Brooke Bruk-Jackson (born 26 July 2002) is a Zimbabwean model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023. She represented Zimbabwe at Miss Universe 2023.
Brooke Bruk-Jackson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 July 2002 Harare, Zimbabwe |
| Occupation | Model |
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023 |
| Major competition(s) | Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023 (Winner) Miss Universe 2023 (Unplaced) |
Early life and education
Bruk-Jackson was born in Harare to a white Zimbabwean family of five, the daughter of Tracey Evans Bruk-Jackson, and raised in the Newlands suburb.[1][2] Bruk-Jackson was educated at Chisipite Senior School in Harare, and afterwards went on to attend the British Academy of Fashion Design in London and the Beauty Therapy Institute in Cape Town.[2] After finishing her education, Bruk-Jackson went on to work as a beauty therapist in Cape Town.[2] In addition to English, she also speaks Shona.[1]
Bruk-Jackson has also worked as a model in Zimbabwe and South Africa since 2019, having first been scouted by South African modeling agency Boss Models in 2017.[3][1]
Pageantry
On 16 September 2023, Bruk-Jackson was crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023, her first pageant ever.[3][2][4] As part of her prize package, Bruk-Jackson received a US$10,000 cash prize, a trip to Victoria Falls, a one-year contract with clothing company Hilz Couture, a spa treatment, two years of accommodation, beauty products, and air tickets to and from Central America, while also becoming a brand ambassador for several sponsoring companies.[4]
Bruk-Jackson will represent Zimbabwe at Miss Universe 2023, marking the nation's first appearance at the competition since Miss Universe 2001. Following her victory, Bruk-Jackson went viral due to her identity as a white Zimbabwean and status as the only white contestant at Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023, with international audiences criticising her victory in a Zimbabwean pageant, which is home to a primarily black African population. In response to the controversy, Bruk-Jackson and her victory in the pageant was largely defended by the Zimbabwean media.[1][5][6][7]
References
- ^ a b c d e "ALL HAIL THE QUEEN! . . . Dream comes true for 'legally blonde' Brooke Bruk Jackson".
- ^ a b c d Ncube, Audrey (September 17, 2023). "From Beauty Therapist to Beauty Queen: Brooke Bruk-Jackson Crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023". iHarare. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ a b "Brooke-Bruk-Jackson crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe | ZBC NEWS". www.zbcnews.co.zw.
- ^ a b "Zimbabwe gets white Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023". Bulawayo24 News.
- ^ "White Woman Wins Miss Universe Zimbabwe Crown,Sparks Heated Online Debate". Essence. September 21, 2023.
- ^ Velasquez, Angelina (September 22, 2023). "My Ancestors Rolling In They Graves': White Woman Wins 2023 Miss Universe Zimbabwe Over 'Melanated' Candidates". Atlanta Black Star.
- ^ Mpini, Siyabonga (September 22, 2023). "Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023: Americans Drag Brooke Bruk-Jackson After Her Win". iHarare News.