‘It was her dream’ - Uncle says Toni-Ann has always wanted Miss World crown

T oni-Ann Singh has always dreamt about winning the Miss World title.

"As a toddler growing up, she would always tell us that she is going to be Miss World and Miss Jamaica. And fi si the manifestation come now, and that the world has to look up to mi niece, and even a community like Bath in St Thomas yah, mi feel real good man," Theodore Bailey, an uncle, said.

Singh, 23, won the prestigious title on Saturday, becoming the fourth Jamaican behind Carole Crawford in 1963, Cindy Breakspeare in 1976, and Lisa Hanna in 1993 to be crowned Miss World.

"Words can't even express my feelings right now, trust me. We a come from far and Toni-Ann always tell wi she is going to be the Joseph of this family. So even now it come in like is a dream come true or something, but to how me feel ... boy, we have to really look pon it and say is like it's a fulfilment of prophecy," Bailey said in expressing his pride.

Earlier years

Singh's family home, where Singh spent most of her earlier years, is located on Fountain Road in the community of Bath. That community has also produced one of Jamaica's biggest entertainers, Popcaan.

Describing Toni-Ann as a real family girl, Bailey said that every year his niece organises a Christmas get-together for the family where gifts are exchanged.

"She always a do it and shi seh whether she win or not, shi a do it this year. We meet up as family and sing and eat and share. She's a person that loves to keep the family together and that a fi har dream.

"World - when it comes on to beauty with a purpose, she is the right one - unuh mek a good choice. She grows up with mostly women, so she is empowered by women and she knows what it's like to not have anything. She grows up with love in her weh motivate her fi want do great things for people. The world got a good one."