- By Milla Magee
Ah, Manchester. The city of music, football, and on this particular night—more fake tan and glitz than a Marbella pool party. That’s right, it was time for Miss Manchester 2025, hosted by the one and only Sean Maloney, the man with a mic, a dazzling smile, and the ability to make even the most nervous contestant feel like Beyoncé.
As Miss England it was an honour to be asked to judge this event, alongside my predecessor the incredible Jessica Gagen, the current Miss World Europe and our reigning Miss United Kingdom, sitting in the judge’s seat was surreal as it only feels like 5 minutes ago I was in the same position as the girls competing on Saturday night, every girl radiated beauty and confidence, it was no easy task, but 3 worthy winners emerged, Modelle Lee is your new Miss Cheshire, Tabitha Bennett is Miss Lancashire and Victoria Quinlan your new reigning Miss Manchester.
The Venue: A Mix of Class & Chaos
The event took place in a venue dripping with glitz, Vermillion Manchester is chandeliers, VIP booths, and enough sequins to blind a small nation. The crowd was a glorious mix of beauty pageant veterans, real housewives, influencers strategically positioning their ring lights, and lads who’d clearly been dragged along but were now fully invested in the drama.
Sean Maloney worked the room like a pro, balancing cheeky banter with proper hosting skills. A man who could probably talk his way out of a parking fine while simultaneously making a crowd cheer for a contestant’s eco-friendly dress made out of recycled Greggs bags (okay, that didn’t happen, but if it did, Manchester would be the place).
The Competition: Brains, Beauty & Big Personalities
Now, Miss Manchester isn’t just about looking good in an evening gown (though, let’s be real, the glamour was top-tier). It’s about brains, personality, and having a cause that makes people sit up and listen—kind of like a cross between a Vogue cover shoot and a TED Talk.
And that's the best bit, listening and understanding how hard some of these girls competing have really thought through there BWP campaigns, pageants are not just pretty dresses and big smiles, they are about striving to help other people and to inspire others around you, the pageant industry is growing fast, and I for one am really glad about that, being Miss England has given me one thing above all else, purpose.
The contestants strutted their stuff in a mix of designer frocks, and the occasional bold style choice that had the audience whispering, but mostly applauding, and there was a catwalk routine that would have made TikTok explode.
The Drama: A Crowning Moment to Remember
After much deliberation (and at least one emergency snack break—judging is hungry work), the big moment arrived. Sean Maloney built the suspense like a pro. Contestants stood frozen in their gowns, gripping hands, while the audience held their collective breath.
And then—boom! The new Miss Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire were crowned, the room erupted in cheers, and within seconds, there were enough flashbulbs going off to give the Northern Lights a run for their money. The winners were graceful, emotional, and 100% ready to take on the world.
Post-Show Shenanigans
As the night rolled on, the after-party vibes kicked in. Sean Maloney was still working the room, the winners were being mobbed for selfies, and the contestants, now off duty, were letting loose—heels in one hand, cocktails in the other.
Miss Manchester 2025? A roaring success. If this is a sign of things to come for the next generation of pageant queens, then the future looks bright, bold, and just a little bit fabulous.
As Miss England it was an honour to be asked to judge this event, alongside my predecessor the incredible Jessica Gagen, the current Miss World Europe and our reigning Miss United Kingdom, sitting in the judge’s seat was surreal as it only feels like 5 minutes ago I was in the same position as the girls competing on Saturday night, every girl radiated beauty and confidence, it was no easy task, but 3 worthy winners emerged, Modelle Lee is your new Miss Cheshire, Tabitha Bennett is Miss Lancashire and Victoria Quinlan your new reigning Miss Manchester.
The Venue: A Mix of Class & Chaos
The event took place in a venue dripping with glitz, Vermillion Manchester is chandeliers, VIP booths, and enough sequins to blind a small nation. The crowd was a glorious mix of beauty pageant veterans, real housewives, influencers strategically positioning their ring lights, and lads who’d clearly been dragged along but were now fully invested in the drama.
Sean Maloney worked the room like a pro, balancing cheeky banter with proper hosting skills. A man who could probably talk his way out of a parking fine while simultaneously making a crowd cheer for a contestant’s eco-friendly dress made out of recycled Greggs bags (okay, that didn’t happen, but if it did, Manchester would be the place).
The Competition: Brains, Beauty & Big Personalities
Now, Miss Manchester isn’t just about looking good in an evening gown (though, let’s be real, the glamour was top-tier). It’s about brains, personality, and having a cause that makes people sit up and listen—kind of like a cross between a Vogue cover shoot and a TED Talk.
And that's the best bit, listening and understanding how hard some of these girls competing have really thought through there BWP campaigns, pageants are not just pretty dresses and big smiles, they are about striving to help other people and to inspire others around you, the pageant industry is growing fast, and I for one am really glad about that, being Miss England has given me one thing above all else, purpose.
The contestants strutted their stuff in a mix of designer frocks, and the occasional bold style choice that had the audience whispering, but mostly applauding, and there was a catwalk routine that would have made TikTok explode.
The Drama: A Crowning Moment to Remember
After much deliberation (and at least one emergency snack break—judging is hungry work), the big moment arrived. Sean Maloney built the suspense like a pro. Contestants stood frozen in their gowns, gripping hands, while the audience held their collective breath.
And then—boom! The new Miss Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire were crowned, the room erupted in cheers, and within seconds, there were enough flashbulbs going off to give the Northern Lights a run for their money. The winners were graceful, emotional, and 100% ready to take on the world.
Post-Show Shenanigans
As the night rolled on, the after-party vibes kicked in. Sean Maloney was still working the room, the winners were being mobbed for selfies, and the contestants, now off duty, were letting loose—heels in one hand, cocktails in the other.
Miss Manchester 2025? A roaring success. If this is a sign of things to come for the next generation of pageant queens, then the future looks bright, bold, and just a little bit fabulous.
