Kavelle Anglin-Christie, Staff Reporter
Zahra Redwood, Miss Jamaica Universe 2007, struts confidently in bikini on coronation night. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am not your expectations no no
I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am a soul that lives within
India Arie, I Am Not My Hair
If ever there were a song to describe Miss Jamaica Universe 2007 Zahra Redwood, India Arie's I Am Not My Hair would be a perfect fit.
Since winning, Zahra's name is often followed with the epithet 'the first Rastafarian to win the competition', but Zahra said there is more to her than this. "I don't want to be seen as Zahra and Zahra's hair; it's a complete package," she later said.
The Sunday Gleaner recently sat down for a chat with Zahra, 25, to explore the different shades of this soul sister - the 'complete package' as she said.
Sunday Gleaner: Where did you grow up?
Zahra Redwood: I grew up in August Town, but I haven't been there in the past seven or eight years. Back then it was serene and nothing like today.
What is your family life like?
Really easy going, but the principles are really important to them as well. Principles and values have always been at the forefront of my family and disciplinary action usually came from my father. Though he is seen as the head of the family, they always emphasised that they were a unit, so we couldn't get a 'no' from one and a 'yes' from the other.
Why did you decide to enter the competition?
About a year ago I shifted career goals from the science field, more to psychology. I finally determined my lifetime goals. Because I was involved in the sciences that really enhanced my analytical abilities, but then came the yearning for finding ways to contribute to society and I began researching on the Internet for different careers that would offer satisfaction and I stumbled upon psychology ... I thought about society and the social advancement and how we can achieve that and then the pageant came along and it was right in line with those goals, which is 'what can you do for your country'?
When you entered, what did you think your chances were?
Well, when I entered I though my chances were pretty much equal to those of the other contestants ... When it came down to the 16 of us one of my friends called and asked me that same question and I answered 'one in 16'. We were being judged on so many aspects of ourselves, so you really didn't know what way the dice would roll.
When the top three positions were being announced, what was going through your mind?
All that was going through my head was this: 'They are not going to call my name for third place. Don't call my name for third place!' And then when it got to second place: 'Just don't call my name for second place!' But persons have this notion that first runner-up means first place and I heard one and two people saying 'Zahra!' so I was like, 'what you doing?' In my head I was like 'I am trying to focus on winning here'. Then when second place was called and it was like trying to prepare for that winning moment. I was just saying 'there is so much that I want to do with that crown and for Jamaica'. Then when my name was called, all I could think was, 'yes!'
What do you think you have brought to the competition?
I think I brought my personality. I do have a very charming personality and it contributed to me winning Miss Congeniality. But at the same time I bring my goal and vision for Jamaica ... The vision I have for myself, I've never heard that from anyone else. You will hear about HIV/AIDS, illiteracy, but empowering women, you wouldn't hear about those things... It will be hard, but I think with the right amount of support I will be able to implement some social work centres and also the rehabilitation programme and how they perform for ex-criminals and deportees so that they can function in society.
What do you think your chances will be in the international leg of the competition?
I want to be far more prepared, to the point where I can feel it. I don't know if you watched Miss Congeniality with Sandra Bullock, where the coach was like 'see the crown; be the crown' kinda thing. I want to prepare to that level. I am not yet looking at my chances for that, because it's hard to determine because I don't yet know enough about Mexico and I will have to look at where we placed in the past and how we got there.
Since winning the competition, what has been the strangest question that you've been asked?
Well, I think it was on (a radio programme) where they asked me what I thought about the controversy. I was baffled and I think my answer reflected that. I said to them that I wasn't aware of a controversy surrounding my crowning.
Are you in a relationship?
No, I'm just dating right now.
There are guys who are interested, so that's where it's at. I mean I only date one person at a time; I couldn't manage anything else. But right now it's just people showing interest."
Were any of them at the show?
(Laughing) No, my friend and I thought it would be best to just go the route of family and friends.
When people look at you, what do you want them to see?
Wow. I want them to see a mentor. I want them to see a female who is self-reliant; a lady who puts actions behind her dreams. When people look at me I want them to see someone who is sensible, someone who is a mentor for persons in general. Of course I want them to see me as fun-loving as well, because there is also that side of me. I love going to the beach - there is never a holiday that passes and I'm not there - and I love partying. I'm always the life of a party when I go.
