2 months ago
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Following Keri-Ann Greenwood’s successful run during this year’s staging of the Miss Global competition, AndWar International, the local franchise owners, are reaffirming their commitment to moulding local talent for international greatness.
“Our primary focus is building these individuals and getting them ready to represent on an international stage. With this latest achievement we’re currently in deliberation [on] how next best to approach that. But, even at the end of those discussions, the goal will be preparing others to go big and win,” the agency’s Operations Manager, Jerome Reynolds, told The Gleaner.
Focusing on one special talent has proven lucrative for AndWar, as Greenwood isn’t their only contestant to win big on the international stage.
“Our last placement was Tamichael Watson who placed [third] in the Mister International 2023 competition. We also had Melissandi Matthews who placed top 15 in Miss Globe and Israel Harrison who placed top eight in the Miss International competition,” Reynolds explained.
“So, we have been making strides, and for that we are very proud,” he added.
These are notable achievements for a relatively new agency who first began making a splash on the scene in 2019. When asked their secret, AndWar gave us a peak behind the curtains.
“Through the AndWar Academy, we give our cohorts an edge through rigorous exposure to training that prepares them for personal interviews which accounts for the largest portion of their international score. The second aspect represents the four elements of on-stage presence but in particular pasarela training. Which accounts for the second largest portion of their international score,” the company said in a statement response to questions.
According to the company’s CEO, Andrew Harris, AndWar has one fixed goal on its mind.
“One of the main reasons we started AndWar about six years ago was because we felt that our Jamaican men and women who compete in these international events don’t have enough experience,” he explained. “They go to Miss Universe and Miss World not having a clue of how to present themselves on an international competition. And so, we thought it would be a good idea to send our young men and women to some of the smaller pageants to give them that international experience,” Harris added.
With the right training and dedication, AndWar believes Jamaican talent can, and will continue to shine on the global stage. “We can almost guarantee consistent high placement if our contestants are properly ready,” Harris said. “Good examples are contestants from the Philippines, Venezuela and Thailand who are always well prepared and who are always called among the top contestant groups. Our Jamaican delegates should compete in multiple minor international and local competitions to give them raw exposure.”
Greenwood’s placement during the Miss Global competition serves as a testimony to this, and Harris is hopeful this winning combination will continue to shine. He was however mindful of the challenges that come with competing on the global stage.
“Some major challenges they could face are loneliness and depression from lack of support. Often when a Jamaican travels to a distant country halfway across the planet, there [is] no familiar face for them to see. The food is different, the culture is different, and the behavioural expectations are different,” Harris said.
English (US) ·