SHE WAS bullied in her school years for towering above her classmates.
Now, Willerby woman Jessica McCubbin has had the last laugh, after shining in the Miss Beauty Curve finals in London.
Jessica, 22, finished in the top ten at the pageant for plus-size women.
She was also crowned Miss Publicity and Miss Top Model.
"There were 30 girls in the final from across the country – some came from as far as Glasgow – so I was really happy to finish in the top ten," Jessica said. "Throughout the whole competition, I have just wanted to prove to people it is about having body confidence and accepting that everyone is different and beautiful in their own way.
"I was bullied terribly at secondary school because of my height. I was 6ft 2in, which I suppose was not normal for someone my age.
"People were always telling me I would never get far in life but I feel that I have now proved them wrong."
The bullying became so bad, Jessica decided to move away from her home town of Northampton and ended up in Hull, where she met boyfriend Peter Goldthorpe and enrolled at the University of Hull to study biomedical science.
The Miss Beauty Curve pageant for plus-size women saw 30 contestants – ranging from a size 14 to a 26 – flaunt their figures in everything from evening gowns to swimsuits on Sunday evening.
A dance number opened the show, when the girls burst onto the stage to Chris Brown's Beautiful People.
Jessica was delighted to take the crown of Miss Publicity and Miss Top Model at the awards, held at The Lost Theatre in London, on Sunday evening.
She said: "I have had a lot of support from the local press as I have arranged a number of charity events, which they have supported by giving me publicity.
"I was really happy to take the title of Miss Publicity, but even more so to take the title of Miss Top Model as the judges chose the person they thought is most likely to succeed in the modelling industry.
"I have since been accepted to appear at Liverpool Fashion Week modelling for a plus-size collection.
"I really cannot wait to do that as I believe some of the clothes are being made especially for the models and we might get to keep them."
The biomedical science student is now organising a further two beauty pageants of her own following the success of her Dream Street East Yorkshire pageant at Swanland Village Hall in June.
Jessica, who is now looking forward to modelling for a plus-size collection at Liverpool Fashion Week in October, said: "Events like this can give women a lot of confidence – I know from personal experience.
"I was constantly teased for being taller than everyone else, but now I have learnt to live with my height and celebrate it.
"I want young people, who perhaps are going through a difficult time or being bullied themselves, to know that it does get better and you can do anything when you put your mind to it."
