Bothwell beauty only Scot to reach Miss Universe Great Britain finals

A Bothwell beauty is swapping helping animals for a new pet project as she looks to become the pride of the catwalk.

Alexandra Prior is in the running to represent Great Britain at the Miss Universe pageant - the only Scottish finalist in this year’s competition.

The 32-year-old is a recently-qualified doctor in the field of veterinary medicine.

And she aims to “help both animals and the younger generation of people to heal, grow and learn”.

One of her passions lies in TV and documentaries, having previously worked for the BBC, and she hopes to continue to pursue this interest, taking the field of science and a love of animals along with her.

Alexandra, who works as a locum equine vet, is looking to inspire other women to pursue the aspirations they are truly passionate about, to help show them it is possible no matter how long it may take or what age you choose to begin - and that “any daydream can be turned into a reality”.

This marks her second foray into beauty pageants - and her first resulted in considerable success as she came second in the Miss Scuba contest back in 2017.

As part of her journey to the Miss Universe Great Britain competition in South Wales next month, Alexandra is fundraising for A-Sisterhood - an organisation which supports the advancement of women worldwide.

This year, collected funds will go to a number of female-related causes including Stop Acid Attacks in India which helps survivors of acid violence.

A donation will also be given to a female cause chosen and supported by the new titleholder - in this case Love Her Wild.

Proud former Glasgow Academy pupil Alexandra told Lanarkshire Live: “I am really excited to have been chosen as a finalist for Miss Universe Great Britain.

“I applied online and went through an interview process; I couldn’t believe it when I found out I was a finalist.

“I have been in a beauty contest before as I entered Miss Scuba seven years ago.

“I won the UK category and travelled out to Malaysia for the overall finals - and finished in second place, which I was delighted with.”

Alexandra added: "I am looking forward to supporting A-Sisterhood as part of the Miss Universe process.

“So far I have managed to raise a total of £850 - and hope to collect even more.

“Miss Universe is one of the biggest pageants in the world and I think it’s going to be a huge adventure, as well as a lot of fun.

“As the only Scottish finalist in this year’s Miss Universe Great Britain, I hope to do Scotland proud and be the first Scot to take the title.

“All of the previous Scottish contestants I have spoken to have been so supportive and very insightful.”

The Miss Universe Great Britain final will include a Bring A Bra Ball organised for A-Sisterhood with finalists and their guests donating bras which will be sent to women in Africa in association with Smalls for All; an empowerment day led by one of the UK’s foremost leadership coaches; and a catwalk show before a panel of judges from the beauty and fashion industry.

As well as getting the opportunity to represent the UK for around three weeks at Miss Universe in Mexico at the end of the year, the winner of Miss Universe Great Britain will also travel on humanitarian projects linked to A-Sisterhood.

National director of Miss Universe Great Britain, Paula Abbandonato, said: “We have an incredible line-up of young women at Miss Universe Great Britain once again this year.

“They are all bring something special to the table and are proud to be feminists in heels.

“It’s going to be an excellent competition and I wish them all the very best of luck.”

You can show your support by voting for Alexandra here; the voting is free of charge.

And visit here to donate to her fundraising effort.

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