Categories: Community & CultureLocs & Dreadlocks

Meet Great Britain’s newest Miss Universe

5 things you probably didn’t know about this history-making loc star

Drum roll, please. And the winner of Miss Universe Great Britain 2018 goes to the gorgeous Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers. Like that: Kentish-Rogers, 25, became the first black woman — and dreadlocked-wearing winner — of the 66-year competition held Saturday, July 14, in Newport.

Two days later, she posted a crown-winning pic on Twitter saying, “This happened! My heart is full!! Thank you so much for all the love and support. The hard work continues NOW!”

After beating 31 finalists across the United Kingdom, Kentish-Rogers will compete against 80 other countries in the 67^th Miss Universe pageant later this year. Until then, here are a few fun facts to get you more familiar with this beautiful black queen:

1. She is originally from Anguilla, an eel-shaped British Overseas Territory in the Eastern Caribbean that’s known for its turquoise waters and up to 33 powder-white beaches;

2. She moved to the United Kingdom to study law at the University of Birmingham. Currently, the pageant queen is completing professional training at the University of Law to become a barrister;

3. She is a fierce heptathlete, previously competing at the international Commonwealth Games twice. She ran in the 400 metres in India during 2010 and competed in the heptathlon in Scotland during 2014;

4. She defends her locs despite negative competition connotations. In a recent BBC interview, she addressed her pageant critics: “I felt it was very important for me to represent my cultural identity and to represent myself truly on this platform.” Kentish-Rogers added, “This is a part of who I am. If you’re going to take one part of me, you’re going to take all of me;” and

5. She is a world traveler, and since securing her recent prestigious title, Kentish-Rogers will travel to new exotic destinations. She’s set to visit The Philippines, South Africa, Dubai and India throughout her reign. She shared with the Miss Universe GB organization, “The UK is a multicultural society, and I am proud to represent its ideals of tolerance, diversity, beauty and feminism.”

Compiled by loc correspondent Candace Dantes, a.k.a. Cowgirl Candace