One Miss World pageant, two Jamaican entries?

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

There will be more than one beauty queen in the Miss World competition this year who is proud of her Jamaican heritage.

As the current Miss Jamaica World Chantal Raymond competes to become the island's fourth Miss World winner, Miss Australia World, Ashleigh Francis, while representing the land Down Under, is more than willing to talk about her Jamaican connections.

In an interview with The Sunday Gleaner, the Aussie beauty believes that while born and bred in Australia, she has more than enough Jamaican attributes, which she inherited from her Jamaican father.

Francis was crowned Miss Australia World 2010 on August 3, and will compete in the Miss World competition to be held in Sanya, China, on October 30.

Studying fashion design

The 23-year-old hails from Sydney, Australia, and is currently studying to become a fashion designer - a career path she has temporarily put on hold for the duration of her reign as Miss Australia World.

Describing herself as a bubbly, approachable and passionate person, Francis said: "I believe that a big part of happiness comes from helping others, which is why I volunteer my spare time to charities which specialise in helping underprivileged children."

Francis said her Jamaican father hails from Kingston and has a large family that lives on the island. She came to Jamaica in 2000 where she met them for the first time. She said: "My father was the president for the West Indian Association of Australia for many years. He always spoke to me about Jamaica while we ate jerk chicken with rice and peas. He would tell me stories about our families and how proud he is to be Jamaican. Both my parents have taught me to have compassion, understanding and to stand up for what I think is right. I believe that this is also the way of the Jamaican people. I must also say the first time he watched the movie Cool Runnings, it brought a tear to his eye as it took him back to the beautiful surrounds of Jamaica."

According to Francis, she grew up listening to reggae greats such as Bob Marley, who she says her father had the honour of meeting.

Dancehall fan

She is also a fan of dancehall music, noting that she enjoys listening to KipRich and Elephant Man.

"I loved going to the beach parties in Ocho Rios and listening to all the reggae and raga music, although I couldn't ever really master the fabulous way everyone would dance, coming from a dance background, I think I'm too stiff," she joked.

The budding fashion designer says she has plans to visit the island again soon but, in the meantime, she is preparing and basking in the glow of her current queenly status.

She said: "My family has taught me that a big part of happiness comes from helping others. I entered the Miss World competition because I wanted to not only be a role model to young women, but spread my message to the world, that if we are all doing something, then we are doing everything we can to help people in need."

As for the future, Francis says after the competition she hopes to finish her diploma in fashion design so she can open a non-profit organisation which specialises in providing underprivileged children with clothing.