The crowning of Miss World 2019 has closed out this year’s historic pageant circuit, marking the first time the titles for all five top beauty contests were won by black women.
On Saturday, Jamaica’s Toni-Ann Singh was named Miss World, joining a 2019 cohort of advocates for prison reform, women’s rights and music education who used their platform to address conventional beauty standards: Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi, Miss America Nia Franklin, Miss USA Cheslie Kryst and Miss Teen USA 2019 Kaliegh Garris.
“To that little girl in St. Thomas, Jamaica and all the girls around the world — please believe in yourself,” Singh wrote on Twitter. “Please know that you are worthy and capable of achieving your dreams. This crown is not mine but yours. You have a PURPOSE.”
Singh, 23, graduated from Florida State University with degrees in psychology and women’s studies and plans to attend medical school.
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| Miss Jamaica Toni-Ann Singh (L) celebrates winning the Miss World Final 2019 at the Excel arena in east London on December 14, 2019. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images) |
In 1970, the year that a deeply divided South Africa sent a black representative and a white representative to Miss World, Jennifer Hosten of Grenada took the title, becoming the first woman of colour to win. In 1977, Janelle Commissiong, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago, was crowned the first black Miss Universe. Vanessa Williams became the first black woman to win the Miss America title; she was crowned Miss America 1984 in 1983.
In 1990, Carole Anne-Marie Gist became the first black Miss USA. Janel Bishop broke the last barrier when she was named Miss Teen USA 1991, the first black winner of the pageant.
The franchises have evolved over time, becoming more and more inclusive — on the basis of race, sexual orientation and religious affiliation — even as the pageant world continues to grapple with core criticism over female objectification.
Still, the slate of 2019 winners in the United States and across the globe shows how far these contests have come, a milestone summarized in the powerful speech that Tunzi, of South Africa, gave Dec. 8 just before she was crowned Miss Universe.
The franchises have evolved over time, becoming more and more inclusive — on the basis of race, sexual orientation and religious affiliation — even as the pageant world continues to grapple with core criticism over female objectification.
Still, the slate of 2019 winners in the United States and across the globe shows how far these contests have come, a milestone summarized in the powerful speech that Tunzi, of South Africa, gave Dec. 8 just before she was crowned Miss Universe.
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