Miss Universe Jamaica aware of overwhelming support

REIGNING Miss Universe Jamaica Kaci Fennell is currently in the throes of the Miss Universe competition in Doral, Miami, with the finals set for Sunday.

The pixie-haired beauty has already garnered a legion of fans worldwide with the pageant-watching website globalbeauties.com placing her in fifth position behind hot favourites Spain, Colombia, Serbia and the USA.

Thanks to social media, the groundswell of support for the local beauty has already reached her ears and, according to Fennell’s grooming and deportment coach Angelie Martin-Spencer, a former Miss Universe delegate for Jamaica, this could have one of two effects on her.

“I am in Miami but we have not met face- to-face just yet. She is well aware of the overwhelming support she has been receiving from Jamaicans and non-Jamaicans alike. I am really hoping that it fuels her drive and confidence rather than scares her. At Wednesday’s preliminary show the support for Kaci was unbelievable. Even persons from other countries were supporting Jamaica,” said Martin-Spencer.

With coronation just hours away, she said her advice to Fennell is to focus on staying true to herself and believing in the goals she set for herself and the international pageant.

“She has a really great chance. She is a different kind of beauty… not the cookie-cutter type of pageant girl. She has really embraced her short hair and is wearing a lot of black, unlike the typical contestant. But this just goes to show her confidence and strength of character which will do her well in this tough competition.”

Having participated at Miss Universe in 1994, Martin-Spencer is very aware of what is going through the mind of a contestant at this time.

“Your one thought at this time is making it into the top 15. If you don’t make it, you don’t have a shot at the crown. So Kaci and the others are concerned that in the preliminaries, did they do everything to impress the judges — ‘Did I walk well? How was my posing? Did I show my personality in the interview?"”

Jamaica has never won the Miss Universe title. The country came closest in 2010 when Yendi Phillipps took the first runner-up spot. Local representives Sandra Foster, Kimberley Mais, Nicole Haughton and Christine Straw have all made it to the top 10.

Phillipps has offered her support to Fennell in a video posted on social media.

“So proud of you. Jamaica is already proud of you. You’ve really done a great job flying our flag, girl. Keep flying it high. You’re almost there. Good luck. You’ve got this, just show them who you are, show them your personality. Be you. Good luck, chica,” said Phillipps.

— Richard Johnson

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Miss Universe Jamaica aware of overwhelming support

PHOTO: Jamaica"s Kaci Fennell begins formal Miss Universe quest

Wednesday, January 21, 2015 | 8:53 PM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The 63rd Annual Miss Universe Pageant Preliminary Competition got under way Wednesday in the FIU Arena in Doral-Miami, Florida. All 88 contestants competed in swimwear.

Jamaica’s Kaci Fennell graced the stage a short while ago and OBSERVER ONLINE brings you a snapshot of her in swimwear.

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PHOTO: Jamaica"s Kaci Fennell begins formal Miss Universe quest

Kerrie Baylis is Ms Universe Ja

KERRIE Baylis is Miss Universe Jamaica 2013. The 24-year-old was crowned at the Jewel Dunn’s River Resort, St Ann, on Sunday.

Baylis, an investment banker — who previously held the Miss Jamaica World title in 2009 — emerged top from a field of 11 contestants. She won sectional prizes for Most Aware and Best in Swimwear.She said she expects to represent Jamaica well in the Miss Universe competition scheduled for Moscow, Russia, on November 6.“I am going to do us proud. I have to make this short time count,” she told the Jamaica Observer.“I am confident. I think I have what it takes for us to do well,” she continued.The newly crowned queen believes her experience as Miss Jamaica World will help her to do well in the Miss Universe competition.Her prizes include a wardrobe courtesy of new Miss Universe Jamaica franchise holders Uzuri International valued at $1 million and $200,000 cash.Chantel Davis was first runner-up, Salomie Campbell was second runner-up, Monique Brady placed fourth while Kashema Scarlett was fifth.Acquiring the franchise in August after Dimitris Kosvogiannis threw in the towel, Uzuri International had only two weeks of preparation. They managed to put on a top-class pageant and meeting the deadline of crowning a queen before next month’s international competition.“That does not give you enough time to do a large scale event,” Uzuri International’s Mark McDermott told the Jamaica Observer, explaining the competition only ran over two days.Karl Williams, national director, said initially there were more than 11 contestants but that the number had to be cut.He said experienced contestants were chosen given the time constraint.He had high hopes for Baylis.“I think she is a well-rounded young lady and I think she will do pretty well,” Williams said.Kerrie Baylis (centre), Miss Universe Jamaica 2013, is flanked by (from left) Monique Brady, fourth place; Salomie Campbell, third place; Chantel Davis, second place; and, Kashema Scarlett fifth place winner, at the Jewel Dunn’s River Resort, St Ann, on Sunday. (PHOTO: RENAE DIXON)

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Kerrie Baylis is Ms Universe Ja

Kerry Baylis is Miss Jamaica Universe 2013

Entertainment

By Kevin Jackson Observer WriterMonday, September 09, 2013 | 2:21 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Kerry Baylis, a 24-year-old investment banker, joined an elite cast who have worn both the Miss Jamaica World and Miss Jamaica Universe crowns.Baylis, who was crowned Miss Jamaica World in 2009, won the Miss Jamaica Universe pageant on Sunday evening at Jewels Resort in Ocho Rios.She beat 10 rivals in the Uzuri International-promoted event. Baylis will represent Jamaica at the Miss Universe final in Russia, on November 6. Completing the top five were Chantal Davis, Salomie Campbell, Monique Brady, and Kashema Scarlett.Baylis is the fourth woman to take the Miss Jamaica/Universe double having been preceded by Sandra Foster, Christine Straw and Yendi Phillips.Phillips has been Jamaica’s highest placed Miss Universe contestant to date, finishing second in 2010.On Sunday, sectional prizes went to Baylis for Most Aware and Best in Swimsuit and Salomie Campbell for Best in Evening Wear.From left Monique Brady (4th), Salomie Campbell (3rd), Miss Universe Jamaica 2013 Kerry Baylis, Chantal Davis (2nd), and Kashema Scarlett (5th). (Photo: Fern Elise/Live Stush)

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Kerry Baylis is Miss Jamaica Universe 2013

Miss Universe Jamaica set for Sept 8

Entertainment

BY RICHARD JOHNSON Observer senior reporterThursday, August 29, 2013

COME September 8, Jamaica’s representative to the Miss Universe pageant will be known.Uzuri International, the contest’s local franchise holder, has announced that the coronation will take place at Jewels Resort in Ocho Rios.Uzuri’s Karl Williams notes that having taken over the franchise a few weeks ago, the organisation will stage a “boutique contest”.“Based on the time factor, the sponsors we were able to attract, we will be scaling down this year’s show. We were planning on having just about 10 contestants, but right now that number has risen to about 15, as some of the girls have told their friends about the contest. However, we want to take it down to about 10 girls for the show.”The Miss Universe pageant is set for November 9 in Russia, at the Crocus City Hall in the capital Moscow.Williams stated that Miss Universe Jamaica is required to be in Russia by October 23.Uzuri International was granted the licence to stage the pageant in July, after previous franchise holder, Greece-born hotelier Dimitris Kosvogiannis, relinquished his lien on the event citing other professional obligations.Kosvogianis’ announcement in July came just days before the final at Emancipation Park in St Andrew.Jamaica has never won the Miss Universe crown. In 2010, the country got its highest placing when Yendi Phillipps took the first runner-up spot behind Mexico in Las Vegas. Sandra Foster (1989), Kimberly Mais (1991), Nicole Haughton (1999), and Christine Straw (2004), were all Top 10 finishers. PHILLIPPS… finished second at Miss Universe in 2010

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Miss Universe Jamaica set for Sept 8

Miss Universe Jamaica franchise changes hands

Entertainment

Sunday, August 11, 2013

FASHION house Uzuri International is now the new franchise holders of the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant.No stranger to the competition, the couture designers were the producers of the 2003 staging.“We are ecstatic that the Miss Universe Organization has shown the confidence in our ability to effectively represent their brand in Jamaica, and that they share our vision for the direction of Miss Universe Jamaica,” read a statement from Karl Williams, national director for Miss Universe Jamaica and artistic director of the fashion house.Uzuri International has assumed their lien on the franchise from Greece-born hotelier Dimitris Kosvogiannis, who has held it since 2011. Kosvogiannis announced his intention to relinquish the franchise two days before the competition’s final, which was scheduled for Emancipation Park in Kingston on Sunday, March 14.“We are fully aware that past organisers had many challenges, so we know that this will not be a walk in the park. In this regard, we want to form new and non-traditional alliances in the pageant industry, alliances to bring beauty factions together, where Jamaica benefits, as this should not be about any one individual, or company,” the release continued.Kosvogiannis succeeded Invyte Promotions as franchise holders. Prior to that, Kingsley Cooper of the Pulse model agency ran the contest for two decades.Holders of one of the most popular beauty contests, the Miss Universe Organization was founded in 1952. It is owned by American businessman Donald Trump.Jamaica has never won the a Miss Universe title, however, the country has consistently featured prominently. Yendi Phillipps was first runner-up in 2010; while Sandra Foster (1989), Kimberly Mais (1991), Nicole Haughton (1999), and Christine Straw (2004), were all top 10 finishers.

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Miss Universe Jamaica franchise changes hands

No contest: Miss Universe Ja competition off

Entertainment

BY BRIAN BONITTO Associate Editor — Auto and Entertainment bonittob@jamaicaobserver.com Wednesday, July 10, 2013

THERE will be no Miss Universe Jamaica contest this year. Dimitris Kosvogiannis, holder of the local franchise since 2011, announced his resignation on Monday evening.The final was scheduled for Emancipation Park in St Andrew on Sunday.“Due to ongoing professional obligations, which require significant commitments outside Jamaica, we believe the interests of Miss Universe and Miss Universe Jamaica would be best served by someone exclusively committed to the organisation, recruitment, and production of the pageant,” Kosvogiannis said in an email to the Jamaica Observer.A Greece-born hotelier, Kosvogiannis succeeded Invyte Promotions as franchise holders. Prior to that, Kingsley Cooper of the Pulse model agency ran the contest for 20 years.Kosvogiannis spoke of his commitment to the pageant even though he is no longer at the helm.“I remain steadfast in my commitment to assist in any way possible,” he said.Holders of one of the most popular beauty contests, the Miss Universe Organisation was founded in 1952. It is owned by American businessman Donald Trump.Though a Jamaican has never won the title, the country has consistently been in the top tier. Yendi Phillipps was first runner-up in 2010; while Sandra Foster (1989), Kimberly Mais (1991), Nicole Haughton (1999), and Christine Straw (2004), were all Top 10 finishers.

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No contest: Miss Universe Ja competition off