People / My 2018
My 2018: Kobi-Jean Cole
In September, Kobi-Jean Cole was crowned as Miss Great Britain, a culmination of several years of work which has now given her a platform for her campaign to promote an anti-bullying message in schools.
The 24-year-old from Kingswood is the youngest of four sisters and credits the support of her family with enabling her to fulfil her ambitions.
It was her grandmother who first suggested that she enter the Miss Bristol pageant, which she won at the first attempt in 2015 and on her third appearance has propelled her to wear the national crown.
is needed now More than ever
Kobi Jean Cole competed against 51 other contestants at the Miss Great Britain pageant – photo by Jin Rathod
“My family have been so supportive,” Kobi said over coffee at Starbucks in Cabot Circus. “They have come to every show I have ever done and they know that this is what I have always wanted to do.
“I’m extremely proud. I still pinch myself now. Every time I watch the video I cry.”
“It felt surreal,” said Kobi, reflecting on being crowned Miss GB at a glittering pageant in Leicester. “All my dreams came true. I had been working on it for so many years. It’s amazing that it finally happened and I could make everybody proud.”
Kobi, who went to school at Two Mile Hill Primary School, John Cabot Academy and North Bristol Post-16 Centre, left her job helping the unemployed get back to work in order to focus on being Miss GB.
She describes beauty pageants today as a bit like girl power. “It’s something that I love doing, being able to show off my body that I have worked so hard for. I knew that I had everything that I needed to be Miss GB. I knew that I was worthy of that crown.”
When she is competing, Kobi says that she feels “the best version of myself. I get my most confident when I’m on stage.”
Kobi with some of the other Miss Great Britain contestants – photo by Jin Rathod
The Miss Great Britain pageant sees contestants having to give an opening two-minute speech, followed by bikini and evening wear rounds.
“I came back each year better than the year before, with more self-esteem, more body confidence,” Kobi said. “I have made some of my best friends through pageants. There are people from all walks of life. You are all there for each other.”
Kobi also won the ‘bikini body’ prize at the Miss GB pageant this year. “I’m proud that I won that. I’m a curvy girl and I love to promote a healthy lifestyle.
“If you have a dream, no matter what it is, you can do it.”
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