New Queen of Carnival Crowned

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Carnival

Wednesday, 27 July 2011 02:30

By Aisha Caleb

Antigua St John's - Six contestants – Alicia Roberts, Larissa James, Jennaecia Lewis, Satriece George, Latisha Greene, and Talisa Gomes – took to the stage shortly after 8 on Monday night at the Antigua Recreation Grounds.

But only one, Latisha Greene, was adjudged the 2011 Queen of Carnival when the show wrapped up just after 1 am.

This year, a number of the segments were juxtaposed, and the results of three pre-judged sections were disclosed immediately after the hopefuls introduced themselves to the audience.

Alicia Roberts shone through in two out of these three segments, capturing the Kai Davis Miss Congeniality Award, and Most Improved. Talisa Gomes was voted Most Photogenic.

Brucella Marsh was the night’s host, and a new addition to the line-up was a live backstage feed of the contestants and their preparations. This was hosted by Eldean Eudelle, and featured excerpts from the weeks leading up to the night of the pageant, when the delegates took part in the ABS TV show, Crowned.

The first judged segment was the interview. Each delegate was asked two questions - one from her biography and another based on current events. The crowd favourite swimwear segment saw the delegates displaying their toned bodies and modeling skills in either one or two-piece suits. Even as rain drenched the stage during this segment, this seemingly did little to dim the smiles of the young women.

Next was the talent segment. While there was a significant delay due to rain, the young women attempted to make up for this lapse by giving energetic performances. Garbed in a white outfit resplendent of an angel, Alicia ,Roberts sang her way into the hearts of the crowd with her rendition of “I Promise You”. Dance was the talent of choice for delegate Larissa James.

Her interpretive dance to Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me” was inspired by a quest to bring to light violence against women, in an effort to stem the prevalence of this abuse. Jennaecia Lewis was all shimmery in a black dress, adorned at the right shoulder with the colors of the Antigua and Barbuda flag, as she sang “I Don’t Care How You get Here”, dedicated she said to those overseas who were not able to come home for Carnival.

“At Last” was the song chosen by Satriece George, and in keeping with the vintage nature of the song, she wore a long red dress with a red rose adorning her coif. Latisha Greene kept pace during the talent segment as she too chose interpretive dance, initially to a chorus of children singing and culminating in African dance to the beat of drums.

Rounding off the segment was Talisa Gomes, who changed the pace with her pan selection, paying tribute to King Swallow as he celebrates 50 years in the calypso arena. While she started off on a somber note, Gomes broke into a medley of Swallow tunes to finish her act.

In the Costume Segment, Alicia’s costume, Sapphire Flame, was designed and built by Calvin Southwell. Larissa displayed her Lady of the Lake costume, designed and built by Shanny Lewis of Solid International. Jennaecia’s costume was designed and built by Jerry Daniel. Calvin Southwell also designed and built Satriece’s costumed, named Chica Chica. Latisha boasted a Nadine Gomes design which was built by Escape, and Talisa ended the segment with Black Swan, also designed and built by Shanny Lewis of Solid International.

“Golden Rose,” designed and made by Calvin Southwell, was worn by Alicia as she modeled in the final judged segment of the night, the evening wear. Larissa took to the stage in another Calvin Southwell creation. Jenecia’s “Gothic Rose” creation was designed and made by Sharon Barton, while Setrice also boasted a Sharon Barton design titled, “Inspiration”. Latisha’s “Metamorphosis” was designed and made by Adelia of Deshaun, and in her ensemble “Josephine,” also designed and made by Adelia of Deshaun, Talisa closed off the segment.

2010 Queen of Carnival Dori Benjamin walked the stage for the last time, and paved the way for the 54th Queen of Carnival, Latisha Greene, 2nd Runner Up, Jenicia Lewis and 1st Runner Up, Satriece George. The winners in the other judged sections are as follows:

Best Interview: Jenecia Lewis
Best Swimwear: Latisha Greene
Best Costume: Satriece George
Winner Shermaine Jeremy Performing Talent Segment: Larissa James
Best Evening Wear: Latisha Greene
People’s Choice Award:
Winner, Best Costume Designer Calvin Southwell (Satriece George, Chica Chica)
Winner, Best Evening Wear Designer, Adelia of Deshaun (Latisha Greene, Metamorphosis)

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