Gabrielle Walcott
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Gabrielle “Gabby” Walcott (born 26th June 1984) is the winner of the Miss Trinidad and Tobago World 2008 and placed as the 2nd runner-up at the 2008 Miss World pageant. She currently resides in Petit Valley, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Early life
Gabrielle was born in the republic of Trinidad and Tobago on the 26th June 1984. She is the oldest of her three siblings who are Heidi, Joshua and Sophie Walcott.
She attended St. Bernadette’s Primary School, Providence Girls Secondary School, The University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies, The University of West Indies and later pursued acting and theatre arts at HB Studios in New York, United States.
An experienced Equestrian Show Jumper, Gabrielle also took up hobbies such as dance, yoga, Pilates, photography, hockey, art and has always had a passion for acting and theatre. She is a long-time member and supporter of the Trinidad & Tobago Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (the TTSPCA), and claims to have rescued 10 stray dogs and cats.
Tragedy
Life has not always been easy for Gabrielle; two younger sisters, Bernadette and Therese (twins), died shortly after childbirth. Later she lost her maternal aunt to breast cancer, which she says sparked her interest in working with cancer related charities and organisations.
Recently, she and her sister Heidi were held up at gun point - a very traumatic experience which left her with a greater appreciation for the close ties in her family. In a 2008 interview when asked about the experience she said, “Never hesitate to tell those around you that you love them. You don’t know when the last opportunity will be. Material things can be replaced and essentially mean so little when you have your life and the ones you love.”
Acting and production work
Gabrielle has been featured as the female lead in the 2005 Music Video Wanna Love U Girl by Robin Thicke directed by Hype Williams and in the 2004 “Tempted to Touch” video also produced by Hype Williams for the Barbadian soca musician Rupee (musician). She also credited as an extra in the 2006 movie Backlash. Production credits include, Set Artist for Real World/ Road Rules Challenge: The Gauntlet in 2005 and as wardrobe supervisor for Backlash in 2008.
She has also been on the cover of several Caribbean periodicals and newspapers.
Miss World 2008
Gabrielle follows in the footsteps of Valene Maharaj and was the 2008 entrant into the Miss World pageant. She finally placed as the 2nd runner-up to Ksenia Sukhinova of Russia. Also, she won the titles of Miss World Caribbean 2008 for getting the highest placement of the Caribbean delegates; and Miss World Beauty With A Purpose 2008 for working with the Just Because Foundation dedicated to create hospitable conditions for children with cancer and helped raise about $100,000 in charity for the creation of a new ward for these children.
In addition, Gabrielle placed as:
- One of the 25 semi-finalists in the Miss World Beach Beauty competition
- One of the 32 semi-finalists in the Miss World Top Model competition
- One of the 3 finalists for the Best World Dress Designer Award
Charity work and social groups
Gabrielle currently works closely with the Just Because Foundation, a non-profit community-based organisation founded by Chevaughn Joseph and Noel Joseph in honour of their son Jabez "JB" Joseph, who died from a rare form of cancer. The JBF provides practical and emotional support for parents and siblings of children with cancer.
Recently she has worked with Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe Anya Ayoung-Chee with the TallMan Foundation. The Foundation was established for the empowerment of young people in underprivileged areas.
In 2008 the Youth of the United Nations Group of Trinidad & Tobago, (YOUNG-TT) asked Gabrielle and Anya, to be spokeswomen and champions for the fledgling group. Both young women emphatically accepted the challenge during their reign. YOUNG-TT is a youth NGO/CBO hosting some 300-plus members ranging in age from 16-24 with the aim of advocating the United Nations and the Millennium Development Goals, (MDGS) through their demographic and networks. Gabby has been an active supporter of the organisation and was the facilitator of their 2008 MDGs & Me workshop, which brought together various stakeholders across the country to a discourse on the state of the MDGs in Trinidad and Tobago with a particular focus on youth.
References
- http://www.newsday.co.tt/
- http://www.ctntworld.com/misstnt/index.html
- http://www.youngtt.org
- http://news.bn.gs/article.php?story=20080228063710265
- http://westindian.us/gabrielle-walcott-miss-trinidad-tobago-world-2008/
- Gabrielle Walcott at IMDb
- http://gabriellewalcott.blogspot.com/
- http://www.myspace.com/gabriellewalcott
- http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Gabrielle-Walcott/24145793268
- http://imsroyer.blogspot.com/2008/08/mini-interview-with-gabrielle-walcott.html
External links
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