Despite a misstep during the final interview segment of the 2023 Hyundai Miss Universe Jamaica beauty, fashion and wellness pageant, medical doctor Jordanne Lauren Levy was declared winner in an eagerly contested coronation on Sunday night.

Held at the AC Hotel Kingston, the event saw 29 young ladies vying for the coveted title among other prizes.

Levy and her runners-up — first runner-up Robyn Lloyd and second runner-up Deborah Gordon — had all been crowd favourites. But it was Levy’s second attempt to finish answering the question, “What makes you beautifully confident?” that didn’t go down too well with some sections of the audience.

After Levy was crowned, some patrons stormed out of the ballroom, while some booed.

The coronation kicked off later than scheduled and it was plagued by sound issues.

After a lengthy break, the pageant resumed, with the organisers having resolved the technical glitches — well, most of it.

The girls kicked off the showcase dressed in casual wear and introduced themselves to the audience. Shortly after, the number was reduced to a Top 15.

Making the Top 15 cut with Lloyd, Levy and Gordon were Shanice Rerrie, Tika Rutherford, Gabrielle Henry, Oliva Alex, Nikelle Marier, Lianne Fullwood, Seana’Kaye Wright, Tia Dryden, Zaria Diarra, Tyra Spaulding, Sara Dee Palmer, and Ashlie Barrett.

Henry, Spaulding, and Barrett made it to the Top 6.

In-between presentations there was entertainment courtesy of singer Tai-C, who did a credible rendition of Mortimer’s Lightning; Agent Sasco, who excited with Winning Right Now and Guide and Protect; and former Miss Universe Jamaica runner-up-turned-singer Khadijah Anderson aka Analea.

The finalists wowed the crowd when they appeared in swimwear courtesy of Cacdemode and later in evening wear from the Dermoth/Williams couture.

After the interview segments were completed, prizes for their participation in various sponsor challenges were presented.

Lloyd and Fullwood won the Hyundai Shopping Challenge, while Levy and Barrett were named winners of the Hyundai Met Gala Challenge.

Ayana Powell-Myles was named winner in the Jacqui Tyson Brunswick Challenge, while Barrett won the Lasco Gold Card Challenge.

Suzan Dowdie and Levy were multiple sectional prize winners. Dowdie won the Harmony Health Congeniality Award and Joy Spence Award, while Levy won the Harmony Health Essence of Style and Most Photogenic Awards.

Shanice Rerrie, a finalist in the 2014 pageant, won the Harmony Health Spirit of the Pageant award, while Gabrielle Henry won Best in Swimwear.

Best in Evening Gown went to Deborah Gordon, while the Personal Development Award went to Tyra Spaulding.

The Courts Ready Cash Altruism Award went to Lianne Fullwood and her charity, Mary’s Child, was presented with $150,000 courtesy of Ready Cash.

In a post-pageant interview with the Jamaica Observer, Etmore Williams, commercial manager for title sponsor Hyundai, explained his company’s decision to partner with the Miss Universe Jamaica organisers.

“Hyundai has been growing tremendously in the Jamaican market because of the love and support of Jamaicans, and that’s also synonymous with the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant. So it was really like a hand in glove experience. This is also a way of giving back; its part of our corporate responsibility. At Hyundai, women are the driving blood of our success, and this is just one way of ensuring that we touch the ladies and the female customers as it relates to the market that supports our brand,” said Williams.

The winner will drive a Hyundai Creta for a year and will be an ambassador for the brand during her reign.

When the Observer caught up with her on pageant night Levy said winning the title hadn’t sunken in as yet.

“I feel so grateful and I feel so proud of myself knowing the hard work that I put in. It was not easy. I want everyone to know that each of the 29 of us put in the work, and I’m so proud of everybody and grateful for the opportunity,” Levy shared.

She added, “Aside from winning the title, this pageant has helped me to grow in so many ways. I walk away being a different person. I went into the eliminations knowing who I was, but I see a complete transformation in who I am and I definitely can say that the pageant has helped me in speech and presentation, being an impactful young woman, and I’m so grateful for that.”

Her mom, Donna Matthews, placed third in the Miss Jamaica Universe pageant in 1986.

“My mother has been my top supporter. She knows how it felt when she was on stage back then. She’s given me nothing but great advice,” said Levy.

Lloyd, who finished in second place, was a competitor in the 2015 Miss Jamaica World pageant, where she made the Top 5.

“I am happy that I broke past a fear barrier that I had. I got up on stage and I gave it my best shot. Preparation was rough, a lot of sleepless nights and I’m excited to go home and sleep and get the ball rolling, get back to work and get back to business,” said Lloyd.

She continued, “I had a fear of doing this again [pageants] and I can say I don’t have anything that I am fearing right now, and that’s good.”

Gordon was ecstatic on making the Top 3.

“I still can’t believe that I made it to the Top 3. I’m so happy for Jordan and Robyn, trust me, guys, Jamaica you have a wonderful Miss Universe Jamaica going to represent the country this year. I’m so proud of her and I believe that she can bring home the crown. I just want us all to give her the full support,” Gordon said.