JAMAICA ON SUNDAY helped to choose a new beauty queen.

Tonoya Toyloy, a 24-year-old Pharmacy Intern won the Public Vote and the coveted title of Miss Jamaica World 2004.

The coronation show took place at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel's ballroom, St Andrew, where a massive crowd converged to see who would be their representative to the Miss World Competition in Sanya, China in December.

Toyloy won from a very competitive top five field that included Debbie-Ann McKreith, who seemed to rival Toyloy in popularity at the show; Jordanne Halsall; Carolyn Yapp, second place and the recipient of one of two scholarships from the University College of the Caribbean and Candace Thorbourne, third place winner.

Toyloy was also the winner of the Miss Jamaica World Beach Beauty mini-competition, while Thorbourne won the Talent competition. Top ten finalist Azhima Akimbebe, nicknamed 'the kung fu girl' won the Sports competition. Linda Hudson, another top ten finalist was adjudged the contestant with the best model potential.

Absence

In the absence of Jade Fulford, Miss Jamaica World 2003, Regina Beavers, Miss Jamaica World 2001 crowned the beauties.

Entertainment from male group Voise Mail, dance troupes Xymayca and NDTC and veteran crooner AJ Brown punctuated a lengthy coronation show that featured video presentations of the contestants in training and during the mini competitions.

A few weaves, fake lashes, concealer and petty questions aside, the contestants put on a good show of the beauty, pomp and pagentry of the competition. Their opening number was a choreographed dance/introduction obviously to give a breif glimpse into each contestant's personality.

The swimwear presentation saw the 20 finalists parading in swimwear from Spunk, which, for the first time in the history of the competition, was bikinis.