Miss Ja UK ... more at home in Jamaica

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

Keecia Ellis is simply fun. After all, she has the comedic traits found in her cousins of the Ellis clan, including Owen 'Blakka' Ellis, Ity (Ian Ellis), of Ity and Fancy Cat fame, and, quite interestingly, late reggae/ rocksteady maestro Alton Ellis, who was her father.

Twenty-two-year-old Keecia, the current Miss Jamaica UK, spent a vacation at the Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios recently, where Outlook caught up with her.

This was the 'umpteenth' trip to Jamaica for the London-born queen, as she comes "home" two or more times each year, a practice developed as she travelled the globe with her dad while he was alive.

"When dad was alive, I was his 'handbag', so I had to go everywhere with him. He would say, 'Come handbag!' and I would say, 'Alright!'" she explained in good humour.

"So Jamaica is my second home. I feel more at home here, I guess. It's a place where I feel comfortable, I love the food, I love the music. People say I have an old soul because is only Delroy Wilson and Gregory Isaacs music I listen to!" she exclaimed.

"I guess it's everything about the island that makes it a beautiful place. I could live here," added the queen.

She won the annual pageant last November, having finished university with a degree in music business, prior to that. Now she is hoping to study entertainment law as she seeks to address the needs of reggae music artistes who are short on knowledge of the business aspects of the industry, especially where copyright issues are concerned.

She also hopes to pay more attention to her musical and songwriting abilities.

Dad's music ability

"People might say I got my dad's musical ability. From a young age, when he did a tour of Japan, I saw these children with violins and I said, 'Daddy, I want to learn to play that instrument'. As soon as we went back home, he took me to piano lessons. So from the age of six, I've been playing the piano."

Those travels with dad ended for good four years ago when the reggae great passed away in 2008. She misses him.

"My father was a very caring dad, always wanting people to see their dream and do it," she reflected. "He wanted you to go and take it with your two hands. He said he had always wanted to get out of the ghetto - and that's what he did. He was a great dad," she said in response to our question about the relationship she shared with her late father.

Trying to overcome her sadness and regain some lost confidence, last year, Keecia decided at the last minute to enter the Miss Jamaica UK pageant. There was little time to prepare.

"I prepared by just having a focused mind. I think that was my main preparation, because I entered so late," she explained. "I was experiencing deep sorrow, so I decided to throw myself out there."

She did, and emerged victorious, even though she did not anticipate it. But being queen has lived up to her expectations, she got a trip to Jamaica and has been able "to be interviewed and express my opinion and speak about my passion".

So, did her father's legacy help to bring her victory? Indirectly, it might have, she admitted.

"He has always pushed me towards my ambition and that has helped me, so maybe he has helped me to achieve this. But I won't say his status as Alton Ellis in any way helped. People might say differently, I don't know."

Strict parents

Growing up with strict parents, (Alton and mom Judith), they ultimately became her role models and mentors, charting her path.

"They both showed me direction without forcing me," she responded.

Now nearing her reign, Keecia still hopes to contribute to Jamaica in her capacity as Miss Jamaica UK and beyond. She expressed a desire for opportunities to give support for Jamaica 50.

Miss Jamaica UK's final task will be to crown her successor in November, and she is hoping many bright young women will continue entering the contest sponsored annually by The Voice and Jamaica National Building Society.

"If they have a great passion for Jamaica and the UK, and if they can represent both sides well, I think they definitely should enter," said Keecia, who returned to England last week.

carlgilchrist@hotmail.com