Keri-Ann Greenwood scores ‘surprise’ triumph
New Miss Universe Jamaica East eyeing national title
Published:Thursday | April 25, 2024 | 12:08 AMKwela Cole/Gleaner Writer
When Keri-Ann Greenwood entered the Miss Universe Jamaica East (MUJE) competition, her aim was self-development. Little did she know she’d walk away with the top spot. Greenwood, who wore the sash Miss Social Butterfliez Ent, was crowned by outgoing queen Deborah Gordon on Sunday night at the regional pageant, held at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at Kingston’s Jamaica College that saw more than 18 gorgeous contestants vie for the MUJE title which guaranteed the winner a placement among the 2024 pool of contestants for Miss Universe Jamaica (MUJ).
“I’m not usually very good at public speaking, so I wanted to take the opportunity to work on that. I also wanted to meet new people. I wanted to network and build my brand and who I am. That’s really why [I entered]. I carried confidence with me tonight. I just had fun. The fact that I was really having fun, I feel like that’s what helped me to win. [The judges] could really see that I was enjoying myself,” Greenwood told The Gleaner after her win.
Shortly after 8 p.m., the lights went up on the stage and washed it in blues and pinks to reveal the contestants for the opening number and their introductions dressed in bronze outfits. Greenwood’s large team of supporters made themselves known immediately and unabashedly, waving their posters bearing the official headshot and sponsor of their queen held high above them as they cheered her on. As if their enthusiastic support imbued the first-time beauty queen with the confidence of a winner, Greenwood strutted across the stage during the night’s swimwear and evening gown processions. She ultimately snagged Best in Evening Gown, in a tie with Miss Janga’s Soundbar and Grill Brithney McKenzie, wearing an eye-catching peach number with just the right amount of drama.
If the newly crowned 2024 Miss Universe Jamaica East’s stellar performance, carrying her through to the pageant’s top 11 and then top six, didn’t seal her win, her handling of the often anxiously-awaited question-and-answer segment did. To the question of the main contributors to the ‘choppa’ and scammer culture in Jamaica, she highlighted the presence of songs condoning the described behaviour and implored young people to be mindful of the music they choose to consume.
Having won the first-place title of the evening and an automatic chance to compete for the national title of Miss Universe Jamaica, the second time’s the charm for Greenwood and she looks forward to testing the theory.
“Because I’m not usually good at public speaking, I was really surprised at how I handled [the question-and-answer segment]. I keep surprising myself, but I feel so good. I plan to bring my A game [to Miss Universe Jamaica]. I centre my life around enjoying myself. If it’s not enjoyable then it feels forced, so I really want to just go in there and meet new people. I’ve met so many lovely girls. This competition was not what I expected it to be. The cattiness…that was not there. We all built such great relationships. I have so many friends coming out of this.”
Greenwood’s support not only comes in the form of her proud team of cheerleaders present with her on the night of MUJE and her new-found pageant friends, but in Deborah Gordon, Miss Universe Jamaica East’s outgoing title holder who achieved second runner-up spot on her journey to the 2023 MUJ title.
“Crowning the new Miss Universe Jamaica East feels like graduation. I have all the recollections of the memories I had during my experience; and seeing the girls blossom into such beautiful and confident young ladies, I feel nostalgic. It’s like ‘Oh I’m not ready!’ Not ready because I want to do more, but I don’t need the title to do that. I’m very happy that Keri won. I can pass [on the crown] with love and grace. There’s so much excitement, I feel, to see what she will do with the Miss Universe Jamaica East title.”
The first runner-up and second runner-up places were taken by Miss Sharkies Seafood Restaurant Shanon Johnson and Miss Orlando Denham Transport Rasheda Green, respectively.