Despite the incredible diversity in the world, we still cling to the same beauty standards we see in the media–especially in beauty pageants.
This year, however, the norm has changed just a little more. The 24-year-old reigning Miss Jamaica, Sanneta Myrie, competed in the 2015 Miss World Pageant while wearing dreadlocks. She is the second woman to do so in the history of the Pageant. The first woman was Ingrid Littre in 2009.
Myrie, also a fully qualified medical doctor, is the first contestant in the pageant’s history to compete with dreadlocks. And it worked. Myrie’s dreadlocks, along with her stunning looks, helped her to come fifth in the Miss World beauty pageant–out of 114 contestants worldwide.
Myrie wore locks to Miss World because she identifies with them and uses them to express herself and her roots. Other than modeling, she is committed to helping others; which is why she became a medical doctor. She hopes to join “Doctors Without Borders”, where she can help provide health care to marginalized areas around the world. When she has free time, she runs cross country and long distance. She is also a counselor for the University of the West Indies.
As we mentioned Myrie isn’t the first contestant to make headlines at a major beauty pageant for her hairstyle. Lots of Jamaican models have competed in beauty pageants with dreadlocks.
In 2007, another Jamaican model competed in the Miss Universe competition, called Zahra Redwood. And she won. Redwood also made history as the first Miss Jamaica to be crowned who follows the Rastafarian faith; Myrie is also a Rastafarian.
What Myrie and Redwood have achieved is monumental in helping to broaden the preconceived beauty standards worldwide. Women of color have always been forced to adopt Western beauty standards. However, this has been changing a lot recently, with celebrities like Lupita Nyong’o who rock natural looks. Hopefully, this will go on, and we’ll soon be comfortable to embrace our culture’s fashion.
Congratulations to Myrie for making the top 5 in Miss World!
Raqueleta Edwards-Darnell says
In the Jamaican culture, little girls are taught that their hair is their beauty and a lot of Jamaican women still embrace that teaching. I am proud that she stepped up on the world stage in all her natural beauty and still looked 1000% better than all contestants wearing wigs and hair pieces:))
Cb Sampson says
Bout time
Raqueleta Edwards-Darnell says
True, true!
Maria Allison says
Great work!
Nyasha Mkwane says
If African countries had a natural hair beauty pageant statement that would be too loud to be ignored but embraced. Perfection is not stringy hair. Perfection is curls
Sélène Brn says
Actually she is NOT, the first one was Ingrid Littré from Martinique (French West Indies) in 2009.
Raqueleta Edwards-Darnell says
Meaning: the first Rastafarian to win “Miss Jamaica World,” and represent Jamaica at the “Miss World Competition.” Hope you understand the clarification.
Jackqueline Bernard says
I’m Jamaican and when she won Miss Jamaica World I knew she wouldn’t win the international pageant because of how these stereotypical contests are set up and she didn’t have a chance of winning the crown and title because of her hair. However she did a wonderful job representing Jamaica and herself and performed exceptionally well and rewarded 5th place in the competition. Goes to show no matter your skin color and hair type just be true to yourself and you can accomplish many things and break barriers. Nuff respect Sanneta
Debbie Gray says
Brains and beauty..
Regina Gigi McNeil says
I love when we love ourselves. I just hate when we put down others in the process. Myblackisbeautifulperiod.
Zehra Zeezee Hammerton says
What an inspiration
Ffys Johnson says
Why are people so up set over the way black woman are changing their hair in the black community it’s natural hair. We were not born with relaxed hair it’s a our choice and our right to wear our hair the way we chose.
Melissa Jones says
Yes and she is beautiful
Deanna Merritt Ross says
Her locs are gorgeous!
Amber Brown says
……..oh wow,she is wearing dreads -sarcastic tone-