An Interview with Jessica Wise

In 2020, black women are finally getting their due in the pageant systems worldwide. As we close Black History Month, we sit down with three Georgia-raised black queens to explore the complexities of an often misunderstood industry.

Say hello to (left to right):

Cierra Jackson, Miss D.C. USA
Taylor Brooks, United States of America’s Miss Georgia
Chelsea Paulding, Miss Black & Gold Georgia, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

What is the most common misconception about the pageant world?

TB: I would say the most common misconception about the pageant world is that there is no substance. On the outside looking in, or if you have no performance background, it can look very vain and automatic, instant-gratification like. People don't think about the preparation and the self-reflection that goes into pageantry, They only see what is televised. It's a world that you really have to be in to understand and fully appreciate.

CP: I think most people tend to believe is that it is solely about beauty. Although a compelling image is an important factor, it also takes determination, intellect, charisma, kindheartedness, and talent. It is not just about having a beautiful image but also what you are capable of achieving within your life, how you can give back to your community, and who you can inspire.

CJ: The most common misconception about the pageant world is that many believe those who are products of pageantry are not leaders; in part, because, they believe we are shallow and unintelligent, which couldn’t be further from the truth. So many Queens & Kings from the pageant world are trailblazers in their respective fields, give unprecedented amounts of service to their communities and have so much to offer their future career fields. Oftentimes, pageant titleholders set the standard of what it looks like to be a public servant and create new methods of public engagement within the 21st Century. Yes, we are beauty Queens & Kings; however, there is certainly more than what meets the eye, that should be appreciated in our industry.

Did any of you face objections from your family or friends to participate in pageants due to past racial issues? Do you feel like those issues have changed?

TB: My parents did object to my interest in pageantry initially, but the racial issues came later. My desire to compete in pageants was very random and my parents did not understand where it fit into my plan of pursuing performance. They initially saw it as a distraction, but once they saw how invested I was and how it was benefiting me, they got on board. When the racial issues and racial struggles of pageantry presented themselves, my mother was concerned and wanted me to conform as much as possible to ease the struggle. My father, however, wanted me to be as black as possible in everything that I did. There was a learning curve and I really had to decide for myself how much I valued authenticity and self-truth.

As far as the issues and struggles that I have dealt with in pageantry, I do not think they have changed, I think it's something that every black woman and every minority woman for that matter will have to face. But I do think that we as black women and women of color have changed how we face these issues and are better prepared to face them.

CJ: I didn’t face any objections from my family or friends about simply participating in pageantry due to race relations; yet, I did receive them regarding competing with my natural curly hair. Race relations, especially in the USA, stem from centuries of oppression and remnants of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome that are still present today. Though many Millennials and Post Millennials don’t object rocking natural curls, to graduations or in beauty competitions, many of our elder family members and friends do. That is because they know the remnants of slavery and the social constructs of racism still are alive and well for many of our racial counterparts, which is not exclusive to white Americans alone. For me, finding a place of refuge and support, like my alma mater Spelman College, helped me overcome those negative social constructs and ultimately continue to succeed. Spelman is a women’s college and the #1 Historically Black College located in Atlanta, GA. Spelman is where I found my tribe. Spelman changed my entire perspective on life and built an unshakeable foundation of self-love and self-confidence. I wouldn’t have been able to be the first woman to compete with an Afro in the way that I did, if it weren’t for my experiences at Spelman College.

We all know the rules for black people are different, and the stakes are higher. What do you feel like you have to work harder at than your fellow white or white-passing contestants?

TB: Just exuding beauty and confidence overall. I've always been able to count the other black girls I compete with on one hand, and out of all of us I'm usually the only black girl with natural hair. When there are people around you who look like you it's very easy to justify your worth and the space that you take up. You don’t question yourself as much. But when it's just you and just you for a while on top of historical and social oppression, you have to constantly affirm yourself and give yourself those pep talks. I absolutely think that I work harder at maintaining my confidence, my sense of self-worth, and my sense of self-beauty and appreciation over my white and white-passing sister queens.

CP: Being my true self and embracing my natural beauty. This year was the first time that I competed with hair naturally curly and I absolutely loved it. Before I would straighten my hair and conform to norms of straight hair that had to be curled with a curling iron perfectly. I came to realize that my natural curls are perfect and to embrace them while competing. I received so many compliments and encouraging words. I definitely will be competing more with my natural curls rather than straightening.

CJ: Though many see it that way, I actually never felt that way personally. Spelman taught me to strive for excellence, period. If I was striving to excel, it was because I had that expectation for myself, not because I was trying to match or pass anyone else’s standard for me. In addition, in America and abroad, many pageants are Eurocentric and promote European standards of beauty. If I play the game of pageantry attempting to promote European standards of beauty, I’ll always lose because there will be a woman of European ancestry who can always do that better. I also wouldn’t be being true to myself. Yet, if I, as a black woman, compete promoting African standards of beauty, I will be playing on my own field, my own terms, and staying true to myself. That’s a win-win for me

In the pageant world, this is without a doubt the year for black women. Every national and international title is currently held by a black woman. What does that mean to you as Miss America and USA hopefuls this year?

TB: It means that our efforts are not in vain! If I never compete in another pageant again I will be more than happy knowing that pageantry looks the way that it currently does. This did not happen overnight. This is the result of years and years of fighting and self-affirmation and standing in authenticity and truth. I only hope that now the numbers will skyrocket of black girls not only participating in historically black pageants, but also the mainstream pageants that we could not participate in for so long and that we have collectively fought so hard to hold top spots in.

CP: Black girl magic reigns too! It is so inspiring to see black women hold such major titles within the pageant world and make history. It shows not only myself but other black women and girls that we are capable of making a statement within the mainstream pageant world and do not have to conform to stereotypical factors but rather embrace our natural and melanin. As a black pageant girl, I was proud to say that they look like me and feel hopeful that one day that could be me as well.

CD: Having been able to be a trailblazer in the Miss America Organization as the first to compete with an Afro to now competing for Miss USA, this beauty climate gives me a chance to compete in an environment where natural black beauty is normalized. That in turn vastly minimizes the number of obstacles to overcome that I had as a trailblazer and provides a more level playing field to compete and win.

All three of you have made statements, and won titles, competing with your natural hair. Has there always been a stigma black hair in the pageant system? What has changed to make it more “okay?”

TB: The stigma has always been there. I remember being told not to compete with braids, not to compete with my natural hair, the list goes on and on. I think what has made it more accepted is simply the fact that we are not taking no for an answer and that we are doing it in large volumes. There is power in numbers, and if you have a lot of black girls wearing natural hairstyles in pageantry people are going to be forced to see the beauty in it. Natural hair is also very diverse and we are always learning new ways to style our hair. We're redefining what elegant hairstyles or stage-appropriate hairstyles are.

CP: Yes, a stigma has always been placed on black hair within pageantry. I thought my straight hair was what was going to make me win and look the best. When I started to embrace my naturally curly hair, I felt more like myself and not like I was just trying to please the judges. Competing with my natural hair simply makes me feel like I have my crown on already. I do believe the change came when the wave of black women started to go back to embracing their natural more instead of utilizing relaxers and bone straight hair. Natural hair is beautiful, healthy, versatile and I think black women are going to embrace that no matter what!

CD: From my vantage point, the stigma has always been to compete in pageants as a black woman with a straight weave; and if those in positions of power were open to natural hair it would be the loose curl pattern that is generally, naturally seen in women of mixed-race ancestry. The only thing that has changed is that Black Women have become more accepting of their natural curls and more resilient in promoting their normalization in the workplace and society. I believe that change in Black women was galvanized by our first black President and First Lady Obama who trail-blazed and also normalized Black excellence while simultaneously igniting a new sense of black pride at the genesis of the Natural Hair Movement.

What historic black pageant queen do you take the most inspiration from?

TB: Absolutely Vanessa Williams! When I started competing 10 years ago I did not have a lot of options. Vanessa is a trailblazer and with the way her year went as Miss America she handled it with such grace. I also really really look up to Cierra Jackson, she’s like a big sister to me. I simply adore her. We competed together years ago in a Miss Georgia America preliminary where I first met her. As far as I knew I was the only black girl in the pageant and I remember at dress rehearsal she walked in with her twist out and in this amazingly beautiful yellow dress. I just remembered thinking to myself, “Another black girl!” She took me under her wing and encouraged me. She is my first up-close and personal vision of representation in pageantry.

CP: Although Vanessa Williams is iconic, I would have to say the most recent groundbreaking black pageants queens: Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, Miss America Nia Franklin, Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris, and Toni-Ann Singh as Miss World. Five major pageant titles held by beautiful black queens. Their reigns are genuine and full of black girl magic. Inspiring not only to my generation but others to come as well.

CD: I take a lot of inspiration from Sarah Elizabeth Langford-Reed. She won Miss D.C. & Miss D.C. USA as well. She comes from a well-known political family in Georgia and is a lawyer. She was also the First Lady of Atlanta, GA. Her accomplishments helped me realize that my accomplishments in pageantry were also achievable. I also look up to: Ericka Dunlap for winning Miss America as a dark-skinned woman and the first black Miss Florida; Erika Harold and Bess Myerson for their respective journeys in both pageants and politics after Miss America; Cheslie Kryst, for her gorgeous curls, flawless interview style, and career as an attorney and host; Catriona Gray for her resilience in representing her country in Miss World and Miss Universe leading to her coronation as Miss Universe, and Zozibini Tunzi for elegance and grace as the First Miss Universe to be crowned with her natural hair.

Progress is great, and it’s clear that the pageant world is evolving. Where do you believe there is still work to be done?

TB: I would love to see natural hair continue to thrive in pageantry and more diversity in the natural hair pageant community. I want to see a variety of texture, a variety of lengths, and styles. Now that we have a foot in the door with natural hair, we can't allow twist outs and type 3 curls to be the only patterns that are accepted. Zozibini cannot be the only one with a TWA. Bring on the natural hair looks that don’t get as much love and give them their time to shine!

CP: I agree with Taylor! I would also love to see more diversity in ethnicities and not only support our black sisters, but also our brown sisters. Representation is so important and when there is a wide variety of representation among all backgrounds, it opens the doors for more girls to see titleholders who look like them and can inspire them to be the best versions of themselves as well.

CD: There is still much work to be done, especially on the local level. On the state, national, and international levels, we are still having “firsts” which many hoped would have only existed in the 20th Century and not into the 21st Century; yet, strides are still being made to change that. On the national level, Though there have been many winners of color, Miss America still has not crowned a Latina or a graduate of a Historically Black College or University to win. Miss USA differs in that sentiment. Though Miss USA has had many incredible biracial black women crowned, I’m hoping to be the first dark-skinned Black woman to be crowned rocking an Afro to overcome the lesser detected obstacles of colorism and its effects on beauty standards in our present-day society.

What do you look most forward to in the current pageant season?

TB: I just look forward to more women experiencing the wonders of pageantry, especially black women. Pageantry has taught me and has given me so many wonderful experiences and life lessons and I truly believe that it has played a part in creating the solid foundation of my confidence and self-worth as a black woman. And I want all women to have that.

CP: I look forward to personal growth and to reach higher goals within pageantry. I compete not only for the title and to express my platform but also to figure out my true self and grow as an individual. You learn so much in pageantry and I plan to push my boundaries and see how much I can grow.

As for the industry, I look forward to embracing more black women and women of color this pageant season as well as see how the new titleholders express their reigns.

CD: I am excited to continue to carry the torch for authentic, culturally-aligned standards of beauty. I am also very excited about the beauty evolution I am working to create this year as it pertains to the Miss Universe Organization. I am equally excited about my evolution as a woman and in business, as well as, all those I am able to inspire this year.