分类： entertainment

A regional pageant celebrating plus-size women has brought home a historic victory for Antigua and Barbuda, as Milove Fontaine, a student at The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, claimed the coveted title of Miss Elegantly Plus Caribbean Queen 2026. Following her win, the UWI Five Islands Guild of Students has publicly released an official statement to celebrate Fontaine’s trailblazing success at the competition, which was hosted in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

In the statement, the student governing body lavished praise on Fontaine for upholding the reputation of her home nation Antigua and Barbuda throughout the regional contest. Officials noted that she carried herself across every stage of competition with extraordinary grace, unshakable confidence, and unwavering excellence, standing out among a field of competing contestants from across the Caribbean.

Fontaine’s win extended far beyond the overall crown: the UWI student also dominated the contest’s sectional awards, taking home five additional honors that highlight her versatility and skill as a competitor. Her haul of secondary awards includes the titles of Top Model 2026, People’s Choice, Best On-stage Interview, Best Ambassadorial Presentation, and Best Evening Wear, marking one of the most dominant showings in the recent history of the pageant.

“The Guild of Students celebrates this remarkable achievement and extends our heartfelt congratulations to Milove,” the statement reads. Organization leaders went on to emphasize that Fontaine’s relentless dedication to preparation, effortless poise under pressure, and standout performance throughout the pageant have filled not just all of Antigua and Barbuda with national pride, but the entire campus community of UWI Five Islands as well. Many community members have already shared messages of support for Fontaine on social media, celebrating her win as a milestone for body positivity and student achievement in the region.

Antigua and Barbuda’s state-owned public media outlet ABS Television/Radio has delivered an unexpected blow to local Carnival fans, announcing Tuesday that it will abandon plans to air live coverage of the 2026 Antigua Carnival after being ordered to impose a mandatory 24-hour waiting period on all event broadcasts.

In an official public programming notice shared this week, the broadcaster confirmed that the mandate is a binding requirement outside of its operational ability to challenge or change. “ABS has received an order – ‘Mandatory 24-Hour Delay Rebroadcasting of Antigua Carnival 2026 Shows.’ This is outside our control and we regret any inconvenience which this may cause,” the official statement reads.

Notably, ABS has declined to release further details surrounding the order, leaving key questions unanswered for audiences and industry observers alike. The outlet has not identified what individual or governing body issued the mandate, nor has it shared any public explanation for why the delay requirement was put in place. As a consequence of the order, all 2026 Antigua Carnival content that was scheduled to air on ABS’ television and radio platforms will now be broadcast 24 hours after the live events conclude, rather than being streamed or aired in real time.

The decision marks an unusual break from longstanding Carnival broadcasting practices, where live coverage allows local residents unable to attend events in person and Caribbean diaspora communities around the world to follow the annual celebration as it unfolds. While no official rationale has been put forward for the mandate, the change has already sparked discussion among audiences about access to one of Antigua’s biggest annual cultural and tourist events.

The annual Toronto polo charity event this year carved out a special spotlight for the city’s homegrown artistic community, blending the elegance of high-goal equestrian competition with a curated showcase of creative works from local creators. Organizers of the fundraiser, which supports youth arts access programs across the Greater Toronto Area, made the intentional decision to center local talent this year, moving beyond the traditional focus on equestrian sport to highlight the city’s vibrant cultural landscape.

More than 30 visual artists, mixed-media creators, and craft artisans set up installations and exhibition spaces along the event’s main concourse, greeting thousands of attendees who turned out for a day of polo matches, networking, and philanthropy. Attendees had the opportunity to meet the creators, view their works in person, and purchase pieces, with 20% of all art sales donated directly to the event’s beneficiary charities.

Event organizers noted that integrating the art showcase created a more inclusive, community-focused experience, bringing together equestrian enthusiasts, art collectors, and local families who came to support a good cause. “This event has always been about giving back to Toronto, and what better way to do that than to lift up the artists who make our city such a dynamic place to live,” said the event’s chair in a press interview ahead of the opening. “We’ve been blown away by the response from both creators and attendees – it’s clear this new pairing of polo and local art is here to stay.”

Beneficiaries of the fundraiser, which have raised more than CAD 2.3 million over the past decade, say the added art component will help them expand after-school arts programs for underserved youth in Toronto’s inner-city neighborhoods. Many of the participating artists also shared that the event gave them valuable exposure to new audiences and opportunities to build their customer base in a city that increasingly prioritizes supporting local creative work.

During an on-site inspection of the Antigua Recreation Grounds this Monday, Dwayne George, Minister of Sports and Creative Industries of Antigua and Barbuda, affirmed that the nation is solidly on track to host what event organizers project will be the largest Carnival in the country’s history.

Accompanied by Cleofoster Harris, Operations Lead for the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, George toured the venue that is currently undergoing extensive transformation into Carnival City, where he reviewed the pace and quality of ongoing pre-event work for the country’s flagship summer cultural celebration.

After wrapping up the inspection, George told reporters he was deeply encouraged by the progress achieved so far, confirming that overall preparations are currently 70 percent complete ahead of the 2026 edition of the festival.

“From everything I’ve seen and heard during today’s walkthrough, I can say we are in an incredibly strong position, and I’m thrilled with how prepared we are,” George shared during a post-inspection briefing. “Seventy percent of all work for Carnival 2026 is done, and I can already feel the excitement building – the rhythm of the celebration is already in the air.”

The minister went on to issue a public appeal for widespread community participation, emphasizing that the long-term success of the iconic cultural festival hinges on active support from local residents.

“Our unique cultural heritage cannot thrive unless we show up to support it in person, alongside our families,” he noted. He also extended gratitude to the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, the national government, corporate sponsors, and the local population for their consistent contributions to the event’s ongoing success over the years.

As the country gears up to mark its 69th Carnival, George stressed that organizers are fully committed to delivering the most expansive and memorable edition of the festival in its decades-long history. He highlighted a series of major infrastructure upgrades being rolled out for this year’s event, headlined by a new nearly 100-meter modern performance stage, alongside fully upgraded lighting and audio systems that are designed to enhance the experience for both performers and attendees.

“This expanded, state-of-the-art stage will give local artists a first-class platform to truly show off their craft and highlight the incredible creative talent that Antigua and Barbuda has to offer to the world,” George explained.

He also commended the ongoing collaboration between the Festivals Commission and his ministry, as well as the generous backing from corporate sponsors, which have kept all preparation work moving according to the established timeline. Beyond core entertainment infrastructure, George shared that event organizers have prioritized improving the overall attendee experience, with upgrades to security protocols, sanitation facilities, and parking logistics all progressing smoothly.

Reaffirming Antigua and Barbuda’s status as home to one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious cultural festivals, George extended an invitation to both local residents and international travelers to join the 2026 celebrations, helping to uphold the nation’s reputation as a top global Carnival destination.

“Let’s come together to make this a landmark success,” he said. “Antigua and Barbuda already hosts one of the greatest summer festivals in the entire Caribbean. Let’s keep living up to that legacy, and continue setting an example for other nations to follow.”