Teana Lynne, 50, is proving that it’s never too late to follow your dreams
WORDS: FRANCESCA WOODSTOCK
Real life in my experience
Slipping into an elegant, purple floor-length gown, I took a deep breath. Could I really do this?
It was September 2021 and, at 49 years old, I was preparing to go out on stage and compete for the crown in the Classic Miss British Isles beauty contest. But as I looked around at the other contestants, I couldn’t help but feel like an imposter. They were all so glamorous, and some had been entering beauty contests for years. To me, this was all brand new.
As a teenager, I’d dreamed of becoming a model and, aged 15, got a few pictures taken so I could start building a portfolio. But I doubted myself. At 5ft 4in, I thought I was too short, and despite my long, red hair and smooth, glowing skin, I convinced myself I was ugly.
PUSHED ASIDE
I pushed my dream to the back of my mind, and embarked on a career in the banking sector. For the next 30 years, modelling never crossed my mind. I had a dependable job that paid well, and was in a happy relationship with my fiancé Andy.
But in 2018, my friend Charlie launched a new clothing boutique in Cheshire, and she called asking for help. ‘Will you do some modelling for me?’ she asked.
At 45, I thought I was far too old to start strutting my stuff in front of a photographer, but Charlie insisted I had the perfect look. ‘It’ll just be a few pictures to showcase the clothes,’ she said.
‘OK,’ I agreed, wanting to help her out.
I was a bit anxious at first, but quickly realised just how much I loved being in front of the camera. It was exhilarating and so much fun. ‘You’re a natural,’ Andy, then 38, told me when I showed him the photos. With his encouragement, I created an online modelling portfolio, and in late 2019 an advert popped up for the Classic Miss British Isles beauty contest.
‘Go for it!’ Andy said, so I
