![[L-R] Cardious Cassius Constantine & Trophies and prizes won by Cardious](https://thevoiceslu.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Cardious-Cassius-Constantine-and-Trophies-and-prizes-won-by-Cardious.jpg)
Going up against a field of delegates from French Guiana, The Bahamas, Curacao, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Aruba and Columbia, Cardious shone brightest to cop the Mr. Caribbean Island Continental 2024 title. Mr. Caribbean Island Continental was held in Curacao and is a lead-in to the 40-year-old Continental Pageantry event, which recognizes outstanding males in the field of pageantry.
As winner, he will represent the Caribbean at the Mr. Continental Show in Chicago later this year, where he will face off against some 40 contestants from all over the world. Reflecting on his win, Cardious recalled, “I believe I was an instant hit with the judges and won prizes for best interview and best talent.”
Cardious said he was determined to survive what was a gruelling and rigorous training regime, but when he drew 10th position for the red carpet, his lucky number, he knew something special was about to happen. He was able to make it to the top seven before proceeding to the final round where he was eventually crowned the winner. “I could feel the love and the energy from the audience.”
Competition is nothing new for this talented Sandals team member, however. In 2013, he emerged as 1st runner-up in his school-organised Creole pageant. In 2014 he competed against other secondary schools on behalf of the George Charles Secondary School and won best overall male. In 2015, he was crowned winner ‘Mr. Drug-Free Saint Lucia’, and in 2019, he claimed the title of Mr. Independence.
When he’s not winning awards, Cardious is ensuring that visitors to Saint Lucia – and in particular Sandals Grande where he is employed as a full-time playmaker – are having the experience of their lives. For the past two years, Cardious has been a key member of the entertainment team, his bubbly personality making him a favourite not just with the guests, but with his colleagues as well. He dedicates his win to them, “without the support of the company I would not have been able to do this. They were so accommodating. They are big on opportunities for self-improvement and holistic development. And because I am a stage person, pageantry gives me these opportunities.”
Since his major success on the stage, Cardious says he is giving back by mentoring and coaching other young hopefuls who wish to participate in pageants. He works closely with students from the Jon Odlum School and the Ciceron community. Meanwhile, he is looking forward to representing the Caribbean in Chicago at the Mr. Continental Show. His advice to young people interested in pageantry – “don’t listen to negative people. If you want to do it, go for it regardless of what anyone else thinks. And always, get the support of your organization. They will make it easy for you to participate, and maybe even win.”