Winning the Miss Jamaica contest holds deep significance for 23-year-old Julie-Ann Bradford. Freshly crowned, she expressed her desire to be a positive role model for young Jamaican women, emphasizing the importance of providing a guiding image for youth in today’s society. Julie-Ann hopes her win will inspire women to realize their strength and independence, proving they can achieve anything. As she steps into her role, she’s committed to representing Jamaica with pride, embracing her platform to uplift others and encourage personal growth among the nation's youth.

Published Monday,September 7, 1992

‘Winning is very important to me’

By Clinton Pickering

“WINNING the Miss Jamaica Contest is very important to me,” said Julie-Ann Bradford to her first interview after being crowned Saturday night.

The 23 year-old university graduate said she had a lot of support from the beginning “and it just means the world to me.” She has promised “to do my best to represent the country.”

The judges gave the large audience inside the National Arena some anxious moments, first with the selection of the top five finalists, then by awarding four of the nine sectional prizes to Wendy Clarke whose joy of winning them was obviously strained by the continuous negative response of the gathering.

However, after being declared the contestant with the best legs, best figure, best personality, as well as being the most congenial, the 20 year old Wendy was slotted fourth by the panel of 14 judges.

The other two queens are Nikki Swaby, crowned Miss Jamaica International and Fern Proctor, Miss Jamaica Caribbean. To complete the top five Michelle Parkes was named fifth.

Julie Anne’s mini awards wore her best smile, and best complexion and skin tone, Marcia Smith with the best modelling potential and Michelle, best stage presentation took the remaining sectional prizes.

Julie Anne went into the finals with the thought that if she won “I would like to be a positive role model for young Jamaican women and to represent Jamaica as best as I can.” She re-affirmed that commitment as she spoke in her interview with The Gleaner on stage, robed, crowned and clutching her sceptre “I think I can provide a very positive image for our young people. I think that’s very important because our young people are tending to go astray. With parents not being home I think that it is important for the young people to have a positive image to look to.”

She also has some strong views on the strength of women and the influence of reggae. “I think that women in this country are strong enough to do anything they want. They don’t necessarily have to rely on their male counterparts. They can achieve anything and I think they should be rewarded because they are an important part of our society.”

Sponsored by Signatures Gardens, the 5;6” Julie-Ann, born under the sign of Aries, has vital statistics of 34-25-36. Her guiding philosophy is “Life is Precious: enjoy it and take nothing for granted.”

The 20 finalists kicked off the coronation gala on time, parading in fabulous, glittering gowns that appealed to the lively audience which observed them against a beautiful back-drop depicting a rural farm.

The well organised show ran like clockwork. The only real flaw being some noticeable blunders by presenter Desmond Elliot.

Backed by Fab Five, John Hones, supported by the contestants, did “ Everything is Beautiful” before the girls were presented with gift packages from main sponsors of the event Colgate Palmolive, Ambi and Soft Sheen. Ann-Marie Fenton, a frequent beauty contest entrant, was put through the mill as she was booed on nearly every occasion she came on stage, and obviously over-come by it while being interviewed lost her cool and began to shout.

Other highlights included Little People’s and Teen Players doing Michael Jackson’s “Make this World A Better Place” In honour of Former Miss Ja Queen’s Cathi Levy and Allison Barnett, who were selected specifically for recognition this year. The presentation delighted the patrons who gave them a rousing round of applause. Special guest artist Cabaret Singer Gem Myers displayed her versatility and professionalism in an act that took her through R&B, Reggae, Dancehall and Soul closing off with an Aretha Franklin medley.

The audience was also very appreciative of the very sensuous dance by Patrick Johnson and Elizabeth Vickers – Samuda of Movements Dance Groups, to Barbara Steisand’s “You don’t belong to me.” And just before the grand climax of the queen’s being crowned, outgoing Miss Ja Sandra Foster made her final public appearance, in regal style, displaying the charm that has characterized her reign, and being warmly greeted by the very large gathering.

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