The new Miss Guyana Universe is no wallflower. She is perhaps the most self-confident holder of the title in recent times, a quality that she will certainly need in the Bahamas next month.
Straightened hair and bangs framed her face lending it a sort of oriental look as the newly-crowned Miss Guyana Universe, Jenel Cox, moved about the Exclusive Studios on Wednesday afternoon saying that she intends to put her best foot forward and make Guyana proud.
Miss Guyana Universe Jenel Cox. (Photo by Xclusive Photo Studio)
“Talk, I’m listening,” she said smiling as she continued to gather clothes and other items; moving rhythmically about the small photo studio.
Her face was still carefully made up; she had just changed into a simple dress and was getting ready to go home. Asked how her day was, she look taken aback for a few seconds before smoothly responding that it was hectic and exciting.
“I just finished my first photo shoot as Miss Guyana Universe,” the confident and bubbly Jenel chatted to The Scene. “My day has been hectic and exciting… very long as well but I’m enjoying it all.”
Winning the pageant was very important to her, Jenel said, because “it makes no sense entering a competition if you don’t want to win”. Jenel, a former Miss Guyana Talented Teen and second runner-up in Guyana’s Next Top Model, said she was excited last Saturday when she was crowned.
“I did it because I wanted to do it. I did it for me,” she stated. “Preparation is the most important thing behind success and definitely, if you want something bad enough it’s not so hard to achieve that goal.”
Jenel, a former St Stanislaus College student, will represent Guyana at the Miss Universe Pageant in the Bahamas on August 23. The young woman is “positively hopeful” that she will do Guyana proud.
“I never imagined myself here. I didn’t think I’d make it…but I guess I outshone the other girls,” she said. “I intend to put my best foot forward and make Guyana proud.”
Toning & criticism
“I have to work on toning and weight training,” Jenel immediately responded when asked what deficiencies she and her trainers will be tackling until August.
Jenel Cox
Jenel told The Scene that she has the face, the personality, the intelligence and she just needs to do a little work on her body. “Sassy and sexy” is how she described her on-stage personality and stressed that personality is what pageantry is all about.
“Pageantry is all about personality, how well you can fit in and manoeuvre,” she said.
Criticism, the young woman said, is a natural motivator for her and she believes that she reacts “fairly well” to it. Asked whether she thought her diction and posture needed some work, the beauty queen said those areas were her “strong points”. She believes that she is ready for the international stage and is hoping that her confidence will take her a long way.
When told that words like “brawling” and “ghetto fabulous” have been used to describe her, Jenel said that she knows when she needs to act professional. She explained that she isn’t the sort of person who behaves snobbish. Different situations, she said, requires varying levels of formality.
“The more people criticize me, the more I want to work hard and prove them wrong,” Jenel said firmly.
Without blinking an eye she admitted that “a little loud” and “enthusiastic” is who she is. The very qualities that bring criticism knocking at her door, she stated, are the important characteristics that add to the personality that captured the judges last Saturday.
“If I’m a little loud and down to earth,” she said, “that’s who Jenel Cox is. I love who I am and I’m not afraid to show it.”
Sassy, sexy and confident are definitely adjectives that can be allotted to Jenel. She’s beautiful, has a quick, intelligent mind that will one day attack criminal law, but she has something else. Jenel, like a breath of fresh air, brings her honesty and transparency to the stage. (srh.midnight@gmail.com)
well said you are a outspoken person and you are you and i wish you all the best
It is time Guyana stop participating in these world contests.
Guyana has no ‘behinds the scenes’ clout, plus on a basis of
intelligence, Guyana’s contestants have none.
The present contestant is a glaring example.
OH LET THE POOR GIRL ENJOY HER VACATION.
Are you stuck in a snowdrift in Baffin Land? Do not pull down someone who is trying.Give the woman a chance.It is her only spot in the limelight of a lifetime to escape the poverty of Guyana for perhaps a better opportunity.I wish her the best and hope all Guyanese do so.
Ha Ha , Love this one Carl .Ha.
Guyana has produced a contestant that made it to the top three in the past and the contestant would have had to be intelligent to make it that far. Please do your research before coming to silly conclusions.
I hope her intellect matches her pomposity. A dose of humility will go a long way in making her more congenial to fellow participants. Wasn’t she the contestant advocating Guyana’s return to the Wild Wild West? Very metropolitan thoughts.
BP,
if she takes that attitude 2 de pageant, miss Bajan Universe will give she a good cut tail.
Congratulations Miss Guyana-Universe. The criticisms have already started. Just wanted you to know that there are many who wish to see you succeed! All the best! Don’t worry about the criticisms, learn to graciously accept them, they are just a part of life for anyone on the road to success. Good luck and Have fun!
Sadly, the writer ALSO displays a ’sorry case’ of grammar or the lack thereof! Was the editor off duty?
What grammar? This is Guyglish. We write and spell the way we talk and grammar s for decoration. If you really want to hear good Guyglish, you should listen to our TV newscasters an reporters.
He might have wanted to add some Arabic to Guyanese creole.How about that Bedouin?
I have read all the news stories on this missy and it makes me feel bad . Its obvious she has nothing much to say .
We need a school of though to train up these girls so the could do better.
This girl needs sandpaper to smooth lots of edges. She may be Guyana pagent material , cause after all she won here ..
On teh other hand she is a big JOKE to pagentry on teh whole .
Bora i agree with you when u say she need a dose of humility. She is not smart and so pompousness will only make this worse.
The child is pretty and here i put my full stop
“Talk, I’m listening,” what an attitiude!!! Don’t know if you will make Guyana proud with that attitude. Grace Jenel, Grace.
She is not ready yet. Them contestants at the next level will chew her up and spit her out. Its obvious her ego has been boosted, hope she enjoy it while it last. The only thing change about her is her big ego has been boosted and he got the title.
it’s dinner on the table for the others.
Please make us here in the Bahamas proud.Gt to the bone.All the best to you my dear.
Jenel, let’s hope the elimination phase of the Miss Universe show takes you to the Top Three. Facing glaring spotlights, a large live audience and millions of television watchers, you will be asked a question like: “If you were President of the United States, what measures would you take to deal with the current global economic crisis?” Think you can articulate your answer knowledgeably and confidently? I wish you well, young lady. I like your face!
I wan 2 see she swim suit picture…need 2 see she tone bady.
SWAT, u so bad!!!!!!!!!!!