Both competitions are being hosted by MiyVue.com with the first –the radio interview – to be held this Friday 17th December, on ZIZ Radio, at 2:00pm, while the television interview has been scheduled for next Monday 20th December, to be staged at the Circus, in the heart of Basseterre, in front of a live audience, at 4:30pm, and will be broadcast later that evening on ZIZ Television, at 8:30pm.
One interesting and unique feature of these interviews is that the contestants will be judged, both by a panel of experts and the public, who will be able to text 9696 for their favourite choice, or to make their selection via the online poll of the MiyVue.com website.
These new events have been added this year to help prepare the contestants for what is usually the most feared appearance of the annual queen pageant. This year, the Sub-Committee for the pageant has decided to be innovative and as a consequence, they have made the Interview Appearance, the very first segment for the contestants. This therefore will make it a more challenging exercise for the competitors.
According MiyVue.com’s Chief Executive Officer, Val Henry, the interviews are designed to provide exposure to the National Carnival Queen Pageant contestants and to adequately prepare them for the harsh and sometimes intimidating reactions from the thousands who attend the contest.
“The most difficult segment for the National Carnival Queen Pageant, over the years, has always been the interview segment and contestants have always charged that fear has been the main reason, in addition to a lack of confidence. In order to address that, it is important to build the knowledge of the contestants, because having knowledge of what you are speaking about reduces the level of fear, and it makes the contestants perhaps more relaxed and comfortable to engage in interviews. Additionally, the best way to prepare for an important interview like this one is practice and more practice.
“Therefore the Best Radio and Television Interviews are designed also to give the delegates the opportunity to practice and hone their skills as interviewees, in front of an audience, before the night of the pageant. There is also an opportunity for the public to show their support for the contestants. It is going to be nerve-racking but that is exactly what we want to create; an atmosphere that teaches them how to deal with a live audience.”
Henry explained that to this end, the contestants have been involved in a number of other interview sessions.
“So far the contestants have had interviews on Sugar City Roc, Radio One, Freedom FM and the Info Television Channel in Nevis. Other interviews will be held on WINN FM and the People’s Show, on ZIZ Television. They have also been engaged in a six-week training programme to help improve their skills.”
The interviews are being made possible through the collaborative efforts of ZIZ Radio and Television, LIME and MiyVue.com.