Grenadian takes Miss Carival title

Twenty-three year old Asheida Charles has made Grenada proud by bringing home the Miss Carival crown again after a break of 14 years.{{more}}

On Friday, July 3rd, Charles, who hails from High Street, Sauteurs, gave the performance of a lifetime to fend off eight other Caribbean beauties for the title of Miss Carival 2009 and a cash prize of US$4,300. Not content with just that, she also won the Best Interview and Best Talent awards.

From the first judged appearance, the August-born Grenadian seemed to have the crowd’s favour when she graced the stage in a pink and white swimsuit that emphasized her toned figure. For her talent, Charles delivered a refreshingly hilarious monologue in the character of an elderly woman visiting St. Vincent, who spoke about everything from swine flu to Sunset Rum – which earned her thunderous applause from the crowd. In the Interview section, she was the epitome of cool and confident as she thoroughly answered her questions.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT, the 5 foot 11 inch beauty was overjoyed at her victory. “I feel blessed to have captured the title!” As she beamed from ear to ear, Charles and her chaperone couldn’t help but hug each other tightly and squeal like teenagers. So what’s in store for her now? “I’m the type of person who likes to wait and see what happens. Then when it does, I’ll go out there and conquer it!” she declared.

First runner up Miss Antigua Derri-Ann Browne, along with a cash prize of US$1,300, won the Little Vanloo trophy for Most Community Spirited and the accolade of Best Evening Gown. In the talent section, she delivered a melodiously sung rendition of ‘Open Arms’, and curried favour with the judges for her figure-hugging, lime green evening gown.

Miss St. Kitts & Nevis Samantha Boone scooped second runner up and US$700. Miss SVG Veronique Williams took the third runner up position. Miss St. Lucia Cathy Daniel won the Miss Congeniality, Miss Photogenic and Best Swimwear titles, but failed to place in the top four – no doubt let down by a uninspiring talent performance and a mediocre interview.

Chairperson of the Beauty Shows Committee Cheryl Rodriguez was pleased with the quality and cooperation of this year’s contestants, and was further elated at the running of the show, which was significantly shorter than last year’s. “It was a tight package,” she remarked.

Although naturally disappointed that Miss SVG did not succeed with a double victory, Rodriguez was satisfied that the most deserving contestant won. “I believe in being fair… Asheida did extremely well! I congratulate her!”

On a lighter note, it is thought that hair flicking should be considered a talent because it is something that Miss Dominican Republic Seila Subervi Sierra and Miss Venezuela Deyanira Morales (and numerous Spanish-speaking contestants before them) seem highly adept at!

The other contestants were Miss Bahamas Aisha Delaney, who appeared to be quite a hit with the mostly male photographers; and Miss Dominica Kayan Toussaint, who elicited many a chuckle from some members of the audience with her distinctive sway each time she took to the stage.

Since the pageant’s inception in 1985, Grenada won the top spot once with Kelly Ann Ross in 1995. Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT at a ‘Meet the Media’ event on June 30th, 2009, Asheida Charles oozed bags of confidence about her prospects of winning the competition. “I’m going to bring it!” And that she certainly did!