The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

IT is one thing for a beauty queen to capture a crown in her own country, but it is quite an achievement for her to do so in another country.

This achievement, according to Emma Tuletta who recently won the Miss Spicy Caribbean pageant in Barbados, says a lot about an individual and her ability to be a global ambassador.

Emma is a 20-year-old multilingual undergraduate honour roll student at the University of the West Indies, where she is majoring in psychology.

And she never dreamed that she one day become a title holder of the university’s first ever Miss Spicy Caribbean pageant.

Under the umbrella of an event called Enigma, hosted by the Grenadian Students Association at Cave Hill, Miss Spicy Caribbean is a pageant with a focus on beauty, poise and intelligence. The segments included introduction, costume, talent, swimwear, evening wear, and a question and answer period.

“When the Association of Bahamian Students on campus approached me explaining that I would be an amazing candidate for the event, I was instantly excited, and with that I accepted the offer,” Emma told Tribune Woman.

“Managing my studies and preparing for the pageant was challenging. On some nights I had three practices back to back, but I had to stay organised and complete my assignments in order of priority.

“Although the pageant was intense, Emma proudly represented the Bahamas, competing against contestants from Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia, Belize and Grenada.

Apart from winning the title and crown, she also won Most Photogenic and Best Swimsuit.

As the pageant winner, Emma also received gifts which included the crown, jewellery from Colombian Emeralds, a day pass for two at the Hilton Barbados, a professional photo shoot, a gift certificate courtesy of MAC Cosmetics, a crystal award and more.

“I would have to say that due to my most profound love for singing, the talent segment was my absolute favourite,” Emma said.

“I sang ‘Tattooed Heart’ by Ariana Grande for my talent piece, but what surprised everyone is that I entered from the top of the stairs into the audience, located at the back of the theatre, and everyone was waiting for me on the stage. When the spotlight hit me everyone seemed in awe and the energy was absolutely electrifying. I loved the smiles that I put on the audience members’ faces and I could tell that they really did enjoy the performance.”

Incorporating a piece from home into her pageant performance, Emma wore a One Family Junkanoo warrior costume which was sponsored by Bahamas Director of Youth K Darren Turnquest.

“Although my hand-made swimsuit that won me the Best Swimsuit award was made in Barbados and sponsored by Daresqué, it sustained the theme that I had of the beautiful Bahamas. I wore a gorgeous black swimsuit, adorned with gold accessories, and a large Bahamian flag which I proudly waved around for the crowd to see,” she said. “Moreover, I wore a light blue evening gown in an attempt to constantly remind the judges and the audience of the beautiful waters that cradle the islands of our Bahamaland.”

With this being her first pageant, Emma said she was speechless but thankful to God after hearing her name called as the winner.

She said a queen is only as strong as her team and she is thankful for her mother, Dr Natasha Tuletta, who taught her the importance of being a transformational leader and who is confident, innovative, dedicated, ethical and trustworthy.

“I am thankful for the Bahamas International Children’s Club (BICC) for their support, all of my sponsors and my family’s and friends’ constant support and prayers,” Emma said.

“I was so proud that we managed to make this achievement for our beautiful Bahamas. Also, I was so proud because I know I wasn’t the only one that won that night; the entire Bahamas did.”

Emma said she received many kinds words from numerous Bahamians in regards to her win. A month on from the pageant, and she is still receives well wishes from people she encounters on her daily walk to the university.

With the Miss Spicy Caribbean crown, Emma hopes to serve as a positive, exemplary model for not only young ladies but for all people, showing them that they can truly achieve their dreams once they put their minds to it and remain focused.

“I also hope to further open the eyes of the Bahamas and the entire Caribbean to the many talented individuals that they have right in our beautiful region. I want to inspire others into believing that true confidence and beauty come from within, and that once you believe in yourself others will do so with ease,” she said. “The best advice I received in this pageant was just to be confident in myself and know that I am more than competent and can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.”