Duvaughn Barker is ready to take on the Mister Supranational stage, but first let's get to know him.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Duvaughn Barker. I am 19 years old. I am currently pursuing a degree in Animal Science at the College of Agriculture, Science, and Education. One can say that I am very optimistic, and I believe this is where my confidence and humor derive from. Growing up in a bicultural family has allowed me to understand diversity and be very open-minded. I am also a part of the Sky's the Limit Foundation, which is a non-profit organization that focuses on the overall development of the community and promotes the importance of voluntary services. I love watching anime, and I recently discovered this strange love for sports. My life motto is that life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be discovered.
How was the competition judged?
The competition was judged in the respective category of swimsuit, which tested the confidence of the contestant and also displayed fitness. The opening statement was a brief summary of ourselves. Evening Wear competition to really bring out the masculine elegance, followed by a personality question and final question with the motion "What is your message to the Jamaican man?"
What was the most challenging part of the competition for you?
The most challenging part of the competition was the opening statement. The reasoning behind this is that the opening statement was my first appearance, and that's when the judging starts, so I felt so nervous on stage and a bit discombobulated due to the lights, but after I got the opening statement out of the way, it was smooth sailing.
Tell us about your final question and answer.
My final question was done in a messaging format, where I was asked to convey a message to the Jamaican man. My message was basically highlighting the negative impact that toxic masculinity has on the nation by allowing men to hide their emotional vulnerability and channeling these into more violent acts like carrying out domestic violence, suicide, and drug abuse, which all reflect badly on the population of men. Through my message, I implore men to be more self-actualized and open-minded, becoming aware of their emotions so we can fight against the negativity of toxic masculinity.
What would you say to teenagers who want to enter a pageant?
Seize the opportunity to discover more about yourself and build on your confidence. The pageant is a way of opening opportunities and helping you be more aware of what is currently going on around you.
What can we expect from you in the future?
Representing Jamaica in the Mister Supranational competition and winning the title will bring joy to my countrymen while also allowing me to become a motivational speaker and influencer, and of course, by then I will be a veterinary doctor.
