A doubtful Miss TT Universe

Yvonne Clarke and sponsor Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez remained doubtful, yesterday, as to whether Clarke would represent TT at the November 26 Miss Universe competition in Las Vegas.

On Tuesday, pageant franchise holder Jennifer Douglas told Clarke she had been disqualified as the representative. But Lyons-Alvarez told Newsday they had received an e-mail from Miss Universe International reminding them of the deadline for promotional material for Clarke.

Lyons-Alvarez, in a phone interview with Newsday, said, “Miss Universe themselves sent an e-mail requesting the footage up for Yvee [as Clarke is known].

“Now I am confused. If she is removed as Miss Universe by the franchise holder, is it that they did not tie up that particular part with the competition owners and now the competition owners are still recognising Yvee as the TT Miss Universe delegate?”

Lyons-Alvarez said they were trying to find the franchise holder to understand what was happening.

Lyons-Alvarez said they also attempted to reach out to first runner-up Martrecia Alleyne, who was yesterday tipped as Clarke’s replacement by Douglas, but got no answer.

Newsday also tried to contact Alleyne approximately five times but got no answer.

Newsday also spoke to former contestants in this year’s Miss Universe TT competition, all of whom refused to give their names because of non-disclosure contracts signed with Douglas. The girls described the experience as being one of the worst they’ve ever had.

The contestant along with the others said they were asked to pay $3,000 to enter the competition. The girls told Newsday they were told about getting sponsorship by Douglas but she told them to have the sponsors send the money directly to the franchise holder. They said amounts valued $20,000, $50,000 and $100,000 were requested. Legal action, the girls said, has been taken against Douglas.

Former franchise holder Peter Elias said he was saddened by what had been happening. When asked about the selection criteria for a Miss Universe franchise holder, Elias said, most international licenses required a public selection process with independent adjudication that had to be televised. He said one had to apply to the international organisation, meet their criteria and be able to pay the franchise fee.

Elias said it was the director/franchise holder’s responsibility to fully prepare the delegate for international competition, “Ensuring she has all her requirements including but not limited to: a national costume; a national gift for auction; travel and per diem; competition wardrobe and appearance wardrobe; publicity photos; and required video clips.

When Newsday called Alleyne and Douglas at 3.37pm and 4.49pm respectively, the calls went unanswered.