The Queens Of Reggae Island Honorary Ceremony slated for October 23 has been postponed to early 2023 due to lack of sponsorship.

In an official statement, organiser Laurell Nurse of Nyte Nurse Production, however, stated her desire to stage the event when the brand acquires enough support.

“These women deserve to be honoured properly and if it cannot be how it should be for the ladies then it cannot happen. More sponsorship and promotion is definitely necessary, so we will be taking a few additional months to get these aspects addressed,” she said.

The sixth staging was set for the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston. Organisers have not set a definitive date; however, they are looking at April 2023.

First held in 2016, the Queens Of Reggae Island Honorary Ceremonies recognises people who were not necessarily upfront as artistes but played a vital role in the entertainment industry.

Fourteen queens are slated to be honoured this year. They include Dorothy “Patra” Smith, Yumiko “DJ Yumi Hi-Power” Gabe, Lorna Wainwright, Dorothy Smith, Althea Laing, Charmaine “Macka Diamond” Munroe, Audrey Reid, Chevelle Franklyn, Sherine Scarlett, Monica Jackson, and Yasmine Peru.

The last staging, which was held in 2019, saw singjay Ce’Cile being honoured along with broadcaster Elise Kelly; singer Judy Mowatt; dub poet Cherry Natural; music video director Scorpio21; businesswoman Kelly Upsetta; artiste manager Claudette Kemp; gospel singer Shirley Willis; social media influencer/blogger Lauren O Lauren; dancehall choreographer Keiva The Diva; model Stacy McKenzie; public relations practitioner/arts marketer Coleen Douglas; and businesswoman Tina Matalon.