When her name was announced as a top-five finalist in the 2023 Miss Universe Jamaica East pageant on Friday night, Deborah Gordon (Miss Gustazos) clasped her hands and looked up to the sky. It was a moment that she will never forget.

The 27-year-old Greater Portmore resident eventually emerged winner from a field of 15 contestants.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer shortly after her crowning inside the Chinese Benevolent Association on Friday night, Gordon explained the reason for her emotional response to her top-five placement.

“At that moment I was saying, ‘Oh, my God. I couldn’t believe I made it to top 5. I really entered to reclaim my voice, so I can be an example for people. In that moment it really felt surreal,” said Gordon.

She has had to endure traumatic experiences in her life and saw the Miss Universe Jamaica East pageant as a means of healing.

“I’ve been through several traumatic experiences and Miss Universe represents the things that I would like to do. We’re not just about pretty faces, we are smart, we’re intelligent, and we are compassionate. We put our heart into helping others and the less fortunate,” Gordon disclosed.

Aside from winning the title and securing an automatic spot in the national Miss Universe Jamaica finals, Gordon copped the sectional prize for Best in Evening Gown.

She spoke of her preparation, mostly mentally, for the task of pursuing the Miss Universe Jamaica East crown.

“I was signed to a modelling agency and my agent asked me to enter the pageant last year. But because of where I worked I wasn’t able to do it. I hit the gym trying to gain weight. I went through decorum training, public speaking, and other training. All the hard work was well worth it,” Gordon shared.

“I’ve built a sisterhood with these ladies, and we love each other so much,” said Gordon.

She previously competed in Miss Teen Portmore in 2013, and was the first runner-up in Miss Humanities & Education in 2021 at The University of the West Indies, at which she is a student.

“This pageant was literally a full circle moment for me. I’m going after a dream that I never actually thought I would actually achieve,” she said.

She is passionate about the arts and has started an altruism project which she says will focus on individual who have suffered from trauma.

Tika Rutherford (Miss Lucky Dollar) and Seanna’Kay Wright (Miss Creative Brands and Concepts) finished in second and third places, respectively, in the Miss Universe Jamaica East pageant.

Also making the top 5 were Tyra Spaulding (Miss Mission Catwalk) and Alicia Sewell (Miss Bacchanal Jamaica).

Those who made the top 10 included Imani Coleman (Miss Star Agency), Shanique Robinson (Miss Dunn’s River Falls and Park), Lianne Fullwood (Miss Villa Fernando), Tia Rutherford (Miss Courts), and Ramoneyea McKenzie (Miss Footprints Cafe).

The coronation show kicked off with the finalists appearing in carnival costumes courtesy of Bacchanal Jamaica.

After introducing themselves to the audience, the girls then appeared in swimwear courtesy of the Ann Simpson Collection.

Saxophonist Sheldon Palmer thrilled with his rendition of Bruno Mars’ Just the Way You Are.

Shane Wright and former Digicel Rising Stars alum Diana Rutherford offered entertainment.

Copping sectional prizes were Alicia Sewell (Best in Swimwear); Lianne Fullwood (Essence of Style, Most Congenial and Spirit of the Pageant); Deborah Gordon (Best in Evening Gown); Alexcia Burrell (Most Photogenic); Shanique Robinson (Altruism Award).

The top three as well as five other finalists have gone through as automatic finalists in the national Miss Universe Jamaica pageant.