Georgia Mariah Coultas laughs when we discuss the characteristics of a stereotypical model. It’s not that she finds the notion of air-headed beauty queens amusing, it’s just that she’s so far removed from that cliché that she simply doesn’t recognise it.

Georgia was recently crowned Miss Shropshire 2011, securing the title ahead of 16 other competitors, and on July 18 and 19 will contest the Miss England pageant. The competition will be held in Birmingham, where Georgia will come up against regional winners from all over England.

Georgia is 19 and from Telford, having lived in Shropshire for the majority of her life. She grew up amid a tight-knit family and her strong network of family and friends supported her bid to become the county’s number one. “I’ve very lucky,” she says. “I received plenty of support from those closest to me. My family and friends have always been 100 per cent behind me, and I genuinely wouldn’t be able to do what I love without them.”

Just about the only element of stereotypical model behaviour that that Georgia does conform to is this: helping charity. She’s long been a supporter of a number of local causes, preferring to help organisations in her native Telford & Wrekin rather than offering support to national charities.

“It’s great to support the bigger charities, but I just don’t want to see local ones forgotten about.”

Part of Georgia’s bid for Miss Shropshire entailed fund-raising and she organised a number of events, including a charity Zumba class, raffles and a car boot sale. She managed to raise more than £500 for the Gracie Benson’s Fund, even after the set back of £150 being stolen from her workplace.

Georgia said: “I cried when I found out. I just couldn’t believe some-one would do something like that. Gracie Benson was the Shrewsbury girl who died last year after a brave fight against cancer.

Her dedication to charity fund-raising shines through: “I just loved doing my fundraising, especially the charity Zumba class and seeing the positive interaction it brought between people, all for a good cause.”

Winning Miss Shropshire hasn’t brought about any particular changes in Georgia’s life. She continues to work as a part-time waitress, and her manager Lucy Phillips describes her as a hard-worker.

“She’s an amazing girl,” she says. “Georgia’s very bubbly and a bit mad. She’s a well-loved member of staff, who is a friend to every-one. We’ll be cheering her on when she tries to win Miss England.”

Judging for the Miss Shropshire contest was strict. Georgia had to win support for her charity endeavours and also score highly in an online public vote. There was also a ‘popularity’ round, which she sailed through. “At the final of the contest, I remember them calling out my name to say I was in the top ten. I just couldn’t believe it. Then I was announced as the winner, and I couldn’t take it all in.”

Next stop, Miss England. Georgia describes herself as being really excited to be in such a big competition. However, there is an equal measure of trepidation – and a fear that she might lose her footing and fall off the stage. The Miss England contest comprises of numerous rounds, including the eco-round in which the contestants either make their own dress out of recycled everyday goods, or buy a second hand evening dress from a charity shop.

“Being crowned Miss Shropshire means a huge amount to me because I love my home county,” says Georgia. “I just wouldn’t live anywhere else, I love it. Even if I was to win Miss England, I would want to focus on Shropshire, and giving it the attention it deserves.”

Unsurprisingly, Georgia has aspirations to become a full time model, though she realises the fashion and beauty industries are difficult to break into. “I’d love to model full time,” she says. “I came to this after dancing nearly all my life; dance was a springboard for my career. From time to time I’d have to do a photo shoot and people were always telling me to go for a beauty contest. In the end, I just gave in.”

Honour

Success in the Miss England contest would qualify Georgia for a place in the Miss World finals. “That would be an incredible honour,” she says. “But these events are as much about personality, as they are looks. If anything, I’d say personality counts for more.”

Georgia has already been snapped up by an agent, Mike Darlington, from Chilli Represents: “I immediately knew that there was great potential to use Georgia’s fantastic personality, beautiful looks and humbling dignity to really put Shropshire on the map. Georgia has such a lovely outlook on life and everybody warms to her instantly.”

As our interview draws to a close, Georgia continues to confound the stereotypes. “I only took 20 minutes to get ready for Miss Shropshire. Really, I’m just an average waitress. I think it’s all about bringing your own personality to modelling. I wouldn’t change anything about myself.

“You should always do what you want to do, it doesn’t matter what profession it is, just go for it!”

Georgia’s attitude to dieting is also amusingly refreshing. “I am always eating. I don’t follow any strict diets, and I don’t let anyone tell me I need to.”

She doesn’t follow a rigorous fitness regime either, as she relayed an anecdote about going to a spin class. She remarked: “I felt like I’d been beaten up the next day, I really did!”

Georgia is well equipped to represent Shropshire, and hopefully England. In just over a week, she’ll find out whether she’s also bound for a place in Miss World.