Jamaicans react to the Miss Universe Pageant

Garfene Grandison, Gleaner Writer

The Miss Universe pageant, currently under way at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, has received quite a buzz surrounding the selection of beauties in the competition. On the list of crown favourites is Jamaica's very own Yendi Phillipps.

Phillipps, who upon winning the crown of the Miss Jamaica Universe title last month, came under a lot of scrutiny from detractors about her decision to enter. But with the new buzz that she has been creating, many of these so-called 'Yendi-bashers' are now chanting a different tune. Phillipps is now in the number-two position in the costume section, voted as one of the most photogenic after a series of photos of her was released on the web, and fluctuates between second and fourth position as the most favourite contestant to win the crown on missuniverse.com.

All over the Internet, the reaction has changed from dismay and harshness to one of congrats and well-wishes. Social-networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter are two of the main fora where persons have voiced their opinions. One detractor in a message to Yendi on her Facebook fan page stated, "Yendi I want to publicly apologise ... because I was cussing you out for losing so much weight and kept comparing you to the Miss World 2007 ... however, after looking at you tonight ... and for the fact that Miss Universe is mainly a modelling contest along with inner and outer beauty and brains, you did the right thing, you were fabulous."

Phillipps, who feels blessed by all the support from the fans posted a comment on her Facebook wall stating, "It's amazing what coming together can result in. JAMAICA IS NOW RANKED #3 at missuniverse.com. I cannot say thanks enough ... we can do it! Let us show that when united J'cans will always reign supreme! We're a part of the movement to rebrand Ja! Blessings!"

Another elated fan posted, "Yes, Yes and Yes I am hearing all-round positive feedback from my sources in Las Vegas that Yendi has impressed Mr Trump a great deal. In fact, it didn't hurt Yendi one bit last week that Miss USA endorsed Yendi as a major competitor to her! Yendi go forward and become Jamaica's first representative to win the Miss Universe crown, we believe in you!"

Confidence and grace

Following the live preliminaries on Friday night, where each of the 83 ladies sashayed in evening wear and swimsuits, Phillipps again did the country proud as she moved with confidence, grace and poise. It came as a shock to many that Jamaica was front and centre on the live televised show. Twitter immediately exploded as people began to tweet.

"Front and centre for the crown, baby. Front and centre," stated one tweeter. Another tweeted, "Ok, so when all 83 girls came out together in the swimwear the camera did a zoom in on Yendi and then zoomed out. They did this for Yendi alone!" The tweets continued as fans continued to rain praises on Phillipps for her progress. "No lie, Yendi won the swimsuit section... the gown was iffy but she was hot nonetheless. Proud of her. Where are all the haters who didn't want her to win Miss Ja Universe?"

Steadfast on her goal to bring the crown to Jamaica, the 24-year-old posted via Facebook, "The content of your thoughts and personal beliefs can be proven by a single indicator, your current results." - James A. Ray."

The Miss Universe pageant will be aired live at 9 tonight on NBC. Persons can also log on to www.missuniverse.com and cast their vote.

grandison.garfene@gleanerjm.com