A former Bedford resident who has been selected as a finalist in Miss Universe Great Britain 2026 says she hopes to use the competition to raise awareness of honour-based abuse and violence against women and girls.
Shanice Sandhu, 30, grew up in Bedford and lived here for 26 years before moving to London. Now working as a train operator, she is one of the finalists competing for the chance to represent Great Britain at the Miss Universe pageant.
While beauty competitions can still divide opinion, Shanice believes modern pageantry has evolved significantly and can provide a platform for advocacy, fundraising and community work.
Raising awareness
Shanice said her campaign focuses on honour-based abuse and gender inequality, issues she feels are still not widely understood.
“My advocacy is about honour-based abuse and gender inequality abuse,” she said, “I feel like these issues are not spoken of, and people are not even aware of them.
“I grew up undervalued by my own family for simply being born a girl.
“Girls can be seen as burdens in parts of the world and I’m here to break that mentality by spreading as much awareness as I can and supporting those that have been victims of honour-based abuse.”
As part of her campaign, she is working with the charity Karma Nirvana and plans to create care packages for women staying in refuges.
She is also raising money for A-Sisterhood, a charity founded by Paula Abbandonato, director of Miss Universe Great Britain, which supports vulnerable women and girls around the world.
The charity has funded support for survivors of acid attacks in India, helped girls who have experienced sexual exploitation in the Philippines and supported women in Uganda to become financially independent.
Challenging stereotypes
Shanice said many people’s perceptions of pageants are based on outdated stereotypes.
“There are huge stereotypes on pageants,” she said, “On the outside it may look like dresses and glam, but there is so much good happening on the inside.”
She pointed to A-Sisterhood’s international work and said she believes more people would reconsider their views if they understood the charitable work linked to modern pageantry.
“Pageantry is a community where you make new friends, learn new skills like public speaking, gain confidence and have a hobby. I think it’s great.”
Away from pageantry, Shanice has spent the last nine years working in the railway industry and now works as a train operator.
“I operate a train and drive it manually,” she said, “I engage with customers every day and get the scenic views of London as I do it. I can’t complain.”
She said the role remains male-dominated, but she’s “proud to be part of the female minority,” and she believes it demonstrates how modern pageants attract women from a wide range of backgrounds and careers.
“My interest in pageantry and my day job don’t quite match the stereotypes of pageantry,” she said, “That just shows that Miss Universe Great Britain does not discriminate if you work in a non-glamorous job.
“It shows resilience to be able to operate a train daily and to show both sides, glamorous and non-glamorous.”
Following a dream
Shanice previously entered Miss England in 2017 but withdrew before the competition progressed.
Nearly a decade later, she says the timing finally feels right.
One significant change has been the removal of Miss Universe’s upper age limit, which had previously prevented women over 28 from competing.
“I’ve just turned 30, and I’m feeling and looking the best I ever have,” she said.
“I think the age limit being lifted is great as more women can apply, and it also wards off the stereotype that a woman’s beauty expires after a certain age.”
Shanice said she hopes her experience encourages other women and girls to pursue their ambitions regardless of outside opinions.
“If you’re going to do something, you must give it your heart,” she said.
“If somebody is being negative to you, regardless of what dream you have, you should protect your energy and don’t let anybody talk you out of something you want to do.
“It takes a lot of courage to chase a dream, and nobody’s opinion will matter when you’re old one day. You must live life for you.”
Hometown support
Shanice said she would love support from people in Bedford as she continues her Miss Universe Great Britain journey.
Alongside the competition itself, she will host a fundraising makeup masterclass on Instagram Live (shanicesandhu_) on Wednesday, 10 June, drawing on her experience as a former makeup artist to raise money for A-Sisterhood’s work supporting women and girls around the world.
“Bedford will always be home to me,” she said, “It would mean a great deal to have the support of my hometown behind me on this journey.”
To vote for Shanice, Text GB Shanice to 64343. Votes cost £1 plus one standard network message.
Full terms and conditions are available at missuniversegb.co.uk/finalists.
