Miss Bahamas News

Daronique Young to compete in Miss World!

MBO — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 23:25:34 +0000

Daronique Young – who placed first runner up to Sasha Joyce in last year’s Miss Bahamas competition – will represent the nation at this year’s Miss World pageant. Several factors led to this development, including changes in the dates of both the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants, and the pending general elections here in The Bahamas. Miss World, which is normally held in November/December, was moved to August of this year, while Miss Universe – normally held in August – was moved to December. “The Organization felt it best to not try to go head to head with a general election”, explains Miss Malcolm, “so we opted to have it later in the summer to allow time for the election frenzy to pass. This worked out well as far as the Miss Universe pageant is concerned; however it presented a challenge for us regarding the early date of Miss World.” MBO sought and was granted permission by the Miss World office to send the runner up from last year’s pageant to this year’s finale in Inner Mongolia, while the winner from the 2012 Miss Bahamas pageant will compete in next year’s Miss World. “We are confident that Daronique will represent us well,” said Miss Malcolm of the pageant veteran. “She’s the complete package – beauty, brains, body, and one of the sweetest personalities you would ever want to meet.”

Daronique was thrilled to learn the news of her good fortune. “I’m beyond excited!” she exclaimed. “My dream has always been to enter Miss World, and I had planned to enter the Miss Bahamas pageant again to pursue that dream. I’m blessed that the dream has come to me instead, and I look forward to representing my country to the best of my ability.” Daronique leaves for the pageant on July 17th. An unveiling of her wardrobe will be held closer to her departure date.

Miss Universe to head list of judges for 2012 Miss Bahamas Pageant!

MBO — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 23:20:37 +0000

Miss Universe Leila Lopes

It’s a summer affair for young ladies who dream of becoming Miss Bahamas, and this year they will have to win over a judge who has already conquered the Universe. Miss Universe Leila Lopes will be among an impressive panel of judges who will choose the country’s newest beauty ambassadors during the official preliminary pageant to Miss Universe and Miss World, scheduled for Sunday July 29th at Atlantis, Paradise Island.

Already more than twenty women have applied to enter the pageant, however organizers are calling for more entrants as they will have to go through a screening process in order to make it to the Miss Bahamas stage. “Our experience has been that you have to start with a larger number of applicants if you want to have a good number of entrants,” says MBO President Michelle Malcolm. “We want the best of the best to be bold and come forward. Who knows? Maybe Leila will be helping to choose her successor, and that could very well be you!” The organization is hoping that it will have a minimum of 20 competitors this year. “Our past and present queens have done well for themselves, receiving worldwide recognition for their efforts. However, for each of them it all began by filling out an application form, which can be found at www.missbahamas.net. It’s the first step to what can be an incredible journey for two lucky young women,” stated Miss Malcolm. Anastagia Pierre is the reigning Miss Universe Bahamas, while Sasha Joyce wears the title of Miss World Bahamas.

A screening is scheduled for May 19th (venue to be announced), at which time applicants will be interviewed one-on-one by MBO officials. Applicants will need to bring along a Bahamian passport, birth certificate, a valid police record, a pair of high heels and a swimsuit of their choice. A non-refundable application fee of $100 will also be due payable. Naturally born females between the ages of 17 and 25 who are of Bahamian ancestry and/or citizens of The Bahamas may enter the Miss Bahamas Beauty Pageant. Contestants must be at least 17 years old by Coronation Night. However, all women crowned queen must be at least 18 years old and under 24 by February 1st in the year that follows their coronation. Candidates must be single, must not have children, nor have ever been pregnant or given birth. Minimum height requirement is 5′ 3″ and maximum height requirement is 6′ 2″. Weight must be proportionate to height. Candidates must be beautiful in face and figure, intelligent, and charming, while possessing poise, a pleasing character, and high moral convictions. The Miss Bahamas Organization reserves the right to refuse an application or dismiss a contestant, using the Organization’s codes and regulations as the basis for its decision.

Miss Bahamas meets the prince… and the world takes notice!

MBO — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:40:23 +0000

Anastagia Chats with Prince Harry

Never could she have imagined that a comment said in jest would have landed her in the international spotlight in such an incredible manner. The international media were all in tow on Monday to get a photo with Miss Bahamas Universe Anastagia Pierre and HRH Prince Harry together, after widely reporting that the beauty queen had plans to hitch the prince. And they got their wish during a private luncheon at which the prince met a select few of the country’s youth leaders, including Anastagia and Miss World Bahamas Sasha Joyce.

Cameras flashed as if it were a red carpet premier as the prince was introduced to the Bahamian beauty. “The minister presented me to him as the one everybody ’s been talking about,” said Anastagia. “He said, ‘So you’re the one?’ I said, ‘It was supposed to be light-hearted but it has been blown out of all proportion’. He said, ‘It always is’.” The two also talked about the role of beauty queens, and Anastagia used the opportunity to dispel a myth. “He asked me if it was all about world peace as people always think,” Ms Pierre said. “I replied that it’s more about charity work.”

Their encounter was brief, but not brief enough to deter the international press who seemed determined to run with the story. It seems that Anastagia is on the way to becoming an international celebrity by declaring Harry was “hot” and joking that she was there to fall in love with him. When a call came from US weekly seeking her whereabouts, we knew it had gone to another level. As the reporter explained, “We cover everything celebrity and entertainment, and we’d like to talk to the queen about her encounter with the prince.” We were told the article would appear on their website, and possibly in their magazine.

Anastagia attends the Youth Rally in honor of Prince Harry.

Meanwhile, the media worldwide continues to focus on the “couple”, as some have referred to them. From India, to Australia, London to New York, the story has taken on a life of its own. Since the story broke, Anastagia has been on television in London, the US, the Netherlands, Australia, India, and Belgium just to name a few, and featured in over 30 publications around the world including Germany, Malaysia, Switzerland, Jamaica, Ireland, and Poland! While some Bahamians appear to be miffed about the whole thing, the international media can’t seem to get enough of their newest darling, Miss Bahamas Universe Anastagia Pierre.

Us Weekly
Washington Post
MSN Wonderwall
BBC America
Hello Magazine
The Daily Mail
Mirror
The Australian
Times of India
Ghana mma

The following video, courtesy of The Telegraph, captures their brief encounter.

CelebTV reports on the highlights of Prince Harry’s Caribbean tour.

Anastagia was featured on ZNS News following her royal encounter.

Miss Bahamas Universe creates international media frenzy!

MBO — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 03:00:12 +0000

A dashing Prince Harry arrives to Christ Church Cathedral.

Miss Bahamas Universe Anastagia Pierre arrives to Christ Church Cathedral.

It was a lighthearted answer to a lighthearted question… and it has landed Miss Bahamas Universe Anastagia Pierre in newspapers, on television, and on the internet across the globe! Media outlets from the U.K., to Australia, to the U.S. and everywhere in between are playing “matchmaker” with the Bahamian beauty queen and the British monarch HRH Prince Harry who is on an official visit to the Bahamas as part of his grandmother’s Diamond Jubliee celebrations.

Anastagia and her sister queen Miss World Bahamas Sasha Joyce are among the special guests who have been invited to attend the events surrounding the royal visit, including this morning’s service at Christ Church Cathedral. However, Anastagia arrived at the event early, and met a large contingent of international press waiting. She was interviewed and photographed by them all and as such, expected to see perhaps a quote here or a photo there as a result. What she didn’t anticipate is what happened next – a story gone viral regarding her candid comments about the handsome prince.

“I am flattered, and also pretty surprised about all of the international press that has stirred up over just a few hours!!” she exclaims. Anastagia explains that when she arrived at Christ Church Cathedral this morning there were several media outlets lined up to speak with her and they all asked “So, Miss Bahamas, what brings you here to church today?” She jokingly replied, “I came here to fall in love with Prince Harry” in an attempt to lighten the mood and break the ice. She then went on to explain that her intention was to be a good representative of her country The Bahamas, of our youth, and of the organizations and charities that she works closely with. She also went on to say that she is very excited that her reign fell during the year of the Diamond Jubliee of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, and she is honored to be apart of it”. The press however, zoned in on her remarks relating to the prince, asking “so you are a very beautiful young woman, and the prince is single! How do you feel about that?! Do you think he’s ‘Hot’ as people here say? Would you marry him?” Anastagia laughed and answered simply, “Well, yeah, sure!” Fast forward a few hours later, and she is now being reported across the world as the beauty queen who is enarmored with the British prince!

Like Anastagia, MBO President Michelle Malcolm – a former journalist – is surprised at how far and how fast the story has spread. “It only proves what I have been saying all along,” she says. “This solidifies the fact that beauty queens have the ability to capture the attention of the world like perhaps no one else can. Add to the mix a handsome prince, and you’ve got a story that’s on fire!”

Both Anastagia and Sasha are invited guests to the Youth Rally scheduled for Monday morning at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, and a private luncheon to follow where Prince Harry will meet with a select group of the country’s leading youth.

Here are some of the articles which appear around the world.

Bahamian Beauties worship with British royalty!

MBO — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 01:06:43 +0000

Bahamian Beauties attend special service at Christ Church Cathedral.

Miss World Bahamas Sasha Joyce and Miss Bahamas Universe Anastagia Pierre were among the invited guests attending a morning service at Christ Church Cathedral, the first engagement of HRH Prince Harry during his short tour of The Bahamas. Prince Harry is in the Bahamas representing his grandmother, HRH Queen Elizabeth II as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations as head of the British monarchy. The two beauties also attended the opening ceremony of an exhibition featuring the life of the queen, which was officially opened by the Prince. They will be among the thousands of young people attending a youth rally at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, and they will have an opportunity to meet the Prince up close and personal during a private luncheon for youth leaders on Monday afternoon.

Miss Bahamas Universe on Today!

MBO — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:33:34 +0000

Miss Bahamas Universe Anastagia Pierre appeared on the NBC Today show this past week alongside Kathie Lee and Hoda. The Today show spent several days in The Bahamas featuring Bahamian fashions, cuisine, destinations and people. Anastagia’s role was to provide information on The Bahamas in the show’s weekly trivia contest “Who knew?” Here’s a clip from Anastagia’s appearance on the show.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Former Miss Bahamas stars in hit video!

MBO — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:22:50 +0000

The Miss Bahamas Organization sends out a hearty CONGRATULATIONS to Miss Bahamas 2010 Braneka Bassett on her accomplishment of landing the leading role in the new Anthony Hamilton video! Anthony Hamilton is back in a major way with his latest single “Woo” and here’s a look at this music video featuring our very own beauty queen alumnus! In this new clip directed by Marcus Raboy, he and Braneka are playing a sexy game of cat and mouse. Braneka, an aspiring actress who represented the Bahamas in both the Miss Universe pageant and Miss World – where she placed as a semifinalist – looks simply amazing in the video!

“Woo” is the first single off Hamilton’s highly anticipated fourth studio album, Back To Love. This new project drops on December 13th on RCA Records, and his 19-city “Woo Tour” launches in December. Keep up the good work Braneka! Can’t wait to see you on the big screen!!!

And the winner is…….

MBO — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:49:45 +0000

It was an exciting and beautiful ending of the Miss World 2011 final competition last night as Venezuela, Ivian SARCOS, was crowned Miss World 2011. Runner up was Philippines, followed by Puerto Rico. The seven continental beauties included Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Korea, England, Philippines, South Africa and Scotland. This year a new scoreboard was introduced to allow audiences to keep track of scores as contestants progressed through the event. Performing at Miss World 2011, which was also Miss World’s 60th birthday, was Diversity and Blue. The end of the show wasn’t the finish of the evening, as all the contestants were whisked away to a beautiful coronation ball with dinner and dancing. As the evening ended, “We are Family” played, reminding the audience and the contestants of the new friends they acquired from around the world thanks to the Miss World experience.

While Miss World Bahamas Sasha Joyce did not advance to the semifinals, she represented The Bahamas very well. Sasha placed 8th in the Sportswoman Competition, and 20th in the Beauty With a Purpose competition, which was weighted heavier than the other fast track events due to its importance to the Miss World Organization. Her final overall placement was 49th. We wish to congratulate Sasha for a job well done!

Sasha advances in Beauty With a Purpose competition!

MBO — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:41:29 +0000

It has been decided by the judges to do a top 30 Presentations for Beauty with a Purpose. The top 30 Beauty with a Purpose presentations are: Barbados, Botswana, Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Liberia, Malaysia, Nepal, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, US Virgin Islands, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Bahamas, Bonaire, England, India, Malta, Namibia, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Sri Lanka, Sweden and Thailand. Sasha who is a former athlete, has worked closely with Special Olympics Bahamas since being crowned Miss World Bahamas, raising awareness of the needs of the non profit organization as it works to prepare the country’s Special Olympians year round. She also staged a “souse out” through which she was able to raise over $4000 that was donated to the charity’s expansion programs. Congratulations Sasha for having your philanthropic efforts recognized on the world stage!

Charity, talent, and family fun!

MBO — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:42:05 +0000

The Miss World 2011 Charity Gala, auction, talent show and family party took place October 31st at the Marriott County Hall hotel. It was a night of elegance, entertainment and quality time with family and friends. The Miss World 2011 contestants brought a wide variety of national gifts from their countries to enter into auction, including signed sports memorabilia, dazzling jewellery, traditional crafts, and unique artwork. Beauty with a Purpose presentations, illustrating just a few examples of some of the incredible projects contestants have been involved with, were shown, highlighting the efforts of the Miss World 2011 contestants around the world. The charity dinner was also a time for the inaugural Beauty with a Purpose Humanitarian Award, which was presented to Kieu Hoang. Founder of Rare Antibody Antigen Supply Inc., Mr. Hoang’s pioneering work in plasma-based developments to combat a range of diseases has not only saved so many lives, but his generous donations have built homes for the homeless and taken kids off the streets. Thanks to the efforts of the contestants and the generosity of the guests in attendance, the total raised for Beauty with a Purpose at the Miss World Charity Dinner reached £100,000. The evening of entertainment culminated in an eclectic mix of music, song, and dance provided by the Miss World Talent performers. It was truly a successful event.