Janique McKenzie leads St Catherine search for Miss Universe Ja queen

St Catherine has officially begun its search for the parish’s next queen under the new parish-level format of the Miss Universe Jamaica competition, with Parish Director Janique McKenzie leading the effort to find a standout representative for the national stage. Casting began on March 15, with auditions in Portmore and Spanish Town. So far, 14 contestants have been selected, each bringing their own charm, confidence, and potential– but the search is far from over.

“We have wonderful, wonderful ladies,” McKenzie told The Gleaner. “We’re extremely proud that we have good representation. We have ladies whose heights range from 5 ft 4 inches to about 5 ft 8 inches, we have a great team of ladies that were selected, both in person and on hybrid.”

While the overall response has been promising, McKenzie shared that turnout in Portmore fell slightly short of expectations, whereas Spanish Town saw a strong response.

“We have two more legs of castings to do, one on April 4, and the final one on the fifth. For the fourth, that will be in Old Harbour, at a venue to be announced, and for the fifth in Linstead, [at] the Linstead Community Resource Centre under the patronage of the Linstead CDC. Those events will start at 11 AM to 2 PM with each casting,” McKenzie noted.

If there happens to be an oversubscription of ladies, organisers will have an elimination round introduced where the strongest 20 ladies will then be selected. Once the final 20 contestants are selected from the cohort, the focus will shift to intensive training, covering everything from poise and presentation to communication and personal development.

The official sashing is expected to take place in May, setting the stage for the grand coronation, tentatively scheduled for June 27. And, if McKenzie’s vision comes to life, patrons are in for a truly unforgettable experience.

This year’s staging promises to be anything but ordinary. Drawing inspiration from the iconic character Cruella de Vil, McKenzie is conceptualising a bold and fashion-forward ‘101 Dalmatians’ inspired theme.

“It’s about class, stealth, and style,” McKenzie added. “Half black, half white, kind of effect. We want something visually captivating and different.”

The show aims to not only celebrate beauty and intelligence but also deliver a visually immersive experience for patrons.

The crowning moment will carry its own significance. If the reigning queen, Dr Gabrielle Henry, is unable to attend, the honour will instead be performed by Troy-Ann Anderson, Miss Universe Jamaica East and first runner-up in the 2025 national competition.

WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE

At the helm of the St Catherine pageant is a woman deeply rooted in both pageantry and community development. McKenzie brings a wealth of experience, having previously held titles such as Miss Tourism at Moneague College, Miss Portland Festival Queen (2007), and Miss Farm Queen first runner-up under the Jamaica Agricultural Society. Beyond the stage, her professional background as an agriculturalist, nutritionist, and senior business development officer adds depth to her leadership approach.

Her connection to St Catherine runs deep. Having lived in the parish since the age of six and taught at several institutions, including Jonathan Grant High, Charlemont High, Innswood High, and Portmore Community College, McKenzie is no stranger to nurturing talent.

“My scope expands quite a bit. It is an honour to be placed in a position like this and it is indeed a pleasure to be unearthing my truest potential,” McKenzie said.

As preparations intensify, the pageant director is calling on corporate stakeholders, particularly members of the St Catherine business community, to support the initiative through sponsorship and partnerships. “We want you to come on board to help us to make this competition grand and to send off our queen in fine style,” she added.

With two sponsors already secured, the team is optimistic about expanding its network of partners to elevate the overall production and provide meaningful opportunities for contestants.

o’brian.wynter@gleanerjm.com