I don’t want it!

As the final results of the “Miss Teen Trinidad and Tobago” pageant were announced last Friday evening at the City Hall Auditorium in Port-of-Spain, one contestant angrily marched off the stage. Cherisse Solomon, on being crowned “Miss Teen Trinidad and Tobago Caribbean 2003” blurted out,  “I don’t want it!  No I don’t want it!” as she stormed off the stage, tearing away her crown and sash. Members of the audience started jeering and a bit of commotion ensued.  Some of the contestants were visibly upset and others were in tears. It was later discovered that Solomon felt she deserved to be crowned “Miss Teen TT Internatio-nal” and not “Caribbean.” 

The judges were seen to have gone into immediate deliberation over Solomon’s outburst, and there was a buzz that they may consider stripping her of her title and passing it on to first runner-up. The smile on Melissa John’s face however, remained. John who represented Miss Tortuga was crowned “Miss Teen Trinidad and Tobago International 2003” and she also walked away with prizes for Best Evening Gown and Best Physique in Swimwear. As fans and photographers flocked to the stage to take photos of the winners and runner-ups, Solomon was noticeably absent. After most of the audience had left, Solomon made a surprising re-appearance on stage wearing the very crown and sash she had torn off earlier. With a sulk and very little cooperation in allowing photos, friends and family who insisted that she should have won the international title surrounded Solomon.  Many voiced their disapproval and disappointment. Other winners in the pageant included Miss Arima, Cherisse Alleyne, who captured Miss Elegance, Miss Congeniality and Best Carnival Costume. Alleyne was the third runner-up. Miss Aranguez, Kalindi Mitchell won Miss Photogenic while Miss Petit Bourg, Sade Budhlall, ran off with the Miss Intelligence award.