After weeks of rigorous preparation and community engagement, ten ambitious young Jamaican competitors are gearing up to take the stage this Sunday, June 21, for the highly anticipated Mister and Mister Teen Universe International Jamaica finals, set to be hosted at Kingston’s YMCA Auditorium on Hope Road. This year marks a historic milestone for the Jamaican pageant circuit, as the event will crown the very first titleholder of Mister Universe International Jamaica, building on the strong showing of the island’s 2023 Mister Teen representative.
Geovani Lewin, national coordinator for both competitions, opened up about the demanding journey that has shaped the contestants over the past month. What started as a gradual, development-focused training program has ramped up to an intensive final week of preparation, with organizers pulling out all the stops to ensure every competitor is at peak performance ahead of Sunday’s finale.
“From day one, we centered this competition on personal growth and skill-building, not just beauty or stage presence,” Lewin explained. “After weeks of consistent training, this final push has sharpened everything they’ve learned. Our contestants are mentally and spiritually prepared to showcase all they’ve gained to the Jamaican public, and I’m confident each will bring their best effort to the stage on Sunday night.”
In the lead-up to the coronation, competitors have stepped beyond training rooms to engage with local communities and partner brands, building connections across the island’s creative and business sectors. One of their most high-profile engagements was a pop-up event hosted at the Signature Style Clark’s Originals Store, a key competition partner. Organized in partnership with the upcoming Jamaican International Beauty Expo—set to kick off just one week after the pageant—the event gave attendees an early look at a new Clark’s advertising campaign that featured all ten contestants as featured models.
Before the main Sunday event, pageant fans will get a second chance to meet the competitors on Wednesday, when they take part in a Trendy Couture Fashion Show kicking off at 6 PM at Jammin on The Oasis, located at 5 Oxford Road in New Kingston. Lewin noted that the show breaks new ground for local pageantry, bringing together male and female pageant systems from across the region for a collaborative showcase of Jamaican fashion. After the runway, attendees can enjoy interactive activities designed to help the public connect with contestants on a more personal level ahead of the grand coronation. “This is a fresh, exciting take on a fashion event, and I encourage everyone to grab a ticket and come experience it for themselves,” Lewin added.
The upcoming finals carry extra momentum following Jamaica’s strong performance at the global Mister Teen Universe International pageant last year. Bradley Clarke, the island’s 2023 representative, took home second runner-up at the global competition held in Panama, setting a high bar for this year’s new crop of competitors.
The ten finalists vying for the two national titles represent a diverse cross-section of Jamaican industries and institutions. They include Tajay McDermoth of the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC), Leshawn Freckleton of Fit Farm Fitness Club, Rahiem Edwards of Totally Male Club Spa and Salon, Najhae Walters of Culinary Atelier Society, Nickoli Fraser of Rasheda Events and Décor, Jevaughn Reid of Nationwide Express, Xavia Smith of McIntosh Productions, Adonique Cole of Famished Restaurant, Rajae’ Graham of Fern Forest Eco Village, and Ackeem Lyn of Birdshack Fried Chicken.