A BEAUTIFUL future awaits Nadia Bella Allan...after she was named as a finalist in this year’s Miss Scotland competition.

Nadia is flying the flag for Renfrewshire as she competes against 17 other young women from across Scotland who have set their sights on winning the prestigious crown.

However, she is quick to shoot down any suggestion that the contest will develop into a ‘cat fight.’

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Nadia, 20, told The Gazette: “All of the girls are so nice – it’s nothing like the sort of stuff you see in the movies. We’ve got a WhatsApp group and everyone is so supportive. 

“We’re all going through the same experience, so there’s definitely lifelong friendships being made.”

Nadia spent most of her childhood in Johnstone and, after her dad died suddenly, decided to leave school.

She said: “School was terrible for me. Everyone was studying for exams but I had no interest. My head was turned, I guess, by dealing with what happened to my dad.”

At a difficult time in her life, Barnardo’s was there to help Nadia.

Volunteering with the children’s charity led to a permanent job and then some qualifications.

“I can’t thank Barnardo’s enough,” said Nadia. “When Miss Scotland asked who I would be raising money for as part of the competition, there was no hesitation. It’s the least I could do for a charity that gave me so much.”

Nadia admits that, while growing up, entering contests such as Miss Scotland wasn’t on her mind.

She said: “I was just a wee girl from Johnstone. I loved singing but wouldn’t have considered entering something like this.

“Then I saw a previous Miss Scotland, Nicola Mimnagh, on her wedding day and I just thought ‘wow, who is that?’

“I found out she’d raised something like £100,000 for charity, which is an incredible achievement.

“My friend pushed and pushed, telling me to enter, and I just thought what have I got to lose?”

Nadia, who now lives in Paisley, is studying music at West College Scotland.

She is a keen singer-songwriter and also devotes some of her time to youth work.

“My dream is to open a performing arts school and give something back – the same way people have given to me,” she said.

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“I’m hosting a charity night for Barnardo’s at the Gleniffer Hotel, in Paisley, on May 17 and I’ve had incredible support from local businesses.”

Nadia also revealed she takes inspiration from her mum and her gran.

“They are my role models,” she said. “If I can become even half the women they are, I will have done well.”

The grand final of Miss Scotland will be held at The Corinthian Club, in Glasgow, in June.

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