MISS JAMAICA UNIVERSE 2004
CHRISTINE STRAW Christine Straw is 24 years old and grew up near the Blue Mountains in Kingston, Jamaica. This 1.78 m (5'10") tall beauty has also been working as a Production Assistant in the Film and Television industry in Jamaica and is also a student at the University of Technology.

It's been 6 years since you competed in Miss World and ended in 6th place, and became Continental Queen of the Caribbean. What made you decide to come back to the pageant world?

Having had an awesome experience at Miss World 98, and having developed an even deeper appreciation of my own culture, I now have a greater desire to learn about and be involved in other cultures of the world. In the past few years my experiences have helped me to develop greatly and I believe I will be a better representative for Jamaica. I will be better equipped to carry this title. Miss Universe is a great opportunity for career advancement and to further my own personal projects.

Although this year's event was relatively small (There will be 2 competitions this year, the second being for 2005), the competition was advertised in the press and on TV, and 8 finalists were selected from the group of entrants. At the coronation, which was attended by media, friends, and family of the contestants and sponsors, the top 3 were announced and I was crowned the winner. The selection was made by a panel of judges all of whom were previously members of the Miss Jamaica Universe judges' panel. The show got a lot of publicity and was broadcast on Television Jamaica.

You are the 2nd Jamaican Queen to hold both titles (Universe & World) after Sandra Foster who also became a semifinalist in Miss Universe 1989 . Do you feel the pressure to do as well as you did in Miss World?

Naturally there is a sense of pressure, but I intend to do better than I did at Miss World, not just for myself but also for my fellow Jamaicans who are anticipating even greater success at Miss Universe. As I prepare for Ecuador, I will represent my country with great pride and to the best of my ability and trust that fate will play its part positively.

Do you have a specific platform or social cause that you support, or feel identified with? Explain.

Currently I am involved with the Women's Crisis Center, which is an institution that offers counseling, support and shelter for abused women in Jamaica. I am also a director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Jamaica. Both have my interest and support as they deal with issues that are more common than we suspect. I feel the need to educate Jamaica on these issues, and contribute in whatever way possible.

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How have you been preparing to compete in the Miss Universe pageant?

I have been involved in intensive preparation, under the management of Pulse, the Pageant's organizers. This is being covered by our National TV Station. The TV Show takes the format of a personal diary as I prepare to go to Ecuador - the ?center of the world ?. Training also includes consulting with a Pulse Director and the President of the Jamaica Bar Association, Hilary Phillips, and her team for the Pageant interviews; practicing these interviewing skills, addressing world issues, as well as personal matters.

I have had cultural sessions with the Consul of Ecuador to learn more about her country and customs; I am also learning conversational Spanish. Walking and grooming are also a natural part of one's preparation for such a Pageant, and I have been training with one of Jamaica's former top international models, Romae Gordon. Generally my time has been focused on positive preparation of mind, body and soul so that I can compete effectively at Miss Universe.

Who is the most interesting person you have ever met?

I have meet quite a few people of interest through exposure to film and production in Jamaica, but one of the most interesting for me was the Canadian singer Bryan Adams, whose music I happen to love! In addition, he is an accomplished photographer, which is another personal love of mine. So while vacationing in Ocho Rios with family and friends we were all staying at neighboring villas and that was where I had the privilege of meeting him and his family.

If while in Quito, you were given 10 seconds to tell the whole planet about the wonders of Jamaica, what would you say?

Jamaica is my Island Paradise! Jamaica's beauty is naturally expressed by the lush green mountains, glistening waterfalls, white sand beaches, golden sunsets, warm people and rich culture, and not to mention Reggae Music and our extremely talented and creative people. All this and more is our majestic charm.

What is your favorite Jamaican dish? Can you describe it?

I would have to say ?jerk chicken?. ?Jerk ? is a process, which creates well-seasoned meat full of flavor and very spicy. It is usually grilled over an open fire or pimento wood or cooked in a coal pot. Once cooked it is served with hard dough bread and an ice-cold Red Stripe beer. There is nothing like it!

You competed in a pageant held in the Seychelles. Do you have any anecdotes from that contest that you would like to share with our readers?

It's hard to narrow it down? my experience in the Seychelles was truly, as you say, spectacular. It was pure pleasure being introduced to a country seemingly untouched and so beautiful. I made many new friends, some of whom I still have today. The amazing thing was that even though I traveled thousands of miles from home, I felt so at home as the culture was very similar to Jamaica's. It was very warm and inviting.

Can you name three famous Jamaicans that you feel proud of and why?

The three names that come to mind immediately are Merlene Ottey ? a female sprinter, David Lee ? a world-class free diver and the Legendary Bob Marley! My pride and admiration for each of them comes from their strong passion and dedication to their respective careers as well as their perseverance and tenacity.

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you? And the most interesting?

The most interesting experience for me happened while visiting London. A friend of mine dragged me to an agency to see if I had what it takes to be a model, and as I was speaking to the receptionist, a booker at the agency walked up to me and said ?I have found face number six?. I was chosen on the spot for a huge ad campaign.

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The funniest thing happened once while fishing. I am still teased about it to this day. My fishing rod was reeling out of control, so I was excited as I was about to reel in my big catch. When I slapped on the reel lock and tried to make a quick yank, I was pulled into the sea with rod and all still in hand. To my dismay it was not a big catch as I hoped for but my hook was attached to the reef.

What are your hobbies? Do you have a special talent that you think you are excellent at?

My hobbies to date include volleyball, hiking, scuba diving and pistol shooting. I think my talent lies in pistol shooting. It is my newest love. From the very first attempt I had a very steady hand, good aim and a precise shot. This just whets my appetite to take the sport further.

Have you had time to surf the internet and glance at the other contestants? What do you think?

I have been to ?Global Beauties? website and I am very impressed with the representative of each country. They all seem to be very well rounded and interesting women. It is no surprise that they have been selected queens of their various countries.

If you could be invisible for one hour, where would you go and what would you do?

The depths of the sea, as the vast and varied marine life have always fascinated me. If I were invisible, without risk of danger, I would dive to deeper depths and swim among the sharks, schools of fish and all other marine life that I would not normally have the chance or courage to swim among in my usual scuba excursions.

What is the material possession you cherish the most?

A bottle of sand from the dessert in Qatar sent to me by my best friend when she and her family moved there after high school. It represented the start of our growth in becoming strong adults and is symbolic of a strong bond of friendship that time or distance cannot separate.

Lately, there has been an increasing popularity of reality shows that promote extreme plastic surgeries. What is your opinion on this?

I would never judge someone for choosing to undergo plastic surgery. I believe it is important for people to be comfortable with themselves and with who they are. Although the demands of physical beauty have created an upsurge in plastic surgery, I still believe one's confidence shouldn't be based on one's physical appearance only. Although physical beauty is important, inner beauty is what really radiates.

What will you be doing on June 2nd?

I will be celebrating the experience of being a part of Miss Universe 2004, and God willing I will be wearing the crown!

Do you have a personal quote/motto that you would like to share with our readers?

Be true to yourself and believe you deserve nothing but the best!

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Ms Jamaica-Universe 2003....and the runner-ups.
Now dem look like some real Jamaican women but the one above kinna look more hispanic...














Conclusion: Jamaican ooman a suga-n salt and I hope that Ms. Ja-Univ. 2004 wins.

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Well, this is interesting, because I agree with *Honey P* and PB. Jamaica has more dark than light skinned people but when it comes to Miss World etc..its mainly light skin that represent our beautiful country.

I think Miss World needs to balance things up coz there are many, many BEAUTIFUL DARK skin ooman in Jamaica, let's see them represent the country for a change.

But hey don't tek my word for it...tek a look for yourselves. I did some quick research of the last few years. Even our first Miss World was light skinned.

Miss Ja 2002 Danielle Ohayon
Miss Ja 2001 Regina Beavers
Miss Ja 2000 Ayisha Richards
Miss Ja 1999 Desiree Depass

Attached Images

	Miss jamaica2002.jpg (12.7 KB, 27 views)
	Miss jamaica2001.jpg (9.0 KB, 30 views)
	Miss jamaica2000.jpg (4.5 KB, 23 views)
	miss jamaica99 Desiree Depass.jpg (4.4 KB, 24 views)
	miss jamaica98 christine straw.jpg (4.6 KB, 27 views)

that girl thoesn't look jamaican, she looks like espanic for real pb, she doesn't even look like she speak jamaican, but they seem to still have the concept that light skinned would win them a pagent, which is such a myth.
but hey as long as she representing ja, i hope she makes ja proud, but still they could have gottne somebody more jamaican. a so it go sitll

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ME TOO RICH FE ARGUE WITH B$#^T
ME TOO NICE FE INNA CAT FIGHT
ME TOO HOT AND A DAT NUFF GAL NUH LIKE DEM A EVERYBODY SOMETHIN AND ME A WIFE

honey, it is the legacy of colonialism in Ja where anything too black no good enough to represent JA competing 'gainst whites

to be fairskinned is seen as a status symbol somewhat!!

These beautiful Jamaican women exemplify..."out of many, one people"

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Love the life you live, and live the life you love

but when more than half the population is black there is a cause for concern when black girls are overlooked...then again it is not only looks that are impt but intelligence socio-economic background and career prospects etc

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it's a dancehall ting- jus gimme de light