Miss World Caribbean Kadijah Robinson - not just a pageant girl

Twenty-three-old Kadijah Robinson has won the hearts of her fellow Jamaicans following her top-five placement at the recent Miss World competition.

The pageant finals, which were held in Sanya, China, last Saturday, saw more than 100 women across the globe competing for the coveted crown of Miss World. Not only did Robinson place in the final five, but she was also crowned Miss World Caribbean 2018. Speaking with The Gleaner for the first time since the grand coronation, Robinson says she is ready to represent the pride of the entire region as she carries out her duty.

Pointing out that she has an even bigger responsibility now, the St Elizabeth native says she is ready to face all her new tasks head-on as she aims to build her own legacy using the crown. Robinson says her concern now is staying true to herself, and doing things the best way she know. "I feel no two individuals are the same, therefore, each person will have something new or unique to contribute to the role (Miss World Caribbean). That is what I'm looking forward to doing - giving all that I can give to this title to represent the best way that I can."

REPRESENTING THE CARIBBEAN

Speaking of representing the best way she can, Robinson describes being given the opportunity to represent the entire region as an honour. She is particularly excited about participating in the Miss World Beauty with a Purpose initiative. Very big on philanthropy, Robinson says she can hardly wait to travel the world and impact lives.

"I will represent the Caribbean community in my travels with the Miss World team. I am looking forward to the entire journey and all that lies ahead, but I am most looking forward to being a Beauty with a Purpose ambassador. I will be touring for a year to aid in different projects around the world in vulnerable populations, and I am excited about positively impacting lives."

Robinson says the latter is important to her because of the stereotypes surrounding 'pageant girls'. She wants to bring attention to the behind-the-scenes work that the Miss World contestants are involved in. She says she hopes she can encourage young girls who may have been daunted by the stereotypes to enter pageants, as they will leave the competition as more aware, rounded individuals.

JOURNEY TO THE CROWN NOT EASY

With that said, the newly crowned Caribbean Queen says she wants aspiring contestants to be confident in who they are and what they want to achieve, as the journey to the crown isn't easy. Robinson shared that there were times during her journey when she felt like giving up, but the winner in her wouldn't let her quit. "There were many, many times I felt like giving up, but that is why self-confidence is important," she explained. "It does not mean that you will never get down, it means that when those times do come, you are capable of pulling yourself out. My confidence arms are strong now because that is what I did each of those times I felt like letting go."

She added that the support she received from family and friends, and then from the rest of Jamaica, also helped to keep her going. She said she was particularly pleased to see the reaction of the people post-performance. She said the love she has been shown has given her the boost she needs to effectively carry out her duties. "I am humbled by the support. Not many people follow pageantry these days in Jamaica, and it made me very happy to see all the love I have been receiving. Thank you all. It means the world to me that my country is satisfied with the way I represented her. I will continue to make you proud."