Mrs Universe Jamaica crowned

Annieka Lisa Francis, the mother of four boys, walked away with the coveted title of Mrs Universe Jamaica last Saturday at the Grand Coronation which illuminated the AC Hotel with elegance, empowerment, and a profound celebration of womanhood. A global competition with a proud history spanning more than two decades, Mrs Universe has long been a platform that honours the multifaceted lives of women.

Mrs Universe opens the stage to married women, mothers, and mature women, recognising that beauty and influence only grow with experience. This evolution marks a significant shift in the world of pageantry, embracing a broader and more inclusive definition of what it means to be a queen.

In this spirit, Mrs Universe Jamaica is committed to empowering women to realise their full potential, focusing on inner beauty and personal growth. The founder of Mrs Universe Jamaica and the country’s first Mrs Universe, Shannon Green, articulates this vision.

“My inspiration for starting the pageant sparked when I went to South Korea in 2021 to compete as the first Mrs Universe Jamaica and realised there was no representation of any Caribbean woman or any African women ... I was the only island in the pageant. I thought that there was so much [that] Jamaican women had to offer and I had to get on board,” Green said.

As the evening unfolded, each contestant had the opportunity to express her unique personality through her choice of fashion, from the bold and elegant designs provided by House of Renaldo Cortez to the activewear and evening gowns that highlighted their diverse tastes and lifestyles. Among the standout contestants was Kaydia McKoy, who was awarded Best Interview, as well as Best in Fashion Wear and Most Congenial.

Annieka Lisa Francis shone in the style categories, taking home the titles of Best Evening Gown and Best Active Wear. Shanneil Brown-Bleary captured the spotlight as the Most Photogenic and was also the crowd favourite, securing the People’s Choice Award.

Following the excitement of the sectional awards, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as the most awaited part of the night drew close – the crowning of Mrs Universe Jamaica. However, before the main title was awarded, the audience witnessed the sashing and crowning of Kaydia McKoy as Mrs Cosmo Jamaica and Shanneil Brown-Bleary as Mrs Intercontinental Jamaica. Both contestants will represent Jamaica on the Mediterranean on the Sea and in Costa Rica, respectively. The first runners-up, Youlanda Gordon and Tamara Morgan, also received crowns and sashes.

With Francis standing as the sole finalist yet to be crowned among the top six, the anticipation for her moment in the spotlight made the obvious official – she was the Mrs Universe Jamaica. As the crowning moment solidified her title, Annieka Lisa Francis took the stage, embodying the grace and strength that the Mrs Universe Jamaica title represents.

She shared her heartfelt reflections on the journey and the honour of being crowned. “This year I turned 40 and I just threw caution to the wind and challenged myself, unlike anything I have done before, in a beauty competition. I wanted to also motivate myself. Being a mom for so long, sometimes you lose that confidence and that zest which, just being a part of Mrs Universe Jamaica and the sisterhood, it has allowed me to regain,” Francis stated.

The pageant organiser shared that a seventh contestant, Indira Peres Valdez, who was crowned Ms Cosmo Queen of Jamaica, has decided to rescind her title for personal reasons.

Francis will represent Jamaica at the global Mrs Universe competition in South Korea in October.

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