Daena Soares takes Miss Universe Jamaica 2021 crown
Published:Saturday | October 30, 2021 | 10:31 PM
Daena Soares has been crowned Miss Universe Jamaica 2021.
Trishanie Weller, Miss HTG Engineering Consultants Limited, was named first runner-up and Lauren Less, Miss Donna's Caribbean Restaurant, the second runner-up.
The 22-year-old, who wore the sash Miss Icon Megastore and held the Miss Universe Jamaica Central title, was crowned by Miss Universe Jamaica 2020 Miqueal-Symone Williams.
Williams was crowned in December 2020 and made it to the top 10 of the 69th Miss Universe international competition.
"I'm so happy being Miss Universe Jamaica," tweeted Williams on Thursday. "And I'm so happy to be passing on the crown to a woman who I'm sure will do great things."
On stage, she gave some insight into her reign, stating that she was grateful for the support she received. "My reign has been a bunch of ups and downs. Navigating a pandemic has been very hard, but I have had an amazing support team, so I'm very, very happy," said Williams.
Soares hails from Jamaica's Breadbasket Parish, St Elizabeth and was recently awarded a bachelor of basic medical sciences from The University of the West Indies. She took home two sectional prizes — Most Photogenic and the Congeniality Award, which she shared with Weller.
The coronation was held at Riu Montego Bay as part of a weekend-long slate of actives that formed part of this year's Riu Montego Bay Miss Universe Jamaica Beauty, Fashion and Wellness Pageant. Activities included appearances, physical fitness activities, healthy eating cooking demos and mixology sessions, and yoga and meditation classes.
Special guests included Dionne Tarter, Mrs Jamaica World 2021 and Nadine Thomas-Hylton, Miss Universe Jamaica 1997, who headed the selection committee.
Dr Terri-Karelle Reid returned as host for the seventh time. Singer Brandon Williams was the night's entertainment.
For its 70th-year milestone staging, the Miss Universe Organisation has announced that the pageant heads to Israel this December when the current Miss Universe, Mexico's Andrea Meza, will crown her successor in the southern resort city of Eilat. American television personality Steve Harvey will return as host for the three-hour event.
SECTIONAL PRIZES
- Altruism Award — Keronica Lewis
- Congeniality Award — Trishanie Weller and Daena Soares
- Most Photogenic — Daena Soares
- Best in Swimwear — Lauren Less
- Best in Evening wear — Kim-Marie Spence