Venoria Todman will unveil her much-anticipated new book, Show and Tell Marriages, Living in Hell, which promises to provide an honest and thought-provoking exploration of the emotional and psychological challenges faced by modern couples. The book delves deep into the complexities of relationships that often remain hidden beneath the surface, offering readers a candid examination of the struggles many face in marriage.

The launch event will be held on Wednesday, March 26, at Village Cay Marina, starting at 5:30 p.m. Mrs. Todman’s latest release comes eight years after her debut book, Who Cheats More Than a Politician, which was also launched with the assistance of the Virgin Islands Department of Culture.

In a statement, Mrs. Todman explained that the book was a personal reflection on the difficulties of navigating love and commitment in today’s world. “The struggles that couples face are real, and this book aims to open a window into those complexities,” she said. “I wanted to create something that resonates with people, offering a sense of understanding for those who may feel alone in their experiences.”

Deputy Director of the Virgin Islands Department of Culture, Ms. Anne Lennard, expressed her department’s ongoing commitment to supporting local authors, particularly Mrs. Todman’s work. “Mrs. Todman’s latest release promises to be a compelling read,” Ms. Lennard said. “Our department was proud to support her first book, and we are equally excited to help promote this new literary endeavor.”

Ms. Lennard also highlighted the importance of the upcoming launch as a chance for the community to connect with the author. “This event provides a unique opportunity for the public to engage with Mrs. Todman, discuss the inspiration behind her work, and gain a deeper understanding of the themes explored in the book,” she said.

The Department of Culture has long been a champion of local talent and continues to foster the growth of Virgin Islands’ creative works. Through a variety of programs and initiatives, the department is committed to preserving the region’s rich cultural heritage and promoting its artists both locally and on the global stage.

Sylvanna L. Charles, representing the British Virgin Islands, was crowned Miss Elegantly Plus 2025 at the highly anticipated Miss Elegantly Plus Caribbean Queen Pageant on March 14. Charles secured the title with 518 points, marking a historic moment as the first-ever Miss Elegantly Plus. In addition to the main title, Charles earned multiple special awards throughout the night, including Best Evening Wear, Best Photogenic, Best Talent, Best Flag Couture Ambassadorial Presentation, and the Top Model Award.

Mekelia A. Miller from Trinidad & Tobago earned the 1st Runner-Up title with 483 points, receiving accolades in Best Onstage Interview and Best Resort Wear.

 The Miss Enterprise award and Best in Opening Number went to Hasanna Graham, representing the U.S. Virgin Islands. Graham’s performance in these segments was highly praised.

Milove J. S. Fontaine from Antigua & Barbuda was awarded Miss Congeniality and stood out in the Best Resort Wear category.

The event which featured delegates from the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, and Antigua & Barbuda celebrated the beauty and empowerment of plus-size women in the Caribbean. Each delegate showcased their individual talents, poise, and community engagement.

The pageant also included two optional segments on March 13—the Spokeswoman Speech and Fun Fashion categories. While these events were not factored into the final scores, they allowed delegates to demonstrate their personalities and love for pageantry. Charles emerged victorious in both segments.

The inaugural Miss Elegantly Plus pageant is expected to set the stage for future editions, with the aim of empowering plus-size women across the Caribbean to embrace their beauty and confidence.

The stage is set for the highly anticipated Miss Elegantly Plus Caribbean Queen Pageant, as four accomplished women from across the region prepare to compete for the title. The event will take place on Friday, March 14, at 7 PM at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Ahead of the main competition, some delegates participated in two optional segments on March 13—the Spokeswoman Speech and Fun Fashion categories. While these events do not contribute to the final scores, they provided a platform for the contestants to express their personalities and love for pageantry. Emerging victorious in both categories was Delegate #3, Sylvanna Charles, Miss Elegantly Plus British Virgin Islands, who impressed judges at The Golden Soirée with her eloquence and style.

The inaugural pageant will bring together delegates representing the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, and Antigua & Barbuda, each of whom has a strong background in pageantry and community engagement.

Representing the British Virgin Islands is Sylvanna L. Charles, who was crowned BVI Festival Princess in 2005. Hasanna Graham, carrying the banner for the U.S. Virgin Islands, previously earned the title of Miss Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School in 2012. Mekelia A. Miller, hailing from Trinidad & Tobago, won the Miss La Reine Rive’ (Miss Best Village) title in the 2023 Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition. From Antigua & Barbuda, Milove J. S. Fontaine joins the lineup, having been crowned Miss Charisma in 2020.

This competition is more than just a pageant—it is a celebration of cultural pride, elegance, and confidence among plus-size women in the Caribbean. The winner will make history as the first-ever Miss Elegantly Plus Caribbean Queen, setting the foundation for future editions of this empowering event.