Well-spoken, quietly confident and blessed with a disarming smile, 25-year-old Shakira Martin (daughter of founding Steel Pulse member Alphonso Martin — lead singer David Hines is her godfather) was crowned Miss Jamaica Universe last weekend. As Martin gears up to try and win the coveted title in Sao Paulo, Brazil in September, the former pre-school teacher catches up with us at Tracks & Records, next door to her sponsor, Fiction Nightclub, for convo and cocktails.

What are you sipping?

I usually enjoy a glass of water but I’m trying the berry hard lemonade, it’s a house drink here at Tracks and Records.

What’s in it?

Smirnoff vodka, Blue Curacao, lime juice, cherry syrup and soda water.

What was the first thought that went through your mind after you were named the new Miss Jamaica Universe?

After getting over the feeling of ‘I can’t move’, I thought ‘I’m going to Brazil. There was too, the delicious thought of — ‘I can wake up wake tomorrow and eat cheesecake.’

Why did you enter the competition?

Well, along with wanting to further my career in modelling and acting, I want to bring about an awareness of sickle cell anaemia since I have it. I would like to build a research clinic in Africa and encourage further research in Jamaica. I also want to be an active voice in encouraging people to get tested for sickle cell anaemia to know from early on if they have it.

Do you honestly believe there is real value for a woman to become a beauty queen?

I do. When I saw the impact a beauty queen could have, and that I could spread my message about sickle cell anaemia, I saw there was much that could be accomplished. I hope to bring home the Miss Universe crown from Brazil. I have an image of the crown on my screensaver and I’m focusing on bringing it back to Jamaica.

Socialite or homebody?

I like to enjoy the best of both worlds.. I enjoy going out and having a good time with my friends but I have my moments when I love to stay home and watch TV.

Flats or stilettos?

Flats because I always go for comfort first.

Jeans or LBD?

Definitely LBD, it’s much sexier to me. I find jeans a little restricting.

What’s your must-have accessory?

My cell phone since I always have to be able to communicate.

What’s in your handbag?

My cell phone; an all-in-one lip gloss, moisturiser and breath freshener; antibacterial hand gel; pen and paper pad; Winterfresh gum; Crystal Light natural pink lemonade; my wallet; and pictures of my cousin Kyristann and me.

What’s your style?

Well, before I won the pageant, it was very trendy, relaxed and comfortable. Now it’s going to be conservative and more solids. I’ve been working with Summer Jarrett, a brilliant 16-year-old fashion designer whose designs are very asymmetrical and colourful.

What perfume are you splashing?

Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue.

Who does your hair?

I do.

Who does your nails?

Avery’s Beauty Concepts.

When you’re not working, where’s the best place to find you?

In my room watching CNN or surfing the Internet.

What’s in your car stereo/on your iPod?

Every genre of music except for reggaeton. I love, love, love oldies, I grew up listening to them. Donny Hathaway, Luther Vandross, Blue Magic, and Michael Jackson.

What’s your idea of the perfect date?

I’m a movies and dinner kind of girl. So a good restaurant has to be in order…Burger King cannot work. Also, I’d have to have a say in the movie which wouldn’t be much of an issue since I like different genres.

What’s your idea of the perfect man?

He has to be family-oriented and have a great sense of humour. He would have to be able to adapt to any situation considering the life I live. He’d have to be an independent guy as well and someone who could still be my friend if things didn’t work out.

What projects are you working on now?

Previously I had modelling assignments going on… I was doing work with Matrix L’ Oreal and I was doing a hospitality and hotel management degree at Nova Southwestern University, but since entering the beauty pageant in March, everything took a backseat. My complete focus was on winning Miss Jamaica Universe and now my focus is on winning Miss Universe.

Who or what inspires you?

Progress. Seeing results inspires me and the only way you can make results happen is by taking action. My mother Andrea Hall is also a great source of inspiration as I have great admiration for the fact that she was a single parent who also looked after her own mother as well.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

This might sound really simple but the best advice I’ve received is ‘relax’. People have a tendency to be overly analytical and get stressed but the best thing you can do is sit back, relax and tackle the problem.

And where do you hope to be 10 years from now?

I’ll be 35. know it’s wishful thinking but I hope to be retired (laughs). I hope I’ll be accomplished, have my research clinic built and I hope to see Jamaica pushing forward, our dollar stabilised and us building better relationships with other countries.