History has been made! For the first time ever, three Black women simultaneously hold titles from America’s biggest pageants.
Cheslie Kryst, who was crowned Thursday night, Kaliegh Garris, Nia Franklin, have been named Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, and Miss America, respectively.
Both Kryst and Garris received praise for rocking their natural hair throughout the national competition.
Garris revealed in a recent interview that when she entered the pageant world, people would often try to dissuade her from rocking her natural curls.
“There were a few naysayers saying, ‘You look better with straight hair,’ or ‘You should put in extensions and straighten your natural hair,'” she said. “Being able to spread the message of diversity, being yourself, and being confident in your curly, natural hair is something that I’m really looking forward to with my new national title.”
Hopefully, young Black women across the country and around the world are inspired by what these women have accomplished.
Congrats, ladies!