Doctoral Researcher named Miss Universe GB Finalist on International Women’s Day

Sakaynah explained: “I was working on my PhD when I received the news confirming I had been selected as a Finalist in Miss Universe Great Britain 2026.

I remember instantly crying tears of ecstatic joy. I called my mum mid-cry, and we screamed in excitement. We both knew this moment meant more than a title. It felt symbolic. It felt aligned.”

Having started working at aged 16, Sakaynah’s work ethic began in ernest. She went on to win an ELLE magazine competition as one of 'Tomorrow’s Editors’ and a decade later she became an editor at that same publication.

As a journalist Sakaynah is committed to reporting on women’s issues and advocating for women and through her research she examines relationships within women-dominated industries to understand how they can lead without diminishing one another. Her role as a Miss Universe GB finalist has given her another platform to empower and celebrate other women.

“Through the national and international platform of Miss Universe Great Britain, I hope to amplify these commitments and inspire women and girls to practice intentional, wellness-led leadership, Sakaynah explained. “I want to encourage them to cultivate self-awareness, to define success on their own terms, and to resist external pressures that conflict with their authentic ambitions.

“Empowerment is not a slogan. It is a practice. It is choosing to lead with grace in competitive spaces.

“Pageantry is often misunderstood as superficial. In reality, it is a global platform that demands poise, communication, discipline and cultural representation. For me, it is an extension of my leadership philosophy. Intellect and integrity are not opposites to elegance and presence. They strengthen one another.”

To read the advice Sakaynah has for women and girls on International Women’s Day, visit our Blog page.

Or follow Sakaynah on Instagram @sakaynah