News just out of the ‘Miss World’ pageant revealed that ‘MISS WORLD BAHAMAS’ 24 year-old SIENNA EVANS has been elevated to the top 40 semi-finalists to compete in the final round of competition for the coveted “Miss World” crown and title. The new date for the grand finale’ is set for Wednesday, March 16. In San Juan, Puerto Rico.

COVID SETBACK

As you may recall, 98 Beauty Queens from all over the world were gathered in San Juan, Puerto Rico for four weeks, prepping, rehearsing, doing interviews and photo shoots, as well as competing in several ‘Fast Track’ run-offs when covid19 struck and the finals, set for December 16 had to be closed down. 30 contestants and crew members were tested positive for Covid19. Everything had to be halted, quarantine was in full effect and eventually all of the contestants were sent home. There was so much at stake, the postponement was announced just hours before the finale’ of the competition got underway. Families, crew, media, sponsors, judges, country directors and fans were all in place, ready for the big night and everything had to be halted.

TOP SEMI-FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

So, with the new date set for March 16. at the same Puerto Rico venue, the Miss World Organization announced the top 40 delegates who will be the only ones back in San Juan to compete in the final round of the competition. According to a Miss World Organization official; “All of the preliminary competitions were completed. We’ve got film on all of the contestants and the preliminary run-offs. All that’s left is the live final event and the coronation to happen.”

SIENNA IN THE LIMELIGHT

Among the top 40 semi-finalist back in Puerto Rico for the finals, is my personal best delegate, Sienna Evans representing the Islands of the Bahamas. Sienna is one of the most prepared and ready delegates of the competition. Sienna is already among the top 13 preliminary winners of the “Top Model” competition and is also high on the Leaderboards of several International Pageant websites. Sienna got her BSc degree in Neuroscience and Human Behavior from Florida Atlantic University. She is currently the owner of ‘Access Medical Bahamas’ – a chain of five diagnostic centers in the Bahamas.

FIRST TAKE

Sienna first entered the ‘Miss Bahamas’ pageant  in 2015 as a curious teenager, 17 years-old. She became the First runner-up. but always had her eyes on that crown. During a recent interview Sienna revealed: “I was so young. I was very shy and never viewed it as a competition. I don’t think I would have been ready to represent at the Miss World level back then. But, it’s something that I had always planned on doing. I wanted to make sure I finished school – it was a blessing in disguise. I am happy I got the opportunity to do it now.”

ROUND TWO

Sienna Evans was handpicked by the Miss Bahamas Organization to represent the Bahamas at the ‘Miss World’ pageant. Due to Covid 19 pandemic the MBO did not host a pageant. Sienna only had four weeks to prepare for the ‘Miss World’ pageant, and travel to Puerto Rico. The freckled face beauty rose to the challenge like a seasoned professional and plunged into her training sessions with a fierce confidence that’s incomparable. Her performance in Puerto Rico has been nothing short of outstanding. The well rounded Beauty revealed: “Now, I am doing my best…I was able to radiate all the happiness and the energy. I feel I did not win back then (2015) because I didn’t have the experience and the energy to compete on an international level. For the four weeks in Puerto Rico, every day I was ‘on’ and very aware that they (Miss World Organization) was watching my every move. I am thankful and very grateful to my coach and everyone who poured into me, to get me ready for this pageant.”

MICHELLE MALCOLM

Michelle Malcolm, President of the Miss Bahamas Organization, said during a recent IG live: “Sienna is being exactly who she is. I am confident that Sienna will do extremely well. She came to us ready, all we had to do was ‘fine tune’ her. She didn’t come to us expecting us to fix her up. One of the reasons Sienna is doing so well is that she’s the complete package. What you see is what you get. Sienna is a sweet, warm, engaging, loving young lady. She has the physical beauty, but it’s also the inside that wonderful.” Ms Malcolm continued; “Sienna got her education, she’s traveled and has that overseas exposure and she owns her own business.” Ms Malcolm reiterated the fact that the reason some countries always win and place on the international arena year after year, is that they invest in their delegates. “I like what ‘Miss Universe 2019’ Zozibini Tunzi from South Africa said about contestants taking up space, and getting to a place in life where they know they have a role to play….this pageant is a development program. We are born for a specific purpose with a gift to share with the world.”

SIENNA EXUDES REALNESS

When asked who are her favorite fellow contestants at ‘Miss World’ Sienna said: “There are so many incredible contestants, but I’d say; Cote’ d’Ivorie, I’d say Poland, Iceland, Botswana, my room mate Cayman Islands is the sweetest person, USA has a big and kind heart…Miss India, there are some girls who were born for this, who I had the blessing to experience their friendship. I am so grateful.” Later during our interview, I asked the obvious question about pageant cattiness, jealousy and rivalry between contestants. “Surprisingly, it doesn’t feel like a competition, while I was there it felt more like a sisterhood. Naturally, I am very jovial. I was just enjoying the experience the whole time, which worked in my favor.” When Covid struck the contestants, Sienna said: “Everyone tried to do the best they could, unfortunately, so many girls were positive and had to go into quarantine. Up until the last day 38 girls tested positive. I helped a lot of people test themselves. The pageant officials tested us regularly like every day, even before this outbreak.”

BETTER THE SECOND TIME AROUND

Now, with the March 16, final date quickly approaching, Sienna said she’s looking forward to the chance of seeing her comrades again. “I am going to enjoy it much more. Right now, we are going into it with a fresh pair of eyes. It must have been very difficult to find out on social media that you are not a semi-finalist and not going back to Puerto Rico. Every girl wanted to walk wearing their evening gowns on the finale’ stage.”