For the last two years, sponsorship for the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant had been quite a challenge for the organisers. This year, their fortunes have changed.

“Getting main sponsors on board this year started out as a very labour-intensive process. We received a lot of promises, but the actual collection and delivery have been slow, which is understandable, despite the feeling all around that we are emerging from a pandemic. Most companies are still very cautious in how they invest and so we have to be constantly showcasing how we are delivering value for their investment dollar. However, now, we do have a full line-up of quality sponsors and we truly give thanks for their tremendous support,” Mark McDermoth, National Director of the Miss Universe Jamaica Organisation, told the Jamaica Observer on Sunday, shortly after the 20 finalists were sashed by their respective sponsors at the AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston in St Andrew.

“Thankfully, too, with the contestant sponsorship this year, most of the finalists brought their own sponsors on board, so that was a great assistance to the organisation, which has been struggling tremendously to secure sponsors in the past two years due to the pandemic,” McDermoth added.

Among the major partners on board for this year’s staging of the pageant are AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston (the official hotel), the Jamaica Observer (the official print partner), Jamaica Tourist Board, Island TV (official TV partner), Design Essentials (official hair care product partner), HEART School of Cosmetology (official cosmetology partner), Cacdemode (swimwear partner), Blue Mountain Bicycle Tours (adventure tour partner), Glam by O’Neil (official make-up artiste), Beauty Stop by Pageant Boss (make-up brand), Exotic Child, M10 Bar and Grill, Fit Farm Fitness Centre, Lasco Curves, Datum Construction, Gree Electrical Appliances, Excelsior, All Signs, Klean Skin & Spa, Altitude Lash Therapy, Yellow Zebu, Darrick Foster, and Daraegia Studios.

Dorian Dennis is the service manager at Toyota Jamaica Limited, whose company is a sash sponsor.

“My daughter was entering and so I made a request to the team and they approved sponsoring her. I’m really proud of her and proud of my company,” said Dennis.

Lasco Curves has been a long-standing sponsor of the pageant.

“As you know, our slogan says, “Be the Woman. Bold, Resilient, and Beautiful. We encourage young ladies to be their best selves every day. And as such, we have continuously decided to be a sponsor each year,” said Tracy Ann Reid, consumer health category manager at Lasco Distributors.

The grand coronation and finals of the Miss Universe Jamaica 2022 pageant will take place on August 20 at the AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston.

“It will be phenomenal. We start off the day with a beauty, fashion, and wellness expo at 10:00 am, which will feature entertainment activities and special appearances all day. Our red carpet pre-show will be at 7:00 pm and showtime will be at 8:30 pm, during which the beauties will compete in swimwear, evening gowns, and personality. Guest performer will be singer Sevana, and Miss Universe Jamaica 2020 and top ten finalist at the Miss Universe pageant Miqueal-Symone Williams will host the event,” said McDermoth.

The 20 finalists are Zara Holmes, Miss Legacy Aesthetics; Celine Walters, Miss Klean Skin & Spa; Shantana Pitterman, Miss Golf View Hotel; Shanté Jarrett, Miss Pier One; Zasha-Kae Dennis, Miss Toyota Jamaica Ltd; Toshami Calvin, Giajay Naturals Gift and Body Shop; Rachel Silvera, Miss Millennium Paving Stones; Brittny Hutchinson, Miss Tru Shake; Jillian Taylor, Miss Datum Construction; Alecia Spence, Miss Heavens Fesco; Aiysha Hemmings, Miss Donna’s Caribbean Restaurant; Kasey Graham, Miss Alletias Beauty Retreat; Shanique Singh, Miss WiPay Jamaica; Thalia Malcolm, Miss Beauty Mark Ltd; Catherine Harris, Miss Curves; Pershenia McGann, Miss Rafting on the Martha Brae; Tasheka Rowe, Miss How We Rowes Cook; Marisa Dixon, Miss Usain Bolt Tracks and Records; Titania Mycko, Miss RB Cooling Methods; and Zoe Smith, Miss Altitude Lash Ltd.