2 weeks ago
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The 2025 Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition was certainly one for the books. As Executive Director, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Lenford Salmon, told The Gleaner, “it must go down as one of the most outstanding editions in the history of the competition”.
Last Saturday night at the National Indoor Centre in Kingston, pomp and pageantry was on full display and the 12 parish queens gave the full house dozens of reason to smile, laugh and feel proud to be Jamaican. There were some rather dramatic presentations from the finalists, most memorable among them were Miss St Catherine, whose Lady Saw-esque Diary of a Dancehall Queen skit won her the prize for Best Performer; and Miss St Mary, who repped for the Chinese community, accent and all, with a slick piece. With a car as a prop, and dressed in mechanic overalls, the takeaway was: “ Yuh come in with Probox; yuh leave with Audi.”
The coronation quickly moved into the evening gown segment, a showcase with purpose which tested the queens on walk and poise as they paraded in exquisite gowns from local designers. The prize for Most Poised was won by Brithney Clarke, Miss Kingston & St Andrew, who also won sectional prizes for Most Congenial and Most Popular on Social Media, and the big one for the night – Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2025.
She was crowned by the 2024 queen, Omolora Wilson, a bold Jamaican who remains steadfastly “unapologetic about taking up space”. Clarke, who is aware of “transformational power of the JCDC and its initiatives,” entered the Festival Queen Competition with high expectations, which, she share, “were exceeded”.
“A lot of people don’t understand what happens behind the scenes in pageants. It’s not just about walking and looking pretty. It’s about personal development, it’s about training ... and, for the JCDC pageant it’s all about nationalism, cultural pride, community service and cultural awareness and this is a great way to ensure that we preserve Jamaican culture and that we continue to be ambassadors for Brand Jamaica,” a passionate Clarke told The Gleaner.
At 28 years old, the daughter of Rohan Clarke and Senior Superintendent of Police, Stephanie Lindsay, head of the Constabulary Communications Network, had “aged out” of the competition. However, with the new rules this year, increasing the eligibility age from 24 to 30, she seized the opportunity, knowing that she had the full support of her family.
“My family have been behind me every step of the way ... you would think they are the ones in the competition,” a proud Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2025 said. “My family members ... and friends ... have kept me motivated, and I am grateful for them for all the late-night training sessions and question-and-answer in the bathroom while I’m getting ready.”
The answer to the question, ‘Is this your first pageant?’ uncovered a serial pageant finalist.
“No, it’s not my first pageant. I’m going to tell you the number and yuh going to look at me very crazy ... this is my ninth pageant,” a bubbly Clarke shared.
So, here are the nine: Miss Teen Portmore (2014) second runner-up; Miss Immaculate, 2015 winner; Miss AZ Preston Hall, 2016, winner; Miss UWI, Mona 2017, winner; Miss Global Jamaica 2019, winner, and represented Jamaica at the international level second runner-up; Miss Jamaica World, top 10 finalist; Miss Kingston & St Andrew Parish Queen competition, winner, and now Miss Jamaica Festival Queen winner.
Clarke now turns her focus on her project, Read, Speak Lead, which is an integral part of the Festival Queen Competition.
Rounding out the top three winners were first runner-up Miss St Catherine, 24-year-old entrepreneur Afiya Birch-Gentles, and 22-year-old medical student, Rhaveen Kildare, who wore the crown Miss Clarendon.
A thoroughly satisfied Lenford Salmon commended the “the high calibre of the queens coming through from the parishes to represent at the national level [and] who represented their families, communities, and parishes with pride and distinction”.
He congratulated Clarke on her victory, and pledged the support of the JCDC throughout her reign. He also had kind words for Miss Trelawny, Selena Angus, who was unable to take part in the final show due to a medical emergency. The second runner-up, she stepped up to represent Trelawny after the first- and second-place finishers withdrew.
“The JCDC and the entire Festival Queen network stand in full solidarity with her and her loved ones during this challenging time,” he said.
Special guest performer was singer Lukie D.
Jamaica 63 is being celebrated under the theme “Be Proud. Be Bold. In the Black, Green and Gold.”
English (US) ·