Beauty pageants are embedded in Jamaica’s culture. This has evoked a passion largely inspired by the magnificent success on the global stage. Jamaica has had four winners and several runners-up in the Miss World beauty contest. We can also mention Miss Universe, where Jamaica has also had great finishes. As we prepare for Jamaica 60th anniversary, let’s look at some of the accomplishments we have had in major beauty pageants over the years.
Toni-Ann Singh Wins Miss World 2019
This is the most recent accomplishment the country has had at a major beauty pageant. At 23, Toni-Ann Singh won the 69th Miss World pageant in London over 100 plus participants. She became the fourth Jamaican woman to win the title 25 years after the last win. She finished ahead of 2nd place France and 3rd place India.
Lisa Hanna Wins the Miss World Pageant in 1993
In 1993, Lisa Hanna won the 43rd edition of the Miss World pageant, which took place in Sun City, South Africa. She won this pageant at the tender age of 18. The pageant had over 81 contestants from various parts of the globe. Lisa has had a great entertainment career, featuring several films and hosting popular talk shows. She has served in the Jamaican Parliament and as a Minister of Youth and Culture.
Cindy Breakspeare Won the Miss World Pageant in 1976
Cindy Breakspeare is a popular Canadian-Jamaican jazz artist and beauty queen. She is also Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley’s mother, following her relationship with Bob Marley. As a beauty queen, she became the second Jamaican woman to bag the Miss World pageant in 1976. The event featured 60 contestants, and it was held in Royal Albert Hall in London. The second and third places went to Australia and Guam respectively.
Carole Crawford Became the First Jamaican Woman to Win Miss World in 1963
Just one year after gaining independence in 1962, Carole Crawford, became the first Jamaican woman to win the Miss World pageant. The 13th edition of the pageant was held at the Lyceum Ballroom in London and was contested by over 40 women. New Zealand and Finland won second and third place respectively. At 20, she was also the first delegate from the Caribbean to win this pageant. After her win, she received a massive welcome back home, and the government also commemorated her achievement by issuing stamps with her pictures in a swimsuit imprinted on them.
Yendi Phillips Finishes as 1st Runners-Up in Miss Universe 2010
Yendi Phillips has dominated different pageant stages at home and globally. She won the 2007 Miss Jamaica World beauty pageant and the 2010 Miss Jamaica Universe beauty pageant. In 2007, she represented Jamaica at the Miss World beauty pageant, where she finished top 16. Following her win in the 2010 Miss Jamaica Universe beauty pageant, Phillips represented Jamaica in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant held in Las Vegas. She finished as the 1st runner-up after Mexico, the biggest achievement Jamaica has ever had in the pageant.
Davina Bennett Finishes Second Runner-Up in Miss Universe 2017
Davina Bennett’s 3rd place finish in the Miss Universe 2017 pageant, held in Las Vegas, is another great achievement for Jamaica which we should honor as we approach Jamaica’s 60th independence day. She was among 92 contestants competing for the crown. The winner came from South Africa, while the 1st runner-up was from Colombia. Bennett is most remembered for wearing her natural hair in an afro during the finals of the competition.
Top 15 Finishes in the 1987 and 1988 Miss International Pageants
Miss International is among other world pageants, though not popular. Jamaica has managed to feature among the top finishes in the pageant. In 1987, Denise Josephine Thompson was among the semifinalists. In 1988, Michelle Samantha Williams finished among the top 15 out of 46 contestants. This is not bad given the level of competition in this pageant.
Kaci Fennell Finishes as 4th Runner-Up in Miss Universe 2014
This was another big moment for Jamaica in the Miss Universe pageant. In the event held in Miami, 88 contestants were vying for the crown. Kaci Fennell managed a 4th runner-up finish in a pageant won by Colombian Pauline Vega. It was a great achievement for Jamaica since it was the first top 5 finish since 2010.
Kadijah Robinson Finishes Among the Top 5 in the Miss World 2018 Pageant
The Miss World 2018 pageant is still fresh in the mind of most Jamaicans, thanks to the strong finish by Kadijah Robinson. The event held in Sanya City Arena in China attracted 118 contestants. The high-level performance from Kadijah Robinson drew praise from fellow Jamaicans online. Mexican Vanessa Ponce de Leon won the pageant. Apart from the top 5 finish, Kadijah was also crowned as Miss World Caribbean.
Sanneta Myrie Secures a 4th Place Finish in Miss World 2015
Sanneta Myrie represented Jamaica at the Miss World 2015 pageant, where she secured a 4th place finish. She also received the Caribbean Queen of Beauty crown. This was a great accomplishment for Jamaica since it was the first top 5 finish in the pageant since 1991. 114 contestants participated in the Miss World 2015 pageant, which Mireia Lalaguna from Spain won.
Emily Maddison Top 20 Finish in 2018 Miss Universe Pageant
She is among the youngest ladies to represent Jamaica at the Miss Universe pageant. Maddison finished 18th in the pageant with over 94 contestants from various countries. This has opened many opportunities in her life.
Jamaica has produced smart and beautiful women over the past 60 years who have represented the nation on the international stage. Many have also had successful careers as models, doctors, actresses, and politicians. They have also become great role models for Jamaican women and women across the continent. Jamaica may be a small nation, but we have many accolades in 60 years as a developing country. As we prepare for Jamaica 60th anniversary, it is best to honor these moments and see how far we have come from and the many things we have achieved. Jamaica has produced several beautiful women who have represented the country in international beauty pageants. There have been 4 winners and several runners-up in the Miss World pageant.
