Tuesday, May 15 2007

Director at the Miss Trinidad and Tobago Pageant Company, Peter Elias, told Newsday yesterday that a new Miss Trinidad and Tobago/World will be crowned May 20, on the night after auditions take place from 9 am at Club Zen, #11 Keate Street, Port-of-Spain.

When asked why on the same day of the audition Elias ans-wered: “We want to crown our girl before the Miss Universe competition in Mexico on May 28, to show the world that we are moving forward.”

Elias emphasised that we must put the set-back of not having a Miss Universe contestant at the International competition behind us.

Elias added: “The idea of the early crowning is to put the focus and energy in the winner instead of all the girls over a long period of time.”

This year’s Miss TT/World representative will be crowned the “TDC’s Miss TT” as the Tourist Development Com-pany of Trinidad and Tobago is the official sponsor of the selection process.

Elias explained: “I approached them (TDC) two weeks ago to help me with the cost of staging of the local leg of the pageant and after approving my request a couple days ago I have just gone full speed ahead with the planning of the show.”

The Pageant is now inviting all young women to an Open Call on Sunday May 20 when registration will start at 9 am at Club Zen. Prospective candidates must be ages 18 to 24, and are required to bring a swimsuit of their choice and black open toed heels. Women must be nationals of Trinidad and Tobago, and must have never been married, or pregnant.

The one-day event will screen and select finalists from the open casting. Finalists will compete later that day in swimsuit, evening wear and interview before a panel of judges and media representatives.

The day will culminate in the crowing of Miss Trinidad and Tobago 2007.

Elias also informed Newsday that Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams, has already made out a cheque to the company for the required funding for the preparation and participating costs for the upcoming international Pageant.

Meanwhile the Miss World organisation will be issuing a press release next week indicating the date and place of the Miss World 2007 competition.