Today’s the day and we’re naturally rooting for our queen. SO caught up with her 48 hours before the grand finale.

Style Observer (SO): What are your feelings/emotions at this point?

Kaci Fennell (KF): I’m feeling good. I’m definitely anxious and nervous but I guess that’s normal, right?

SO: How are you preparing yourself for the crown?

KF: Well ‘prepared’ is a much better word as judgement day is in two days, so there’s very little I can do at this point but enjoy the experience and leave my best up there on Sunday night.

SO: Can you describe to us your daily regimen right now?

KF: For this past week it’s changed a little bit and varies from day to day, but in general I’m up by 6:00 am and I’m going through my social media with my team and checking in with my family and friends. Then I grab some breakfast after my little face beat beauty session in my hotel room. Days like today we’ve been in rehearsals mostly. By evening time I get a little rest and then dinner. I try to keep hydrated throughout the day and rest my eyes and feet in the night (lol).

SO: What is your daily motivation?

KF: The near three million people who share my nationality and are out there rooting for me. My family, friends, my team and of course the little girl inside me that first dreamed of becoming a beauty queen.

SO: What’s in Kaci’s head at this time?

KF: You sure you want to come in? Lol! I’m cool, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be and I believe that 100%. I just keep telling myself to keep going even after Sunday; win, lose or draw, keep going. The world is my oyster!

SO: What were your feelings when you first stepped on the stage during the preliminaries?

KF: It was bright as day! (laughter) No, but seriously, it being filmed and all was a little stressful but the moment I got a glimpse of the crowd I felt at home; the support was amazing. I just took one step at a time and tried to live in the moment and not stumble.

SO: Which of the delegates have you connected well with?

KF: Oh there are so many, but Ismini (Miss Greece) is my ‘likkle fren’ and I also enjoy the company of all my Caribbean Queens as well.

SO: What do you think your chances are today?

KF: Who knows? I don’t. I’m a contestant and not a judge. Of course, you do your research and you psych yourself out to think that you know what they’re looking for, but at the end of the day you can only have hope and faith. What I can safely say is that I’ve never felt so confident about myself as a woman and as a Jamaican so my prospects will always good, in and outside of Miss Universe.

SO: Tell us about the gown. Were you involved in the process?

KF: I was involved enough. My pageant managers are veterans in the fashion-pageant industry so I just trusted their direction. I just wanted to make sure I was comfortable and the dress was youthful and sophisticated and I was very vocal about that.

KF: Your national costume created quite a stir as many people thought that it didn’t represent the Jamaican culture. What are your thoughts?

SO: My costume was designed by Dermoth Williams Designs and is intended to be a visual representation of all the people who ever inhabited Jamaica. We didn’t make the top five in that area but the piece was stunning and I look forward to shooting it in Jamaica.

SO: How do you feel about the support you’ve received this far?

KF: Never in a million years! The persons on my team predicted it but I still wasn’t sure, nor did I focus too much on whether or not it would come. I am very humbled by the support and I hope I will be able to use this to my advantage to effect change with my charity and other projects with this platform.

SO: What’s the nicest gesture you have received since being in Doral?

KF: The overall hospitality has been amazing in Doral, truly of an other-worldly standard. Then there is everyone who comes up to me with their kind words and different versions of patois ‘hailings’. I find it very humorous of course, but it has really lightened the mood of this whole wild experience.

SO: One word to describe the pageant and why?

KF: Hollywood! Finding one word is hard but, yes, it’s just like in the movies. Granted there are a few misconceptions or maybe I’ve just had a different experience. But the cattiness is an actual thing that you have to deal with, but among all that there are thankfully selfless and kind women here as well, which is very comforting.

SO: Where do you get your sense of style?

KF: The 40-year-old me! LOL. I want to look back at my twenties and be proud and inspired by my younger self, to be inspired that I maintained a level of sophistication and youthfulness. Then of course I pull inspiration from iconic women of the past and the modern styles around me. I think by now I’ve zoned in on what I like and what works for me but I look forward to exploring more with beauty (hair and make-up) and different fashions.

SO: Your final words to the Jamaican people?

KF: Thank you, thank you, thank you. 28K+ people strong on social media! That’s crazy! Thank you for your daily support and kind words and for coming on this journey with me. It’s one crown up for grabs but should I win it’s all a unnuh own. I look forward to returning home and continuing to experience my culture and going out and seeing all of you across the length and breadth of the island.