A BEAUTY queen is hitting back at trolls who racially abused her after being crowned Miss England.

Rehema Muthamia, a graduate of the University of Sussex, reached the final of the 2021 pageant under the new category of Miss All African Colours.

However, the 25-year-old has since been targeted with racist messages on social media.

Rehema is set to team up with newly crowned Miss Ireland Pamela Uba for Black History Month to host an Instagram live event on Wednesday, October 27, to discuss how they overcame the abuse.

The two beauty queens will then fly to Puerto Rico to compete in the final of the 70th Miss World next month.

The winner, who will be crowned on December 16, will receive more than £72,000 in prize money.

The Argus: Rehema Muthamia is a graduate of the University of Sussex Rehema Muthamia is a graduate of the University of Sussex

Rehema said Black History Month is a chance to celebrate and share the heritage of cultures and diversity.

"It’s honestly so disappointing and sad that racism continues to exist in this day and age, but I choose to focus on the positives,” she said.

"All I can say is that hurt people are the ones hurting people, and you shouldn't let them break into your bubble and break you down.”

She added: “I take this month to analyse my identity as a Black British African woman, and how I navigate myself through society.

"It is a time where we not only celebrate the great work of those who came before us but also recognise what other black people in our present time have and are achieving."

The Argus: Rehema Muthamia is a graduate of the University of Sussex 13139534Rehema Muthamia is a graduate of the University of Sussex Rehema Muthamia is a graduate of the University of Sussex 13139534Rehema Muthamia is a graduate of the University of Sussex

After being crowned Miss England, Rehema revealed an escaped abusive relationship motivated her to enter the competition.

She was hounded by her former boyfriend Lorenzo Dixon, 27, after they split up in 2019.

Dixon followed her for nearly 100 miles on a train and bombarded her with calls, letters, texts, emails and gifts.

In April, he was charged with stalking and harassment and handed a 12-month community order, 30 hours of rehab, a restraining order and told to pay her £500.

She now wants to use her title as a platform to inspire other women who have been in her position, and help raise money for Women’s Aid.

“I would have to say that the most difficult experience that I’ve had in life is having gone through an abusive relationship and it’s not something that people speak about, especially in young women - I am only 25,” she said.

“But having gone through a relationship that was abusive it helped me learn more about myself.

"I will now use this platform in Miss England, to help other women that maybe in that have been in my position."

Miss Ireland 2021 Pamela Uba, a former asylum seeker, became the first black winner in its 74-year history.

The Instagram live event will be held at 8pm on Wednesday, October 27.