By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 17, 2023 — A new Miss Universe will be crowned on Saturday, November 18, when the 72nd annual Miss Universe competition takes place at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador.
Eighty-four women, including Miss Bahamas Universe Melissa Ingraham, are competing this year for the coveted beauty title. This being the year The Bahamas celebrated its 50th anniversary as an independent nation, as a proud Bahamian I am keeping my fingers crossed that we have yet another reason to celebrate.
To be sure, we have an excellent contestant in Melissa Ingraham, a stunningly beautiful 26-year-old native of Long Island, who won the crown on Sunday, July 2, 2023 when the Miss Bahamas Universe 2023 was held at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in The Bahamas.
My expectations that she will indeed do well received a boost from a couple posts by the Miss Bahamas Universe Pageant today on Facebook apparently of Melissa participating in the competition’s preliminaries in an evening gown and in her national costume.
In the narrative that accompanied the post of Melissa in her national costume, the Miss Bahamas noted:
“Our Miss Bahamas Universe 2023 starring in this year’s National Costume segment, as she represents the vintage Bahamian Market Doll.
“Tammy Arlington was instrumental in sketching the concept art and collaborated with Patrece Lockhart-Flowers in constructing the costume using burlap material. Judy Deleveaux, a highly respected designer known for her expertise in incorporating shells, straw, and indigenous Bahamian craft and culture, took the lead role in conceptualizing and designing the overall aesthetic and development of the costume. Her meticulous work breathed life into the canvas, incorporating popular accessories such as the iconic Bahamian doll’s hat and vibrant colors that span from top to bottom. Shell Craft and Bahamas Welding & Fire graciously sponsored the embellishments.”
After she was crowned as Miss Bahamas Universe 2023 in July, a press report noted that Melissa, who has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a master’s in climate change, wrote on Social Media: “It is such an honor to be crowned the Miss Bahamas Universe 2023. This year, The Bahamas celebrates its 50th year of Independence, our Jubilee Year – representing the milestone of our freedom, culture and progress. I look forward to the road ahead as an Ambassador to my amazing country. I am thankful to my pageant sisters, committee, judges as well as my family, friends and everyone who has and continues to support me.”
Since its debut at Miss Universe in 1963, The Bahamas has yet to win the coveted title. Its highest placement was in 2021 courtesy of Chantel O’Brian, who placed in the Top 10 and bagged the Spirit of Carnival Award.
I certainly wish Melissa Godspeed and good luck.
MEET THE 84 WOMEN COMPETING TO BE MISS UNIVERSE 2023
Here a link to a brief biography of each of the 84 contestants posted on the Internet by BUSINESS INSIDER:
https://www.insider.com/miss-universe-women-competing-in-pageant-2023-11
