Copyright trinidadexpress
WHEN the winner of Miss Universe Trinidad and Tobago Dr Sihlé Letren announced her decision to withdraw from the upcoming Miss Universe pageant, citing “ongoing challenges”, one might have assumed that runner-up Latifah Morris would have been all too happy to replace her. But that’s not the way the story unfolded. In a candid interview with Her, the stunning model, business woman and mother, who is still adjusting to her role as Miss Universe T&T, spoke about her hesitancy to fill Letren’s shoes, her enduring love for fashion, motherhood, and why she believes the country could do more to support their fellow Trinbagonians who are venturing out on the global stage. In the hours after news of Letren’s resignation broke in early September, Morris was caught up in a flurry of emotions, thoughts and opinions. Both women had a good rapport and Morris thought it was unfortunate that Letren’s reign had come to a premature end. “Honestly, at first I immediately declined...I thought of my limited preparation time, finances, my family and business,” she said. “In everything I do, I like to be prepared to deliver with excellence, and I thought I wouldn’t be ready due to the short preparation time.” However, because of the nature of the competition, she knew that as runner-up, it was her duty to step up. “I don’t make any serious decisions without my God,” said Morris. “It took an entire week for me to step into this position, and that was because I took some days to pray and meditate before I made this life-changing decision. I sought the Lord and he gave me the assurance that I’m ready, able, prepared, and that provisions would be made for me to represent with excellence and hence the reason I’m Miss Universe Trinidad and Tobago.” Perhaps Morris, who stands at 5’11”, was born to take on the role of beauty queen. For as long as she can remember, she was always into modelling, fashion and beauty—her family, friends and neighbours all say the same thing. At the age of five she was styling herself with scraps of cloth which her aunt, who is her seamstress, left behind in her workshop; and when her sister and best friend Zaria was born, she became Morris’ muse. Seeing the iconic Wendy Fitzwilliam charm the judges with her originality to take the crown at Miss Universe in 1998 opened her eyes to the possibility that one day, she too could follow in her footsteps. In any event, Morris knew that she wanted a life and career in fashion. At the age of 15 she won Top Model T&T—a bittersweet moment because despite her win, she wasn’t signed by a modelling agency because of her wide hips. After secondary school, she studied accounting briefly before leaving it behind to pursue entrepreneurship; she became a certified hairstylist and opened her own boutique. The last two years have been an absolute whirlwind for Morris. In 2024 she won Top Model of the World T&T and placed sixth in the international competition in Egypt. After the Miss Universe organisation changed its rules to remove all age restrictions and allow married women and mothers to participate, the 32-year-old devoted mother saw her dream of entering the pageant, which she thought was dead, come back to life. She represented Chaguanas East at the Miss Universe Trinidad and Tobago pageant in July, and is now in full preparation mode for the big show on November 21 in Thailand. Morris is thrilled that the pageant’s organisers made the historic move to be more inclusive and allow married women and mothers to compete. “Motherhood teaches you discipline, resilience and unconditional love, qualities that also shape a leader. It’s a reminder that nurturing strength and purpose in others is one of the highest callings of all, and that’s why Miss Universe is important to me. The removal of the limitations reminded me that my dream didn’t die and it allows me to live my purpose while looking and being fabulous,” she said. Because it has been a part of her life since she was a child, Morris is very protective of the fashion industry. Far from being irrelevant and an exercise in vanity, Morris insists that pageants create leaders and if we educate, prepare and invest in these women, they can break barriers in their communities, families and country. Former beauty queens, including Janelle “Penny” Commissiong, Giselle Laronde-West and Wendy Fitzwilliam, are known not just for winning prominent pageants but also for the lives and careers they carved for themselves long after their reigns had ended. Speaking about her own personal experience, Morris explained that the fashion and beauty industry amplified her “God-given talents” and taught her life lessons that have also given her the confidence to be who she is today. “It also gave me patience, resilience, determination, perseverance and grace to understand that, even if it’s delayed, your time will always come once you have faith and put in the work,” she added. Morris is urging Trinbagonians to throw their full support behind the women and men who make sacrifices to represent T&T on the international stage. “I believe that even in this beautiful country of T&T, there is an unfortunate characteristic that takes front stage—we tend to congratulate rather than support, and that’s a problem that needs to be solved in order to remove pageant fatigue. Pageantry today is no longer just about beauty; it’s about purpose, leadership and transformation. However, it takes a lot of support in all aspects to ensure that representation is done with excellence,” she said. Who knows what will happen on the night of November 21 when Morris takes the stage at the Miss Universe pageant all the way in Thailand. If recent events have shown her anything, it’s that when we least expect it, life has a way of throwing us curve balls that have the potential to change our own trajectory. But whatever happens—Morris intends to use her platform to show T&T that queens are catalysts for change; they are women who lead with confidence, serve with compassion and inspire others to rise. Her message to women: know your worth and stop comparing yourself to others. “When we understand our God-given capabilities, we move from comparison to confidence. Self-love and understanding your self-worth through God is the only thing that will make you complete, confident, and able to allow others to shine without comparing yourself,” said Morris. “Self-love, awareness and self-belief allow you to create healthy boundaries and accept constructive criticism without arrogance. The way you love and respect yourself is the way others will. Knowing who you are is your superpower.”
