She is the only Black contestant in Miss Universe history to be voted as Miss Photogenic. She was beautiful then and beautiful now. UPDATE: It was mentioned in the comments that Miss Bahamas 1982, Ava Burke won Miss Photogenic as well. After researching it, I discovered it's true! I'm glad that another Black Beauty won the hearts of a panel for her beauty. She was and is definitely beautiful!!! SECOND UPDATE: Someone revealed to me ANOTHER Black Miss Photogenic winner in the Miss Universe pageant by the name of Margaret Hill (Miss Bermuda 1970). Her face was undeniably beautiful! She died in 2019.

@lifeis2171

Жыл бұрын

And was real black, not diet or mixed...they love to replace our image.

@shaymay2892

Жыл бұрын

​@@lifeis2171 lol what's "diet black?!"

@Elemental_Buttahfly_II

Жыл бұрын

@@lifeis2171 That part!!!❤❤❤❤❤

@drylandtouristpop9827

Жыл бұрын

Really?! And so much beautiful black women enter

@dreyb1801

Жыл бұрын

Lol. What's diet black?

What a stunning beauty who deserved to win the title back in ‘77. It sounds like Penny made the most of that honor. Bravo

@susanbowe8689

Жыл бұрын

She's beautiful ❤

@Blackbrabx

Жыл бұрын

Yes!!

Growing up as a young Asian girl in California, I loved watching the Miss Universe pageant. I was 9 years old when she won. To this day, she is the one Miss Universe that I really remember. I thought she was so beautiful. She still is.

@creativenurse2023

Жыл бұрын

❤

@emjohnson7207

Жыл бұрын

I also remember her and when she was voted Miss Photogenic... A guy said she never took a bad photo.

@AbeJacoby

Жыл бұрын

@Orange300 No, she is not.

@kadeja3846

Жыл бұрын

LIES AND OF COURSE SHE’S BEAUTIFUL SHE HAS MELANIN IN HER SKIN

@HamTeddy26

Жыл бұрын

@Orange300 what u smoking?? Crack???

Indeed Penny remains the Miss Universe that won all our hearts. We Trinidadian and Tobagonians love her dearly to this day. Long live our Queen !

@Deepizzaguy

Жыл бұрын

Simply the best ever.

@annettewilliams1398

Жыл бұрын

❤❤❤ still love to this day

69 years old in 2023 and still looking amazing! 😃😃😃👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🥰🥰🥰

@godisgood5038

Жыл бұрын

Ageed! Black don't crack😊❤! We age BEAUTIFULLY!

@johnnystewart6812

Жыл бұрын

​@@godisgood5038 not all Blacks. I'm 70 but I realize that there are those my age who are Black look old.

@shawngordon6626

Жыл бұрын

CARIBBEAN QUEEN T AND T 🇧🇸

@lenageorge9257

Жыл бұрын

​Looks great.Still very charming.

@abigailannneogi4640

Жыл бұрын

What a beautiful lady

I was teenager when she won, Penny is loved and respected in Trinidad 🇹🇹 and Tobago.

@laramero

Жыл бұрын

me too 🙂 I was 17 and attended Monterey High School Home of the Toreadors !!

@everythingispossible513

Жыл бұрын

Me too

@SandraSealySeawomanBDS

Жыл бұрын

And all over the Caribbean❤

@joanne9699

Жыл бұрын

So was I.... Still beautifu 🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹

@malisascott282

Жыл бұрын

❤❤❤❤

I was in primary school when Penny won Miss Universe buy that pride lasted a lifetime. Over the years she proved that her beauty was more than skin deep, I feel an even grater sense of pride now. A beautiful, strong, intelligent, classy Trini woman. Keep shinning Penny 🇹🇹 ❤

@Elemental_Buttahfly_II

Жыл бұрын

She is a beautiful Black classy and intelligent woman, universally.

@dd-em7hh

Жыл бұрын

Wait what I always thought it was Vanessa Williams I've never heard of this woman ever until now!!!! I'm Just like what!!!!!

@DemureSpectabilis

Жыл бұрын

Vanessa was the first Black Missa America, not Miss Universe

@DemureSpectabilis

Жыл бұрын

Miss America*

@pauladurand4812

Жыл бұрын

So was I. I am not Trinidadian but believe me I was elated. She was the most beautiful woman to me. It is wonderful seeing her 46 years later. I am still impressed because she has achieved much!. My prayer for her is that she'll accept Christ and be sure to live forever.

I SAW HER BEING CROWNED that night! Janelle had the distinction of having 3 " "FIRSTS"! 1. She was the shortest Miss Universe 2. The first BLACK Miss Universe and 3. The first Miss Universe with short hair!!

When Penny won the Miss Universe competition I was a film cameraman filming her arrival back in Trinidad. My film crew wanted her autograph but we didn’t have any paper so we asked her to sign her name on a piece of 35 mm film. Film is like plastic and writing on it was impossible. But she tried and gave up after a while. I was amazed at how pleasant and easy going she was!

@gregoryhuggins79

Жыл бұрын

Recently I saw her by Renegades pan yard and I saw lovely Penny and she gave a beautiful thank you.

@Pattyaribri

Жыл бұрын

That's how Trinidadians are.

@aiseakonrote5381

Жыл бұрын

How Awesome. Should have asked her if she could sign on your shirts 🙂....it would have been a great momentum

@lindiwekubu8846

Жыл бұрын

Amazing 😍😍❤️❤️

@jv-sc1fs

Жыл бұрын

Such a wonderful story

The whole region was mighty proud of her historic win. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🌹🌹🌹🌹

@talcareyifill5937

Жыл бұрын

We was proud of her

@Elemental_Buttahfly_II

Жыл бұрын

The whole Black world was proud of her.

@theblacksxz

Жыл бұрын

Which region?

@theblacksxz

Жыл бұрын

​@@Elemental_Buttahfly_II what Black world?

@kakakhodenn9128

Жыл бұрын

@@theblacksxz CARIBBEAN,

Wow she was able to win that with her real hair and real eyelashes, and probably original body parts! She is a great example for us all!

@joannlacy2276

Жыл бұрын

We are great just the way we are 🎉

@kmariamv

Жыл бұрын

Beauty norms were different back then. So were fashion trends. This statement is a bit unequivocal.

@heartnsoullove

Жыл бұрын

@@kmariamv some things should never change.

@fletcher373

Жыл бұрын

This comment should have a 1000 likes. But we know why it won't, love your beautiful hair Black women.

@daniellehull8443

Жыл бұрын

I believe everyone is beautiful & beauty is in the 👁‍🗨 of the beholder ❤❤

Not only is she pretty; she also is gracious. Beauty coupled with graciousness.

The whole country went crazy in 1977 I was a little kid but I remember she is very beautiful and we won again in 1998 , my Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹

@winstonseecharan6321

Жыл бұрын

Trinidad also won miss world in the mid 80

I was a child then but I remember yelling with joy when she won Miss Universe.

@HowieHoward-ti3dx

Жыл бұрын

Why because she is black? She hardly has any negroid features and hair and only is black because of her skin. Otherwise, she looks Caucasian. I think she has some Indian and white blood including African.

She was and still is gorgeous!

Proud to be Trinidadian! Happy to have stumbled on this video. Penny looks amazing!! ❤

@mrstrini2

Жыл бұрын

Same here!!!

So proud of our🇹🇹 Pretty Penny who looks as gorgeous as in 1977 and who is still so graceful 46 years later and counting. I couldn't agree with it more - brains, beauty and fashionable. ❤

@Elemental_Buttahfly_II

Жыл бұрын

The whole entire Black universe is very proud of our Penny!

I am such a proud TRINI. We love and adore her. We have since had another MISS UNIVERSE WE ARE PROUD OF THEM BOTH ‼️‼️

@Pattyaribri

Жыл бұрын

We really have a special mix of people. Beautiful inside and out.

Her beauty had not faded at all! She seems to have beauty through and through. It comes from her heart and soul. 💕

Janelle Commissiong, a classic beauty, then and now. I remember how proud and impressed I was when she won the title of 'Miss Universe'. I knew from the start, hands down, that she was the winner. It is wonderful to hear about her life and success... even through the tragic losses...she is still a winner...after all these years.

@ceeuuu01

Жыл бұрын

She wins bc she's authentic. No pretense here. I wish more had been included about her upbringing.

@punkanelliefonkbush8811

Жыл бұрын

@@ceeuuu01 don't be so nosey

I remember when she won. She is so beautiful.

@HowieHoward-ti3dx

Жыл бұрын

She hardly has any negroid features and hair and only is black because of her skin. Otherwise, she looks Caucasian. I think she has some Indian and white blood including African.

@ciarrajohnson3849

Жыл бұрын

Amen♥️

She's awesome 👍🏾 I remember the night she won. I will never forget how beautiful she was and how shocked and proud at the same time.

@genaross4143

Жыл бұрын

Me too❤️❤️❤️!

@aliciaburbank2816

Жыл бұрын

I remember that night too! I think I was about 11 yrs old. My mom said I was screaming like I had won! 😄

@genaross4143

Жыл бұрын

Me too and I was 10❤️❤️❤️!!!

@jaiyabyrd4177

Жыл бұрын

@@aliciaburbank2816 It was in the summer and I was on the floor watching the show. Back then those pageants were magnificent. Long story short I always dreamed of being the first Black Miss Universe. That night I cried when Janelle won for three reasons 1. I was happily shocked 😲 2. I was so happy she won. She was beautiful and intelligent and Black 3. I lost my opportunity to be the 1st Black Miss Universe However she was my Super Hero

@timdivine

Жыл бұрын

I was a child on holiday with my family in Florida so we saw it live. What a magical ride & experience it was. We too hit the roof the minute they said the first runner up is Miss Austria & Miss Trinidad is Miss universe!. I had flasbacks to that night waiting for Obama to win the presidency. Triumphs for black people everywhere!

T&T has produced many gorgeous beauty queens and Janelle is one of them. I am Jamaican who follows pageants and admire her so much as a trend setter. The other very beautiful lady from T&T who also captured a crown was Giselle Laronde who won Miss World in 1986. Lovely to see both these women aging like fine wine and still exuding the class that they captivated the world with.

@rickberglund2134

Жыл бұрын

Yes, the delegate who represented T&T in 1993 was astonishing, and if I remember was in the top 10.

@letzsnuggzz

Жыл бұрын

And Wendy Fitzwillliam, another Trinidadian, won Miss Universe in 1998.

@Nattaferg

Жыл бұрын

@@letzsnuggzz Yes I remember Wendy who won Miss Universe. For some reason though Giselle and Janelle stands out most to me.

@elbeem20001

Жыл бұрын

JENNIFER HOSTEN, Miss Grenada, 1970 - Miss World.

@seguestt2

Жыл бұрын

​@@elbeem20001but this was about Miss Universe. Penny was indeed the first black Miss Universe in 1977 and Wendy Fitzwilliam was the 2nd black Miss Universe in 1998. Both, Miss Trinidad and Tobago

I met her December 2017 in Downtown Brooklyn at my aunt’s spa. Had no idea who she was but my wife who happens to be Trinidadian knew her right away and fanned out a little bit. They even took some pics together, she was very kind and approachable and even now she’s still very beautiful.

So happy to see this video. I was pregnant when this pageant took place & determined that if I delivered a daughter I’d honor this young lady. My daughter was named Kelly Janelle. ❤

One of the best best Miss Universe ever. I love her... Her country must be proud of Janelle.Thx

@SuperSmoogie

Жыл бұрын

We most certainly are!!! 🇹🇹

She was the the 1st Black Beauty from Trinidad & Tobago to win the Ms. Universe competition; she was undoubtedly one of the most naturally beautiful womeen that I had ever seen in my life at that time in TnT, until I met my own wife....However, our country produced another stunning Ms. Universe in 1998, but tall, Black Beauty in Wendy Fitzwilliam....as well as, a Ms. World winner in Giselle La Ronde in 1986....Most TnT women are of a natural gorgeous ethnic mixture compared to the rest of the countries on earth.

I was 13yrs old when she won. My Jamaican parents and I were so proud clapping and cheering.She is a beautiful treasure!

I am a Trinidadian and I thank you for your presentation. We all love Penny.

Penny will always be Trini Darling. Such a beautiful person. 🇹🇹

Trinidad and Tobago is filled with greatness....🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹

I went to high school with Penny and her inner beauty was just as shining as her outer beauty. We all knew she would go on to do great things.

Wow what a beautiful lady 👸💜 she is certainly a stunner ,even now she still has the looks and is a very smart woman 💙💙🇦🇺

@keishafamily6839

Жыл бұрын

Proud trini right here❤

She is stunningly beautiful❤

I remember when she won. All of us were watching the show. We were spellbound. She was BEAUTIFUL and still is. All the Caribbean people were happy and sooo proud. It did not matter your country. From the time she walked on stage, we all said "she got the crown". Right Ms. Penny. You are aging like fine wine!!!

I was 14 year old when she won the 1977 M.U I AM NOW 59 AND SHE WILL ALWAYS BE MY INSPIRATION AFTER ENTERING AND WINNING MY BEAUTY PAGEANT BACK IN COLOMBIA IN 1980, GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS QUEEN 👸 ❤

Wow she is beautiful still❤

What a gorgeous woman ❤❤❤ The first Black Miss Universe ❤❤❤ She is and will always be spectacular. So proud to be a woman of color❤❤❤❤

She's an amazing woman. I can understand why she won Miss Universe. She has a beautiful natural glow with a smile that melts hearts 😊

Ooooooo! The way I screamed when she won. I was a preteen and I jumped for joy and continued jumping around the house and screaming "SHE WON! SHE WON!" She was beautiful then and she is extremely beautiful now.

@timdivine

Жыл бұрын

As we all did. It was an unforgetable magical night !

Watching this lovely video here in Nigeria 🇳🇬 brought a lot of joy and happiness in me, I am so proud of her I am so proud of Trinidad and Tobago

Sweet"PENNY" so proud of her 🥰🤗💯💯💯🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹

She made the Caribbean people proud,and made history at the time as the first black miss universe.A forever queen.She 's still beautiful after all these years.👍🌎📷🌟🌹😍💝⛅

Beautiful lady she has aged so gracefully and has made our Country proud congratulations Penny Miss Universe 1977❤💯💯🇹🇹

I remember this, I was 10 years old. I was so happy she won. Beauty comes in all different shades and ethic backgrounds.

She looks like a lovely Lady ..well done to her for having won the title of Miss Universe..giving hope and inspirations to other women✨️😇🙏

I remember watching the live telecast of Miss Universe in 1977 and witnessed the historical moment when she won! I have since vacationed in Trinidad & Tobago twice over the years. What a beautiful lady and country!❤

Still beautiful and elegant from then and all through the years. Thanks for putting us on the map Penny!

We're still proud of her😇😇🇹🇹

That particular year the pageant took place in Dominican Republic. The news was all over the world and everyone was very happy for her. I'm glad she has used her platform to become a role model for other women of color.👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

So wonderful. Always wondered what happened with her. She’s still the MOST GORGEOUS MISS UNIVERSE EVER! Melanin is powerful.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

I remember so well when she won. I was in the fourth grade. My family and I were so thrilled that we clipped out her pictures in the paper and still have them in our scrap books. She is still gorgeous and has done so much good for others! 👍🏽

@franklinstephen3268

Жыл бұрын

Hello 👋 how are you doing?

Still forever beautiful

Always so proud of her..

Bare in mind the first Miss Universe was held in 1952, Penny won in 1977 making her the first black woman to do so. That is 25 years after the first one, smh. Proud of her very significant achievement💯. She was truly beautiful back then & still is today💞

I was 10 years old when she won The Miss Universe Pageant. At the time, I was happy for her. I didn't care where she was from. I wanted a sister to win. Even as a kid, I understood that representation was important. Most importantly, I saw the pride in my cousin's face. Her victory, showed her that even if she's black, she can be whatever she wanted be.

OVER 1 MILLION VIEWS NOW. 1 MILLION IN 10 DAYS. Stay tuned for Janelle's 2023 Double Celebration this summer. Her 70th birthday bash in June. 46th Anniversary of her Ms. Universe title in July. Thank you WOW for featuring Janelle Penny Commissiong.

She's so beautiful, even after all these years.

Can you imagine all the names and hate that she received just because of her color ! I remember when she won , I was a little kid and my family was so excited . I'm so very proud of her and much respect .🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

God bless you Penny you are still as stunningly beautiful as ever thank you

She's beautiful and intelligent 😍

This is an important story! Thanks for finding it and unvealing some of Penny's life story to us. I think her story would make for a terrific movie.

I remember the night she was crowned Miss Universe. As a teenager, she had a tremendous impact on my life. She was beautiful then and she is still now.❤

What a beauty. Island girls rock. Melanin queen.

Damn she's gorgeous! Such beautiful natural beauty and beautiful face structure.

She's a forever queen in our hearts! One of TnT best ambassadors!

"Beautifully confident" effortlessly graceful. She won hearts and changed minds and still does today. There can only ever be one Janelle "Penny" Commissiong. Proud that she is Trinbagonian ❤

She's so beautiful @stunning..i love her beauty ❤❤❤

Just still so beautiful but especially inside as well

Look at all of the contestants back then. Simple modest beauty, no fake eyelashes, boobs, butts or hair, just lovely. Wish we could return to that.

@joannlacy2276

Жыл бұрын

Ladies at their best. Where did we all go wrong 😢

@judithmorgan2930

Жыл бұрын

Lol

I remember watching the pageant on tv. She was so beautiful and still is. It's so good to see her! What an inspiring woman!

Gorgeous woman she won her crown in my country DR. ❤🇩🇴

@roneyjohn2691

Жыл бұрын

I love your country . Home to Juan Luis Guerra.

@creativenurse2023

Жыл бұрын

❤ from mines 🇹🇹 to yours 🇩🇴

@0210fnunez

Жыл бұрын

@@creativenurse2023 Likewise 🇩🇴❤🇹🇹

@michellealexandre5439

Жыл бұрын

what does that have to do with anything

I was in middle school when she won. My Mom, sister, and I always watched the beauty parents together, and we screamed, jumped around, and cried together that night. We were so happy for her!! I remember it like it was yesterday!

One of my favorite MUs ever! Timeless beauty, strong and elegant bearing that defies stereotypical manufactured beauty queen standards.

We also have Wendy as another Miss Universe winner in Trinidad and Tobago ( 1998 ). 🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹 💯

Penny's really a Queen of beauty, she still is ,💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼

She is black , beautiful , humble and smart. God bless you Miss Penny. ❤️🇵🇭

What a wonderful flash back👏🏾 Thank you so much for sharing this magnificent Black History Event🤟🏾

I remember seeing her win as an 8 y/o girl. I was so happy and couldn't believe that she had won. So glad that she has led a charmed life due to many wise decisions. Brava!

Gorgeous!!!👑🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹💯

Thanks sooo very much for sharing this video! I’m 74 years young, I remember when she won!❤️❤️❤️

Wonderful story! I didn't remember this. Can't wait to share!👍🏆

She knows where the fountain of youth is we have to make her speak 😩😩

@TheTimtim90210

Жыл бұрын

Lol. Yes indeed

Beautiful lady. ❤

Penny I'll never forget when you were a guest in my high school of Art &Design in NY in 1978. You gave us Q&A and i can't remember the question i asked you now bc I'm not near my notes that i still have after all these years. And i have a beautiful cut-out of the news paper of you in your Trinidadian costume. As a 16 yr old back then i was so proud of you and we as young girls of color really needed a positive boost of achievement that was rendered unto you. Not just beautiful but smart and poised with class.

Thank you so much for this video & information. I appreciate your content.

Wow! Thank you for highlighting this beautiful woman. I would have never known her if it weren't for this channel

I remember that day when they had presented the contestants entering the Trinidad and Tobago leg of the competion on Community Dateline. Not so certain but I think the presenter was Ms. Judy Alcantara. At the moment I saw her, I choose her not only for the local leg but also for the "Miss Universe" title. I just felt it in my heart. She was a winner from the start!! I told everyone that she would win. She had and still has That "Queenly Character". I am very proud of her accomplishment.

@marilynottley-lorant7923

Жыл бұрын

I was at my fiance's house in Moruga Trinidad & Tobago (in Trinidad) the night of that competition. I was very pleasantly shocked . Shocked that the judges saw that was the winner. She was calm, bright and beautiful. Her costume was fantastic. She was a queen through & through. This was most obvious at the Trinidad & Tobago's franchise leg of the competition. Continue with your good life Penny. May the lord continue to bless you.

We was so proud when she won and she had a beautiful spirit ❤

Congratulations ❤I never knew this...Beautiful Lady!!❤❤❤❤😊

Beautiful with supreme grace and elegance. Her presence radiates light and her skin glows . 🍃💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐🍃

Bravo!!!! Truly inspiring, the real queen of beauty in its truest sense. Cheers from the Philippines!

Thank you for this! Janelle is my favorite Miss Universe, ever! Truly a beautiful icon - inside and out.

I love this. Thanks so much for sharing this jewel!

Wow, you learn something new every day!! She was and is such a beauty. Her story is truly inspiring💗💗

Beautiful Caribbean Queen. I remember jumping to the ceiling to celebrate 🎉 Texan Jamaican 🇯🇲 Lol...watching the rerun show in my small 🏝 Island. Someone I admired in the Yachting industry....in Tourism. Thank you for sharing beautiful story....we love her ❤️ 🎉

This woman is soo beautiful and the fountain of youth has worked miracles on her aging❤️💯❤️

Wonderful video!! Thank you for posting!!

Wow! Thx for the interesting story. What a great leader!

"PENNY" is such a BEAUTY!!!, we are all soooo proud of her. I am a TRINI.