The first black woman to represent Ireland at Miss World says she hopes "to make the country proud" in the final of the global beauty contest in Puerto Rico tonight.
Pamela Uba, a medical scientist from Galway, was crowned Miss Ireland in September.
She came to Ireland from South Africa in 2004 and spent ten years living in Direct Provision.
Speaking from Puerto Rico, she said: "It's been an incredible journey. We have done so much - from talent, sport and visiting amazing places in Puerto Rico.
"I feel so much love and support and I am ready to do this. I am going to do my best and hope to make Ireland proud."
Speaking to RTÉ News earlier this year, Pamela explained how she hoped to become a role model for a more diverse Ireland. Her dream, she said, was to inspire young black girls to believe they can achieve anything.
"I'm so proud to say that as a black woman I've paved the way for others who will come after me. I want children that look up to me and look at my life and see where I have come and know that they can get there too."
The first black woman to represent Ireland at Miss World says she hopes "to make the country proud" in the tonight's final in Puerto Rico. Pamela Uba, a medical scientist from Galway, came to Ireland from South Africa in 2004 and lived in Direct Provision for ten years. pic.twitter.com/6dHk8cCItM
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 16, 2021
