Northsider Ruby wins a national title

A NORTHSIDE woman, who has struggled with her self-image in the past, was celebrating recently after winning a national award. 

Siobhán Killen, whose stage name is Ruby Noir, was crowned Miss Pinup Ireland 2017, at the Dublin International Tattoo Convention.

Ruby, who is originally from Malahide and now lives in North Strand, beat nine other contestants to the title. She is a singer and host, who routinely performs on the Dublin cabaret scene in shows such as ‘The Bon Bon Room’ and ‘The Wild Fox Cabaret’. 

She is also one of the original members of cabaret troupe UnderCURRENT and one half of the acoustic musical duo Lady K & Ruby Noir. 

Ruby received a golden ticket through to the finals of Miss Pinup International, which took place as part of the London Tattoo Convention. Eighth contestants took part and Ruby was runner-up, losing out to Miss Novelty Starr, from Norway, for the overall title.  

Ruby told Northside People: “I am very excited to be representing the Pinup scene in Ireland for the next year. 

“The Pinup community is such a supportive and encouraging one and it’s an honour to be a part of it. 

“As a larger woman I never saw myself taking part in something like Miss Pinup Ireland and the idea that I could possibly win the competition let alone perform with amazing women from around the world at Miss Pinup International, has blown my mind.”

Ruby is a size 16-18 and has a particular interest in body positivity. 

“I struggled with my self-image over the years,” she said. 

“Doing something like Miss Pinup Ireland seemed like a crazy idea at the time but the great thing about the competition and the pinup scene in general is that it truly embraces all body types and doesn’t stick to one standard of what a ‘pinup’ is.

“At the beginning it was just this fun, silly thing that I decided to do with my friend, fellow pinup and UnderCURRENT co-founder DialEmma. 

“It has already provided me with the opportunity to do things I never thought I would do, like a boudoir photoshoot, something I would never have had the confidence for, or perform on an international stage with amazing, talented women across the world.”

Ruby is looking forward to meeting and mentoring the new contestants in 2018 though she knows that as a judge for next year’s competition, she will have to be impartial.