Lisa Hanna

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Lisa Hanna was the third Jamaican to win the Miss World title. She won the title in 1993 in Sun City, South Africa at 18 years old.

Hanna had a small role in How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and she has hosted the popular Jamaican talk show, Our Voices.

Lisa migrated to the U.S. in 2004 to pursue a career in broadcasting and was a guest presenter on the entertainment show Xtra. However, in late 2005, she relocated back to Jamaica and has been the communications consultant for the Hilton Hotel in New Kingston, the financial hub of Kingston.

One of Jamaica's most beloved beauty queens, Hanna went to the Queen's School in Kingston and is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, where she successfully pursued a Bachelors and Masters degree in Communications. She is of African & Lebanese ancestry.

During June 2007, she was catapulted into the public's eyes again when the ruling political party, People National Party announced her as a candidate for key constituency for the country's next general election which is constitutionally due in October 2007.

However Hanna's selection by the People National Party for the vacant South East St. Ann constituency has drawn the ire of her potential constituents. It has also sparked intense public discussions about the timing, her eligibility and her capability of functioning as a politician.

After almost a week of protests by the constituents it was revealed that Hanna's name is not on the voters list. However, it was later revealed by the electorial office of Jamaica that this would not prevent Hanna from running as MP. As persons do not have to be on the voters list to run for Member of Parliament.

Hanna's selection to represent the ruling Peoples National Party in the upcoming general election may prove to be a catastrophe in what is believed to be the safest non garrison seat for the governing party. It was reported that the former Miss World was handpicked by Prime Minister of Jamaica Hon. Portia Simpson Miller to represent the constituency. However, since the announcement Hanna as been the center of a public debate and protests by members of the constituency, as they claim Hanna does not live or work in the area.

On September 3, 2007, Lisa Hanna went on to win the South Eastern St. Ann constituency by 2678 votes over the JLP's Peter Fakhourie. This was a bitter and sweet victory for Hanna however as the Peoples National Party that she represents went on to lose their first general election after 18 years. Hanna was viewed as a possible Minister of Tourism if her party was victorious, She will however be sitting on the opposition side during her tenure as member of parliament.

Lisa's personal political page on the PNP's website: http://www.pnpjamaica.org/content/view/196