Kerrie Baylis is Ms Universe Ja
KERRIE Baylis is Miss Universe Jamaica 2013. The 24-year-old was crowned at the Jewel Dunn’s River Resort, St Ann, on Sunday.
Baylis, an investment banker — who previously held the Miss Jamaica World title in 2009 — emerged top from a field of 11 contestants. She won sectional prizes for Most Aware and Best in Swimwear.
She said she expects to represent Jamaica well in the Miss Universe competition scheduled for Moscow, Russia, on November 6.
“I am going to do us proud. I have to make this short time count,” she told the Jamaica Observer.
“I am confident. I think I have what it takes for us to do well,” she continued.
The newly crowned queen believes her experience as Miss Jamaica World will help her to do well in the Miss Universe competition.
Her prizes include a wardrobe courtesy of new Miss Universe Jamaica franchise holders Uzuri International valued at $1 million and $200,000 cash.
Chantel Davis was first runner-up, Salomie Campbell was second runner-up, Monique Brady placed fourth while Kashema Scarlett was fifth.
Acquiring the franchise in August after Dimitris Kosvogiannis threw in the towel, Uzuri International had only two weeks of preparation. They managed to put on a top-class pageant and meeting the deadline of crowning a queen before next month’s international competition.
“That does not give you enough time to do a large scale event,” Uzuri International’s Mark McDermott told the Jamaica Observer, explaining the competition only ran over two days.
Karl Williams, national director, said initially there were more than 11 contestants but that the number had to be cut.
He said experienced contestants were chosen given the time constraint.
He had high hopes for Baylis.
“I think she is a well-rounded young lady and I think she will do pretty well,” Williams said.
