A TALENTED Rowley Regis singer has wowed the judges to take home the title of Miss Black Country 2018.
Alexandra Darby showed it takes more than just beauty to win the annual contest by also claiming the ‘Miss Charity’ and ‘Miss Intellect’ categories.
The 22-year-old entertainer was crowned the winner by Miss Black Country 2017 Evie Azzopardi during the event’s final at Brierley Hill’s Copthorne Hotel on Sunday (March 4).
Following her victory, Alexandra told the News: “It was a great night and such a surprise, but I’ve worked really hard for it.
“A lot of people have told me that from the moment I stepped on stage that my confidence shone.”
Photo courtesy of Kev Wise.
Alexandra was praised by the judges for her written exam on the Black Country and she also raised more than £1,000 for charity, with the money being split between two charities, one of them being the Miss World’s cause supporting disadvantage children and the other is Beauty With a Purpose.
“I think that was how I won the title,” Alexandra said. “I’ve put a lot of effort into my fundraising and promoting the Black Country through all my events this year.
“Being a singer and entertainer for a living was a bonus, and even though there wasn’t a ‘talent’ round in Miss Black Country like there is in Miss England, my presence and the confidence on stage was a big help.”
Rachael Barker, Miss England regional director for the West Midlands, a former Miss Birmingham winner herself, said: “Alexandra shone in her interview with the judges, describing all of her plans for the Black Country.
“She has already been on the Black Country Radio and booked in three events this week wearing her Pandora’s Prom sponsored dresses, and she has only been Miss Black Country for two days!
“Alexandra has worked so incredibly hard for this title, having previously competed in 2016, growing so much as a person and an ambassador of the local area, and we at Miss England West Midlands are so proud of her already, and so excited for the year to come.
“I know she will be an amazing Miss Black Country and be involved with so much across this great area, as well doing us proud in the Miss England Finals.
“A massive well done to every finalist, the show was an incredible success and the ladies have done the Black Country proud once again.”
Alexandra will now represent the Black Country at the Miss England Finals in late summer this year, with the location still under wraps.
“I’m so excited for the year ahead and I am really looking forward to competing at Miss England,” she added. “But I need to keep raising as much money for charity as I can and I’m really determined to do my best and help promote the Black Country.”
One of the first appearances Alexandra will be making as Miss Black Country is on Friday (March 9) at a charity ball at Benjamin’s in Halesowen.
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