Miss Barbados

Marielle Chetham Onyeche

Marielle was born in Texas, USA and grew up in Barbados, a beautiful small country in the Caribbean. She is a student with an associate degree in natural sciences, her ambition is to be a medical researcher and lecturer at the university. One of the most interesting jobs she has had to date is to work as a counsellor for the national cultural foundation & arts camp. The proudest moment was conquering her fear of going on stage and then to win the junior monarch calypso competition in 2001. Marielle’s interests are: reading, writing short stories & songs, playing bass guitar, singing, modern dance, and she enjoys playing pool and netball. Favourite food: macaroni pie and fried flying fish. Her personal motto is “impossible is nothing, nothing is impossible”.

How would you describe yourself in three words?
Caring, persistent, modest

Do you have a special or unusual talent? (what is it?)
I would not say that I have a special or an unusual talent because I consider myself a jack of all trades trying just about everything. Somehow I seem to be sufficiently proficient in whatever I choose to do

Where would you most like to visit in the world and why?
I would like to visit south africa. I have read and heard a lot about this country. The music the people produce from that country is melodious and definitely uplifting. The people are so free-spirited and fun loving. There is so much wildlife and history in south africa and some day I would like to experience it

What is the best thing about your country?
Given that barbados is one of the top developing nations in the world, there is relatively good socio-economic stability. There is access to free health care and education and government-aided programmes here seek to help unstructured youth to find jobs. Foreign interest and foreign investment is a major economic boost especially in the tourism sector and real estate

What is your favourite…..
Film: 'To Sir With Love'
Music: Rhythm and Blues
Singer/band: India Arie
Book: Jane Eyre

If you were granted one wish, what would it be?
This is one wish in two parts. I honestly wish that my brother would always be happy being able to take care of himself and my parents who have tried their best to help him will be rewarded greatly. My brother is mentally handicapped and I worry about him especially given that he is a grown adult and the society may not be very understanding. My parents are exceptional in that they have worked very hard to make not only my brother comfortable but also the rest of us (my sister and i) comfortable. They all deserve the world!

If you were stuck on a desert island with one other person (famous or not) whom would you choose?
Nelson mandela. I have read about him and I have watched the documentaries. He is a survivor and the epitome of strength and determination. I could feed off his strength while trying to come to grips with being stuck on a desert island and he seems to have a good sense of humour and an endearing personality, so he should be quite tolerable

What is your message to all the other miss world contestants?
Even though it is a competition be cognizant of the fact that it is an opportunity of a lifetime and enjoy every moment of it. You are representing your country that being one of the highest honours bestowed on an individual. Even before the competition begins everyone is a winner in her own right

You’re judging the final five contestants, which question would you ask the finalists?
If you were to win the title of miss world 2005 what are the most important things that you would do during your reign and why?

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