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A Loop Cayman reporter recently spoke to Mariah Tibbetts, the Miss Cayman Islands 2020 universe, who is completing the final days of her reign and is due to hand over the Miss Cayman Islands Universe title to one of the event’s contestants. this year’s final, which will be held on September 11, 2021 at the Westin Hotel.
Loop: How do you prepare for your last night?
Tibbett: I try to occupy myself. Being involved in the community, interacting with as many people as possible and obviously supporting the girls as much as possible. I loved being Miss Cayman. I’m excited for these nine girls. I think this is such a transformative role and time in your life. I want someone else to experience it too.
Loop: Who was Mariah Tibbetts before Miss Cayman Islands Universe and who is Mariah Tibbetts now?
Mariah: I was shy before Miss Cayman Islands Universe. I was in my shell. I was not living up to my full potential when I really think about it. Even though I felt like I was a good person and did a lot for my community, I still kind of had something in me that I knew I could do more and wanted to do more and Miss Cayman really gave me the platform to do this.
The Mariah now after Miss Cayman is pretty much the opposite of it all. Certainly more shy.
Loop: What gave you confidence in the Miss Cayman Islands Universe experience?
Mariah: It really shows you parts of yourself that you didn’t realize were there. I put all my heart and soul into everything and it really felt good that people could see this and it helped me build my confidence in knowing that the people I represent – the people of the islands Caymans – were proud of me.
Loop: What do you think makes you strong?
Mariah: I think about the way I handle things. Overcome the obstacles.
Loop: What is the emotional state you have never been in and experienced during this competition?
Mariah: As the Miss Cayman Islands Universe, you go and represent your country on the international stage against 70 to 80 other women. When I was there I experienced things like anxiety that I had never experienced before. If I hadn’t been involved with the Alex Panton Foundation here, if I hadn’t learned more about mental health as a Miss Cayman contestant, I wouldn’t have had the coping mechanism to deal with it. .
Loop: What advice would you give the next person to be crowned Miss Cayman Islands Universe?
Mariah: So many things I would like to say, obviously “good luck”. I think, embrace it all as much as you can. There will be good parts and amazing parts and parts that you will love and there will be difficult parts and parts that will challenge you. Things you might not want to do and don’t want to deal with, but it’s part of the journey that is part of growing up. Try to get as much out of it as possible and not in a selfish way, but earn as much for yourself. I think that age, the age that you are when you step into Miss Cayman, is an age of transformation.
Soak up every experience. Take all the opportunities you can and be true to yourself while you’re at it. The most beautiful version of yourself that you can be is your most genuine self.
Loop: So what are your plans after Miss Cayman Islands Universe other than your birthday next week?
Mariah: I intend to continue the work I did as Miss Cayman. I volunteered with all of these different organizations before I became Miss Cayman. I was in the community supporting charities, supporting causes close to my heart before being Miss Cayman and now I just have a stronger voice and a bigger platform to share that and I am very grateful. I plan to continue doing this, to continue to be an active part of my community and of course to work with my platform organization, the Cayman Islands Cancer Society.
I think this year was just a stepping stone and my road is a lot longer, a lot brighter and from what I can see I think it will be even better.
I think it’s only from here.
Loop: Do you think you would join the boards of any of the foundations you support?
Mariah: I would love to join the board of directors of a charity or non-profit organization in Cayman Islands. Maybe I’ll start mine.
Loop: So you have been in this position as a public figure. I’m sure a lot of people have asked you for help, advice. Are you creating a border? Have you drawn a line in the sand where you will say no?
Mariah: I don’t think I’ve come to a situation yet where someone asked me for advice or help or anything where I felt I had to say no. So, I haven’t crossed that line yet. But I will say that I am still learning to define my limits very clearly.
Event Information:
On the final night of September 11, supporters will experience a Moonlight in Paradise theme, with cocktails available at the Westin Hotel starting at 6 p.m. and a show time at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the Miss Cayman Islands universe were previously available at Funky Tangs and Sand Angels, but it is understood that participation in the event is limited to 500 people due to COVID restrictions and therefore the event is now FULL.
