Krista Henry, Staff Reporter
Left: The three winners of bmobile Pulse's Caribbean Model Search: (From left) Jheanelle Naire (winner of Fashion Face), Annoman Singh (winner of Male Face of Jamaica) and Theresa Jameson (winner of Petite model).
Right: The three finalists in the fashion model section: (From left) second place Samantha Rhoden, the winner, Jheanelle Nairne, and third place Lisa Vassel at Pulse's Caribbean Model Search 2006. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Pulse and bMobile's Caribbean model search started off with a bang, but fizzled as the competition stretched on. The event held at the Hilton Kingston hotel, on Sunday started promptly at 7:30 p.m., but the audience grew tired as too many models graced the catwalk.
Caribbean Model Search 2006 eliminated more than a 100 contestants to find the top three unique new models in the various categories - Male face of Jamaica, Fashion Model of Jamaica and Petite Model.
The event started off creatively with a choreographed piece from the Male Face of Jamaica contestants. They brought energy as they freestyled to Bad Man Forward. After this the female contestants came on in bikinis, masking their faces with fans which pictured the faces of Pulse's hottest models.
Kingsley Cooper, Pulse CEO, reminded the audience that the evening was staged to "find some more of the Caribbean's best supermodels".
All the contestants strutted for the judges in swimwear and designer clothes from La Pluma Negra, Sticky Fingers Fashion, Big Head Clothing, Cooyah, and Mutamba, among others. Girls as young as fourteen gave their signature walk, evoking as much attitude as possible to impress the judges. The crowd had their favourites as cheers erupted when certain girls came onstage.
Pulse has turned their model search into a reality TV show aired weekly. The top 10 contestants were announced last night, as they were allowed to show off what they have learnt about runway work. The top ten TV finalists are Shevolee Bell, Danielle Lowe, Sashana Grey, Esther Beckford, Nicolette Simpson, Shanell Douglas, Yaneke White, Santana Taylor, Racquel Hewitt and Latoya Samuels.
Disgruntled audience
The reaction to the TV contestants was good; however a number of audience members were disgruntled at the end of the night when the winners were announced for the other competitions. Fervent 'nos!' echoed across the ballroom as Pietro Thomas was announced third place winner in the Male Face of Jamaica competition. Pietro was a crowd favourite and most believed he would have won. Second place went to Triston Barrett, while Annoman Singh emerged the winner.
Shenique Johnson placed third in the Petite Model competition, while Deon Gabriel placed second and Theresa Jameson emerged the winner. This ruling was also wrought with conflict as the crowd complained that the girl who was the obvious winner did not even place.
Third place in the Fashion Model competition went to Lisa Vassel, Samantha Rhoden placed second, while Jheanelle Nairne won. The crowd accepted this ruling without protest.
All of the top three contestants will receive a contract from Pulse, the winner's contract valued at $75,000.
Although there were some good faces throughout the competition, the crowd complained that none of the contestants held the magnetism characteristic of supermodels. Some persons could be heard from the crowd protesting that the girls were too plain.
The male models, however, caused quite a stir with their unique looks and chiselled chests.
