Here comes the judge, here comes the judge!
Some of you might be too young to remember that Pigmeat Markham tune, it sure was a banger. But, last night I sat as judge for the preliminary portion of the Miss Bahamas Universe pageant and it was fire.
Anthony Smith, who runs the organisation, reached out to me to ask me to sit on the judges panel. You know me, of course, I said yes.
I have watched beauty pageants since I was a little girl. I used to record them on VHS tapes. You guys remember those? But, then I suddenly stopped because I started getting bored.
In recent years, though, organisers have stepped up their game significantly.
There were only 11 girls in the competition, but I have to say I was really impressed by their intelligence. They completely disproved the notion that beauty contestants aren’t smart. Their platforms ran the gamut from protecting the environment to mental health (something I am passionate about) and even entrepreneurship. They articulated themselves so well.
A friend of mine, Chester Robards hosted. He was so funny and engaging. He definitely kept the crowd laughing and didn’t mind playfully picking on the contestants.
The highlight of the event, no doubt, was the avant-garde portion where student designers had to draw inspiration from certain international designs and come up with their own interpretation. It was amazing.
I always say it takes guts to stand up in front of a crowd of people who are either judgemental or deliberately brought in to judge you.
They all delivered.
I really enjoyed sharing the judges table with my fellow judges, they came from the PR, business and sports world. You see that lady to the left, that’s legendary track star, Pauline Davis-Thompson. She has the most amazing smile you will ever see.
I decided to sport an orange/yellow jumpsuit in one of my favourite Androsia prints. I am This Bahamian Gyal after all, so I thought it was most fitting.
Legendary designer and family friend, Sabrina Francis designed it for me and I absolutely love it. I promise you, the pictures don’t do it justice. I paired it with some orange platform shoes I have had for years. Hope you like it.
Congratulations to the organisers and to all of the amazing girls.
