Wendy Fitzwilliam to judge Miss Bahamas Pageant: The former Miss Universe will host a book signing this weekend at Logos!

Nassau, New Providence Isl., the Bahamas (MBO) - An impressive array of judges has been amassed for the difficult task of selecting the next Miss Bahamas from amongst the beautiful young women competing for this year’s title. International and local experts from the fields of pageantry, beauty and fashion will spend three days this weekend selecting the nation’s newest beauty ambassador.

Topping the list is Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam. Wendy holds the distinction of being the second black woman to capture the Miss Universe title, and the second Miss Universe from her native Trinidad and Tobago, where she is a qualified Attorney at Law. In June of 1998 she was honoured by the United Nations with the title of Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS, and has narrated videos for both UNAIDS and UNICEF.

Wendy established The Hibiscus Foundation (THF) in September 1998 to heighten AIDS awareness in Trinidad and Tobago and to give assistance, financial and otherwise, to children’s homes in Trinidad. She has also been appointed the Red Cross Ambassador of Youth. This is the first time the Red Cross has appointed anyone to this high honourary office.

She has hosted segments of and appeared on “Wild On…” for E! Entertainment Television and the Miss Universe Special for the same network, “Politically Incorrect”, “The O’Rielly Factor”, CNN’s “Talk Back Live”, Trinidad and Tobago Carnival” for BET, “The Johnny Cockran Show” on Court TV, Soca Monarch Finals for Synergy TV with Danny Glover and Chris Tucker, among others. In April 2009 she delivered the feature address at the youth Forum of the Summit of The Americas V in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Wendy resides in Trinidad and Tobago with her son Alain, where she is the Vice President Investment Promotion of Evolving TecKnologies Limited (eTecK). She is the international spokesperson for Clear Essence Skin Care. She has recently penned her first book, “Letters To Alain” an ode to her 3 year old son of her experience as a mother. Her fans will get the opportunity to meet her face to face during a book signing on Saturday at Logos Bookstore, beginning at 3 p.m.

Actor James Hyde of German-Scottish and Native American decent, was born in Lancaster, Ohio. After high school, he joined the Army where he trained as a field medic. While stationed in Hawaii, he worked at a hospital which he enjoyed very much because it gave him the opportunity to make a difference in saving lives. At the end of four years in Hawaii, a photographer spotted Hyde and he made the jump from Army – to Armani becoming a top booking model in Australia, Japan, Spain, London, Milan, Madrid, where he was the favorite of designers such as Versace, Gianfranco Ferre and Valentino. From there Hyde detoured into music, featuring some of his stuff then snagged a demo deal with Elektra Records. Next stop was Miami where Hyde began to seriously study acting.

He is recognized for his roles on Sex in the City, Mortal Kombat, Miami Sands, Another World, and As The World Turns. He played Chief of Police, Sam Bennett on the hit NBC daytime drama Passions. Additional television appearances include “Windfall,” NBC’S “Las Vegas” and the mega-hit “CSI.” Hyde’s feature film credits include a pivotal lead in writer/director Troy Burg’s quirky independent feature film, Let’s Talk About Sex. He’s also been featured in Black Out with Dennis Hopper.

Hyde lives in Los Angeles with his wife, actress Sue-Ling and their son James Moses. He is an avid sportsman which includes playing basketball, baseball, and golf, and actively lends his talents to many charitable events.

Also judging is a young lady who created quite a stir in the 2007 Miss Universe pageant. Flaviana Matata is a beauty queen who won the very first edition of the Miss Universe Tanzania pageant in 2007, and went on to represent her country in the Miss Universe pageant the same year, where she placed among the Top 15 semifinalists in 6th place after the evening gown competition. She was the first contestant from Tanzania to compete at Miss Universe, and she did so with flair – competing with a shaved head. Now based in South Africa, she is in high demand as a supermodel across the continent and in Europe.

Former Miss Commonwealth Bahamas Deanna North is also serving as a juror. A native of Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, Deanna lived in the United States for several years where she obtained with ‘highest honors’ three degrees: Master of Education in Special Education LD/MR, A Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and an Associate of Arts Degree before settling on the island of Grand Bahama where she now resides and has been teaching for the past thirteen years.

During this capacity she has held the title of ‘grade level coordinator’ for several years assisting administration in the area of educational development, social growth and physical maturation of each child. She was also a nominee for ‘Teacher of the Year’ at her school. As a teacher she deems it necessary to play an active role in her students’ lives by having monthly meetings exclusively with her female students that allows for them to be free to ask questions related to any social maladies as well as fun filled activities outside of the school forum. She has become a mentor for most of her past students that have since graduated and attends high school and college abroad.

She was a former Miss Commonwealth Bahamas who in 1994 represented her country in the Miss World Competition. During her youthful years she modeled locally and internationally, specifically the USA.

Walter Greene has combined a colorful background of fashion, travel and music to exhibit his many talents through his writings and involvement as fashion director/editor, coordinator, judge and commentator of fashion extravaganzas and beauty pageants all over the world. He was just named as the Fashion Editorial Director of Profiles98 Magazine, a Bahamian based fashion/lifestyles glossy magazine.

Walter hosts `Greene On The Scene’ a popular on-line chat show on caribworldradio.com. His monthly column `Off The Runways’ was a favorite entre’ in Sister 2 Sister Magazine. As fashion and travel editor of the New York Carib News he travels the world covering fashion and travel related events. As an on air fashion correspondent for `In Style’ television on Cablevision in New York, Walter interviews designers, models and other luminaries on the fashion scene. He served as Fashion & Beauty Director of Odyssey Couleur Magazine, an upscale travel/style magazine that targets the educated, affluent multi cultural female traveler. His fashion and lifestyle articles have appeared in several prestigious publications like; Bazaar (Taiwan), Caribbean Escapes, Black Enterprise, Details, For The Bride, The Financial Post Magazine (Canada), Visions in Black (London), Panache (Canada), Model Magazine, EM – Ebony Man, Jewel, Hype Hair and Unfold.

For two years he was elected to serve on the prestigious panel of voters for the International Best Dressed List. He helped launch the first Guyana Fashion Weekend in August 2007, and is currently the U.S. liaison of that project which celebrates its fourth year in 2010. He has also worked independently with several leading New York based records companies, prepping and grooming artists, styling CD covers, videos and photo shoots. He has served as Director of East Coast Publicity for Mercury/Polygram Records and was instrumental in generating publicity campaigns and molding the images of such noted performers signed to the label like: Oleta Adams, Black Sheep, Vanessa Williams, Third World, Tony Toni Tone, Brian McKnight, Ed O.G. and Da Bulldogs, Crystal Walters and Jon Lucien.

Walter has worked in varying capacities with numerous beauty pageants from South Africa to Anguilla, and also assisted in the wardrobe selection of two Miss Americas. He has just completed penning his first book `A Style Of Our Own: A Chronology Of The Caribbean Most Influential Fashion Designers.’

Dr. Gregory C. Neil M.D. is well sought after as a cosmetic surgeon in The Bahamas. He holds the following credentials: • Diploma, American Board of Plastic Surgery • Certification Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical College of Virginia • Awarded the S. Dawson Theogaraj prize for academic excellence in the U.S. Nationwide Plastic Surgery Evaluations • General Surgery Residency, St Lukes-Roosevelt / Beth Israel Hospital, N.Y., N.Y. • Bachelor of Medicine. Bachelor of Surgery (MB BS), University of the West Indies, Jamaica • B.Sc. (Honors) University of Windsor, Canada. Dr. Neil is also the Official Cosmetic Surgeon of the Miss Bahamas Organization.

Rounding out the panel is Pia Rolle (nee Glover). Mrs. Rolle is the proud owner of PTG Modeling Agency since 1999. She is employed as the Spa Manager/Human Resources for Mandara Spa (Bahamas) Limited since 2003. Mrs. Rolle has been involved in modeling, fashion and pageantry in The Bahamas for over 17 years, and is sought after locally for her expertise in Etiquette, Deportment and Grooming for young ladies. In the area of pageantry, she is notably remembered as a former Miss Teen Bahamas, having also worked on a few pageant committees and being invited to judge numerous local and international pageants in the years following her reign. She is a member of Bahamas Faith Ministries International Fellowsip. She has a passion for pageantry with a purpose and serves as the Director of Talent Development for the Miss Bahamas Organization. Pia is happily married to Mr. Herman Rolle and they have two beautiful daughters, Lauryn & Kaylee.

The judges will adjudicate the Evening gown and Talent Competitions on Friday evening at the Imperial Ballroom, Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, beginning at 8 p.m.. They then meet the contestants face to face during one-one-one interviews on Saturday. And then the Grand Finale will be held on Sunday evening at the Imperial Ballroom when a new Miss Bahamas will be crowned. Tickets are available at Diamonds International Watch & Design on Bay Street, Mario’s Bowling & Entertainment Palace; Bani Shoe Warehouse, or online at www.caribtickets.com.

2010
05.03


Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam


Actor James Hyde


Miss Universe Tanzania 2007 Flaviana Matata


Miss Commonwealth Bahamas 1994 Deanna North


Fashion & Entertainment Writer Walter Greene


Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Gregory C. Neil


Miss Teen Bahamas 94-95 Pia (Glover) Rolle

Great panel of judges! Way to go MBO!!!

Impressive panel of judges...I hope they choose the best and Im absolutely not worried about it. Good to see Flaviana there.

Italy wrote:Glad to see Flaviana as judge!

me too..good to see her as a judge