Montego Bay, Jamaica’s Iana Tickle Garcia to compete in Miss Universe 2019

BY JILLIANINA ESTEVEZ ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2019 

Model Iana Olivia Tickle Garcia, 19, will represent Jamaica in Miss Universe 2019. She was born in 1999 in Montego Bay, Jamaica to a Swiss father and a Cuban mother.

Besting 17 other candidates, Garcia was crowned Miss Universe Jamaica 2019 on September 1, 2019 at the National Arena in Kingston, Jamaica. Farmer Toni Ann Laylor, 25, and University of the West Indies student Siân Graham Connolly, 20, were first and second runners-up, respectively.

Sasha Henry, Aiysha Hemmings and Chevonne Beadle made it to the Top 6. Jenelle Baldie, Leah Hollingsworth, Imani Jenkins and Umeko Chin finished in the Top 10.

As Miss Universe Jamaica 2019, Garcia won a prize package with a JA$300,000 cash prize. Aside from winning the title, she was also Best in Evening Gown.

“I’m feeling so ecstatic, excited and happy right now,” Garcia told Buzz Caribbean upon her coronation. “I want the youth to get more involved in the Jamaican society and contribute to the country. They feel as if they are voiceless but they can make a difference.”

In Miss Universe Jamaica 2019, Garcia represented Saint James, the capital of her birthplace. The suburban parish is home to Doctor’s Cave Beach Club, Dolphin Cove Jamaica, Rose Hall, Montego Bay and Sandals Cay.

Garcia was crowned by Miss Universe Jamaica 2018 Emily Sara-Claire Maddison, 20, of Kingston. The latter finished in the Top 20 in Miss Universe 2018 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand on December 17, 2018.

If Garcia wins Miss Universe 2019, she will be the first ever titleholder of the international beauty pageant from her country. The best performance by a candidate from Jamaica in the beauty pageant was by Yendi Phillipps, 33, of Kingston, who was runner-up to Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete, 31, of Mexico.

The reigning Miss Universe 2018 is Catriona Gray, 25, of the Philippines. She is the fourth Miss Universe from her country and 67th woman to hold the title.

Meanwhile, get to know more about Garcia here:

https://conandaily.com/2019/09/01/montego-bay-jamaicas-iana-tickle-garcia-to-compete-in-miss-universe-2019/