New Miss Guyana World franchise holder Natasha Martindale is in negotiations with several local beauties to represent this country at the upcoming pageant billed for September in Indonesia.
One of the persons being looked at reigning is Miss Guyana Universe Ruqayyah Boyer. Over the years, a number of the Miss Guyana World contestants have been handpicked, in lieu of a contest. The reigning Miss Guyana World is Arti Cameron.
Meanwhile, according to a press release, the Miss World Pageant, which is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious beauty contests, has announced that New York-based Guyanese businesswoman and financial analyst, Martindale has been awarded the Miss World Franchise for Guyana.
Martindale will now be tasked with organising and hosting the Guyana leg of the international beauty event to find the best candidate to represent Guyana on the international stage, the release said.
Miss World Limited, which is based in London, England, thanked the previous franchise holder, Ken Chung for his years of service and offered him best wishes.
The new franchise holder is already exploring a new management committee for the Miss Guyana World Pageant which is expected to bring together a number of prominent Guyanese designers, business persons, public relations representatives, and beauty consultants.
Martindale, according to the release, is no stranger to the world of pageantry in Guyana. Before migrating to the United States, she worked closely with a number of local pageants including the Miss Bartica Regatta, Miss Queen of Queens and Miss African Heritage pageants.
She is the co-fou nder of FACTS by Michelle Cole which is a fashion marketing and production company. Martindale is a mother of one child and currently works as an assistant controller/ financial planner and analyst for one of the largest financial reporting companies on Wall Street.
Though Guyana has been unable to capture the Miss World crown, the country has, over the years, been able to grab the international spotlight with smart and beautiful representatives. Martindale has indicated that she intends to continue along that trend and also put together a better programme for the preparation of the contestants and the eventual queen.
She is also promising to liaison more with the business community in Guyana and the tourism sector. She is confident that with their support and the support of all of Guyana, Miss Guyana World will continue to be one of the leading local beauty events.