Jamaica's Quest for a Miss World Title

If there is a nation that we can put our focus on in the upcoming Miss World pageant this August, one can say that Jamaica could be an interesting one. Just recently The Gleaner,, announced that the country will select its Miss World representative on June 2. Jamaica is one of the successful countries at Miss World but interestingly, it is a flop in the other 3 of the Big4 pageants. How Jamaica managed to collect successes at Miss World when it is weak on the other 3 is quite inexplicable but the answers my lie on where the local franchises put their priorities. As a former British colony, the best in Jamaica are sent to Miss World, a British institution.

So what makes Jamaica a country worthy of our attention when the Miss World goes in full swing in Ordos, China this August? Well, Jamaica has three Miss World titleholders. The first one was won by the rather diminutive beauty in the name of Carole Joan Crawford. At just 5'3", she became an icon and heroine in her country where a special stamp celebrating her victory was issued by the Jamaican Post Office.

Carole Joan Crawford

The second Jamaican to win the crown is a daughter to a Jamaican man and a white Canadian woman. Cindy Breakspeare, Miss World 1976, was born in Canada but grew up in Jamaica.

Cindy Breakspeare

The third Miss World titleholder from Jamaica is Lisa Hanna. A TV broadcaster, she is now enjoying her political life in Jamaica and was recently appointed as Minister for Youth and Culture. She was crowned Miss World in 1993.



Lisa Hanna.

Aside from these lovely winners, what makes Jamaica interesting is that this country had never experienced a Miss World semis drought for more than four years. The last time Jamaica placed on Miss World semis was in 2007 courtesy of Yendi Philipps, who went on to become Miss Universe 2010 first runner-up - Jamaica's highest placement at Miss Universe. As such, 2012 is a crucial year for Jamaica. It could perhaps determine whether Jamaica still remains a Miss World superpower. A non-placement at the semis this year would definitely put a huge question mark over Jamaica's strength at the pageant.

Do you think Jamaica will be able to prove that it still remains a force to reckon with at Miss World or the country is already in decline?

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