A new Miss Jamaica World will be chosen tonight inside the ballroom of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in St Andrew.

Twenty beauties have been preparing for the past six weeks with the hope of copping the title and being Jamaica’s representative to the Miss World pageant set for Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China on August 18.

Tonight’s show is being staged under the theme ‘We Celebrate 50’ and is also dedicated to the former queens who have done the country, the pageant and themselves proud over the years.

The event is also under the distinguished patronage of state minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, Damion Crawford.

Danielle Crosskill walked away with the crown and title last September and went on to represent Jamaica at Miss World which was held in London, England.

For her, handing over the crown is truly bittersweet, representing the end of her reign, as well the move towards bigger things.

“Over the past few days it has come home to me that this represents the closing of one chapter of my life and the opening of a new one. This will however not stop me from being passionate about my platform, which is working with children and supporting early childhood education,” she notes.

And her advice to the new queen? “Be proactive. Make use of the title and the reign. It is a great platform from which to launch great things so taken the initiative to do good,” Crosskill advises.

This year’s winner will have the added honour of being crowned during the celebration of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence.

The list of prizes for the new Miss Jamaica is headed by the trip to China. The Miss World wardrobe provided by local clothing and jewellery boutique Bling Bling and valued at more than $200,000 and a cash award courtesy of Supreme Ventures/Just Bet also to the tune of $200,000.

Emmy-winning television producer Angela Thame is back on board and will serve as the show’s producer, aided by choreographer Weston Haughton.

The show will be guided by Miss Jamaica World 2001 Regina Beavers and broadcaster Michael Anthony Cuffe Jr.

Songstress Alaine is booked to provide musical entertainment at tonight’s pageant.

Over the years, Jamaica has done well at Miss World, securing numerous Top 5 and Top 10 positions, and has won the title on three occasions Carol Joan Crawford — 1963, Cindy Breakespeare — 1976 and Lisa Hanna — 1993.