Odessa Phillips crowned Miss Guyana/World 2002
By Samantha Alleyne
Stabroek News
September 9, 2002
Nineteen-year-old Odessa Phillips was crowned the new Miss Guyana/World on Saturday night edging out more fancied contestants at a glittering ceremony televised live from the National Cultural Centre (NCC).
Phillips now heads to Nigeria in November for a chance at the Miss World title. The final year law student at the University of Guyana (UG), was the baby of the group but did not allow her age to hinder her, walking away with the crown much to the surprise of many.
The pageant was poorly attended and around half of the NCC seats were empty. For the first time in the history of pageants in Guyana the event was televised live. Many thought that the pageant had not been advertised adequately.
Controversy is never far from beauty pageants in Guyana and Saturday night was no different as many thought that first runner-up, Maliza Walton, a Prime News reporter, should have worn the queen's crown.
There was a loud uproar in the centre when Phillips was announced queen but most would agree that of the clearly inadequate answers given by the final five to the crown-deciding question, hers was the best.
"Atrocious, shocking, ridiculous", were just a few of the words used to describe the answers given by the final five contestants to the question.
Many felt that the final five, one of whom is a UG graduate, should have aced the final question which was relatively easy.
The other three contestants in the final five were, twenty-three-year-old Marita Persaud, twenty-year-old Candida Telles and twenty-year-old Danielle McIntyre, who copped the second, third and fourth runners-up positions respectively.
The other five contestants were, Ryiela Gaffar, who had been an early frontrunner, Mellesa Archer, Ali Williams, Samantha Crandon and Marceline Basdeo.
The performance of the latter five did not count on the night of the pageant since they were already eliminated by prejudging before they stepped onto the NCC stage. They were judged on the swimsuit, interview and evening gown segments prior to Saturday night and it was based on their performances in these segments that they were eliminated from the final five.
The second Miss Guyana/ World pageant under K. M. Chung Promotions kicked off on time and was relatively short - just over three hours - considering the length of other pageants.
Whether it was short and sweet would depend on the definition of `sweet'. If `sweet' is not seeing some skimpily clad men strutting their stuff to instrumental tunes, then the NCC on Saturday night was just not the place to be. Other than the dances there were three songs, one by Miss Guyana/World 2001, Olive Gopaul - who looked stunning and possibly overshadowed this year's contestants - and an aspiring Bob Marley whose name was given as `Messenger.'
The stage was elegantly designed. Kudos are in order for Miss Guyana/World Artistic Director, Derek Moore who designed the stage. "It is a simple yet elegant design," was how he described the stage to Stabroek News yesterday.
At the back of the stage there was a globe with the Guyana map and other regions depicted and within was a beautiful, antique red chair for the queen. During the course of the pageant the crown was also placed on the chair adding another lustrous touch.
The girls made their entry in the globe which was then turned to meet the sloping, zigzag catwalk they descended on. Moore said the catwalk represented a journey through Guyana's beautiful landscape. The catwalk was lined with greenery which represented the country's forest. Moore said he just wanted to provide something "different and new."
The ten contestants appeared in an opening dance and were later seen in casual wear where they chatted with co-host of the pageant, Ron Robinson. This was to allow the audience an opportunity to get to know the contestants. During this part of the pageant, as each contestant was being questioned, close up shots with them at various local resorts in their bathing suits were shown on a big-screen televison adding a touch of class to the evening.
This was followed by the evening gown segment. Some of the designs did not fit the girls well nor did their colours complement the contestants' complexions.
The queen, who was sponsored by Europe Trust Enterprise Inc, appeared in a pale olive green lace dress which was decorated with sequins. The cold shoulder dress, which was body fitting, had a fish tail effect at the bottom and was lined with green spandex material. The gown, which many thought was the best of the lot, was enhanced with peacock feathers at the bust line and the bottom of the dress. The outfit was complemented with gold slippers.
Walton appeared in an electric blue sequined spaghetti-strapped gown with silver shoes while Persaud was decked out in a black sequinned gown with a daring peephole at the front. Telles also wore a black gown which was diaphanous at the side and back and complemented by a black stole. She wore a large red flower to the side of her severely pulled back hair giving her a Spanish look. McIntyre appeared in a white strapless gown with a floral embroidery overlay.
After the five were selected they were asked the final question which was selected by the judges, Zanifa Ramin, Michelle Khan, a former Miss Trinidad, Dr Monica Benn, Bernard Ramsey and UK-based boxer Howard Eastman.
In the final question the girls were judged on comprehension of the question, facial expression, how long they took to answer the question, grammar and proper command of English.
From the answers given by the five the conclusion could be drawn that none of them comprehended the question.
The question asked by Robinson was: "Many people abroad have a lot of misconceptions about Guyana. What can you do to prove them wrong"?
After asking for the question to be repeated, Phillips began by saying that there are a number of positive things about her country. She then listed some of the beautiful sights of Guyana, including Kaieteur Falls and gigantic mountains but failed to state what she would do change the misconceptions of persons.
In her answer, Walton, who started out very confidently even addressing Robinson by his first name, Ron, said that "we are lovely people." She then continued by stating that she would show them "by my example how beautiful our people are." While she did say some more, the rest of her answer was inaudible because of the noisy acclamation by the audience of her first statement.
Persaud said that a lot of the things people hear are not true and they would have to come and see for themselves. "Not everything you hear is true, you have to come and see," the petite Persaud said before adding a confident "thank you."
Telles told the audience that she would invite those persons to the country and show them that "we have a structured society," and also for them to find out how hospitable Guyanese are. The crowd's heckling seemed to throw her off as she answered the question. In the interview segment she had earlier said that women should not be judged by their disabilities in answer to a question from Robinson about whether her voice - cited as an issue by some - would be an impediment.
"First of all I would have a video tape of Guyana and send it to all the media places around the world," was the answer given by McIntyre. The audience was expecting her to continue the answer but it never came. After these answers it was obvious the judges had a very difficult time arriving at a decision since they sent for the five contestants for a final turn on the stage, something not usually done at pageants here.
The curtains finally came down after the elegant Gopaul took her final walk and crowned the queen. Miss Guyana/Universe, Mia Rahaman and Miss Guyana African Heritage, Marissa Primo also assisted in handing out bouquets and tiaras.
Phillips not only won herself a chance to represent her country at the Miss World pageant in Nigeria in November but also $200,000 in cash among other prizes.
After being declared winner, Phillips said that she plans on getting involved in organisations where she could work for the reduction of poverty.
About winning, Phillips said, "I feel fabulous about winning," adding that she was definitely confident about winning as "being confident is the way out."
Other special prizes went to, Gaffar, who won Miss Photogenic and Miss Best Beautiful Skin and Hair while Persaud copped the Miss Congeniality and the Most Disciplined Delegate awards.
Opposition leader, Desmond Hoyte and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manzoor Nadir were also in attendance. The co-host for the event was Phoolkumarie Coopsammy.