♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ >>> I´M YOUR 40th ANNIVERSARY QUEEN, TASIDA KELCH, I´M THE GUEST HOST FOR TODAY´S DISCUSSION, "ROAD TO ROYALTY."

OUR CONVERSATION WILL TOUCH ON THE LONG HISTORY OF VI CARNIVAL QUEEN AND THE STEPS IT TOOK TO BECOME A QUEEN.

TODAY WE ARE SPEAKING WITH A FEW FORMER QUEENS TO INCLUDE THE FIRST RECOGNIZED VIRGIN ISLANDS CARNIVAL QUEEN CROWNED IN 1952, MS. CARMEN NICHOLAS SIBLEY.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE IN YOUR PRESENCE.

HOW ARE YOU TODAY?

>> I´M WELL, THANK YOU.

IT´S A PLEASURE FOR ME TO BE HERE.

>> YES.

WE´LL GET STARTED.

I KNOW MY EXPERIENCE WAS ONE OF THE CARNIVAL QUEENS THAT HAD A COR CORONATION.

WHEN YOU GUYS FIRST STARTED, YOU DIDN´T HAVE A SHOW, BUT YOU HAD VOTES.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> YES.

IN THE FIRST CARNIVAL TO BE A CONTESTANT AND RUN AND BE A QUEEN, WE HAD TO SELL VOTES AT 10 CENTS A PIECE.

>> OH, WOW.

>> YES.

SO THAT´S WHAT WE DID.

WE HAD A COMPETITION, AND WHO SOLD THE MOST VOTES, THE NIGHT OF THE SELECTION WOULD BE CROWNED QUEEN.

>> DURING YOUR REIGN WHAT OBLIGATIONS DID YOU HAVE AS QUEEN?

DID YOU HAVE TO REIGN OVER ALL THE CARNIVAL EVENTS OR JUST THE PARADE THAT YOU PARTICIPATED IN?

>> NO, WE WERE INVITED TO MANY OF THE CLUBS.

AT THAT TIME, THE CARIBBEAN HOTEL, WE WERE INVITED TO MEET GUESTS THAT WERE THERE AND SHOW THEM, YOU KNOW, TO SPEAK A LITTLE ABOUT THE ISLAND AND THE PARADE.

THAT´S HOW WE WERE ABLE TO PROMOTE THE ISLAND FROM HOTELS AND DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS THAT WERE HELD.

>> SHARICE WOODS, CARNIVAL QUEEN, 2001.

AS THE TITLE SAYS, "ROAD TO ROYALTY," WHAT WAS THE ROAD TO YOUR ROYALTY?

>> WELL, QUEEN TASIDA, THE ROAD TO MY ROYALTY ACTUALLY BEGAN A YEAR BEFORE.

SO IN 2000.

I KNEW EVER SINCE I WAS IN THE FIFTH GRADE, BACK IN 1994, THAT I WAS GOING TO RUN FOR CARNIVAL QUEEN BECAUSE MY COUSIN, CHERYL CLENDENON HAD WON THAT YEAR, MY FAMILY WAS FILLED WITH SO MUCH EXCITEMENT AFTER SHE WON.

I WANTED TO REPEAT THAT.

I KNEW FROM THEN.

BUT THE WORK BEGAN A YEAR BEFORE IN 2000.

THE YEAR THAT KANIKA GEORGE WON.

MYSELF AND THE LADY WHO WAS MY CHAPERONE AT THE TIME, WE HAD A NOTE PAD, WE BEGAN TAKING NOTES, BEGAN DEVELOPING MY TALENT, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

I WOULD SAY IT BEGAN AN ENTIRE YEAR BEFORE.

1991.

SO, APRIL, BEFORE YOU DECIDED TO VIE FOR THE TITLE OF CARNIVAL QUEEN, DID YOU HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH BEAUTY PAGEANTS?

>> BEFORE I DECIDED TO BECOME CARNIVAL QUEEN, I HAD ENTER A PAGEANT IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

NOT AT THE SAME LEVEL, BUT, YES.

THAT WAS THE HEIGHT OF IT FOR ME.

>> OKAY.

AND HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN PAGEANTS?

>> NOT NECESSARILY INTERESTED, BUT IT WAS SOMETHING I WANTED TO DO.

I DECIDED IT WOULD HELP WITH MY SELF CONFIDENCE.

SO THE YEAR BEFORE, MY MOM AND I ATTENDED A PAGEANT, WHICH WAS UNUSUAL BECAUSE WE REALLY DIDN´T DO PAGEANTS.

WHILE SITTING THERE, AT SOME POINT I TURNED TO HER AND SAID MA, I´M GOING TO DO THIS NEXT YEAR.

SHE LOOKED AT ME LIKE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT?

YOU THINK YOU CAN GO UP ON THE STAGE IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY?

YOU KNOW MY MOM, VERY LOW KEY.

>> YES.

>> I SAID, YEAH, I THINK I CAN DO IT.

THEN AT SOME POINT THROUGHOUT THE SHOW, I HAD AN AFTERTHOUGHT, I TURNED TO HER AND I SAID I THINK I CAN WIN, TOO.

I THINK SHE WAS HOPING I WOULD HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT, BUT I DIDN´T.

>> MY MOTHER WASN´T QUITE AS WILLING TO GIVE ME PERMISSION INITIALLY.

IT WAS A DEFINITE NO.

DON´T THINK ABOUT IT.

DON´T TALK ABOUT IT.

JUST KNOW -- OF COURSE I´M AN ONLY CHILD.

PUPPY DOG TEARS AND SMILES WORKED.

BUT SHE DID TELL ME I´M GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO RUN, BUT DO NOT GO OUT THERE AND EMBARRASS ME AND MAKE ANY FOOLISHNESS.

I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO GET UP THERE AND BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> HONORABLE SENATOR, CARNIVAL QUEEN 2003?

>> YES, CORRECT.

>> HOW ARE YOU DOING, SENATOR?

>> I´M ALIVE.

I´M BLESSED TO BE ALIVE DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

I FEEL BLESSED.

>> EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW, WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO VIE FOR THE TITLE OF CARNIVAL QUEEN?

>> THAT´S AN INTERESTING QUESTION.

AS YOU CAN SEE, I´M WEARING PANTS RIGHT NOW.

I NEVER REALLY WORE A DRESS.

IN 11th GRADE, MY PARENTS WERE LIKE COME JOIN THIS.

WHAT IS THIS?

YOU WANT TO BE A TEEN, SO YOU GO WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND JOIN.

THAT WAS MY FIRST TIME WEARING A DRESS.

THEN AFTER THAT, THEY WERE LIKE YOU SHOULD RUN FOR CARNIVAL QUEEN.

TO BE HONEST, I WAS LIKE BLEH.

THE NEXT THING I KNOW I HAD WON THE WHOLE PAGEANT.

PEOPLE WERE LIKE GO FOR IT, IT´S A CHALLENGE.

WHY NOT TRY IT.

IT WAS A TOTAL OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCE FOR ME.

IT WAS THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE OF WHAT I AM.

IT WAS FUN.

>> SHANISE SMITH, CARNIVAL QUEEN, 1999.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> I´M WELL.

YOURSELF?

>> I´M WELL.

HOW DID YOU APPROACH THE DECISION TO VIE FOR CARNIVAL QUEEN?

>> BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I WAS NOT INTO PAGEANTRY.

MY MOM HAD A CO-WORKER.

HER NAME WAS ELISE.

THEY WORKED SIDE BY SIDE IN A CUBICLE.

SHE WAS ON THE QUEEN´S COMMITTEE AT THE TIME.

THEY WERE SCOUTING FOR YOUNG LADIES.

I CAME TO HER WORK AFTER SCHOOL.

SHE WAS LIKE YOU SHOULD RUN FOR CARNIVAL QUEEN.

I WAS LIKE NO WAY.

SHE GAVE ME AN APPLICATION.

SO I FILLED IT OUT.

UNBEKNOWNST TO MY MOM, I TYPED UP THE APPLICATION AT HER JOB, ALL I NEEDED WAS A SIGNATURE.

EVENTUALLY SHE SIGNED IT, THAT WAS THE JOURNEY.

>> WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MEMORY OF THAT NIGHT?

>> SWIMSUIT.

>> TELL ME WHY.

>> WELL, MY MOM WOULD TRY TO BUY ME SWIMWIMSUITS, I NEVER FELT COMFORTABLE.

I TRIED IT THE WEEK BEFORE, GOING OUT HALF-NAKED IN THE HEELS, JUST SHOWING MY LEGS, MY ARMS.

HAVING TO WALK IN THESE SHOES, EVENING WEAR WAS SLOW.

IF I COULD TRIP UP, I COULD CATCH MYSELF.

BUT SWIMSUIT WAS FASTER, MORE REVEALING.

THE FACT THAT I NAILED IT, THAT WAS MY GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT.

>> WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MEMORY OF THE NIGHT THAT YOU WON?

>> I WOULD SAY HEARING MY NAME CALLED.

I WENT OUT AND DID MY BEST.

THEY CALL OUT THE LITTLE PRIZES BEFORE.

MY NAME GOT CALLED FOR SEVERAL OF THEM.

AND, YOU KNOW, I DON´T KNOW, FOR SOME REASON I WASN´T EXPECTING TO HEAR ULTIMATELY THE WINNER.

SO I THINK HEARING MY NAME CALLED WAS THE ULTIMATE THING FOR ME.

>> YOU KNOW, IT´S FUNNY.

I´VE ONLY SEEN PAGEANTS, AND THE PERSON GETS CROWNED OR THE NAME GETS ANNOUNCED, THEY START THIS CRYING THING.

YOU THINK IT´S FACE.

BUT I REMEMBER THE NIGHT OF THE SHOW, THEY CALLED ALL THE PERSONS, AND THEY WERE CALLING THE RUNNERS-UP.

IT WAS SEVEN OF US.

EVERYBODY´S NAME WAS GETTING CALLED.

I REMEMBER LOOKING, AND THE NEWSPAPER CAUGHT ME LOOKING DOWN THE ROW TO SEE WHO WAS LEFT.

WHILE THEY´RE DOING THIS, THEY´RE ANNOUNCING MY NAME AS WINNING.

I MISSED THE WHOLE THING.

BUT ONCE, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY CAME RUNNING, I WAS LIKE, MY GOODNESS.

IT WAS ME.

YOU BREAK DOWN.

YOU START TO CRY.

>> YOU CRIED A LOT.

>> YES.

>> I THINK IT WAS A COMBINATION OF EMOTIONS.

>> I DIDN´T CRY.

>> MY BEST MEMORY IS WHEN THE BOAT PULLED IN AT THE COAST GUARD DOCK, THE BAND STARTED.

THAT WAS SUCH A NICE FEELING WITH THE CHAIRS ON BOTH SIDES.

THE PEOPLE.

THEY´RE CHEERING US.

WAVING THEIR HANDKERCHIEFS.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE BEST FEELINGS THAT I COULD REMEMBER.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST MEMORY OF BEING CARNIVAL QUEEN?

>> DEFINITELY TRAVELING TO LONDON.

I COMPETED IN THE MISS WORLD PAGEANT IN DECEMBER OF 1999.

THAT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT MOST WON´T HAVE IN LIFE.

AS THE QUEEN OF CARNIVAL, I THINK THE FRANCHISE HOLDER WAS LORNA AT THE TIME.

I WAS AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY, ALL EXPENSES, OF COURSE, TO TRAVEL AND COMPETE IN THAT COMPETITION IN ENGLAND.

>> HOPEFULLY WITH THE NEW DIVISION OF FESTIVALS WE CAN GET OUR GIRLS COMPETING NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.

>> DEFINITELY THAT WOULD BE A PLUS.

>> THAT WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD EXPERIENCE.

>> I WOULD SAY THE CARNIVAL QUEEN EXPERIENCE HAS CERTAINLY -- IT HAS CERTAINLY CHANGED MY LIFE.

I WON 20 YEARS AGO.

BUT I STILL TALK ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE AS IF IT JUST HAPPENED THE OTHER DAY BECAUSE I LEARNED SO MANY THINGS FROM THAT.

I WAS GIVEN SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES FROM BEING THE CARNIVAL QUEEN.

AFTER HAVING WON THE COMPETITION, I TOOK MY FIRST INTERNATIONAL TRIP TO SOUTH AFRICA.

>> THAT´S RIGHT.

>> I MET NELSON MANDELA.

>> TELL US HOW YOU GOT TO TAKE THAT TRIP.

>> WELL, I GOT TO TAKE THAT TRIP BECAUSE AFTER HAVING WON THE COMPETITION, I WAS PRESENTED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE IN THE MISS WORLD COMPETITION.

THAT YEAR IT WAS HELD IN SOUTH AFRICA.

I WENT AS THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST PHENOMENAL EXPERIENCES I HAD IN MY LIFE.

>> YOU MET NELSON MANDELA.

>> YES.

I HAVE A PHOTO, IF YOU DON´T BELIEVE ME, I HAVE PROOF.

THOSE LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES PREPARED ME FOR THE REAL WORLD AND THEY HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF ME WINNING THE COMPETITION.

SO I´M ALWAYS VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE EXPERIENCE.

AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYONE TO PARTICIPATE.

>> IT´S A LIFETIME COMMITMENT.

THIS YEAR IS MY 30th ANNIVERSARY.

TODAY PEOPLE STILL RECOGNIZE ME IN THE STREETS.

THEY STILL CALL ME QUEEN APRIL.

THERE ARE CERTAIN EXPECTATIONS THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS OF ME.

AND SO IT´S NOT JUST FOR THAT MOMENT.

JUST TO BE THE QUEEN DURING CARNIVAL AND THAT´S IT.

IT´S YOUR FOREVER TITLE.

>> YOU ARE SO ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

I GET STOPPED IN THE GROCERY STORE.

YOU´RE THE QUEEN.

I REMEMBER YOU!

YES, YOU´RE THE 40th ANNIVERSARY QUEEN.

SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, IT´S -- WHEN YOU HAVE A LOAF OF BREAD AND A PACK OF EGGS IN YOUR HAND, YOU´RE LIKE OKAY.

PEOPLE ARE GENUINELY EXCITED TO ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, TALK TO YOU AND REHASH THE NIGHT.

THEY COULD TELL YOU WHERE THEY WERE, WHAT THEY WERE DOING.

SOMETIMES WHAT THEY HAD ON.

>> EXACTLY.

>> SO THAT´S ALWAYS FUN.

>> RIGHT.

>> I MEAN SOMETIMES IT´S A LITTLE AWKWARD.

>> SOMETIMES IT´S AWKWARD.

>> DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE.

>> I THINK TWO WEEKENDS AGO, SINCE THE PANDEMIC, I ONLY TAKE MY MOM OUT.

I TOOK HER OUT JUST FOR A LITTLE OUTING.

THE GUY TURNS TO ME -- HE TURNED TO ME AND SAID WHAT YEAR?

I WAS LIKE WHAT YEAR?

LIKE WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

HE WAS LIKE, YOU WERE THE CARNIVAL QUEEN.

YOU WOULD THINK I WON THE QUEEN LAST YEAR OR LAST WEEKEND.

>> I HAVE A GENTLEMAN EVERY TIME HE SEES ME, IT´S THE SAME TITLE.

YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS.

I´M LIKE, OKAY.

>> I GET THAT.

>> SO EVERYBODY ELSE IS LOOKING AT US LIKE WHAT´S REALLY HAPPENING HERE?

YOU KNOW, IT´S -- AND, OF COURSE, OUR LATE GREAT IRVING BROWN, EVERY TIME I WOULD MEET HIM AT THE POST OFFICE, HE WOULD SAY YOUR HIGHNESS!

I WOULD GET A GOOD CHUCKLE.

>> HE DID THAT TO ME AND ALSO THE LATE WAYNE SAXMAN ADAMS, NO MATTER WHERE HE SAW ME, HE WAS ALWAYS YOUR MAJESTY.

ON SATURDAY I FLEW BACK IN FROM THE MAINLAND ON SATURDAY.

I STOPPED TO GET A DRINK AT THE BAR.

I DIDN´T KNOW THE GENTLEMAN.

I DIDN´T KNOW THE BARTENDER.

HE WAS LIKE QUEEN NEEDS A DRINK!

I WAS LIKE I DON´T EVEN KNOW THIS GUY.

I DO GET THAT A LOT.

>> IT´S AMAZING HOW PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER AND REALLY REMEMBER THE LITTLE DETAILS.

AND ALWAYS REMIND YOU, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU DID, HOW YOU DID IT, WHERE THEY WERE, WHAT THEY WERE DOING.

SO THAT´S ALWAYS A GOOD THING TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A CARNIVAL QUEEN.

>> IF YOU WERE THE QUEEN OF CARNIVAL, YOU WERE THE QUEEN.

>> WHAT CHANGES, IF ANY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FOR FUTURE CARNIVAL QUEENS?

>> I THINK MORE PREPARATION FOR THE WORLD STAGE.

THE WAY WE SPEAK, WE DON´T SPEAK VERY NATURAL, AND MY COACHES WERE TRYING TO GET ME TO HAVE THIS -- >> THE PAGEANT VOICE.

>> THE PAGEANT VOICE.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT NATIONALS AND WORLD PAGEANTS, YOU SPEAK AS YOU ARE.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE BETTER PREPARATION FOR OUR CONTESTANTS, OUR QUEENS TO PERFORM OR COMPETE ON A NATIONAL STAGE, A WORLD STAGE.

THE MODELING IS VERY EASY.

HANDS SWINGING.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT MISS AMERICA, MISS WORLD, MISS UNIVERSE, PAGEANT MODELING IS TO DIFFERENT FROM RUNWAY MODELING.

>> DO YOU THINK OUR CARNIVAL QUEEN CONTESTANTS SHOULD MOVE ON TO INTERNATIONAL PAGEANTS?

>> I THINK SO.

IT´S THE REAL DEAL.

THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE ON TO A LARGER SCALE.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, I´M ALWAYS OFFERED THE CHANCE TO GO TO MISS WORLD.

BY THAT TIME I SIGNED MY SCHOLARSHIP FOR SCHOOL, I COULDN´T BREACH THAT CONTRACT.

I WENT TO SCHOOL ON AN ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP, IT WAS EITHER/OR FOR ME.

ANYBODY ELSE WHO HAS THE TALENT, THEY SHOULD BE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION TO GO ON A GRANDER SCALE.

I DON´T LIVE WITH REGRETS, WHETHER GOOD OR BAD.

I DON´T THINK I WOULD CHANGE ANYTHING.

MAYBE THAT ONE LAST TURN IN THE SWIMWEAR SEGMENT WHERE I TURNED AROUND AND RAN INTO THE DOOR THAT WAS NOT OPEN.

IF ANYTHING, I WOULD CHANGE THAT.

THAT WAS DISTINCT.

>> YES.

THERE YOU GO.

>> BY THE MARKET, THERE WAS SUCH A CROWD CHEERING US.

AND THEN CAME THE RAIN.

OH.

>> OH, NO.

>> AS WE WERE GETTING UMBRELLAS, THE BYSTANDERS WERE THERE, I WAS ABOUT TO MOVE ON INTO THE SHADE.

THE DUKE OF IRELAND WAS BEHIND US WITH MEXICO, HE SAID NO, NO, RAIN, RAIN, DON´T STOP THE CARNIVAL.

>> THAT´S FAMOUS SONG.

>> THAT´S WHERE THAT CAME FROM.

THAT´S HOW THE FAMOUS SONG STARTED.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT CONTESTANTS NOW WOULD BE ABLE TO COMPARE OR COMPETE WITH YOU IN YOUR ERA?

>> OF COURSE NOT.

>> I COMPETED AGAINST EIGHT OTHER YOUNG LADIES.

THAT WAS TOUGH ENOUGH.

>> THAT´S RIGHT.

THERE WAS NINE OF YOU.

>> I THINK THEY HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES IN TERMS OF WORKING INDIVIDUALLY, GETTING OUTSIDE COACHING.

A LOT OF SERVICES WERE PROVIDED BY THE QUEENS COMMITTEE AND THE CARNIVAL COMMITTEE, WHATEVER THEY COULD AFFORD AT THE TIME.

THERE WAS COACHING TO MODELING AND SO FORTH.

YOU COULDN´T HANDLE ME BACK IN MY DAY.

>> COMPARING PAGEANTS THEN AND NOW, DO YOU THINK NEW PAGEANT CONTESTANTS CAN COMPETE WITH YOU AND THE CONTESTANTS WHO RAN IN YOUR ERA?

>> I DEFINITELY THINK SO.

I THINK THERE´S CERTAIN QUALITIES THAT EVERY YOUNG WOMAN HAS THAT NO MATTER THE ERA THEY´RE IN WILL MOVE FROM ONE TO THE NEXT.

BEING CHARMING.

POSITIVE.

CONFIDENT.

I THINK ONCE YOU HAVE THOSE CHARACTERISTICS, THOSE TRAITS, YOU´RE FINE.

>> YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE TOP FIVE QUALITIES THAT A YOUNG LADY SHOULD POSSESS TO VIE FOR THE CARNIVAL QUEEN PAGEANT?

>> THE TOP FIVE QUALITIES I WOULD SAY -- YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CONFIDENT.

AS YOU KNOW FROM HAVING WALKED THE WALK, WE HAVE A VERY, VERY TOUGH AND CRITICAL CROWD HERE.

>> MOST DEFINITELY.

>> IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CONFIDENT IN YOURSELF.

YOU HAVE TO BE ROLE MODEL-ESQUE.

I JUST MADE THAT UP.

>> YES.

YES.

>> YOU KNOW, ONCE YOU DECIDE TO COMPETE, EVEN IF YOU DON´T WIN, ONCE YOU BECOME A CONTESTANT, YOU BECOME A ROLE MODEL FOR ALL THE YOUNG LADIES IN THE COMMUNITY WHO HOPE TO, YOU KNOW, WALK THAT WALK.

YOU HAVE TO BE INTELLIGENT, OF COURSE.

BECAUSE WE WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT BEING CARNIVAL QUEEN IS NOT JUST ABOUT BEING BEAUTIFUL.

YOU HAVE TO BE INTELLIGENT AS WELL.

YOU HAVE TO BE KIND.

YOU HAVE TO BE GRACIOUS.

YOU KNOW, JUST KNOCK THAT STEREOTYPE OUT OF THE PARK THAT QUEENS ARE NOT JUST THESE STUCK-UP PEOPLE.

WE´RE KIND.

WE´RE GRACIOUS.

WE TAKE PRIDE IN REPRESENTING THIS COMMUNITY.

THAT´S WHAT IT´S ALL ABOUT.

>> YEAH.

I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE THE CARNIVAL QUEEN PAGEANT IS DIDN´T TO ANY OTHER PAGEANT THAT THEY MAY EXPERIENCE BECAUSE IT IS SO HOLISTIC.

YOU KNOW, WE TAKE THE CONTESTANTS FROM DAY ONE AND YOU MOLD THESE YOUNG LADIES.

YOU KNOW, THEY GET ETIQUETTE, MODELING, PUBLIC SPEAKING.

SO THAT EVEN IF A YOUNG LADY DOESN´T WIN, SHE´S STILL PRETTY MUCH PREPARED TO MOVE ON TO HER NEXT PHASE IN LIFE.

WOULD YOU AGREE?

>> YES.

OH, YES.

I HAVE FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE WITH THAT HAVING WORKED ON THE QUEENS COMMITTEE WITH YOU.

>> YES.

>> THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT REALLY IS WHAT WE TRY TO PREPARE THE GIRLS FOR.

IT DOESN´T STOP AT THE CARNIVAL QUEEN COMPETITION.

>> CORRECT.

>> DEFINITELY INTELLECT.

SOMEONE POISED, RESPECTFUL.

YOU HAVE A CERTAIN IMAGE, OUTWARD IMAGE, AND SOMEONE THAT IS JUST FUN AND FUN TO BE AROUND.

ALTHOUGH IT´S SOMEWHAT OF AN INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION, IT REQUIRES A LOT OF CAMARADERIE, TEAM WORK.

WORKING WITH THE OTHER GIRLS.

>> WHAT WAS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT PREPARING FOR THE CARNIVAL QUEEN PAGEANT FOR YOU?

>> BEING ON TIME.

>> YES.

>> WE HAD -- WE HAD A CO-CHAIR OR VICE CHAIR, SHE WAS VERY HARSH WITH ME.

>> HARSH.

>> SHE KEPT ME ON MY TOES.

THE VICE CHAIR AT THE TIME HAPPENED TO BE YOU.

>> MM-HMM.

>> AND TO BE ON TIME WAS ONE.

TWO WAS HEELS.

WALKING IN HEELS.

JUST EMBRACING MY FEMININITY.

BEING OKAY WITH LIPSTICK AND MASCARA.

EYELASHES.

NAILS.

SO THAT WAS THE HARDEST PART FOR ME.

AND WALKING IN HEELS.

I´M MOKO JUMBIES, BUT HEELS WERE A DIFFERENT VIBE.

>> CAN YOU RECALL WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND WHEN YOU WERE WAITING FOR THE WINNER´S NAME TO BE CALLED?

>> I CAN.

AT ONE POINT, YOU HAVE AN IDEA.

AFTER YOU HEAR SEVEN CATEGORIES, YOU´RE LOOKING AT THE CROWD AND EVERYBODY´S CHEERING.

YOU LOOK.

SOMETIMES THERE´S EYE CONTACT.

NO WAY.

NO WAY.

I´M LIKE IT´S UNBELIEVABLE.

IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?

>> WELL, I -- I WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION.

I WAS BUSY LOOKING TO SEE WHO WAS LEFT.

WHEN THEY CALLED MY NAME, I DIDN´T HAVE A CLUE UNTIL EVERYBODY CAME RUNNING.

I WAS LIKE ME, ME, I WON?

>> YOU MENTIONED BEING ON TIME.

DOES THE PROCESS HELP YOU WITH TIME MANAGEMENT?

>> OF COURSE.

BEING MORE M METICULATE.

ANYTHING WITH WORLD ISSUES, SOCIAL ISSUES.

IT WAS REALLY A GROUP PROCESS, INTERACTING WITH OTHER WOMEN AND LEARNING TO BE OKAY WITH LOSING, BUT STILL MAINTAIN A LEVEL OF INTEGRITY AND CAMARADERIE.

CARNIVAL WAS ALL-ENCOMPASSING.

>> YES.

>> I CAN´T JUST SAY IT WAS ONE THING.

BUT HAVING TO MAKE PUBLIC APPEARANCES.

LEARNING HOW TO MAKE EYE CONTACT.

HOW TO USE YOUR HANDS.

YOU KNOW, WHEN TO SIT, WHEN TO STAND, HOW TO CROSS YOUR LEGS.

YOU CROSS AT THEHE ANKLES, WHEN YOU GO DOWN STEPS, GO TO THE SIDE.

THERE WERE SO MANY THINGS.

I DO USE THEM NOW?

NO.

DO I WEAR HEELS?

NO.

BUT THERE WERE SO MANY LIFE LESSONS FROM THE PAGEANT THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET.

EVEN OPENING DANCE.

WE HAD 50, 60 DANCES ON STAGE.

TWIRLING AROUND.

BY THE TIME YOU HOP AROUND, YOU TRY TO CATCH YOUR BREATH, YOU HAVE TO DELIVER A 60-SECOND SPEECH.

IF YOU GO OVER THE TIME LIMIT, IT´S A PENALTY.

YOU HAVE TO MEMORIZE A SPEECH FOR THE INTRODUCTION.

THAT WAS MAYBE TWO MINUTES MAX.

SO YOU JUST TALK ABOUT WHEN I WAS BORN, ALL THIS FLUFF.

AND SO, IT WAS -- LOOKING BACK, IT WAS A LOT OF WORK THAT WE DID IN THE SMALL TIMEFRAME WE HAD.

>> WHAT WAS THE COMMUNITY´S REACTION WHEN YOU WON?

>> MIXED FEELINGS.

I SAY THAT BECAUSE I THINK NOW IT´S MORE PREVALENT WITH SOCIAL MEDIA.

I, TOO, HAD A LOT OF BACKLASH.

I SOMETIMES SAY I WAS THERE COMPETING, BUT I HAD A MOM WHO WAS A RECOVERING ADDICT.

I HAD A DAD THAT WAS IN JAIL.

SO I WAS LOOKED AT, OH, THAT´S THE BLACK SHEEP.

>> RIGHT.

>> SO UPON CAPTURING THE TITLE AND THE CROWN, OF COURSE, THE PHONE CALLS, THE SWEARING, THE CURSING.

BUT OF COURSE YOU RIDE ABOVE IT.

THE TITLE, THE HONOR, THE PRIVILEGE TO BE CALLED THE QUEEN OF CARNIVAL IN ITSELF IS ONE THAT, INDEED, OUTWEIGHED ALL THE NEGATIVES.

>> EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW, DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR CROWN AND CEPTOR?

>> I DON´T HAVE MY CROWN.

AT THAT TIME EVERYTHING WAS MADE -- WAS MADE -- MY CROWN WAS MADE OF CARDBOARD.

>> OH.

>> SO THEREFORE, THE DESIGN OF IT AND IT WAS RHINESTONES AND STONE PASTE ON TO A CROWN.

AND THEY WOULD CUT AND TRIM THE RIM OF IT.

THE RAIN MELTED THE CROWN, ALL THE STONES CAME OFF.

>> OH, NO.

>> RUINED MY DRESS AND EVERYTHING.

>> I HAVE MY CROWN, YES.

MY CEPTOR, I DON´T KNOW WHERE THAT IS.

MY CROWN -- IT NEEDS A LITTLE REFURBISHING.

I THINK THE TOP IS BREAKING OFF.

MY MOM BOUGHT THIS CROWN BACK.

IT´S IN THERE.

>> I DO HAVE MY CROWN.

MY CEPTOR IS PACKED AWAY.

I DO HAVE MY CROWN.

>> DO YOU SOMETIMES TAKE IT OUT?

>> NO.

>> ARE YOU SURE?

>> IT´S SORT OF ON DISPLAY.

ABOVE THE DOOR, THE ENTRYWAY, THERE´S A CUT-OUT, YOU CAN PUT WHATEVER.

I HAVE IT UP THERE.

>> I HAVE MY CROWN.

I DON´T HAVE THE CEPTOR.

IN 2000, THE QUEEN´S CEPTOR DIDN´T ARRIVE IN TIME.

THINK IT WAS BORROWED AND I DON´T KNOW WHERE IT IS >> DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR CROWN AND CEPTOR?

>> I DON´T.

SADLY.

I DON´T.

I DID SO MUCH MOVING AROUND, I DON´T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE.

MAYBE THAT´S A GOOD THING.

IF I STILL HAD THEM, PERHAPS I WOULD STILL WEAR THEM.

>> I HAVE MY CEPTOR AND THE CROWN THAT THEY GAVE ME THE NIGHT OF THE SHOW.

OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, WE DID CORONATIONS, YOU GOT YOUR LARGER CROWN AT CORONATION.

I HAVE MY SMALLER CROWN AND CEPTOR.

MY LARGER CROWN WENT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN ONE OF THE STORMS.

>> YES.

>> WE´LL HAVE TO GET THE FESTIVAL TO REPLACE ALL OUR CROWNS.

I´LL PUT THAT OUT THERE.

>> WE DESERVE IT.

>> THIS WAS YOUR ROAD TO ROYALTY.

I´M TASIDA KELCH, YOUR 40th ANNIVERSARY QUEEN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING THE FESTIVAL ARTS SERIES.

♫♫ ♫♫