Miss Jamaica was crowned Miss World 2019 on Saturday, and while she won the title, she also seems to have won in the friend department.
During the final announcement, the three finalists Miss Nigeria Nyekachi Douglas, Miss Jamaica Toni-Ann Singh and Miss Brazil Elis Coelho, stood on stage in anticipation of the winner being named, reports Today. When the host declared Singh the winner, she stood there in shock while Miss Nigeria immediately jumped for joy.
Douglas, seemingly over the moon for her friend, broke out in a happy dance, all the while, Miss Jamaica took a few moments to process the news. While Singh put her face in her hands, tearing up, Douglas can be seen mouthing “yasss girl” to her fellow contestant. The three women then embraced.
Following the competition, Douglas took to Instagram Live to continue being a cheerleader for Singh.
“She just won!” Douglas excitedly said. “A lot of times in this kind of competition, there's a lot of times you think ‘oh my god, this is really too much for me…’ [Singh] would be the one who would be like, 'Listen, you've got this.’”
— Rheem ???????????????? (@drheeme) December 14, 2019
After the heartwarming moment, Twitter users began praising Miss Nigeria for her response, explaining how everyone deserves a friend like her.
Be the Miss Nigeria you want to see in the world. https://t.co/IHVx0s3oSg
— Saidat (@saiidat) December 14, 2019
Miss Nigeria Universe and Miss Nigeria World are EXACTLY the friends every woman needs in their corner.
WHEN YOUR PEOPLE WIN, YOU WIN ????????️ pic.twitter.com/1wdT4DnE5I
— Despicable #MeToo (@gillie_cee) December 14, 2019
May the new decade greet us with friends like Miss Nigeria ???????????????????????? https://t.co/hUlRGiDbAA
— thisissibi (@thisissibi) December 14, 2019
After earning her new title, the Morant Bay, St. Thomas native took to Twitter to encourage others in going after their dreams.
“To that little girl in St. Thomas, Jamaica and all the girls around the world — please believe in yourself. Please know that you are worthy and capable of achieving your dreams. This crown is not mine but yours. You have a PURPOSE,” she tweeted, along with a photo from the pageant.
To that little girl in St. Thomas, Jamaica and all the girls around the world – please believe in yourself. Please know that you are worthy and capable of achieving your dreams. This crown is not mine but yours. You have a PURPOSE. pic.twitter.com/hV8L6x6Mhi
— Toni-Ann Singh (@toniannsingh) December 14, 2019
Singh plans to study medicine and become a doctor and was taking a year off before enrolling, according to BBC. She earned massive applause when she sang Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” and answered questions from Piers Morgan.
"I think I represent something special, a generation of women that are pushing forward to change the world," she said during the competition.
The 69th Miss World beat out 111 other contestants for the title and is the fourth person from Jamaica to be crowned.
Miss France Ophély Mézino and Miss India Suman Rao were the two runners-up. Douglas placed fifth.
Singh said she was "honoured and grateful for this opportunity but most of all I'm thinking about the work that needs to be done and that I have the platform and the means to do it," after winning the title.
Singh’s coronation now means that five of the most prominent pageant titles are held by a Black woman. The 23-year-old Florida State University graduate joins Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris and Miss America Nia Franklin, as Blavity previously reported.
Black girl magic at its finest.
