Applications are now open for this year’s Miss World Guyana Competition, according to Majesty International, which holds the franchise.
This year will be the start of a new Miss World Guyana tradition as the organization makes the bold move into the film industry which will allow viewers from Guyana and the world at large to be better acquainted with the contestants making the finals through their new and exciting seasonal series dubbed Victoria Regia.
Victoria Regia will follow the finalists throughout their Miss World Guyana journey. The series will feature what actually goes on beyond the beauty and glamour that this competition showcases.
“The 12-episode, semi-reality series will be a boost for tourism… covering our country like never before and featuring all the elements of fashion, entertainment, flamboyant judges and
unbelievable storytelling, as it promotes the true values and attributes of the Guyanese woman inclusive of the various aspects of preparation, planning, interviews and behind-the-scenes activities,” a Majesty International release stated.
In 2019, the organization had cancelled the competition for that year, intending to use the time to review it and come up with initiatives to prepare more rounded individuals for the competition and an outstanding contestant at the international leg. Though there was no competition that year, Majesty International selected Berbician Joylyn Conway to represent Guyana. She finished in the Top 40. Joylyn will crown her successor in May this year who will go on to represent Guyana at the Miss World 2021 Competition in December.
2020 was supposed to be the year for a grander and better designed local competition and while the organization was sure it had pulled out all stops, no one was betting on a pandemic.
Sharing on bracing the challenges that come with hosting such a competition, National Director Natasha Martindale said, “There have been times when my failures feel so heavy, I can hardly find the strength to lift them out of the way to move on. Those are the times when I feel I’ve given the last ounce of my soul and in those times, it feels easier to throw in the towel, walk away with just financial losses but dignity and ethics intact. Then, all I have to do is look at the amazing Beauty with a Purpose projects that every candidate to take this path has contributed – making a way for better days ahead. The fact that we have raised over $62 million, … 66 Beauty with a Purpose projects and 276 project donors is beyond motivation and is what keeps me going, grateful and inspired. We can’t thank every candidate enough, especially our national winner. And even though I don’t get to say it often, I’m very proud of every one of them. Anyone can visit our website to see the amazing works they’ve done and continue to do.”
Despite the major setbacks owing to COVID, last year served as a year of reflection as well as the needed time to better plan ahead for upcoming competitions and how these can impact the local community as well as the international one. Martindale arrived at an initiative similar to reality TV. “The show will have a similar feel to America’s Next Top Model but way more interesting and exciting. Although they’ll be no elimination during the competition, the judges will announce their Top 3, and provide honest feedback and [guidance] to the other finalists,” she shared.
The Victoria Regia Show, set to kick off in May, will highlight only the lives of the finalists in the competition and not of the quarter or semi-finalists. Part of the competition will be the Miss World Head to Head Challenge which will take the form of a presidential-type debate on topic contestants are passionate about, as well as their Beauty with a Purpose project. There are also the Top Model and Beach Beauty competitions, which will depict regional fashion, will test confidence and poise of each finalist; the Multimedia challenge that will test how influential a contestant is using multimedia platforms, how well she can market herself, and represent a top brand; the Talent Category; and the Sports and Fitness challenge which will focus on lifestyle change supporting a healthy mind, body and spirit.
Natasha disclosed that as part of the Sports challenge, contestants will participate in a Sal-Out competition as part of promoting all things Guyanese and showcasing the true essence of what it means to be a Guyanese woman.
These competitions will lead up to the grand coronation night where the most deserving woman will be crowned. The top three will be selected based on a culmination of all the scores. They will then compete in a public speaking competition where they share on their journey, say what quality they believe the next Miss World Guyana should possess and say why they should be the next Miss World Guyana to represent all Guyanese on the international stage.
“This particular project will allow the world to see our women in a positive light, follow them on this journey as they blossom from buds to the giants they are…,” Natasha said.
Guyana has shone on the Miss World stage over the years and saw top 10 finishes in various categories for Rafieya Hussain in London in 2014 and Lisa Punch in China in 2015. The most notable is still Shakira Baksh (Caine) who represented Guyana in 1967 and finished in third place overall.
To be considered as contestants, applicants are required to be between the ages of 17-26; Guyanese through birth, heritage and naturalization; young women who have never been married or given birth; of reasonable health and sound mind; able to meet the terms and conditions, time committed, and title responsibilities as set forth by the local and international competitions; and meet character criteria as set forth by the Miss World Organization.
This year’s prizes include a car and $500,000 cash among other things.
Majesty International seeks a remarkable young woman with great values whose confidence, poise, communication, talent and contributions to her community outshine many others to be the next Miss World Guyana.
To apply, interested young women can click the links on www.missworldguyana.gy or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MissWorldGuyanaAnnualCoronation
