Carolyn Yapp, a 25 year old Interior Designer was crowned Miss Jamaica Universe 2009 on Thursday July 16, in a private ceremony at The Refuge at Villa Ronai, attended by the family and friends of the contestants, as well as producers and organizers from Pulse, licensees for the Jamaica preliminary to Miss Universe.
First runner-up was Fallon Harris a 21 year old student at the University of the West Indies and fashion model. Third runner-up was budding model, singer and designer, 19 year old Krystina Black. The judges were well known fashion and beauty personalities Barry Moncrieffe, former principal dancer of the NDTC and fashion designer; Gilou Bauer, Curator of the Mutual Life Gallery and Lois Lake-Sherwood, artist, business executive and diplomat. The winner was the universal choice of all the judges.
Although never having won the title, Jamaica has had significant success at Miss Universe pageants, claiming four top-10 finishes - Sandra Foster, Nicole Haughton, Christine Straw and Kimberley Mais. Several other beauties, including Sanya Hughes, Rachel Stuart, Trudy Ferguson, Justine Willoughby, Bridgette Rhoden and Zahra Redwood, the first Rastafarian beauty queen to appear in a major international pageant, have also raised Jamaica's profile at the international pageant.
Courtesy of Pop Style Jamaica
