Rock Out

ELLE SELINE

MAKING HISTORY

Surrey girl Elle has made history by becoming the first contestant ever to enter Miss GB make-up free. She made it to the top 5 and won the title Ms GB Publicity 2021 at the competition last month which is a true accolade. Surrey Rocks caught up with the Guildford girl to find out all about the competition, on being a role model for young women and her brave stance on not wearing make-up.

CONGRATULATIONS FOR MAKING THE TOP 5 IN MS GB AND WINNING THE TITLE MS GB PUBLICITY 2021, HOW DID THE SHOW GO?

It was liberating and a very surreal experience which I am very grateful for, everything went so fast too, I did my best and gave them 100% Elle. After the show two young girls came to speak to me and said they felt more confident about themselves after seeing what I did, this for me was huge and definitely the highlight of the evening for me.

WAS IT NERVE WRACKING COMPETING IN SUCH A HIGHPROFILE COMPETITION?

It was nerve wracking as I was coming totally out of my comfort zone, I was not hiding behind make-up which I would usually do on stage and in public. Giving yourself to people in your most vulnerable state is scary as it is - however doing it on a stage at a national competition was even more so, but it was an important thing to do and I made history by doing it for the right reasons. Whenever I felt anxious or doubted myself, I remembered exactly why I was doing it and all the women I had helped through my story. I chose such a high profile competition on purpose for my message to be heard. It was a controversial thing to do but I am glad I did it; the stance and message was always bigger than the competition itself.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO COMPETE IN MS GB WITHOUT MAKE-UP?

I competed in my most vulnerable form, not just for my own growth and self-esteem, but to show all women that they don’t owe the world anything. That they have a choice to do what they want, to look how they want, and that the only person they should make that choice for is themselves.

The make-up was always just a symbol of choice and the pageant was the microphone and platform to be heard on a global scale.

In high school, I was ridiculed and bullied by my peers for my olive skin and thicker darker hair, I looked different. I covered myself in make-up to try and change myself in the hopes that it would help me fit in. For years, make-up was my shield; a mask I used to hide myself behind for fear of letting people know me the nasty things the kids in school said to me followed me into adulthood, during lockdown I called myself out on a lot of home truths regarding my past, I looked at ways to support myself for a better future, the pressure to show up and glow up has fizzled away as all we were able to do is go to the supermarket/doctors, there was something beautiful about just being able to exist and enjoy myself without needing the validation from someone else, this is something I craved before, however having no choice but to validate myself really set me free, I do not recognise the person I was before lockdown. I decided to

enter Ms GB again in April 2021, after competing in February 2020 I knew I would be back again because I didn’t give them my true self, just like in school I gave them a version of me I thought they would want to see, and this was hard to admit to myself at the time.

Another reason I chose to go make-up free is because society has a lot to answer for when it comes to the way it treats women and what it expects of us.

We are in a world where many of the things that make us unique are labelled as a flaw in order for the beauty industry to profit from us. There are apps that young people can access which have the power to change the shape of our faces, skin colour, make us look slimmer, get us closer to the never-ending pursuit of perfection. This is exactly what I did in school to try and fit in with make-up, however now in the digital age it’s even more

dangerous as there is no escape from all these things being pushed at us constantly, we are told to look like this person, be more like this or that but we are never told to just accept ourselves as we are.

We are made to feel like we’re not good enough, when in reality, we are already perfect as we are. Women are expected to wear make-up as part of our daily routine, as if we are not fully presentable without it. Society has corrupted us to believe this is acceptable when it simply isn’t fair and we deserve better.

This was my promise to the next generation that we will do better for them too.

DO YOU EVER WEAR MAKE-UP?

Not anymore no, and if I ever do again it is because I want to for me and not for someone else’s validation or acceptance.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A FEMINIST?

A feminist is someone who fights for equal rights for all, so yes I would consider myself one.

It feels very good, being someone I needed to aspire to when I was a younger person is a true honour. If I can help one person not go through what I did, then what happened to me during my childhood and teens was not in vain.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE MAKING FRONT COVER HEADLINES AND DOING SO MANY TV APPEARANCES INCLUDING SKY NEWS, BBC NEWS AND GMTV?

It was absolutely awesome and slightly surreal, they all got it, they understood the stance and were there for it.

DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE CHANGED PUBLIC PERCEPTION?

Yes I hope so. It was also important to be having the conversations that we had on national platforms in order to reach a lot of people and raise awareness.

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN THE MOVIE VERSION OF YOUR LIFE?

Reese Witherspoon - I love those Elle Woods vibes, or Sandra Bullock because she also changed the world of pageants in her role as Miss Congeniality - I feel both these women would have the role down and get into character well.

WHO WOULD BE YOUR IDEAL CELEBRITY DINNER PARTY GUESTS?

Halsey, Sia, Lady Gaga, and Demi Lovato I think there would be a lot of raw, and powerful stories to share between us, I also think we would all get on as people.

BEST ADVICE EVER GIVEN?

Stay true to yourself.

WHAT´S THE BEST THING ABOUT SURREY?

As areas go it is a very pretty place, lots of beautiful countryside and woodland around the towns which is always helpful if I want to escape from my busy life. SURREYROCKS | ISSUE 03 33

Following months of careful renovation, The Watermill in Dorking has announced that it is set to open on Tuesday 30th November. The venue has operated as a pub since the 1960s, but it’s been totally transformed, bringing a refreshed look, as well as a completely new food offering, celebrating the very best of British produce. With extensive views over Box Hill, guests can dine in the newly landscaped gardens, featuring cosy log burners, covered seating and a fully-stocked bar. The menu features an array of classic pub dishes, fusing tradition and innovation that celebrate provenance and showcases the best of British farms. The pub’s Christmas menu will also be available when the pub opens, and features festive delights including a vegan wellington and a delicious gingerbread trifle to get you ready for the festive season. The Watermill will offer an extensive selection of drinks, designed with every guest in mind from crafted cocktails to a collection of classic martinis, including a staple French Martini to an exquisite Espresso Martini, plus an array of non-alcoholic drinks.

Following months of careful renovation, The Watermill in Dorking has announced that it is set to open on Tuesday 30th November. The venue has operated as a pub since the 1960s, but it’s been totally transformed, bringing a refreshed look, as well as a completely new food offering, celebrating the very best of British produce. With extensive views over Box Hill, guests can dine in the newly landscaped gardens, featuring cosy log burners, covered seating and a fully-stocked bar. The menu features an array of classic pub dishes, fusing tradition and innovation that celebrate provenance and showcases the best of British farms. The pub’s Christmas menu will also be available when the pub opens, and features festive delights including a vegan wellington and a delicious gingerbread trifle to get you ready for the festive season. The Watermill will offer an extensive selection of drinks, designed with every guest in mind from crafted cocktails to a collection of classic martinis, including a staple French Martini to an exquisite Espresso Martini, plus an array of non-alcoholic drinks.