MUJ duo inspire, shine at grand coronation
Dr Sandy Swaby looking forward to returning to practice; Elaine Allen-Landy working on two upcoming books
Published:Friday | August 2, 2024 | 12:08 AMKwela Cole/Gleaner Writer
Beauty pageant first-timers cosmetic surgeon Dr Sandra Swaby, 52, and health and wellness coach Elaine Allen-Landy, 59, are filled with joy and reflective following Sunday’s Miss Universe Jamaica grand coronation, where the two performed exceptionally well.
Twenty-five-year-old pharmacy student Rachel Silvera was crowned as the winner of the competition where Swaby and Allen-Landy strutted their toned legs down the runway in fitted and baring outfits, showing women in their age group that it was possible to be just as fabulous as the younger women in their cohort.
Ultimately, Dr Swaby placed fifth in the beauty and wellness competition, while Allen-Landy achieved a top-15 placement.
Though it was her first time as a pageant contestant, the beauty and wellness arena was nothing new for Dr Swaby, owner of the Harmony Health Cosmetic Clinic. A long-time, self-love advocate, the renowned surgeon works to flip the narrative on self-enhancement, instead approaching her practice from a place of improving self-esteem. The beauty guru also has experience in pageantry, having acted as a sponsor with her clinic for previous Miss Universe Jamaica pageants. Dr Swaby hopes to continue on that path with her new-found perspective and play a bigger role in future pageants. The wife and mother is also glad for the end of her time as a beauty queen and looks forward to resuming her normal routine.
“Going forward, I hope to support the pageant more,” shared Dr Swaby. “I think now that I know how it’s on the inside, I can support [the future contestants] in a more profound and meaningful way. And of course, I’m going back to work, to my husband and my family, to my Jamaican people, my clients, and back to life. Oh my God! Back to life. And back to eating!” she ends with a laugh.
Health and wellness coach Elaine Landy-Allen entered Miss Universe Jamaica to make a bold statement. The fitness expert, who began her exercise advocacy through videos on social media, seeks to encourage her age-mates against the ‘expiration date’ society has set for them. Landy-Allen hopes her performance in Miss Universe Jamaica 2024 encourages more mature women to enter after her even with the pressure of competing against younger women.
Post-pageant, the wife, mother, and grandmother looks forward to resting and documenting her journey and the lessons she has learnt in two upcoming books.
“[I’m going to] finish writing my two books. The one that I’m currently working on is [titled] Who Wants to Marry a 57-Year-Old Woman? The second one is going to be about [my] Miss Universe Jamaica experience.”