分类: entertainment

  • ABHTA Congratulates Carlisle Bay’s Kalin Fontaine on Global Hospitality Achievement

    ABHTA Congratulates Carlisle Bay’s Kalin Fontaine on Global Hospitality Achievement

    In a landmark moment for Caribbean travel and hospitality, Antigua and Barbuda’s leading tourism industry body has officially celebrated a historic win for one of the nation’s rising hospitality stars. The Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) has extended formal congratulations to Kalin Fontaine, the skilled Restaurant Manager at luxury resort Carlisle Bay Antigua, for her exceptional performance at the first-ever LQA Sirius Awards 2026 held in Lisbon, Portugal.

    Fontaine made history as the only hospitality professional from the entire Caribbean region to earn a spot among the 100 top-ranked star employees worldwide, beating out more than 10,000 nominated candidates from across the globe for the prestigious recognition. This selection marks a rare and high-profile win for a Caribbean hospitality worker, shining a global spotlight on the quality of service the region is known for.

    In a statement released following the awards announcement, ABHTA emphasized that Fontaine’s standout achievement is far more than a personal win—it is a powerful reflection of the core values that have long defined Caribbean hospitality: authentic care for guests, unwavering dedication to service excellence, and the ability to create one-of-a-kind, memorable visitor experiences that keep travelers returning to the region year after year.

    The association also took the opportunity to applaud the entire team at Carlisle Bay Antigua, noting that Fontaine’s success would not have been possible without the supportive, service-focused culture cultivated at the resort. ABHTA framed the global top 100 ranking as a critical milestone for Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism and hospitality sector, one that reinforces the nation’s reputation as a world-class luxury travel destination and paves the way for more local hospitality professionals to gain international recognition in the years ahead.

  • Peetron of Antigua & Barbuda confirmed as Official International Award Nominee

    Peetron of Antigua & Barbuda confirmed as Official International Award Nominee

    A groundbreaking milestone for Caribbean gospel music has emerged this week, as multi-genre recording artist Peetron Thomas hailing from Antigua and Barbuda has officially secured a nomination in the International Male Soloist category of the 29th Texas Gospel Music Excellence Awards (TGMEA).

    One of the most respected annual gatherings in the global gospel industry, the 2027 awards ceremony is scheduled to take place from February 18 to 21 at the Houston Hobby Marriott in Houston, Texas. The event draws a diverse roster of talent, church ministry leaders and entertainment industry professionals spanning the United States and dozens of nations across the globe, all united by a shared commitment to uplifting inspirational and gospel music.

    Thomas’ inclusion on the TGMEA’s official international ballot marks a major career high for the versatile performer, cementing his expanding footprint within the global gospel and inspirational music landscape. As a multi-genre artist, he has built a reputation for blending diverse musical styles to deliver faith-centered messages, and his nomination places him alongside an elite group of global contenders selected for their exceptional contributions to ministry, live performance and artistic impact.

    Founded by Pastor Larry Davies, the TGMEA has cultivated a decades-long reputation for elevating outstanding gospel artistry across local, national, and international categories, shining a spotlight on both emerging and established talent in the space.

    Organizers have announced key details for the public voting process, which is set to open on May 8, 2026, and close exactly one month later on June 8, 2026. For any submitted ballot to be counted as valid, voters must cast selections in all 19 award categories, organizers confirmed. Thomas’ camp and event representatives have encouraged fans and supporters of the artist to visit the official voting portal at https://tgmea.org/vote to submit their ballots before the deadline.

    Beyond the recognition for Thomas himself, the nomination also amplifies Antigua and Barbuda’s growing profile on the global gospel stage. As the artist continues to extend his reach far beyond the Caribbean region, his nomination paves the way for greater visibility for other faith-based artists from the small island nation on international platforms.

  • Chippy G Commended For Relentless Pursuit Of Excellence On Sugar Mill Riddim

    Chippy G Commended For Relentless Pursuit Of Excellence On Sugar Mill Riddim

    Rising dancehall talent Chippy G has garnered widespread praise from fans and industry peers alike for his uncompromising dedication to creative excellence on the newly released Sugar Mill Riddim compilation. The project, which has been making waves across Caribbean music communities and global streaming platforms, features a curated lineup of established and emerging artists, with Chippy G’s contribution standing out as a fan favorite.

    Unlike many artists who rush to complete their verses to meet tight project deadlines, Chippy G spent weeks refining his flow, adjusting lyrical phrasing, and re-recording sections to ensure his track aligned with his own high artistic standards. Multiple producers involved in the Sugar Mill Riddim project have spoken publicly about the artist’s relentless work ethic, noting that he turned down initial mixes that he felt did not live up to the collective vision for the compilation.

    Industry analysts point to this kind of commitment to quality as a breath of fresh air in an era where many dancehall artists prioritize releasing quick content to stay relevant on social media. Fans have taken to streaming platforms and social media to celebrate Chippy G’s work, with the track amassing hundreds of thousands of streams in its first week of release alone. Many listeners have highlighted the thoughtful lyricism and dynamic delivery that came from the artist’s iterative creative process, noting that it adds a unique layer of depth to the overall Sugar Mill Riddim project.

    This recognition marks a key milestone in Chippy G’s growing career, as he continues to build a reputation as an artist who prioritizes craft over quick visibility. Early indicators suggest the track will continue to climb regional and international dancehall charts in the coming weeks, solidifying both the artist’s status and the success of the Sugar Mill Riddim compilation as a whole.

  • Leisure : Did you know ? #25

    Leisure : Did you know ? #25

    In the 25th installment of HaitiLibre’s popular ‘Did You Know?’ leisure series, published May 20, 2026, readers are invited to explore the little-known history and unique culinary character of sumac, a versatile ancient spice with deep roots in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food traditions.

    Sumac is harvested from the berries of wild shrubs that thrive in the rugged rocky terrain spanning the Mediterranean basin and the Middle East. What sets this spice apart from common acidic seasonings is its bright, lemony-forward profile paired with a subtle astringent bite, which adds fresh, tangy depth to dishes without requiring liquid additives like vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice. It has long been a staple in the national cuisines of Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey, and serves as a core component of the iconic Za’atar spice blend—an aromatic mix that also includes dried thyme, toasted sesame seeds, and salt.

    The historical reach of sumac stretches back far earlier than many modern home cooks realize. Long before lemons were introduced to European markets, ancient Romans already relied on sumac for both its medicinal benefits and culinary versatility. This long legacy offers a powerful reminder: regional biodiversity shaped unique culinary identities centuries before the globalization of food ingredients homogenized modern diets. In highlighting sumac’s story, the feature also issues a quiet call to action: to honor distinct regional terroirs, and recognize that every corner of the world holds one-of-a-kind natural treasures that deserve protection from conflict and the gradual erasure of ancient cultural traditions.

    This fun, educational fact comes straight from the HaitiLibre Quiz platform, an interactive general knowledge hub designed to challenge and engage learners across a wide range of topics. The platform caters to casual knowledge seekers and trivia enthusiasts alike, covering everything from Haitian current affairs and culture to global general knowledge. For users ready to test their expertise, the platform’s expert menu, hosted at https://quiz.haitilibre.com/en, offers a diverse array of specialized, challenging themes.

    Currently, the platform hosts 119 unique interactive quiz games, with new content added on a monthly basis. As part of the May 2026 monthly update, 30 brand-new quizzes were added to the library on May 4, expanding the platform’s offerings for all audiences. All HaitiLibre Quiz games are exclusive, completely free to access, and require no account registration to play. They are designed to be accessible to all age groups and knowledge levels, with three difficulty tiers—easy, intermediate, and hard—available for every quiz, and full support for both French and English languages.

    Readers are invited to visit the quiz hub at https://quiz.haitilibre.com/en to explore the full collection of content, test their own general knowledge, share the platform with family and friends, and send feedback to the HaitiLibre team to help improve future updates. This ‘Did You Know?’ entry is pulled from the platform’s International Cuisine 2.1 themed quiz, and previous installments of the series dating back to the 21st entry are also archived on the HaitiLibre website for interested readers to explore.

  • Lezen & Lunchen: Waarom Toen de Val van Iraida Ooft je aan tafel krijgt

    Lezen & Lunchen: Waarom Toen de Val van Iraida Ooft je aan tafel krijgt

    There are two types of books one encounters in a lifetime: those you finish reading and set aside on a shelf never to revisit, and those that beg to be pulled out, set next to a plate and a glass on a shared table, and discussed at length by a group of people. During a recent lunch at a small Amsterdam café with close friend Guus Pengel and my father Carlo Jadnanansing, two men who do not just read literature, but live it, I discovered that Iraida Ooft’s *Toen de Val* falls firmly into the second, more memorable category. Around our table, it became immediately clear that this work is far more than a work of fiction: it is a full, immersive experience that demands conversation, reflection, and collective recognition.

    The story opens with loss, no slow buildup, no gentle foreshadowing – it hits readers abruptly, anchored to the 1989 Surinam Airways Flight PY764 crash that casts a long, quiet shadow over every character and their choices. For our small group, the novel pulled us sharply back to an era when distance was still a tangible thing, where breaking news did not ping into our pockets within seconds of a tragedy unfolding. As we set down our forks, we all found ourselves asking the same unplanned question: Where were you when the crash happened? That shared collective memory is what gives the novel its extraordinary power. The crash is not just a footnote in history; it is an emotional milestone for countless Surinamese people and Dutch residents of Surinamese descent, a moment everyone who lived through it still carries.

    What Ooft does exceptionally well is frame the crash as a metaphor for broader society itself. The downed plane becomes a microcosm of community, where grief, love, ancestral roots, and quiet hope collide and coexist. The author’s core insight is this: stories do not crash and burn alongside tragedy; instead, they take flight once loss is given space to be felt and acknowledged. *Toen de Val* lays bare how people find one another in the aftermath of disaster, showing how grief does not only break people apart – it can also bind them closer. As Pengel put it perfectly over our lunch that day: “This book shows that sorrow can bring people closer together.” That line lingered in our conversation long after we finished our meal.

    One of the novel’s strongest throughlines is the undercurrent of spirituality that runs through every chapter. The prophecies of the character Bisri, the quiet mysticism surrounding the jaguar, and the tonka tree that speaks Sranan Tongo lend the story an almost mythic weight, yet never once does this narrative choice feel forced or gimmicky. It feels as if this layered, spiritual world has always existed alongside the characters’ everyday lives. My father observed that worldly, material power pales in comparison to the strength of spiritual connection, and that theme resonates through every page of the novel. Indigenous spirituality is not reduced to a decorative folk trope here; it is portrayed as a living, breathing reality that guides the choices of the people at the heart of the story.

    The characters themselves stay with readers long after the final page, precisely because they are written as deeply, imperfectly human. Carlos chooses to build his life in Suriname, leaving his wife Tineke and their son behind in the Netherlands. Hanna and Theo drift apart as they process their shared grief, while Theo finds a deeper connection to himself through Hindu ritual. Marjorie navigates the challenge of raising her child in a world that does not always understand her identity or her experience. Even through all the pain they carry, each character keeps searching for meaning, connection, and peace. Their choices are often difficult and painful, but never shallow or unthinking. This leaves readers constantly aware of the quiet tension between individual desire and responsibility to family, culture, and homeland.

    At the same time, the novel paints an unflinchingly authentic portrait of 1980s Suriname: a time of widespread economic scarcity, hard-to-access foreign currency, and constant tension under military dictatorship. Ooft refuses to romanticize the country, presenting its struggles with unvarnished honesty. Yet there is still endless room for warmth and humor throughout. Surinamese culture has long held a tradition of spinning stories, or tori, that bring light even in the hardest times, and that warmth radiates through Ooft’s narrative. This careful balance between weight and lightness is what makes the story feel both credible and deeply moving.

    For me personally, the most moving element of the novel is its approach to death. Ooft does not frame death as a final ending, but as a transition to another form of existence. The spiritual world in this novel never feels frightening or menacing; instead, it is quiet, peaceful, and almost lyrical. The scenes where nature, spirits, and living people intersect are written with such vivid imagery that readers find themselves wanting to linger in that in-between space. The novel invites audiences to rethink their relationship to loss: it is not just a goodbye, but a form of continued existence in memory, nature, and spiritual connection.

    In the end, the 1989 plane crash becomes far more than a single historical event. It becomes a metaphor for society itself: different stories collide, fall apart, and ultimately coalesce into something new. The iconic instruction “PY 764 prepare for landing” remains heart-wrenching for readers, who know all too well what awaits the plane and its passengers. But the novel makes clear that knowing what happened is not the same as understanding its legacy. Sometimes, a fall can open the door to an entirely new way of seeing the world.

    That is what makes *Toen de Val* a book you do not just finish and pass along to a friend. It is a book you bring to the lunch table, to shared memories, to conversations about history, identity, and spirituality. It makes grief tangible for readers, and shows how storytelling can bind people across generations and experiences. That is precisely why this book belongs at the center of a shared meal: it was made to be shared.

  • Belize’s Young Creatives Are Having Their Moment This Week

    Belize’s Young Creatives Are Having Their Moment This Week

    A new wave of young creative energy is sweeping across Belize this week, as the country’s annual Primary School Festival of Arts kicked off on Monday at Belize City’s iconic Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts. The week-long celebration of youth creativity opened with a packed showcase of talent from the Belize District, featuring a continuous line-up of dynamic live performances alongside the official launch of a national student visual arts exhibition.

    The exhibition draws together 50 original artworks created by students from every corner of the country, giving young visual artists a rare national platform to share their work with audiences from across the nation. Kim Vasquez, director of Belize’s Institute of Creative Arts, emphasized that the event was built from the ground up to center inclusivity across every artistic practice. “We want to have broad participation in the performing arts, but it is just as critical that we elevate the work of young visual artists alongside their peers,” Vasquez explained.

    Monday also marked a key milestone for the festival’s literary arts segment, with the launch of a new student literary publication. This release is only the second literary collection published since the discipline was brought back to the festival last year, after being absent from the event for nearly three decades. The collection showcases original short stories and poetry written by student writers across Belize, and will be available for free digital download via the 501 Academy platform to expand access to the work.

    While daily live performances will continue at the Bliss Centre throughout this week, parallel showcase events are also being held in the popular coastal communities of San Pedro and Caye Caulker to make the festival accessible to young creators and audiences outside of Belize City. For community members who cannot attend daytime events, festival organizers have planned a special series of highlight events that will kick off early next week.

    Organizers are bringing back the fan-favorite Golden Nights series this year, a set of evening showcase events that feature only the top-rated gold-award winning works from across the festival. “The best of the best will take the stage for a Golden Night in your own city or town, so there is something for everyone to look forward to,” Vasquez shared. The first Golden Nights events are scheduled to launch as early as next week, wrapping up the week-long festival with a celebration of the country’s most outstanding young creative talent.

  • Grenada wins Gold at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026

    Grenada wins Gold at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026

    The Caribbean island nation of Grenada has added another prestigious accolade to its growing collection at the world’s most celebrated horticultural event, claiming a coveted gold medal at the 2026 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show in London. This win marks the country’s 19th gold medal at the iconic competition, and its ninth consecutive gold, solidifying its standing as one of the most consistent and respected international exhibitors from the Caribbean.

    Grenada’s 2026 exhibit, titled *Isle of Spice — A Display of Tropical Flowers, Foliage and Spices*, was hosted inside the event’s legendary Great Pavilion, where it brought the vibrant ecological and cultural identity of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique to a global audience. The immersive showcase highlighted the archipelago’s extraordinary biodiversity, featuring a lush array of native tropical species including orchids, heliconias, ginger lilies and anthuriums, alongside iconic Grenadian agricultural products such as cocoa and nutmeg — staples that have long earned the nation its nickname as the Spice Isle of the Caribbean. The display wove together natural beauty, agricultural heritage and cultural storytelling, drawing praise from horticultural experts, visiting dignitaries, international media and thousands of attendees.

    Established in 1913, the annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show is universally recognized as the pinnacle of global horticultural excellence. Each year, the event draws roughly 150,000 visitors, including members of the British Royal Family, award-winning international designers, leading commercial growers and global media outlets, making it a unparalleled platform for countries to showcase their unique natural and cultural assets.

    Dame Cécile La Grenade, Governor-General of Grenada, was in attendance to join the Grenadian team in celebrating the latest milestone. Speaking on behalf of the government and people of Grenada, she expressed immense pride in the team’s achievement: “This remarkable achievement is a testament to the dedication of our designers, horticulturists, and all those who have worked tirelessly to showcase the natural beauty and rich floral heritage of our nation. Your continued success not only brings immense pride to Grenada but also serves as an inspiration to our people and highlights the tremendous potential of our floriculture and tourism sectors.”

    Racher Croney, Grenada’s High Commissioner, emphasized that the nation’s consistent success at Chelsea reflects core national traits: creativity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence. “This achievement is not only a celebration of horticulture, but also a celebration of Grenadian identity, culture, and national pride. We are honoured to once again showcase the beauty and spirit of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique on the international stage and commend the team for doing so with distinction and grace,” Croney said.

    Cathy John, leader of Grenada’s Chelsea Flower Show team, echoed these remarks, noting that the gold medal belongs to the entire Grenadian people. “By showcasing the beauty and traditions of our 6 parishes, we wanted visitors to feel the heartbeat of our island. Pure Grenada is more than a garden — it is our heritage in full bloom,” John explained.

    Following the gold medal announcement, the Grenada High Commission partnered with the Grenada Tourism Authority to host a special celebratory reception, *Tropical Bloom*, at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London. The event, held under the patronage of Dame Cécile La Grenade, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including members of the international diplomatic corps, tourism industry leaders, business executives, members of the Grenadian diaspora, international media representatives, and supporters of Grenada’s horticultural and cultural sectors.

    The primary purpose of the reception was to officially launch the first Grenada Flower and Garden Festival, scheduled to take place from 8 to 15 November this year. Randall Dolland, Chairman of the Grenada Tourism Authority, used the launch to frame the festival as a natural extension of Grenada’s successful Chelsea participation. “Grenada’s participation at Chelsea continues to serve as an important platform for destination promotion, cultural diplomacy, tourism, and international engagement, which has led to our very own flower festival in Grenada,” Dolland said. “We will take this opportunity to demonstrate that our riches extend beyond our spices, beautiful beaches, and waterfalls. Our tropical blooms deserve a prominent place in the global horticultural hierarchy, and Grenada in Bloom intends to take that message globally.”

    Reception guests experienced an evening of authentic Grenadian hospitality, featuring local cuisine, live traditional music, floral art displays, and tributes to the Grenada Chelsea team and all supporting stakeholders that made the award-winning exhibit possible.

    This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show centered core themes of sustainability, biodiversity, climate resilience, and eco-friendly gardening practices — priorities that align directly with Grenada’s own national environmental goals and development objectives. The new Grenada Flower and Garden Festival forms part of the nation’s broader strategy to position itself as a regional leader in sustainable tourism, environmental stewardship, horticultural innovation and cultural diplomacy, while elevating botanical tourism and nature-based experiences as key growth areas for the country’s tourism sector.

    Grenada’s ongoing participation and string of successes at the Chelsea Flower Show underscore the nation’s longstanding commitment to excellence, sustainable development and cultural promotion, while further strengthening its reputation as one of the Caribbean’s premier global tourism destinations.

  • Arribazon turns pain into purpose with I’ll Rise Up

    Arribazon turns pain into purpose with I’ll Rise Up

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — For fast-rising Jamaican entertainer Arribazon, who has built a massive global fanbase through his viral “Musical A.I” persona on TikTok, creativity has long been intertwined with life experience. Now, he is turning one of the darkest chapters of his personal journey into a force for collective encouragement with his deeply moving new inspirational single, *I’ll Rise Up*.

  • Jamaican actress Kenturah Hamilton stars in drama series ‘Through Thick & Sin’

    Jamaican actress Kenturah Hamilton stars in drama series ‘Through Thick & Sin’

    For Jamaican creative Keturah Hamilton, years of hard work in the entertainment industry are culminating in a deeply personal new project: the upcoming vertical drama series *Through Thick & Sin*, which she created, co-wrote, and stars in. Production on the series kicked off this past April, with a 2026 premiere date locked in for the hotly anticipated project.

    The series centers on a tight-knit trio of childhood friends whose entertainment careers have ground to a frustrating standstill: one works as a model, another as a singer, and the third as an actress. Fed up with stagnation and hungry to build the lives they believe they deserve, the three women hatch an unconventional plan: they launch a custom website designed to connect with lonely, connection-seeking men craving attention and an escape from their daily struggles. Joining Hamilton in the main cast are Thomasina Gross, who takes on the role of Wendy, and Tara Joshi, who portrays the third member of the friend group, Tiffany. Hamilton herself leads the cast as Naomi, the series’ resilient core, and says the role allows her to showcase her Jamaican heritage in a refreshingly authentic way that has rarely been seen on screen.

    Helming the director’s chair is Patricia Cuffie-Jones, an accomplished television writer and director who has already earned an Emmy nomination for her work in the industry. Cuffie-Jones brings extensive experience to the project, having previously directed well-received television movies including *His, Hers & Ours* starring noted actor Taye Diggs and the holiday feature *Brewster’s Millions: Christmas*. She also joins Hamilton and writer Stevie Sandoval as a co-writer on the series, sharing writing credits with the pair for the show’s story and scripts.

    A native of Spanish Town, Jamaica, Hamilton migrated to the United States as a teenager and cut her teeth in the entertainment industry working as a professional model before pivoting to on-screen acting. She has built up a steadily impressive resume of on-screen credits in the years since her move, including guest roles on NBC’s hit medical drama *New Amsterdam*, a supporting turn in the political thriller *Gaslit* opposite Sean Penn, and a role in the feature film *Nanny*, where she shared the screen with entertainment icons Phylicia Rashad, best known for *The Cosby Show*, and Leslie Uggams, who originated the iconic role of Kizzy in the original *Roots* miniseries.

    For Hamilton, taking on three distinct roles on the project — creator, writer, and lead actress — has been an unparalleled creative opportunity that allowed her to shape every layer of the story from its initial concept to its on-screen execution. “I was fortunate to land the role not only as an actress, but also as the creator and one of the writers of the project alongside Patricia Cuffie-Jones and Stevie Sandoval,” she explained in an interview with Jamaica Observer Online. “Bringing this story to life from the ground up has been an incredible experience.”

    The series is produced by Phillmonaco Productions, a Los Angeles-based independent production company that backed Hamilton’s creative vision for the project. As of the latest announcements, distribution details for the series are still being finalized and will be shared with the public at a later date, leaving entertainment audiences waiting eagerly for more updates on the unique new drama.

  • Miss Universe Jamaica Westmoreland to be crowned Saturday night

    Miss Universe Jamaica Westmoreland to be crowned Saturday night

    SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — One of 16 talented, charismatic contestants will walk away with the title of Miss Universe Jamaica Westmoreland 2026 when the annual coronation showcase takes place this Saturday, May 23, at the iconic Hotel Commingle in the heart of Savanna-la-Mar. The road to the parish crown kicked off back on March 18, when each competing candidate received their official sash during a public ceremony attended by event sponsors and a crowd of enthusiastic supporters.

    In the weeks leading up to the final night, the 16 hopefuls have stepped into the public eye for a series of official engagements, including a formal courtesy visit to Danree Delancy, Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar and Parish Councillor, to connect with local leadership ahead of the main event.

    The highly anticipated coronation evening will follow a structured, engaging format designed to highlight each contestant’s unique personality and strengths. The show will open with all 16 candidates modeling coordinated looks crafted exclusively for the event by Jamaican designer Kadian Nicely. After the opening procession, contestants will take the stage individually for two judged segments: swimwear and evening gown.

    Beyond the overall crowning, the event will recognize standout contestants with a range of sectional awards, honoring traits from personality to presence. Award categories include Most Congenial, Best Altruism Presentation, Most Photogenic, Best in Swimwear, Best in Evening Gown, Best Social Media Personality, and Essence of Style.

    Following the preliminary judged segments, event organizers will narrow the field first to a top 10 finalists, then cut to a top five. The remaining five contestants will advance to a live interview round, after judges will rank the top three placements ahead of the final reveal of the new Miss Universe Jamaica Westmoreland 2026.

    Pageant director Hannah Sheree shared her excitement for the upcoming showcase, emphasizing the hard work all contestants have put into their preparation. “The ladies have worked incredibly hard over the past two months, and they are fully prepared to deliver an electrifying, unforgettable performance,” Sheree said. “This promises to be such a spectacular night that no one in the area will want to miss it.”

    Sheree extended an open invitation to local communities and pageant fans across the country to attend the event and support the candidates, who she described as “brains and beauties” representing the best of Westmoreland parish. “Come out and support our ‘brains and beauties’ representing the parish of Westmoreland in what has become one of the most anticipated local cultural events of the year,” she added.

    For the winner, the coronation will mark just the first step in a year of opportunities: the newly crowned Miss Universe Jamaica Westmoreland 2026 will earn an automatic spot to compete at the national Miss Universe Jamaica 2026 pageant, scheduled to take place this coming August.