IN 2016 when she first entered the Miss Jamaica World beauty pageant, Shanique Singh said she wasn’t prepared and lacked experience to make a lasting impression. Six years later, she decided to re-enter after being encouraged by friends and relatives.

On Sunday night she was crowned Miss Jamaica World 2022 at the grand coronation held at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston. She won from a field of 13 contestants.

“When I first entered I was 19 years old and fresh out of high school. I didn’t have the experience that I have now, and I wasn’t as wise. I didn’t know the importance of hard work and dedication. I felt I was ready now, and with that said I was going to do this,” Singh, who wore the sash Miss Howard Johnson Realty, told the Jamaica Observer shortly after she was crowned on Sunday night.

“I am so grateful, and it really is a testament to how hard work can really pay off in the end. I am extremely proud of myself, extremely proud of the hard work I have been putting in. I can’t wait to represent Jamaica,” Singh continued.

Singh, who is from Old Harbour in St Catherine, is a medical student at The University of the West Indies. She will represent Jamaica at the next Miss World pageant. A venue and date are yet to be announced.

“I think I am very prepared at the moment for the Miss World pageant but there’s always room for improvement, and I have a great team to back me. I am actually on a break from school to focus on the pageant because I realised that it does require a lot of your time. I’m really grateful that it paid off,” said Singh.

Prior to Sunday night’s final, Singh was named winner of three fast-track events — Beach Beauty, Talent, and Beauty with a Purpose.

Lineisha Davis (Miss RETV) and Tahje Bennett (Miss Artwell Classic Prints) were second and third, respectively. The top five included Asheka Robinson (Miss QORHIC) and Toni Ann Martin (Miss Emancipation Park).

Making the top 10 were Shanika Samms (Miss Miakalani Swim), Tashwania Buchanan (Miss Interlinc), Mikhailia Nathan (Miss Jamaica Observer), Rishema Daley (Miss Len’s Catering) and Khamara Wright (Miss Dining with Curvy).

Winners of the sectional prizes were Lineisha Davis – Best Personality, Khamara Wright – Multimedia Challenge, Tashwania Buchanan – Most Improved Contestant, and Toni Ann Martin – Most Congenial and Most Photogenic.

The grand coronation was punctuated by creditable performances by saxophonist Daniel John Jackson and singer Gem Myers.

Jackson whipped up a frenzy with instrumental interpretations of Essence by Wizkid and Tems, NSYNC’s God Must Have Spent a Litte More Time on You, Larry Graham’s One in a Million You, and Tarrus Riley She’s Royal.

Gem Myers’ interpretations of Whitney Houston’s One Moment in Time, Shirley and Company’s Shame Shame Shame, her spirited performance of Jennifer Holiday’s And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going and her original One Man Woman were well received by the audience who sang along word for word.

The 13 contestants opened the show wearing casual outfits depicting the colours of the national flag. They later returned to introduce themselves to the audience inside the jam-packed venue.

After the evening wear segment the contestants were slashed to a top 10 and then a top five, which preceded the interview segment.

After the final walk of Khalia Hall, Miss Jamaica World 2021, the final results were announced.

During her reign Singh (who is no relation to Miss World 2019-2021 Toni Ann Singh) said she wants to focus on period poverty.

“Primarily at the moment I am focusing on period poverty and creating awareness on the impacts of the menstrual cycle — the physical impact, emotional impact — and that’s what my Beauty with a Purpose project is about. There are so many issues in Jamaica that I’d like to be involved with and to also tackle,” Singh disclosed.

Singh participated in the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant over the summer, during which she finished in third place.

Miss Jamaica World 2022 is a presentation of Crown of Beauty, franchise holders of the pageant.