After her win in Miss CEDEAO 2001, Mame Diarra Mballo next battle is Miss International. Her competition was tough including Miss Venezuela who was 4th RunnerUp in Miss Universe few months earlier, and Miss United Kingdom who was 2nd Runner Up in Miss World 2001. However, Mame beauty outshone the two runners up as she sail her way in the Top 12. Her placement was the second time for her country. Interestingly the first time Senegal place in 1999, two other black delegates entered the Top 15.
The year 2004 was historical for Miss International. It was the first time the beauty pageant held outside the US and Japan. But most importantly the first ever Black Women won the title of Miss International. Jeymmy Paola Vargas of Colombia broke all odds the moment the pearl crown was put to her head. The Colombian beauty queen also won World Coffee Queen that year.
Two years after Jeymmy Paola Vargas success in Miss International, Colombia sent another black beauty. Karina Guerra might have now bagged the title, she however continued the 3 years streak of her country in Miss International.
In 2005 Miss Guadeloupe Meryta Melina tried to give the French territory its first placement in Miss World, but, her attempt did not succeed. Meryta was given another chance to represent Guadeloupe, that time around in Miss International 2006. Unlike her previous pageant, she found triumph in Miss International. To date, she is so far the only Miss Guadeloupe to placed in the said pageant.
Vanessa Peretti is one special girl, not only because of her beautiful skin but also she is deaf and mute. One of the most memorable moment in Miss International 2007 was when Vanessa gave her speech through Sign Language. Vanessa along with Miss France provided Miss International 2007 the record as the only grandslam pageant with two deaf contestants.
Six years after Jeimy Vargas of Colombia victory, another South American mulatta from neghboring country Venezuela won Miss International. Elizabeth win was the 6th for the beauty pageant powerhouse in Miss International.
Aideliz Hildago came so close to represent Puerto Rico in Miss Universe after winning 2nd Runner Up in Miss Puerto Rico Universe. The black Boricua was later chosen to be the delegate of her island in Miss International, where she was one of the lucky 15 Semifinalists.
Renee Bhagwandeen was one of the frontrunners in Miss T&T Universe but surprisingly she was not even included in the top 3. That lose turn out to be a blessing in disguise because Renee was appointed to be the entry of the Caribbean island in Miss International. It was the first time that the twin islands to compete since 1971. Renee became the first Trini to placed in the said pageant.
