BY ALISIOUS KONGO | SEPTEMBER 23rd,2025
From beauty queen to rapper, and now a political figure, Natasha Beckley’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and determination. A renowned pageant queen who once represented Sierra Leone at Miss World, and a rapper who put the country on the global spotlight through music, Beckley has now taken a bold step into politics — echoing a path similar to Ugandan star-turned-politician Bobi Wine.
Since 2018, she has consistently pursued political office, proving that women and entertainers can play vital roles in shaping society. In a recent Liberty Online TV Breakfast Show interview, Beckley declared her bid for Deputy Chairperson of Port Loko District, sharing her story, challenges, and vision.
From Pageantry to Politics
“I came from pageantry to politics,” she reflected. “As a child, I always dreamed of becoming a diplomat or working at the UN. Politics was my way of starting that journey.”
Her political ambition began as early as 2016, after winning Miss Sierra Leone in 2011. Inspired by figures like Sylvia Blyden, Beckley braved the stigma that entertainers face when crossing into politics. “People kept wondering if I knew what I was doing,” she admitted. Despite setbacks — including being blocked from Parliament in 2018 due to dual citizenship — she pressed on, serving as councillor and even contesting for mayor in 2023.
Why the APC?
Raised in Port Loko, Beckley says her choice of the All People’s Congress (APC) was rooted in her upbringing. “I saw the visibility of governance in APC and wanted to be part of the change,” she explained.
What Keeps Her Going
Though politics has brought its share of defeats, Beckley’s motivation comes from the young girls of Sierra Leone. “My population of young girls is what keeps me moving forward,” she said. “We need to show kids they can achieve anything, no matter where they come from.”
Her experience as Miss World contestant, she adds, rekindled her political drive. “Politics builds your confidence and strength. Defeat is not failure — you just have to keep pushing, no matter what people say about you.”
Port Loko and Her Vision
For Beckley, Port Loko is not just home, but a place rich in history, tourism, mining, and resilience. She acknowledges the work of both APC and the current government in infrastructure development but stresses that protecting votes remains the district’s biggest challenge.
“If I win, it will be a victory for the people of Port Loko,” she declared. Her priorities include job creation, empowering women, and ensuring that executives work with a chairman who has a vision for the future.
Women in Politics
October 4th, 2025, marks a symbolic date for Beckley’s declaration. “This is for women,” she emphasized. “Women in the party are ready to step forward. I started as a youth in politics, now I’m a woman in politics — I’m not scared. I will continue to build myself as a woman.”
The Balancing Act
Representing entertainers in politics, Beckley believes her journey will motivate others. “Entertainers should not be entertainers alone,” she said. “My trail to success will show that we can contribute beyond the stage.”
As she campaigns for Deputy Chairperson of Port Loko District, Natasha Beckley carries both the weight of expectation and the determination of a pioneer. With eyes set on the future, she insists her track record will tell her story:
“My mainstream politics begins now. My focus is on my district. I haven’t gone past 2028 yet — but I will continue to push, not just for myself, but for women and young people in Sierra Leone.”
