She’s a rocket engineer, a pilot, a former Royal Air Force Acting Pilot Officer and an Everest adventurer — but 27-year-old Maleha Khan is also proudly breaking beauty pageant stereotypes as a Miss England finalist!
Competing for the second time at the Miss England Grand Final ( in 2025 she reached the top 12) Maleha is determined to prove that beauty, brains, ambition and curves can go hand in hand.
A former UK Space Agency professional, Maleha is currently researching long-duration hydrogen propulsion. She began flying at just 15 and has travelled twice to Saudi Arabia to lecture some of the country’s most gifted students in rocket engineering.
She has also inspired young people through talks at the Royal Aeronautical Society, Farnborough Space Show and schools across Britain.
“You can be a scientist, a pilot and a beauty queen. Never let society convince you that you must choose!”
FROM EVEREST TO THE CATWALK!
Maleha’s adventures have also taken her to Everest Base Camp, where she faced a snowstorm and continued trekking while other members of her group were evacuated by helicopter.
The experience inspired her to encourage young people to put down their phones, explore nature and appreciate the planet.
“I’M NOT A SAMPLE SIZE!”
Describing herself as a muscular, mid-size woman, Maleha wants to challenge unrealistic beauty standards.
“There is no one definition of how a woman looks and anyone who believes so is ignorant to culture, lifestyle, genetics and personal priorities. Being fit and healthy is most important. But deforming yourself for trending beauty standards is not a benchmark to be met.”
She worries that fashion shows and social media are placing increasing pressure on young women to look a certain way, potentially affecting their confidence and mental health.
“Being healthy and strong matters far more than fitting into somebody else’s definition of beauty.”
A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE INSPIRES A CHARITABLE MISSION
After suffering a burn to her arm shortly before competing, Maleha initially worried about concealing it on stage.
The experience made her think about people living with permanent scars and inspired her ambition to support charities helping burn survivors rebuild their confidence.
“A scar should never define someone’s beauty, confidence or worth.”
“I WORE THE RAF UNIFORM — WHY MUST I STILL PROVE I’M BRITISH?”
Despite her achievements and service in the RAF, Maleha says she has experienced racism online.
She hopes to use her platform as a finalist to challenge prejudice and remind people that British identity is not defined by skin colour.
COULD MALEHA BECOME MISS ENGLAND?
Maleha will compete alongside the other finalists at Athena Leicester on Tuesday 17th November 2026, hoping to win the Miss England crown and the opportunity to represent England at Miss World 2027 in Tanzania.
With her extraordinary background, determination and passion for inspiring others, Maleha is certainly proving that there’s much more to a beauty queen than meets the eye!
SUPPORT MALEHA IN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE VOTE!
Vote now at www.missengland.1voting.com
Voting closes at 12 noon on 17th November.
For more information please contact
