AI clones of Miss England contestants enter pageant competition with eerie ‘digital twins'
Hopefuls can now walk down a virtual catwalk and wear just about anything their heart desires all thanks to the power of AI.
5
5
The so-called "Miss England Avatar Round" give beauty queens the chance to step into the world of AI technology.
Organisers behind the famed contest believe it's the first beauty pageant in the world to introduce such a round.
Over the course of two-hours, each participant can develop a fully-animated digital clone of themselves, capable of delivering presentations and making virtual appearances.
Afton McKeith, daughter of I'm A Celeb star Gillian McKeith, was the first Miss England semi finalist to complete the filming process this week.
A sample video shows her virtual clone interacting, wearing an array of outfits and even speaking in different languages.
"This is not actually me, I am Afton's digital twin," the avatar says.
"I have no human needs, no sleep, no stress, no make-up disasters.
"Just pure calculated perfection.
"Very soon digital twins won't be a novelty, they will be attending meetings, handling interviews and running entire lives.
"Lets face it, wouldn't you rather send your avatar to your 9am meeting if you could?"
mum's an I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! legend. But Afton's more likely to be found backstage at a pageant than in the jungle
Miss England has got tech firm MirrorMe on board to make the new round possible.
Contestants need to record voiceovers and movements to bring their avatars to life, allowing them to explore how they might represent themselves in future digital interviews, business pitches, or public speaking engagements - with the ability to speak more than 140 languages too.
The Miss England business avatar round will be one of ten rounds in the next Miss England semi final that contestants can opt to enter.
A winner will be judged on the highest combined views for their AI video presentations on the MirrorMe website, Vimeo and YouTube.
The real Afton, 25, said: "It's such an exciting honour to be the first Miss England contestant to experience the Avatar Round.
"This initiative is a brilliant way to encourage more young women to step into the world of business and technology.
"A digital twin can be a powerful asset as it allows you to create content that can be reused, save time on filming and even license your likeness to companies for campaigns or educational tools.
"It's about working smarter and exploring new ways to build your brand, create income and stay present even when you're not physically available."
Angie Beasley, who has run the Miss England competition for 23 years, added: 'Miss England has always been about more than just looks.
"With the rise of remote working, AI and virtual platforms, I felt it was time to reflect the world our contestants are stepping into.
"This round is about confidence, presence and impact — whether you're in the room or on a screen.
"It's an empowering way to bridge beauty, brains and modern tech.
"This innovative new round opens the door for contestants to embrace technology in a whole new way, highlighting their adaptability, creativity, and communication skills in the digital space."
5
5
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Car
19 minutes ago
- Auto Car
Vauxhall Mokka gets an extra shot of caffeine with new 276bhp GSe range-topper
Vauxhall has reimagined its GSe performance brand with a new version of the Mokka Electric that has nearly double the power of the standard car. Previewed by the Mokka GSe Rally prototype in May, the crossover's arrival marks the relaunch of GSe, most recently used for the plug-in hybrid Astra GSe, as a badge for performance-honed fully electric cars. The Mokka is also a more serious proposition than the Astra, with substantially more power and extensive chassis modifications. Its new motor, which is shared with the Abarth 600e, the Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce and the new Peugeot e-208 GTi, puts out 276bhp and 254lb ft. That's sent to the front wheels through a Torsen limitedslip differential, and it allows the Mokka GSe to hit 62mph from rest in 5.9sec. To cope with that significant uptick in performance, the GSe's rear axle has been redesigned to add an anti-roll bar and tauter bushings. Together, these are said to increase the back end's torsional stiffness by 189% compared with the regular car. The GSe also gets more heavily weighted steering, 380mm Alcon front brake discs with four-pot calipers and new dampers with hydraulic bump stops. The Mokka GSe rides on new 20in alloy wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres, and it tips the scales at less than 1600kg. The brand has yet to disclose a range, but the e-208 GTi, 600e and Junior Elettrica Veloce all return around 200 miles between charges. For reference, the standard Mokka EV has a 247-mile claimed range from the same 54kWh battery used by the GSe. Visually, the new model is marked out by its neon yellow contrasting elements and new gloss black panels on its front and rear bumpers. Inside, it has Alcantara bucket seats and door cards, and the infotainment touchscreen features new displays including a g-force meter.
Daily Mail
20 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Royal fans gush over Prince George's resemblance to his father Prince William in charming 12th birthday portrait and say 'he'll make a fine King'
Royal fans have gone wild over Prince George's likeness to his father in his new portrait, shared to mark his 12th birthday on Tuesday. Looking as charming as ever, the future king, who was born on July 22, 2013 at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, was all smiles as he posed for the picture in the British countryside. Dressed in a white checked shirt layered with a khaki gilet, the prince leans over a wooden gate and smiles into the camera for the snap. After the portrait was shared online by the Prince and Princess of Wales, fans were quick to point out how the young royal bears a striking resemblance to his father at the same age. Photographs of Prince William aged 12 show a similar smile and hair as young George. 'Wow! His features so strongly resemble his dad,' wrote one royal enthusiast. Another said: 'What a fine young man he's going up to be. He looks like his Papa, Prince William, there.' Others agreed, writing: 'As Prince George grows older, his face becomes more similar to his father's,' while a fourth person added: 'Oh my word, he looks just like his dad. He will make a fine King.' After delighting fans with the new portrait of the young royal, taken earlier this year in Norfolk, Kensington Palace then released a sweet behind-the-scenes film of George's birthday photoshoot. Filled with laughter, the footage showed the future King walking hand-in-hand with his sister and brother, while another adorable moment saw George and Princess Charlotte lifting up a beaming Prince Louis. The clip and photograph, taken by one of the family's favourite videographers and photographers, Josh Shinner, echoed Prince Louis 's seventh birthday portrait, released in April. George, who is the eldest of the Wales children with younger siblings Charlotte, 10 and Louis, seven, was first introduced to the world when his mother Kate and father William stepped out of the Lindo Wing with him in their arms. Dressed in a summery powder blue frock, Kate glowed as she and William revealed their first child, George Alexander Louis, to the world. George, who currently attends Lambrook School in Berkshire, will move to secondary education when he reaches the age of 13 - although it has not yet been confirmed which institution his parents have chosen to send him to. Among the schools reportedly being considered were his father's alma mater; Eton College, and his mother's; Marlborough College. While nothing is confirmed yet, the Mail on Sunday reported last month that £63,000-a-year Eton was the frontrunner for Kate and William. A source told the paper: 'All roads lead to Eton.' Sport-loving George has delighted royal fans around the world with public appearances alongside his parents at sporting events; including Aston Villa matches with his father and, most recently, the men's Wimbledon final. Reaction: Royal fans have gone wild over Prince George's likeness to his father in his new portrait, shared to mark his 12th birthday on Tuesday The 12-year-old sat alongside his parents and sister Charlotte to watch defending champion Carlos Alcaraz take on World No. 1 Jannik Sinner - before the Italian smashed the Spaniard to lift the trophy. An animated George watched in apparent frustration as his favourite player dropped sets to Sinner, and appeared downcast at the final result. It has been widely reported in the past that George and Charlotte are huge Alcaraz fans, and the pair have rejoiced at the 22-year-old's Wimbledon wins in the last two years. Indeed the Princess of Wales revealed in 2024 that Princess Charlotte had been supporting Alcaraz as he beat Novak Djokovic to lift the Wimbledon trophy. Meanwhile, George looked solemn as his mother Kate, patron of the All England Lawn and Tennis Club, descended on Centre Court to award Alcaraz the runner-up dish while Sinner was awarded the winner's trophy. Earlier in the day, the future King revealed tennis is one of the sports he plays as an extracurricular activity; humbly suggesting he's 'alright' at the sport. Ahead of the men's final, George arrived with his family to the All England Club where he chatted to doubles champions Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool. Chatting to the royals, Cash asked George and Charlotte if they play 'tennis'. Prince George was first introduced to the world in 2013 when his parents the Prince and Princess of Wales held him in their arms on the steps of the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London The pair both nodded, before Cash replied, 'Are you good?'. The future king then modestly quipped: 'I was alright'. While the Prince and Princess of Wales have gone to great lengths to protect George's privacy in childhood, they have previously revealed fleeting details of his interests and hobbies. Among them is his love of Aston Villa FC as he takes after his father Prince William in supporting the West Midlands-based side. George has long been attending matches with his father, looking the image of William as he goes through the rollercoaster of emotions of supporting a football team. The Prince and Princess of Wales also revealed insights into their eldest son's music taste in recent years, sharing that he's something of a rock fan. In 2023, during a Big Lunch event to celebrate the King's Coronation, William told a royal fan that George was a fan of classic rock bands. Caroline Mulvihill, from the Rock Choir in Windsor and Maidenhead, recounted a conversation she had with the Prince of Wales during the event. Little lion! Prince George captured by Kate in an England football shirt to mark his sixth birthday in 2019 'We were talking about the kind of music we do in Rock Choir and Will was telling us in their household they have a very diverse music taste and George is very much into AC/DC and Led Zeppelin,' she said. Queen singer Adam Lambert has also suggested the young prince is a fan of the classic rock band of which he is now the frontman, replacing founding member Freddie Mercury. Lambert previously recalled a conversation he'd had with the Princess of Wales at her Together at Christmas carol concert, in which she'd spoken to him about Queen's performance at the 2022 Platinum Jubilee concert. He said: 'It was such an honour. I got to meet Princess Kate, which was fabulous. She was absolutely lovely and down to earth and charming. 'She was talking about her son [George] recalling the performance with the Queen at the Palace for the Platinum Jubilee two years before. Adam continued: 'She was like, he said: "Oh is Adam going to play his guitar?" 'She said, "I think he was confused who was playing guitar and who was who but he remembered who you were." I was like, "Oh, that is cute".'
Times
36 minutes ago
- Times
Need an instant update? Wear a silk scarf
Stop scrolling sundresses, put down the palazzos — the quickest way to update any outfit this summer is by adding something you most likely already own: a silk scarf. From Lauren Sánchez Bezos's Hermès square wrapped around her hair à la Sophia Loren the day before her Venice wedding, to Charli XCX draped in Alexander McQueen skull print at Glastonbury, this slightly fusty accessory has taken centre stage in recent weeks. Across social media, there are reels and TikTok tutorials devoted to the perfect tying of them — so that yours, like Lauren's, might survive a trip on a vaporetto, rather than being whipped off by the wind like Bridget Jones's. (The key is to loop the ends round and knot behind your head, rather than under your chin, which gives a more Balmoral aspect.) At Liberty — where silk foulards have long been a stalwart, if not exactly heat-seeking, item — sales are already up 45 per cent on last year. John Lewis has had searches for them increase by 50 per cent in 12 months too. The second-hand resale app Depop links its spike in interest directly to sightings of Alexa Chung and Kylie Jenner wearing theirs. The elite personal shopping and styling platform Threads is calling 2025's a 'Silk Scarf Summer''. They're synonymous with chic already, of course, but usually with the twinset and pearls/Upper East Side variety, which can just as often feel ageing rather than elegant. So just what has happened to make such a must-have of something that looked soon to be obsolete in the era of hoodies and low-key hair? It's the new and easily copied fashion insider tweak of the season, as spotted on Instagram and the beau monde's favourite beaches alike: the waist wrap. You can barely move for vintage silk scarves in Ibiza, where stylists are using their colourful patterns to break up otherwise plain black linen dresses or tops and shorts by folding a silk scarf corner to corner into a triangle, then knotting it loosely around their hips. • The story of the Gucci silk scarf It might sound affected — and admittedly this-old-thing nonchalance is somewhat undermined once everybody starts doing it (see also: winter's woollen neckerchief trend). Yet here is a way to give definition at your waist or hips, while the dangling pointed end adds an illusion of length to your legs too. It's a bit boho, yes, but the thin end of the wedge, quite frankly, and won't necessarily lead to you buying a tasselled poncho next. Plus — and I particularly like it for this reason — doesn't everybody have a little stash of silk scarves (inherited or simply scavenged from the £1 basket in charity shops) that they rarely use but are too pretty to part with? Consider the waist wrap a zeitgeisty oomph to whatever you're wearing, holiday garb or no — Chung's algorithm-boosting version was with a plain T-shirt and jeans. It suggests you've put some effort in but not too much, which is what everyone is looking for at this time of year, whether you've already blasted through your time away, have just set off or are counting the days until the August bank holiday. There are other things to do with your scarf too, though I wonder how universal the Gen Z festival bandana trend really is. As one sceptic said to me at the weekend, 'If you're not beautiful, a bandana just highlights how ordinary your face is,' a statement that, while caustic in its truth, is hard to disagree with. If, however, you're still tempted to try it, position the flat edge of the scarf's triangle along your forehead, then tie the points underneath your hair. Avoid wearing too far back, or the look becomes more Plymouth Brethren than beach babe. • Read more fashion advice and style inspiration from our experts Then there are all the neck ties you can do — though I realise many of you will file this advice under 'stating the obvious'' or even 'egg-sucking tutorial''. I don't want to sound like Pippa Middleton's party book but, yes, you can tie a silk a scarf around your neck this summer to add some interest to plainer tops or shrug around your shoulders when the weather is not quite warm enough. For the former, roll it into a thin sausage from its longest edge to the point, then wrap and tie; I also like wearing mine point forward, like a cowboy, then wrapping and knotting at the front — perfect with a plain black camisole for now, or a jumper and peacoat in the autumn, just like American Vogue's Tonne Goodman. Finally, there is one more option that I feel duty-bound to mention but which I'm not sure will work for many. If any of you attempt to wear your scarf as a strapless (usually bra-less) 'handkerchief'' top, I'm afraid The Times can take no responsibility for what happens after that.
