Franchise holders for Miss Jamaica World and Mr World Jamaica say recruiting is on in earnest as a ‘five-week festival of events’ to select the next king and queen of pageantry took place on Tuesday (July 16) at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites.

Already, the anticipation for the respective grand coronation shows in September has fans and supporters vigilant for the next new faces of Jamaican beauty.

Since 1959, Miss Jamaica World (MJW) has had scores of contestants win the competition, moving on to represent the country on the grand stage of the ‘Miss World’ competition.

So far, Jamaica has had four official Miss World wins, the first being Carole Joan Crawford (1963), and the most recent being Toni-Ann Singh (2019). Singh ended up being the longest-reigning Miss World in history due to the COVID-19 pandemic delaying the event.

Miss Jamaica World 2022, Shanique Singh represented the island in the Miss World 2024 competition in 2024 but finished outside of the top 40.

The search is on for the next Mr and Miss Jamaica World, beginning on July 28 with a ‘closed door’ interview/elimination process where judges will select the top twenty finalists from both competitions.

MJW, co-franchise owner, Weston Haughton said in his opening address that “We are delighted to launch this Miss Jamaica World, and yes, say it loud, Mr World Jamaica,”

“We are proud, we are pleased that we have four Miss Worlds and hint, hint, Maybe the fifth one coming up.”

Haughton went on to give a little trivia on Patsy Yuen, 2nd runner-up Miss World 1973 reigned as Miss World in the stead of winner Marjorie Wallace after she was dethroned 104 days after for misconduct.

“Really and truly, we have five Miss World winners,” he added. “We likkle but wi tallawah [and] we know good things are going to happen again for us.”

Haughton highlighted his fellow franchise holder Dahlia Harris, lauding her as the one who makes things happen, “She is going to carry the whole thing, and she will nudge me if she wants any help.” he said, jokingly.

In her address, Harris could hardly contain her excitement for the upcoming pageant season.

“We are the only brand in Jamaica that has won a global title…four times.” she said, “That’s not easy. Jamaica punches way above weight in the competition.”

She went into the recruitment process, beseeching the media and public to assist with recruitment,

“We want to engage the public on social media… if you see someone or you know someone who you think could be Miss Jamaica World or Mr World Jamaica, send them [this flyer], and let them know that we are trying to find them.”

“We cannot cover the length and breadth of Jamaica on our own, so we are asking that the bloggers, pageant coaches…” do their part in sending recruits to MJW.

She highlighted the sponsors as the key to ensuring the success of MJW, which included Fesco, Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF), GK One, Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Jamaica Tourist Board and many others.

“We could not do it without our sponsors,” she said.

The major sponsor for Mr World Jamaica, AHF’s Kevin Harvey said, “We wanted to partner with the Mr World Jamaica completion to try and encourage our men to take care of their health.” “WE are where teh completion is going to encourage persons to exercise, drink more water, walk properly… and the fashion component is also very important.”

“We are hoping this could start something that could expand the sense of pride of Jamaican men,” he added.

Harris gave thanks to all the sponsors, pageant coaches, stylists, designers, photographers and the rest who have made each pageant year a success.

The 72nd Miss Jamaica World competition will be held on September 6, while the Mr World Jamaica September 1.