Shadiamond Assanah is officially a name to remember. On August 4, 2025, the 21-year-old university student from Melanie Damishana, Guyana, was crowned Miss Caribbean Culture Queen 2025 at the Nevis Culturama Festival, securing Guyana’s third consecutive win on the regional stage. Her performance was a proud continuation of the country’s growing legacy in Caribbean pageantry and was met with celebration across the diaspora.
The Miss Caribbean Culture Queen pageant is an annual event held as part of the Nevis Culturama Festival, one of the Caribbean’s oldest and most respected cultural festivals, dating back to the late 1960s. The festival celebrates Caribbean heritage through music, dance, culinary arts, and pageantry, providing a vital platform for preserving and promoting cultural pride. The pageant itself highlights traditional Caribbean arts, fashion, and talent, drawing contestants from across the region and serving as both a cultural and regional showcase.
Shadiamond’s stunning blue mermaid-style gown, which captivated judges and earned her the Best Evening Gown award at the Miss Caribbean Culture Queen 2025 pageant, was designed by the talented Roman Vlasov. The dramatic sweeping cape added an elegant and regal touch to her ensemble, perfectly complementing her confident stage presence. This gown was also part of a special collaboration called “Diamond Paradise,” created by fashion innovators Rio de Roberto and Randy Madray The Brand.
Shadiamond’s journey into pageantry began close to home. Inspired by relatives who had once graced the stage themselves, she admired their confidence and elegance and saw in them the path she wanted to follow. “When I reached the age where my parents would allow me to take part in a pageant, I went for it without hesitation,” she recalled. That moment came in 2015, when her hometown of Melanie Damishana hosted the Miss Festival Queen competition. She entered—and won. It was her very first pageant.
After that, Shadiamond took a break from the spotlight to focus on her education, but her passion for the craft never faded. In 2023, she returned to the pageant world and claimed the Miss East Coast Beauty title. Two years later, she stepped into the national spotlight and won the Miss Guyana Culture Queen 2025 crown, earning top honors in every major category—Best in Swimsuit, Best Talent, Best Evening Gown, and the People’s Choice award. She finished with 1,404 points, one of the highest scores recorded in the pageant’s history.
In Nevis, Shadiamond competed against delegates from across the Caribbean and delivered a standout performance in every category. During the evening gown segment, she wore a blue mermaid-style dress with a sweeping cape and was awarded Best Evening Gown. In the swimwear round, she wore a red bikini and received strong audience support for her confident presentation. With a final score of 1,213 points, she secured the crown and brought it back home to Guyana once again.
Throughout her journey, her family stood by her side. Among those who traveled with her to Nevis were her father, Eric Assanah. Eric, who gave her the name “Shadiamond,” was present to witness this major milestone, offering the same encouragement that shaped her earliest dreams.
Outside of pageantry, Shadiamond is a full-time university student studying medical rehabilitation, a specialized field focused on enhancing patients’ quality of life through therapies like physical and occupational therapy. This demanding area of study reflects her commitment to service and healthcare, complementing her role as a public figure and role model. She’s been candid about the challenges of balancing school, extracurricular activities, and competition preparation. “Multitasking has been my greatest challenge,” she said. “But I never stopped believing in myself.” Her message to other young women is rooted in discipline and self-belief: “Don’t limit yourself. Discipline, purpose, and belief can take you exactly where you want to go.”
Shadiamond’s win has resonated not only at home but also among the Guyanese diaspora in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, where Caribbean culture remains a vital connector of community and heritage. Through her achievements, she has reinforced the importance of cultural identity and inspired younger generations to engage with and preserve Caribbean traditions.
Guyana’s third consecutive win at the Miss Caribbean Culture Queen pageant marks a historic streak, underscoring the country’s increasing prominence in regional cultural representation and reflecting a broader trend of Guyanese success in Caribbean pageantry. This achievement has increased national pride and highlighted Guyana as a vibrant contributor to Caribbean culture on the international stage.
Shadiamond’s story is one of quiet persistence and cultural pride. From the village of Melanie Damishana to a regional title in Nevis, Shadiamond Assanah continues to inspire young women in Guyana and across the Caribbean by showing what’s possible when you stay grounded in who you are and rise with purpose.
