Miss Cayman Islands Universe Announces No Pageant in 2020

The Miss Cayman Islands Universe Committee wishes to announce that this year’s pageant is cancelled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

The Committee is sadden by this decision as they have received five applications from eligible young ladies, one of whom would have become the next Miss Cayman Islands Universe. However, this decision follows the inability to host a live pageant under our local Covid-19 regulations, further to the guidelines of the official Miss Universe which state that all participating countries must host a pageant before 31 August 2020.

Not only was the pageant impacted but also all the preparation that goes into training the contestants prior to the grand event, none of which could have been done safely under Covid-19 regulations.

“The Pandemic has had a financial strain on our community and the Committee could not in good conscience approach sponsors when we’ve all experienced such a difficult time financially over the last few months,” said Committee Chairperson, Derri Dacres-Lee. “Neither could the Committee see how it was safe or economically feasible to host the local pageant which draws hundreds of people in an enclosed ballroom. Given this, the Committee believes that it’s best to postpone this year’s pageant.”

Together with the Miss Universe Organisation, the Ministry and the Committee believe that this is the safest and most responsible way to carry on, at least for 2020.

However, our islands will have representation at this year’s pageant as the Committee has received approval under these circumstances from the Miss Universe Organization to send our first runner-up to this year’s Miss Universe Pageant. Therefore the Committee is pleased to announce that Mariah Tibbetts, first runner-up 2019, will be the Cayman Islands representative at the next Miss Universe Pageant. The Committee is please that Miss Tibbetts has accepted this exciting opportunity to represent our Islands whilst enjoying an opportunity of a lifetime.

Mariah is a proud member of 100 Women in Finance, NextGen Cayman and became a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) in 2018. Her accolades include being named a ‘Proud of Them’ Honouree in 2014; being Miss Teen Cayman Islands 1st runner up in 2011 and a Deloitte scholarship recipient in 2010.

“The committee is delighted to have Mariah as our representative at the Miss Universe Pageant,” added Ms. Dacres-Lee, “We wish her all the best as she embraces the new opportunity and look forward to working closely with her.”

The MUO has not yet confirmed a date for the 2020 pageant. Anyone who is interested in participating in our 2021 pageant should visit http://www.missuniversecayman.com/ to download an application. Follow us Facebook @Miss Cayman Islands Universe and Instagram @officialmissuniversecayman.