With 130 nations competing for one title, it’s no easy task to consistently stand out. Yet Miss World Bahamas De’Andra Bannister is steadily emerging as a fan favorite at this year’s Miss World competition, and hopes are high that she will join the elite two Bahamian women who have excelled at the prestigious pageant.
From the moment she stepped off the plane in Bali, Indonesia, De’Andra made it clear that she was on a mission to not only match but possibly exceed the successes of Jody Weech and Braneka Bassett at the Miss World competition. Her classic style, regal elegance, and competitive nature have already landed her a semifinalist spot in the beach fashion competition where she was among the Top 30 contestants singled out by the judges. She did not participate in the talent competition nor did she advance in the sportswoman competition, however her goal is to have a strong showing at the all important Top Model showcase, as well as the Multi Media award, judges interviews, and possibly Beauty With a Purpose award – all of which are yet to be judged in the competition.
She has been receiving a lot of press coverage and is popping up on hot picks lists on pageant forums and websites around the world. While she is there to compete, De’Andra admits that she has been having the time of her life making new friends while exploring the exotic land of Indonesia. “These experiences will last a lifetime,” she says. “It is almost overwhelming to think that I have been chosen to represent my entire country in such a prestigious competition. While I am a part of 130 of the most beautiful girls in the world, as cliche as it sounds, it really is our inner beauty that sets us apart. This competition pushes you to have a ‘beauty with a purpose’ and to have The Bahamas’ name across my chest while exploring my purpose is not only a privilege but an honor and responsibility and I am humbled by that.”
A visit to her official Miss World facebook page shows that De’Andra has been quite the social butterfly, taking photos with her fellow delegates from every corner of the earth, as well as with Miss World chairperson Julia Morley. However, she has made a number of lasting friendships. “During my time in Bali, I have been blessed to make genuine friends with people from all around the world – France, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria and Gibraltar not to mention my island loves Bermuda and Barbados! Friendships that I feel will last not only because of our surprising similarities but because of the compassion, concern and support we have shown to each other so far,” she says.
The Miss World experience has also given De’Andra an even greater appreciation for pageantry in general, and more specifically for the Miss World tenet of Beauty with a Purpose. “I pray that The Bahamas, its people and its leaders learn and continue to appreciate and support opportunities such as this afforded to my generation,” she says. “Opportunities to widen our scope of thinking, mingle with people from every possible walk of life, engage in positive critical thinking and push towards being ‘someone worth knowing in this world of someones. The Miss Bahamas Organization has a vision that I had not previously seen as clearly as I see today. They fall, they stumble but at the end of the day they get up and every year they push ladies to be the best that they can be and for that… and for this… I am thankful.”
Bahamians can show their support for De’Andra while boosting her chances of advancement by liking her Miss World Facebook page, and by downloading the Miss World app for $0.99 on their iPhone or Android. Proceeds go to Beauty with a Purpose charities. Patrons get two free votes just for registering and receive extended coverage of the Miss World Competition. So far there are 10 exclusive videos on the App giving greater coverage of the competition. Persons wishing to vote for De’Andra should click on #Bahamas and hit the #VoteNow button. Your votes can help fasttrack her straight into the closing stages of the live final on the 28th of September. You can also follow De’Andra’s journey on Instagram at deandrab242.
