These reigning beauty queens prove that black is beautiful in every shade

Miss Teen USA

In what looked impossible from the start, Kaleigh Garris, defied all odds to become Miss Teen USA while wearing her natural hair. She fought the school of thought that suggested that straight hair is better than natural curls.

“I know what I look like with straight hair, with extensions, and with my curly hair, and I feel more confident and comfortable with my natural hair,” the 18-year-old from Connecticut told Refinery29.

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She revealed that there were people who told her how she should style her hair, but she ignored the criticism and went on to win the title of Miss Connecticut Teen USA.

When she began competing in pageants, Garris said she had to fight against beauty standards suggesting that straight hair was better than her natural curls.