Bodden Town’s Tahiti Moorea Seymour was crowned Miss Universe Cayman Islands 2025 on Saturday in a glittering ceremony at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa.
Under the theme ‘Into the Blue,’ the event was emceed by Shanda Gallego of Compass Media and Mariah Tibbetts, Miss Cayman Islands Universe 2020–2021.
Seymour will now go on to represent the Cayman Islands at the 74th Miss Universe competition in Thailand this November.
In addition to the crown, she earned the titles Best in Interview, Best in Swimwear and People’s Choice.
Visibly moved as she accepted the honour, Seymour said her mission as queen is rooted in creative and cultural advocacy, with a focus on representation, education and social impact.
“To the people of Bodden Town and the greater Cayman Islands, I am honoured to be your ambassador,” she said in a social media post. “I thank firstly God, my family and supporters. I love you for believing in me. I am thrilled to be Miss Universe Cayman Islands 2025, not only to make an impact in our country, for island creatives, but to connect worldwide and share our Caymanianness.”
In the final question round, Seymour addressed what she believes is the biggest challenge facing her generation – ensuring Caymanians have opportunities to build intergenerational wealth and overcome generational barriers.
“It is crucial that we protect our people that are statistically outnumbered,” she said.
In an interview with the Compass, Seymour shared a heartfelt message to her younger self.
“Keep being different, keep being unique,” she said. “The world needs you to be exactly who you are. The world is better with you in it.”
Reflecting on her journey to the crown, she admitted it had been “challenging and a trying transformation” but said she now feels “so elegant and well accomplished”.
The 22-year-old is a graduate of Ridley College, fluent in Mandarin and Spanish, and holds a BA in Politics and International Relations from Queen Mary University of London. On stage, she paid homage to her mother by declaring in Mandarin, “My mother is very beautiful.”
Her father, Dwayne ‘John John’ Seymour, was beaming after the win.
“She has always been someone who knew what she wanted, and I’m so proud of her,” he said, giving her a kiss on stage.
Her mother, Melaynee Basdeo, was equally emotional. “Right now, I am sitting on the moon,” she said in an interview. “I am so proud of Tahiti and how she has represented herself and us as her people.”
Basdeo recalled that from the moment her daughter decided to enter the pageant, she took charge of her own journey. After the judge’s interview, she said, she felt Tahiti had sealed her victory. “I’m looking forward to the year ahead with Tahiti… the Cayman Islands is going to be very proud.”
The first runner-up was Genesis Ryan, who also earned Miss Photogenic, Best Smile and Best in Gown, while second runner-up Gilleen MacDonald received Miss Cayman Kind and Miss Congeniality. Third runner-up, Tiona Miller also carried herself exceptionally well.
National Director Derri Lee described the competition as “where beauty meets purpose”, while Acting Premier and Minister of Tourism Gary Rutty praised the contestants, saying, “Our pageant queens do a great deal more than wear a crown … It fills me with tremendous pride to see how these Caymanian women are making their mark on the world.”
Outgoing queen Raegan Rutty offered a reminder in her farewell speech: “Just because we come from a small country, doesn’t mean we can’t accomplish big things.”
Seymour’s prizes include a $70,000 three-year educational scholarship from the Ministry of Tourism and Trade Development, pageant travel with Cayman Airways, multiple hotel stays and an array of beauty, wellness and lifestyle gifts.
Looking ahead, Seymour said she hopes to launch fundraising projects to support Cayman arts, culture and heritage, as well as Caribbean mental health research.
“I feel so blessed to share this moment right here with my people,” she told the Compass. “I’m so excited for what’s to come on the international stage.”
Seymour will now prepare to compete in the 74th Miss Universe pageant, to be held in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Thailand on 21 Nov.
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Congratulations to this very talented young lady, but where did she learn fluent Mandarin, that’s amazing?.