2 months ago
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It was a night filled with grace, empowerment, and emotion at the Douglas Orane Auditorium at Wolmer’s Boys’ School in St Andrew on Saturday, as the Miss Universe Jamaica East 2025 competition unfolded in spectacular fashion. From captivating performances to heartfelt moments, the evening culminated in the crowning of 23-year-old Troy-Ann Anderson as the new Queen of the East.
As the last two competitors, Anderson and Simone Gardner, a crowd favourite, stood onstage holding hands with nervousness and excitement written all over their faces, the atmosphere was tense. Her surprise and excitement were clear as she spoke with The Gleaner following her win.
“It’s something I can’t fully explain. I’m absolutely overjoyed,” Anderson said. “I’ve made my parents proud. I’ve made my brother proud. I represented not just my family, but my church family too.”
Grateful, she shared that she never expected to walk away with the crown.
“I am so incredibly humbled. Entering this competition. I didn’t expect to get this much out of it,” she said. “I knew that Miss Universe Jamaica East was a platform for altruism and empowerment, but I did not in my wildest dreams expect to be the woman standing before you today. I’m filled with confidence. I’m filled with humility. And I thank the organisers of Miss Universe Jamaica East; the directors; Jermaine Blair [and] the national directors who all individually pour into us as women.”
This is not the first competition or pageantry win for the newly crowned Miss Universe Jamaica East. Anderson started participating in pageants in prep school. She entered Miss Hastings at the prep school level at Hastings Academy and won and now, years later, her passion and resilience have brought her full circle.
Troy-Ann’s parents, Troy Anderson and Hillary Hamilton-Anderson, could hardly contain their joy after their daughter’s name was called as the new queen.
“We’re ecstatic, over the moon!” they exclaimed.
“[When she entered,] we were like Troy-Ann, something else weh mi affi go spend money again!” said Troy Anderson with a laugh. “So that was my take on it because once she makes her mind up to do something, you can’t shift her mind from it, she is resilient. And so, you know, eventually, we would have given her our full support. The sky is the limit for her!”
Joining Anderson in the top-three were first runner-up Simone Gardner and second runner-up Shiann Excell.
Excell, who had an emotional moment backstage after a stumble during the Q&A segment, emerged resilient.
“It is honestly an accomplishment to get this far, being that 30 girls are a part of the competition, and I made it to the top six then the top three. It is definitely a great feeling,” she said.
Throughout the evening, several contestants were recognised with sectional awards.
Gardner was named Best in Evening Wear; Jody-Ann Daley, Most Photogenic; Excell, Essence of Style and Best in Swimwear; Miss Congeniality Princess of the East, Nastassia Haughton and Ashleigh Kates, Altruism.
Franchise-holder Jermaine Blair shared his delight at the success of the event, despite the late start.
“That opera performance was spectacular [and] Dane from Edna Manley designed an incredible gown [for her] in just two days for her. The St Hugh’s High School choir, the fire performance, and our emerging artiste August; it was all amazing. Most importantly, the contestants really came out, stood out, and performed.”
The dazzling opera performance by Shawna Stewartson-Bennett, a teacher at St George’s College, left the audience in awe, while a daring fire display had the crowd on the edge of their seats.
Anderson will go on to the national final of the Miss Universe Jamaica competition as the Miss Universe Jamaica East winner. The top six are expected to join her.
English (US) ·