Great Britain crowns first black Miss Universe representative

MANILA, Philippines — Great Britain has crowned its first ever black Miss Universe since the pageant began in 1952.

Twenty-five-year-old Dee-Ann Rogers from Anguilla, a British territory in the Caribbean, made history as she will represent the United Kingdom at the Miss Universe 2018 competition this December.

I am so incredibly lucky to have an influx of support from all across the globe right now. I am so grateful and blessed! Thank you everyone for believing in me!!! ?#MissUniverseGreatBritain pic.twitter.com/vQmbZh9b9V

— Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers (@AsToldBy_Dee) July 17, 2018

“This happened! My heart is full!! Thank you so much for all of your love and support. The hard work continues NOW! Miss Universe Great Britain 2018-2019,” Dee-Ann posted on her Twitter account.

In a lengthy post on her Instagram account, Dee-Ann said she is thankful for the support of her family as well as the financial donations and sponsors of the pageant.  

It has been a whirlwind two days since being crowned Miss Universe Great Britain 2018. I am privileged to have been chosen from a concentration of talented, ambitious, beautiful and funny women! I am humbled and truly uplifted by those who are embracing my rewarding experience and success as their own. I am deeply grateful for the financial donations of many to the A-sisterhood charity. I am thankful for the sponsors of my pageant sisters 2018, my own and especially @doyen_style @carajewellers @justboutique_nw for believing in this pageant and supporting the girls every step of the way. It is an absolute honour to carry the British flag ???????? on to the Miss Universe pageant later this year. @gracielevy my pageant coach at @lsp_london - thank you for preparing me for this weekend! The hours we spent pouring over my interview, platform, poise and walk gave me a solid foundation to stand on this past Saturday! Paula - our director- we owe you the greatest respect and appreciation for your unwavering belief that each one of us was capable of capturing the crown. @missuniversegreatbritain @annamariaburdzy thank you for representing class, grace and intelligence during your reign and for inspiring me to enter this pageant system. And to the previous titleholders of Miss Universe Great Britain who i met on Saturday- @taravaitiere @nenafrance @jaimeleefaulkner - thank you for warmly embracing me into the fold like a newly born lamb. ????????. To my cherished friends, family and my manager Kerith, thank you for your unwavering support!!????????????

A post shared by Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers (@astoldby_dee) on Jul 16, 2018 at 6:02am PDT

“It has been a whirlwind two days since being crowned Miss Universe Great Britain 2018. I am privileged to have been chosen from a concentration of talented, ambitious, beautiful and funny women! I am humbled and truly uplifted by those who are embracing my rewarding experience and success as their own,” she wrote. 

“It is an absolute honour to carry the British flag on to the Miss Universe pageant later this year,” she added. 

In a different post, Dee-Ann gave her gratitude to everyone around the globe who believes in her.

“The ingredients for success = people + people + people. I’m so incredibly lucky to have an influx of support from all across the globe right now and I am so grateful and blessed! Thank you everyone for believing in me!!!”

The ingredients for success = people + people + people. I’m so incredibly lucky to have an influx of support from all across the globe right now and I am so grateful and blessed! Thank you everyone for believing in me!!! @missuniversegreatbritain @missuniverse #MUGB #missuniversegreatbritain #MUGB2018

A post shared by Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers (@astoldby_dee) on Jul 16, 2018 at 1:30pm PDT

Dee-Ann bested 40 contenders from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and British overseas territories to bag the prestigious title.

Dee-Ann with compete with Miss Philippines Catriona Gray for the 2018 Miss Universe crown.