Carolyn Johnson, Freelance Writer

Miss Jamaica World 2007, Yendi Phillipps, is sandwiched by Rosina Casserly (left) who finished first runner-up and Jody Shaw, second runner-up, shortly after being crowned at the Miss Jamaica World coronation show, held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, on Saturday.

It was hardly a competition on Saturday at the Miss Jamaica World (MJW) coronation show, at least as far as the audience was concerned. Judging from the shouts and screams that erupted the first time Yendi Phillipps' silver heels touched the stage, the winner had already been decided. So when Phillipps exchanged the sash Miss Perfectil for the title Miss Jamaica World 2007 with the characteristic crown, fate was sealed.

And with the petite 18-year-old Rosina Casserly by her right hand, as first princess, the audience at The Jamaica Pegasus would have had it no other way. On the left, was Jody Shaw, second princess, while Renae Ellis and Racquel Powell completed the top five.

But it was definitely Phillipps' night to shine. The wide-grinning, playful 21-year-old also won the public vote, Most Aware and three of the four mini-competitions which fast-tracked the winner to the top 10.

Phillipps won the Supreme Ventures MJW Sport Title, the talent competition for her feverish dance routine and the Ting MJW Beach Beauty title. The fourth competition, the SoftSheen-Carson model title, went to Ellis, and top Most Congenial, Simone Poot who placed among the top 10.

Beautifully planned show

The coronation show was as beautifully planned and executed as the 16 women sauntering gracefully against a backdrop of silver and white silk. More extravagant, however, were the designs from Uzuri International, accessorised by jewellery from Xtra's, which truly portrayed the theme Rhythm in Colour.

Emceed by Paula-Ann Porter-Jones and Adrian Atkinson, the show began with Dance Xpressionz and led to the introduction of the 16 ladies shaking maracas, among other things. There were inserts of the talent competition, with performances by the top three contestants, and other inserts of pre-competition activities as the audience learned almost as much about the girls as the judges. Between presentations and questions were Dance Xpressionz and cabaret singer DiMario McDowell. The question segments went well, with the top five ladies earning their positions at the top of the group.

Phillipps will represent Jamaica at the Miss World pageant in Sanya, China, on December 1. Sara Lawrence, Miss Jamaica World 2006, placed sixth and went on to win the title Miss World Caribbean Queen of Beauty at last year's competition in Poland.

Yendi Phillipps receives her crown from Miss Jamaica World 2005, Terri-Karelle Griffith. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer