ZAHRA REDWOOD - MISS JAMAICA UNIVERSE 2007

25-year old Zahra Redwood comes from August Town. In late March, she became the first rastafarian in the history of Jamaica to win the contest and earn the rights to represent the country in the Miss Universe pageant.

Age: 25 Hometown: August Town (but now I live in Mona) Height: 5’8” Ethnicity: Rastafarian Zodiac Sign: Leo Education: Tertiary – First Degree (Hons) Biotechnology & Zoology Occupation: Quality Manager General Interests: High speed cars and bikes and the beauty of the night; driving to the country at nights; parasailing, horseback riding and going to the beach. Giving service is also part of our philosophy and I enjoy doing community work and caring for the disabled. I am intrigued by the mind, and so Psychology is my most recent interest. Music: I like it at high decibels! Reggae, Latin, Calypso, Pop…anything with lots of bass. Soul is good too. Movies: Comedies and Sentimental. Television: ESPN (NASCAR); HGTV (Devine Design by Candice Olsen) Books: Anything, almost. It’s always great experiencing the life of others – virtually. Heroes: Bob Marley, the Reggae Legend. He encouraged peace, love, and unity throughout mankind.

• ABOUT ME: I’m a captivating Rastafarian hailing from beautiful Jamaica – Reggae Land of Bob Marley-. My ebony-mocha locks cascade my back in long tresses – truly representing the lion in all his strength and my zodiac sign, Leo.

A Leo to the bone, I am bold, beautiful, and conspicuous, with a flair for fun, adventure, and spontaneity. I enjoy reaching out to others in the spirit of peace & love. Rastafari.

What do you expect from this year’s contest?
Difference. Since I am the first Rastafarian to enter this pageant, I expect the pageant viewership to increase enormously and attract wider media coverage, attention and appeal.

Have you learned anything about Mexico?
Yes. I’ve learned that Jamaica and Mexico have a lot in common. The Caribbean Sea, cultural vibrancy, and a warm people who love music, spicy food and dancing. The historic struggle of our peoples for freedom is also quite prominent.

What is your charity auction gift? Can you describe it?
My gift is a clay sculpture of a Rastaman’s head with the traditional red, green and gold tam, mounted on a bronze frame.

The piece is special because it represents the convergence of several aspects of our country’s richness, beauty and cultural appeal -- from the clay, to the visual and musical arts-- all of which Rastafarianism is closely associated.

When people see an image of a Rastafarian, especially wearing the traditional colours, invariably, they think of Jamaica and whomever acquires this work of art will definitely be drawn to our country.

How is your National Costume?
My costume is a completely original work, which was inspired by the tropical colours of Jamaica, our music and more than a hint of my Rastafarian culture. The cape has a dual significance – representing the regal as well as the canvass for a hand painted lion, one of the major symbols of my culture and incidentally myself.

The vibrant red, gold, black and green are Jamaica’s cultural colours which influence not only our local fashions but also that of some of the world’s best designers and athletic clothing brands. Finally, my costume would not have been complete without a touch of the man who has brought our music and culture to the world -- Bob Marley.

The image of Bob on my camisole and the tricolour headdress, round out the full symbolism of the parts of my costume. Rastafari and Reggae are two concepts/genres which are Jamaica’s creations and all the elements of the costume represent our bold cultural creativity which we share with the world.

What is playing in your CD Player / IPod / MP3 now?
Holiday (Madonna)

Funniest or most embarrassing thing ever happened to you?
The most embarrassing thing that ever happened to me is to squeal – in fear of a caterpillar – right in front my favourite lecturer. I have a phobia of caterpillars, but dislike showing my vulnerability to people I hold in high esteem.

Most interesting thing ever happened to you?
In January of this year while at a bus stop with friends, a street person smiled in passing and said in patois (Jamaican dialect) that I will be winning Miss Jamaica Universe.

This was astonishing, as my plans to enter the pageant were still yet a secret not even my closest friends knew; and here it was, a stranger walked by and not even knew my deepest secret, but also predicted my victory!

On March 25, 2007 I became the first Rastafarian to enter and win a beauty pageant in Jamaica…Miss Jamaica Universe 2007.

A message to all pageant fans.
Beauty of the soul transcends all other forms of beauty. Let’s choose to be beautiful!

GETTING TO KNOW ZAHRA

Birthday: August 19, 1981
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Current Location: Kingston, Jamaica
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Hair Colour: Ebony-mocha
Your Weakness: Selflessness, I sometimes put others before me to my detriment
Your Fears: Caterpillars
Your Perfect Pizza: Vegetarian (…yeah, I know)
Thoughts First Waking Up: Where’s the music?
Your Best Physical Feature: Ebony-mocha locks; full lips
Pepsi or Coke: Coke
Have you ever been in love: Yeah…felt silly after, though
What country would you most like to visit: An African country
Are you vain: Not really, but I always try to look my best.


Photos courtesy of PULSE Magazine and Miss Universe L.P., LLLP

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