Breaking Barriers in Beauty: MonaLesa’s Triumphant Return to the Pageant Stage

At 36, MonaLesa, the reigning Miss Kings County, is about to make history at Miss New York USA 2025 (August 15–17). As a Black American Muslim woman competing in full modesty—hijab and burkini included—her presence on that stage is more than a personal milestone; it’s a cultural statement.

When the pageant system removed its age cap, MonaLesa saw the door to her lifelong dream swing wide open again—ten years after she thought it had closed for good.

“I’m showing up for every woman who thought her time had passed,” she says. “God’s timing is perfect. I know myself now, and I bring as much value to the crown as the crown brings to me.”

Competing modestly is not a compromise for her—it’s a redefinition of beauty.

“Modesty isn’t hiding—it’s honoring. I’m in the best shape of my life, but my qualifications will be felt in my presence, my confidence, and my voice,” she says. “I want women and little girls who cover to know they belong here too.”

Her return is also a tribute to her late mother, who never missed a pageant and always believed MonaLesa would one day become Miss USA. After her mother passed from colon cancer in 2018, MonaLesa wrestled with regret for stepping away from competition. Now, every step on that stage carries her mother’s legacy.

“I’m living the dream she wanted for me—and I’m doing itin my own way.”

Her advocacy doesn’t stop at pageantry. MonaLesa uses her platform to raise awareness about genetic cancer screening, sharing her own experience being tested for Gardner’s Syndrome. While she tested negative, doctors found a PALB2 gene mutation linked to breast cancer, giving her the opportunity to take preventive measures.

“I can’t bring my mom back, but I can help others be proactive instead of reactive.”

Off stage, MonaLesa is a powerhouse of service. She’s an NYC educator, founder of The Real Estate Fairy, LLC—housing homeless families with vouchers—and the creator of financial literacy symposiums for underserved youth. She also leads annual park restoration projects, rallying hundreds of volunteers.

“God gives me the vision, I do the work, and He sends what I need—funding, volunteers, everything.”

Her advice to women who feel their dreams have expired?

“There’s no rush. The world is changing, and so are the rules. Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. I’m living proof that what’s meant for you will find you—even if it takes a decade.”

MonaLesa’s journey is one of faith, resilience, and unapologetic authenticity. This August, she’s not just competing for a crown—she’s redefining what it means to wear one.