Ahead of the Miss Northern Ireland 2023 grand final at the Europa Hotel, Belfast on May 22, finalist Zara Fitzpatrick from Enniskillen spoke to The Impartial Reporter about how she hopes to bring “positivity and good vibes” to the contest, which she describes as more like a sisterhood than a competition.

19-year-old Zara was crowned Miss Magherafelt at the Miss Northern Ireland heat held at LJ’s Tavern, Magherafelt on March 16.

Talking to this newspaper about what inspired her to enter the contest, Zara said: “What inspired me was my dad was in ACA Models whenever he was younger, and he was scouted by Alison Campbell.

“I also grew up around the modelling career, because Mary McCartney – an ex-Miss Northern Ireland – is a family friend of mine and she used to be my primary school teacher.

“Her daughter, Ellie, her youngest daughter and I, are also very close.

“I’ve watched Miss Northern Ireland for years, glued to my phone watching all the finals, and four years ago I went to see it,” she said, adding: “I’ve just always wanted to do it.”

When asked what her heat entailed, Zara explained that she was asked two questions, walked the catwalk and posed for a photograph.

“When I was asked the final question, which was something along the lines of, ‘Who is your role model that is in the spotlight?’, I said, ‘Vivienne Westwood - she’s an icon, I love her’.

“That just sealed the deal for Victoria Withers [the Miss Northern Ireland organiser], because last year I did six heats and didn’t get through, but I made my point that this year is my year!” said Zara, noting that when she was crowned Miss Magherafelt, she was in complete awe.

“I couldn’t stop crying, I was over the moon! I was so happy, I still can’t believe it.”

Commenting on the highlight of her Miss Northern Ireland experience so far, Zara said: “I’d say the sisterhood that you make with all the girls, [and the organisers from ACA Models], Megan, Tory and Victoria, they are the most easygoing people. It’s such a supportive agency.

“And of course the amazing sponsors that we have too,” she added, explaining that she recently received a package of products from one of the sponsors, BBold tan.

“I wanted to work with them for quite some time because they’re specialised around psoriasis and eczema, and I have psoriasis.

“So I’m just like, ‘Yes! I can work with a tanning company that I can actually wear [their products]’.

“I can’t wear tan unless it’s BBold, because [my psoriasis] just has a really bad reaction to it.”

Zara currently works in Next, Enniskillen, but as a sufferer of psoriasis, she has great plans to help others with the skin condition by starting her own business on the side.

“I am setting up my own business; it’s a clothing line for people with psoriasis and eczema, because there’s certain clothing that irritates the skin.

“Loose clothing is the main thing people want and need to wear if they have psoriasis or eczema, but if they want to wear something tight, [I want to be able to provide that].”

Looking forward to the Miss Northern Ireland grand final in May, Zara commented that she is excited for the gala show, as she enjoys dressing up, describing herself as “a girly-girl”.

She added: “I also look forward to seeing all the talents because I, myself, don’t have a talent per se, but it’s just great to see what these other girls are able to do.”

While saying that she doesn’t have a specific talent, Zara hopes to bring lots of “positivity and good vibes” to the contest.