Andria M. Thompson talks journey to homecoming for Mrs Universe Jamaica pageant
Published:Sunday | June 25, 2023 | 1:04 AMKrysta Anderson - Staff Reporter
Andria M. Thompson is the true embodiment of beauty, style and grace. The Jamaican-Canadian has had her fair share of hardships and emerged victorious on every occasion. She spoke with The Sunday Gleaner about family, motherhood, endometrial cancer, faith pageantry and advocacy, as she returns to homeland years later to participate in the upcoming Mrs Universe Jamaica Pageant.
“I believe there is life after cancer and I am living proof to never stop fighting, never stop believing and never stop pursuing your dreams,” Thompson told The Sunday Gleaner Lifestyle. Surviving stage four was no easy feat. It took sheer will, determination, faith and support from her loved ones.
The etiquette queen left the green shores of Jamaica at the tender age of 10. Her only recollection of the transition was remembering how cold it was and receiving a jacket once she stepped off the plane and entered Canada. “Coming out of the warmth of Jamaica and arriving here was the only thing I could remember,” she added.
Her mother, affectionately called Dimple, went back and forth between Jamaica and Canada, leaving Thompson, who shared she felt alone during those crucial years of her life. That took a while to get used to, and she acted out as a result of this. She was later moved from Canada to be raised by her aunt in the United States, going to school there.
By the time she was 18 years, Thompson welcomed her first child into the world. It was then that she moved back to Canada when she was pregnant. “I ended up leaving school for a while and then returning to school while I was still pregnant to try and finish up. It took me a while to try and find myself but I eventually figured it out,” she explained further.
Her book, Confessions of a Single Mother, speaks to her navigating this new maternal role while tackling the dating world and coming into that place of understanding who she was. “I had three young children Jaykwon, Taniya and Tashana in my early 20s doing all that I had to do.” Just when she thought life couldn’t get any harder, she learnt that her mother had been diagnosed with cancer.
MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOND
Putting all issues aside, she was able to be by her mother’s bedside, especially during her final months. And she was grateful for the opportunity to make amends as well as develop and strengthen a mother-daughter bond. “We ended up getting really close,” she shared.
Her mother’s life left such a remarkable impact that Thompson was able to complete school and become an educator. On her journey of self-discovery, she found her faith in God and that really shaped her path moving forward. And knowing that she wanted to be a good example for her children was all the motivation she needed.
Her father, the late Sticky, was unable to finish school due to financial constraints and dropped out at the age of 15. She learnt, through his stories, that reading and writing was fundamental to life. He was unable to do so and she wanted to change that story and help others walking in similar shoes. “I had a passion to give other children these tools and shape their lives. If they could read and write, there is nothing they couldn’t do in life.” Now, she is able to teach students at the grade one and grade two level.
Additionally, reminiscing on the abandonment she felt growing up, she took things a step further and opened the Princess Institute where she assists in training young girls in education and basic etiquette. That way, she can provide the support young girls require to become well-rounded individuals. “I wanted to inspire young girls and give back to their community.” Thompson is also a community activist for women who have gone through domestic violence and sexual abuse, helping them as well as their children.
In 2019, life took an unexpected turn when she discovered that something was wrong. Thinking that it was endometriosis, she later found out that she had stage four endometrial cancer. She was completely devastated by the news.
“Prior to that, I was very healthy, so I was shocked. I learned that it was what happened with women during their menstrual cycle. My cycle wasn’t normal and I didn’t even realise that. And it is for this reason why I have become an advocate about telling women to watch for any changes in their cycle and note it to their doctor,” she shared.
At that time, she was a newly-wed and was planning to have another child.
Faced with the option of going through chemotherapy or doing a trial research, Thompson discussed them with her husband, LeRoy, and together, they chose the latter. “I did a major surgery and went on an oral medication. My body started rejecting the treatment and I had to be rushed back to the hospital,” she revealed. The back and forth almost became too much to bear.
“I was unrecognisable in my weight and it made me wonder if I had caused this on myself. But my body just turned on itself, so to speak. I had to deal with this from a different perspective. It did affect my reproductive organs so I was unable to have another child,” she said disappointingly, coming to terms with the reality while being grateful for her three children.
Placed on the strongest dose of medication to help the situation, Thompson did what she does best, leaning on her faith and being very hopeful that God will see her through. A year later, things started to turn around for the better, “...and I’m here today because of God’s grace.” She also has a super supportive husband, amazing doctors and her children, who were constantly with her to be thankful for.
With this second chance at life, the cancer survivor is now pursuing every dream that she ever wanted to do. Not only is she an advocate for the cause, but she is now writing her fifth book, hosting a talk show and gracing the world of pageantry.
She has already competed in and won Ms Canada Global World 2021, Mrs Canada United World 2022 and Miss Black Canadian Queen. The Mrs Universe Jamaica Pageant holds a special place in her heart. It is her first shot at an international title, which will be the height of her career in pageantry. And by doing this, she will be representing the land of her birth, an incredible honour in her book.
“My hope is to bring awareness on an international platform. Sharing the message that early detection of any form of cancer is key and can save lives. I believe in using my crown for this cause,” she added. Thompson will return to Jamaica for the first time in years in the Mrs Universe Jamaica Pageant, scheduled to take place on July 8 at AC Hotel Kingston.