Modesty is Nothing Like Invisibility for MORGAN STATE ALUMNA
BY ZERLINE HUGHES SPRUILL
MonaLesa Diamond Brackett . MonaLesa Diamond Brackett . MonaLesa Diamon
As a Miss USA 2025 pageant contestant last fall, MonaLesa Diamond Brackett catwalked across the stage during the swimsuit competition in her burkini – not to be mistaken with the two- piece bikini worn by the contestant who preceded her at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada.
Covered from head to ankle in a long- sleeved, mock turtleneck red unitard accessorized with a shimmering gold headcovering and matching mini sarong, Brackett wowed the audience and judges alike as she made Miss USA pageant history. As an Islamic woman who chooses to wear the hijab headcovering, Brackett, 36, is the first hijabi title holder to compete in a Miss USA contest. “People asked me ‘are you going to compete with that thing on your head … what are you going to wear?’” recalled Brackett who converted to Islam in her early 30s. “Being a modest woman is not a costume where we can say, ‘when it’s over I’ll cover back up.’ I love that I was able to show up as myself. A few times a day, I take a break to pray and I’m also coming through with the styles, while my makeup is going to be A-1. All little girls can wear hijab in all of the things they want to do and they don’t have to compromise their standards, morals or religion.”
Representing New Hampshire, the Morgan State University alumna’s poise, personality and intelligence earned her 16th place in the contest, putting her in the Top 20 ranking of Miss USA 2025 contestants. She also upped New Hampshire’s reputation, earning the state's sixth overall placement in the pageant's history. “It’s history and it happened so fast,” said Brackett who is an actress, screenwriter and realtor. “I’m a winner because I choose to win. A winner finds a way to win no matter the outcome. Everyone is happy about the Top 16, but I wish I could have done better. Someone in the audience said they were glad to see me place because people were underestimating me. It never dawned on me that I’m considered not as good until people tell me. It’s shocking.” The Brooklyn native first began her beauty queen career when she was a teenager. In 2006, a guidance
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