In the 66-year history of the Miss Universe Great Britain pageant, there has never been a black queen until now. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers holds the crown and will represent Great Britain at the Miss Universe pageant. Kentish-Rogers is a 25-year-old native of Anguilla, a British territory, who won this past Saturday.
The new queen spoke with Buzzfeed News after her win stating: “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.”
The Miss Universe Great Britain pageant has been in existence since 1952 and Kentish-Rogers believes this win is a signal of the forward progress of Great Britain.
“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,” Kentish-Rogers added.
The new Miss Universe Great Britain has also recently finished law school and passed the bar, marking this season of her life full of achievements. She also won Miss Anguilla in 2017.
Paula Abbandonato, national director for Miss Universe Great Britain, shared in a statement with Buzzfeed:
“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.”
Congrats to Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers and good luck at the Miss Universe pageant later this year.