Sharlene Rädlein

Biography

Miss Universe Jamaica (formerly Miss Jamaica Universe) is a beauty pageant that selects the contestant to represent Jamaica at the Miss Universe competition.

== History == Although Jamaica started competing at the Miss Universe Pageant in 1961, the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant officially started in 1982 and was organised by Ed Wallace to select the official representative. This was won by Nancy Martin who was slated to compete at the Miss Universe pageant, but was unable to do so. The contest was again held from 1986 to 1988, and in 1989 Pulse was asked to host the Jamaica preliminary to Miss Universe. They went on to post an outstanding record, producing 4 top 10 finalists (Sandra Foster, Kimberley Mais, Nicole Haughton and Christine Straw) at the international Pageant. The pageant was then promoted by Invyte Promotions (2010–2011), hotelier Dimitris Kosvogiannis (2012).

=== 2013–present === Uzuri International assumed the Miss Universe Jamaica franchise in 2013, acquiring the licence from Dimitris Kosvogiannis shortly before the March 2013 staging of the national competition. Uzuri International was founded in 1998 by Karl Williams and Mark McDermoth, who had designed for the Miss Jamaica World and Miss Universe Jamaica pageants since its inception. Prior to acquiring the franchise, the company had established an international profile: in 2008 Williams and McDermoth designed the opening number gowns for all 112 contestants at the Miss World pageant in Johannesburg. The franchise is operated through Atelier Dermoth Williams Limited, the formal management company identified in 2026 reporting as the official Miss Universe brand administrator in Jamaica. The organization has sent several of Jamaica's most successful Miss Universe representatives, including Kaci Fennell (2014, 4th runner-up), Davina Bennett (2017, 2nd runner-up), Miqueal-Symone Williams (2020, Top 10), and Jordanne Levy (2023, Top 20).

== Format == The pageant is broadcast nationally by Television Jamaica and has been title-sponsored by Hyundai Jamaica in recent editions. Contestants compete in swimwear, evening gown, and interview segments, with sectional awards including personality, media challenge, and altruism categories.

=== 2026 changes === In March 2026, Atelier Dermoth Williams Limited announced a shift from a regional to a parish-level preliminary model for the 2026 edition. Thirteen parish titleholders will qualify automatically for the national finals, scheduled for 23 August 2026 at AC Hotel Kingston, with additional places available through eliminations on 5 July 2026. Parish directors were appointed for each competition area.

== Notable titleholders ==

=== Yendi Phillipps (2010) === Yendi Phillipps was crowned Miss Universe Jamaica 2010 under Invyte Promotions and placed first runner-up at Miss Universe 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jamaica's highest international placement.

=== Kaci Fennell (2014) === Kaci Fennell represented Jamaica at Miss Universe 2014 in Doral, Florida, placing fourth runner-up. Her natural hair presentation attracted significant international media coverage during the competition.