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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsLocal newsT’Kajrah Wharton Wins 2015 Carnival Princess Crown

T’Kajrah Wharton Wins 2015 Carnival Princess Crown

T'kajrah Wharton, shown here in the cultural/madras wear competition Sunday, was named 2015 Carnival Princess.T’kajrah Wharton was crowned the winner of this year’s Vita Malt Carnival Princess Selection Show, which was highlighted by the cultural/madras wear segment, which gave each of the three contestants a chance to show off their V.I. pride with a set of impressive couture gowns.

Usually, contestants opt for costumes that depict a local monument, theme or historical figure but this time around, the aspiring princesses opted for madras-themed dresses that had spectators at the Lionel Roberts Stadium on St. Thomas going wild with applause.

Stepping up first, Wharton paid homage to Coral World Ocean Park’s butterfly farm with an orange, black and white madras gown topped with three sets of panels set up to look like wings. A matching headdress and basket sprinkled with miniature butterflies completed the look, which Wharton said was meant to promote eco-tourism and how such attractions show off the beauty of the islands to incoming visitors.

Ja’Sonique Roberts followed after with a three-piece gown of fuchsia, lime green purple and yellow that she said matched her “outgoing and bubbly personality.” Her carefully wrapped headdress matched the madras top and full skirt, which Roberts quickly turned into a cape as she danced around the stage. Surprised by the change, the approximately 150-person audience suddenly sounded louder than it looked and by the time Roberts exited, it appeared that everyone was either cheering, waving a pompom or on their feet.

Princess candidates Ja'Sonique Roberts and Tyel Gifft rock multiple looks in the madras competition.Winning the cultural/madras segment this year was nine year old Tyel Gifft, who one-upped Roberts with some surprises of her own. Coming on stage at the end of the segment, Gifft had not just one, but two costume changes that left her at the end with a completely different look. The initial three-piece outfit featured mostly yellow madras, with a yellow tulle underskirt and leggings. As the music played, however, Gifft’s skirt transformed into something shorter, her shirt changed and in the final seconds, she took off her belt to reveal a yellow tunic with madras sleeves to match the leggings.

Along with winning the crown, was Wharton picked up the awards for Miss Cooperative, Miss Photogenic, Best Talent and Best Sportswear for a 1960’s-inspired aviation costume. Wharton’s theme was “Aerobatics in Flight,” and she came out in the beginning of the segment inside a model plane – complete with spinning propeller – that she maneuvered across the stage.

Gifft picked up the awards for Miss Congeniality, Best Evening Wear and Best Intellect.

The annual Princess Show is usually the kickoff to each Carnival season on St. Thomas and is followed by the annual Queen Selection Show, which begins at 8 p.m. on April 18 in Lionel Roberts Stadium.
 

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