The 64th Annual Miss Universe Pageant will air live from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on December 20 at 7 PM ET live
Meet the Caribbean Contestants who will be vying the coveted title of Miss Universe 2016.
Who will be crowned the next Miss Universe?
ARUBA
ALYSHA BOEKHOUDT
AGE: 21
HOMETOWN: Paradera
LANGUAGE: Papiamento, Dutch, English, Spanish
BIO
Alysha Boekhoudt was born and raised in Ayo, Aruba and had the privilege to grow up around nature and animals. Playing with snakes, iguanas and walking around the bushes and cactuses is a significant part of Alysha’s childhood. Since the age of 4, Alysha has been dancing in her mother’s dance group, Kids and Youth in Action. Today, Alysha is the leader of the dance group. She has always valued Aruba’ s culture and has been honored to represent Aruba’s Culture internationally through dance. Alysha graduated from high school, and is currently focusing on her duties and responsibilities as Miss Universe Aruba. One of Alysha’s dreams has always been to build her own animal shelter. Alysha enjoys every journey in her life and is very enthusiastic about taking on new adventures. She believes that communication and negotiation skills are very valuable instruments that help produce change in the world.
CONTESTANT FACTS
Alysha’s clothes are always organized by color.
She loves spicy food, especially Mexican food.
She is always willing to get out of her comfort zone in order to connect more with nature and people.
BAHAMAS
TORIA NICHOLE
AGE: 27
HOMETOWN: Nassau
HEIGHT: 6’ 1”
LANGUAGE: English
BIO
For as long as she can remember, Toria Nichole was always one of the tallest people in the room. Growing up, Toria explored her artistic talents and looked for opportunities to utilize her creative skills. She started modeling at the age of 16. She has been featured in fashion and hair shows, print ads, magazines and publications like Upscale and Hype Hair. Most recently, Toria played the love interest of international reggae artist, Gyptian, in the music video for his latest single “All On Me.” She was also featured at the largest hair show in Florida this past winter. Toria attended D.A.S.H. in Miami and went on to college at Auburn University, where she studied industrial design in hopes of furthering her love for design. Her favorite pastime is reading. Due to her height and tomboyish personality, Toria felt awkward throughout her adolescence because she felt she stood out. Her battle with gaining self-love caused Toria to dedicate her life to helping young girls gain a better perspective of themselves.
CONTESTANT FACTS
Toria appeared as the love interest of Jamaican artist, Gyptian, in his latest music video "All On Me.”
She is currently teaching herself to speak Spanish and French.
She is told she makes the best red velvet cupcakes on the planet. She calls herself a "cupcakeologist"
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
ADORYA BALY
AGE: 22
HOMETOWN: British Virgin Islands
HEIGHT: 5’ 8”
LANGUAGE: English
BIO
Adorya Baly is a 22-year-old young professional. She currently serves on the Behavioral Health Unit of Peebles Hospital in the British Virgin Islands. Adorya has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psycholgoy and her goal is to pursue a Master of Arts degree in Forensic Psychology. She wants to continue assessing the needs of the mentally challenged to help create a more productive, meaningful and safer society. Adorya intends to open a counseling center and a non-profit organization to empower young girls to be their best despite their circumstances. Her ultimate goal is to serve with love and help future generations achieve their personal goals.
CONTESTANT FACTS
When Adorya is home alone she acts out scenes. She often laughs at herself.
Adorya's sister is her best friend even though they are 10 years apart in age.
Adorya's favorite movie is “Brave.” She thinks Merida's story depicts the real meaning of courage.
CAYMAN ISLANDS
TONIE CHISHOLM
AGE: 27
HOMETOWN: Grand Cayman
HEIGHT: 5’ 7”
LANGUAGE: English
BIO
Tonie Chisholm has had a passion for film from a very young age. As a teenager, she volunteered with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism. Tonie knew this was an amazing opportunity and was able to work as a production assistant with companies such as BET, FOX and Chowder Inc. This experience ultimately resulted in her decision to make a career in film. Upon graduating high school, Tonie was accepted to Plymouth College of Art in the U.K., where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Film and specialized in production. She remained in London to work for a year. When Tonie returned to the Cayman Islands, she assisted with the launch of Flipside Productions, which is still in operation today in Grand Cayman. After working in the financial services industry, she applied for the Miss Cayman Islands Pageant. Tonie now works as a marketing assistant for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and is a freelance script supervisor.
CONTESTANT FACTS
Tonie does not have a birthmark.
Tonie's grandmother was Miss Cayman Islands in 1963.
Tonie is part Mexican. Her mother is Mexican American
CURAÇAO
KANISHA SLUIS
AGE: 19
HOMETOWN: Willemstad
HEIGHT: 5’ 11”
LANGUAGE: Papiamento, Dutch, English, Spanish
BIO
Kanisha Sluis was born on August 12, 1996 in Delft, Netherlands and is an only child. Her family moved to Curaçao when she was 6 months old. Kanisha can speak 4 languages including English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamentu. She is a very happy person who loves to help and inspire young women. Kanisha aspires to be a clinical chemical analyst so she can have the opportunity to work on the ongoing investigations to find causes of cancer, or even better, a cure for cancer. Kanisha started modeling at the age of 15. She competed in a local model search where she got the opportunity to model at Curaçao Fashion Week and various other events. These experiences led her to the Miss Curaçao Pageant. She enjoys being a role model and an inspiration to young women.
CONTESTANT FACTS
Kanisha is an only child.
Sometimes, Kanisha talks in her sleep.
All of Kanisha's birthday parties were at a beach!
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
CLARISSA MOLINA
AGE: 24
HOMETOWN: Espaillat
HEIGHT: 5’ 9”
LANGUAGE: Spanish, English
BIO
In her early teenage years Clarissa experienced culture shock when she was extrapolated from her serene tropical surroundings in her native Dominican Republic and was then trusted into the bustling industrial complexes of the US state of New Jersey. As an immigrant she suffered high school bullying and isolation for she spoke not one word of English. Far from being discouraged Clarissa applied herself and she is now a fully honored US college student, speaking english as a 2nd language. She credits fellow actress and latino vote activist, Eva Longoria, for inspiring her to: A- continue a college education B- keep a strong ties with her roots and C- hope to become a fellow actress able to interpret many roles and posses infinite range.
CONTESTANT FACTS
I can mimic Donald Ducks voice.
I know how to handle a Glock 19 firearm.
I am a country girl and also I am a city girl. I grew up living between town and country which meant dealing with cows and chickens in the rural township of Santiago and I was also raised adjusting to the challanges of living in New York and New Jersey.
GUYANA
SHAUNA RAMDYHAN
AGE: 25
HOMETOWN: Georgetown
HEIGHT: 5’ 8”
LANGUAGE: English, Mandarin Chinese
BIO
Shauna Ramdyhan is the eldest child in her family and as such has cultivated leadership skills at a young age. She has always been a high-achiever throughout her school life. Shauna is a Foreign Service Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has a passion for languages. She is fluent in Chinese Mandarin and intends to add Spanish, French and Arabic to the list.
CONTESTANT FACTS
Shauna enjoys watching cartoons.
She once shared a stage with many famous Chinese stars such as Jackie Chan and Andy laud during the World Expo's Closing Ceremony.
Her proudest personal accomplishment was to earn her Bachelor’s degree in China.
HAITI
LISA DROUILLARD
AGE: 23
HOMETOWN: Haiti
HEIGHT: 5’ 7”
LANGUAGE: English, Creole
BIO
Lisa Drouillard is a Haitian American model who holds a degree in Criminal Justice. She was a violinist who played in the junior orchestra at Brooklyn College at the age of 11.She is no stranger to the arts dancing Haitian Folklore since she was a toddler. Lisa loves watching classic movies such as Coming to America and Hook to name a few. Lisa works hard at everything she sets her mind to and with that spirit she hopes to one day start her own business in the beauty industry.
CONTESTANT FACTS
She can apply eye shadow in the dark perfectly well.
She used to have a pet duck in Brooklyn, New York.
She knows every line from coming to America.
JAMAICA
SHARLENE RADLEIN
AGE: 25
HOMETOWN: Kingston
HEIGHT: 5’ 9”
LANGUAGE: English
BIO
Sharlene Radlein was born in the parish of St. Andrew on the island of Jamaica in the West Indies. She grew up with her mother, father and two brothers. Ever since Sharlene can remember, she wanted to be a model. She used to play dress up with her mother's shoes and purse, and strut about like a diva. Sharlene’s dream was seemingly shattered when, at the age of 17, she was hit by a car, and sustained serious physical and mental trauma. Convinced that she could never be a model, she turned her attention to her studies. Sharlene later overcame her adversity by finding a way to mask her scars. Today, Sharlene enjoys a lucrative modeling career, with such credits as “Project Runway All Stars,” “Real Housewives of New York,” modeling for Suave, and two billboards for Vanilla Sky jeans in Times Square to her name. She is nowhere near finished with success.
CONTESTANT FACTS
When Sharlene was younger, her nickname was "cheetah" because she always ran on the balls of her feet.
Sharlene loves pretending that she is an interpretive dancer.
When Sharlene is at at a loss for words, she uses sounds to describe her feelings.
PUERTO RICO
CATALINA MORALE
AGE: 24
HOMETOWN: Guaynabo
HEIGHT: 5’ 9”
LANGUAGE: Spanish, English, Italian
BIO
Catalina Morales is currently a law student at the University of Puerto Rico, where she also graduated with a B.A. in Communications. After graduation, Catalina took a year off from her studies to take care of her father who was diagnosed with a terminal lung cancer. After he passed away, Catalina went on to law school and became Miss Puerto Rico. During her year as Miss Puerto Rico, she wrote and published her first book about her experience with her father's battle against cancer. She donated part of the proceeds from her book to the American Cancer Society.
CONTESTANT FACTS
Catalina is the first Miss Puerto Rico to write and publish a book during her reign.
Catalina's name was decided through a voting process among her family members. The results were rigged.
When Catalina was 20 years old, her parents got married, and she served as both the ring bearer and flower girl.