From “Not for Girls Like Me” to Miss Universe GB Finalist—Meet Yasmin Toseafa
Yasmin Toseafa didn’t have “enter a Miss Universe pageant” on her bingo card for 2025—or any year, really. She had convinced herself that pageants just weren’t for women who looked like her. That is, women living with vitiligo. But when she watched Logina Salah be crowned Miss Universe Egypt (the first woman of Arab descent with a skin condition to win that title) in November 2024, something changed.
“I convinced myself that someone who looks like me would never be able to compete in a pageant,” says Yasmin, who goes by Yaz, and has lived with vitiligo for over two decades. The London-based physician assistant also models, but she had never considered entering a pageant like Miss Universe. Seeing Logina win that year changed Yaz’s mind.
“Being a woman with vitiligo who is also of Egyptian heritage myself, Logina really resonated with me,” said Yaz. “I thought she looked absolutely beautiful, and she was so inspirational. It made me think, if she can do it, maybe I can too!”
So Yaz took the plunge, applied to Miss Universe Great Britain (MUGB), was accepted, and in late summer 2025 she competed as a finalist in the MUGB competition. Although she didn’t walk away with the crown, Yaz describes the whole pageant experience as empowering and fun-filled. Yaz also made history as the first Miss Universe GB finalist with vitiligo.
Established in 1952, Miss Universe has franchise arrangements with over 70 countries, who each run a country-specific competition, with winners continuing to compete in the final Miss Universe event. The organization originally restricted entrants to ages 18-28, but in 2023, they dropped the upper age limit, and Miss Universe has gradually become a more broadly inclusive event. Competitions often incorporate a wide range of events, such as charity fundraisers, retreats, coaching for entrants, and more.
“I will never forget the sisterhood between us all,” said Yaz, surprised by the strong sense of community among her fellow contestants. “And the love I felt from my family and friends who came to support me.”
Just as seeing Salah compete and win last year helped Yaz believe she, too, could be a Miss Universe, Yaz hopes her story can empower other women with vitiligo to try something they once thought impossible.
“The biggest takeaway I have from competing in Miss Universe Great Britain is that most of the time, the only limitations we have are the ones we place on ourselves,” she says. “I finally took the chance, and look what it did for me. I’m not sure if I’ll compete again but perhaps I’ve paved the way for someone else with vitiligo to apply.”
We spoke with Yasmin about her experience competing in Miss Universe Great Britain. Check out her interview below.
Name: Yasmin Toseafa
Age: 32
Hometown: London, England
Years with Vitiligo: 20+
Living Dappled: To start, tell us a little about yourself and how you spend your days.
Yasmin Toseafa: I’m 32 and live in London, England. I’ve been a qualified physician associate for 7 years and I’m also a model. I love dancing, music, travel, I’m into fitness, and I’m a foodie.
LD: When did you first get vitiligo?
YT: I developed vitiligo when I was around 8 or 9 years old. I’m not 100% sure of the cause, but I do know it can be caused by trauma. I remember falling off my bike and scraping my face across the pavement. It was cut up and bleeding. After it healed, I noticed white patches developing on my face. That’s where it all started!
Related: How a Cut Can Turn Into Vitiligo
LD: What inspired you to participate in Miss Universe Great Britain?
YT: I was inspired to apply for Miss Universe GB (MUGB) by former Miss Universe Egypt 2024 Logina Salah. Being a woman with vitiligo who is also of Egyptian heritage myself, Logina really resonated with me. I thought she looked absolutely beautiful, and she was so inspirational. It made me think, if she can do it, maybe I can too!
I had never been in a beauty pageant or anything similar before! It was such a new and exciting experience. Even though I didn’t place, I am still so glad I did it. I got to meet some fantastic women, raise money for charity, and make amazing memories.
LD: The pageant sounds like it was a wonderful and empowering experience. Tell us a few highlights from the process.
YT: There were a few moments from the whole competition process which stood out to me. One was raising money for the fundraising vehicle associated with Miss Universe GB: “A-sisterhood.” This is a non-profit organization that helps raise money for female-centered charities around the world. I do give to charity, but this is the first time I have made a concerted effort to raise it myself. I completed a challenge where I climbed 3,000 flights of stairs over 30 days and asked for donations. It was also a really touching process as it highlighted to me the support I have from my friends, colleagues and family. I’m so grateful for them.
Another one was our MUGB training weekend that we had a few months before the pageant. This was the first opportunity to meet the other contestants, get valuable advice and tips about how to present ourselves and our platform, draft interview responses, learn how to walk and spin “beauty pageant style,” and pick up our “Miss Universe GB 2025 Finalist” sashes. Putting on the sash made it feel real.
And lastly, the whole pageant weekend! It was a packed few days—inspirational speakers, glass walking, board breaking, dancing into the night with the girls, learning the choreography for the opening dance number, the nerves walking onto and sashaying across the stage, hoping I wouldn’t fall over whilst doing a spin. I was so nervous my face was twitching while smiling. I will also never forget the sisterhood between us all and the love I felt from my family and friends who came to support me.
