Marci Lee Smith, a 27-year-old resident of Portmore in St Catherine, walked away with the title of Miss Universe Jamaica St Catherine following the coronation show on Thursday night inside the auditorium of the Portmore HEART Academy.

Smith, a graduate of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, and who works as a creative in the music video industry, won the approval of the judges and members of the fair-sized crowd.

She also won four sectional prizes; namely, People’s Choice, Most Congenial, Most Photogenic, and Best in Prejudging Interview.

Another crowd favourite, Mishauntah Sunaan Al-Asad was first runner-up, while Brianna Fender was announced as the third-place winner.

The other participants were Kefamie Hamilton, Asheka Thomas, Georgette Lindo, and Rihana Ebanks.

Asheka Thomas won Best in Swimwear, while Brianna Fender was adjudged Most Improved and Best in Evening Gown. Best Costume, Essence of Style Award, and the Altruism Award went to Mishauntah Sunaan Al-Asad.

The coronation got off to a late start, which seems to be customary with pageants these days. After the opening number, the contestants appeared in swimwear and evening wear and then the Top 5 was selected.

After the interview with the Top 5 finalists, the Top 3 were announced, and then the final results were revealed.

In a post-pageant interview with the Jamaica Observer, Smith said was overjoyed with being named the winner.

“I’m feeling overjoyed and I’m feeling so many emotions all at once, but they’re all positive. The journey has been extremely good, but it was challenging and it changed me for the better and evolved me for the better,” she said.

Asked what motivated her to enter the pageant, Smith said: “It has to do with my intuition. Something in me said I should do it. My sister also encouraged me and she told me that I would win.”

The Wolmerian has worked on music videos including Woii by Valiant, as well as others for Shauna Controlla, 450, and Julian Marley.