Miss Universe GB Just Crowned Its First Black Winner Ever

(Took long enough.)

Step aside Queen Elizabeth, Great Britain has a new queen. The outcome of the recent Miss Universe Great Britain was announced last week and the winner, Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, made history as the first black woman to receive the crown over its 66 year legacy. Which is amazing, but also disappointing that it took this long. Dee-Ann’s win was announced last Saturday at the Miss Universe GB competition in Newport and as a result, will proceed to the next round to represent Great Britain on a global scale at the Miss Universe contest (like the one from Miss Congeniality and Steve Harvey’s blunder last year).

She said of her landmark win, ‘I have always wanted to use my life to make an impact and to contribute and I will be using the title of Miss Universe Great Britain to encourage women to believe in themselves and to forge ahead with their dreams. The UK is a multicultural society and I am proud to represent its ideals of tolerance, diversity, beauty and feminism.'

'I believe that this is the direction that the pageant has been going in for the last couple of years because Britain is a diverse nation,' Dee-Ann said, 'we are a multicultural society and it is time that that diversity is seen on a stage where other young black girls and girls of all ethnicities can see that this is something for everybody not just some of us.’

Dee-Ann hails from Anguilla, where she also scooped up a sash and tiara as Miss Anguilla 2017. She proudly wore dreadlocks during the competition and she previously told Pageants News that she was the first woman to do so while competing to her knowledge.

The recent law school graduate told BuzzFeed News of her GB win, ‘It really hasn’t sunk in – it feels a bit surreal, I feel like I’m walking on an invisible cloud right now, I’m really buzzing.’

She also continued on Twitter, ‘This happened! My heart is full!! Thank you so much for all of your love and support. The hard work continues NOW!’

Paula Abbandonato, the national director for Miss Universe Great Britain, told BuzzFeed News, ‘I am absolutely delighted that Dee-Ann has won the title this year. I took over this role in 2008 and I can honestly say there is no better gift then having our first black winner to celebrate 10 years in the job. Dee-Ann is a true role model for all women of all skin colours and with her dynamism off the stage, coupled with her presence on the stage, I genuinely believe Great Britain has a chance at the Miss Universe crown this year.’

Congratulations to Dee-Ann! We can’t wait to see how she does in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant, which will be held in the Philippines this December. Just - uh - somebody keep Steve Harvey away from the mic this time.

Megan is a freelance journalist who covers entertainment and all things lifestyle, with a particular passion for fashion, beauty, travel and Keanu Reeves stories. She has previously worked on staff for titles including Marie Claire UK, CNN Style and The Evening Standard and has written for titles such as Bustle UK, Wallpaper*, Forbes and Hong Kong Tatler. She splits her time between London and her hometown Hong Kong, where she currently lives with the love of her life - an elderly dog named Poppy - and her husband.