4:07pm Wednesday 10th March 2010
By Robert Fisk
A SPORTS science student hopes to be the first British woman to take the Miss Universe crown.
Kimberley Cooper dreamed of taking part in the competition when she was a girl and now, at age 20, she is preparing to be in the final of Miss Universe Great Britain 2010.
Battling for Miss Universe success
If she beats off the competition from the 49 other finalists she will be jetting off to take part in the international Miss Universe event.
Miss Cooper, of Chislehurst Road, Petts Wood, said: “I have not met any of the other contestants [in the Great Britain competition] but we all have a profile page and all the girls are really nice.
“It is going to be a battle I think.”
She says she gets nervous when on stage at pageants because she knows she is being judged.
But she still enjoys the events: “You have to buy all your dresses and raise a lot of money for charity but it is worth all the effort.”
Lingerie model at Selfridges
The former Darrick Wood School pupil has done a variety of modelling jobs in the past two years including wearing lingerie designed by supermodel Elle McPherson at Selfridges.
She wants to take it up as a career full time when she finishes her degree at Roehampton University in south west London.
Miss Cooper said: “It is something I really enjoy [but] I wanted to get a degree behind me so if modelling does not work out then I can get a full time job.
“My family are really supportive, especially with the pageants and they come all around the country with me.”
As a contestant in Miss Universe GB she is raising money for the contest’s official charity The Joshua Foundation, which gives life experiences for terminally ill children.
Her fundraising includes appearing at a showcase event at David Rae Hair Spa, Station Square, Petts Wood, on March 18 from 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £5 and are available by calling 01689 898909.
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