A UNIVERSITY student in Bournemouth is vying to become Miss Universe Great Britain 2021 later this month.

Born in London, Daniella Hare has moved down to Dorset to study nutrition at as a first-year student at Bournemouth University.

Having been accepted as the regional candidate for the national competition, the 20-year-old will now attend a four-day Miss Universe Great Britain event in Wales from October 14 to October 17.

Now more than 50 years old, the Miss Universe competition was created in the United States back in the 1950s and has grown to become one of the most coveted titles in the worldwide pageant scene.

Bournemouth Echo: Daniella Hare, 20 from Bournemouth, will be taking part in the Miss Universe Great Britain 2021 pageant in Wales in October

However, Daniella points out that the competition is now far from just the beauty pageant it was once known as.

“It is more than just looking pretty,” she said. “A lot of people think it is just about looking good on a catwalk but there is so much more to it.

“Miss Universe as a whole is about empowering women and encouraging their personal beliefs. Many young women are taking part to try and empower other women to stand by what they believe in.

“We have a different system where competitors have to do charity work and also promote and health lifestyle.”

As a keen runner, Daniella will be taking part in the Bournemouth half marathon during the Run Bournemouth event this weekend raising money for A-Sisterhood, a UK-based organisation that seeks to empower, support and protect women worldwide.

Bournemouth Echo: Daniella Hare, 20 from Bournemouth, will be taking part in the Miss Universe Great Britain 2021 pageant in Wales in October

Having started working in the fashion industry in 2019, Daniella has been working as a model part time, starring on her first catwalk a month later and featuring on the Vogue website.

However, as the pandemic ensued, Daniella saw an advert for Miss Universe and went about applying.

She added: “As Covid shut everything down, I wasn’t able to apply last year but when I saw the application were open for this year’s event, I thought this is a great opportunity, so I applied for it.

“I got through the first stage and had an interview, and I was accepted to be the regional representative which has been great.

“It is a very prestigious event, and everyone wants to win but also everyone is very supportive of one another. Through A Sisterhood we are all raising money for the same cause, and we are all doing it together.”

If successful at Miss Universe Great Britain, Daniella will go on to compete at the 70th Miss Universe 2021 which will be held in Eilat, Israel in December this year.

Bournemouth Echo: Daniella Hare, 20 from Bournemouth, will be taking part in the Miss Universe Great Britain 2021 pageant in Wales in October

Daniella, who also works part time at Bowl Central in Westover Road has been supported by her employers who have sponsored her through the competition.

Dee Hare, Daniella’s mum, said: “Her future prospects are going from strength to strength.

“There are going to be those who disagree with it. Young people will idolise these women and I believe it is an empowering decision to take part in it.

“I am very grateful or the support from Daniella’s sponsors. Without them, she would not be able to take part in the competition. I am glad they took it seriously.

“We hope she does well for Bournemouth as well as herself.”

Voting for the regional candidates for Miss Universe Great Britain 2021 is open now and will close at 4pm on Friday October 15.

To vote for Daniella, visit https://www.missuniversegb.co.uk/voting.html?choicely=PsfgIDA.