Search for Northern Irish Earth Goddess Begins

Leading modelling agency, Converse Models, launched their search today, Tuesday 10 February, to find a glam, green and gorgeous goddess to represent Northern Ireland in Miss Earth U.K 2009. This ‘beauties for a cause’ pageant, sponsored by Club4Climate and in association with Northern Woman, is a modern take on the traditional beauty contest as it adds an environmental awareness twist. All applicants are invited to register online at www.missearthuk.co.uk. Following this, regional heats will take place across the country culminating in a grand finale in Belfast this July. 

With growing fears of climate change and global warming, Miss Earth is the beauty pageant for the new millennium. There is a practical message behind this reinvented concept of a beauty contest in which contestants must have a strong knowledge of their country’s culture and environment in order to fulfil the ideals of this competition – that beauty queens be strong and effective advocates for Mother Earth.

After the Northern Irish eco-beauty is crowned she will join three other UK country winners of Miss Earth UK to travel to the Miss Earth international competition. During their month in the Philippines the Miss Earth delegates are required to attend various environmental seminars and educate people on the three R’s (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle). The competition, which has contestants from over 90 countries, concludes with Miss Earth 2009 being crowned in a worldwide televised grand final.

Gemma Walker, Miss Earth U.K. Northern Ireland 2008, describes her time in the Philippines as heaven on earth:

“It was such an amazing experience to take part in one of the world’s biggest beauty contests. The country is such a fascinating place, from the breath-taking scenery to the incredible people. We saw both the beauty and the poverty of the area which was a real eye-opener for me. I learned so much about the importance of protecting the environment and that even small changes can make a big difference”.

 A year into founding the agency Donal Doherty, Director of Converse Models, is delighted to have secured the rights to run such a high profile competition. He comments:

 “It is an exciting time for us as we are currently expanding the agency across the country and are over the moon to be managing Club4Climate Miss Earth UK Northern Ireland in association with Northern Woman. Miss Earth is unique in terms of beauty pageants as it has a positive message of promoting environmental awareness across the globe. The competition has clearly been good for Gemma’s profile as since been crowned last year she has been in constant demand. As Northern Ireland’s local modelling agency we look forward to finding some fresh faces and hopefully discovering Miss Earth 2009”.

To be a worthy Miss Earth UK contender you must be informed, goal-oriented and committed to playing a part in preserving and protecting the environment for future generations. The crowned Miss Earth UK Northern Ireland will also receive a one year contract with Converse Models and a portfolio shot by a leading photographer. Applicants, who must be between 18 and 26, can register online at www.missearthuk.co.uk or for more information call 028 7128 6767. Details of regional heats will be available on the website and information on the Miss Earth UK Northern Ireland grand finale will be announced at a later date.