On the morning after her crowning the night before, NYAH BANDELIER woke up and looked in the mirror. Her large blue eyes certainly match the blue and turquoise stones embedded in the actual Miss World crown. “That’s Miss World Bahamas looking back at me,” she thought…”OMG! That’s me…you are Miss World Bahamas! She is you and you are me.” That realization was embraced with the same calm confidence, that propelled her to win the “Miss World Bahamas 2019” crown and title the night before. Weeks of preliminary competitions, photoshoots, rehearsals, interviews and appearances culminated with the gala crowning event at the Atlantis Theater on Paradise Island, Bahamas, before an SRO crowd. “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and I really hope to make myself, my family and my country proud,” remarked Nyah at the press conference shortly after her coronation. The following day, over brunch at Nassau’s trendy hot spot `Social House’ restaurant, Nyah said that the full impact of her victory had still not “really soaked in.” but adhere to the process of her work and responsibility had just begun. 

Nyah Bandelier at 19 years-old is really more than just a pretty face. She’s been accepted at eight universities and received scholarships from six of those institutions of higher learning. She’s an accredited cosmetologist earning her certificate at age 17 from Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute (BTVI). As a student at Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy, while in the 11th grade, Nyah took a dual enrollment class in Biology, with Obstetrics or Pharmaceuticals as her end game. Her goal is to be a qualified optician and own her own practice.     Now, let’s get to know more about this charming Bahamian Beauty Queen, who could become the next “Miss World” come December 14, in London…Listen in:

WALTER GREENE: How does it REALLY feel?NYAH BANDELIER: “It feels amazing to know that I captured the title of Miss World Bahamas 2019 and accomplished this at such a young age. I am so thankful and grateful to God for this opportunity and how he has molded, grown and strengthened me into the woman I am today.”

W.G.: What does the name Nyah mean?N.B.: “My name means purpose which means a reason for which something is done, or created, or for which something exists. I knew it was always my purpose in life to achieve greatness, such as the title of Miss World Bahamas.”

W.G.: Did you grow up on Nassau? If not where? N.B.: “I was born and raised on the beautiful island of New Providence which Nassau is the capital, but, I do have family who resides on the island of Eleuthera, and Exuma and in Germany.”

W.G.: What did your parents instill in you growing up?N.B.: “They instilled in me to always remain focused, because, throughout life, there will be obstacles placed within my life that I will have to face and sometimes it will get rough, but I must not let that distract me from my ultimate goals.”

W.G.: Where have you traveled to outside of the Bahamas? N.B.: “I have only traveled to the United States thus far. I’ve been to Atlanta, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Washington DC. So now, I am traveling to London to represent my country on the international Miss World stage, I have always wanted to travel more and plan to use this gap year from my studies to do so.”

W.G.: What are your hobbies? N.B.: “My hobbies are modeling, cooking, watching movies/series and creating fashion looks.”

W.G.: Tell me about the modeling you’ve done? N.B.: “I’ve always had hopes of becoming an international model – still do, but I’ve been modeling for about a year now and I absolutely love it. In the last few months, I have been working on my modeling portfolio to send to major international agencies. I have always had a love for entertainment and the arts. It’s always exciting working with different photographers and doing new photoshoots that get me to step out of my comfort zone.”

W.G.: What is your beauty regiment?N.B.: “I wash my face morning and night with the Biore Charcoal Beauty Bar. It is infused with jojoba beads and peppermint. The bar gently exfoliates and leaves my skin feeling tingly and smooth. I can definitely feel the deep clean within every last pore. Before bed, I apply Nixoderm which is a cream used for skin problems, such as pimples, blemishes, eczema, etc. which helps to eliminate my acne.”

W.G.: Is there a secret to your good looks? N.B.: “Nothing, in particular, just good genes and a good God.”

W.G.: During the pageant process, did you have a hunch that you could win the “Miss World Bahamas” title? N.B.: “I always had faith in myself that I would do well and gain something from the experience, but there were so many amazing contestants who all possessed unique qualities that really….it could have been anyone’s game.”

W.G.: What was your immediate feeling after pageant host Jerome Sawyer announced your name as the winner of the pageant?N.B.: It was such a sigh of relief, but a very proud moment and feeling that I instantly felt blessed beyond measure that I made myself, my family and supporters proud. We did it.”

W.G.: Which of the other Miss World Bahamas delegates did you form a friendship with? N.B.: Jerchovia Moxey. Our personalities just instantly clicked and in some aspects, she sometimes reminded me of myself with her drive and determination. She will forever be my pageant sister and friend.”

W.G.: Now that you have the crown, how are you going to use it to impact others? N.B.: “Being on such a huge platform as Miss World Bahamas, I plan on raising awareness to the cause I chose to champion which is plastic pollution, and bring change on the matter within my community. I plan on working with various organizations to help promote my platform and to get more people involved. Whilst demonstrating confidence and leadership through our various school visits and community efforts, I plan to inspire many young women and men through my behavior, the examples I set, my positive attitude and the goals I have set out to achieve which will shape the views, ideas, and actions of a young person, specifically.”

W.G.: How do your friends see you now that you’re revered as the most beautiful girl in the Bahamas? Are they treating you differently? N.B.: “Absolutely not 🙂 My friends treat me just as they did before. Now they are more proud of my achievements. We always encourage and support each other’s to go after our goals. A few of them actually said I was such an inspiration to them and that made me so happy to know that I’m also inspiring to my friends.”

W.G.: You’ve embarked on an intensive training program to prepare you for the Miss World pageant. What areas of improvement are you most excited to work on? N.B.: “I’m definitely excited to work on refining my speaking skills. Exuding poise and grace that has become synonymous with Miss World whether that be my speech or walk. I feel there is always room for more growth and improvement.”

W.G.: What’s your guilty pleasure? N.B.: “Food is my guilty pleasure. I am a “foodie” and anything spicy I will eat…Lots of it!

W.G.; Where is your favorite spot in Nassau?N.B.: “My favorite spot on Nassau is the fusion Superplex. It’s a brand new Imax Theatre that has just sprung up on the island. I’ve always been a lover of movies so I’m constantly at the movie theatre anytime a new movie is out that I really want to watch. There are also two restaurants Starbucks, and Arcade, which are also my favorite spots. They are within the same vicinity which makes it always a fun time. I also definitely love the beach, any beach. just give me a swimsuit and I’m there. I absolutely love the beach and our beautiful waters. I simply can’t imagine a day without it.” 

W.G.: Where is your favorite spot in the Bahamas? N.B.: “My favorite part of the Bahamas would have to be Eleuthera where my family is from. It’s an island where you can experience pink sandy beaches for miles. What I also love about my homeland is it’s rich and diverse history and our people. It’s truly better here.”

W.G.: When you get to London for the Miss World pageant, what are you going to tell the International media about your country – The Islands of the BahamasN.B.: “The Bahamas is the best little country of the world. Made up of 700 islands and cays, each offering their distinctive charm. The Bahamas offers an experience like no other. though we are small we are fierce – making strides in sports, tourism, and pageantry of which I hope to leave a mark.”