Melissa creating heat waves

Commuters along the East-West corridor, some of whom strain their necks from the maxi-taxi windows to see the eye-catching billboard of a woman in a yellow bikini above sports bar “14 Mile,” can stop the guessing game. The model is none other than Miss Tsunami 2003, Melissa Reingoo, who ended her reign on Friday evening at the second annual Miss Tsunami pageant, held at the Anchorage. Melissa described the reign as enlightening, saying it involved the co-hosting of events and promoting the new Tsunami hot spot in Chaguaramas.

Melissa had staff fooled when she walked into Newsday’s Independence Square office last week. Her thick, long, jet black hair was rolled into a bun. She wore jacket and skirt since she came straight from her office at Laparkan shipping, Pt Lisas, where she is an accounts executive. At that point in time, not even a sash bearing the title “Miss Tsunami” would convince anyone that this Debe beauty, who stood 4ft 10” and weighed 90 lbs, was who she said she was. “I come from the land of aloo pies and doubles,” she said. “I say that because that’s what it (Debe) is really known for.” She is the eldest of three — her siblings are Tia, seven, and Riad, 22 — and she is a past pupil of Penal Junior Secondary and San Fernando Senior Comprehensive.

She carries herself with composure and from her manner of speech it was discernible that this 24-year-old’s confidence could not be easily shaken. After running second in five consecutive beauty pageants which included “Miss Couva,” “Miss Pt Lisas,” “Miss Penal,” “Miss India Worldwide” and “PDJ2 Caribbean Queen Pageant,” Melissa knew that she would come out on top some time. She was discouraged from entering Miss Tsunami “because of my height. To me it doesn’t matter how tall or short a person is, it’s how you’re packaged and how you use it... Being 4ft 10” — I call that unique.” Talking about “packaged,” Melissa’s measurements are 28-23-29. The blown up picture of the pint-size model above “14 Mile” portrayed a somewhat busty Melissa, however. She explained: “It’s quite difficult to get clothes to fit me, so that a lot of the times I use my own clothing when I’m shooting ads or doing photo shoots. In the case with the billboard, the advertising agency that I worked with made that bath suit specially for me and they padded the bra. I don’t usually wear padded bras, but it was done on this occasion.”

When Melissa saw the billboard, her expression, like anyone who has seen it, was one of surprise. “I had no idea it was going to be so huge,” she said. Any critiques? “I like it. I don’t see anything wrong with it. At least I will not be going beyond that. I ran it by my parents before I did it and once they’re okay, I’m okay.” Not forgetting her boyfriend, Gian’s, nod of approval! The billboard, nevertheless, marks a goal accomplished on her list of wishes that have come true. Winning Miss Tsunami was like winning “Miss Universe” — another wish on her list. “One thing I’ve learned in life is to achieve you have to believe. I believe in the Lord and I know He only gives you what is meant for you.” Her experience at various pageants has helped “both with personality and confidence,” and she assured that beauty pageants are not just about being pretty.

From walking up and down in her mother’s high-heel shoes, wearing her handbags and using lipstick “ever since I knew myself,” to gracing print and television ads, it seemed that her career was already taking shape. “It all started from an article I saw in the newspapers for applicants for the Sugar and Energy Festival in Pt Lisas. When I called, they told me that they had all their applicants but I told them I wanted to be a part of the show whether a contestant or not. Lo and behold I got a call back to enter the competition. The lady said it was because of my enthusiasm that she made a spot available for me.” A contestant at the show introduced her to the modelling outfit House of Jacqui. “I called up, gave them what info they needed and I was enrolled in their modelling training programme. What I like about House of Jacqui is that they cater for every size. At her shows, I was the smallest person there and people would come up to me and compliment me. To have made such an impact was encouraging.” Now a senior graduate model, Melissa is grateful for where modelling had taken her. She has done numerous ads including a poster for Fernandes’ Distillers, a 2004 calendar for The Auto Village, print and television commercials for PNM’s Vision 2020, Palmolive soap both locally and regionally, and a television ad for a sugar company in Guyana, to name a few.

Among Melissa’s goals is to pursue a degree in Mass Communication. She holds certificates in psychology, marketing and public relations. She “loves” interviewing people and once tried out for the new television programme Caribbean Tarang. She is, no doubt, honing her skills as marketing representative at Laparkan. Another goal of hers is putting together a portfolio for the Victoria’s Secret  lingerie line. “That’s what I am, always up for a challenge. I’ll go as far as I can, perhaps open my own business.”