Miss Jamaica, Davina Bennett may have been the second runner-up at this year’s Miss Universe pageant, but she might as well have taken home the first place win if Twitter has anything to say about it. And oh, do they ever.
Photo:Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters has been crowned Miss Universe, making her only the second South African to ever win the crown.Miss Columbia was the first runner-up to Nel-Peters and Miss Jamica the second runner-up.
The 23-year-old philanthropist and model wowed the crowd and viewers everywhere, not to mention sparked an instant conversation on social media, when she stepped out wearing an Afro. That’s right:
Amidst the abundance of all-too expected blowouts and straight-haired looks, Bennett proudly wore her natural hair for the world-renowned competition, and her legions fans and people of color all over the world are living for it.
Shortly after walking onto the stage with her short Afro style, Twitter was abuzz with myriad complimentary comments, such as, “All of that natural hair, melanated black girl magic!! 😍 ,” and “MISS JAMAICA’S AFRO IS GIVING ME ALL TYPES OF LIFE!!!” (And those are just two of the seemingly endless accolades she amassed.)
Bennett wrote on Instagram, ” I stand as the first afro queen to have made it thus far, I represented my little island and I received allll the love one could possibly wish for…. THANK YOU!!!” most likely referring to the outpouring of praise she received for representing the hairstyle people of color have been discriminated against for far too long.
In September, Bennett told the Jamaica Observer that short, natural hair needs to be embraced more, and not ignored when they asked about the beauty stereotypes she believes need to be challenged. By proudly wearing her natural hair, she is doing just that, standing for the women of color who have had to deal with the rude comments, unnecessary stares, touching, and intolerance in the workplace, simply because of the hairstyles they chose to wear which best suit their texture. Not only that, but she’s further proving Afros deserve to be accepted and celebrated just as much as any other hairstyle. In other words, she singlehandedly served the inclusivity we so desperately needed to see at last night’s competition.
