Hoyte wins Miss Bajantic Dancercise pageant

All hail the new Queen of the Miss Bajantics Dancercise Pageant 2022 Janelle Hoyte of Ms La Stylist Beauty Salon who stole the show last Sunday night.

The pageant which was held at the Sea Rocks Dome consisted of four contestants with runners-up being Tanisha Alleyne and models Ria Goodridge and Kimelle Bradshaw.

Hoyte was in fine form as she walked away with the titles of Best Introduction, Best Sports Wear and Best Gown.

She skillfully brought her A-game during the talent segment and won the heart of the judges in the question and answer segment when she recalled two ways she would like to honour former dance teacher Donna Hunte Cox.

She said that Hunte-Cox told her that if you “fail to plan, plan to fail”. She was also asked about what life changing product or service she would like to bring to the world. She spoke of her expertise as a hair stylist and bringing that unique talent to the world. Her well enunciated responses were met with a rousing round of applause.

All contestants expressed themselves well during the question and answer segment. Also standing out was plus sized model Kimelle Bradshaw who walked away with a number of titles including Miss Best Social Media.

She spoke of using her brothers as inspirational role models should she have a son. This response was based
on a question of traits she would want her brothers to pass on to her son. The crowd approved during that segment with loud applause.

During the evening wear section with all four queens strutting the stage with their royal wear, Hoyte stood out with her golden dress and matching shoes with a dramatic split and off the shoulder touch with queen-like jewellery.

The hairstylist rocked a low bun bringing a touch of class to the competition. Runner-up Tanisha Alleyne was beautiful in the evening too with a dress which brought a touch of nationhood with aquamarine, black and golden colours. There were accentuated black beads, a split in the middle and her back covered with lace.

Contestant Number Four Ria Goodridge was the lone dramatic act on the evening but stood out nonetheless with her drama piece of a true Bajan market vendor.

She walked away with the titles of Miss Congeniality and Most Committed. Her gown was absolutely stunning with a daring side split by her left leg and her dress top carrying a glowing transparent neck line.

Alleyne, a former volleyball player who was in fit and fine form, spoke about her learning experiences throughout the Miss Bajantics Dancercise pageant and sold the show when asked by the MC to market the pageant.

Organiser and CEO of the Bajantics Dancerise Pageant Marsha Whittaker told Barbados TODAY that she was pleased with how the show went even within COVID-19.

“Hosting a show during a pandemic is definitely different than other times when things would flow a lot more smoother in terms of preparation. It’s a lot of work and feels like triple the work now because of things that you have to ensure you’re following the requirements from the COVID-19 unit but still feels like a great experience,” she said.

She said that with her unique sports wear segment where pageant queens have to showcase their work, as a fitness instructor this made her most excited. “I’ve been getting a lot of great feedback by people talking about the standard of the show and they also like that it started promptly. I’ve been getting lots of  good feedback and that is giving me a warm feeling in my tummy,” she said.

Fans of the Miss Bajantics Dancercise pageant can expect it to be hosted in the coming years.

“I just want a pageant where women can show their talent and their beauty and fitness and not have to worry about their age or their size,” she added, while thanking her sponsors. (MR)