分类： entertainment

As the 75th Miss Universe global competition draws near this November in Puerto Rico, Belize’s national pageant franchise has entered a transformative new era, with ownership officially transferred to El Salvador-based production firm Americas Events. In a major announcement this month, the new ownership named Destiny Wagner – Belize’s groundbreaking first Miss Earth winner – as the franchise’s National Director, tasking her with overhauling the national pageant system and grooming Belize’s next contestant for the international stage. With applications already open for aspiring contestants and the national coronation slated for mid-August, local outlet News Five’s reporter Britney Gordon sat down with Wagner to unpack the transition and her vision for the program.

Wagner, who previously founded Belize Pilates, shared that the leadership appointment came as a complete shock. The deal unfolded rapidly: just one day before her public introduction as National Director, she signed her contract after a last-minute meeting with the new franchise owners in Belize. “I initially thought they wanted me to sign on Belize Pilates as the pageant’s official fitness partner – which we are still doing, and that would have been incredible on its own,” Wagner explained. “When they asked me to step into the National Director role, I was hesitant at first. But after reviewing their full proposal, which included extensive research into Belize’s culture, people, and pageant history, I was convinced this was the right move.”

Americas Events, the new franchise owner, is headquartered in El Salvador with additional offices across the United States and Central America. The foreign ownership structure has drawn some quiet questions locally, but Wagner pushed back on concerns that outside investment would undermine Belizean interests. “Foreign investment in local pageantry is not a bad thing – it brings valuable resources that young Belizean competitors simply would not have access to otherwise,” she noted. “It is very common for international pageant franchises like Miss Universe and Miss Earth to be owned by entities based outside the country they represent. I am the local face of this initiative, and I would never accept a role that would hurt our delegates or damage my country’s reputation. Belize’s best interests are at the core of every decision I will make, always.”

With just five months between now and the November Miss Universe competition, the timeline to crown and prepare Belize’s representative is tight. But Wagner, who personally pulled together her own Miss Earth preparation in just two weeks, says the compressed schedule is far from an insurmountable barrier. She has opened casting to all eligible Belizean women, urging candidates to focus on their purpose rather than the logistical challenges of preparation. “The ‘why’ behind joining has to be bigger than the question of ‘how’ you will get it all done,” she said. “I promise every contender, and the eventual winner, will get full support and all the tools they need to succeed on the global stage.”

Wagner framed her leadership approach as rooted in radical collaboration, rather than top-down management. “This is not something I can build alone, and it’s not something Belize can accomplish in isolation,” she explained. “We are inviting every person and organization that wants to collaborate to join us. Our goal is to give our eventual delegate every possible opportunity and every resource she needs – whether that support comes from local partners or international connections. When we work together, we can turn our representative into a force to be reckoned with at Miss Universe.”

The first public casting call is scheduled for July 4 at Belize Pilates, with the national Miss Universe Belize coronation set to follow in mid-August.

Just weeks ahead of the official casting process for the next Miss Universe Belize (MUB), newly appointed national director Destiny Wagner has broken her silence on the controversy surrounding the franchise’s new ownership, pushing back against criticism and stressing that her top priority remains lifting up Belizean women competing on the global stage.

Wagner, who took on the role after the franchise was transferred to an El Salvador-based production company, says the appointment came as a completely unexpected turn. “It was definitely not something that I had on my vision board this year, but I’m a firm believer that when an opportunity comes your way, it wouldn’t have come your way if it weren’t meant for you,” she shared in her first public interview since taking the position with local outlet News 5. In fact, Wagner was only contacted about the role the day before her public appointment and signed her contract the night before the official announcement.

The cross-border transfer of ownership has sparked public pushback, with critics raising concerns about foreign control of the national pageant brand. But Wagner argues that foreign ownership of international beauty pageant franchises is far from an unusual practice, and that outside investment can deliver tangible benefits for emerging local talent. “A lot of pageants in Miss Universe or Miss Earth have franchisees that don’t live in that country but own the franchise, but what they bring is valuable resources that the young women can benefit from,” she explained. She emphasized that she would never accept a role that would harm Belize or the young contestants competing in the pageant, adding, “I have Belize’s best interests at heart, and I always will.”

Despite initial hesitation about stepping into the high-profile, controversial role, Wagner says she ultimately agreed to take the position after aligning with the production company’s long-term vision for the Miss Universe Belize program.

The leadership transition has not been without conflict, however. Former national director Destinee Arnold has already publicly stated she plans to mount a legal challenge to reclaim the franchise rights in 2027.

For the 2026 competition cycle, the process is moving forward as planned. An open casting call is scheduled for July 4 at Belize Pilates, running from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wagner confirmed that the national Miss Universe Belize pageant will be held in mid-August, with the winner going on to compete in the international Miss Universe competition scheduled for November.

The Caribbean music community is in mourning this week following the passing of legendary Trinidadian soca artist Oscar Dennis Benjamin, professionally known as Oscar B, who died on a Sunday morning in June 2026 after a prolonged battle with illness. Fans across Belize – a nation where his upbeat tracks became a staple of annual national September celebrations – are among the thousands grieving the loss of a performer who built a decades-long bond with local audiences.

Oscar B first catapulted to international recognition as the lead vocalist for Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, a group widely regarded as one of the most influential soca and calypso acts in Caribbean history. It was during his tenure with the band that he first established his deep connection to Belize, joining the group for annual performances during the country’s September independence celebrations, quickly growing from a visiting performer to a familiar, fan-favorite figure.

After departing the Dragonaires to pursue a solo career, Oscar B refused to let his relationship with Belizean audiences fade. He continued to return to the country for regular tour dates, delivering high-energy live sets that drew sell-out crowds, and became just as famous for his iconic signature “butterfly” dance move as he was for his catchy, rhythm-driven tracks.

In a touching show of regional support just days before his death, Tobago’s Chief Secretary Farley Augustine announced during a budget debate in the Tobago House of Assembly that lawmakers had approved emergency funding to cover Oscar B’s ongoing medical costs. In his announcement, Augustine highlighted the underrecognized impact the singer had on Caribbean culture, noting, “We have Oscar B ordinarily singing at our functions and not realising his mark on the region and the globe.”

In the wake of his passing, heartfelt tributes have flooded social media and community spaces from both Tobago and Belize, with countless fans sharing intimate, personal memories of interactions with the star. One woman recalled celebrating her wedding anniversary on Caye Caulker when she and her husband encountered Oscar B at the famous Split beach spot. After asking for a photograph and mentioning their special occasion, she said the singer immediately serenaded the couple with an impromptu performance that made their day unforgettable.

Another fan shared the story of being pulled on stage at the Biltmore to dance the iconic butterfly alongside the performer, describing the moment as one of the most joyful experiences of her life. Other memories include a private performance at a friend’s 50th birthday party in 2018, and a 2017 encounter at a Belize City store where Oscar B signed a Trinidadian one-dollar bill for a fan as a personalized keepsake. For many, the legacy of Oscar B extends far beyond his music, living on in the small, kind moments he shared with fans across the Caribbean.