Tamika Henry crowned amidst high fashion, steaming performances
TAMIKA Henry, 22, a young lady who has a lot of personality and confidence in a petite frame, won the Miss Guyana Universe crown last Sunday night.
Sponsored by Forest Enterprises Ltd, she trounced seven other beautiful contestants in the contest at Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara.
In runner-up positions were, in that order, delegate number four, Crystal Benn; delegate number three, Melissa Carter; delegate number seven Chrystelle Mervin and delegate number one, Rushauna Harris.
Following franchise holder Odinga Lumumba promotional remarks that this year’s event will be a step-up, the venue was packed to capacity.
It seemed that the crowd was determined to enjoy the show no matter what, not even the 85 minutes delay to the scheduled 19:00 h start and it turned out to be a night of pageantry, high fashion and steaming live performances.
Henry, who made headlines with her academic achievements in the past, was a crowd favourite from the beginning, having got through the question and answer  segment last week and focusing on the swimsuit and evening gown sections.
The delegates made their appearance dancing to ‘Somebody to Love’ in swimwear but modestly covered by matching sarongs.
They had the chance to show off their physiques later on in the programme and that they did with almost all of the delegates looking at home on the catwalk, as they flirted with the audience in simple red bikinis, featuring a brown ruffled trim on the crotch. Something was there that caused the ladies in the audience to excitedly take out their cameras and their camera phones, as three male bodybuilders, strategically placed on the stage, struck poses through it all.
More entertainment followed with a presentation of Earth toned natural fashions presented to the beat of African drums in ‘Style and Fashion’ by Sonia Noel. Following that, were other collections by designer portfolio third runner-up, Michael Kellman, who presented a line of graphic tees for males and females that were modelled with complementing shorts and jeans. A taste of Guyana Fashion Weekends past was given by Marcia De Santos and Michael De Abreu, who displayed wearable art with their signature couture before a final presentation of the saucy ‘Feline’ display by Latisha John.
Extra edge
Featured performer, Guyanese-Canadian cabaret singer Aubrey Mann, who did one of the evenings live acts, oozed class and suaveness, adding an extra edge of sophistication with his sexy, soulful performance and sending the females in the audience into fits of ecstasy with his smooth voice and subtle hip movements.
The ‘Love Man’ bantered with his audience in between songs, jokingly saying that he left Guyana 36 years ago, when he was four, eliciting an “I was two” response, to which he admitted:“I was 24” and somebody else said: “I know that”.
But joking aside, Mann had the audience under his spell, especially when it was time for his signature hit ‘Stealing Love on the Side’ that evoked different responses from males, females, young and old.
Karma was no slouch in the entertainment department either, sending the audience into a frenzy with covers of  hit songs such as Usher’s ‘Let it Burn’, Ne-Yo’s ‘Independent Woman’, Black Eye Peas ‘Tonight’s Gonna be a Good Night’,  Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka’  and  a  Chutney medley.
But the audience wanted to see a queen crowned and the commencement of the evening gown segment was a reason for much rejoicing. Enter delegate number one, Rushauna Harris, looking like a dream in a brilliant white embellished chiffon outfit, with a long train that made her look like she was floating  around the stage.
Cindy Craig sported a slinky burnt orange gown, the cut of which was very simple but showed off her figure to perfection and picked up the highlights in her hair.
Melissa Carter wore a beautiful gold toned gown accentuated by matching bands of gold encircling the dress.
A bodice fitted white gown was Crystal Benn’s choice and it suited her just fine.
Natasha Smith took a page from Arabian nights and posed with a harem girl’s inspired green gown. She was followed by Xandra Pierre who wore a slinky, fish tailed, empire neckline dress with a mermaid appearance.
Crystelle Mervin’s radiated girlishness and innocence in a pink, floaty petal embellished creation.
However, the dress that elicited the most reaction from the audience was seen when Tamika Henry bared her shoulders in a gown which combined shades of blue and sequins and chiffon in a design dream come true.
In the nerve wracking ‘Question and Answer’ part, the girls were allowed to choose the judge who would give them their questions. Choosing judge number one to correspond with her number, Rushauna Harris was asked: “As an ambassador of your country, what would you say to non-nationals to make them want to visit it?” She replied: “As an ambassador, I would say we are very hospitable. Guyana has a lot of riches. We are a proud people, so come and visit.”
Free will
Melissa Carter, who chose judge number four, was asked: “What would you say is one thing that you enjoy most about being a Guyanese?” Her response was: “The one thing I enjoy most about being a Guyanese is having my free will, because no one can take that from Guyanese.”
Crystal Benn, had judge number eight ask her: “Once crowned, as Miss Guyana Universe, your reign lasts for one year. What are some of the things you would do?” Her reply was: “I would thank my heavenly father. I would take up the mantle of child abuse and be a role model for Guyanese.”
Crystelle Mervin’s judge questioned her: “What were some of your dreams as a child and how will you realise them?” Her answer was: “My dream was to be a role model and I am one step closer.”
Finally, Tamika Henry, who selected judge number six, was asked:“As a young woman, do you feel men show women the respect they deserve?” She responded: “Yes, there are some men who show women the respect they deserve but some who don’t. For example, those who objectify women in the media.”
Special prizes were awarded and the one for ‘Best Smil
e’ was awarded Crystal Benn. “Best Gown” went to Tamika Henry, ‘Body Beautiful’ to Rushauna Harris and ‘Miss Congeniality’ to Xandra Pierre.
Mann made another appearance singing ‘You are so beautiful to me, to soothe the frazzled nerves of the girls who had to stand on the stage – for what seemed an eternity –   while the judges tabulated their scores, for sending a lucky one to Las Vegas, where she will represent Guyana at the Miss Universe Pageant slated for August 23 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, in an all expenses paid trip.
The queen also won an all expenses paid stay, for two, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel and a $200,000 cash prize.