Shanelle Kellyman says she entered the Hyundai Miss Universe Jamaica pageant for numerous reasons.

“I want to be my best self. I want to push my boundaries, and I also want to do things that I don’t necessarily expect myself to do,” Kellyman told the Jamaica Observer on Sunday at the AC Hotel in Kingston, shortly after she and the 29 other contestants were sashed and presented to the public for the first time.

Samantha McFarlane, one of the five regional queens in the pageant (she is Miss Universe Jamaica West), said pageantry was not in her immediate plans.

“I was not planning on entering a pageant but along the way, I’ve learnt a lot and that there’s just so much to our pageants, you can grow as a person and improve your confidence,” said McFarlane.

Model and actress Esther Moore says the pageant has provided a great atmosphere for her.

“I love the creative space, and I love this atmosphere. I love being around the creatives, this is something that inspires me,” she said.

Imani Peterkin (Miss Universe Jamaica Northwest), who is involved in the construction management industry, says the competition has been helping her to expand her limits.

“This pageant is definitely pushing my boundaries. It has been a very transformational journey,” Peterkin explained.

Among the finalists are two medical professionals, Gabrielle Henry (she’s presently studying ophthalmology at the University Hospital of the West Indies), and Marian Millaneise, a medical doctor at the St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital.

The diverse line-up also includes a schoolteacher, an 18-year-old student and two attorneys-at-law Keandra Wellington and Simone Gardner, both crowd favourites.

Luz Tejada-Edwards is the managing director at Magna Motors, the distributors of Hyundai, title sponsor for the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant.

“It has been a great partnership working with the Miss Universe Jamaica team. At Hyundai, we believe in empowering and uplifting women. Seventy per cent of our customers are females, so we really believe in this initiative,” Tejada-Edwards told the Jamaica Observer.

The new queen will walk away with a brand-new Hyundai Kona hybrid motorcar and will be the company’s brand ambassador for a year.

In addition to intense training, the contestants will make courtesy calls to pageant sponsors as well as government officials.

From June 26-29, the Hyundai Miss Universe Jamaica Wellness Weekend will take place at the Princess resort on the island’s north coast where contestants will compete in swimsuit and evening gown competitions, which will replace the preliminary shows.

Other lead-up events include the GOGETTER Tea Party extravaganza on July 6 and the partner appreciation experience on July 13.

The grand coronation is scheduled for August 2 at AC Hotel Kingston, the official hotel and hub of the pageant.

The 30 finalists in the 2025 Hyundai Miss Universe Jamaica pageant are:

1. Esther Moore – Miss Jangas Soundbar and Grill

2. Imani Peterkin – Miss Cranwata

3. Samantha McFarlane – Miss Baughaus

4. Sylene Walker – Miss Cambridge Trading Ltd

5. Nastassia Haughton – Miss Curves

6. Zoan Edwards – Miss Kadiae’s Handcraft

7. Marian Millaneise – Miss Jacden Medical Supplies

8. Thiana Feanny – Miss Dolphin Cove Ltd

9. Simone Gardner – Miss Revamp Rehabilitation Centre

10. Leanna Spencer – Miss Golfview Hotel

11. Shannon Andrade-Bucknor – Miss KingAlarm

12. Brianna Hanson – Miss Dermoth Williams Resort

13. Shanelle Kellyman – Miss Couples Resort

14. Tasharrie McLean – Miss Chill & Brew Ltd

15. Crystal Sibbley – Miss Bogle’s Property Services Ltd

16. Sage Dawes – Miss National Self-serve Wholesale Ltd

17. Rajivea Soman – Miss Pure Chocolate Jamaica

18. Blaire Wilson – Miss Dermoth Williams Couture

19. Moya-Maye Nanan – Miss Lubit Performance Ltd

20. Barbie-Ann Mudahy – Miss Cooyah

21. Gabrielle White – Miss Pyrofanatics

22. Gabrielle Henry – Miss Aparajithas Laser & Dental

23. Matea Smith – Miss Crocs Jamaica

24. Kennya Young – Miss S Foods Supermarket

25. Akedia Morgan – Miss Smith’s Rum Cream

26. Keandra Wellington – Miss Horizon Lending

27. Troy-Ann Anderson – Miss Rum Bar Rum Cream

28. Naima Scott – Miss Adtelligent

29. Shiann Excell – Miss Gee Jam Hotel

30. Dreanna Williams – Miss Costley’s Construction

From left: Karl Williams, co-director, Miss Universe Jamaica; Luz Tejada-Edwards, managing director, Magna Motor (Hyundai Jamaica); Rachel Silvera, Miss Universe Jamaica 2024; and Mark McDermoth, co-director of Miss Universe Jamaica, at the sashing and presentation of the 30 finalists of the Hyundai Miss Universe Jamaica 2025 pageant at AC Hotel on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)