Miss Universe Jamaica 2025 left for Thailand with a ‘heavy heart’
Vows to take Jamaica’s strength to the world stage
Published:Thursday | November 6, 2025 | 12:08 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
Miss Universe Jamaica 2025, Dr Gabrielle Henry, is currently in Thailand, where she is representing the island on the world stage as she competes at the global pageant. However, with the passage of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa on October 28 and the subsequent devastation, it has not been entirely smooth sailing for the beauty queen and the local franchise holders. In the end, though, the resilience of Jamaicans prevailed and the organisers were able to send her off on Tuesday, even though Henry left with “a very heavy heart”.
“To be very honest, we were filming content in partnership with the Jamaica Tourist Board, AC Hotel Kingston, and Princess Hotels and Resorts while the hurricane was a few hundred miles from the island, and we were experiencing its effects,” co-national director of the Miss Universe Jamaica organisation, Mark McDermoth, told The Gleaner.
He and his team were forced to quit shooting on the Saturday before the hurricane, and McDermoth shared that “never in our wildest dreams did we think the hurricane would have done the extensive damage it wreaked on the southern and western portions of the island”. Therefore, before the hurricane, they hadn’t even considered whether they would be sending the Miss Universe Jamaica title winner off to Miss Universe.
“It was a given that she was going,” McDermoth stated. “Her airline tickets were booked and all was in place. In the aftermath of the storm, however, when we saw the extreme devastation Jamaica suffered in Hurricane Melissa’s wake, we actually started discussing that maybe we shouldn’t be sending a representative at this time, but to [instead] have her help on the island in what will be a very slow and tedious rebuilding and recovery process, which requires all hands on deck.”
He noted that the final decision was influenced by “the remarkable speed at which NMIA was able to be back in full operation to accommodate the title winner’s departure to Thailand for her to take Jamaica’s message to the Universe”.
With the training and guidance that she was given, the organisers are certain that, if Henry executes, she will do very well.
McDermoth shared that Henry was part of the 2023 programme and, in returning this year, she has been exposed to additional elements of the five-month training. These include storytelling by Dr Amina Blackwood Meeks, interview techniques by Fae Ellington, and movement and dance with Marlon Simms.
GIVING BACK
For Henry, it was important that she was involved in giving back at the community level prior to her departure.
“That involved firstly giving back to initiatives such as Romeich Entertainment care packages. I was able to contribute clothing and groceries and those went to supporting families in St Elizabeth, Trelawny, and St James,” she said.
Not content with that, she also contributed to an initiated by Keneisha Bramble.
“In discussions with her, I found out that she would work on a weekly basis in St Elizabeth and, as soon as she heard what was happening, she started making packages. These were people who she interacted with on a daily basis ... people who she cares deeply about. I could see the tears in her eyes and it really moved me ... just knowing that I was a part of something so meaningful and impactful,” Henry shared.
Although her departure meant she was unable to get involved in any other initiatives just now, Henry has purposed in her heart to “represent [her] country to the best of [her] ability”.
Her message is one of hope: “I’m not leaving Jamaica behind, I’m carrying her with me. I am going to Thailand not just to compete, but to speak for every Jamaican who is hurting, to remind the world of our strength, our faith, and our unbreakable spirit. We are a small island, but we are a great people. Even in our pain, we love, we give, and we rise again. I want the world to see that, and to stand with us as we rebuild the Jamaica we love.”
The 74th Miss Universe pageant is scheduled for November 21, at the Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Thailand.