About Yendi

 Television Presenter, Professional Dancer, Model, Actress, Creator of Odyssey by Yendi, Founder The Yendi Phillipps Foundation, Mother, Ambassador, Beauty Queen, Businesswoman, Host, History maker, Influencer. Yendi Phillipps does it all.

The 5"10 beauty has accomplished what many only dream of doing in a lifetime- winning two national pageant titles and going on an international stage to make historic feats. Maybe it's because she has that "it" factor. Maybe it's because she's a hard worker. Maybe she was born with it. Whatever "it" is, Yendi has plenty.

She first captured Jamaica's and the World's attention back in 2007 after winning the Miss Jamaica World pageant then as a contestant in the Miss World pageant in Sanya, China. During the competition, she made history by becoming a finalist in all fast track events of the pageant and finishing in the top 16.

Her charm and engaging personality landed her the role as host of Jamaica's most popular talent search show, Digicel Rising Stars the following year, a role that would continue until 2009 when she grabbed the opportunity of a modeling stint in South Africa doing print, commercial and runway modeling, including Pepsi’s International “Refresh” campaign.

 

Yendi returned to Jamaica in early 2010 with a new goal in sight­ Miss Jamaica Universe. On July 3rd, 2010, she became the 3rd woman to hold both Miss Jamaica World and Miss Jamaica Universe titles. 

Quickly wowing an international audience of close to 10 million viewers during the 2010 Miss Universe competition, Yendi's buzz made her a favourite for the crown at the end of the preliminaries. Her fantastic physique and sultry strut blew the judges away and saw her dominating the swimsuit segment of the contest. The effervescent, easy going and always engaging Phillipps created history again for Jamaica when she grabbed the runner spot becoming the country’s highest-placed contestant in a Miss Universe final. 

Since Miss Universe Yendi has scored commercials and campaigns for notable international and local brands; Toyota, Digicel, Blue Mountain Coffee, RainForest SeaFoods, COURTS, GHMumm Champagne alongside Usain Bolt –the worlds fastest man, and launched the Yendi Phillipps foundation to help fight cervical cancer. She even stepped into acting in the summer of 2013 with her debut theatrical performance. 

This wasn’t her first foray into the creative arts. It’s just the latest in a creative life that has seen her do everything from being a soloist with the National Dance Theater Company of Jamaica, and even having two degrees in creative fields; a Bachelors of Fine Art in Dance and a Master’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Management Studies from the University of Brockport. 

Yendi went on to be the host of Jamaica’s number 1 morning show “Smile Jamaica” for a number of years, as well as host “JPS Power Smart Energy Challenge” and “Campari Style Watch” both airing on Jamaica’s number 1 television network. She has also been featured as a challenge judge on “America’s Next Top Model”.     

These days she juggles multiple roles in media as a television presenter, marketing; as an ambassador for different brands, acting as a social media influencer for major international brands, running the operations of Odyssey by Yendi, managing a nonprofit eponymous foundation, and most importantly, her most challenging yet rewarding role to date, motherhood.