When Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa was announced as the Miss Universe 2019 in December, the entire world was taken a back because it was the first time ever that black people dominated all the major beauty pageants in the world. when Kaliegh Garris won Miss Teen USA in April and Cheslie Kryst won Miss USA in May joining Nia Franklin, who was named the 2019 Miss America last year it was the first time three of the titles were held by black women.
Recently for an interview the black trio Miss Universe 2019, Miss Teen USA 2019 and Miss USA 2019 joined to share their experience with the changing dynamics of the beauty pageants in terms of black people being recognized.
Zozibini Tunzi won the title of Miss Universe 2019 with her natural hair and before that Miss Universe Jamaica 2017 Davina Bennett was adjudged the title of second runner-up had her natural hair. Cheslie Kryst who is currently Miss USA shared her personal experience about that very incident. “I remember talking to someone who said, ‘She did really well but I wish she would have done something with her hair.’ This person was a white woman and didn’t realize that was Davina’s [natural] hair. It didn’t need to be fried, dyed and flat-ironed to be beautiful.”
The diva mentioned this incident because she remembered the time when she watched Zozi winning the title with her chic cropped afro hair and being proud of her. Zozibini shared that when she was announced as the winner, she could feel a sense of pride in the Tyler Perry’s studios. She also mentioned that it was such a great feeling for her to win the title after everyone questioned her choice of wearing her natural hair and not a wig. She further explained that what she was on-stage that night is the real her and she wanted to embrace that part of her.
Cheslie Kryst who is an attorney and works as an extra correspondent expressed that the momentum comes with the wide acceptance of the different beauty standards at such prestigious platform where the people have accepted women of colour in leadership roles. She further explained that their winning has surly impacted on a lot of people in a positive way and she’s glad that she played a little part in such a prestigious change where the young women especially black women are looking up to coming forward and doing what they want to do and not what the society wants them to do.
Kaliegh Garris who is studying communications at Southern Connecticut State University explains that she is very blessed that she has two role models to look up to. “They are like my older sisters, so I like to bother them. It’s so much fun. Having two role models who I part-time live with is very cool.” Garris explains that they have been role model to not only me but many other young women out there who have felt that they are not enough because they don’t match the “beauty standards”. They have given them confidence, power and a platform to stand up for themselves which is incredible on it own. She explained that she just feels lucky to be a part of such a huge movement or a change in the changing dynamics.
The divas have an impeccable bond with each other where Zozibini and Kryst share an apartment together and Garris just bunks with them whenever she is in the city. The divas shared their experience that it has been complete bliss for them to know that they are a part of Black History Month. Kryst learned she was part of a Black History Month display at a grade school in her hometown of Fort Mill, SC. Connecticut native Garris heard from a friend that a local high-school student did an English-class presentation about her. Zozibini found out from her mother, a school principal in South Africa, that she was the answer on a national exam.
Garris aspires to pursue modelling after her reign has ended, Kryst has an open invitation to re-join her law firm in Charlotte, NC, but said she is enamoured with her TV gig interviewing celebrities. Whereas Zozibini Tunzi whose global reign requires the most travel, is still taking it all in. She stated that, “I am actually comfortable in saying that I am still figuring it out”.
On social media, all the reigning beauty queens’ women have received praise for how they’re using their new platforms to inspire other women of colour. Their win at international beauty pageants have opened more gates for the women of the colour and build up their confidence for participating in the beauty pageants. The pageants which have always struggled to reflect onstage the diverse array of women who make up the world’s population women with hair, skin and bodies that do not conform to the ones that have traditionally dominated beauty contests have now changed their rules and beauty standards.