Miss SVG 2013: Reflections of a Commentator

This year marks 10 years since I have been going to the Miss SVG pageant. I remember in 2002 when Laferne Fraser was crowned Miss SVG and went on to win Miss CARIVAL. I have always enjoyed the show because of the humorous moments that are provided but ultimately I wanted to see which girl would go on to represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This year I was asked to do commentary for one of the top radio stations in SVG, We Fm. So sitting in the media booth, I had a bird’s eye view of the pageant and looked forward to what I would see.

The show started promptly at 8 p.m. which was a good thing for the Beauty Shows Committee. The rendition of the National Anthem by Gideon James was welcome and then came the MCs. The MCs for the night were Mr. Colin Williams and Ms. Theresa Daniel. Throughout the night these two were too scripted and for the most part did little to add to the show. There was a lack of chemistry between co-hosts was evident and I am sure that a lot of their ‘humour’ was lost by the younger audience.

I don’t know why we need a speech by a politician during Carnival. I think this was just a filler. If we’re going to have the speech, let’s make sure it’s scripted, timed and stays on point.

The introduction by the contestants in costumes by the various mas bands was maybe the best appearance. Here however most of the girls sounded so scripted. This could be attributed to nerves but a few contestants stood out in that introduction including Hannah Hamilton and Ann Laborde. These two were crowd favourites from the beginning and would go on to dominate the show.

First Appearance in costume 

(Photos by Oris Robinson Taken from Carnivalsvg.com )

The opening dance by the contestants was so simple that I am not sure it added much to the show. The routine was something I expected to see at a primary school level and was not as synchronized as I thought it would be. I was however really disappointed by the Arabesque Dance Group’s choice of pop songs and all foreign songs for their dance routine. I think if this is a show to highlight culture that there are more than enough Soca and calypso songs that can be used. The Potential Steel Orchestra did a good job by playing all local songs especially the 2013 selections and the performance by the 2012 Junior Soca Monarch Otis ‘Flipper’ Cain with his hit “Squeeze Up” was refreshing.

Then came the first judge appearance which was the Swimsuit category. This year the girls wore a Monokini with a bolero. The boleros came in two colours: fuchsia and a forest green with several different coloured swimsuits. This section was better than previous years as most of the girls had well toned bodies. The wardrobe malfunction by contest number one Shannon Bess did not help as the back strap of her swimsuit snapped.  While most other contestants had their swimsuits without a hitch, there was a questionable clash of style and colours with the shoes worn. The shoes looked heavy and several of the contestants could not walk comfortably in the shoes; which begs the question: Did these girls practice walking in similar heels over the months? The final joint appearance with the sashes on detracted from the comparison of the contestants especially for the judges.

Second Judged Appearance - Swimsuit 

(Photos by Oris Robinson Taken from Carnivalsvg.com )

The second judged appearance which was Talent can only be described by one word: LACKING. The talents were not only void of creativity and appeal, but showed up the young ladies. The winning talent by Chenead Hackshaw with her dramatization entitled “Deported” was picked as the winner as soon as it was performed. There were few pieces that evoked any type of response from the crowd. The piece by contestant number eight Brooke Legair would have been better received if it were rehearsed more and was better executed. The singing by several contestants was not a display of talent and as such I wonder if these contestants showed other people their talents who were honest to them? (Controversy about this in a later blog post)

Winning Talent - Chenead Hackshaw 

(Photos by Oris Robinson Taken from Carnivalsvg.com )

The Evening wear section was welcome. Most dresses were well received and the train seemed to be extremely popular this year. The winning design was local and congratulations are in order for Ms. Kimon Baptiste. I think the choice of colours for some contestants did not help. If a different shade were used for some contestants for example, Hannah Hamilton, it would have brought out the dress more. The dress that stood out and not in a good way was the dress of contestant number eight, Brook Legair. The dress was not only unflattering but very heavy on the eye. Most of the girls did not understand how to carry their dresses and did not do justice to the designs.

Winning Evening Gown worn by Shara George, designed Kimon Baptiste

(Photos by Oris Robinson Taken from Carnivalsvg.com )

And of course there were the interviews. This year’s interviews were not bad but they weren't outstanding either. There was a lack of enthusiasm (maybe due to nervousness) or just a downright lack of confidence in the display of intelligence. While most contestants answered their questions, there were no impressive interviews and there were the usual misquotes by the ladies especially lady who described the management function as human resourcement.

Wining Interview by Ann Therese Chambers

(Photos by Oris Robinson Taken from Carnivalsvg.com )

One of the better aspects of the show was the entertainment. The performances by local artistes were some of the best performances in the last few years. Ipa, Tamisha and Icon who won in the New Song Competitions delivered at the show and kept a less than enthusiastic crowd entertained. The comedy piece by Shevrelle 'Candy Man' McMillan was well received by the crowd and was the talk of the show. 

Tamisha Nicholls, winner of New Song Competition in Ragga Soca performs

(Photos by Oris Robinson Taken from Carnivalsvg.com )

Shaunelle McKenzie in her performance really showed style and versatility and even after her show malfunction (not seen by most till the show came on TV) showed why after 20 years she’s still one of the top artistes in SVG.

Shaunelle McKenzie, One of the featured artists.

(Photos by Oris Robinson Taken from Carnivalsvg.com )

 There was a fitting tribute to Mrs. Avis York who was the Deputy Chairperson of the Beauty Shows Committee. The final walk by Miss SVG 2012 Carice Glasgow was a speech followed by her performance of a song. I’m not sure that was necessary as the talent section was finished and not sure that it added to her legacy as Miss SVG 2012.

In the end Shara George was crowned Miss SVG 2013 while Anna Laborde was 1^st runner up and Hannah Hamilton was 2^nd runner up. While during the show there was no clear winner, these three ladies were outstanding and it came as no surprise that they were in the top three. 

 Crowning of Miss SVG 2013

(Photos by Oris Robinson Taken from(Photos by Oris Robinson Taken from Carnivalsvg.com )

Overall Miss SVG 2013 was very bland and was really not as exciting as it was portrayed to be by the CDC. The poor performances in talent really brought down the standard of the show and have cause controversy to arise in the CDC and in the media coverage following Miss SVG. We wish Ms. George all the best for Miss CARIVAL 2013 but the big question is: What will Miss SVG 2014 be like? The only answer can be: Only time will tell!

For more highlights from Miss SVG 2013, check out Carnivalsvg.com and Cloud 9 Images on Facebook.