During today’s 70th annual Miss Universe preliminary competition, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy presented Miss Universe Bahamas Chantel O’Brian with the “Spirit of Carnival” award for embodying the company’s values of fun, friendship, diversity and inclusion. The “Spirit of Carnival” award presentation will also be featured during the Miss Universe final competition, which broadcasts internationally on Sunday, Dec. 12. As part of the honor, Chantel will join Miss Universe 2022, along with a group of other Miss Universe delegates on a Carnival cruise in 2022 to showcase their dedication to women’s empowerment.
“Chantel has a passion for childhood education and mentorship that led her to co-founding The Leading Ladies Project, an organization prioritizing the education of underprivileged girls,” Duffy said. “It was an honor to announce her as the recipient of the ‘Spirit of Carnival’ award as she joins a group of esteemed women who have served in this time-honored role for Carnival, and we look forward to supporting her and her initiatives in The Bahamas.”
Coming from humble beginnings as a daughter of a Haitian immigrant, Chantel faced many financial and academic obstacles. This sparked her passion for child education and mentorship. In addition to co-founding The Leading Ladies Project, she aims to help marginalized youth with their educational dreams. Her ardent efforts helping the youth of The Bahamas earned her the recognition as Fellow Associate by the Royal Commonwealth Society.
This is the second time a Miss Universe delegate has received the “Spirit of Carnival” award. During the 2021 competition, Miss Universe Dominican Republic Kimberly Jiménez was selected and also named the godmother to the line’s newest and most innovative ship, Mardi Gras. Jiménez was later joined by Miss Universe Andrea Meza, and Miss USA Asya Branch, for an unforgettable opportunity to be among the first to sail on Mardi Gras for a week-long vacation in October 2021.
