Miss Universe Jamaica
 Gabrielle Henry, Miss Universe Jamaica 2025 | |
| Formation | 1961 |
|---|---|
| Type | Beauty pageant |
| Headquarters | Kingston |
| Location | |
| Members | |
Official language | English |
National Directors | Karl Williams and Mark McDermoth (Uzuri International / Atelier Dermoth Williams Limited) |
| Website | missuniversejamaica |
| Miss Universe Jamaica 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Current titleholder | Gabrielle Henry (2025) |
| Crowned | 9 August 2025, Kingston |
| Predecessor | Rachel Silvera (2024) |
| Successor | TBD (2026) |
| Affiliation | Miss Universe |
| Broadcaster | Television Jamaica (TVJ) |
| Title sponsor | Hyundai Jamaica |
| Highest placement | 1st Runner-Up – Yendi Phillipps (2010) |
Miss Universe Jamaica (formerly Miss Jamaica Universe) is a beauty pageant that selects the contestant to represent Jamaica at the Miss Universe competition.
History
[edit]Although Jamaica started competing at the Miss Universe Pageant in 1961, the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant officially started in 1982 and was organised by Ed Wallace to select the official representative. This was won by Nancy Martin who was slated to compete at the Miss Universe pageant, but was unable to do so. The contest was again held from 1986 to 1988, and in 1989 Pulse was asked to host the Jamaica preliminary to Miss Universe. They went on to post an outstanding record, producing 4 top 10 finalists (Sandra Foster, Kimberley Mais, Nicole Haughton and Christine Straw) at the international Pageant.[1] The pageant was then promoted by Invyte Promotions (2010–2011), hotelier Dimitris Kosvogiannis (2012).
2013–present
[edit]Uzuri International assumed the Miss Universe Jamaica franchise in 2013, acquiring the licence from Dimitris Kosvogiannis shortly before the March 2013 staging of the national competition.[2] Uzuri International was founded in 1998 by Karl Williams and Mark McDermoth, who had designed for the Miss Jamaica World and Miss Universe Jamaica pageants since its inception.[3] Prior to acquiring the franchise, the company had established an international profile: in 2008 Williams and McDermoth designed the opening number gowns for all 112 contestants at the Miss World pageant in Johannesburg.[4] The franchise is operated through Atelier Dermoth Williams Limited, the formal management company identified in 2026 reporting as the official Miss Universe brand administrator in Jamaica.[5]
The organization has sent several of Jamaica's most successful Miss Universe representatives, including Kaci Fennell (2014, 4th runner-up),[6] Davina Bennett (2017, 2nd runner-up),[6] Miqueal-Symone Williams (2020, Top 10),[7] and Jordanne Levy (2023, Top 20).[8]
Format
[edit]The pageant is broadcast nationally by Television Jamaica and has been title-sponsored by Hyundai Jamaica in recent editions. Contestants compete in swimwear, evening gown, and interview segments, with sectional awards including personality, media challenge, and altruism categories.
2026 changes
[edit]In March 2026, Atelier Dermoth Williams Limited announced a shift from a regional to a parish-level preliminary model for the 2026 edition.[5] Thirteen parish titleholders will qualify automatically for the national finals, scheduled for 23 August 2026 at AC Hotel Kingston, with additional places available through eliminations on 5 July 2026.[5] Parish directors were appointed for each competition area.
Notable titleholders
[edit]Yendi Phillipps (2010)
[edit]Yendi Phillipps was crowned Miss Universe Jamaica 2010 under Invyte Promotions and placed first runner-up at Miss Universe 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jamaica's highest international placement.[9]
Kaci Fennell (2014)
[edit]Kaci Fennell represented Jamaica at Miss Universe 2014 in Doral, Florida, placing fourth runner-up. Her natural hair presentation attracted significant international media coverage during the competition.[6]
Davina Bennett (2017)
[edit]Davina Bennett represented Jamaica at Miss Universe 2017 in Las Vegas, placing second runner-up, Jamaica's second-highest international finish.[6]
Gabrielle Henry (2025)
[edit]Dr. Gabrielle Henry was crowned Miss Universe Jamaica 2025 on 9 August 2025 at the AC Hotel Kingston. An ophthalmology resident at the University Hospital of the West Indies and founder of the See Me Foundation, she won four sectional awards alongside the overall title.[10]
Henry represented Jamaica at the 74th Miss Universe in Nonthaburi, Thailand. On 19 November 2025, during the preliminary evening gown round at the Impact Challenger Hall, she fell through an unguarded opening in the stage floor and was hospitalised in intensive care in Bangkok.[11] On 8 December 2025, the Miss Universe Organization and the Henry family issued a joint statement confirming she had sustained an intracranial haemorrhage, a fracture, a collapsed lung, and facial lacerations, and that the Organization had assumed full and immediate responsibility for the incident.[12] The statement confirmed the Organization had never attributed blame to Henry.[12] She was repatriated to Jamaica in December 2025 under medical escort and remained under outpatient supervision as of March 2026, unable to return to her residency.[13]
Titleholders
[edit]- : Declared as Winner
- : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- : Ended as special awards winner
- The Miss Universe Jamaica organization is responsible for sending representatives to Miss Universe. On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a runner-up is sent.
| Year | Parish | Miss Universe Jamaica | Placement at Miss Universe | Special Award(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Kingston | Gabrielle Henry[14] | Withdrew (injury) | Fell through unmarked stage opening during preliminaries, 19 November 2025; hospitalised in Bangkok ICU. Miss Universe Organization assumed full responsibility.[15] | |
| 2024 | Saint Mary | Rachel Silvera | Unplaced | ||
| 2023 | Kingston | Jordanne Levy[16][17] | Top 20 | ||
| 2022 | Saint Thomas | Toshami Calvin[18] | Unplaced | ||
| 2021 | Saint Elizabeth | Daena Soares | Unplaced | ||
| 2020 | Saint Andrew | Miqueal-Symone Williams | Top 10 | ||
| 2019 | Saint James | Iana Tickle Garcia | Unplaced | ||
| 2018 | Kingston | Emily Maddison | Top 20 | ||
| 2017 | Clarendon | Davina Bennett | 2nd Runner-up | ||
| 2016 | Saint James | Isabel Dalley | Unplaced | ||
| 2015 | Kingston | Sharlene Rädlein | Unplaced | ||
| 2014 | Kingston | Kaci Fennell | 4th Runner-up | ||
| 2013 | Kingston | Kerrie Baylis[19] | Unplaced | Karl Williams & Mark McDermoth (Uzuri International) directorship. | |
| 2012 | Portland | Chantal Zaky[20] | Unplaced | Dimitris Kosvogiannis directorship. | |
| Miss Jamaica Universe | |||||
| 2011 | Kingston[21] | Shakira Martin † | Unplaced | ||
| 2010 | Kingston | Yendi Phillipps[22] | 1st Runner-up | Invyte Promotions directorship. | |
| Miss Jamaica Universe | |||||
| 2009 | Saint James | Carolyn Yapp[23] | Unplaced | ||
| 2008 | Kingston | April Jackson[24] | Unplaced | ||
| 2007 | Kingston | Zahra Redwood[25] | Unplaced | ||
| 2006 | Kingston | Cindy Wright[26] | Unplaced | ||
| 2005 | Kingston | Raquel Wright[27] | Unplaced | ||
| 2004 | Kingston | Christine Straw[28][29] | Top 10 | ||
| 2003 | Saint James | Michelle Lecky[30] | Unplaced | ||
| 2002 | Kingston | Sanya Hughes | Unplaced | ||
| 2001 | Kingston | Zahra Burton | Unplaced | ||
| 2000 | Clarendon | Saphire Longmore | Unplaced | ||
| 1999 | Kingston | Nicole Haughton | Top 10 | ||
| 1998 | Kingston | Shani McGraham | Unplaced | ||
| 1997 | Saint Catherine | Nadine Thomas | Unplaced | ||
| 1996 | Kingston | Trudi-Ann Ferguson | Unplaced | ||
| 1995 | Kingston | Justine Willoughby | Unplaced | ||
| 1994 | Saint James | Angelie Martin | Unplaced | ||
| 1993 | Kingston | Rachel Stuart | Unplaced | ||
| 1992 | Kingston | Bridgette Rhoden | Unplaced | ||
| 1991 | Kingston | Kimberley Mais | Top 6 (4th Place) | ||
| 1990 | Kingston | Michele Hall | Unplaced | ||
| Miss Jamaica Universe | |||||
| 1989 | Kingston | Sandra Foster | Top 10 | Kingsley Cooper (Pulse Org.) directorship. | |
| 1988 | Kingston | Leota Suah | Unplaced | ||
| 1987 | Kingston | Janice Sewell | Unplaced | ||
| 1986 | Kingston | Liliana Cisneros | Unplaced | Ronald Waite (Monocot Television Network) | |
| Did not compete between 1983 and 1985 | |||||
| 1982 | Kingston | Nancy Martin | Did not compete | Miss Jamaica Universe org. – Ed Wallace directorship. | |
| Miss Jamaica | |||||
| Did not compete between 1977 and 1981 | |||||
| 1976 | Kingston | Angela Ruddock | Did not compete | ||
| 1975 | Kingston | Gillian Louise Annette King | Unplaced | ||
| 1974 | Kingston | Lennox Anne Black | Unplaced | ||
| 1973 | Saint James | Rita Faye Chambers | Unplaced | ||
| 1972 | Kingston | Grace Marilyn Wright | Unplaced | ||
| 1971 | Clarendon | Suzette Marilyn Wright | Unplaced | ||
| 1970 | Kingston | Sheila Lorna Neil | Unplaced | ||
| 1969 | Kingston | Carol Gerrow | Unplaced | ||
| 1968 | Kingston | Marjorie Bromfield | Unplaced | ||
| 1967 | Kingston | Elham Warwar | Did not compete | During rehearsals, Miss Jamaica, Elham Warwar was informed she had to leave the pageant because neither she nor her national sponsor had shown proof she had won a national competition, which was in the pageant rules. | |
| 1966 | Kingston | Beverly Savory | Unplaced | ||
| 1965 | Kingston | Virginia Hope Redpath | Unplaced | ||
| 1964 | Kingston | Beverly Elaine Rerrie | Unplaced | ||
| 1963 | Kingston | June Maxime Bowman | Unplaced | ||
| 1962 | Kingston | Marlene Murray | Did not compete | The First Miss Jamaica 1962 in the year that Jamaica got its Independence, she was not a Jamaica Festival Queen but the first Miss Jamaica Independence Queen. | |
| 1961 | Kingston | Marguerite LeWars | Unplaced | Miss Jamaica org. – Ken Rhino directorship. | |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Pulse". Caribbean Fashion Week. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
- ^ "Miss Universe Jamaica franchise changes hands". Jamaica Observer. 10 August 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ^ "Uzuri International going global". Jamaica Gleaner. 4 January 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ^ "Uzuri outfits 112 Miss World 2008 beauties". Jamaica Gleaner. 7 December 2008. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ^ a b c Kevin Jackson (4 March 2026). "New format for Miss Universe Jamaica, organisers opting for parish competitions". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d "Miss Jamaica wins spot at Miss Universe 2017". Caribbean Life. 28 November 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ^ "Top 10 exit for Miqueal-Symone Williams". Jamaica Gleaner. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ^ "Jamaica's Jordanne Levy makes Top 20 at Miss Universe finals". Jamaica Observer. 19 November 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ^ "Phillipps modelled for much of her life". Jamaica Gleaner. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ^ "Ophthalmologist Dr Gabrielle Henry named Miss Universe Jamaica 2025". Jamaica Gleaner. 10 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
- ^ "Miss Jamaica Universe withdraws from pageant after suffering head injury in fall". Jamaica Observer. 21 November 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Joint Statement from the Miss Universe Organization and the Family of Dr. Gabrielle Henry" (Press release). Miss Universe Organization. 8 December 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
- ^ "Miss Universe Jamaica Gabrielle Henry released from hospital four months after stage fall". Caribbean National Weekly. 21 March 2026. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ^ "Ophthalmologist Dr Gabrielle Henry named Miss Universe Jamaica 2025". Jamaica Gleaner. 10 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ "Joint Statement from the Miss Universe Organization and the Family of Dr. Gabrielle Henry" (Press release). Miss Universe Organization. 8 December 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
- ^ @officialmissuniversejamaica; (21 August 2023). "Congratulations to our incredible winner of the Hyundai Miss Universe Jamaica 2023 competition, Dr @jordannelauren !". Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Jordanne Levy Crowned Miss Universe Jamaica 2023". Jamaica Observer. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ "Toshami Calvin is Miss Universe Jamaica 2022". The Gleaner. 4 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
- ^ Miss Universe 2013 Candidate
- ^ Chantal Zaky is Miss Jamaica Universe 2012
- ^ Huriash, Lisa J. (4 August 2016). "Shakira Martin, 2011 Miss Jamaica Universe, Dies at 30". Sun Sentinel.
- ^ "IN HER SKIN: Yendi Phillipps". Jamaica Observer. 29 November 2015.
- ^ New Miss Jamaica Universe Archived 22 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Barbara Ellington (28 April 2008). "Ready for the experience – April Jackson, Miss Jamaica Universe 2008". Jamaica Gleaner. Archived from the original on 5 June 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
- ^ Kavelle Anglin-Christie (27 April 2007). "Rastafarian wins Miss Ja Universe title". Jamaica Gleaner. Archived from the original on 20 June 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
- ^ Alicia Roache (28 March 2006). "Cindy Wright is Miss Jamaica Universe 2006". Jamaica Gleaner. Archived from the original on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
- ^ Kevin Jackson (19 April 2005). "Raquel Wright triumphs at Miss Jamaica Universe 2005". The Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 27 April 2006. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
- ^ "MISS AUSTRALIA, CROWNED MISS UNIVERSE 2004" (Press release). Miss Universe. 1 June 2004. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
- ^ "Miss Jamaica Universe featured on website". Jamaica Gleaner. 21 May 2004. Archived from the original on 19 September 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
- ^ "Michelle Lecky takes 'Miss Universe' crown". Jamaica Gleaner. 7 April 2003. Archived from the original on 20 August 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2011.