DIVA chats to Emma-Jay about survivors, queerness and the future of pageants
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGES BY MATTHEW TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Emma-Jay Webber is no stranger to the pageant stage. She made queerstory as the first openly lesbian Ms Great Britain finalist in 2022. Only a year later, Emma-Jay took home the Ms World International Woman title. Now, she’s stepping onto the stage once again to represent Team UK at Ms Universe 2026.
Taking place between 3–7 May, Ms Universe is a pageant which aims to “inspire women from every country, continent, and culture to come together to share their passions and promote their platforms on an international stage.”
Throughout her time in pageants, Emma-Jay has always been a staunch advocate for body positivity, diversity and LGBTQIA+ rights. When she received the Ms World International Woman title in 2023, she actively spoke out against Florida’s Don’t Say Gay bill. To so many, it seemed obvious that Emma-Jay would continue to compete in pageants.
However, after Ms World International, Emma-Jay tells me that she didn’t think she’d ever step foot on a pageant stage again. “There was this huge secret that I was holding,” she explains. “For the majority of my pageant career, I was suffering behind the scenes as a victim of domestic abuse and violence. I never thought I would have the confidence to do this again.”
In 2023, Emma-Jay was able to escape and went to a women’s refuge with her children. Her life was “flipped” upside down. In returning to the pageant world, Emma-Jay wants to use her platform to give a voice to other survivors. “I thought if I don’t use this opportunity and this platform that I’ve been given, change is never going to happen. I want to show that this happens a lot. It even happens to people who have all the glamour and the glitz and the limelight.”
Emma-Jay is also hoping to use her platform at Ms Universe – which is being held in Florida – to speak about LGBTQIA+ rights. “I feel like we’re going backwards,” she tells me. “The community is slowly being eradicated from existence. We’ve always been here. We’re not going away.”
She also hopes that her story will provide visibility and education for those who might not understand the fluidity of identity. In the past, she identified with the label “lesbian”, something she says she is still “very proud of”. But after announcing that she was dating a man recently, she’s been frustrated to see her voice on queer topics diminished. “Just because I’m now dating a man doesn’t change the fact that I’m part of the community. It doesn’t change the fact that love is love, and it doesn’t matter in terms of gender. I’m still queer. I still represent.”
The pageant world is changing. We’re seeing more trans women and women of colour being celebrated on stage than ever. However, for Emma-Jay, there is still more to be done. “We need more representation,” she says. “We see the headlines, but when you dig deeper, for so many people, those spaces are still not accessible.”
As Emma-Jay gets ready for Ms Universe 2026, she wants to make sure that she’s a role model for everyone – including her two children. “They see all the sacrifices. It’s so lovely when I hear them say they’re proud of me.”
“To be a role model, it’s about showing them that this is about using your voice. This is about speaking up for the people in silence. This is for the survivors. This is for body positivity. This is for making a positive change in the world.”
You can follow Emma-Jay’s journey on Instagram @emmajaywebber.
Love media made by and for LGBTQIA+ women and gender diverse people? Then you’ll love DIVA. We’ve been spotlighting the community for over 30 years. Here’s how you can get behind queer media and keep us going for another generation: linkin.bio/ig-divamagazine
Did you know that DIVA has now become a charity? Our magazine is published by the DIVA Charitable Trust. You can find out more about the organisation and how you can offer your support here: divacharitabletrust.com
