Bernella Velinor Crowned Miss Universe Saint Lucia 2026 at Cinnamon Event Productions’ 10th Anniversary Celebration
Cinnamon Event Productions celebrated its 10th anniversary in elegant fashion as it staged the Miss Universe Saint Lucia 2026 competition at Secrets Saint Lucia, where an intimate evening of pageantry, advocacy and entertainment culminated in the crowning of Bernella Velimor as the nation’s newest queen.
The picturesque resort provided a fitting backdrop for the milestone celebration, creating an atmosphere that allowed the audience to focus on the contestants’ individual journeys while reflecting on a decade of Cinnamon Event Productions’ contribution to pageantry in Saint Lucia. As part of her prize, the newly crowned queen also received a stay at Secrets Saint Lucia, extending the celebration beyond the evening’s festivities.
Hosted by Bebiana Mangal, Miss Universe Saint Lucia 2019, the event welcomed supporters, sponsors and pageant enthusiasts for a celebration of intelligence, advocacy and elegance. National Director – Joycie Medrick, promptly began the evening with a heartfelt address. She reflected on the organization’s ten-year journey, valuable lessons learned and reaffirmed the organizations commitment to empowering young women through pageantry. Her remarks were beautifully accompanied by local pianist Akira, setting an elegant tone for the evening.
Before the official competition began, the three delegates introduced themselves during a light- hearted, non-judged segment where they answered the question, “What is your superpower?” The interactive opening offered the audience an opportunity to connect with each contestant before the competition officially got underway.
Musical interludes by local pianist Akira and vocalist Jet complemented the programme beautifully throughout the evening. Their performances enhanced the intimate setting without overshadowing the contestants, while familiar favourites encouraged audience participation and created warm moments of connection.
Advocacy Takes Centre Stage
The first judged segment challenged contestants to present advocacy speeches highlighting causes close to their hearts. Representing Morne Fortune, Danielle Privat passionately advocated for the establishment of a National Museum of Art and Culture. Drawing from personal experiences and the importance of preserving the stories of Saint Lucian heroes, she explained how such a space could inspire younger generations while contributing to the country’s cultural and economic development.
Representing Babonneau, Chancy Fontenelle, a medical doctor, artist and former Carnival Queen, shared her journey as a self-taught creative whose passion for art flourished despite limited opportunities. Through her initiative, The Art of Wellness, she highlighted the healing relationship between medicine and creativity while advocating for greater access to artistic outlets for young people.
Representing Dennery, Bernella Velinor delivered a compelling presentation addressing domestic abuse and sexual violence. Using visual storytelling, she highlighted the realities faced by survivors, outlined avenues for seeking help and challenged society to address the root causes of violence. Her message concluded with the powerful reminder that “power shared is power multiplied,” earning a strong response from the audience.
Elegance, Interviews and Entertainment
The competition continued with the Evening Gown segment, where each contestant showcasedconfidence, grace and poise. Despite a minor technical malfunction during the programme, the evening maintained its momentum, with musical performances and an inviting atmosphere ensuring guests remained engaged throughout.
The interview segment offered another opportunity for the contestants’ personalities to shine. Members of the audience were invited to participate in this segment by asking the contestants their question for the evening. Each contestant selected a number which coincided with a numbered questions sheet . This question was then read by an audience member before their response. The format encouraged authenticity, composure and thoughtful responses under pressure.
A New Queen Crowned
At the conclusion of the competition, Bernella Velimor received the IBS Group of Companies Best Advocacy Speech Award in recognition of her impactful presentation on domestic abuse and sexual violence. Moments later, she was crowned Miss Universe Saint Lucia 2026, succeeding to the national title and earning the opportunity to represent Saint Lucia internationally.
Speaking following her crowning, Bernella shared that she is excited for the journey ahead and is ready to proudly represent Saint Lucia on the international stage. The evening not only celebrated the crowning of a new queen but also marked an important milestone for Cinnamon Event Productions. Ten years after its establishment, the organisation continues to shape pageantry in Saint Lucia by placing equal emphasis on advocacy, leadership and community impact while preparing young women to become confident ambassadors for their country.
