分类： entertainment

Fresh off the triumphant completion of its third annual 30+ Fashion Show and Expo, Jamaican media firm Compass Communication has unveiled an exciting new initiative: the Miss 30+ Jamaica Pageant. Billed as a transformative, inclusive platform, the pageant was created to center and celebrate the beauty, fortitude, self-assurance, and ongoing growth of women over 30 across Jamaica.

When the 30+ Fashion Show and Expo wrapped its successful run, event organizers heard a resounding call from participating attendees: mature women across the country wanted more space to showcase themselves and their journeys. “After the curtains closed on one unforgettable event, the voices of mature women grew louder with one clear message, ‘We’re not done yet… give us more,’” shared Stephanie Elliott-Gunning, founder and CEO of Compass Communication. “I immediately went into action and started planning the Miss 30+ Jamaica Pageant.”

The new pageant is a natural expansion of the movement that grew out of the existing 30+ Fashion Show and Expo, which spent three years building momentum around the idea that women deserve to embrace full, purpose-driven lives and remain visible long after turning 30. The upcoming competition will expand on that core mission, while creating tangible opportunities for participants to build empowerment, pursue personal growth, and earn meaningful representation that has long been missing from mainstream beauty and competition spaces.

Elliott-Gunning emphasized that the pageant’s core message remains rooted in self-acceptance across all life stages: “The message remains the same, we are beautiful at every stage of our lives. But a mature woman who embraces her flaws and ventures out to become all she can be, that is exemplary. It also sends a powerful message to our youth. Unlike many women of our generation who grew up doubting ourselves, we want younger women to know not to wait to believe in themselves.”

Already, applications are open for the inaugural competition, which is scheduled to take place in August 2026. Organizers report that early public response has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with women across the country jumping at the chance to push their own boundaries, build self-confidence, and check lifelong dreams off their bucket lists.

“Applications are coming in from enthusiastic contestants who believe this platform will help them in various areas of their lives,” Elliott-Gunning noted. “Whether it is to finally live out a dream, overcome shyness or simply embrace a new chapter, these women are excited to begin the journey.”

One of the early contestants already drawing attention is 37-year-old Shanique Anderson, a Clarendon native who says the opportunity means far more than earning a pageant crown. For Anderson, competing is a chance to reframe harmful narratives about aging and women’s potential.

“Being a contestant in the Miss 30+ Jamaica Pageant means a lot to me because it gives me the opportunity to inspire other women and show that age is just a number,” Anderson said. “Beauty, confidence and purpose do not fade with time. As women, we can still pursue our dreams, passions and goals no matter the challenges or obstacles we may face in life.”

Anderson added that the platform fills a critical gap for women who have faced life setbacks or struggled with internalized self-doubt, representing a symbol of empowerment and persistence for a demographic that is often sidelined in popular culture. “This pageant represents strength, resilience and self-belief. It reminds women that even when life knocks us down or makes us feel less than enough, we can always rise again stronger and more determined. I want to be an example that it is never too late to shine, grow and become the woman you were always meant to be.”

Even before the official competition kicks off, Anderson says the journey has already sparked meaningful personal change for her. “One of the biggest challenges this experience will help me overcome is my fear of being shy and my tendency to procrastinate,” she explained. “It is pushing me outside of my comfort zone, helping me build confidence, discipline and believe in myself more. I see this journey not only as a competition but as a personal transformation.”

The public will get to play an active role in the competition as well, with open voting for fan-favorite contestants scheduled throughout the pageant’s 2026 season. Women interested in throwing their hat in the ring can access the official application via the pageant’s Instagram and TikTok accounts, which carry the handle @miss30plusjamaica.

Looking ahead, Elliott-Gunning says she is confident the inaugural staging will be a resounding success, pointing to a cultural shift as mature women increasingly claim their space in public life and refuse to fade into the background. Beyond Jamaica’s borders, the organization has even bigger plans: Elliott-Gunning announced that the team is already seeking franchise partners across the Caribbean to launch a regional Miss 30+ Caribbean Pageant in the future.

More than just a traditional competition, the Miss 30+ Jamaica Pageant positions itself as a grassroots movement: one that celebrates resilience, reinvention, unapologetic confidence, and the unignorable power of mature women.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — After building a thriving global career as both a designer and runway model, Kadianne Nicely is preparing to bring her signature vision of elevated style to her home region with a landmark first solo fashion event. Titled “Kadianne Nicely Exclusive: A Luxury Fashion Experience”, the invitation-only showcase is scheduled to take place on May 31, 2026, at the scenic, sprawling Craig Banks Estate located along Old Stony Hill Road in St Andrew, a fitting lush, upscale backdrop for Nicely’s curated collection.

This Sunday, Jamaica will crown its next representatives to the global Mister and Miss Supranational competition, with 10 handpicked finalists putting weeks of rigorous preparation on the line at the intimate, boutique-style final event hosted at Kingston’s iconic Louise Bennett Garden Theatre on Hope Road.

In the lead-up to the coronation, contestants have undergone an extensive multi-week training program designed to build more than just stage presence, covering everything from personal grooming and physical fitness to communication skills, tourism advocacy, and holistic personal growth. Ahead of the final event, the group gathered for a preparatory retreat at Princess Hotel & Resorts in Hanover, where they put on an spontaneous impromptu fashion show for attendees and completed a branded photoshoot against the backdrop of the resort’s coastal landscape.

Serene Lloyd, public relations manager for Princess Hotel & Resorts, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to welcome the pageant contestants. “Hosting the group here was an absolute pleasure,” Lloyd shared in an interview with Jamaica Observer Online. “This was a wonderful chance to showcase our destination and the signature luxury experience Princess Resorts is known for. The pageant has such a engaged, wide audience, and we’re eager for their followers to see the natural beauty of our property and come experience it for themselves.” She added that contestants had full access to the resort’s amenities during their stay, exploring the grounds, interacting with staff, enjoying the island’s signature beachfront access, sampling local cuisine, and making the most of their retreat ahead of the final competition.

Barbie Mudahy, the national pageant’s coordinator, noted that this year’s cohort of finalists stands out for their range of strengths, far beyond conventional pageant standards of appearance. “This year’s group is incredibly strong,” Mudahy explained. “What really stands out is the diversity of their personalities, confidence, and stage presence. Every single contestant has grown noticeably throughout the preparation process, so this competition is about much more than looks. We’ve watched each person step into their own identity, becoming more polished, comfortable, and prepared with every passing week.”

The training program has been intentionally structured to be comprehensive and transformative, Mudahy explained. Each week, contestants work with industry experts on a new area of personal and professional development, spanning topics from grooming and fitness to public communication, wellness, and long-term personal growth. “Both the contestant preparation and the production itself involve months of hard work, so attendees can expect nothing less than an exciting, unforgettable experience this Sunday,” she added.

Several local industry partners have contributed to the contestants’ training this cycle. The Design Essentials hair care team has worked closely with both female and select male contestants, educating them on long-term hair health and handling styling throughout the competition, with industry professional Marcia Lindgaard Calendar donating her time and expertise to the initiative. Contestants also benefited from a detailed educational session with certified trichologist Karl Richmond, who deepened their understanding of evidence-based hair and scalp care practices.

For the male competitors, Jamaica’s HEART College of Beauty Services provided professional barbering services, keeping contestants well-groomed and helping them refine their personal presentation for the stage. All contestants completed public speaking and communication training with coach Adrian Atkinson, a session Mudahy called “extremely valuable” for building confidence and strengthening interpersonal and on-stage communication skills.

Fitness, a core focus of any pageant preparation process, was supported by Fit Farm Fitness Centre, which opened its facilities to all contestants. In addition to conventional fitness and health training, contestants also learned basic personal protection skills during their fitness programming, an addition that added practical value to their preparation. Tourism advocacy training was also a key component of the curriculum: Belinda Sutherland-Dowe from Jamaica’s Tourism Product Development Company Limited led sessions on the history of Jamaican tourism, the country’s cultural tourism brand, and how to effectively market Jamaica as a world-class travel destination as national representatives.

The four 2026 Miss Supranational Jamaica finalists are Deborah Gordon (affiliated with Dacx Production), Melissa Oliver (of Fit Farm Fitness Club), Rasheda Green (representing Design Essentials), and Antonni James (of Glam by O’Neil). The six male competitors vying for the 2026 Mister Supranational Jamaica title are Jordain Chambers (Atelier Dermoth Williams Limited), Kasheem Green (The Dental Place), Leopold Smith (All Signs), Laurence Pinnock (Cooyah), Sean-Pierre Coke (Knutsford Express), and Andrew Brown (The Prom Shoppe).

In the vibrant music landscape of Kingston, Jamaica, a dynamic young teenage talent is rapidly turning heads and winning over crowds with electrifying, soul-stirring live performances. Nineteen-year-old Sanna Moore, a student at St. Andrew High School for Girls, recently left a packed audience awe-struck at the “To Mom With Love” concert hosted at the AC Hotel Ballroom, where her soaring interpretation of Andra Day’s modern anthem of resilience *Rise Up* cemented her reputation as a rising star to watch.

As Moore’s rich, powerhouse vocals echoed through the ballroom’s walls, the raw, emotional intensity of her delivery sent tangible electricity through the crowd, leaving listeners with involuntary chills and a collective jolt of energy. More than just a cover performance, Moore’s rendition of the track felt like a deliberate, confident coming-out: a defiant, clear statement that a bold new voice had arrived on Jamaica’s storied music scene.

For Moore herself, the sold-out concert confirmed what she had long known: her passion lies in connecting with live audiences. “As soon as I stepped on stage, all my nerves just melted away,” she shared in a post-performance interview. “Watching the crowd feel the song right along with me? That moved me more than I can say.”

Moore’s journey from a music-loving student to an emerging professional performer has been shaped by mentorship from some of Jamaica’s biggest names, most notably iconic reggae artist Etana. A classically trained violinist and vice president of her school’s Wind and String Ensemble, Moore grew up immersed in a diverse range of musical styles, from reggae and R&B to neo-soul, gospel, and traditional Nyabinghi music. She counts a roster of groundbreaking women in music as her core influences, including Rihanna, Jobe Jay, Lila Iké, Ella Mai, and Etana, whose uplifting, relatable lyrics have resonated with her since childhood.

A fateful meeting during Jamaica’s annual Reggae Month changed the trajectory of her burgeoning career. After introducing herself to Etana at an Emancipation Park concert, Moore was invited to sing an impromptu performance for the star. “She told me she got goosebumps when I finished,” Moore recalled of the encounter. “That moment changed everything for me—it gave me so much confidence to keep going.”

Etana didn’t just praise Moore’s talent: she also offered tangible guidance, encouraging the young artist to stay optimistic, build her own catalog of original work, and embrace the vital role Black women play in reggae and global entertainment. That connection soon opened an unexpected professional door: Etana’s management team reached out to Moore’s father, respected Jamaican businessman Dwight Moore, to express interest in collaborating with the teen.

The partnership quickly led to Moore’s first major gig, a performance slot at the acclaimed Jamaica Food and Drink Festival, which introduced her to a far larger audience and solidified industry interest in her work.

Today, Moore is balancing her rising music career with a key academic milestone: she is currently preparing to sit for her Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations this June. But she has already set her sights on what comes next, planning to use the upcoming summer break as a launchpad to release her first collection of original music. For fans and industry observers alike, all signs point to a long, impactful career ahead for Sanna Moore—a fresh, unapologetically fierce new voice with stories the world is eager to hear.

Decades-decorated reggae producer Paul “Computer Paul” Henton has launched the final installment of his celebrated Sara Juggling series, Sara Juggling Part 2, a project that balances preservation of classic one-drop reggae with bold modern innovation. Henton, whose career has been defined by crafting enduring, genre-defining rhythms, set out to reverse the gradual decline of one-drop reggae while reimagining the iconic sound for contemporary audiences.

The decision to release a follow-up to February’s Sara Juggling Part 1 was rooted in both intentional strategy and overwhelming fan demand. The first entry in the series earned massive local and international traction, drawing particularly robust support from radio DJs, selectors, and streaming platforms including YouTube and TikTok across the United Kingdom. Henton intentionally delayed the sequel to let the first project reach its full audience potential, a choice shaped by the realities of today’s fast-paced digital music landscape, where consumer attention spans are increasingly limited.

“It was important to me that Part 1 got the maximum exposure it earned before I brought Part 2 to fans,” Henton explained. “In today’s market, you have to move smart to cut through the noise.”

Sara Juggling Part 2 builds on the rhythmic foundation of the original project, weaving in fresh instrumentation and dynamic new vocal performances while retaining the core identity that made the first installment a hit. The release features a stacked lineup of reggae and dancehall talent, including solo sets from Warrior King and Junior X, a standout collaborative track from Ashley Irae and Imar Shephard, and a surprise cross-generational duet between dancehall icon Lady G and Chris Howell on Stuck On You 2.

The overwhelmingly positive response to the first project pushed Henton to match that standard of quality for the sequel, he says. To expand the project’s reach to Jamaican audiences and global reggae diaspora communities, Henton has partnered with veteran publicist Ralston “Rallo Di Reggae PR Boss” Barrett, who brings 30 years of specialized music industry promotional experience to the campaign.

The Sara rhythm at the heart of the series carries deep historical roots in reggae culture, originally crafted in the 1980s by legendary production duo Steely & Clevie for iconic reggae artist Frankie Paul. Reinterpreting this decades-old classic for a new generation was a challenge Henton approached with enthusiasm, driven by a mission to keep the one-drop reggae tradition alive amid shifting industry trends.

“One-drop had been on the decline for a while, so I wanted to do my part to preserve this sound that means so much to reggae,” Henton said. “The response we’ve gotten so far proves that fans still love this music as much as ever.”

Despite early calls from eager fans for a third installment of the series, Henton confirmed that Sara Juggling Part 2 will serve as the final chapter of the project. “This rhythm is complete and ready to find its audience,” he said. “If it’s good, artists and fans will always seek it out.”

With strong early critical and fan feedback already rolling in and a strategic promotional campaign now underway, Sara Juggling Part 2 cements Henton’s longstanding reputation as a dedicated guardian of reggae’s cultural legacy. The project makes clear that quality, consistent craft, and clear creative vision remain the foundational keys to long-term success in the modern global music industry.

Formerly retired Jamaican fashion model Romae Gordon is steadily solidifying her triumphant return to the upper echelons of the global fashion industry, landing a lead spot in a new high-profile editorial spread for *Women’s Wear Daily (WWD)* that highlights one of summer 2026’s most prominent accessory trends: statement eyewear. The spread, which carries the headline “Heavy Metal Eyewear Trend: From 90s Inspired Shields to Sharp Rectangular Frames,” showcases Gordon modeling a curated collection of cutting-edge, futuristic outfits paired with luxury designer sunglasses from some of the world’s most iconic fashion houses, including Prada, Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren and Gucci.

Captured on location in New York City by acclaimed fashion photographer Vanessa Granda, the editorial blends structured, sharp tailoring, polished leather outerwear and dramatic, bold silhouettes to craft a high-fashion tribute to the resurgent popularity of 1990s-inspired eyewear designs. The spread’s styling was helmed by *WWD* fashion director Alex Badia, with hairstyling by Andrew Chen and cosmetic work by makeup artist Shaina Ehrlich.

In a statement released Thursday by the Sheldon Alexander Group, Gordon opened up about the experience of working on the project, noting that aligning with the creative team’s original vision was a seamless process. “It was super easy to translate the vision for the creative team,” Gordon said. “The looks are so me — I loved the movement, the edge, the sleekness of the direction throughout.”

Gordon stepped away from professional modeling for a number of years before announcing her retirement exit last year, and in the months since, she has booked a steady stream of high-profile campaigns and runway shows with many of the luxury fashion industry’s leading brands. Her official comeback kicked off when she walked in Versace’s Ready-to-Wear Fall/Winter 2026 presentation during Milan Fashion Week, but her rise back to mainstream industry attention accelerated after she secured an exclusive runway spot for Mathieu Blazy’s highly anticipated couture debut in January 2026. She followed that milestone with a runway appearance for New York-based brand Proenza Schouler shortly after.

Following her string of high-profile bookings, leading global fashion industry platform Models.com honored Gordon with the designation of “Model of the Moment,” cementing her status as one of the most in-demand rising (and returning) talents in contemporary fashion.