Zahra Redwood (centre), Miss Jamaica Universe 2007, at the Grand Coronation Show, held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston, on Sunday March 25. She is flanked by parents Ivy and Clive. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

What was your family's reaction when you decided to enter?

I've always been looked on in my family as someone who makes responsible decisions, so it wasn't discussed much because 'Zahra is always doing one thing or another and she usually makes great choices, so we don't need to be focusing much on that right now'. But as the competition progressed I told them about it and the questions came and the guidance came, but there was no fear in the sense that 'are you sure this is what you want to do?' They embraced it as supportively as parents and not necessarily as a part of a cultural unit, because as parents they have always encouraged us to do what it is that we want to do rather than what it is that they want us to do.

What did your parents mean when they said 'they'll support you as long as the competition is clean'?

Like I said, my parents are very supportive of my decisions, but then we have to recall that offspring, as individuals, will make choices that conflict with values and morals and so that's all they meant by that. If they see me going down a road that is regarded as immoral they would want to guide me against going down that route. It was really a disclaimer.

Is there a perception by the Rastafarian community that beauty pageants aren't 'clean'?

I wouldn't say that, because in the Rastafarian culture we've all evolved past the whole aspect of modesty in females and females being role models in the household and in society and that same notion is upheld by the pageant. It's a similarity, really, between the two. What beauty pageants do is highlight females as role models and what we define as role models are people who embrace what is regarded as good. That kind of a notion is also upheld in the Rastafarian community.

Are you a traditional Rastafarian?

I'm Rastafarian, so I don't know if there is a traditional.

Meaning, do you do more than sport locks? Do you embrace the belief system?

For 25 years, I would say I am a traditional Rastafarian.

What sect are you a part of?

I'm not a part of a sect; I'm non-denominational. My parents ventured or explored that aspect when they were younger, before we were born. So based on what they thought they brought us up to be non-denominational. We socialise with all persons of the faith and pretty much worship at home for the most part and meet in prayer groups occasionally ... Worship to us is not a formal procedure. What it is is really observing what the creator has done for us and giving thanks every morning when we wake up.

Does the competition or winning infringe on any of the Rastafarian belief systems, including the exposure of the female flesh?

There are two points that I would like to make. Firstly is the importance of choice and individuality. In life we have to maintain who we term 'ourselves' and we make our individual choices. But the culture that we are a part of will have guidelines as to say what we choose without distorting what it is that we view of that culture. Secondly, beauty pageants deal with beauty - beauty of the mind, soul and body. For beauty of the body you will have to see someone dressed in a little less garment and that is the swimsuit. And so far that is the only permissible form that beauty queens really dress in that way, because we are encouraged to be modest. So the wearing of the bathing suit on-stage is not for sex appeal, but for the assessment of the body.

From what you have heard, what has the overall reaction been like from the community?

It's been very, very, very positive. My parents call me almost every day saying how an elder from the community of Goshen hadcalled them and saying that it's really a wonderful thing. What has been happening is that they are seeing it as a breaking of barriers and not as something that goes against tradition.

Do you think after this there will be an influx of Rastafarian females entering the competition?

It's really hard to answer that, because I wondered about that and I'm still wondering about it.

Is it something you would encourage?

You see, because this thing isn't about a culture or a religion, it is a beauty pageant showcasing certain attributes, as long as those persons have those attributes to move on in the contest then Mr. Cooper and Romae will have them in the contest. So it shouldn't be viewed as a religion or culture thing to determine who moves on. I don't want to be seen as Zahra and Zahra's hair - it's a complete package. While the hair is there and everything, it's really the attributes that assisted in me moving up in the competition.