A head for beauty and business

These girls hoping to be crowned Miss Black Country had all the credentials of a beauty queen but appeared to be as well-grounded as they were groomed.

There were no vague aspirations for world peace, just dreams of being a property developer, TV presenter, and, of course, model.

Beauty contests may have a stereotypical bimbo image, but last night these excited fresh-faced girls from the likes of Halesowen, Tipton and Dudley presented themselves as intelligent and down-to-earth people keen to put their education first.

Most are at college or university, studying the likes of drama and fine art as well as health and social care and business management.

While many admit to having dreams of a TV or modelling career – after all the winner, teenager Natalie Cutler, will go on to compete for the Miss England title and if successful go on to represent the nation in Miss World – they also stress they are keen to finish their studies first.

Wolverhampton University student Poonam Mehmi, 21, of Darlaston, who came runner-up in last night's competition, at Brierley Hill's Copthorne Hotel, said her long term goal was to set up her own business.

"I've done a bit of modelling previously but I think the Miss Black Country is a great opportunity and a good stepping stone for a career in TV or modelling.

"Modelling is a hobby and if something more comes of it then great, but my long term goal is to work in property development and run my own business," said Poonam. "Beauty is nothing without brains," she added.

Winner Natalie, aged 17, from Rowley Regis, a Birmingham Theatre School student, will now go on to represent the Black Country at the Miss England contest in Leicester at the end of June.

She said the competition was about "personality and how to present yourself".

"It's not exploitation, it's classy," she said. And what about jealousy among the girls? If there was any, they were keeping it well hidden. Natalie said the girls all got on very well together.

And contest organiser Katarina Lavender, of Quarry Bank-based Divinity Models, said: "Sometimes it can all end in tears and screams as some girls can be bad losers. But this group got on very well and have been very supportive of one another."

Katarina is keen to stress that girls need more than beauty to make it through the contest. Beauty pageant girls are not just a pretty face. They need to have intelligence and charisma," said Katarina, who encourages girls to put their schooling first.

"Girls can be incredibly beautiful but they need to have personality and drive as well." Obviously beauty does play a big part in the contest, with girls last night enjoying a hair and make-up pampering session courtesy of students at Dudley College, before taking to the stage modelling day wear, evening wear and sportswear which saw them dress up as cheerleaders.

And the personality test came with their face-to-face interviews with the judging panel, which gave the girls the chance to talk about the studies and their hopes and dreams for the future.

Charity work did get a mention – but at least it beats the unachievable and cliched dream of world peace.

By Maria Cusine