Miss Bermuda Naomi Darrell yesterday told The Royal Gazette from Miami, Florida, that her bid for the title was going really well.

"It's been a great experience,'' Miss Darrell said. "It's very political but at the same time personal -- we're getting to know so many different cultures.'' And she said the strenuous rehearsals were the most difficult part of her schedule which has included preliminary swimsuit and evening dress competitions.

"Usually they have seven or eight days to learn the numbers but we've only had four or five days of rehearsals,'' Miss Darrell added.

But she said she felt confident about her swim suit appearance.

"I was not feeling very confident in my bathing suit before I left Bermuda but I felt good wearing it here,'' she said.

As she headed off to her preliminary interview with judges, Miss Darrell said she was going into Friday's competition with an open mind.

"I'm just going to do my best,'' she added.

The Miss Universe Pageant in Miami, Florida, will be aired live around the world on Friday night.

Photo courtesy of Miss Universe L.P., LLLP BEAUTY QUEENS -- (From left) Miss Bermuda Naomi Darrell, Miss Iceland Solveig Lilja Guomundsdottir and Miss USA Brook Mahealani Lee pose for the camera in Miami Beach, Florida. The Miss Universe Pageant will be telecasted live on the CBS television network on Friday at 10 p.m. Bermuda time.