Miss Cayman Islands Universe stripped of title after losing court case
Minister for Tourism for the Cayman Islands, Kenneth Bryan, announced Monday that “Miss Chloe Powery-Doxey will formally be crowned” as Miss Cayman Islands Universe “and will carry out those duties for the remainder of this term.”
According to Minister Bryan, the decision follows a statement issued on February 9, 2023, by the Ministry of Tourism after the conviction of Tiffany LeAnn Conolly, which Bryan reiterated as follows:
The Ministry of Tourism and Miss Cayman Islands Universe Committee are aware of the Summary Court ruling in a criminal case pertaining to our reigning Miss Cayman Islands Universe, Miss Tiffany Conolly. The Committee, along with the franchise, in consultation with Miss Universe organisation will explore the available options pursuant to, inter alia, the contract between Miss Conolly and the Committee and the franchise.
Concerning this, Minister Bryan said that it is now his “understanding that now that the court proceedings have reached this stage, the Committee now has the authority and have agreed to relieve Miss Conolly of the crown.”
Minister Bryan added: “I further understand that the Committee has taken action in this regard, and Miss Conolly has been notified of this decision.”
As to why the Ministry waited until now to make these announcements, Bryan explained that “from a legal perspective, we’re obligated to wait on the decision of the court in this case.”
He also confirmed that “the Ministry, under the franchise agreement, has very limited authority to make decisions independently of the Miss Universe organisation” and emphasized that “this is something that is very concerning” for him.
Equally concerning for the public, however, is how the previously awarded prizes will be handled.
For example, the Miss Cayman Islands Universe application states, “Miss Cayman Islands Universe will be awarded a four-year scholarship valued at $70,000, a car during the reign, a wardrobe for international pageant, and other prizes.”
Conolly won those prizes, along with the awards for Best Smile, Best in Gown, and Miss Photogenic.
With the crown now being handed over to Chloe Powery-Doxey, it is unclear whether she will receive the four-year scholarship valued at $70,000 and a car, which would have been previously available to Conolly as initial crown holder.
If Powery-Doxey gets the prizes of the dethroned Conolly, the next question is what happens to the prizes previously awarded to Powery-Doxey. That is, whether she will retain those prizes or whether they will be awarded to the second runner-up, Miss Hayley Grizzel.
L-R: First runner-up, winner and 2nd runner-up in the Miss Cayman Islands Universe pageant (Photo credit: Miss Cayman Islands Universe, Facebook)
