The delegates from the Caribbean islands have been known for the performance and exotic National Costumes at Miss Universe pageant. The beauty queens work extremely hard and dedicate their lives toward winning the title. In this decade (2011-2020) we have seen some extraordinary performances by the delegates of Caribbean and being placed at top positions.
Let’s look at the beauty queens who represented the Caribbean Islands and made not only their family but the entire country proud by finishing at top positions.
Viviana Ortiz Pastrana represented Puerto Rico at Miss Universe 2011 on 12th September 2011 at Credicard Hall, São Paulo, Brazil. Vivianais a Puerto Rican actress, model and a beauty queen who finished at the top 16 at Miss Universe 2011 pageant. Ortiz was born in Corozal and earned her bachelor’s degree in telecommunication from Sacred Heart University of Puerto Rico. She was always passionate about beauty pageants and was highly appreciated for her performance during the competition.
Yaritza Miguelina Reyes Ramírez represented Dominican Republic at Miss Universe 2013 on 9th November 2013 at the Crocus City Hall, Krasnogorsk, a suburb of Moscow, Russia. Yaritza finished at Top 10 at Miss Universe 2013 pageant. She is a Dominican actress, singer and a beauty queen who also represented the country at Miss World 2016 where she finished as the first runner-up at the end of the event finale. She was the third woman of predominantly African heritage to represent the Dominican Republic in Miss Universe after Ruth Ocumárez in 2002 and Ada de la Cruz in 2009. In the same year, Yaritza also represented Dominican Republic at Reina Hispanoamericana 2013 where she placed as the virreina at the end of the event finale. Yaritza Reyes is currently working for the tv show “Esta Noche Mariasela”. Her part is called “En Traditiones” which focuses on culture and folklore from the Dominican Republic, but also the countries she visits as a beauty queen.
Kaci Fennell represented Jamaica at Miss Universe 2014 on 25th January 2015 at the FIU Arena at the University Park, Florida, United States. Kaci finished as the fourth-runner-up at the end of the event finale. She was the first Miss Jamaica to place since 2010 and its second Top 5 placement after 2010. Kaci win Jamaica’s Next Top Model contest. After her stint at Miss Universe 2014, Kaci went onto be a 'boss beauty', parlaying her popularity and adoration for all thing’s carnival and food into thriving business ventures. She launched Kaci’s Boss Beauties Carnival Beauty Lounge which is a Carnival beauty lounge and a while later she launched FenMade which is manufactured with 100 per cent Jamaican scotch bonnet peppers. The diva has a YouTube channel and blogging website where she shares moments of her life, ranging from food, travel, cooking, fashion and adventures.
Clarissa Molina represented Dominican Republic at Miss Universe 2015 on 20th December 2015 at The AXIS in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Clarissa finished at Top 10 at the end of the event finale but was highly appreciated for her performance during the competition. In 2016, Clarissa Molina was chosen by the production of Nuestra Belleza Latina to compete in Nuestra Belleza Latina 2016 and she was crowned as the winner of the competition after 6 weeks becoming the the second Dominican to obtain the title, after Francisca Lachapel in 2015. Molina currently works as a social media correspondent on the TV show El Gordo y la Flaca. In 2018, she starred in a Dominican movie, Que Leon, accompanied by the reggaeton artist Ozuna. Molina deeply admires Jennifer López. “She has found the perfect balance between her career and family life, her kids. It's admirable. She also accomplishes everything she sets her mind to.”
Raquel Pelissier represented Haiti at Miss Universe 2016 on 30th January 2017at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Raquel finished as the first-runner-up at the end of the event finale losing the crown to Iris Mittenaere from France. She created a history because she was the first Haitian delegate to place in the finals in 41 years. With their last placement being back in 1975. Pélissier has a master's degree in Scientific Research from Universidad Complutense in Madrid, Spain. The diva states that she learnt a lot about beauty pageants and modelling from " America's next top model " by Tyra Banks. She’s a Haiti 2010 earthquake survivor, an optometrist; “I wanted Haiti to make the news and for the news to be great and for everybody in the world to see that Haiti is great and Haiti matters. I’m glad I achieved that.” After being announced as the first-runner-up, Raquel stated “I didn’t win the crown, but I’ve conquered so many hearts”. She started a non-profit organization ‘KIDS OF HAITI’ which aims to support children education and youth empowerment in Haiti.
Davina Bennett represented Jamaica at Miss Universe 2017 on 26th November 2017 at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Davina was adjudged as the second-runner-up at the end of the event finale. Bennett was born in Mitchell town, Clarendon. She pursued a degree in marketing from the University of the West Indies. Upon acquiring her Bachelor's Degree, she aspired to utilize her knowledge and skills to leverage her marketing business as well as successfully brand herself as an entrepreneur. She was contracted as the face of Shea Moisture in 2018, representing the company's Black Castor Oil product line. She’s even been influencing her fellow natives to embrace their natural curls. During the competition, she was asked,''What quality in yourself are you most proud of and how will make you apply that to your time as Miss Universe?'' She answered, ''It is my drive and determination. I am part of a foundation that helps deaf people. This platform will be a great platform to help people.'' She is the founder and CEO of The Davina Bennett Foundation for the Deaf and is focusing on bringing awareness to the Deaf society.
Kiara Liz Ortega represented Puerto Rico at Miss Universe 2018 on 17 December 2018 at IMPACT Arena, Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi Province, northern suburb of Bangkok, Thailand. She was placed at the Top 5 at the end of the event finale. The diva was appreciated for her performance during the pageant. With her placing at Top 5 the 4-year drought for Puerto Rico and giving the Island its first Top 5 placement since 2009 when Mayra Matos finished as 4th runner-up. She works for an organization named Centro Inés which provides different educational, recreational and support services for children and seniors to help develop a sense of independence, creativity, and mastery of skills.
Madison Sara Anderson Berríos represented Puerto Rico at Miss Universe 2019 where she was adjudged the title of 1st runner-up on 8th December 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. A Puerto Rican-American model, she feels immensely proud that she was able to show the beautiful culture, traditions and teachings of her country. Her advocacy of helping victims of domestic abuse garnered her a lot of appreciation and said she wants to help non-profit organizations such as Hogar Ruth in Puerto Rico. She now is a proud owner of an online boutique, ‘Madison Sara Couture’. During the competition she was asked if social media platforms respect free speech, or regulate what people post to which she answered that she believes that social media can be a positive impact on the people. We can use social media to share knowledge, information however she also believes that sometimes social media can be used to spread negativity to hurt people. So, they should identify people who are spreading negativity and make sure that they are not abusing the platform as well as the people on social media. Madison has had an incredible journey in 2019.