Saffron Corcoran, a 29-year-old mother of two from Northamptonshire, has been crowned Ms Galaxy 2026, an international beauty pageant held in the Bahamas. Her journey to the title comes after years of enduring relentless bullying during her teenage years for her appearance, a struggle that at one point left her suicidal.
Corcoran was teased at school and nicknamed 'Crimson Chin' after a cartoon character with a prominent jaw. The abuse significantly impacted her mental health, leading to a suicide attempt at age 12. She recounted that during the era of early social media like Blackberry phones, Ask FM, and MSN Messenger, the bullying was inescapable, affecting her even after school hours.
To rebuild her confidence, Corcoran entered pageantry at 16. She was crowned Miss Teen Galaxy England in 2015 and Ms Galaxy UK in April of this year. Eleven years prior, she had placed second in the international Miss Teen Galaxy pageant. "This journey has been an 11-year-long dedication," Corcoran stated after her recent win, "along the way I've had a career change into special education and welcomed two daughters."
She underwent corrective surgery in her teens to address an underbite. Corcoran has since become an advocate against bullying, giving talks and engaging in charity work. "The bullying was horrific and had a massive impact on my life," she said. "It was always on my mind even after school. Pageantry just helped rebuild me and I have made friends for life from it."
Corcoran decided to enter the Ms Galaxy competition, which is for unmarried women over 28, after ending an eight-year engagement. "It was a chance to rebuild again and I'm proud how I have bounced back," she explained. "I'm the happiest I've been thanks to pageants."
She expressed pride in showing her daughters, Mabel, six, and Sophia, one, what can be achieved with determination. Corcoran emphasized that pageantry has offered her opportunities for charity work and has instilled the confidence to be her authentic self. "It's less about wearing a pretty dress and a crown," she noted. "I do a lot of charity work and wouldn't have had that opportunity without entering pageants. I'm proud of what I've achieved and pageants have given me the confidence to be the person I am."