For years, Bernella Velinor thought her dream of competing at Miss Universe had passed her by. Then the pageant changed its rules.
The Dennery native will now get her chance to represent her country at the 75th edition of Miss Universe in Puerto Rico on November 24, and she is embracing the opportunity with a determination to defy the odds.
“So this was always a dream of mine, but then came the [COVID-19] pandemic when I thought I was ready, and after that I was no longer eligible since I was now above the age limit,” Velinor told St Lucia Times.
Previously, contestants had to be between 18 and 28 years old, and only single women who had never been married or had children could participate. However in 2023, pageant organizers began allowing mothers, married, divorced or pregnant women to participate.
The pageant organisation began easing those restrictions in 2023, allowing mothers, married, divorced and pregnant women to compete. In 2024, it eliminated the upper age limit altogether, making any adult woman aged 18 or older eligible.
“Age does not limit one’s ability and I am happy that these restrictions were lifted, as it speaks to empowering women and the shift the world is witnessing as to the capabilities of individuals which now defies some of the norms we were accustomed to. So hey, I am ready to defy the odds,” Velinor said with a smile.
She was selected on June 27 after 12 participants went through the various stages of the local selection process.
The opportunity represents the realisation of a long-held ambition. She had previously competed in several national pageants and won the Miss Easterval pageant in Union Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines, in 2017.
Velinor is a hospitality professional who currently works with Secrets Resorts as a concierge supervisor.
An island girl at heart, she said she is proud of her heritage and grateful for the opportunity to promote Saint Lucia on the international stage.
“The pageant also allows me to marry most of my passions including modelling, fashion, networking as well as advocacy and outreach,” Velinor said.
Her advocacy focuses on raising awareness about domestic violence and sexual abuse, issues she said concern both women and men.
“Grooming young men to live in harmony with women is what we want,” she said.
As she prepares to travel to Puerto Rico in early November, Velinor said she remains focused on her vision, knowing that she is going to represent not just herself, but her island home.
Joycie Mederick of Cinnamon Productions, the local organisers and Miss Universe franchise holder, said this year marks the company’s 10th year holding the franchise.
“I think it is fair to say that we have been one of the more consistent franchise holders for the Miss Universe pageant in the region and every year we make it our duty despite the challenges and limited resources to give these ladies what can be a life changing opportunity,” Merderick told St Lucia Times.
She said the journey begins each January when a call goes out for candidates interested in becoming Saint Lucia’s next Miss Universe delegate.
“It is from there that we begin to groom and coach the young women who apply or show interest and we culminate with the final selection which was in June this year,” Merderick explained.
For Cinnamon Productions, the pageant is also an opportunity to showcase Saint Lucia’s cultural and social identity. The franchise holder has expanded its management team and believes that, with greater support, the island can make its mark at Miss Universe.
