Credit: Found On Internet

Clair Cooper erstwhile hard working/suffering production manager of the Jazz Café recently entered the Miss London competition to her surprise she bloody won the thing. Music Towers caught up with her. For quick chat.

Hey Clair, so how the hell did that come about? 
I saw the ad on a website last year. There’s an age limit so this is one of the last year’s I could apply, so I went for it. Everyone should try most things once, life’s too short.

What did you have to do, why do you think you won it?
I was competing against around 60 other finalists at the Hammersmith Palais. There were 3 rounds: daywear, outrageous clubwear (that replaces the swimwear round, all you modern folk will be pleased to know) and evening wear. The top 20 were then interviewed by Richard Blackwood and Lucie Head an international beauty queen, onstage.

There was no talent round, so the audience was spared my below average spoon playing, which definitely was to my advantage… There is a talent round for the Miss England Finals though being held in the Walkers Stadium. Last year’s finalists did cake decorating, origami… I’m not going to pass on the opportunity of singing in a stadium though, so I’ll be leaving the cake decorating set at home.

 To be honest with you, I think at long last, on this occasion my years of practicing walking in cripplingly high shoes must have finally paid off.

Aren’t pageants just archaic events that objectify women? 
I think we have that view over here in England, which is a shame. For example, some pageant winners over in the States have their whole medical studies paid for them and end up as fully qualified doctors.  I actually find that pretty empowering.

This side of the pond, Miss England is moving with the times too and has made the swimsuit round optional. It’s all about choice.

Guess it makes a difference from getting Alexander Oneil white towls or having some grumpy man bark that the Hammond Organ needs replacing again. Any Events at the jazz that you have foung unforgettable?
At work, I’m usually in trackies and deal with roadies and tour managers, so yes it was a different to my everyday thing, but I like that. I get to have a different side to me. Ozomatli was a fun gig, during the show they came off stage and danced and continued playing amongst the audience, on the ground floor and then all the way upstairs in the restaurant. No bodyguards, no airs and graces. That’s why people love the Jazz Café, it’s nice to be able to make out the stitchwork on an artist’s clothing, you know, be part of it.