Criticism erupted on social media as some Jamaicans expressed their discontent over the crowning of Dr. Jordanne Lauren Levy as Miss Universe Jamaica 2023. The streaming of the competition revealed Dr. Levy as the titleholder, with Robyn Kira Lloyd as the first runner-up and Deborah Gordon as the second runner-up.
Discontent surged after the crowning announcement last Sunday, with numerous posts on platforms like X, formerly Twitter, highlighting allegations of a rigged and unfair competition. Much of the criticism revolved around the competition’s ‘Question & Answer‘ segment.
In response to the final question, Dr. Levy was asked about what makes her beautifully confident. Her response, “As a medical doctor of the University Hospital of the West Indies, I put myself before the people. My patients come first before all things. I know that no matter what, when I’m of service to other people. That’s what makes me beautifully confident,” triggered a restless crowd, causing her to pause mid-response. She was later given a chance to complete her answer, which generated further objections.
One social media user remarked, “Miss Universe Jamaica really rigged the competition for their favourite to win??? This is what we doing?” Another expressed disbelief at the opportunity for Dr. Levy to redo her answer, suggesting a biased approach. Questions arose about the fairness of the competition and the unprecedented chance to revise responses during the Miss Universe Jamaica event.
Critics also lamented recurring issues with the Question & Answer segment over the years, citing a repetition of rehearsed responses. Some viewers who watched the competition on television complained about audio and production glitches that impacted the quality of the 2023 staging.
“Miss Universe Jamaica” was criticized for its organization, with calls for a comprehensive overhaul. Some felt that the event encountered a series of problems, raising concerns about representing Jamaica on the international stage.
As the winner of Miss Universe Jamaica 2023, Dr. Levy is set to represent the country at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant scheduled for November 18 in El Salvador.
