Trinidad and Tobago's Jeanine Brandt releases statement on controversial Miss World video
Reigning Miss World Trinidad and Tobago Jeanine Brandt released an official statement on the controversial video clip of her presentation for the 70th Miss World Beauty With A Purpose Head to Head Challenge that circulated on social media.
The beauty queen claimed thousands of children in Trinidad and Tobago live in poverty, sleep on cold grounds in makeshift homes, and have limited or no access to running water, food, school, and healthcare. Her critics complained it was an inaccurate portrayal of life in the dual-island Caribbean nation.
"Over the past two years, I have worked assiduously through my NGO The Brandt Beauty Foundation to aid and support underprivileged communities. My intention was never to portray our twin-island nation in a negative light or to bring ill repute to the Miss World Trinidad and Tobago Franchise," she said in her official statement.
The Miss World Trinidad and Tobago Organization also expressed full support to Jeannie and were disheartened over the mass of disparaging comments against her and the efforts she put into representing her country while giving back to her society through her humanitarian journey.
According to the national organization, it was not Jeanine's intention to offend anyone with her statements and it is unfortunate that the nature of the video and its content may have been misunderstood.
Jeanine has won the title of Miss World Trinidad and Tobago in January of last year and went on to represent her country at the 70th Miss World pageant held in Puerto Rico. The international competition was canceled in December and moved to March this year due to COVID-19 concerns.
Photo: Miss World / Facebook
