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The coastal charms of Miss Guyana World 2004 Suzette Shim will be beamed out to 30 million cable and satellite viewers three times in the next two weeks in a special OBE-TV (Original Black Entertainment) interview, more than a month before the rest of the world meets her in China's Miss World competition.
But those lucky viewers are not the only ones in for the treat. The interview is part of a documentary which will also be shown in Guyana upon Suzette's return. It is the first time Sky Digital (Channel 223) has documented a beauty queen's journey before an international pageant. Its aim is to highlight the positive aspects of the Caribbean, since its audiences include West Indians living in the UK.
"I was nervous. I expected to have a few shots taken when I got off the plane (October 17), but the camera crew was there from the airport until later in the evening," Suzette said when I caught up with her in a London TV studio after her OBETV `On The Sofa' interview, during which she spoke of her desire to continue working with organisations that support and protect abused women.
She was smiling broadly and moved around the studio with confidence.
Slingshot, who flew in from Canada especially for the occasion, serenades Suzette.
"I am honoured to be a part of the documentary. No other Miss Guyana World has had this experience,” a smartly dressed Suzette said. She wore an expertly tailored khaki pants suit, complimented with a mahogany beaded necklace and matching bracelet, an original creation from Guyanese Pageant Designer Derek Moore.
To finish the look, her straight ebony tresses were elegantly swept away from her face.
It's about 4:30 p.m. UK time (11:30 a.m. in Guyana) and Suzette has been up since 7:00 a.m. She is still getting used to the time difference
"The day is almost over, already," the slim 5 ft 9 inches beauty said. A few minutes into the interview, I was reminded that Suzette was still a teenager.
"I love to shop and hang out with my friends," she cheerfully said.
At
the GHC Miss Guyana World 2004 Suzette Shim, First Secretary at the Guyana
High Commission in London, Mr. Michael Brotherson and Miss Guyana World Franchise
Holder, Mr. Kenneth Chung at the function held in Shim’s honour. Our interview was interrupted briefly by OBETV Researcher and Presenter Michael Orji who's part of the crew dealing with Suzette's documentary. "She is a natural on the camera," he said. Suzette responded with a calm "thank you" but her eyes were sparkling.
"We're very happy with what we got so far," Michael, who has an easy-going nature, added before leaving us alone again.
"I'm just doing my best," the University of Guyana student continued. "I'm here to represent Guyana well and I'm taking things one step at a time." It has been more than a week since her arrival in the UK and the graceful 19-year-old has been extremely busy. From touring the metropolitan city, including Buckingham Palace and the famous Trafalgar Square; attending a reception in her honour at the Guyana High Commission on October 21) and a champagne evening at the upscale Republica Boutique the following day to the Fund Raising Dinner and Dance at London's hip venue, Classic Club 28 on October 23). The cameras were always rolling, even catching her making funny faces when she thought no one was looking.
But she isn't complaining.
"I'm having fun. This is an experience that will last me a lifetime. This is my first time away from home and I'm seeing a lot and meeting a lot of people." Amongst her new acquaintances are Miss World 1975, Winelia Forsythe; Chairman of OBETV, Bernard Ampaw and wife, Catharine; Guyana High Commission First Secretary, Michael Brotherson; and Guyanese entertainer John `Slingshot' DrePaul, who was specially invited from Canada to the Fund Raising Dinner and Dance as the night's headliner.
Franchise Holder Ken Chung is so far pleased with the support from the London Guyanese community. "Every year the UK trips get better. Everything has been going to plan. I honestly have no complaint and I'm very proud of the way Suzette is handling things. Through OBETV's documentary she is not only getting the exposure she deserves but promoting Guyana also," he said.
There's an extra feature to Suzette's trip. She left the UK Friday for China to compete in the Miss Model of the World Pageant. The finals, with girls representing 60 countries, will be held November 7 at Yuzhuo International Conference Centre Hotel in China.
"It's a fantastic opportunity for her to get a taste of the international pageant environment before the Miss World Pageant December 4," Ken explained.
Suzette nodded in agreement. She then leaves for the Miss World Pageant in Sanya, also China, November 8. 40-piece wardrobe My next question to her was: "Are you nervous?” "I'm anxious. Everyone has been giving me advice. Former Miss World Winelia Forsythe advised me to be myself...show the judges the real me. I have confidence in myself. Keep supporting me Guyana," she appealed. With her looks, she might be mistaken for Miss China.
But then again, not when pageant designer Moore was the talent behind her 40-piece wardrobe, which Suzette said, "is really great" and "very Guyanese."
The day wasn't exactly splendid.
It was raining again, this time accompanied by strong winds. But it was an entirely different scene inside the studio. Everyone was chuckling about something or the other. Guyanese entertainer Slingshot was now before the cameras.
"Slingshot is really funny," Suzette said, sharing one of Slingshot's many jokes from earlier in the day. It's now 6:10 p.m. The interview ends but not without one last question.
"So, how are you handling the harsh UK weather?" Suzette immediately reached for a pair of gloves and very thick nut brown coat. "People say it's not that cold, but to me it is," she laughed. The studio doors were closed before 6:30 p.m.
The camera crew was scheduled to follow Suzette to the airport and will also interview her when she returns to London following the Miss World Pageant.
For more information on OBETV go to website www.obetv.co.uk
