34th Miss Jamaica World to be crowned today

The 34th annual staging of the Miss Jamaica World grand coronation show takes place this evening at the Jamaica Pegasus.

The theme for this year's show is titled 'Beauty of the Elements' with fashions from the Fantasy photo shoot, shot at the picturesque Boone Hall Oasis. According to Weston Haughton, who has been working with the Miss Jamaica World pageant since 1983, "the audience can expect to be taken on a fantasy ride as the contestants, dubbed 'daughters of the elements', will portray earth, wind, water and fire in stunning outfits designed by the Uzuri International duo of Mark McDermoth and Karl Williams".

"The Stella Maris Dancers are the 'children of the elements' and will, with exciting choreography, bring new meaning to the term rhythm in motion," he added.

Patrons will also be treated to an evening of live entertainment in the form of acts like the former Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, singer-designer Ashley Martin and reggae ambassador Tarrus Riley.

Martin has paired her sexy and seductive image with a soulful voice, and continues to show she belongs with the big guns in the industry.

Stellar acts

The singer has performed at some of Jamaica's most prestigious functions such as the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival and has shared the stage with a number of award-winning artistes such as Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and more recently, Nicki Minaj at Reggae Sumfest.

Tarrus Riley has been making waves on the reggae circuit with a number of hit songs with the most popular and far-reaching being She's Royal, an anthem to women everywhere. To date, he has released three albums, Challenges, Parables and Contagious, which are still receiving rave reviews from the public.

With his movement titled BLACKSOIL, Tarrus has continued to dominate the awards scene each year, copping awards such as the Youth View Awards, the EME's, the Reggae Academy Award and others.

Riley's most recent high-profile performances include the 2011 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, Reggae Sumfest 2010, Betty Wright and Friends in concert, and the Palmyra Foundation's fund-raising event. He is currently working on the release of his fourth studio album, which is expected later this year.

Unfortunately for many pageant lovers, there will be no live telecast this year on TVJ.