PAGEANT Circle

Daena Soares bested nine other finalists to be crowned Miss Universe Jamaica 2021 in a gleaming national competition held last October 31 at the Hotel Riu Montego Bay in St. James. The 22-year-old beauty who hails from Jamaica's breadbasket parish, St. Elizabeth, holds a bachelor's degree in basic medical sciences from the University of the West Indies. She succeeds last year's winner, Miqueal-Symone Williams. Trishanie Weller and Lauren Less were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Jamaica was also awarded Miss Photogenic and Miss Congeniality. She will now prepare to represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant to be held in Eilat, Israel this December. Jamaica has yet to win the Miss Universe pageant. The country's highest placement was first runner-up in 2010 with Yendi Phillips. Photos: Miss Universe Jamaica

Miss South Africa organization has just made another announcement today that reigning Miss World Toni-Ann Singh has been invited to attend the Miss South Africa 2021 final. The Jamaican beauty will grace the national event on Saturday, October 16 with Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza and Miss Supranational 2021 Chanique Rabe. They will also be joined by former Miss Universe winners from the Philippines and South Africa. "South Africa, as promised we are making history! From the Universe to Miss Supra and now the WORLD all under one roof," the organizers shared on social media. Miss South Africa 2021 will air live from the Grand Arena at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World in Cape Town. Photo: Miss South Africa

Khalia Hall bested 14 other contestants to be crowned Miss Jamaica World 2021 on Saturday, October 9 at the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston. The 25-year-old beauty holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Manchester in the UK. She will represent Jamaica at the Miss World 2021 (70th Miss World) finals in San Juan, Puerto Rico in December. Dominique Shorter and Melessa Vassell were the first and second runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Jamaica World succeeded Toni-Ann Singh, Jamaica's fourth Miss World and the longest-reigning Miss World due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jamaica won the Miss World title four times with Carole Crawford (Miss World 1963), Cindy Breakspeare (Miss World 1976), Lisa Hanna (Miss World 1993), and Toni-Ann Singh (Miss World 2019). Photo: Dash Productions / Miss Jamaica World

Miss World 2019 Toni-Ann Singh has on the weekend arrived in Puerto Rico together with Miss World Organization's Julia Morley ahead of the Miss World 2021 competition on the island later this year. They were welcomed by former Miss World from Puerto Rico and Miss World 2021 organizer, Stephanie del Valle. It was Toni-Ann's first official trip since the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions happened. The Jamaican beauty said she was very excited about her visit as Puerto Rico is so much like her own country. During their official visit, they will attend meetings with local government officials and look at various locations to be selected for the 70th edition of the international pageant. Miss World 2021 is scheduled to be held on December 16 at the Coca-Cola Music Hall in San Juan. The event is aiming to promote the Caribbean island as a tourist destination to an expected two billion viewers worldwide. Photos: Miss World