Queen of the earth

In 2001, an 18 year old Nigerian model, Agbani Darego, revolutionised “thin” as the new model of African beauty, bucking the traditional concept of the curvy and full figured African woman as the epitome of beauty, making history as the first black African Miss World. The then University of Port Harcourt, Computer Science undergraduate beat 93 other contestants to win the total cash prize of $100 000 (approx. N14.8m) and gifts valued at $150,000 (approx. N22.25m).

Early Years

She was born Ibiagbanidokibubo Agbani Asenite Darego to a customs official father and a trader mum, who she lost to breast cancer when she was 12. Although traumatic, she has said that her mother’s death made her “independent.” As a teenager, Agbani looked forward to pursuing a modelling career; a dream which was constantly dismissed by her conservative father. Undeterred, the six foot tall dreamer began scouting for modelling jobs and eventually entered for the Face of Africa competition in 1998 where she emerged runner-up.

Project Fame

Then 2001 proved to be a defining year for the young model as the journey to success started with her winning the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria competition in January. That same year she represented Nigeria at the Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico and was a top 10 semi-finalist, finishing seventh overall. Her crowning moment came at the Miss World competition in Sun City, South Africa, where she won the coveted title. She became an overnight celebrity, meeting top government officials including the late first lady of Nigeria, Stella Obasanjo, then River State governor, Peter Odili and she was also made an honorary member of the Council of Chiefs in Lagos. The same year, she landed a three year contract with cosmetics giant L’Oreal and featured in their international campaigns and she still remains a spokesperson alongside the likes of Natalie Imbruglia, Laetitia Casta and Beyoncé Knowles. She also graced the cover of several international publications including US Vogue and Essence. She left the University of Port Harcourt when her reign ended in 2002.

Bad Press

Agbani’s successful tenure as Miss World was almost blighted in its last weeks by a political and religious crisis which erupted in the northern part of the country as she was set to relinquish her crown at the next Miss World pageant, which was scheduled to hold in Nigeria in her honour. As a result of the ensuing crisis, the competition was hurriedly moved to London, and there, she crowned the new Miss World. During her reign, it was rumoured that her black heritage didn’t go down well with certain parties who ensured she didn’t enjoy world wide appeal. In 2006, during Deola Sagoe’s United Nations/WFP Catwalk the World fashion show in Lagos, the ex-beauty queen’s topless turn on the runway drew a huge public outcry.

Brighter future

Today, Agbani is based in New York, signed to Ford Model Management and attends the New York University studying for a degree in Business. No longer a full-time model, she hit the catwalks at the recent spring and summer 2010 New York Fashion Week. She has also reportedly been signed as the new face of international sportswear brand, Lotto Sport Italia in Africa and will appear in brand adverts and act as a brand ambassador for the next few years.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: HELLOMAGAZINE.COM, LOTTOSPORT.COM, BIOGRAPHY.JRANK.ORG