Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers made history on Saturday.
Kentish-Rogers, 25, is the first black woman to be crowned Miss Universe Great Britain since the start of the contest in 1952. The newly crowned beauty queen is originally from Anguilla, a British territory, and will continue to represent Anguilla and the United Kingdom in the international Miss Universe contest, which will take place in the Philippines in December.
"It's really humiliating and I think it's also a privilege for me to become the first black woman to be crowned Miss Universe Great Britain," she told BuzzFeed News. "I think this is the direction in which the event has been for the last two years because Britain is a diverse nation, we are a multicultural society and it is time for that diversity to be seen in a scenario where other black girls and girls of all ethnicities can see that this is something for everyone, not just some of us. "
Kentish-Rogers competed in Newport, Wales, against 40 other women from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and British territories abroad.
This happened! My heart is full !! Thank you very much for all your love and support. Hard work continues NOW!
Miss Universe Great Britain 2018-2019 pic.twitter.com/kXkjE5aokP[19459004◆-Dee-AnnKentish-Rogers(@AsToldBy_Dee)Julio162018
Kentish-Rogers, who was crowned Miss Anguilla last year, is also a competitive athlete, earning a silver medal in heptathlon at the Central American and Caribbean Games and a bronze medal at the CARIFTA Games.
Prior to her victory, Kentish-Rogers told Pageants News that she believes she is the first woman to compete in Miss Universe Great Britain with locs.
"As far as I know, I am the first woman without dreadlocks who walks on a stage of Miss Universe Great Britain and that is absolutely the most exciting thing for me," she said.
Miss Universe Great Britain's national director, Paula Abbandonato, told BuzzFeed that she is "absolutely delighted" by the victory of Kentish-Rogers.
"I took on this role in 2008 and I can honestly say that there is no better gift [than] having our first black winner to celebrate 10 years at work," he said. "Dee-Ann is a true role model for all women of all skin colors and with her dynamism off stage, along with her stage presence, I truly believe that Great Britain has a chance to win Miss's crown. Universe this year. "
Fans congratulated Kentish-Rogers on Twitter after she was crowned Miss Universe Great Britain.
"I love it when people break the" beauty standards ", especially my dark-skinned companions, our uniqueness must be celebrated, not merely tolerated," wrote a Twitter user.
I love when people break the "beauty standards", especially my dark-skinned companions. Our uniqueness must be celebrated, not merely tolerated.
– preshdidddy. (@preshtawiah) July 15, 2018
Dee-Ann Kentish-Rodgers: The new Miss Universe Great Britain! ?
She is the first black woman to hold the title and will represent Britain internationally on the Miss Universe stage. Congratulations, @AsToldBy_Dee! ?? pic.twitter.com/rIXn3lExPg[19459004consider-DionneGrant(@DionneGrant)15July2018
When your friends are here making history. ????❤
HISTORY has been realized by the hard work of this Queen ???. First BLACK woman to be crowned Miss Universe Great Britain. We are a queen who makes history. #BlackGirlMagic #blackexcellence https://t.co/aWUfdFVoI2[194590044:O'shaneTomlinson@(@Anguilla_Born)16Dejuliode2018
Congratulations @AtToldBy_Dee. Queennnn !!! #BlackExcellence #BlackGirlMagic pic? pic.twitter.com/9EWaJoXDek[19459004◆-Lil'Delicate?(@OhSnapitskeiva)15Dejuliode2018
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misplaced the surname of Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers.
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