The Miss World Guyana pageant has once again been cancelled owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the third consecutive year that the national leg of the competition will not be held.
According to a press release from Majesty International, the official franchise holder, “The virus continues to spread throughout the world as it matures into several more contagious variants which cause breakthrough cases, irreparable damage and unprecedented lockdowns. Regulations enforced by the government in an effort to help slow the virus include strict travel bans and mentally taxing social distancing measures which in turn crippled the entertainment and the pageant industry. As such, the Miss World Guyana Organization was forced to postpone the 2021 competition to summer 2022.”
However, the franchise will be moving ahead with the implementation of a new eCommerce website, the launch of its Super G YouTube channel series along with the completion of Episode 1 of the Victoria Series. Majesty International recently entered a multimillion-dollar contract with UK-based video production and live streaming company, the Video News Factory.
“We will be giving the world a personal journey beyond the beauty and glamour with our first seasonal series dubbed Victoria Regia, the blossoming of Guyana’s national flower and her journey to the Miss World crown,” said Natasha Martindale, National Director of Majesty International.
The 10-episode semi-reality series will be hosted by Miss World Guyana 2020/2021 contestant Gabriella Chapman. The show, it was said, will be a boost for tourism, entertainment and the pageant with its worldwide coverage of Guyana like never before and will feature all the elements of fashion, entertainment, mentorship-judging and unbelievable storytelling. The release added that the series will promote the true values and attributes of the Guyanese woman inclusive of the various aspects of preparation, planning, interviews and behind-the-scenes activities.
Earlier this year, Crowned, a modelling agency spearheaded by former Miss Guyana Faydeha King, entered a partnership with the franchise to scout contestants for the national competition. However, while this collaboration remains in place, Miss World Guyana 2016 First Princess (first runner-up) Treasure James will be leading recruitment efforts, Martindale said. Meanwhile, Majesty International will continue to collaborate with Crowned as well as other agencies to maximize pool capacity towards making next year’s competition a success.
The reigning Miss World Guyana is Berbician Joylyn Conway who was adjudged the most suitable representative during a selection process by a panel of nine judges in 2019. There was no competition that year owing to Majesty International needing more time to better prepare a representative for the international leg. At the Miss World Competition last year, Joylyn won two head-to-head challenges and made it to the Top 40.
Additionally, the release said, “Young women of Guyanese heritage who are between the ages of 17 and 26 years old can apply to participate in the annual Miss World Guyana national competition. The Miss World programme is designed to be an excellent vehicle for building confidence, advancing careers and personal goals and in particular leaving a lasting positive legacy. It truly represents female empowerment and serves as a mechanism to showcase national talent. In addition, representing Guyana on the Miss World stage is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
The estimated prize package is $5.5 million and would-be contestants can apply online at www.missworldguyana.com, the release said, while inviting “the entire Guyanese community and the diaspora to get involved”.
The winner of the competition will have the opportunity to wear the Victoria Regia crown, designed by DS Ramdeholl & Son Jewellery. The crown was initially designed for the winner of this year’s competition but with no competition held, will now be worn by Miss World Guyana 2022.
