Shanel Marie Ifill, 20, was crowned Miss Universe Barbados 2019 last Friday, September 6 at the Hilton Barbados Resort in Bridgetown. Beviny Payne and Hillary Williams were the first and second runners-up, respectively.

The 1.82 m tall university student and model bested eight other contestants to win the national competition. She succeeds last year’s winner, Meghan Theobalds, and will now prepare to represent her country at the Miss Universe 2019 pageant.

As Miss Universe Barbados, Shanel hopes to share with the world that despite your challenges in life, you may bend, but with your belief in yourself and good support around you – you will not break!

Barbados is yet to have its first placement at the Miss Universe pageant. The country first joined the prestigious pageant in 1976.

Photos: Miss Universe Barbados