In pageantry, the gowns shimmer and the lights are blinding but it’s the woman beneath the crown that carries the real story. This month’s cover stars Maliqué Bowe and Beyoncé Forbes reflect on the pressure, purpose, and personal evolution that shaped their international journeys in their own words. 

1. What’s something people assume about you that isn’t true at all?

Maliqué: “That everything came easily to me because I’m confident and composed on the outside. In reality, I’ve had to grow into this version of myself. A lot of my confidence was built in quiet moments, through prayer and pushing through self-doubt when no one was watching.”

Beyoncé: “People often assume that I am tall because in photos or in heels I appear to be taller but when those heels come off I stand at 5”5ft.”

2. What was the hardest part of this journey that you didn’t expect to struggle with?

Maliqué: ”Honestly, the emotional pressure. You prepare physically for pageantry, the walk, the interviews, the looks, but no one really prepares you for how mentally intense it is to be constantly observed, compared, and expected to perform at your best every single day.

Beyoncé: “The hardest part was honestly leaving, after all the preparation, great experiences and bonds that I had developed with my sister queens I could not believe that I had to say goodbye to what had became my life for an entire month. I remember holding on so tightly and shedding tears as I said my farewells to the other delegates but what gave me comfort in that moment was the realization that I not had a sister to call on in different countries around the world and that I am continuing to walk in purpose even after my journey and reign because purpose isn’t defined by a title or experience.”

3. What moment during your international pageant made you feel the most emotional?

Maliqué: “Standing on that stage and realizing I wasn’t just representing myself. I was representing The Bahamas, my community, and every young girl who sees herself in me. That moment felt bigger than competition. It felt like purpose.”

Beyoncé: “There were many emotional moments in Vietnam but the most emotional moment was the collaboration event that we did with smile train where we had the opportunity to connect with young children that were born with clefts and just see the bravery and strength of those children touch my heart deeply.”

4. What did you have to learn the hard way during this process?

Maliqué: ”That you cannot pour from an empty cup. There were moments I pushed myself past exhaustion because I wanted to be perfect, and I had to learn that rest, boundaries, and self-care are not weaknesses, they are necessary.”

Beyoncé: “I definitely learned that time is of the essence and time management and proper preparation is key.”

5. Who were you calling or texting the most while you were away and why?

Maliqué: ”My family and closest friends. They kept me grounded. When you’re in such a high-pressure environment, hearing familiar voices reminds you who you are beyond the crown, the glam, and the expectations - and for a little gossip here and there.”

Beyoncé: “I called my team every single day, my director Dominic Russell, my designer David Rolle, pageant sister Selvinique Wright, my social media manager Gerard and my closest friend Barea.”

6. What part of your life did you have to put on pause to do this fully?

Maliqué: “My normal routine and personal comfort. I had to quit my job, relocate and develop a whole new way of living. Things like creative freedom with my content, and even moments of stillness had to take a backseat so I could fully show up as a titleholder and competitor.”

Beyoncé: “I had to scale back on my clientele as a hairstylist during my journey.”

7. What surprised you about yourself once you were actually there competing?

Maliqué: “How resilient I am. Even when I was tired, overstimulated, or nervous, I still showed up with grace and intention. That version of me proved that I’m stronger than I sometimes give myself credit for.”

Beyoncé: ”My journey at Cosmo pushed me beyond my known limits. It was a test to my courage, bravery, discipline and strength but one of the most surprising moments were those moments that i had been selected to preformed with some of Vietnam’s biggest artists and reach in studio with them. I like to call it my “Beyonce” era.”

8. What was the loneliest moment of the experience?

Maliqué: “In all honesty, it never really got lonely there. One of my goals was to make friends with the women in the competition and in spaces like that, once you’re intentional about it, you bond easily with everyone and it makes it less lonely. They were more than competitors, they became friends.”

Beyoncé: “Being that I traveled alone my most lonely moment was finale night on the red carpet seeing everyone with their family and friends was really bittersweet because although they weren’t there my supporters in Vietnam were there cheering me on.”

9. How did you protect your mental health while being constantly evaluated?

Maliqué: ”The preparation for this began before leaving for Thailand. I was privileged enough to work alongside Dr. Sean Knowles of E-Man-U-Well Medical Center for mental health training. He taught me grounding techniques rooted in both psychology and faith that were incredibly useful in high pressure situations. limiting overthinking, praying, journaling, and allowing myself moments of softness in a very high-performance environment.”

Beyoncé: “For me God is always at the center of any venture that I make. So prayer and devotion was definitely my first priority each day and continuously asking God to lead me and speak through me, to use me as a vessel to inspire your children and push me toward fulfilling my purpose here on earth.”

10. What did coming back home feel like after the competition ended?

Maliqué: “Coming back home felt like a warm hug. After such an intense and emotionally demanding experience, being surrounded by familiar faces and genuine support was incredibly grounding. So many people told me it was their first time following a pageant so closely, and hearing how proud they were of my performance meant more than I can fully express. It reminded me that the journey was bigger than the stage. It inspired people, and that made every moment worthwhile.”

Beyoncé: “Returning home was honestly bittersweet. I was sad to leave the life that I had became familiar with in Vietnam but I was also excited to be returning home to my family for the holidays.”

11. What are you more confident about now than you were before this journey?

Maliqué: “My voice. Not just how I speak, but what I stand for. I’m more secure in my purpose, my advocacy for young girls, and the message I carry as a woman representing empowerment and freedom.”

Beyoncé: “Although my goal was to inspire others through my journey I honestly grew and evolved tremendously during my time spent in Vietnam.”

12. What’s one thing you wish people understood about pageantry at this level?

Maliqué: “It is not just beauty and gowns. It is discipline, emotional strength, public responsibility, advocacy work, media training, and constant self-development. It is a full-time commitment to becoming the best version of yourself publicly and privately.”

Beyoncé: “I believe that the biggest misconception of pageantry at that level is that it is only a one day or two day event and it is mainly based off of beauty stage performance and attire, but competing at an international level is much more complex. I had the honor of staying in Vietnam for just about a month and the experience was a compilation of charity events, challenges, training, and character development all before we ever set foot on a stage. I really wish that more people knew that pageantry isn’t just based on beauty, but purpose, power and allowing women to use their to make a change.”

13. Right now, at this moment what are you most proud of?

Maliqué: “I’m most proud that I showed up as my authentic self. Not a manufactured or perfect version. But a woman who is growing, evolving, and using her platform with purpose, especially to empower and protect young girls and build something meaningful beyond the crown.”

Beyoncé: “I am proud of how much I’ve evolved. From the 16 year old girl that entered her school pageant to the 22 year old business woman that I now am. Not only has pageantry grown and molded me but it has also given me the platform to inspire and mentor others and that is what I am most grateful for.”

With Do You Still Love Me?, Ella Mai doesn’t chase trends, she leans into what she does best. Across this album, the songs feel like pages from a private journal, each one unpacking a different stage of love: the thrill, the doubt, the reassurance, and the quiet strength that comes from emotional growth.

The opener sets the tone with soft vulnerability. Instead of exploding into drama, it eases you in, warm chords, steady percussion, and a vocal performance that feels close enough to touch. It’s the sound of someone cautiously hopeful.

Early highlights include the smoother, mid-tempo cuts that explore commitment. These songs feel mature. There’s no fairy-tale fantasy here,  just real conversations about giving 100 percent, even when things aren’t perfectly balanced. The production stays minimal but intentional, letting her voice carry the weight of the emotion.

Midway through the album is where the tension builds. A few records dig into overthinking and insecurity  the “what if” moments that can creep into even the healthiest relationships. These tracks don’t feel dramatic for the sake of it. They feel honest. Mai doesn’t oversing; she lets restraint do the work, and that subtlety makes the songs hit harder.

There’s also a confident shift in tone as the project unfolds. On some tracks, she stops questioning and starts asserting. Instead of asking for reassurance, she reminds her partner what she brings to the table. That balance between softness and strength gives the album dimension.

Sonically, the project stays cohesive. Warm basslines, layered harmonies, gentle percussion  it’s modern R&B that feels rooted in tradition. There are nods to classic influences without sounding nostalgic or dated. Everything feels intentional and emotionally aligned.

By the time the closing tracks arrive, there’s a sense of clarity. The uncertainty that opened the album feels lighter. Love isn’t perfect, but it’s understood. That emotional arc is what makes the album work  it’s not just a collection of songs, it’s a journey through the realities of loving someone deeply.

Do You Still Love Me? isn’t about big, viral moments. It’s about feeling seen. It’s intimate, controlled, and emotionally aware,  a reminder that sometimes the strongest statements are the quietest ones.

The tagline for this movie: This Ain't No Field Trip. A foul-mouthed grandfather is paid by his son to teach his sheltered & opinionated grandson about the real world. The college-bound teen is not prepared for the raucous cross-country road trip that his grandfather has decided to take him on and all the unexpected people they meet along the way.

Tyler Perry's Joe's College Road Trip is a prime example of a timeless message being delivered by a mediocre messenger and because of this the movie feels uninspired with predictable outcomes while regurgitating jokes that worked better when they were used in episodes of the Boondocks.  Tyler Perry shows his confidence in his ability as a director when he is directing himself in 3 different roles, but he still has to work on his screenwriting since the dialogue in the script used in this installment of his Medea franchise felt like it was written by A.I. The cast does what they can with what they are given, and I will admit that Jermaine Harris scenes with Amber Reign Smith are able to a realistic progression in their relationship even if it is on a sped-up timeline with an ending that feels incomplete. This arrives just in time for Black History Month, and it gives a noticeably half-hearted attempt to shoehorn in a message that simply boils down to each one teach one.  Better road trip movies include Johnson Family Vacation (2004), Rain Man (1988), We're the Millers (2013), Josh and S.A.M. (1993), Are We There Yet? (2005), The Sure Thing (1985), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Easy Rider (1969), Road Trip (2000), National Lampoon's Vacation (1983), and College Road Trip (2008) to name a few. I will admit that the message in the movie about respecting the past so it doesn't repeat in the future is a valid one for the present state of the world, but that important lesson may get lost in the disorderly manner it is presented to those who need to learn it. I rate this movie a rating of 2 & 1/2 out of 5.

If you've missed the recent Food Truck Pop Up, dear reader, may this be your first and last!

True to its name, the Bites on Bay event was held on the corner of Bay Street and Elizabeth Avenue, where tourists and locals alike delighted in the festivities!  All attendees enjoyed the food selection ranging from Mexican cuisine to good ole' fashioned smash burgers.  It would be remiss of me NOT to highlight my personal favorites, one especially being Pasta 'n' Nibbles. After diving into the Haitian spaghetti, I came to the conclusion that it must have been cooked directly on Port-au-Prince and shipped over to Nassau! The creole dish is no stranger to me, however, the spin Pasta 'n' Nibbles put on it is one you must witness for yourself!

For the 'dare devils' out there, The New Duff's take on asian bao buns would have surely piqued your interest! The curry mutton buns topped with a purple cabbage slaw was something I've never tried before, but absolutely must have again. When it comes to food, the creativity of the Bahamian people is truly unmatched!

As if for dessert, we were treated to an energizing rush out by the Chambers Junkanoo Production as the evening went on. Could you have blamed us if not one person stood still the entire time? I know I wouldn't! There was also musical renditions by Jonny Cake, Black Swann, and Z da Energy that kept the vibes sky high all night long. To the Tourism Development Corporation, I must say bravo for creating an event that is not to be missed! You've truly captured a taste of the culture and made it available to all, at a beautiful location.

For those of you who sit eagerly awaiting the next pop up, be sure to watch for updates so you too, can enjoy a taste of the Bites on Bay.

There’s something powerful about watching shovels hit the ground especially when what’s being built represents more than concrete and steel. The groundbreaking of the new Grand Bahama Aquatics Center isn’t just another infrastructure project; it’s a statement about belief.

Set on over 80 acres at the GB Sports Complex, following land conveyance from the Grand Bahama Port Authority, the planned facility will feature a 50-meter Olympic pool, a warm-down pool, and a gym. On paper, it sounds impressive. In reality, it’s transformational.

This development arrives on the heels of the Grand Bahama swim team’s strong showing at CARIFTA, proof that the talent has always been here. What was missing was the environment. For years, athletes trained with limitations. Now, they’ll have a space designed for excellence.

An Olympic-standard pool in Grand Bahama changes the conversation. It keeps talent home. It attracts regional competition. It raises the bar.

This isn’t just about swimming lanes and starting blocks. It’s about building a culture of high performance and finally giving our athletes facilities that match their ambition.

Between The Crown

As a vast island nation, The Bahamas definitely deserves more stories. The gorgeous geography and enchanting folklore alone is more than enough for a true, aquamarine blue oddysey. It just makes sense, right? Well, look no further. Staniel ‘Stan’ Russell and Nik Barnes has it covered in their new comic, ‘Zephyr’.

Zephyr centers 18-year-old Bahamian Reya Solaris who spots an oddly tall owl during an environmental assessment of Andros. Curious, she gives chase. The creature leads her to The Guardian, a blue hole known to claim those too curious to venture its waters. Just above it, Reya believes she’s cornered it in a nearby tree. It flies. The chickcharney speaks. She’s shocked. She falls. She plummets into the hands of a spurred fallen demi-god long eager for revenge.

"I would say it [Zephyr] is a drama. … There’s action and a little bit of comedy too,” Stan said.

Zephyr, though named after a light breeze, moves at whirlwind speeds as the action unloads like a cannon.

Upon resurfacing, Reya unknowingly awakens an uncontrollable power—the ability to command storms. Gods and humans vie to claim her, friends disappear, allies play insidious games, and rabid enemies provoke and rage while Reya tries to make sense of it all.

As for the character designs, Stan noted, “It’s a cross between fantasy and street fashion.” The characters range from stylish to stylishly zany - somewhat reminiscent of Gachiakuta, Naruto,  and One Punch Man.

They are also multiple nods to various parts of Bahamian culture ranging from architecture to dialect and folklore.

“The environment was top priority,” Stan said. He added, “ … I also wanted to add in a fantasy element.”

Nik continued, “We as Bahamians have interesting lore to draw from. For instance, the story of The Guardian came from one of the stories my aunt would always tell me about where people who fall in are either not found or come back changed.”

Though The Bahamas serves as the backdrop, the comic’s appeal reaches far as Zephyr taps on a bit of 2000s anime nostalgia while providing a unique perspective.

“When we think anime, we assume the characters must be white or Asian. No they don’t. We don’t have enough characters, whether black or Caribbean. We need to create more of our own,” Stan stated.

“We know about Japan because of its cultural push through anime and manga. In a similar way, we want people to know about The Bahamas through us drawing and telling our own stories.”

Another interesting tidbit is that Zephyr is also part of an intertwining odyssey. The world of vying gods long spans across Stan’s previous work, ‘Kayos Gaiden’ and Zephyr’s upcoming companion comic ‘House of Tiger’.

Intrigued? Just know there’s definitely more Kayos to be had.

Dive into the Kayos, follow Stan and Nik on Instagram at Kayos Worldwide for more. Get your copy of Zephyr Volume 1 on Amazon and Nassau’s very own Manga Corps, today!