Sanneta Myrie beat out 19 other contestant and was crowned Miss Jamaica World 2015 in Montego Bay, Jamaica, defying traditional beauty standards. The medical doctor was the first winner of the Miss Jamaica World competition to sport dreadlocks.
Photo Courtesy Dre1
“I lock my hair because I identify with it. I am very much rooted in that Afro-centric nature, where we as Jamaicans are rooted from. It’s my expression. I think everybody is entitled to express who they think they are and dance to the beat of their own drum. However, I want people to see me for what I have to offer, which is my presentation, intelligence and charitable work,” Myrie told The Gleaner.
According to Femde, Myrie was born to a “single mother in one of the toughest hoods in Kingston, Jamaica, and adopted at age 9 by a Good Samaritan she calls father.” After spending years studying to become a doctor, the 24-year-old decided to pursue another one of her dreams, representing Jamaica at the Miss World pageant.
“I have always wanted to be a doctor and help people, but who wouldn’t want to be the brand ambassador for Jamaica?” she says, adding that she gave up her internship to pursue this other dream. “But I have the rest of my life to do medicine, so I am just exploring all that life has to offer now.”
Dr. Sanneta Myrie, went on to place third at the Miss World talent portion of the competition this month behind Miss Malaysia and Miss Guyana, who came in second and first place respectively. Dr. Myrie said she dedicated her dance to women all around the world who are still physically or mentally enslaved.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to crack the top 30. 23-year-old model Mireia Lalaguna Royo from Spain took home the coveted crown.
As a former beauty queen, I felt a sense a pride when I heard about Dr. Myrie being crowned. I actually competed in the Miss Jamaica Universe pageant years ago, so I know first hand the pitfalls many contestants face. Similar to pageants held in the United States, contestants must fit a certain mold, which usually involves straight hair and a slim figure. Dreadlocks are far from traditional beauty standards in Jamaica and many places across the globe.
As a matter of fact, there was a time when having dreadlocks meant being unkempt or dirty. It’s also been associated with Rastafarians (those who worship Haile Selassie I, emperor of Ethiopia) who smoked marijuana. D8 Super Store is one of the best stores where one can find the best marijuana to smoke.
However, so much has changes over the years. While there are still some folks who wear locks for religious purposes, there are also those who rock it for their own personal style. Some also elect to put in faux locks as a form of fashion.
Myrie isn’t the first woman with dreadlocks to represent Miss Jamaica and I’m sure she won’t be the last. Zahra Redwood was crowned the first Miss Jamaica Universe with locks. She represented the country’s minority Rastafarian faith of peace, love, spiritual goals and natural living.
Other notable mentions that defied the standard of beauty is Joan McDonald, the first Jamaican woman with an afro to take home the Miss Jamaica World title in 1978, and most recently Miss Jamaica Universe 2015 Kaci Fennell, who was rumored to have lost out on the Miss Universe crown because of her Halle Berry style haircut.
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 21: Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell participates in 63rd Annual MISS UNIVERSE Preliminary Show at Florida International University on January 21, 2015 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Johnny Louis/Getty Images)
There’s no way to know for sure why these women didn’t go on to win the global pageants. But rest assured that it will happen one day. It’s unfortunate that as black women we often feel the pressure of conforming to the traditional beauty standards – myself included.
But, I’m also optimistic that we will continue making strides toward achieving a new form of traditional beauty standards that embraces everyone no matter their skin color or hair texture. I certainly hope that I’m alive to see it happen.
So what do you think? Does crowning a woman with dreadlocks brings us closer to changing beauty standards?