What Are Beauty Pageants Really Like For Black Women?

Kelsey Vlamis

When Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa was crowned Miss Universe on Sunday, it marked the first time black women have simultaneously held the top titles of four major beauty pageants.

Media outlets jumped on the news and many on social media celebrated.

Some said that Tunzi, Cheslie Kryst (Miss USA), Kaliegh Garris (Miss Teen USA) and Nia Franklin (Miss America) represent a new age for beauty pageants, one of diversity and inclusion.

Tunzi has been especially praised, with her dark black skin and short natural hair.

Even Miss USA 2016 Deshauna Barber shared a video on Instagram of her reaction the moment Tunzi won.

“Miss Universe looks like me!” she shouted to the camera over and over.

But Barber also said that black women still faced discrimination when competing, and that representation could be the first step towards fixing it.

“If you come from a group that’s rarely