Jamaica’s Toni-Ann Singh Crowned Miss World 2019
Miss World Jamaica Toni-Ann Singh has taken the 69th Miss World crown.
The beauty pageant, which took place on Saturday 14 December in London, England, saw women from around the globe compete for the prestigious title and the famous blue crown.
Toni-Ann Singh, who aspired to be a doctor, declared on social media that her desire is to be an inspiration to others.
“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 wrote on Twitter.
The 23-year-old Florida State University graduate promised to use her forum to help women and their children.
“I want to make a change that’s sustainable. So if we’re talking women… it needs to be something that will make sure that their children and their children’s children have a different value of life,” an overjoyed Singh told reporters after winning the crown.
Born in Morant Bay, St. Thomas, Toni-Ann migrated to the US at the age of nine and settled in Florida.
On Saturday, she earned an ovation from the audience after singing Whitney Houston’s hit “I Have Nothing” during the beauty pageant and after a round of questions from British journalist Piers Morgan.
“I think I represent something special, a generation of women that are pushing forward to change the world,” she told British journalist Piers Morgan.
Singh received her crown from last year’s winner, Vanessa Ponce of Mexico.
This is the fourth time that a representative from Jamaica is crowned as Miss World since 1959. The last time a Jamaican won Miss World was in 1993, when Lisa Hanna took the crown. Singh also joins title-holders Carole Joan Crawford, who won in 1963, and Cindy Breakspeare, the 1976 winner.
Ophely Mezino of France and Suman Rao of India were the first and second runners up of Miss World 2019 respectively.
Last weekend, Zozibini Tunzi from South Africa was named Miss Universe after excelling through rounds of swimsuit and evening gown struts and answering questions about social issues.
