Miss Universe Jamaica 2017 Launched

Published:Friday | July 28, 2017 | 7:14 AMKimberly Goodall

Shorn Hector

Co-Director of Miss Universe Jamaica Karl Williams joins Marketing Manager of LASCO Catherine Goodall for a quick photo op at the pageant's launch on Wednesday.

With 18 beauties vying for the title of Miss Universe Jamaica 2017, franchise holders Mark McDermoth and Karl Williams are set on crowning that special young woman, who will not only represent the country on the global stage, but enhance lives through her beauty.

At the pageant's media launch on Wednesday, at the Triple Century Sports Club in New Kingston, McDermoth emphasised the event's commitment to extensive training and moulding to ensure that the young women are more than beautiful on stage but will also have presence, personality, and intelligence.

"We are not training the contestants to play in the show, we are training everyone to be winners. Training is big for us this year and will make a stronger winner. What we're seeing from Universe now is it's a beauty pageant, but substance is critical, so we are giving the contestants an extra shot in the arm to be amazing and dazzling in the interviews. We want to bring out their personalities and prepare them to manage any element in the interviews," McDermoth said.

Spreading the pageant beyond the corporate area once again, the pageant has included the winners of the island's regional pageants - Andrea Myers, Miss Universe Northwest; Joddian Harper, Miss Universe Northeast; and Addairre Esmie, Miss Universe East. Fifteen other finalist will be vying for the crown on August 26 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel. 

Grand Prize

Alongside the title of Miss Universe Jamaica and the trip to the 2017 international pageant, the winner will receive a $1 million wardrobe; $300,000 cash prize; life and travel insurance coverage from Axia Insurance; a one-year gym membership from Spartan Health Club; a weekend for two at a north coast all-inclusive hotel, among other prizes.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/social/20170728/miss-universe-jamaica-2017-launched