Before Steve Harvey's flub ensured that this year’s Miss Universe pageant would go down in the history books, Sanneta Myrie, Miss Jamaica, was already making history.
Myrie is the first Miss World pageant contestant to have dreadlocks, Jezebel reports. During an interview with BET, she explained the significance of her hairstyle to her nationality and culture.
“I lock my hair because I identify with it,” she told BET. “I am very much rooted in that Afrocentric nature, where we as Jamaicans are rooted. It’s my expression.”
Myrie made it all the way to the top 5 and spoke about her journey and what she hopes to do with her platform.
“My story is one of a little girl whose life was transformed with charity and love, and my quest in life is to give that back to as many people as I can, and to inspire the world with my story, that no matter where you are from, your skin type, your hair color, your situation—your dreams are valid,” she said. “I believe that beauty with a purpose embodies my quest, and if I was blessed with the crown tonight, I would dedicate my essence to give back to the world in a purposeful and beautiful way with charity and love.”
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Diana Ozemebhoya Eromosele is a staff writer at The Root and the founder and executive producer of Lectures to Beats, a Web series that features video interviews with scarily insightful people. Follow Lectures to Beats on Facebook and Twitter.
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