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23-year-old Jess Downes from Towyn overcame mental health issues and anorexia – as well as losing her job as a flight attendant during the pandemic – to be shortlisted for the Miss Wales final and secure an engineering apprenticeship with Toyota. Jess hopes to fly the flag for both organisations while raising as much money as she can for the global charity Beauty With A Purpose.
Questions 1
Full (real) name – including any embarrassing middle names Jessica Ann June Downes.
the world. I want to write a book so people will have something to remember me by.
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2
What do you do? I’m a maintenance engineer apprentice for Toyota UK and attend Cambria College. I am the future! I program and fix robots and will be one of the people who integrates Toyota’s future technologies in the automobile world.
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Who shares your life? I live in Towyn, North Wales, with my family. I have three siblings: Joe is 21, Bethany is 18 and Olly’s eight. We have three toy poodles, who are the most adorable animals I’ve ever laid eyes on.
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The highlight of the last 12 months? Securing a role with a global company and being selected as a Miss Wales finalist.
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And the worst moment? Being made redundant by Thomas Cook Airlines and being stood down from my job with Virgin Atlantic due to the pandemic.
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If you could come back as any animal, what would you be and why? A bird. I’m a free spirit and love the idea of just deciding on a destination to call home for as long as you like until you’re ready for the next adventure.
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Your desert island single and what it means to you? I’m not really into music but I love a good podcast.
If you could have one superpower what would it be? To be able to scan people’s minds to pinpoint who is suffering and help them fight the demons that cause them pain. As someone who has their own mental health struggles, it’s something I’d love someone to be able to do for me.
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Who is your all-time hero? My parents. My dad for proving that if the path you’re on isn’t making you happy, it’s never too late to make changes. And my mum is also my inspiration. If I turn out to be the woman my mum is, I’ll have succeeded in life.
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Any fears or phobias? My fear in life is not leaving an impression on
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What would be the first thing you’d buy if you won the lottery? A new car!
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What would be your dream job (other than your own)? An ambassador for mental health, or an author so I could share my journey and let others know they’re not alone.
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If you were representing your country in the Olympics which sport would you choose? Running. I'm no Usain Bolt, but it’s a sport I can always count on to make me feel better.
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What is your favourite drink? Tea, made with soya milk and four sweeteners.
If you had to take part in a reality TV show, which would you have the best chance of winning? Love Island. I have the best personality, which viewers would love – and who would pass up a free holiday!
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What is your guilty pleasure? Spa days and indulging in a full body massage.
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When did you last laugh uncontrollably? At the gym. My sister forgot the treadmill belt was running and went flying!
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You’re hosting a celebrity Hoping for success dinner party for four guests. Who’s on the list? Kate Middleton, Taylor Swift, Dean Thompson (from Aussie soap Home and Away) and author Marian Keyes.
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Where is your favourite place in the world? My nan and grandad’s holiday cottage in Ceredigion. My parents could never afford going abroad so our family holidays were spent down on the west coast.
20 Jess in the workshop
What’s your proudest achievement? Passing my French GCSE with an A at 14 and being put forward for an Oxford summer school by my secondary school Emrys ap Iwan. And passing six intense weeks of training to fly. And my apprenticeship with Toyota!
