BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WITH the second edition of the Mr. GQ Pageant set to hit the stage in just over a week’s time, one of the contestants is seeking to remove the stigma attached to male pageantry while advising youths to desist from a life of crime and violence.
Sponsored by Mystic Photo Studio, Denvil ‘Prynce’ Francis is a captivating 29-year-old who enjoys listening to good music, meeting people and participating in dramas.
During an interview with SKNVibes Entertainment, Francis intimated that his participation in the Culturama Mr. Kool Contest had provided him the confidence to venture in the popular male pageant.
In that contest Francis was adjudged First Runner-up, a feat he never expected.
“I went into it not knowing anything about pageantry and I didn’t have a team at the time. I learnt so much during the time of that venture that it spurred me to do another. I got the First Runner-up spot in Nevis (Culturama) as well as Mr. Photogenic and Best Interview. With that, I found it helped to build my character.
“So coming off that, I decided to enter this one and get myself an official team so that I can actually capture the crown now, beating out these other guys.”
Francis also enjoys attending sporting events but his standout is track and field.
Since his introduction at the launching of Carnival, the Delegate Number Two has been a catch with the ladies and that was evident when he was again introduced at the cocktail party for the Caribbean Carnival Queen Pageant.
What do you most want to achieve by entering this pageant, was one of the questions posed to him.
“I am hoping to take away leadership skills from this event and also to do work with a lot of the young people in St. Kitts and Nevis. Right now the young men are the heart of the country and they are rapidly being taken out by the violence that is happening on the streets. If I can be a light and an advocate between all of those young men, I would so like to be that.”
Francis was also asked what he could do to remove the stigma attached to males who participate in pageantries.
“Well, I wouldn’t stand here and lie to you. I was one of those people who painted male pageantry in that light. If a guy goes in he has to be strange...you know,” he laughed. “But after being involved I realised that it was actually a platform that gives men a boost when it comes to dealing with society, because many say that we cannot become anything.
“It actually helps to build you and make something of you. It sometimes assists you in becoming a positive leader. I would admonish any young man to go out and do it and it would be fruitful in the end.”
In response to what people do not know about Prynce Francis outside the walls of pageantry, the young man declared that he is family-oriented.
“Many people know me as the singer, but outside of that I enjoy being relaxed, maybe travel. But most of all I enjoy being with friends and family.”
Francis declared that on the night of the Pageant, patrons could expect “lots of drama, sex appeal - especially the ladies - confidence and just Francis being himself”.
The Mr. GQ Pageant is slated for Tuesday (Dec. 27) along with the Ms. Swimsuit Pageant.
