Mrs World – Meet Claire Grey, Mrs Wales World 2020

Each week, we are going to meet the candidates for Mrs World, the Mrs America’s sister pageant. This competition, created in 1984, is intended only for married women. The next edition is due to take place in January 2022 in Las Vegas after a hiatus due to the pandemic. The Inside Pageant team is preparing an issue of the magazine dedicated to this pageant which will be released in November 2021.

Inside Pageant – Hello Claire. Thanks for your time. Could you start by telling us a bit about yourself?

Hi My name is Claire you I am a former model and professional singer, and now a full time house wife and Mother to one 11 month old Baby girl Sasha, which excitingly is the current ‘Baby Miss Wales’. Family means everything to me and we spend our time on walks which as a family already raised by walking 50 miles in one month for children with cancer, and we also enjoy picnics and trips to the beach,weather permitting in the uk 😂

I took maternity leave from modelling and singing earlier on in my pregnancy than I would have like to due to the global pandemic,so decided to follow my dream of becoming a psychotherapist and partook in distance learning open university and have recently qualified, so when Sasha is older and in school I would love to use this as a career goal and also help people. I am also an ambassador of Wales ‘Mind’ Charity as Mrs Wales.

What is your motto? 

My motto is to never let other peoples opinions hold you back or belittle what is important to you, and I feel that is what makes me such a strong woman.

Why is so important for you? 

I believe the confidence to follow your own dreams can hold you back, it’s my life and only one I get

Which values do you inculcate to your family? 

I believe in traditional values. I want to teach my daughter to behave like a lady, and just because society may change, behaving with decorum and proprietary never goes out of fashion

What is the best lesson you’ve learned that has shaped your life?

Having a baby shaped me. I have always been fiercely independent, and a good person I like to think, but I never knew quite how much love I had in my heart or how capable I actually am until I had her! She makes me the best version of myself

In your spare time, what do you like to do?

I love family time we go on picnics and lots of walking. Nature is important to me

What are you most proud of in your family?

Our love for nature and all creatures great and small. This has passed on to Sasha, we have 4 rescue cats a rabbit and two dogs who she adores and is so gentle they adore her back

What is your secret to managing at the same time your crown duties, your job and your family?

A cape and a phone box 😂 No seriously I think it’s love and determination. I am very tenacious and when I have my heart set on something or take on a responsibility, I see it through to the end! my word is my bond!

What is the most difficult: mother or beauty queen?

Aww I don’t  like to think of either as difficult. They are not chores to me, they are part of me and the both take commitments, but a commitment I choose and love

What do you see in your mirror?

A real everyday woman and Mother. Who loves to be glamorous, but will change and feed baby before worrying about even combing my hair and I think that is why other Mothers relate to me

You will compete at Mrs. World, a beauty contest for married women. What does beauty mean to you?

Beauty is a of course a nice look and I’m lucky to be tall and have nice hair and features, but Nothing against people who choose to but I’m not into cosmetic surgery or filter pictures myself ! I believe being natural is more beautiful and flaws add to individuality. Also a kind heart and smile makes you radiate beauty from within. I don’t want to look like a step ford wife and look the same as everyone I want to look like me and enhance what god gave me but not change it x

What does pageantry mean to you?

Pageantry for me is about using my title for a good cause not just for purposes of vanity

Some people think beauty pageants are shallow parades of beauty. What do you have to say to them?

I say come and meet me. I’m one of the least vain people I know and I have always done pageants, Ido it because of the charity aspect, I’m sure there are some who do for vanity reasons but I’m not ine of them, I  seldom take a selfie lol

Do you think that our culture is too preoccupied with beauty?

If so, how could we change it? I would like to be the beauty queen to change the way women feel they have to look and I’d like to teach women that it’s nice to look like themselves not try to look like everybody else

What do you say to people who say that a mother has nothing to do in a beauty pageant?

I tell them it’s my hobby and to be the best mum I can I have to be me

Where did that first thought about entering the pageant come from?

Friends recommended me

Why do you join specifically the Mrs. World pageant?

As a Mum I wanted to enter a pageant for one last time so opted for one of the longest Mrs pageants as it’s so well established

What is your best asset to win the crown?

The fact that I am real and down to earth

Describe your sense of on-stage style in three words.

Glamorous, elegant and classy

Was there anything you watched or read throughout the entire journey to help you in your preparations?

I followed Lora previous Mrs Wales and used my previous pageant knowledge been competing since a child

What is the most challenging in your preparation?

I’d only just had a baby a few months prior to being selected so getting the motivation was the challenging but once I was onto it there was no stopping me although always baby comes first

Why do you think that you are the best candidate for the Mrs. World crown?

I feel I am ‘All women’ and represent this in my natural looks, and the ability to be serious whilst being able to laugh at myself which makes me real and personable

If you won the crown of Mrs. World, what will be your message to women?

To be YOU and stay true to yourself and the right people will love YOU

As a pageant winner, you’ve worked on several projects. What’s your focus advocacy?

My focus is always charity particularly Mind as I’m ambassador and a newly qualified therapist

What is your favorite memory from your charitable work?

Walking 50 miles through March with Baby Miss wales who happens to be my baby girl

Other than your mother, who do you think is the most beautiful woman in the World?

Past Bridget Bardot and present probably Kate Beckinsale but funny you mentioned mother as my mum in her hey day and of course now for her age is one of the most naturally beautiful women I’ve ever seen. I must follow suit 😂

What do you like most about your country?

The monarchy it’s such an institution of the Uk

Which place do you must visit in your country absolutely?

London

Where is your favorite place to travel?

New York

What is your all-time favorite movie and why?

I’m a total romantic so pretty woman

Which do you prefer, Instagram or Facebook?

I’m not a huge fan of social media in general

Social media are more and more present in our lives. What do you think about the power of social media today?

Although it can be very useful, I believe it has its place. I’m not a huge lover of it for my personal life and I prefer to live in the moment than to post

Do you use social media a lot?

No

What is your favorite app?

Deliveroo. I like food  😂

How do you manage to protect yourself and your family from haters?

I don’t post personal info

Who is your all-time favorite beauty queen and why?

Roseanne Davison as I remember watching Miss world with my Nan and Grandfather when she won so evokes precious memories

What is that essential item that you cannot leave the house without?

My baba

What is wow in your bag?

I seldom carry one the phone does everything these days 😂

Apart from pageantry, what other things do you have great interest in?

Travel is a huge passion of mine and I have travelled a lot of the work and as a solo globe trotter which I am very proud of

Where can we follow you?

On Facebook – Claire Grey Mrs Wales Fb and on Instagram – @mrs_wales_2021

Thanks Claire for your time and good luck for your preparations. See you soon.