submit their introductions, catwalk and talent videos which were then viewed by the judging panel. After rigourous rounds of competition, Rebecca is now in the finals and buoyed by the support extended to her by the Sri Lankan diaspora, she has set her sights on winning the title and going on to represent her country at the Miss World 2020 pageant.

Q WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO APPLY FOR MISS ENGLAND?
For me this competition is more than just beauty, it’s about being an inspirational woman. My purpose of joining this competition is so I can bring my beauty with a purpose to a global platform which is to raise Mental Health Awareness in Children and Young People. Being a nurse, I have seen this in my training as a nurse and now as a Registered Nurse. I want to be a voice for these children. I want to be able to inspire other young people like me and help others.

Q HOW INTENSE HAS THE COMPETITION BEEN?
Due to the Lockdown, the competition has been virtual which consists of submitting our introduction, catwalk and talent video which was then seen by the judges. It hasn’t been easy but it is something very different for us to try out.

Q WHAT PREPARATION DID YOU HAVE TO DO FOR THE INITIAL ROUNDS?
I entered in January and was shortlisted and went straight for a photo heat which I won by the public vote, which led me into the Semi-Finals. Due to the competition being held Virtually everything was done by submitting a video for the Semi-Finals. For my eco round, I submitted a video about how I made my dress using recycled materials. I made my skirt from using plastic bags and my top I’ve stitched it from scratch. I had to do my fundraising online, which wasn’t easy but it definitely was possible.

Q WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE HAVE YOU RECEIVED FROM THE SRI LANKAN AND GLOBAL DIASPORA?
Lots of positivity as being a Sri Lankan being raised and born in the UK. I have received lots of positive comments and I’m very proud to be in the competition as a British Sri Lankan.

Q ONE MESSAGE YOU WOULD GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN?
If you have a passion to do something, just go and do it there is nothing that is impossible!

Q BEING A WOMAN OF COLOUR HAVE YOU FACED ANY DISCRIMINATION DURING THE PAGEANT?
There’s always going to be something but their opinion doesn’t get to me, I carry on doing what I love and happy to represent England as a British born. I am always positive about what I do.

Q HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE COME TO THE FINALS?
It feels so unreal, I never thought I would make it this far into the competition. I’m beyond excited for the finals and hoping to win Miss England and represent my country at Miss World.

Q THERE ARE ALWAYS A LOT OF CONTROVERSIAL STEREOTYPES WHEN IT COMES TO THE PAGEANT WORLD, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO PAGEANT CRITICS?
This is more than just beauty, it’s about being an inspirational woman. I would say this is more of an ambassadorship in fact. Every woman that has entered pageants comes with a purpose to help their countries with their needs and wants.

Q INITIALLY HOW DID YOUR PARENTS REACT WHEN YOU SAID YOU WANTED TO COMPETE IN MISS ENGLAND?
My parents are very supportive, they were happy with my decision when I told them. They know my motive in this competition. I want to be able to help and give back to my community. My parents are very proud of me for getting this far into the competition.

Q WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED DURING THE COMPETITION?
There are always going to be challenges. But I’ve been positive throughout this and always gave my 100%. It is not easy being a nurse and juggling between day and night shifts but it is definitely possible with great time management.

Q WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS?
I love dancing. I am a Bollywood dancer and have received many awards for it. I can also sing and play the guitar.

Q WHAT HEALTH AND BEAUTY REGIMEN DO YOU HAVE TO ADHERE TO DURING THE COMPETITION?
There are no rules! The Pageant has changed a lot over time and it is not what people really think. I just eat healthy and look after myself. It is very important to do this, being a nurse it is very important to look after yourself. I do long hours, day and night shifts.

Q IF YOU WIN, WHAT CAUSE WILL YOU ADOPT DURING YOUR REIGN?
I will use this platform to talk about Mental Health awareness in children and young people. It is very important to educate not only children but teachers and parents on this topic. I always say “no one should suffer in silence”. I will also do a lot of charity work and help where I can or am needed.