A triumph of beauty, intelligence, and dedication to Guyana’s tourism and youth

With beauty that transcends physical appearance and embraces the beauty within a mind that is packed with the intricate knowledge of Guyana’s Tourism product and much more, Arian Dahlia Richmond has emerged victorious as Miss Global International 2024.
Not only did the Queen bring home the crown, but she also won awards for: Best Interview, Best National Costume, Best Evening Gown, Best Talent, and Best Smile.
This competition began with some 55 local contestants in Guyana vying for a top spot in the Miss Global International competition and ultimately boiled down to one champion rising to claim the prize in the Cayman Islands where the finals were held.
Amidst her busy schedule of managing her business, Richmond connected with the Guyana Times to share her journey throughout the competition.
From the onset of her pageantry journey, Richmond emphasised the importance of community work in which she was very involved in.
“As my journey in pageantry began…. I initiated a month-long summer camp, focusing on holistic education. Since then, I have competed in many pageants, including Miss Emerald International and Miss World, I was also first runner-up at the Miss Caribbean Culture Queen pageant, hosted in St Kitts and Nevis, and most recently, I earned the Miss Global International Crown.”
Despite her extensive experience, Richmond faced numerous struggles along the way in which many Guyanese would commonly have a pre conceived notion in their minds of what pageantry is all about.
“People often misunderstand pageantry. They see the glamor but don’t recognise the countless rehearsals we endure while managing our personal and professional lives. They don’t see the personal doubts and challenges we face.”
She further noted the pressure of public scrutiny that those in the pageantry industry endure.
“People hold you to a different standard. Yes, you can choose to avoid the spotlight, but we are all in the public eye in some way, whether we like it or not. Is that a reason to not live your life? Is it an excuse for others to be harsh or bully you? No, it’s not. Pursuing your dreams requires sacrifices, whether it’s time, energy, or resources.”
However, this competition brought out the very best in Richmond as she got the opportunity to travel the administrative Regions of Guyana, learning about Guyana’s tourism products.
“A pageant queen is akin to an athlete; she must be fit, intellectually sharp, and always prepared for her events. In the Miss Global Pageant, we participated in several preliminary activities, including visiting schools to give educational talks.”
Having had the opportunity to tour Guyana, Richmond revealed that she was also judged following her interactions made from her tour.
“We conducted mini geography lessons, and our interactions were judged at both grassroots and national levels. We were also evaluated based on our community service in our country. I have been involved in community work for the past six years through my organisation, Youth Development Guyana, which focuses on holistic education.”
Coupling many forms of skills to achieve her goal is no strange task for Richmond as she also set out on a tour to sensitise persons about nurturing children.
“Out of the 10 regions in Guyana, we have conducted multiple youth development activities in four, with a goal of reaching all 10 regions and eventually spreading the message throughout the Caribbean that every child is smart; we just need to find the right way to nurture their abilities. The competition is very holistic.”
On the day of the competition, all her hard work culminated in Richmond claiming the title of Miss Global International.
However, she noted that various forms of growth are still needed for the Guyanese population most especially; the amount of support persons who go away to showcase Guyana receive.
“I feel our country needs to honour our sportsmen and pageant queens in ways that truly reflect the work they put in for Guyana. They don’t say my name; they say Guyana wins, but when I return home and reach out, the support doesn’t reflect that, which is saddening.”
She compared her experience to those from other countries that placed in the top five.
“The support for them is overwhelming; their home countries celebrate them extensively. I believe Guyana is still in the early stages of recognising and honouring their ambassadors. I urge people to express this in a diplomatic way, as it’s crucial for our nation to wake up and appreciate the achievements of our representatives.” (G2)