New queen crowned at Hedo II

Negril's Oasis of pleasure, Hedonism II resort, turned up the heat last Saturday with the 19th staging of the Miss Black Nude Pageant.

The eight Black American-based contestants faced off in the various categories, which included Talent, Best Evening Gown, Best Lingerie and Most Congenial. And the petite Ebonique 'Allure' Clayton - who was celebrating her birthday - stood head and shoulders above her peers.

Delores Dickson, 78, who founded the pageant in 1992, said despite the event's title, it is open to all nationalities and has seen its fair share of Hispanic and Caucasian women over the years. She was also pleased at the growing success of Miss Black Nude.

"I'm very happy with where the pageant is today," Dickson said. The Miss Black Nude pageant and Hedonism II resort gained worldwide appeal after it was aired on the HBO's adult programme Real Sex.

"HBO did three shows and they want to do the 20th-anniversary staging next year. BET has done three shows, Playboy did two and Showtime did one. The English channels sometimes follow me to Jamaica, wanting to film the pageant," Dickson said.

Hedonism II has hosted the pageant 16 times in its 20-year history.