A Cwmbran teenager is a finalist in Miss Wales 2026.
Mia Eckley, 18, ignored emails she received after submitting her online entry, as she was nervous. She finally responded and took part in a Zoom meeting that led to her being offered a place in the final.
Miss Wales 2026 is over three days in April. Mia told Cwmbran Life that the stages include an empowerment day where contestants will “do things they think they can’t do” like walking on broken glass or breaking wood with their hands. This is followed by a black tie charity dinner and finally a stage night.
Mia and the other finalists are raising money for the Miss Wales charity, Beauty With A Purpose. This is the same charity supported by Miss World, the competition that the Miss Wales winner will enter.
Mia, from Henllys, said that the finalists were all planning fundraising events across Wales.
Party at the Dorallt pub
Her first event is a ‘Through The Decades’ party at the Dorallt pub in Henllys on Friday 7 November. Woody from Heart Radio will play tunes from the 1960s right up to the present day.
She said: “It’s all to do with charity work. It’s all for a really good cause. I’ve got a raffle and honestly, there are so many good prizes, [including] experiences, spa vouchers, hair, make-up, flowers, and a pamper day.
“It should be a nice night. All the Miss Wales finalists are coming. Loads of local businesses are getting involved.”
She said she was very happy with the number of prizes donated by local businesses to support the event after she asked on social media, adding: “Honestly, I didn’t expect so many messages.”
Partygoers are invited to “dress up as their favourite decade,” although it’s not compulsory.
Tickets
Tickets are £10 and available from this Eventbrite link.
If you can’t attend the party at the Dorallt but want to donate to Mia’s fundraising work, you can donate here.