With the new eligibility requirements relating to age in the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant, two contestants over the age of 50 are having the time of their lives.

Contestants are now required to be at least 18 years of age to enter. There is no maximum age.

Cosmetics surgeon Dr Sandra Swaby, at age 51, and Elaine Landy, a health and wellness coach who is 59 years of age, say that they are both enjoying the experience and they have been receiving overwhelming support.

“My motivation for entering the pageant is simply to inspire women my age to step outside of their comfort zone to do something they have never thought they would ever do. And also, I wanted to bring out the element of self-love and self-care,” Dr Swaby shared in an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Saturday shortly after the sashing of the 34 contestants inside the ballroom of the AC Hotel Kingston.

This is the first time that Dr Swaby has entered a pageant. Her 19-year-old daughter, who is studying psychology in Cyprus, is supportive of her decision to try out pageants.

“I am looking forward to becoming more of me, a more confident, knowledgeable person, and becoming more self-aware. My daughter is very excited about me entering and she is also very supportive,” Dr Swaby, who is sponsored by Lifespan Spring Water, shared.

Landy said she hopes her decision to enter the pageant will show other individuals her age that they can accomplish anything once they put their mind to it.

“I wanted women and men to know you always have a second chance to rewrite your story. A lot of women and men, when they reach our age, feel that life is over, they have their grandchildren, gain weight, and they don’t want to do anything,” she said, wearing the sash Vybe Vault RnB.

From Fairfield Mountain in Manchester, for the past 20 years she has resided in the United States.

Landy, who is also a grandmother, said she has been receiving lots of support from family and friends since she made the decision to enter the pageant.

“My daughter is just as supportive as my husband. When I made a post on social media she shared it and kept reposting it. I’m just having a lot of fun and I am looking forward to the next chapter, exploring new things, and I know that a lot of doors are gonna open from this,” Landy stated.

The grand coronation of the Miss Universe Jamaica Beauty, Fashion and Wellness Pageant is scheduled for July 6 at the AC Hotel Kingston.