A WESTBURY woman was crowned Miss Lady Ink UK 2016 at Frome Tattoo Convention last month, and has said she is the happiest she’s ever been after struggling for years with confidence issues and bullying.
Kaytee Symes, stage name Miss Dolly May, won the competition after being judged on her tattoos, style and her performance of the song ‘Skyscraper’ by Demi Levato in the talent round.
Kaytee, 24, usually works as an entertainer at holiday parks and on cruise ships, but will soon be starting a youth performing arts group in Bratton.
She said, “When I won I honestly could not believe it – I was so shocked. I started clapping thinking they had announced someone else, then realised it was me! Winning this title has made me the happiest I’ve ever been and I finally feel accepted, not an outcast. Dare I say, I even feel pretty for the first time in my life.
“I’ve been bullied my whole life for my looks and my weight, and for dressing differently. Even last year comments on the internet crushed my confidence completely, and I couldn’t leave the house for fear of teasing comments or even people looking at me; I just assumed they were thinking bad things about me.
“Tattoos have given me the confidence to walk outside the house with my head held high. I feel like if people look at me now, they’re looking at my beautiful artwork and ink, not all my lumps and bumps and imperfections. I’ve finally beat the bullies!”
The Miss Lady Ink UK competition is a local pageant for tattooed women, and is run alongside Frome Tattoo Convention; both events celebrated their second year this February.
