Miss Guyana Odessa Philips is confident of doing Guyana proud when she takes the stage along with 79 other beauties for the Miss World beauty pageant at Alexander Palace, Central London, this evening.
"I am very confident as usual. How-ever, I feel that whatever happens is destiny because it is God's will," Philips told Stabroek News last evening from her room at the Landmark Hotel.
She had just completed curling her hair and polishing her nails and was preparing to get some beauty sleep for the big event ahead which is set to begin at 2 pm London time (10 am in Guyana).
The 21-year-old queen noted that all of the contestants are "extremely beautiful and intelligent with unique talents, so we all stand an excellent chance of taking the crown." She invited Guyanese to "pray for me" but said she would have lots of support since all her relatives who live in London are expected to be in attendance.
Despite the controversy which preceded the event after bloody riots left nearly 200 people dead in the original host country Nigeria, Philips feels the outstanding support the pageant has received since it was shifted to London will make for a highly successful contest.
"I don't think [the controversy] will cloud the pageant. [The Miss World contestants] were not responsible for what happened and we have a sold out show...," Philips asserted.
She said the last pre-judging event was done yesterday in the form of an interview segment and the swimsuit segment as well as the `reality filming' all took place in Nigeria.
Philips's evening gown is a Derek Moore creation depicting the `Lost City of El Dorado' with a close-fitting gold bodice representing the rich minerals of her land. The Kaieteur Falls is reflected at the back of the outfit and the flowing skirt is green to portray the rich local forests. (Edlyn Benfield)