Miss Universe Pageant – Black Beauties!

Did you know…

USA

In 1986, Halle Berry, the Ohio contender, failed to capture the Miss USA Universe crown in Miami, Florida. For this reason, she did not participate in the 34th Miss Universe in Panama City. Today Halle is a world famous actress.

South Africa

Before a majority black audience at the Windhoek Country Club in Namibia (Africa), Augustine Masilela became the first black delegate from South Africa in the Miss Universe pageant (1995).

The Bahamas

In July 1982, Ava Marilyn Burke, Miss Bahamas, became the third black woman to win the Miss Photogenic Award after Bermuda’s Margaret Hill (1971) and Trinidad and Tobago’s Janelle Commission (1977). Surprisingly, Miss Bahamas defeated Cinzia Fiordeponti (Italy) and Odette Scrooby (South Africa). USA

Michigan-born Carole Gist became the first black Miss USA (not to be confused with “Miss America Pageant”) in 1990. She was also the first non-Texan to be elected Miss USA Universe since 1984. This girl came close to winning the Miss Universe title in Los Angeles, California, she had been defeated by Mona Grundt (Norway).

The Democratic Republic of the Congo

In the mid-1980s, Miss Zaire, Kayonga “Benita” Mureka Tete, nearly won the world title in Miami, Florida. Her exotic and natural beauty impressed the international judges, including Victor Bannerjee (actor) and Susan George (actress). During her stay in Florida, she was one of her most popular entries. Apart from Miss Zaire 1985, the African nation has sent only three delegates to Miss Universe: Ombayi Mukuta (Miss Congeniality 1972), Lokange Lwali (1984) and Aimee Likobe Dobala (semi-finalist, 1986). Since 1997 Zaire changed its name to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Columbia

On November 14, 2001, Vanessa Mendoza was the first black woman to win the Miss Colombia contest, one of the most popular events in the South American nation since 1935. Like her compatriots Aura María Mojica (1977), Patricia López (1987) and Claudia Elena Vásquez (1997), was one of the favorites to win the Miss Universe crown, along with the Russian Okasana Fyodorova and the American Shauntay Renae Hinton. Unfortunately, Vanessa, who admires Nelson Mandela, did not even reach the semifinals in San Juan. of Puerto Rico in 2002.

Brazil

In 1986, Deisy Nunes de Souza, Miss Brazil, became the first Afro-Brazilian woman to reach the semifinals of the Miss Universe pageant at the Atlapa Convention Center in Panama City.

curacao

In 1968, Anne Marie Braafheid, Miss Curaçao, made history by placing first runner-up in Miss Universe.

USA

American contestant Chelsy Smith, who was Miss Texas, became the second black woman to be named Miss Universe in 1995 in Windhoek, the capital of the African country of Namibia. She was also the first black semifinalist since 1993.

botswana

After an unsuccessful bid for the 1997 Miss World title in Mahe, Seychelles (Africa), Mpule Kwelagobe, Miss Botswana, became Miss Universe in Chaguaramas (Trinidad and Tobago) in 1999. An international panel headed by former ambassador Charles Gargano chose Mpule — which means “she who comes with the rain” in Tswana — to be the last Miss Universe of the 20th century. Miss Universe 1999 once said: “Today, women use their beauty and their brains to stand up for what they believe in, and pageants are platforms to spearhead and promote issues of interest.” She is one of the five national idols of Botswana.

Venezuela

Carolina Indriago of Venezuela, who had been seen as the first black South American with a realistic chance of capturing a world title, finished fourth at Miss Universe in 1999.

Trinidad and Tobago

Miss Trinidad Tobago, Janelle “Penny” Commissiong, lived up to her reputation as one of the most beautiful women in the Caribbean by winning the Miss Universe crown in 1977. She became only the second woman to hold both the MU and Miss Photogenic titles. at the same time. weather. During her reign, Janelle was seen as someone who could improve the state of race relations in the world.

Belize

Sarita Acosta became the first and only Miss Belize to reach the semifinals at Miss Universe (1979). In the 1970s, only five other black delegates did so: Cherrie Raphaelia Creque (American Virgin Islands, 1971), Maureen Ava Veira (Aruba, 1974), Gerthie David (Haiti, 1975), Janelle Commissiong (Trinidad, Tobago, 1977) and Gina Swainson (Bermuda).

Lesotho

Lesotho’s delegate, Joan Libuseng Khoali, was one of the 12 favorites to win the universal title in Acapulco (Mexico) in 1978. She came from Lesotho, a tiny kingdom on the African continent.

Haiti

In the early 1960s, Evelyn Miot, Miss Haiti, became the first black woman to reach the second round in Miss Universe history.

Bermuda

Miss Bermuda Margaret Hill became the first black delegate to win the coveted Miss Photogenic trophy in 1970.

Tanzania

Tanzania, an African nation known for its mountains and wildlife, had a strong contender for Miss Universe 2007. Her name: Flaviana Matata. “I am very happy to represent my country Tanzania and, above all, to reach the final in the top ten. I was sixth among 77 contestants from all over the world,” she said during an interview in Mexico City. She is the only MU semi-finalist from Tanzania.

Italy

Dominican-born Italian Denny Méndez came to international attention in 1996 when she was the first black girl to capture Miss Italy, one of the world’s oldest beauty pageants. She was elected Miss Italy in a disputed and controversial election. In 1997 she took fifth place at Miss Universe.

Panama

Gloria Karamanites was the only black candidate to qualify for the second round of the world contest in Seoul (South Korea) in 1980. In this decade, only five other black delegates made it: Benita Mureka (Zaire, 1985), Deysi Nunes from Souza (Brazil, 1986), Aimee Likobe Dobola (Zaire, 1986), Carmelita Louise Ariza (Turks & Caicos, 1987) and Sandra Foster (Jamaica, 1989).

Trinidad and Tobago

Wendy Rachelle Fitzwilliam, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, won the 46th Miss Universe title in Honolulu, Hawaii. Wendy once said: “My role model is Audrey Hepburn. Her extraordinary beauty and grace were reflected in every facet of her life. Mrs. Hepburn was a good mother, always a lady, a pioneer in her support of UNICEF and, of course, superb actress”.

France

The French of African origin Sonia Rolland, who escaped from the war in Rwanda, was crowned Miss France in 2000. This girl, now an actress, was one of the first black women to win the European pageant. Miss France 2000 she qualified to the second round at the 48th Miss Universe pageant in Nicosia (Cyprus).