Ariana Miyamoto


Ariana Mamiko Miyamoto is a Japanese model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Japan 2015. She represented Japan at the Miss Universe 2015 pageant and was placed Top 10.

Early life and education

Miyamoto was born to a Japanese mother and African American father, Bryant Stanfield, who was stationed at a United States Navy base in Sasebo. Miyamoto's parents divorced when she was one year old. She attended elementary school in Japan and, at age 13, immigrated to the United States to live with her father in Jacksonville, Arkansas, where she attended Jacksonville High School for two years. Upon return to her native Japan, she did not immediately complete high school, but worked odd jobs, including bartender.
In 2015, Miyamoto won the title of Miss Nagasaki and represented her prefecture at the Miss Universe Japan contest.

Discrimination

Miyamoto recalled, "Whenever the teacher told us to hold hands, other children thought my black skin would rub off on them, so they said, 'Don't touch me'". Some of her classmates in Sasebo, Nagasaki would say things like, "Don't swim in the same pool 'cause your skin will rub off on me." Miyamoto was shunned due to her skin color and curly hair as she grew up in Japan. Parents and classmates used the term to refer to her.
After her victory, she encountered some people disapproving of her win, mostly in the form of online social media, for not being of typical Japanese appearance; she is the first hāfu woman to be Miss Japan.

Career

Miss Universe Japan 2015

On 12 March 2015, Miyamoto was crowned as Miss Universe Japan 2015 at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo in Bunkyō-ku, while Miss Oita and Miss Chiba were the runners-up. The winner of Miss Universe usually competes at the Miss Universe. At Miss Universe 2015 she made it to Top 10.

Miss Universe 2015

As Miss Japan 2015, Miyamoto competed at the Miss Universe 2015 pageant where she made it to the Top 10. Before Miyamoto's placement, Japan placed in the top 15 last in 2008 with Hiroko Mima.