Rafieya Husain crowned Miss World Guyana 2014

May 28, 2014 News

By Kiana Wilburg
The Miss World Guyana Pageant which was held on Independence Day at the National Cultural Centre was one of the stiffest and most controversial beauty contests that Guyanese had witnessed in awhile. Nonetheless, the stunning Miss Rafieya Husain stole the crown with her charm. Her main competitors, Atisha Gaskill and Denicia Williams copped the first runner up and second place positions respectively. Husain will be representing Guyana later this year at the International leg of the Miss World Pageant in London.

The top five finalists in their evening wear. (From left) Cherese James, Denicia Williams, Ayana Whitehead, Atisha Gaskill and Rafieya Husain

As is now customary with any show at the Cultural Centre, the pageant was off to a late start. However, it was forgiven as the audience was treated to a unique introduction of the eight beautiful contestants; Cherese James, Rafieya Husain, Rebekah London, Atisha Gaskill, Denicia Williams, Gericia Francis, Ayana Whitehead and Tiffany Megnath.
The show began with a colourful masquerade routine. The Reigning Miss World Guyana 2013, Ruqayyah Boyer started off the energetic dance and then brought out the microphone for the ladies to introduce themselves.
After creating much of a stir with their entertaining moves, the girls left the stage to prepare for the talent segment. As this was happening, the audience was supposed to be treated to a song and dance by a group. However, they walked off of the stage after waiting in position for over five minutes. It was announced that technical difficulties was responsible for the uneasy silence.
The top five girls who excelled in a closed door contest in the Talent segment were then given the chance to perform. Though James, Husain, Megnath and Gaskill thrilled the audience with their wonderful dance routines, it simply couldn’t compare to Whitehead who performed a dramatic piece merged into an interpretative dance.
Joel Steingold, a resident of the USA who hosted the show along with Boyer, took the opportunity to interact with the audience. He was witty and humourous. He then introduced, a “half passa passa, half soca with a hint of dancehall” routine. But many felt that it was highly inappropriate due to its “vulgar” gyrations.
This paved the way for the swimsuit section. This was an exciting round for the men, particularly, in the audience, who were very vocal about what they were looking for. The eight beauties modeled across the stage in swimwear by Cole Facts and shoes by Shoe Porn.
There was then a short interval. Gossip was in full effect as patrons not only shared their predictions for the top five but also complained bitterly about the poor organization of the programme and the “annoying technical difficulties.” When everyone was finally seated after savouring some refreshments, the complaints continued. Sections of the audience became agitated by the fact that they were waiting for nearly 45 minutes before the second part of the show could commence.

Some of the girls during the swim suit segment (from left) Gericia Francis, Ayana Whitehead, Atisha Gaskill, and Rafieya Husain

After a long wait, the show continued. The audience was treated to another dance and a humourous one at that. For this round, members of the audience had their eyes fixed on a young man who was about to attempt a song by one of America’s famous R&B singers Fantasia, to which a group of young men and women would perform an interpretative routine. But the young man was lip-synching. His passion, gesticulation and bulging veins on his face as though he were really singing the song, caused the audience to laugh heartily. Immediately members of the audience shouted, “Owh Man-tasia, you go baby…”
After several minutes of laughter, it was time to see the contestants in their evening wear. This was a most exciting and glamorous round. Williams, Gaskill, Francis and London all had pretty gowns, but it was Whitehead who ruled this round for the audience.
Whitehead’s piece was an extravagant blue silk taffeta gown with a sequined lace top. Though it had a plunging V-neck line, the dress she wore exuded elegance and a sense of royalty. It also exemplified the daring nature of the delegate with a waist high slit which showcased her curvy thigh.
After another lengthy delay, the contestants who made the top five were finally selected. They were, James, Gaskill, Williams, Whitehead, and Husain.
There were several awards handed out. The ‘Beach Beauty’ and the ‘Fitness and Sports’ Awards were awarded to Gaskill. The ‘Best Interview ‘Award was won by Tiffany Megnath. Francis copped the ‘Multimedia’Award and the “Missosology’ and ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ awards were copped by Husain.
After Boyer took her final walk it was finally time for the final question segment. The lengthy questions by the judges aggravated many members of the audience, but the young ladies managed to give each question their best shot. At the completion of this crucial segment, the results were in. As soon as it was revealed that Whitehead had placed third, various sections of the audience voiced their displeasure; “What ? This is utter madness! This is the same reason why we don’t come competitions. This is utter nonsense! This is wrong man . Y’all cheating.”
The audience then waited with bated breath to see who would secured the title in light of that “injustice” and immediately when they heard that Rafieya Husain had copped the crown more insults were hurled. While making “expletive-filled” comments, large sections of the crowd got up and headed for the nearest exit to further register their disappointment and anger.
Whitehead did not stay for the photo opportunity with the other ‘princesses’ who were crowned. She headed backstage and some of her fans headed in the same direction. There was a mini-brawl between fans, and some of the committee members and producers of the show.
(More details to come in this Friday’s Edition of Kaieteur Entertainment)