Miss Bahamian Chantel O’Brian wins title of Spirit of Carnival Award at Miss Universe 2021

Nassau, The Bahamas: Miss Bahamian Chantel O’Brian has won the title of ‘the Spirit of Carnival Award’ on Saturday at the 70th annual Miss Universe competition, which is being held in Eilat, Israel.

O’Brian won the title in the pageant’s preliminary competition. This award is being sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line, which is conferred to the beauty who embodies the company’s values of “fun, friendship, diversity and inclusion.”

Last year the award was presented to the Miss Dominican Republic 2020, Kimberly Jiménez, who later became the godmother of the newest vessel – Mardi Gras.

President of the Carnival Cruise Line – Christine Duffy, stated, “Chantel has a passion for childhood education and mentorship that led her to co-found The Leading Ladies Project, an organisation prioritising the education of underprivileged girls“. 

The 70th annual Miss Universe pageant will take place on – December 12, 2021, at Universe Dome, Port of Eilat in Eilat, South District, Israel. 

Representatives from 80 countries are competing for the title of ‘MISS UNIVERSE 2021’. 

Other beauties who are representing their respective Caribbean islands are – 

• Debbie Aflalo – Dominican Republic
• Pascale Bélony – Haiti
• Daena Soares – Jamaica
• Dannia Guevara – Guatemala 

While, due to the travel restrictions amid the ongoing global COVID-19 outbreak, Barbados, Belize, Indonesia, and Malaysia have withdrawn from the competition this year. Myanmar has also not sent any delegates this year as the country suffers political impediments. 

On the other hand, this year, Bahrain made its debut in the competition. At the same time, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Sweden, and Turkey returned back in the contest. 

Miss Mexico Andrea Meza was the winner of the 2020 Miss Universe contest, which took place in the month of May, as it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The contest is being organised under the COVID-19 health protocols and guidelines, making sure the safety of participants, judges and other workers.