Britain has crowned its first black Miss Universe Great Britain! first Time in History! UK Crowned Its First Black Miss Universe Great Britain in 66-years: Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers
Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers from Anguilla has been crowned Miss Universe Great Britain 2018 at the Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre, Newport on Saturday night of 14th July 2018.
About 40 beauties from Wales, Scotland, and England took part in this mega national beauty contest.
UK Crowned Its First Black Miss Universe Great Britain in 66-years
Dee-Ann will represent Great Britain at the world’s most prestigious beauty pageant, Miss Universe 2018.
Dee-Ann’s full name is Dee-Ann Kentish Rogers. She is from Anguilla. Dee-Ann has a degree in Law from the University of Birmingham. She is an Athlete and she competed twice in Commonwealth Games.
This happened! My heart is full!! Thank you so much for all of your love and support. The hard work continues NOW!
Miss Universe Great Britain 2018-2019 pic.twitter.com/kXkjE5aokP
— Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers (@AsToldBy_Dee) July 16, 2018
The 25-year-old, from Anguilla, a British overseas territory, was named Miss Universe GB at Saturday’s competition at the Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre in Newport.
Speaking about her win as the first black woman,
Kentish-Rogers told FillgapNews: “I think it’s really humbling and I think it’s also a privilege for me to become the first black woman who is crowned Miss Universe Great Britain.
She went on: “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, 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.”Britain has crowned its first black Miss Universe Great Britain!
First Time in History! UK Crowned Its First Black Miss Universe Great Britain in 66-years: Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers
It’s also a double celebration for the law school graduate, who shared that she recently passed her bar examinations and is to be formally called to the bar later this month. The barrister-in-waiting described her two distinct career paths as complimentary.
Kentish-Rogers, who sported a dreadlock up-do for the competition, was crowned by outgoing queen Anna Burdzy, and with her win she hopes to champion a more global approach to feminism, saying: “The only way we can really build and get better is if we work together as women.”
Miss Universe pageant
In preparation for the Miss Universe pageant, scheduled to be hosted in the Philippines this year, The University of Birmingham graduate insists that it all begins in the mind.
“You have to condition yourself to believe that you are worthy of that title,” says Kentish-Rogers, who is also Miss Anguilla 2017. Britain has crowned its first black Miss Universe Great Britain! first Time in History! UK Crowned Its First Black Miss Universe Great Britain in 66-years: Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers
She added: “Going into a pageant that is full of diverse and beautiful women you have to see your individuality as something that is important. Because you can sit there and compare yourself body-wise, facially, and it will do you no good. So mentally it is about just being confident and putting yourself out there as the truest form of yourself.”
Despite her shock, the 25-year-old believes this milestone was inevitable and is an important showcase for the diversity of the British diaspora.
In addition to wearing the crown, the former Miss Anguilla has passed the bar and is on her way to becoming a lawyer.
Paula Abbandonato
Paula Abbandonato, national director of Miss Universe Great Britain, expressed her joy for Kentish-Rogers in a statement.
“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 than having our first black winner to celebrate 10 years in the job,” Abbandonato wrote.
Before her participation at the Miss Universe Great Britain, Dee-Ann had said
“As many would know, I won the Miss Anguilla Pageant in 2017. Shortly thereafter, I set my sights on the Miss Universe Great Britain stage. That, for me, was an opportunity to advance the Miss Anguilla Pageant as well as to advance Anguilla on an international stage.
“My aspiration in participating in the Miss Universe Great Britain Pageant is not only to advance the pageant, but also to experience a new pageant system and to be able to forge a possible bridge for subsequent ‘Miss Anguillas’ to experience the same pageant system.
“Dee-Ann is a true role model for all women of all skin colors, 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.”
