Kingston, 18 December 2019 – “We will see her soon!” That was the assurance of the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, as she announced that the government had reached an agreement with the Miss World Organisation for the new title holder, Jamaica’s Toni-Ann Singh, to return home within a week of her victory.

Addressing the Post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday (today), Minister Grange said:

“I’ve been in discussion with Julia Morley, the Head of the Miss World Organisation and with Miss World herself. And I have been impressing upon them how eager we all are to see Toni-Ann and celebrate with her as she begins her reign. The initial response from Mrs Morley was that Miss World had a very tight schedule and it would be unlikely for us to see her before some time in January.

But after discussions, many late night discussions, we all agreed that Miss World should return home for a brief visit, organised by the Government of Jamaica this weekend.”

Miss World, Toni-Ann Singh, will arrive in the island on Friday afternoon at Norman Manley International Airport accompanied by Mrs Morley and other members of the Miss World Organisation. They will be received by Minister Grange; the Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Edmund Bartlett; His Worship the Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams; His Worship the Mayor of Morant Bay Michael Hue; members of the Miss Jamaica World Organisation including Weston Haughton and Dahlia Harris, among other officials.

“It’s a miracle that we’ve been able to get such swift action, but Toni-Ann’s crowning as Miss World has been a story in itself, it’s been a Cinderella story, and it has been a miraculous story,” said Minister Grange.

Miss World’s visit will include courtesy calls on the Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen; Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness (who will also host a reception in her honour); and the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Peter Phillips.

Minister Grange said the visit would also “include a series of public activities during which the people of Jamaica will be able to show her and surround her with love.” In this regard, the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport is hosting a cultural event at Emancipation Park on Saturday, 21 December beginning at 7pm at which “Toni-Ann will be able to perform.”

The Ministry is also organising a tour of Toni-Ann’s home parish of St Thomas on Sunday, 22 December beginning at 9am. The tour will begin in Yallahs with stops in Morant Bay, Arcadia and Bath, where the main celebratory activity will take place.

END