By Alicia Roache, Staff Reporter
Miss Bold and Beautiful, Kesha Ells, in costume. - Contributed
THE NEW queen of the big beauties has been crowned. Late last month a competition celebrating big and beautiful women was held in Tortola (the British West Indies). The winner was a confident Kesha Ells of the U.S. Virgin Islands. She also won prizes for Best Stage Presentation, Best Swimwear, and Best Cultural Costume. Miss Dominica, Valda Bruno, was placed second and was awarded the prize for Best Evening Wear. Third place went to Miss British Virgin Islands, Tammi David, who was named Miss Intellect, Miss Photogenic and awarded Best Talent. Other winners were Antigua and Barbuda, who charmed her way to the Miss Congeniality trophy.
Miss Jamaica Lorraine Chambers did not place in the top five of the seven contestants that vied for the title.
Up to press time, neither the organiser for the event, Alesia Hamm, nor the winners could
be reached for comment on
the competition.
However, a disappointed Lorraine spoke to The Gleaner about her experience. "I didn't really prepare for anything. I didn't really get a costume of anything," she said. "After I went on stage, it was okay because I had a lot of confidence. But when I see them in their costumes I knew I wouldn't even place," she lamented.
Lorraine, however, claims that the contest was a good experience because of the support she got from Jamaicans living in Tortola. Because of her lack of preparation in this her first pageant, Lorraine says she might consider entering again next year. If she does, she will have the support of at least one Jamaican designer to sponsor her outfits.
BIGGIE OFFERS SUPPORT
Dancehall designer Earl 'Biggie' Turner has pledged his support for her if she wishes to enter any forthcoming pageants. "If she enters the competition a nuh nuh problem fi mi hook up something tuff fi har," he said.
Biggie is at least one designer who has emerged in support of the pageant. "I'm all for it man. Everybody need the choice, a nuh only slim girls alone mek up the world," he said. In addition, Biggie explains that the competition may provide other things than a stage for full-figured women to strut their stuff. "It offers entertainment and for full-figured women to shape up themselves. They might have a couple extra inches but that doesn't mean they can't look good," he explained.
The competition will be staged again this year in December.
