Jimmy - The most handsome man in TT

Santo Domingo here he comes! Twenty-three-year-old Jimmy Homer of Mt Lambert, if all goes as planned, will be the first Trinidadian to represent his country at the 7th annual Mr Handsome International 2003 in the Spanish isle come October. He wants to win the title and do “something for his country”.

His masculinity would remain in tact since, “it’s not a beauty pageant”, he assured and the trip would mean one more experience to add to his journal. From among numerous applicants, Jimmy was chosen by a panel of judges to take part in the event. It must have been his candor, delivery and past modest performances on the stage, he gathered, that impressed the judges. Franchise holder for the show in Trinidad is CSM Promotions. They have met with little success in fielding male representatives for international shows like Mr Handsome International (which matches Miss Universe status), in previous years. Funding and the drive on the competitor’s part to follow through were greatly lacking. Ever since the show’s inception in 1996, TT has chosen and groomed delegates, all of whom never got the chance to participate in the finals of the competition.

So, should Jimmy make it to Santo Domingo this year, he would make history. Not only that, he would have to compete with over 50 delegates from countries including Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Mexico, USA, Canada, Japan, China, France, Antigua/Barbuda and Jamaica. Merit is mainly based on talent, personality and presentation while little focus is paid to muscularity and looks. An average height of 165cm is required. Wear must be all black. When he saw the newspaper ad that “called all males 18-25 to represent Trinidad...” he said: “I told myself you have to be real handsome and I said of course, I am handsome.” He didn’t give it a second thought. He updated his portfolio and thereafter, began his quest for fame. Actually, two years before, he’d secured eighth place in the Carivog Male 2000 finals. That bolstered his eagerness. Jimmy has some experience in acting and dance and has chosen to perform a dance to one of calypsonian-turned gospel singer Ella Andall’s tunes. He’s undecided on which he should choose. Jimmy grew up with his aunts Gloria Butcher and Diane Homer in San Juan who were involved in the arts. Diane was a former queen and member of the San Juan Folk Theatre (Best Village group). “She used to drag me along wherever she went and I always used to go and watch her dance and one day she said why don’t you join. I never saw myself doing what she did but then I decided I’d try it. One of the tutors asked me if I could beat the drum and I said ‘no! I’d rather dance and act’, and he said we have a spot for you. I got the role for one of the main characters — the son who was always in trouble, never listening to his mother, always liming with the boys. I was the one on the lookout for the boys robbing the store and eventually got caught,”

Jimmy related. He was now a member of his aunt’s dance group. He tried to avoid wearing the dance leotards and doing the routines that required he go without shirt. He recalled: “I used to dance in vest or jersey while all the other guys were bare back. Now it’s no problem.” Best Village, he said, opened his eyes to a “different thinking”. Jimmy’s very optimistic going into Mr Handsome International. “I’m not like those contestants in the beauty pageants who go for the fun and experience. I go with a winning attitude.” Maybe it’s the cut-outs in his eyebrows or his trademark smiling countenance that will gain the judges nod. However, Jimmy believes that his “nurturing personality” from visiting children’s homes when in confirmation class, years ago, is a crucial factor. The day-time kitchen assistant at Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence and bartender at at Cabin night club, Arouca recalled visiting a children’s home in Diego Martin and inspired by what he saw, asked one of the caretakers to return. He did, and coincidentally, some ten years later when competition points were based on visiting homes based on the premise: “the true Carivog male — males that really care, who respected himself and cared for family, friends”, Jimmy found himself in familiar territory. Going to the gym is not an option in preparation for the event. “I told myself I’ll get a little more size. I’ll do four laps around the savannah at least once a week.” He’s had his share of modelling, although he placed a big question mark before a modelling gig while at YTEPP, Barataria Comprehensive School fashion show. “It occurred to me that guys who model...hmmmpf! (He didn’t say that they’re presumably gay.) That’s not me. But then, out of the blue, I volunteered.” He’s out-ruled the clich?s, the stereotypes about men entering shows of that nature. All that matters, he said, “If I’m to win, I’m to win. I just want to represent my country.”