Lisa Austin has been crowned Miss London 2026 following the capital’s regional final at The Playground Theatre on Saturday 3 October, in an evening celebrating purpose, individuality and the women representing modern London.The 2026 competition was produced under the direction of Phoebe Michaelides, Regional Director of Miss London, who oversaw the finalists’ journey and the creative development of the final, as well as hosting the live event.

Having recently experienced the Miss England competition from the other side of the stage, Michaelides brought a contestant-informed perspective to her first year directing the London region. Her vision for Miss London placed particular emphasis on substance alongside presentation: creating a polished theatrical event while giving contestants meaningful opportunities to demonstrate their character, communication skills and individual purpose.

The result was a final which brought together fashion and entertainment with a broader emphasis on what women can do with the visibility afforded by pageantry.

Lisa Austin Crowned Miss London 2026

Lisa Austin was ultimately crowned Miss London 2026 and will now progress to the Miss England Final, continuing on the official pathway towards Miss World.

Lisa is a high-fashion model and founder of Because I Can, an initiative which has already led to conversations with four BBC stations across England. With a degree in Communications and a master’s in Public Policy underway, she has sought to use her platform to translate advocacy into tangible action.

Jasmine Mattu was named First Runner-Up following a strong performance throughout the competition and will have another opportunity to continue her Miss England journey at the forthcoming semi-finals.

A number of additional awards were presented throughout the evening, recognising contestants who distinguished themselves in particular areas of the competition and ensuring that achievement across the finalist group was celebrated.

An Expert Judging Panel

The finalists were assessed by an accomplished panel spanning fashion, beauty and entertainment.

Dar, international celebrity hair designer and longstanding Miss England judge, brought more than three decades of experience working with royalty and A-list stars.

Celebrity photographer Alan Strutt brought an expert eye shaped by a 30-year international career photographing names including Madonna, Kelly Brook and Michelle Keegan.

Luxury make-up artist and beauty coach Lina Cameron, creator of Architectural Lift Makeup™, brought 23 years of beauty-industry expertise working with celebrities and royalty.

Elara House brought a fashion perspective to the panel, while also providing the finalists’ gowns and supporting them throughout their Miss London journey.

Bringing Miss London to the Stage

The production brought together an accomplished creative team selected to give the regional final a professional theatrical identity.

The show was choreographed by London theatre director and choreographer Anna Wicks, Resident Director at the John McIntosh Arts Centre. Her directing credits include Half a Sixpence, Guys and Dolls, Singin’ in the Rain, Private Peaceful and The 39 Steps, alongside work at Riverside Studios, Gray’s Inn Hall and The Other Palace Studio.

The evening’s fashion was supported by Elara House, who provided gowns for the finalists and worked with the contestants throughout their Miss London journey.

Behind the scenes, finalists were supported by the event’s hair and make-up team: @taranmalhotrauma, @constantina.maria.hmua, @beawestlake_hmua, @sophielang_hmua and @karolinad.makeup.hair.sfx.

The final was staged at The Playground Theatre in London, bringing together contestants, judges, supporters and members of the wider Miss England community.

A Platform With Purpose

For Michaelides, who has previously competed within the Miss England system herself, directing Miss London represented an opportunity to shape the kind of competition she believes contemporary pageantry should be.

Phoebe Michaelides, Regional Director of Miss London, said:

“Having recently stood on the other side of the stage as a contestant myself, it has been a privilege to now steward that experience for another group of women.

“My ambition for Miss London was to create something that felt both elevated and purposeful – a stage on which women could be recognised for their presence, certainly, but also for their intelligence, individuality and what they want to contribute.

“London is an extraordinary city precisely because there is no single definition of a London woman. Our finalists brought completely different backgrounds, ambitions and stories to the competition, and I wanted the final to reflect that.

“I am immensely proud of what they achieved. Congratulations to Lisa on becoming Miss London 2026, to Jasmine on an excellent result, and to every finalist who had the courage to step onto that stage and represent something meaningful to her.”

For Lisa Austin, the crowning marks the beginning of the next stage. As Miss London 2026, she will now represent the capital at the Miss England Final being held at the Athena Leicester on Tuesday 17th November 2026 , taking her Because I Can initiative – and the purpose behind it – onto the national stage.

The Miss London competition forms part of the official pathway to Miss England and Miss World.

The Playground Theatre in North Kensington will host the Miss London 2026 Final on Saturday 3 October, bringing the capital’s finalists to one of West London’s most distinctive independent cultural venues.

The evening will see an accomplished group of women from across London compete for the Miss London 2026 crown and the opportunity to progress to Miss England — the national pathway to Miss World.

Established in 1998 by founder and Artistic Director Peter Tate, The Playground Theatre has built a reputation as a home for artistic experimentation and the development of new work. The theatre has worked with internationally recognised names including Brian Cox and Steven Berkoff, while work developed at The Playground has progressed to major institutions including the Young Vic, Hampstead Theatre and the Barbican.

Its longstanding commitment to discovering and developing talent makes The Playground a fitting stage for this year’s Miss London Final.

The Miss London 2026 finalists represent a new generation of ambitious women, with backgrounds spanning entrepreneurship, academia, charity, the arts, modelling and public service. Throughout the evening, they will take to the stage across a series of competition elements before one is crowned Miss London 2026.

For audiences, the final is also an opportunity to discover The Playground itself. The independent theatre and registered charity presents an evolving programme of theatre, music, new writing and live performance, while supporting emerging artists and its surrounding North Kensington community.

Miss London 2026 Final
Saturday 3 October 2026 | 6.30pm–9.00pm
The Playground Theatre, 8 Latimer Road, London W10 6RQ

Tickets are available now.

Visitors can also explore The Playground Theatre’s upcoming programme and discover what else is on at the venue.

Instagram: @theplaygroundtheatre
X: @playgroundw10
Facebook: The Playground Theatre

The search for Miss London 2026 is heading to the stage, with the forthcoming final taking place at the Playground Theatre

 in London on Saturday 3rd October 2026.

The show begins at 6.30pm and promises an exciting evening of fashion, entertainment and celebration as women from across the capital take to the stage in the hope of being crowned Miss London 2026 and progressing to the Miss England competition.

A Celebration of London Women

Presented by Phoebe Michaelides, Regional organiser alongside the Miss England organisation the event will celebrate beauty, individuality, ambition and purpose.

Throughout the evening, the finalists will take part to give them the opportunity to showcase their personality, confidence and beauty.

Miss London is about much more than appearance. Contestants are encouraged to use the opportunity to highlight causes they care about, support their communities and show how they can use the Miss London platform positively.

At the end of the evening, one contestant will be crowned Miss London 2026 and take the next step on her journey towards the Miss England title.

No Swimwear Round

In keeping with the modern Miss England competition, there will be no swimwear round at the Miss London Final.

Instead, the focus will be on the contestants themselves – their confidence, personality, presentation, ambitions and what they hope to achieve with the opportunities that come with the title.

Come and Support the Finalists!

The final takes place at:

The Playground Theatre
Latimer Road
London
W10 6RQ

Saturday 3rd October 2026
Show: 6.30pm – 9.00pm

The theatre advises an approximate running time of two hours with a 20-minute interval.

Tickets are on sale now, priced at £30 General Admission, with £20 concession tickets available for over-60s, students and unemployed guests. Seating is unreserved.

Come along, support this year’s contestants and enjoy an evening celebrating some of the inspiring women representing the capital.

Who will be crowned Miss London 2026 and earn her place in the Miss England competition?

🎟️ TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Book your tickets here:

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theplaygroundtheatre/2425840

AMOLI was born from a deeply personal journey. Founded by two sisters after years of struggling with sensitive skin, they experienced first hand the frustration of products that promised natural ingredients but contained unnecessary fillers and hidden additives. Determined to create something better, they developed a skincare brand built on complete transparency, uncompromising quality and the power of nature.

Every bottle of AMOLI is crafted using carefully selected botanical oils sourced through trusted partnerships with smallholder farmers in Rwanda, helping to create sustainable livelihoods while celebrating the countries rich botanical heritage. Every seed is hand planted, carefully nurtured and cold pressed twice to preserve the natural vitamins, antioxidants and anti inflammatory properties that make each drop so effective.

We are proud to support Miss London because we believe true beauty is found in confidence, resilience and purpose. Just as every finalist has a unique story, every bottle of AMOLI reflects our commitment to integrity, empowerment and creating a positive impact, from the farming communities of Rwanda to the women who use our products every day.

“Chinny is a graduate medical student and a passionate community builder dedicated to education, culture, and empowerment. Alongside her studies, Chinny has founded Buy a Medic a Coffee, a charity supporting medical students, and AI B C Academy, an educational programme teaching children aged 10 to 13 how to use artificial intelligence safely and wisely through her “Ask, Build, Check” framework.

Her Miss London platform centres on tackling technology-facilitated violence against women and girls. Through her campaign, “She’s sAIfe Online” Chinny creates educational content, delivers digital safety workshops for teenage girls and advocates for stronger online protections, believing every girl deserves to feel safe both online and offline.

Whether in the hospital, the classroom, or the community, she brings the same mission everywhere she goes: helping people feel seen, safe, and celebrated.”

PRESS RELEASE

Vietnam – Miss World England Grace Richardson has made history by winning the Talent Competition at the 75th Anniversary Miss World Festival in Vietnam, becoming the first England representative to win a Miss World fast-track event.

Grace, a performing arts graduate from Leicestershire with a background in singing, acting and dancing, wowed the global audience with her performance of “Over the Rainbow” at the Children’s Culture Center in Nha Trang.

Through her performance, Grace wanted to remind adults how important it is to keep their childhood dreams alive – a message that means a lot to her as she continues working towards her own dream of performing on a West End stage.

The Talent Competition started with contestants from around the world auditioning for a place in the final. Grace made it through to the 23 Talent finalists, who performed while the other 88 national ambassadors cheered them on.

Minutes after being announced as the winner, an emotional Grace said:

“I still can’t believe I am the winner. These women are all so talented, and it is truly an honour to have been chosen.”

Grace added:

“Winning the Talent round means so much to me. Performing is what I love, so it really is incredibly special to be recognised for it here at Miss World. I can’t wait to see what the next two weeks bring, knowing I’m already through to the Top 40! I’m just going to enjoy every moment and continue to give it my all representing England.”

Her victory has fast-tracked England into the Top 40 quarterfinals of this year’s Miss World and marks the first time England has won a fast-track event in Miss World history.

WORLD-CLASS TALENT

It was a hugely competitive evening, with Miss World Guadeloupe, Annaelle Ibo, finishing a close second after performing “La Vie en Rose.”

Miss World Philippines, Asia Rose Simpson, came third with a powerful dance performance telling the story of feeling lost and finding her way through faith.

The evening featured many other outstanding performances. Miss World Paraguay, Ayelén Pérez, a music educator, played the violin with remarkable talent and sensitivity, while Miss World Portugal, Vitória Babinetchi, impressed with an incredible rhythmic gymnastics routine.

The audience also enjoyed the powerful voices of Miss World Ethiopia, Ruth Yirgalem; Miss World Nigeria, Soye Karibi-George; and Miss World Eritrea, Snit Habteab, as well as a unique and unforgettable performance by Miss World Chile, death metal vocalist Ignacia Fernández.

Miss World Denmark, Josephine Bøttger, impressed the audience with a delicate classical ballet performance that showcased her remarkable talent.

And the list goes on. The representatives from Poland, Colombia, Zambia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, the Cook Islands, Nepal, Gibraltar, Sri Lanka, Ireland, China, Vietnam, Denmark and Guatemala all excelled in their respective performances.

A DREAM COME TRUE FOR LEICESTERSHIRE PERFORMING ARTS GRADUATE

Grace’s achievement is especially meaningful because of her lifelong love of performing.

She trained and graduated at LCPA – Leicester College of Performing Arts, founded and led by Principal Ann Oliver MBE, where she developed her skills in singing, acting and dancing.

Grace has spent years preparing for a career in the performing arts, with her biggest ambition being to perform professionally on a West End stage.

Grace’s biggest supporters are her parents Alyson & Chris Richardson who  have both travelled to Vietnam to support Grace  with dad arriving slightly earlier. 

Mum Alyson found out Grace had won the talent round just as she was about to board the flight from the UK to Vietnam.  On her arrival Alyson said  “We are absolutely over the moon to be here in Vietnam supporting Grace and to see her win the Miss World Talent Competition and secure her place in the Top 40 of this very special 75th Anniversary Miss World is beyond anything we could have imagined.

Grace has been humming and dancing for as long as we can remember, even before she could properly walk or talk. But singing and speech have never come easily to her. Grace was born with ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue-tie, which restricts the movement of the tongue. She has had to work incredibly hard to find different ways to form sounds, words and musical notes.

That makes this recognition feel even more extraordinary to us. And after fracturing her foot a few months ago and being unable to fully dance on pointe at present, her determination to adapt, keep performing and find another way has been incredible to watch.

As her parents, we couldn’t be prouder. This award means so much because it feels like recognition not just of Grace’s talent, but of her resilience, determination and all the hard work she has put in to overcome the challenges along the way. To see her standing on a world stage in Vietnam doing what she loves is simply magical.”

Alyson & Chris on Graces graduation day

Miss England Director Angie Beasley said:

“This was the round Grace really wanted. Performing is her passion, so to see her win the Miss World Talent Competition is incredibly special. We couldn’t be prouder of her.”

Grace’s international win follows her success in the Miss England Talent round, where her performing ability played an important part in her journey to becoming Miss England.

Now, after years of training, her talent has been recognised on the world stage.

THE 75TH MISS WORLD GRAND FINAL – 5TH SEPTEMBER 2026

Following her historic Talent victory, Grace will continue representing England at the 75th Anniversary Miss World Festival in Vietnam, with her place in the Top 40 quarterfinals already secured.

The 75th Miss World Grand Final takes place on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

The wider Miss World festival events will take place across multiple cities and provinces in Vietnam from August 8 through September 5, 2026, bringing together national representatives from around the world for challenges, cultural events and appearances.

The 75th Anniversary edition of Miss World is supported by Geleximco Group as Diamond Sponsor.

Could Grace Richardson make even more history and bring the Miss World crown home to England?

ENDS

Press enquiries:
[email protected]

For more details about LCPA and Ann Oliver MBE, visit:
https://www.lcpa.co.uk/lcpateam/miss-ann-oliver-mbe/

Images excluding Audience image – Anfice Photography 

The Miss England Grand Final is officially returning to Athena Leicester on Tuesday 17th November 2026, marking an exciting homecoming after a 14-year absence.

The decision follows the incredible success of Leicester performing arts student Grace Richardson, who captured both the prestigious Miss England Talent Award and the Miss England 2025 title in November 2025. Now preparing to represent England at the 75th Miss World in Vietnam, Grace will return to the city where her journey comes full circle as she crowns her successor.

The Athena is in the Cultural Quarter of Leicester – pictured is Grace dressed in a beautiful red showgirl costume from the Ann Oliver School of Dance

Athena has a proud place in Miss England history, having previously hosted the national final in 2006, 2007 and 2012. Since then the final has been held across England at Venues in Torquay, Southport , Birmingham , Newcastle and for the past two years Wolverhampton. 

This November, Grace will hand over her crown in spectacular style. Living out her dream of becoming a West End performer, she will appear along side talented performers from the Ann Oliver School of Dance.

To celebrate the return of the Miss England Final to Leicester, a special photoshoot with Anfice Photography was organised by Angie Beasley, Director of Miss England since 2002, during the West End Day Party at the Athena.  Grace, dressed as a glamorous showgirl, was warmly welcomed onto the stage by the event’s DJ and introduced Grace to the audience who wished her well in Miss World and post for a group photo ! 

Grace was invited on stage at the West End Day Party held recently at the Athena Leicester with Emily Olive Boyd and James Richard Turner

“Grace received a wonderful reception from everyone at the West End Day Party event,  her real dream is to perform on the West End stage ,” said Angie Beasley. “She met two talented West End singers, Emily Olive Boyd and James Richard Turner at the event who wished Grace every success at the 75th Miss World in Vietnam. We are delighted to be returning to Athena after all these years.”

Grace will sing live at the Grand Final and dance alongside some of her fellow performing arts students making the evening a true celebration of talent, entertainment and Beauty with a Purpose , the ethos of the competition.  

Grace said “”I couldn’t be more excited to be crowning my successor in Leicester!  It means so much to bring the Miss England Grand Final back here after 14 years and to celebrate everything this incredible city has to offer.  As a Musical Theatre performer who has grown up in Leicester, I’m especially proud that we’ll also be showcasing some of the amazing students from The Ann Oliver Stage School. It’s going to be a truly special night, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.”. 

The Miss England 2026 Grand Final promises to be a spectacular red carpet event and one not to be missed.

Booking tickets early is advisable and tickets can be purchased on this link – 

VIP TABLES with reception drink and dinner is limited 

https://buytickets.at/missenglandlimited/2237502 

ENDS

PLEASE CREDIT ; Photo by Anfice Photography for usage 

NOTE TO EDITOR

The reigning Miss England is Leicester performing arts student Grace Richardson who will be representing England at the 75th Miss World in Vietnam . 

The Miss England Final will include an Ethical Fashion and Talent round with a series of qualifying rounds held in the lead up to the event including a Beauty with a Purpose fundraising competition , a make up free, sports and tourism round where national finalists will promote their homes towns and cities!  The winner will go forward to the Miss World Beauty with a Purpose final in May 2027 set to be held in Tanzania . 

Miss World will celebrate its 76th year in 2027 For further details please see www.missworld.com 

To interview the Miss England organiser Angie Beasley or Grace Richardson please email 

[email protected] 

About the Athena 

Originally designed in 1936, Athena is an art deco landmark in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter and truly the region’s most unique events venue. 

For further details https://www.athenacb.co.uk/about-us/

Backstage with Emily & James wished Grace a good luck at Miss World in Vietnam this summer

Miss England 2025 Third Runner-Up Phoebe Michaelides is stepping into an exciting new role as organiser of the upcoming Miss London England competition.

Following an exceptional year representing the Miss England platform, Phoebe is now turning her attention towards discovering and mentoring the next generation of young women hoping to follow in her footsteps.

Phoebe made a significant impression during the Miss England final after winning the prestigious Explore the Nation Award for her cinematic and psychologically inspired film celebrating London, before placing fourth overall nationally from thousands of entrants.

Phoebe also previously held the title of Miss Cosmo England, representing England internationally in Vietnam and gaining valuable experience on the global stage.

Her journey through pageantry has also attracted wider media attention, including coverage in Business Insider exploring her perspective on confidence, identity and modern pageant culture. Alongside her creative work, Phoebe is now pursuing further academic training in psychology and psychotherapy, reflecting her growing interest in the emotional development and empowerment of young women.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge of organising Miss London England and creating an experience that feels inspiring, ambitious and genuinely empowering for young women,” said Phoebe.

The upcoming Miss London England competition will search for confident, ambitious and inspiring young women to represent London at the national Miss England final.

Entries are now officially open, with organisers encouraging young women aged 16–27 who hold a British passport and live in England to apply via the official Miss England website.

The Miss England competition continues to champion the long-standing Beauty with a Purpose ethos associated with Miss World, encouraging contestants to use their platform to make a positive difference while gaining confidence, opportunities and life-changing experiences.

Phoebe is currently seeking venue partners and sponsors for the 2026 competition. Interested parties are invited to get in touch regarding collaboration opportunities.

Apply now at:
Miss England Official Website

The Dover Marina Hotel & Spa, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, rolled out the red carpet this Bank Holiday weekend as it welcomed reigning Miss England, Grace Richardson, for a special guest stay at its iconic seafront location overlooking the English Channel.

The hotel rolled out the red carpet for Grace Richardson the reigning Miss England

The beautiful suite where Grace and her guest stayed overlooking the sea

Grace, a 21-year-old performing arts student and environmental advocate, enjoyed a well-earned spa break at the seafront hotel, experiencing its renowned hospitality, wellness facilities, and culinary offerings.

Grace couldnt resist a selfie in the gym at the Dover Marina hotel – shes currently training for the Miss World Sportsround

During her stay, Grace enjoyed a range of wellness experiences, from relaxing spa treatments and time in the hotel’s fitness facilities to a bespoke hair treatment at the on-site Vogue Hair & Beauty, before dining at Mr White’s English Chophouse alongside her guest.

Grace enjoyed the luxury Hotels Spa facilities

The highlight of the weekend saw Grace take to the spotlight, delivering a special live performance for guests during Saturday evening dinner.

Speaking about her stay, Grace shared:
“The break was just what I needed ,its been a busy time recently for me juggling my performing arts studies with the role of Miss England , now I feel refreshed and ready to go.”

Grace was invited to sing at dinner for guests at the Dover Marina hotel during her stay

Grace added:
“I loved the experience and the hospitality. I stayed in a beautiful room with a balcony overlooking the sea and all the facilities within the hotel– it was truly stunning. I hope to come back one day soon.”

Grace documented moments from her visit on social media, sharing highlights with her growing audience and the official Miss England platforms, giving followers a glimpse into the hotel’s luxurious setting and vibrant atmosphere.

The visit comes at an exciting time for Grace, who is preparing to represent England at the 75th Anniversary of Miss World, taking place in Vietnam from 9th August to 5th September 2026. The international competition will see contestants from across the globe compete in a series of challenges including the prestigious Talent and Sports rounds, alongside the organisation’s renowned Beauty with a Purpose initiatives.

The beautiful restaurant at the Dover Marina Hotel & Spa

Grace enjoying the hotels facilities with Mr. Kanagaratnam Rajaseelan Managing Director the Dover Marina Hotel & Spa

Grace’s stay at Dover Marina Hotel & Spa reflects the continued collaboration between Miss England and leading UK hospitality venues, showcasing the very best of British destinations ahead of her journey to the global stage, with Dover’s seafront setting offering a distinctive backdrop to the experience.

For more information about the hotel click the logo or visit

For media enquiries, collaborations or partnership opportunities, please contact:

[email protected]
www.missengland.info