GUYANA placed its hopes and dreams on a 23-year-old icon, who has been the face of a people for quite some time, and whose petite shoulders took the weight of those dreams and carried them without fail.One day after arriving back home after an exhausting but fruitful journey in the United States, where she now lives, the “Buzz” was able to get an interview with Lisa Mary Johanna Punch, the icon who is quickly becoming a household name the world over.

BUZZ: What was your experience like in Sanya, China?
LISA: Sanya is a tropical paradise in the day, and quite cool at night. It’s an experience I’ll cherish forever. I’m sincerely grateful to able to be amongst those wonderful ladies, and incredibly hardworking team of the Miss World Organisation.
BUZZ: How did it feel to carry the hopes of your supporters on your shoulders whilst in Sanya?
LISA: It was an honour to be called Miss Guyana whilst in Sanya… I am Guyanese, and a proud Guyanese at that, so I knew I wasn’t there as Lisa Punch, but as Guyana. I believe it was, and still is indeed, a blessing to be given this great opportunity.
BUZZ: How nervous were you during the entire event?
LISA: The only event I remember being nervous about was the sport challenge, because I wasn’t well that day, and I really wanted to push myself to make the team. And, of course, on the night before singing my song, ‘One Last Time’, I think it was visible that I was nervous, so the judges showed me to breathe in and out, and as soon as I started to sing, my nervousness went away.
BUZZ: How did you feel going into the talent competition?
LISA: The truth is, all the girls were super talented; they were all there to win, so I took no one for granted, and I just worked on my craft. The only thing I had control over was me and my sound, so I made sure I asked what I needed to improve on to make my performances better every time. I gave it my best at every rehearsal and every show, and my best was good enough.
BUZZ: What was going through your mind when you won the talent segment?
LISA: I was just thinking that God made it all possible, and how thankful I was at that moment. So many things rushed through my mind: Like my cousin being right that I’ll make it big one day, even though he didn’t live to see it come through. And, truth be told, I was excited to get to my phone to whatsapp the good news to my family, the Miss World Guyana team, and my dearest friends.
BUZZ: Your singing is surely taking you places, from rising star to winner of the talent segment of the biggest talent show in the world. What’s next for you in terms of music, pursuing your academic and work interests; and what can the Guyanese public expect from you in the months to come?
LISA: Just watch out for it! I’m happy to take you along my journey! The thing is, I enjoy doing things that challenge me and force me to be a better person than I was yesterday, so whatever I do next will definitely be something that will inspire the world. Special thanks to The Most High, the Miss World Guyana Team, Family, Real Friends, Sponsors and well-wishers.