Tiffany Conolly has been formally stripped of her title as Miss Cayman Islands Universe, following her conviction for assault last week, Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan announced at a press briefing at which he said his ministry was considering pulling out as the pageant’s franchise holder in Cayman.
Bryan said permission had been received from the Miss Universe Organization to remove Conolly as Miss Cayman Islands Universe, which she won in August last year, and hand the title over to first runner-up Chloe Powery-Doxey.
“My understanding is that now the court proceedings have reached this stage, the committee now has the authority and has agreed to relieve Miss Conolly of the crown,” he said. “I further understand that the committee has taken action in this regard, and Miss Conolly has been notified of this decision.”
Powery-Doxey represented Cayman in the Miss Universe pageant last month.
Dropping the franchise
The Ministry of Tourism is considering dropping the beauty pageant franchise, Bryan confirmed, following the Conolly situation, as well as “new rules” the Miss Universe Organization is implementing.
Bryan said it had become apparent during the recent controversy over Conolly that his ministry, under its franchise agreement with the international organisers, “has very limited authority to make decisions independently of the Miss Universe Organisation”.
He noted that due to the contract the ministry had with the organisation, Conolly could not be removed as Miss Cayman earlier.
He added that changes were taking place within the Miss Universe Organization “and we currently do not know whether the franchise holder will be obligated to accept these new rules or whether they will be optional”.
For example, he said, he had been caught off-guard when the organisation had emailed his ministry recently “out of the blue” to say it had seven days to take part in a bidding process.
Previously, he said, the franchise was available at an established price and the franchise holder was given the option to renew.
“Then, with a very short window, we were notified that we have to put a bid in without an opportunity to do proper analysis,” he said. “It’s situations like that, that gives reason for concern. Also situations like we, unfortunately, had to go through with the former Miss Cayman, Miss Tiffany, whereby we couldn’t make decisions on behalf of the country on what we wanted to do, because the franchise agreement obligated us to ask them first. They said, no, we couldn’t do anything.”
The minister added, “In light of these concerns and uncertainty, I am seriously considering whether the ministry, acting on behalf of the Cayman Islands government, should continue with the franchise.”
Private sector franchisee an option
He suggested that Cayman may be better or equally served if a private individual or a private sector company took over the franchise, as has happened with the Miss Cayman Islands World pageant.
However, if the government does continue with the franchise, “drastic changes in how we approach Miss Cayman Islands Universe and and our relationship with the franchise” would need to be made, he warned.
Bryan said the Miss Cayman Islands Universe Committee had reached out to the Miss Universe Organization for further clarity on the new rules and their potential effect on contestants.
He added that he intended to review the franchise with his colleagues in caucus and Cabinet.
During the briefing, he also commended the Miss Cayman Islands Universe Committee for its work.
“There is no question that this has been a very difficult situation for all concerned, especially the Miss Cayman Islands Universe Committee,” he said. “They are all volunteers who have dedicated a great deal of their time and effort to empowering young ladies to achieve their goals and aspirations through the pageant process.
“I recognise that this has not been an easy time for them, and I want to thank them personally for all the service and dedication they have given to the young ladies over the years.”
Conolly was found guilty last week of assaulting her ex-boyfriend and his father, damaging both men’s vehicles, as well as assaulting police. She is scheduled to be sentenced on 20 April.
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