Second time’s the charm for 25-year-old Tahje Bennett, who was crowned Miss Jamaica World 2024 at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel ballroom in New Kingston on Friday.

The Spanish Town native, who will be matriculating to Norman Manley Law School, said that she made the necessary improvements to claim the crown on this attempt.

“I refined my advocacy; I made sure that I showed up as my best self every single time, and that’s all that I did different. I was true to myself. I’ve always been authentic to who I am, so, just going back, refining the advocacy, and showing up as my best self [are] what I did differently,” the new queen told the Jamaica Observer.

Bennett will represent Jamaica at the 72nd Miss World pageant.

Jamila McGowan walked away with second place, while third place went to Shanelle Kellyman.

Bennett, also won the Beauty with a Purpose fast track and Multimedia sectional prize. In addition, she placed in the top three of the Beach Beauty, Top Model, and Sports/Fitness fast track challenges.

She plans to use her reign to advocate for females who have been victims of gender-based violence.

“I plan to use my platform to empower and uplift young women and girls, because a lot of the time, what a woman or little girl goes through, she feels as if that’s the end of her story. And I want to be a testament that that’s not the end of your story, and your sad story doesn’t have to end there — it can be a powerful message for others,” she said.

The atmosphere in the ballroom for the grand coronation show was filled with jubilation as parents, friends, and other well-wishers enjoyed each segment of the programme ably hosted by Talia Soares Brown.

The celebrations continued even after entrants some people initially came out to support did not advance to the top 10; they cheered on the contestants who made the cut.

One particular parent said that she was happy with her 18-year-old daughter’s accomplishment as a finalist, though she did not advance to the top five.

Entertainment provided by Jodian Pantry and Remone Watson also brought the room to its feet. The latter, who was part of the top five in the Mr World Jamaica pageant, delivered a brilliant rendition of Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes’ (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life.

Meanwhile, Bennett said that her success is also attributed to her primary matriarchal figures.

“I want to say thank you to my grandmother [and] thank you to my mother. These two women, they’ve really shaped me into the woman I am today, and I’m truly grateful for that,” she told the Observer.