A Quadring woman has been making waves across the planet as a finalist with Ms/Mrs Earth.
Laura Hudson travelled to finals of the pageant competition for people aged over 27 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
After winning the first ever UK title she’s been preparing for the world event including a visit to the Children’s Climate Action Summit in Ghana with the ENEF Foundation (Eunice Nkeyasen EcoFoundation).
Her talk on her projects associated with Ms Earth went down so well she has an invite to next year’s event.
The competition itself lasted a week starting on July 21 and involved trips to the Petronas Towers and Batu Caves as well as planting trees.
Laura made her own dress for the finale day which was a tribute to Lincolnshire’s own Red Arrows.
It included a ‘red star sigil’ as a nod to her newest job, science outreach and media lead with theatre show The Average Scientist.
During the week Laura won the Green Ambassador role in her category and was ‘First Runner Up’ for which she was crowned ‘Ms Earth Air’.
“I was very proud to have placed the top two, especially since the public vote was 30 per cent of our total scores,” Laura said on her return home. “This was a huge triumph. I firmly believe in letting my work, advocacy and ethics speak louder than votes, and to be credited for this with such a high placement despite a low public vote score, is truly incredible.
“I am grateful to the judging panel, Earth team, outgoing Queens and finalist for their support all week and through the scoring, all of whom played a part in our scores – there were just 20 points difference between us at the top.
“The comments and messages throughout the week and since returning home have made me realise the impact I am having in UK pageantry is far bigger than I could ever dream.
“It has been emotional to read new messages every day.
“To inspire others to fight for our planet, to want to get on stage themselves, to watch my journey over the past seven months, to appreciate the work I put in, and to take the time to send thoughtful messages of support and gratitude is better than any title or win
“The impact and the legacy I continue to create is the real win, and it feels incredible.”
The event in Laura’s own words:
Ms and Mrs Earth is an International competition in it’s 19th year, having been founded by Mykhael Michaels from America to celebrate women over the age of 27, those who might be married, and Elite categories for those over 40 years old, to give us a platform to advocate for our planet
Having won the first live finals of Ms Earth UK back in January, it has been an incredibly busy 7 months of working hard through attending events, supporting competitions, judging pageants, and working on further educating myself to help bolster my knowledge for my Advocacy project, “Beneath The Surface”, aiming to help share the devastating effects of plastic pollution on vast ecosystems in the ocean, and inspire others to want to learn more and make small changes in their own life to help make a difference.
In June, I even travelled to Ghana to support the ENEF Foundation and the Children’s Climate Action Summit, listening to children from the age of 5 to 17 speak passionately about our planet and pin point an issue they want to raise awareness of.
During a visit to the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School in Accra, I delivered a summary of my Advocacy project to a stunned audience of the Environmental club, with many of the boys standing up and sharing one fact they learnt from my speech they didn’t know. It gave people goosebumps listening, and I have offered to send a copy of the project through to the school for wider distribution to the 3000 pupils there, and potentially further afield through the ENEF Foundation
I have also had a possible invite back for next year’s event, which would be amazing to visit and attend if funds allow.
In the lead up to the International competition in Malaysia, I was busy making my National Costume, and collating beautiful outfits and dresses ready for each activity, and showcasing how second hand clothing can still look luxurious and have a place at an International Pageant, most of which were purchased from Vinted, not only saving money, but also our environment by reducing how many pieces of clothing are wasted and sent to landfill
I flew out to Malaysia on 19th July, making it to the Grand Wyndham hotel, Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur in the early house of 21st after 24 hours travelling from Gatwick, to China, to Malaysia.
The first day was a chance to experience the hotel breakfast for the first time, and Mrs Estonia introduced herself to me at my table – it was lovely to meet a fellow contestant, and on retuning back to my room, Elite Mrs New Zealand was waiting for me as my room mate – I bonded with Sheetal straight away due to her being born and raised in Jaipur, India, where I visit every year since taking part and winning Miss Ocean World in 2023!
We had a quick change and run downstairs to take a 2 minute Arrival video, and then change again into our white outfits for the Official Sash Ceremony, where we were able to introduce ourselves to the room, I spoke about my Advocacy Project, and wished all the candidates the very best for the week ahead, before receiving my new Ms United Kingdom sash and a new crown for the week
Day 2 we took a visit to Elmina Park to plant trees – we all had a different variety of rare trees to plant, all with our country flag attached. I had been looking forward to this the most since the Itinerary was released, helping to plant up an entire green pathway through a new city development, aiding better mental health by urging people to get outside, and protecting green spaces and the environment. The experience was truly wonderful, supported by Sibe Darby Properties team members, and after refreshments, we visited their Sales office to see models of the entire town development plans before lunch.
We then headed to the KLLC shopping centre at the Petronas Towers, which are iconic to Kuala Lumpur, before heading back to the hotel and preparing for our Welcome Dinner and Gift Giving at Pan Punjab Restaurant. Ms contestants shared gifts with the Elite finalists, and I was so grateful by each and every single thoughtful gift received, sharing traditions, culture, art or delicacy from their country – it was so heartwarming. I gifted contestants a Well Wishes card with an image of me underwater on it, alongside a tea bag and packet of wildflower seeds to share a little bit of British with them, and something I enjoy – the garden
We also had the pleasure of meeting CEO of Ms/Mrs Earth, Mykhael Michaels, who arrived in style, and I expressed my gratitude to for founding a competition for older women to share their passion for the environment globally, where other competitions have age limits
Day 3 was a brilliant trip to Batu Caves in the morning, and the pictures online do not do this place justice. It’s far more colourful and steeped in religion than you can imagine until you go there. Climbing the 272 steps to the main Temple Cave plus a few more flights inside to another temple behind was well worth it in the heat, climbing up past the Lord Murugan statue standing at a whopping 140 feet tall and the surrounding limestone that is over 400 million years old.
The rainbow colours just make this place even more beautiful, and watching so many pray and give thanks to their God’s and shrines was truly humbling, and I feel fortunate to have the Tilaka (powder) placed on my forehead at some of the shrines. The monkeys around the temple were running and climbing around, scavenging food people had left behind, or that the monkeys had stolen from them!
We also had a quick trip to Central Market and started rehearsals in the Ballroom when we got back with Ms Earth 2024, Deveney from the USA. I was honoured she asked me to help collaborate on the choreography of about 30 seconds of a dance routine at the end of our Opening Number!
Another chance to get dressed up and head out with the entire team in the evening, with dinner out at Saudagir, where we caused quite the commotion outside where groups of children were practising dance routines for an event – they went WILD for us like we were celebrities.
Day 4 was another busy day, but staying at the hotel, with Interviews. Walking in to a room in front of a panel of judges was something I enjoyed. I had no nerves as I was excited to talk about my Advocacy project and show them the real me, my unique personality which they picked up on and questioned me about, and also share my passion for the Earth
We went back to the stage for rehearsals, had a quick change for our Swimwear shoot by the pool and back to rehearsals again – the show was the next day!
This evening was our Glamorously Green Gala in the Executive Suite at the hotel, and I won the Green Ambassador Award for my category. I was truly grateful my hard work had been recognised, something which started years before the competition and is something I live and breathe every day. To have this seen and appreciated and expressed by the President, Ammetta, was amazing.
We all donned comfy clothes so we could get back on stage for a late night rehearsal, and I spent the early hours of the morning building my National Costume which I’d made entirely by myself, but had yet to see fully put together. It was exciting and exhausting, with a bedtime around 3 or 4am each night, I was working incredibly hard.
Our Finale day on Saturday 25th started off calmly, with breakfast and a final quick rehearsal before relaxing, listening to music and catching up briefly on social media, reading many good luck messages, before getting ready for the show. The hardest part was getting all my costumes, shoes and outfits downstairs to the ballroom and backstage!
Once there, we got into our National Costume for official photos, and it was the first time my piece was seen all together, and I was so proud to be paying tribute and thanks to the incredible Red Arrows as a Lincolnshire girl
I had the idea for this costume for about 3 years, it was the perfect opportunity to finally see the vision come to life, depicting their manoeuvre The “Vixen Break” with 7 planes fanning out from a backpack designed to look like a parachute, this was technically the most complex part of the costume, using balloon sticks, wire, tubes of organza and foam planes, all of these elements had to seamlessly slot together and remain in place until the end of Round 1. Teamed with a boiler suit adorned with embroidered floral motifs hand sewn on, RAF and Union Jack flag patches, as well as an embroidered name badge “L.Hudson, Ms Earth UK”, I finished the suit with a Red Star Sigil from my newest job as Science Outreach and Media Lead with The Average Scientist, proud to stand on stage as a Woman in Science.
An overskirt of red, white and blue organza billowing out from beneath the backpack mimicked the coloured smoke the Red Arrows release during displays, and I was incredibly excited to hear how well received it was, with one lady commenting “they were only here a short while back, they were amazing to watch”
I was on stage during the entire National Costume round due to the size of the costume, and once backstage, it was a quick change into Swimwear, which each division had been given matching swimwear and shoes for the
Opening Number. I kickstarted the entire routine as first on stage, and at the end, was incredibly proud to see us all perform the dance routine I’d collaborated on – the emotions were running high.
We moved on to the Eco Couture round, which was optional, but was a chance to share a story, display a creation, and potentially earn the respect of the judged by being seen again. I wore the outfit I’d won Best Sustainable costume for in January at the UK finals, an outfit sharing the story of coral reefs globally, from their devastation through mass bleaching, global warming, and damaging bottom trawling, through the their restoration at Reef Nurseries, being transplanted onto frames, and protected during growth, as thy flourish into colourful and vibrant ecosystems once more teaming with life.
We moved swifty on to Talent round, and I was last to showcase my Mermaid skills, and whilst the video played on screen, I shuffled my way out onto the stage and performed alongside this with graceful arm movements, and pivoting into different poses to wow the audience.
After shuffling back off stage, I need help from some of the finalists getting into my heavily embellished green Evening gown, which I’d purchased second hand from a fellow pageant girl, and I couldn’t wait to wear on stage.
I have never felt so glamourous before, and looking back at the photos, the dress glistens under the stage lights.
I was complimented on my stage presence and catwalking skills after the show, which I have practised and honed myself at home.
It was time for the announcements of winners, including “International” titles for those who won the public voting in each division, and awards such as Charity and Tourism handed out to finalists, as well as the remaining subtitles.
I made it to the Top 3 with Russia and Kazakhstan, and was then hand in hand with Kazakhstan for the Top 2. I was announced as the 1st Runner up, and given a new title of Ms Earth Air 2026 and one of our crowns from the week placed on my head by last year’s outgoing Queens, and a flurry of photos for our Ms Division before leaving the stage and watching the remainder of the results.
I was very proud to have placed Top 2, especially since the public vote was 30% of our total scores, this was a huge triumph. I firmly believe in letting my work, advocacy and ethics speak louder than votes, and to be credited for this with such a high placement despite a low public vote score, is truly incredible. I always want to win on my own merit, not on paid for votes, and I am grateful to the judging panel, Earth team, outgoing Queens and finalist for their support all week and through the scoring, all of whom played a part in our scores – there were just 20 points difference between us at the top.
I bonded with Mrs USA, Leigh Parry, and was hoping she would win her division, but she also placed Top 2, 1st Runner Up and crowned Mrs Earth Air, so we are really excited to say we are Sister Queens, and hope we can enjoy this journey together. Leigh was there with her husband and son, and it was lovely to spend some time with them and get to know them too, and they will be visiting the UK next year – I cannot wait to see them again!
After 24 hours of travelling home, it was a relief to be back home and letting the week sink in. I wish the experience could have been a day or 2 longer so we could get to know some of the finalists a little more, but I truly believe I made a difference through the week, making people smile, being asked to join in with photos, offering a helping hand to finalists coming off stage, and even assisting when some were not feeling well, as well as inspiring my room mate, who said she sees me as a daughter and feels more confident from spending the week with me
The comments and messages throughout the week and since returning home have made me realise the impact I am having in UK pageantry is far bigger than I could ever dream. I thought I was just doing my own hard work for the planet, getting by and enjoying my time as Ms Earth UK
But the mark I have truly made is something I hadn’t prepared for, and it’s emotional to read new messages every day. To inspire others to fight for our planet, to want to get on stage themselves, to watch my journey over the past 7 months with Earth, to appreciate the work I put in, and to take the time to send thoughtful messages of support and gratitude is better than any title or win
The impact and the legacy I continue to create is the real win, and it feels incredible
As Ms Earth Air, I now have the opportunity to continue my work and utilise the International platform to spread the message further
