Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
Miss Zimbabwe, Ropafadzai Garise (centre), is the inaugural Miss Global International. She is flanked by first runner-up Miss Jamaica, Amoy Moulton (left), and second runner-up Miss Dominica, Gizelle Valmond. The coronation show was held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Saturday, June 10.
MISS ZIMBABWE Ropafadzai Garise is the inaugural winner of the Miss Global International Beauty Pageant.
The coronation show was held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Saturday, June 10. Garise, who lives in England, triumphed over 18 other beauties. The trainee accountant, who has a splendid voice (she has a CD out), also won Most Talented. First runner-up went to Jamaica's Amoy Moulton with Dominica's Gizelle Valmond taking the second runner-up spot. Miss United Kingdom, Leeandra Anderson and Miss Puerto Rico Massiel Peralta made up the top five.
The hotel was like a United Nations conference with ladies from all parts of the globe representing their countries. Not all the contestants are residents of their countries but all are citizens which is the main criterion. The guests proved that Jamaica is a melting pot of cultures as some of the ladies had their own cheering sections with flags and placards bearing their favourites' names. Even a few members of the diplomatic corps came to support their fellow citizens.
The entire show was a dazzling array of colours from the start with the costume parade. Oohs and aahs emanated from an interactive audience who, after a later start than the advertised 8:00 p.m., quickly warmed to the vibrant beginning. To the tune of Jimmy Cliff's Wonderful World, Beautiful People, the ladies strutted on the catwalk in their costumes.
ENTHRALLED AUDIENCE
Left: Hanging out at the Miss Global International Coronation show are (from left) Indian High Commissioner Kailash Agrawal, Chilean Ambassador Alfonso Silva, Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda, Nigerian High Commissioner Modupe Akintola and Pageant Director Lachu Ramchandani. Right: Cedric McDonald (right) and wife Kamla in jovial conversation with Mr. Ramchandani. - PHOTOS BY COLIN HAMILTON/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
The gentlemen then did the hollering as the ladies modelled in swimwear. Only eight contestants performed talent pieces, as this was not compulsory. They all received good applause but Peralta singing Power Of Love and Anderson doing I Will Survive rocked the audience with their voices. The dresses in the evening wear section drew more oohs from a (by now) enthralled audience. Among the entertainment, Montego Bay-based singer A'lisa then had the applause going with her renditions including Beautiful, Simply The Best and Not Afraid To Try.
The top five went with the consensus of the crowd and apart from a few seemingly irate Dominica fans, the winner was unanimous. Among the many prizes for Garise were first-class tickets to London on Air Jamaica, cosmetics from Wanda Glo and a weekend for two at Rose Hall Resort and Country Club.
