Models rip the runway during Pulse Million Dollar Search

Hundreds of patrons crammed into the back of the Pulse Complex on Sunday evening to see well-toned, slender models strut their stuff in the Pulse Million Dollar Search competition.

Despite rain earlier on the weekend, there were clear skies when the event got off to its scheduled 8 p.m. start at the venue located on Trafalgar Road in New Kingston.

As models walked the full length of the long stage, numerous persons who might not have been expecting an early start streamed into the venue. But, based on the somewhat awkward set-up, the constant movement of incoming patrons might have been a bit of a nuisance to those who were already seated as their view was often blocked. The seats were also close to each other, causing a bit of discomfort to some patrons.

Nonetheless, those in attendance seemed pumped up as they cheered for their favourite girls. The first set of girls to strut down the runway were the petite models, who were followed by male models wearing shorts. As the men walked the runway, females in the audience screamed. The much taller fashion models also graced the stage.

But before the show went any further, a contestant, Chevonese Stotlz, thrilled the audience with an a capella version of Bob Marley's Is This Love. Stotlz found a lot more favour with the audience than with the group of girls, who later did a lacklustre dance routine to Beyoncé's Partition.

The show went on, with the contestants showing off designs from Gian Jackson, Suzie-lee Chambers, Fashionenira, Minka, Zaid, and Mutamba. The models made every effort to show off the casual, formal, and swimwear in various prints and styles.

almost outdone

But they were almost outdone by a couple of persons from the audience who were invited on stage by host Kiki. The two females walked and posed to the delight of the other patrons.

Later, the headline act, D-Major, got off to a good start as he did Party Like It's Your Birthday and a rendition of Passenger's Let Her Go. But he got a much better reception towards the end of the show when he did True Friends and Real Know Real.

It was now down to the final announcements, and Channel Dawkins-Stephenson was announced as the winner of the petite competition, with Princess Davis getting second place, and Lisa Escalona placing third.

In the male model category, Alwin Danvers got the top spot, while Tian Brown and Tushawni Bingham were placed second and third, respectively.

The fashion model category was done a bit differently as no winner was announced on the night. Instead, the top 20 contestants were selected for the reality TV show, which is the second phase of the Million Dollar search. While no winner was announced for that section, Oprah Forknot was the winner of the swimwear challenge, while Tricelle Powell won the runway challenge.