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 Zenovique Wilson was a SUNShine Girl in 2005. (Mark O'Neill, Sun Media file photo) |
A former Miss Toronto Tourism faces 19 weapons and drug charges, including possession of a Glock loaded with hollow-point ammo.
Man, you just can't buy that kind of PR. I bet City Hall will be tickled.
At least Americans might stop thinking we're dull.
Zenovique Wilson, 23, Miss Toronto Tourism 2005, is to appear Monday for a bail hearing at College Park court.
The long, pageant locks are gone, her hair now close cropped.
The tiara is replaced by tears, welling in those soft, hazel eyes.
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"She's crying," her lawyer, Ari Goldkind, tells me after leaving a court holding room.
"Jail is a big shock to her."
You betcha. That green prison jumper ain't no evening gown.
Tarnished Tiaras: Click Here for More Beauty Queens in Trouble
The lovely Zenovique was arrested 4 p.m. Tuesday near Jane St. and Sheppard Ave. W.
A sharp-eyed copper was drawn by "suspicious behaviour" to a car parked outside a plaza, 31 Division acting Supt. Nick Memme tells me.
The uniformed officer spotted drugs in the Honda's back seat and called in the cavalry.
Two men and a women were nabbed, with some Ecstasy and two semi-automatic handguns. The Glock held 11 rounds.
"We're just thankful no shots were fired and two guns are off the street," says Memme.
Jamar Francis, 20, of Toronto, and Clayton McFarlane, 27, of Brampton, were arrested with the former pageant queen.
Ms Wilson is charged with 18 weapons charges, including possession of a firearm obtained by crime, and drug possession.
Justice will play out. But, whatever the outcome, she won't be on any tourism posters.
"I'm shocked," says pageant director Karyn Murray. "She's a sweet, loving girl with a soft, quiet voice.
"But she's young."
Still, Zenovique's reign as Miss Toronto Tourism lasted barely two months, until it was discovered she was out on bail.
The charges, involving a Mississauga massage parlor robbery, were eventually stayed.
Says Murray: "She was upset when we took away her crown. I told her, 'You're a good girl, but you can't hang around with the wrong crowd. Guilt by association.' "
A runner-up took her place and all was well at Miss Toronto Tourism. (City Hall has nothing to do with the pageant.)
Then I mucked things up for them again last year.
I told you how the pageant had fired Miss Canada Plus as a judge because she was a witch. An actual witch.
The hocus pocus hit the fan. Spells brewed, wiccans stewed. Picket lines formed, TV lights glared.
Yessiree, another publicity coup for our fair city.
I'm surprised to hear the pageant application still does not include the question, "Are you a witch?"
But since 2005, winners must undergo a police check before their title is official.
"We've been squeaky clean ever since," says Murray.
Very prudent. What is it about beauty queens that spells trouble?
Remember Danielle House? She was Miss Canada International 1996 until she decked her ex-boyfriend's gal pal in a Newfoundland bar, and was convicted of assault.
Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner drank underage and did cocaine.
In a lurid twist to Mexico's drug woes, Miss Hispanic America Laura Zuniga was busted last Christmas for racketeering, drug trafficking, guns and money laundering. Charges were dropped, but so was her title.
My favourite, though, is Miss Teen Louisiana 2008 Lindsey Evans. She tried to run out on a dinner bill, but forgot her purse.
She went back to get it, and walked into the arms of police. Sadly, the purse contained her marijuana stash.
We'll be here all day if I list all the beauty queens caught with their skivvies down, their feet in their mouth and other non-criminal misdeeds.
There's just something dangerous and intoxicating about youth, fame and pageantry, about the mix of bikinis and impossibly high heels.
I'm no lawyer, but here's a little free advice for Zenovique Wilson at her bail hearing.
When the judge asks what she will do if he lets her out, reply:
"I hope to work for world peace."
MIKE STROBEL'S COLUMN RUNS WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY, AND SUNDAY. MIKE.STROBEL@SUNMEDIA.CA OR 416-947-2265.