by Curlan Campbell
- Briefly hospitalised during competition due to asthma attack
- Competed despite complications from foot injury sustained during her athletic career
- Her focus moving forward is to reflect on lessons learned throughout the pageant and to keep building her self-confidence
Despite medical complications preventing her from following in the footsteps of previous Carnival Queen Sashelle Alves, Khadeja Bristol, Miss Carriacou and Petite Martinique, showed remarkable resilience and managed to complete her participation in the Majestic Thursday National Carnival Queen Pageant 2025.
Bristol, who was briefly hospitalised during the competition due to an asthma attack, also faced complications from a foot injury sustained during her athletic career.
“Firstly, I would like to say that this wasn’t a facing opportunity for me, despite the many challenges I have been faced with,” Bristol said. “I had a cast 2 weeks before the show, and took it off 2 days before the show, and tonight, after I finished my talent, I had an asthma attack, and I was rushed to the hospital, but I took that as an opportunity to come back here and finish represent Carriacou and Petite Martinique because I believe in finishing what you have started.”
About her injury, Bristol explained, “My foot injury has been an ongoing injury from intercol games. I was an athlete, so the constant wearing of the heels and because they were so high, it caused my ligaments and tendons to be damaged.”
Bristol, who resides in L’Esterre in Carriacou, said her focus moving forward is to reflect on the lessons she has learned throughout the pageant and to keep building her self-confidence. She credited her designer for helping her develop a more mature outlook, describing his constant support as the most meaningful part of her experience. She noted that the greatest lesson she has taken from the journey is to seize every opportunity, no matter its size, because it is impossible to predict where it might lead.
Her fashion designer and mentor, Patterson Nelson, spoke about their journey together. “I reside in New York. However, I come to SpiceMas every year and work with a young lady to help empower… I stepped in as a mentor as well, to help motivate and create different avenues where I could develop the young lady to be a better person.”
“Through this experience, we faced a lot of challenges. You know, she has a major foot injury and was in a cast for like 12 days, and only, like 2 days before the show, we took it out,” Nelson said. “There were other challenges. Even tonight, she passed out because she has asthma, so she had an asthma attack. But through all the adversities, we managed to travel and overcome the challenges that we faced. I’m happy, and I’m very much proud of my delegate, because this is not an easy role.”
“As a young woman who has just turned 18, I want to express how proud I am of her,” he continued. “During a rehearsal about 2 weeks ago, I spoke to all the young women present. We were just sitting together when I said, ‘The universe has already selected the winner.’ They all seemed startled and reacted in surprise, but I reassured them that the universe has already chosen the winner.”
Nelson shared his thoughts on the future of the pageant, expressing that Aaliyah Knight’s win could make her “a voice for change” within Spicemas. He emphasised that the organisation needs further development to better empower young people, rather than relying on long-standing leadership. While unfamiliar with the exact workings of the Ministry of Culture, he believes more targeted funding, coupled with stronger collaboration between the private and public sectors, is essential for building a successful event and fostering community growth.
