Jamaica’s Toni-Ann Singh was crowned Miss World 2019 at the 69th annual beauty pageant held on 14th December 2019 in London, United Kingdom. Miss World 2018 Vanessa Ponce de Leon crowned Toni Ann Singh by the end of event. It is the first time that all top pageants; Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss America, Miss Universe and now Miss World have been dominated by black women as their winners.
Toni is 23 years old who was born in Morant Bay, St. Thomas, Jamaica in 1996. She migrated to United States with her parents at the age of 9 and has since lived in Florida. She was born to her Indo-Caribbean father Bradshaw Singh and African-Caribbean mother Jahrine Bailey. She is a student of women’s studies in psychology at Florida State University and aspires to be a medical doctor in future. She relocated to Jamaica a few months ago.
The first pageant Singh competed was in the Florida Caribbean Association. It was here when she met judge and Miss Jamaica World 2005 Terri-Karelle Reid, who encouraged her to enter the Miss Jamaica World competition. At Miss Jamaica pageant, Singh took home the Best Talent, Most Photogenic and Miss Personality title.
Singh’s impressive singing talents caught the attention of fans and Miss World voters. She sang a cover of “I have nothing” by Whitney Houston during their talent competition. The video went viral over the social media and her talent was much appreciated. She started receiving training in classical music when she was nine years old. Toni enjoys singing when she is sad because it takes her out of a bad mood.
Toni-Ann Singh is the fourth contestant of Jamaican descent to win the title of Miss World. The other three are Carol Joan Crawford, Cindy Breakspear and Lisa Hanna who walked away with the title in 1962, 1976 and 1993 respectively. After the win, Toni took over the duties of Miss World and her plans to take a role of global ambassador very seriously.
Toni Ann Singh excelled through all the rounds of the competition including swimsuit and evening gown struts. She was fierce and confident when Piers Morgan asked her a question about “Who is the most inspiring woman in her life?” Toni credits her success and growing to her mother and after winning the title, she took her social media to make sure she thanks the woman who has made her what she is today.
She expressed her gratitude towards everyone who wished for her win and urged all the young women out there to never stop believing themselves. “Please know that you are worthy and capable of achieving your dreams. This crown is not mine but yours. It's for you to truly understand that no matter where you're from and the cards you're dealt in life - your dreams are valid. You have a PURPOSE," she added.
Asked about the value of beauty contests in today’s world of MeToo# and the drive for equality and respect for women, Toni mentioned that beauty for her was the least important aspect of her achievement. “I want to make a change that’s sustainable. So, if we’re talking women... it needs to be something that will make sure that their children and their children’s children have a different value of life,” she said after winning the title in London on Saturday night. Describing herself as a “changed woman” after the experience of taking part in the Miss World competition, Singh added: “There’s no way I could chalk it up to just being about beauty, because that’s the last on the list, honestly.”