ROAD TOWN, Tortola - MEGA superstar Beyonce Knowles declared in her hit ‘I’m a diva’ that it was the female version of a hustler; however, in the Caribbean the word ‘diva’ is defined as something different.
According to Shevone Thomas a ‘diva’ is about the positive passion that one has inside which drives one to strive to rise above all obstacles.
Thomas is the organiser of the second staging of the Miss Caribbean Diva Pageant, which will be held at the Sir Briercliffe Hall in Tortola on Sunday, June 28.
The theme of the pageant is “The positive passion you see, reflects the true Caribbean Diva in Me”.
Nine nationals of various countries currently residing in the British Virgin Islands will compete for the prestigious title.
The pageant was first held in 2006, but because of financial difficulties the event was not staged in 2007 and 2008.
Thomas explained that the sole purpose of the pageant was to showcase creativity of young women who are sometimes marginalised because of their nationality.
“Being in the BVI, we’re very diverse in culture and some of the young ladies are unable to vie for the Miss BVI Pageant without being marginalised because they are not from here,” she said. “So, the show is to also create a positive unity and to market the different countries. It’s about fashion, culture and creative style.”
The contestants are drawn from the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, British Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, Grenada, Haiti, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Kitts and Nevis which is represented by Shinika Mercer.
The nine contestants will be competing in five segments - Introductory Speech, Strictly Business, Island Vibe, Evening Wear, and Diva Wear or Caribbean Rainbow.
In the Introductory Speech segment, the contestants will have to speak of the positive passion of a Caribbean diva and also about themselves, while in Strictly Business they can showcase any style of work attire.
The Island Vibe segment was designed for the contestants to promote their respective islands while dressed in an ambassadorial-like wear, while the Evening Wear segment will showcase each contestant in white gowns with a touch of their own creative style of accessories depicting the positivity of a woman. And the final segment, Diva Wear or Caribbean Rainbow, will see the contestants being judged from “head to toe”, according to Thomas.
“This segment [Diva Wear/Caribbean Rainbow] carries the most points and they will be judged from their hairstyles down to their shoes…and it’s basically them depicting what a diva is,” she said.
The contestants will also be judged on their Intellect leading up to the show, where they will participate in several public appearances and public speaking seminars, as well as participating in community services.
On the night of the show there will be a red carpet affair for the general public to indulge in while a host of guest artistes are set to compliment the night, including a Hair Show presented by Iana’s House of Hair, Aprile of Callaloo Poets, Aaron, Sister Ruth, Wagon Dancers, Martino, Squad Up and MJ.
Thomas said that the event is being hosted by her agency, Mint Model Management, and she has been involved in the pageantry industry for six years.
“It’s more of a positive pageant than a beauty pageant, and about the passion one has inside of them to rise above everything. It has nothing to do with physical appearance,” she said.
