Davina Bennett, Miss Jamaica Universe, almost erased the stereotypical image of former winners of the Miss Universe pageant when she placed third in the 2017 staging of the pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday night.
Afro hairdo
Bennett, who wears her hair naturally in a striking 70s Afro hairdo, and dark skinned, carried herself with noticeable poise and grace throughout Sunday night’s pageant. She displayed the confidence that was evident when she was interviewed by the National Weekly while she stopped off in Lauderhill, Florida on her way to Las Vegas, but none of the nervousness she said she was experiencing.
Selected as a “wild card” to final 16
The tall, elegant 21-year-old Jamaica beauty who before the contest was predicted to be a favorite by beauty pageants pundits, was first selected among the 16 finalists from the “wild card” group. In this year’s pageants the record 92 contestants were categorized into three geographical groups – The Americas, Europe, and Africa and Asia. Four finalists were selected from the three geographical groups, and an additional four from a so-called “wild card” group drawn from the three other groups.
First appearing in the swim-suit segment of the finals, Bennett stood out among the other contestants with her height, obvious beauty and Afro hair-do. After the swim suit parade she drove her Jamaican supporters, waving Jamaican flags in the audience, into frenzy when she was selected in the top ten finalists.
Gorgeous in yellow gown
Her confidence and poise were even more obvious when she paraded gracefully along the stage before the judges in the evening-gown segment dressed in a gorgeous buttercup yellow gown that amply complemented her dark complexion.
When the top five was announced she was among the favored group.
From the five finalists, she was selected among the coveted final trio after the question and answer segment..
However, before the winner was announced, the trio had to respond another question asked of all three. Asked what characteristic was their best, and how this characteristic could help them as Miss Universe. Bennett described her best characteristic as her “drive and determination.” She used the opportunity to highlight her advocacy for the deaf, saying her drive and determination led her to form a foundation in Jamaica to assist the deaf, and create a sign language App.
Proud but disappointed
Although proud, Jamaicans were nonetheless disappointed when Bennet was named 2nd runner up, or third place, when the final three contestants were placed. The winner was Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters Miss South Africa, 22, and second Laura Gonzalez, Miss Colombia.
