Beauty pageants aren’t just skin deep. They require poise, intelligence, personality and an ability to communicate.
TT has its own history with beauty pageants. Legends such as Wendy Fitzwilliam and Janelle "Penny" Commissiong topped the world at the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants and have gone on to be business leaders in the creative and other industries. Fitzwilliam, for example, is not only a model and TV host, but also a lawyer. Commissiong is the chairman of Tourism Trinidad Destination Management Co.
Kehra Ramsubhag, director of Stolen Productions Ltd, has had a love for pageants because of the opportunities they bring for creative people and producers. Business Day spoke to her while she organised the Mr and Mrs Grand pageants, scheduled for September 10.
Ramsubhag said 30 people – 15 men and 15 women – were picked from about 200 hopefuls last month.
They will then vie for the Mr and Mrs Grand TT crowns. The winners will then go to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam in October for the global event.
Ramsubhag said the skills and perspectives that participants learn make for a strong but understanding business professional and teaches a different style leadership – one that shows compassion instead of commanding respect.
Walking the walk
"I just see them being more effective leaders," she told Business Day. "They are able to relate to their employees, co-workers and their teammates."
She said instead of being intimidating and aggressive, the skills learned in training for beauty pageants could also help them develop leadership qualities such as empathy and emotional intelligence.
"We really want to teach these young men and women how to do things differently. And that in itself creates a different work environment and society for them to live in."
Along with learning to walk the runway and learning poise, pageant participants are also taught public speaking, given voice training, and have to learn the history and culture of their nation, as well as current affairs. This is true especially in the case of international pageants, as the delegates do not just represent themselves in these pageants, but their entire countries.
"They are considered as ambassadors," she said. "So we want to send someone that is qualified. They also have to do a lot of public relations, branding and image management.
[caption id="attachment_1030815" align="alignnone" width="481"] Kehra Ramsubhag director of Stolen Productions Ltd which organises Mr and Mrs Grand pageants.(Photo courtesy Kehra Ramsubhag) -[/caption]
"We also talk about topics like toxic masculinity and soft empowerment. We try to have really in-depth education as to how we go about changing issues in society."
Pageantry – a billion-dollar industry
The beauty pageant industry earns up to US$5 billion a year and attracts businesses around the world. Industries such as make-up artistry, catering and hairstyling also benefit these events. Ramsubhag said putting on a pageant for local contestants could cost thousands, and, to host interna
