Jesahel Newton will have many adventures to tell her grandchildren after a lifetime in the country that gave “Banana Republic” its name, where anything can – and often does – happen. But none will be quite so exciting as the day she was ushered into the middle of the Miss Universe pageant by mistake!
Jesahel and a handful of other models had been chosen to help out at the inaugural event. But as their van approached, the people lining the streets saw what looked like a group of beauty queens inside, and began clapping and cheering. The girls just smiled and waved, unwittingly fanning the enthusiasm of the crowd.
As the van pulled up, an over-zealous security guard, eager to do his job, whisked them quickly through a side door and ushered them to the seats reserved for the Miss Universe candidates near the stage. Jesahel and her friends obediently filed in, as the partially-filled auditorium stood to applaud their entrance.
Rather sheepishly, the girls sat down and waited, while overhearing whispers like “They’re gorgeous!” and “What countries are they from?” Finally the organizer arrived and angrily bustled them off to the back, where they were to greet arriving guests.
Meanwhile, the surrounding streets were closed off and the van was unable to get close. So when the event ended, Jesahel and her group had to walk five blocks out. Once again, the streets were lined with a cheering crowd, ecstatic at the idea of finally getting a glimpse of the most beautiful women in the world.
“It was fun” grinned Jesahel. “It’s not every day you get taken for a Miss Universe candidate!” When asked if they tried to tell people who they really were, she replied with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, “We didn’t want to disillusion anybody!”
Jesi, as her friends and family affectionately call her, began her modeling career at the age of 13, in a small local agency that did more teaching than actually landing its graduates any contracts. But the experience served to bolster her self-confidence and awaken an interest in fashion design. Two years later, she renewed her training in CN Modelos, one of the capital city’s top agencies, and right away began receiving calls.
Jesi’s first contract was a fashion show for one of Colombia’s major textiles producers, Lafayette. A reporter attended, and soon afterwards a full-page picture of Jesi on the catwalk appeared in the magazine Seventeen. Several castings followed, all of which resulted in her being awarded the coveted plaque as “Best Publicity Model” at the graduation ceremony.
It was then that Jesi was chosen as part of a select group of models to play a double role at three of the Miss Universe events. They were to serve as ushers and attachés, while modeling original creations by the Fashion Design School of the Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial (UTE).
This exciting job was crowned by their participation in a full-blown fashion show of all the confections prepared for that purpose. Jesi was particularly pleased with the work of the Argentinean student who designed her formal gown. “I want to get his card,” she said excitedly, “so I can have him design my clothes when I am rich and famous!”
Has all this gone to Jesi’s head? “I started modeling school because it was a fun place to make new friends” she recalls. “Later I discovered the pay was good, too.” What does she do with the money left over after expenses? “Well… besides bubble gum and candy?” she giggles. And suddenly that darling, child-like grin shines through, reminding us that she is still the same sweet ‘Jesipooh’ we all know and love.
What about her plans for the future? “After giving a year of service in Australia, I want to study fashion design, maybe at the UTE.” Why Australia? “I love the kangaroos and koala bears,” she says. And after that? “Continue with graduate studies, maybe in Italy or France.”
So there you have it, folks: a true rising star, right under our very noses. We will be following her career closely.
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