Miss Guyana/Universe 2002, Leanna Damond, described her participation in the Miss Universe pageant in Panama as a “wonderful experience.”
Damond also said that for one to be Miss Universe they must be beautiful as beauty plays a major part, pointing out that the Dominican Republic’s Amelia Vega, the eventual winner, is “very gorgeous” and someone who has a great personality coupled with a winning smile.
The beauty queen was at the time speaking at a press conference held on Wednesday at the Waterchris Hotel. Dressed immaculately in a skirt suit she said she wore for the interview segment of the international pageant, the young woman noted that the judges would have had a difficult time arriving at the final fifteen since all the delegates “had very impressive faces.”
The twenty-five-year-old told the media that she did her best and pointed out that she had received enough publicity and she did not have “to run in front of the camera,” as many had warned. She said that she is unable to say which one of her qualities attracted persons to her but she was surprised and pleased at all the attention she received.
Damond said she had a very stylish wardrobe and complimented franchise holder, Odinga Lumumba, who she said did all he could to ensure that she had the best.
Most of her clothes were designed by US designer Roger Gary.
According to her she did not have any bad experiences although there were times when she wanted to return home as she missed those she loved.
And the queen said she told as many people as she could about Guyana as many were saying she was from Ghana instead.
The queen will be focusing on completing her degree in the near future and would then be job hunting.