Atlantis Paradise Island glittered brighter than its own chandelier-studded showroom on Sunday, May 25, as ten hopefuls vied for the nation’s most coveted crown at the Miss Universe Bahamas 2025 pageant. When the final spotlight faded, Grand Bahama’s own Maliqué Maranda Bowe (Miss Amphibious Land & Sea Tours) emerged victorious, earning the right to wave the Bahamian flag at the 74th Miss Universe final in Thailand this November.

The journey to the crown was as rigorous as it was inspiring. Final scoring was based on four key categories: Judges’ Interview (40%), Swimsuit (20%), Evening Gown (20%), and Social Media Presence & Public Engagement (20%). Malique dominated early on, winning both the Judges’ Interview and Swimsuit segments, immediately positioning herself as the frontrunner.

The judges were looking for much more than surface-level beauty, they sought a genuine, natural personality, someone authentic, refreshing, and who embodied the complete package from presence to poise to purpose. Social media presence also played a crucial role, reflecting each contestant's ability to engage with and inspire the public.

The Top 5 narrowed down to a dynamic group: Laura Smith (Miss Long Island), Beyonce Forbes (Miss Grand Bahama), Marissa Coakley (Miss Exuma), Halle Bowe (Miss Heal Wellness), and Malique. The atmosphere was electric as eliminations heightened suspense, leaving Malique and Beyonce as the final two women standing—both representing Grand Bahama with pride, grace, and undeniable stage power.

In the end, it was Malique’s heartfelt and eloquent final Q&A that sealed the win. She spoke with sincerity and passion about her purpose, and the judges felt the depth of her conviction.

At 24, Malique is not only a queen but a changemaker. She is the founder of Empowered by Purpose, a mentorship initiative that helps girls navigate self-worth, confidence, and leadership. Drawing from her own transformative journey, she’s built a platform that encourages young women to dream big, lead boldly, and rise with purpose. Her clarity of vision, authenticity, and deep-rooted compassion have made her a standout on and off the stage.

The show itself was a spectacle, from the vibrant National Costume showcase to a sleek and stylish Evening Gown segment. Live voting for the People’s Choice Award kept fans engaged throughout the evening, adding an exciting interactive element.

While Malique now holds the title of Miss Universe Bahamas, the impact of her fellow finalists cannot be overlooked. Beyonce Forbes dazzled with fierce stage presence and entrepreneurial spirit in the beauty industry. She was officially named Ms. Cosmo Bahamas 2025 and will represent The Bahamas at the Ms. Cosmo International pageant in Vietnam. Halle Bowe stood out with her advocacy for mental wellness, Laura Smith impressed with elegance and grace, and Marissa Coakley brought strength, charm, and determination to the stage.

With the crown secured, Malique now embarks on an intensive journey of preparation, appearances, and training in the lead-up to Miss Universe 2025. With the country behind her and the world watching, there’s no doubt: The Bahamas will be cheering her on every step of the way.

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One of the taglines for this sequel: Every Choice, Every Mission, Has All Led To This. An agent of a clandestine government organization and his team must obtain the lost copy of the source code of a dangerous Artificial Intelligence which has infiltrated government networks all over the world. Using the source code they will have the means to control the rogue A I or shut it down for good as they are being chased by different domestic and foreign government agents looking to use the code for their own nefarious goals. It is a race against time as a former agent of the A I acts against the team to obtain his own means to control it while new allies help in the fight to stop the possibility of nuclear winter.

Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (formerly Dead Reckoning Part Two) is an intense conclusion to the current incarnation of the Impossible Mission Force as the not only safeguard the United States but the globe from a world wide threat. Christopher McQuarrie & Erik Jendresen deliver a screenplay with callbacks to earlier entries while remembering to tie certain loose ends that were left dangling in the previous installment. McQuarrie directs this sequel with an eye for the cinematic spectacle that pays off the heart-stopping tension with a cheer of relief each time a crisis is narrowly averted in extraordinary fashion. Tom Cruise with the rest of the cast do a decent job of keeping every scene grounded so even the most outrageous occurrence feels plausible in this heightened espionage reality. However, where this entry succeeds in white knuckle action set pieces, it is not as successful in presenting satisfactory closure to Ethan Hunt's past and the enigmatic connection between Gabriel and his initial recruitment to the IMF. It feels like they wanted to wrap up this story in two films but due to the previous movie not performing as well as they had hoped, they decided to compress the plot into one film which left certain scenes of character development on the cutting room floor. I rate this conclusion to this particular theatrical series a rating of 3 & 1/2 out of 5.

Rated 3 & 1/2 out of 5

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Now that I’ve been spending more time in Nassau for work, I decided to tap into the real MVPs—my followers—for some solid food recommendations. I asked y’all to drop your fave spots in the capital, and boy, the responses were a mixed bag—some hits, some misses. But me being me, I took it as the perfect excuse to kickstart a lil foodie adventure. First stop? Solemar.

Located on West Bay Street, Solemar is a boutique hotel/restaurant combo that leans into Bahamian flavors while serving up serious seaside vibes. Apparently, this area got history too—dating back to 1670 when it was a commercial port and later a pirate hideout. And if you know me, you know I live for historical backstory!

From the moment I walked in….. listen…..the view had me speechless. Like, straight up gasped. That oceanfront setting? Gorgeous. Even though the sun was blazing, the breeze coming off the water was giving energy. Peaceful, calm, and a whole vibe.

I pulled up around lunchtime and the service was solid. The staff was on point and my food came out quick. Of course, sushi is my go-to, so I started with the shrimp tempura roll. Sadly… it was real mid. Nothing to brag about.

But then—praise be—the Cajun shrimp wrap showed up and saved the day. That wrap? Bussin. The shrimp were seasoned and grilled just right, and that spicy Cajun sauce brought it all together. Paired with crispy fries sprinkled with sea salt? Yeah, I was happy again.

Solemar is definitely one of those spots you hit up when you want a chill, picturesque lunch or a cute dinner with your crew. But would I be rushing back? Meh. It didn’t give that unforgettable wow I was hoping for. Don’t get me wrong—the food was good. Just not can’t-stop-thinking-about-it level.

This foodie adventure is far from over though, so stay tuned to see where else I popped up to while in Nassau.

ArtLucaya 2025 Ends on a High Note with “Above & Below”

The final night of ArtLucaya 2025 offered more than a gallery walk—it opened the door to the artists’ world. Above & Below gave guests a closer look at the creative journey, offering real conversations with the artists about what inspires them, how they work, and what it really takes to bring their visions to life.

This year marked a major milestone: for the first time ever, ArtLucaya had a space to call its own. “We started so small, our first exhibition was at the Rand Nature Center,” recalled founder Fatima-Zahra Kaboub. “Now we have MOSAIC. Every year, every step, we get closer to something bigger.”

The Above portion of the night celebrated the artists of Steady Sunward, who shared raw insight into their creative process. Below took us “under the sea” literally, with a panel introducing Grand Bahama’s upcoming Underwater Sculpture Museum. Featuring experts from organizations like Waterkeepers Bahamas and The Bahamas National Trust, the panel sparked excitement for what’s to come.

But the most powerful moments came from the artists themselves.

“All of us, from organizers to artists, have been lifted by the support we’ve received,” said ArtLucaya Secretary Lisa Codella. “Seeing people connect with the work, watching students step into their talent… that’s what keeps us going.”

ArtLucaya’s finale wasn’t the end—it was a launchpad. With dreams of taking Bahamian art to global stages, from New York to Paris, the focus remains local, authentic, and full of heart.

Because when you create for your people first, the world can't help but pay attention.

TikTok Trend

Why Do Gullah TikTokers Sound Bahamian?

If you’ve ever scrolled on TikTok and thought, “That person sound Bahamian,” only to find out they’re from South Carolina — you’re not alone. Turns out, they’re probably part of the Gullah Geechee community, and the accent overlap isn’t a coincidence.

The Gullah Geechee people are descendants of West Africans who were enslaved and brought to the southeastern coast of the United States — specifically the Sea Islands of South Carolina, Georgia, and northern Florida. Because of their geographic isolation, they retained much of their African heritage, including food, traditions, and most noticeably, their creole language.

That creole? It has strong similarities to Bahamian dialect. Both are rooted in West African languages mixed with English during slavery. The result? A unique flow, cadence, and grammar that sounds strikingly familiar to island ears.

Phrases like “He done gone,” “I tell you already,” or “You is so mix up” wouldn’t sound out of place in Nassau or Charleston. It’s not copying, it’s cultural connection. Bahamians and Gullah people share a deep ancestral link, even if most of us never knew it.

This is why so many young Bahamians on TikTok feel an instant familiarity when they hear Gullah creators speak, we’re hearing parts of ourselves in their voices.

So the next time you're in the comments saying, “You sure you ain’t from Cat Island?” pause and remember: we’re more connected than we think.