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“I was very ecstatic! It was a breathtaking and awesome moment.” That’s how Miriam Rose, newly crowned Mrs Universe Jamaica 2025, described hearing her name called during Saturday’s coronation at the AC Hotel Kingston.
The 47-year-old entrepreneur and farmer from Philadelphia, Brown’s Town, in St Ann, said the moment marked the fulfilment of a lifelong dream she thought she had left behind. “This is something that I always wanted to do from I was a little girl. I emulated Cathy Levy, Lisa Hanna, and many other queens [who] represented Jamaica. However, life happened and as I grew older I gave up on the idea. When I saw the Mrs Universe coronation last year I got super inspired and excited that my dreams were still possible,” she shared.
Rose first heard about the competition from the husband of a 2024 contestant. She attended last year’s coronation and left inspired to take part herself. She now moves on to represent Jamaica at the international Mrs Universe competition, which will be held in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, from October 1 to 9, and she couldn’t be more excited. “To experience the food and the culture, but mostly to bring home the crown!” said the travel and adventure enthusiast of what she’s most looking forward to. Her dream travel destination is Africa, and she hopes to use her reign to promote service and raise awareness about mental illness, parental alienation, and food security.
Having grown up in St Ann and attended Servite Primary School and high school and college in Kingston and St Andrew, Rose is currently separated and the mother of three children – Brianna, 24; Jaden, 20; and Kai-lee, 18 – and said her family, some of whom were present at the coronation, were just as thrilled as she was following her win. “They were in attendance and were ecstatic!”
According to Shannon Green, national director of Caribbean Pageants Inc. and organiser of Mrs Universe Jamaica, the 2025 staging featured 10 contestants. “The contestants were deeply stimulated and amazed by their experience within the pageant process,” she said. “They were especially appreciative that the journey focused on self-discovery and personal growth – helping them better understand who they are as individuals and how they can make change in their community and country as representatives.”
Green, who is also the organiser of the Intercontinental Queen of Jamaica and Ms Cosmos Jamaica pageants, added that the event also enjoyed strong support from sponsors. “The sponsors who came on board this year truly saw the vision and are excited to build and grow the brand. Collaboration is key, and I’m grateful to have partners who understand the importance of building something impactful together,” she said.
The first runner-up in the Mrs Universe Jamaica competition was Raquel Chin, a 53-year-old CEO of House of Khy. The title of Cosmos Queen of Jamaica 2025 went to Dr Kimone Young, a general practitioner and a public health specialist, while Shanique Nelson was named Intercontinental Queen of Jamaica 2025. First runner-up titles in those respective categories went to Davia Wilson and Youlanda Gordon.
In the sectional awards, Dr Young swept three categories – Photogenic, People’s Choice, and Best in Evening Wear. She also placed second runner-up in the Talent category. Chin took home the Fashion Award and was named first runner-up for Talent, while Gordon won Best Talent overall. Rose earned the Best Interview award, and Chevelle Sudlow-Foskin was named Miss Congeniality. Shanique Wilson was the recipient of the Business Award.
Green noted that preparations are already under way for Rose’s reign. “Miriam will be preparing for the international competition and building her capacity within the community and farming initiatives,” she explained. “We are currently planning her appearance and public speaking schedule over the next 12 months.”
Having marked the pageant’s five-year anniversary, the team has already opened registration for the 2026 staging. “Mrs Universe Jamaica 2026 will be a bigger experience, with new sponsors, mentors, and activities,” Green said, adding that giving contestants more time to prepare allows for deeper engagement and sisterhood.
Looking ahead, Green hopes to see the brand evolve into a powerful, purpose-driven movement. “I envision Mrs Universe Jamaica evolving into a powerhouse platform – not only celebrating beauty, but deeply rooted in purpose, leadership, and legacy-building,” she said. “I want it to be known across Jamaica and internationally as a movement where women are empowered to transform their stories into action, and their passions into impact.”
“Ultimately, I want the Mrs Universe Jamaica pageant to be a launchpad for building [a] legacy – where every woman who passes through the process feels more equipped, more confident, and more connected to a higher purpose, [introducing] new leaders [to] the community and eventually effecting worldwide change.”
Mrs Universe is an annual international pageant open to married, divorced, and widowed women.
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