The road to the Miss Global Jamaica crown has not been an easy one for Effortville, Clarendon, resident Deidrian Downer, but on Saturday night she triumphed inside Douglas Orane Auditorium at Wolmer’s Boys’ School.

Downer, who was crowned Miss Universe Jamaica Central in 2024, walked away with the top title from a field of 26 competitors.

She also took the sectional prize for Most Photogenic.

Pageant favourite Kadejah Anderson finished in second place and received the Best in Evening Gown sectional prize, while Rasheda Green, another crowd favourite, took third place. She received the most votes in online voting and walked away with the People’s Choice Award and the Most Stylish prize.

“The journey has been an exhausting but rewarding one. I’ve received so much love and support from my family and friends and to be able to share the stage with such incredible talented ladies is truly an honour. I’m very grateful,” Downer told the Jamaica Observer moments after the coronation show came to an end.

She added: “I’ve always been confident and true to myself, but I’m speechless right now. The back and forth travelling each day and the expenses, but there were days that I needed that extra push, and my family, they showed up for me in more ways than one. Yes, there were times that I felt like giving up… I’m human. But that’s where support comes in. I’m so grateful for my family.”

The 26-year-old, who attended Denbigh High and later studied tourism management at The University of the West Indies, is currently pursuing a supervisory management at the HEART/NSTA Trust.

Third-place finisher Rasheda Green said she is pleased with the outcome of the pageant.

“I think I did the best I could… In the beginning I was very unsure and now I came out and stepped into my most confident self and I feel proud of that. I’ve made so many friends, but the high point for me was definitely being on that stage and seeing my friends and family cheering me on,” Green told the Observer.

The judging panel of businessman Duane Lue-Fong of Luetch, former Miss Universe Jamaica 2020 Miqueal-Symone William, and Dr Kirt Henry, had the task of arriving at the final placements.

Jermaine Blair, national director for the Miss Global Jamaica pageant, said he was proud of the contestants.

“It was a spectacular show and nerve racking… The ladies have grown and I never expected tonight would have been so close that we would have had so much deliberation at the judge’s table. But the good thing is transparency prevailed and scores spoke,” said Blair.

The coronation show kicked off almost one and a half hours after its advertised start time; however, patrons committed that the show was entertaining and production was of a high standard.

Singer Zaynea performed two songs, much to the delight of patrons, while the talented Maggy Dancers were an absolute treat.

The opening segment of the show saw all 26 contestants appearing in shiny gold outfits for a choreographed dance routine. After an introductory video with each contestant, the girls were slashed to a top 16.

Making the first cut were Cheriqua Mason, Rajeani Reid, Anderson, Downer, Green, Monefa Headley, Daniela Carey, Renee Farquharson, Antonni James, Brittney Ellington, Kia Campbell, Leah Drummond, Rishema Daley, Kadeejah Mullings, Shauntel Thomas, and Blaire Wilson.

Then there were 10. Then the top six.

The swimwear and evening wear segments were well received as contestants strutted across the stage with cheering squads making their favourites known.

Daniela Carey was named Most Congenial, while Antonni James walked away with the award for Altruism.

After three interview rounds the final results were announced.

Blair said the new queen will now prepare for the Miss Global competition scheduled for Asia later this year.

“The queen will continue her preparation… We’ll be paying attention to her altruism project; she wants to touch on financial literacy, and we want to allow her to use the platform and expand her altruism,” said Blair.