Singer and songwriter Tanya Stephens is the among the main attractions for the grand final of the Miss Universe Jamaica North East pageant, which is set for the lawns of Island Village in Ocho Rios next Saturday.

Stephens is expected to perform her string of hits which have made her a household name both locally and overseas. Her songs include It’s A Pity, These Streets, Yuh Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet and Boom Wuk.

Up-and-coming Ocho Rios-based dancehall artiste Furness will also be showcasing his talent.

The pageant’s franchise holder, Shelle Parchment is upbeat about the event, and she explained what’s in store for patrons.

“You can expect to see an amazing, Las Vegas-styled opening with the ladies and alongside a dance group that we recently assembled,” said Parchment.

She added: “The ladies are excited and prepared not just for Miss Universe Jamaica North East, but they are ready for the Miss Universe finals. We have two pageant coach trainers, Ernesto Castro and Diane Brown, who have been working with the ladies for the past three months.”

Castro designed 10 of the 12 gowns that the contestants will be wearing, which will all have a Las Vegas theme.

Now in its fifth year, the Miss Universe Jamaica North East pageant is a precursor to the Miss Universe Jamaica beauty pageant. The winner is an automatic finalist in Miss Universe Jamaica.

Last year’s Miss Universe Jamaica North East title holder, Jodiann Harpers, finished in fourth place in the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant.

The 12 finalists in the 2018 Miss Universe Jamaica North East pageant are:

Cicely Clarke, Miss Pineapple Court Hotel; Ashly Thomas, Miss Exquisite Wicker; Monique Lambie, Miss Journee Inc Technology; Monique Grant, Miss Fitness Centre; Britney McKenzie, Miss Dunns River Falls & Park; Chelsea Morris, Miss Dajeans Trading; Kayniel Wallace, Miss Ronet Printing; Italee Vinard, Miss Element Lounge; Lawnda Jackson, Miss Usain Bolt Tracks & Records Ocho Rios; Tori Chin-Yee, Miss SNM Creative Studio; Tiffany Shields, Miss Safe Haven Security Services; and Chelsea Ducasse, Miss Eat More Meats.