Miss Universe Jamaica 2020, Miqueal-Symone Williams jetted off to Florida yesterday as she sets her sights on taking on the universe on the main stage at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood Florida, Sunday, May 16, 2021.
Williams will be aiming to be Jamaica’s first winner of the prestigious Miss Universe pageant which is staging its 69th edition this year; after Yendi Phillips came closest to snagging the coveted crown when she placed second in 2010 to eventual winner Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.
The twenty-four-year -beauty, an international fashion model by profession representing high-end fashion design brands in Paris, London, Spain and New York, is also a graduate of the University of the West Indies with an undergraduate degree in Marketing.
She won the local competition in a virtual finals at the Bahia Principe Hotel in Runaway Bay Jamaica on December 12th from a field of ten semi finalists narrowed down from over ninety applications – the most in the pageant’s history under the present franchise managers and in a pandemic year!
“After withdrawing from the competition in 2017, I was determined to rejoin at a later date and 2020 was definitely my year! And what a year it has been! The Miss Universe Jamaica 2020 competition was not a typical pageant experience, since we had to navigate the uncertainty of the Covid-19 virus. Some of our educational sessions were held on video conferences rather than in person, and when we were together in person we had to be mindful of health protocols. We still formed lasting friendships and took away invaluable experiences. For instance, we had the unique challenge of adapting our altruism projects to potentially solve or alleviate issues stemming from the corona virus outbreak,” Miqueal-Symone commented.
Contestants from 74 countries and territories are expected to compete. The competition will be hosted by Mario Lopez and Olivia Culpo; Lopez last served as host during Miss Universe 2007, while Culpo was crowned Miss Universe 2012.
I’m confident in my ability to do well at the upcoming 69th Miss Universe pageant. I am always working to improve myself and I have a team that invested a lot in me, so I’m positive that I will represent myself and my country well!”, Williams said.
The reigning Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa will crown her successor at the end of the event.
