Rebecca Afolabi faces online backlash over UK pageant selection

Rebecca Afolabi, the reigning Universal Woman Great Britain, has faced significant social media backlash following the announcement of her participation in the 2026 Universal Woman Pageant in Cambodia.

Critics online have targeted Afolabi’s physical appearance and her Nigerian heritage, with some users questioning her ability to represent Great Britain. The online discourse has included personal attacks and debates regarding immigration and multiculturalism. Supporters and pageant officials have condemned the comments as racist and abhorrent. Holly Pirrie, a pageant coordinator and Miss Great Britain finalist, described the backlash as “disgusting racial abuse and trolling.”

Afolabi, who was born in the United States and lived in Nigeria before settling in London, holds a degree in psychology and works as a programmatic advertising manager. Supporters note that the Universal Woman competition emphasizes personal achievement, leadership, and social impact rather than traditional beauty standards alone. The international pageant is scheduled to take place in Cambodia in late 2026.