However, it seems a controversy is looming high.

After Odessa spent the night at the Regency Suites, reports are that a huge celebration erupted in her home village yesterday afternoon. Odessa was obviously basking in glory and oblivious of what is hanging on her crown.

The highly successful and popular 2001 queen, Olive Gopaul, crowned Odessa at around 23:00 hrs in the first pageant ever to be broadcast live on television. Olive delivered beautifully her "Thank You" song to end of her reign and expressed confidence that Odessa would follow her path.

Ms Phoolkumarie Coopsammy, committee member and co-host of the Saturday night event, said the judges' decision was final, but reports are that three of the five judges voted for Pomeroon delegate Marita Persaud, one of the finalists who really came through with the answer to the final question.

The entire programme was put together solely by Artistic Director and pageant Coordinator Mr. Derek Moore.

After being named one of five finalists, all Odessa had to do was answer the final question. But she didn't exactly do that.

The finalists were asked what they could do to prove wrong misconceptions people overseas have about Guyana.

The sound system was perfect and the National Cultural Centre was silent, but Odessa asked Ron Robinson to repeat the question and he obliged.

She didn't say what she would do. Instead Odessa gave a list about the positive things about Guyana.

Marita, adjudged second runner-up, said she would allow persons overseas to come see Guyana for what it is, while first runner-up Maliza Walton said that by her example she would demonstrate the hospitality of the Guyanese people.

Third runner-up Candida Telles, who towered above her voice "impairment" and pulled crowd support when she said people should not be singled out for their impairments, answered that she would invite those persons to Guyana and show them that Guyanese are the most hospitable in all of the Caribbean.

Linden finalist Danielle McIntyre went blank after she said she would send a video-tape overseas.

So why is there controversy looming?

Well, apart from what was mentioned before, the judges reportedly mixed up their scoring.

When the finalists were announced in random order, Prime News reporter Maliza was supposed to be the first. But she came out fourth to answer her question.

Odessa, who was last, came on stage first to answer the question.

The judges were reportedly concentrating on the random order in which the girls were announced and scored accordingly.

Patrons groaned "Again?" when Ron called for the finalists to take one last walk on the stage after answering the final question. Little did they know that the reason was reportedly for the judges to sort out what went wrong.

Next, while the delegates were instructed not to change hairstyles, Odessa reportedly did.

Throughout the night, the delegates were only appearing on stage. No competition was going on, as the delegates were judged on their evening gowns and intelligence before. The scores from those competitions as well as the public's vote made up for the marks that decided the final five.

The media had no idea of what went on in the preliminary competition.

As predicted by the Chronicle, Marita walked away with the Miss Congeniality prize and Ryiela Gaffar walked away with the Miss Photogenic prize. Marita also won the "Most Disciplined" award, while Ryiela won the Soft N' Silky prize for being the delegate with the "Best Skin and Hair".

Moore exhibited his genius in the opening sequence. The delegates sat seductively on a throne-like chair that was at the centre of a spinning globe.

The opening dance "Remembering September" left much to be desired.

A ‘pose-down’ and dance by someone only known as "Barry", proved to be a treat for the ladies.

The judges for the evening were Trinidadian top model Michelle Khan, champion UK- based Guyanese boxer Mr. Howard Eastman, Dr. Monica Benn, designer and marketing executive Mr. Bernard Ramsay and Nayelli proprietress Ms Bibi Rahim.