Wed | Jan 21, 2026

Top lifestyle stories for 2025

Published:Sunday | January 11, 2026 | 12:09 AM
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Drawn to dresses with intricate embellishments, Kimberly Magnus said yes to this stunning ball gown from Exquisite Bridal Boutique.
JRoyal Productions
Drawn to dresses with intricate embellishments, Kimberly Magnus said yes to this stunning ball gown from Exquisite Bridal Boutique.
When Kimberly Mitchell reunited with Yero Magnus back in 2019, the last thing on either of their minds was going into a relationship. What began while riding the bus at Vaz Preparatory School took flight years later, led to holy matrimony and topped our li
JRoyal Productions
When Kimberly Mitchell reunited with Yero Magnus back in 2019, the last thing on either of their minds was going into a relationship. What began while riding the bus at Vaz Preparatory School took flight years later, led to holy matrimony and topped our list of ‘Lifestyle’ stories for 2025.
At the University Chapel at The University of the West Indies, Mona campus, Bishop Norman Nunes of the Holiness Born Again Church of Jesus Christ, Apostolic, and Dr Elaine McCarthy, a distinguished elder and the first woman to lead the Jamaica Umbrella Gro
Contributed
At the University Chapel at The University of the West Indies, Mona campus, Bishop Norman Nunes of the Holiness Born Again Church of Jesus Christ, Apostolic, and Dr Elaine McCarthy, a distinguished elder and the first woman to lead the Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches, proved that love, patiently nurtured, arrives right on time.
Cole Gordon Cooper’s Primary Exit Profile success inspired his mother, Romae Gordon, to pen a heartfelt letter reflecting on his resilience and triumph.
Contributed
Cole Gordon Cooper’s Primary Exit Profile success inspired his mother, Romae Gordon, to pen a heartfelt letter reflecting on his resilience and triumph.
High school sweethearts Ikarra Edwards and Maxley Bailey nurtured a decade-long love before tying the knot on July 13.
Anomaly Photography
High school sweethearts Ikarra Edwards and Maxley Bailey nurtured a decade-long love before tying the knot on July 13.
Vanessa Johnson and Duken Dawes’ love story began with a stepped-on phone at the University of Technology, Jamaica, gym and grew into a lifelong bond. The couple sealed their love on February 16 in Albion, St Thomas, in a beautiful wedding surrounded by
Contributed
Vanessa Johnson and Duken Dawes’ love story began with a stepped-on phone at the University of Technology, Jamaica, gym and grew into a lifelong bond. The couple sealed their love on February 16 in Albion, St Thomas, in a beautiful wedding surrounded by family and friends.
Joelle Notice had just moved from Mandeville to Kingston and was settling into her new church when she first met Richard Barnett, an active member of the congregation. Her father was the new pastor, and the duo became friends through the children’s minis
Contributed
Joelle Notice had just moved from Mandeville to Kingston and was settling into her new church when she first met Richard Barnett, an active member of the congregation. Her father was the new pastor, and the duo became friends through the children’s ministry. It wasn’t long before fate and faith intertwined, setting them on a shared path as husband and wife.
When Sanya Wallace learnt that her boyfriend of three years, Richard Innerarity, had cancelled a deejay gig on May 3, she was puzzled. Her concern grew when the client — a dear friend and bride-to-be — mentioned that Richard’s reason for the cancella
OG Multimedia
When Sanya Wallace learnt that her boyfriend of three years, Richard Innerarity, had cancelled a deejay gig on May 3, she was puzzled. Her concern grew when the client — a dear friend and bride-to-be — mentioned that Richard’s reason for the cancellation was that he was getting married the day before. Little did Sanya know that the wedding in question was hers.
Forming a big part of Janelle Pantry-Coke’s support system are her husband, Dylan Coke, and their daughters, Amari (second left) and Zein. Pantry-Coke, the founder of Spaces Jamaica, marked 18 years in 2025 with a heartfelt brunch and charity auction, tu
Rudolph Brown
Forming a big part of Janelle Pantry-Coke’s support system are her husband, Dylan Coke, and their daughters, Amari (second left) and Zein. Pantry-Coke, the founder of Spaces Jamaica, marked 18 years in 2025 with a heartfelt brunch and charity auction, turning celebration into action for families affected by Hurricane Melissa.
Just minutes from home after walking at New York Fashion Week, Davina Bennett was struck by a vehicle, leaving her in shock and severe pain. Miraculously unbroken, the Miss Universe Jamaica 2017 shared that she was “grateful to be alive” following the
Just minutes from home after walking at New York Fashion Week, Davina Bennett was struck by a vehicle, leaving her in shock and severe pain. Miraculously unbroken, the Miss Universe Jamaica 2017 shared that she was “grateful to be alive” following the accident.
This modern Richmond, St Ann, villa in Plantation Village blends clean lines, open-plan living, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow, creating a serene family escape.
Contributed
This modern Richmond, St Ann, villa in Plantation Village blends clean lines, open-plan living, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow, creating a serene family escape.
Darlene Rhoden, a travel specialist from Toronto, Canada, was captured by Jamaica on her first visit. Her love affair evolved from the human heart to architectural form, culminating in a breathtaking St James hillside home.
Contributed
Darlene Rhoden, a travel specialist from Toronto, Canada, was captured by Jamaica on her first visit. Her love affair evolved from the human heart to architectural form, culminating in a breathtaking St James hillside home.
A restful primary bedroom in blue forges a bond with the hypnotic waterfront at Darlene Rhoden’s St James dream home.
Contributed
A restful primary bedroom in blue forges a bond with the hypnotic waterfront at Darlene Rhoden’s St James dream home.
Fresh out of high school, Roshaunah Bryce was attending Garmex Academy, and one evening she boarded the No. 8 Jamaica Urban Transit Company bus to head home. It was there that she met Andrew McPherson, the bus operator. Curiosity got the best of them, and
Ohmel Photography
Fresh out of high school, Roshaunah Bryce was attending Garmex Academy, and one evening she boarded the No. 8 Jamaica Urban Transit Company bus to head home. It was there that she met Andrew McPherson, the bus operator. Curiosity got the best of them, and it wasn’t long before Andrew was driving his way into Roshaunah’s heart.
Although Garth Thompson and Rushelle Whyte worked at the Accountant General’s Department together, they never interacted. That all changed, however, when a mutual friend introduced them, inviting Rushelle to attend Garth’s party in Gordon Town. With th
Contributed
Although Garth Thompson and Rushelle Whyte worked at the Accountant General’s Department together, they never interacted. That all changed, however, when a mutual friend introduced them, inviting Rushelle to attend Garth’s party in Gordon Town. With the promoter encouraging her to show support, her appearance at the dance led to a newfound friendship, which soon blossomed into a beautiful romance.
Rushelle Thompson captivated her attentive guests and took her groom’s breath away in this stunning dress from Bliss Bridal.
Contributed
Rushelle Thompson captivated her attentive guests and took her groom’s breath away in this stunning dress from Bliss Bridal.
Claudene Givans is all smiles as she spends quality time with her son, Zayn-Alec. After years of heartbreak, surgeries, setbacks and struggles with infertility, Givans welcomed her long-awaited ‘sonshine’ at 40 and shared her story with ‘Lifestyle’
Contributed
Claudene Givans is all smiles as she spends quality time with her son, Zayn-Alec. After years of heartbreak, surgeries, setbacks and struggles with infertility, Givans welcomed her long-awaited ‘sonshine’ at 40 and shared her story with ‘Lifestyle’.
From Ardenne High classmates to soulmates reunited by fate, Giovanni Hosang and Kevonnie Whyte prove that second chances can lead to forever.
DACX PRODUCTIONS
From Ardenne High classmates to soulmates reunited by fate, Giovanni Hosang and Kevonnie Whyte prove that second chances can lead to forever.
Last Valentine’s Day, Dr Tamara Austin-Gordon was treated to an intimate, candlelit poolside dinner at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, thoughtfully orchestrated by her husband, architect Nicholas Gordon.
Contributed
Last Valentine’s Day, Dr Tamara Austin-Gordon was treated to an intimate, candlelit poolside dinner at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, thoughtfully orchestrated by her husband, architect Nicholas Gordon.
Readers enjoyed getting a glimpse of the other side of Meteorologist Evan Thompson, principal director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica.
Matthew McKoy
Readers enjoyed getting a glimpse of the other side of Meteorologist Evan Thompson, principal director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica.
From the stage of the Miss Universe Jamaica 2025 pageant to the world of competitive bodybuilding, Nastassia Haughton claimed the Female Fit Model title in her first major bodybuilding competition at the Mayberry/Jamaica Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness As
Contributed
From the stage of the Miss Universe Jamaica 2025 pageant to the world of competitive bodybuilding, Nastassia Haughton claimed the Female Fit Model title in her first major bodybuilding competition at the Mayberry/Jamaica Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Association National Senior Championships.
Discovered by chance during a Starbucks stop, Naima Scott turned an unexpected moment into a standout Miss Universe Jamaica 2025 debut, finishing in the Top 6 of the competition.
Nathaniel Stewart
Discovered by chance during a Starbucks stop, Naima Scott turned an unexpected moment into a standout Miss Universe Jamaica 2025 debut, finishing in the Top 6 of the competition.
Posing with her Fenty Gloss Bomb Ice, make-up artist Shereese Renee strikes a playful pose in her outfit styled by Malachi Lawson. The launch of Fenty Beauty, Skin and Eau De Parfum at Fontana Waterloo had beauty lovers buzzing as superstar Rihanna’s inc
Matthew McKoy
Posing with her Fenty Gloss Bomb Ice, make-up artist Shereese Renee strikes a playful pose in her outfit styled by Malachi Lawson. The launch of Fenty Beauty, Skin and Eau De Parfum at Fontana Waterloo had beauty lovers buzzing as superstar Rihanna’s inclusive beauty empire officially landed in Jamaica.
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In a year marked by challenges, Lifestyle readers chose hope – and love – again and again. Our Top 20 stories of 2025 reveal an unmistakable theme: Island Wedding reigned supreme as tales of reconnection, destiny, and second chances captured hearts. From former Vaz Preparatory schoolmates tying the knot and high school sweethearts finally saying “I do” to romances sparked by a twist of fate, a dance floor, or even a drive to the altar, readers revelled in stories where timing was everything.

But 2025 wasn’t only about weddings and Valentine’s surprises. Stories of strength and reinvention also rose to the top — from pageantry to bodybuilding, Starbucks to Top 6, and moments of deep gratitude like Davina Bennett’s reflection on being “grateful to be alive” after a car accident. Faith, family, and purpose anchored the year, too, whether through a miracle birth, a mother’s heartfelt letter, or journeys shaped by belief and belonging.

Families were expanded, hearts were healed, beauty was unveiled, and love – gentle, surprising and enduring – found its way to the centre of our pages. These were the stories that made readers pause, smile, and believe that even in challenging times, there is always room for joy.

1. Magnuses hitched - Vaz Prep schoolmates reunite and tie the knot

2. From pageantry to bodybuilding - Nastassia Haughton wins Fit Model title in debut

3. Destiny’s gentle call brings two hearts together - Bishop Norman Nunes and Dr Elaine McCarthy embrace love in perfect timing

4. Dear Cole, love Mom - Romae Gordon congratulates son on PEP performance in heartfelt letter

5. High school sweethearts Maxley and Ikarra say ‘I do’

6. Twist of fate brings Duken and Vanessa a lifetime of love

7. Joelle gives Richard ‘Notice’, becomes Mrs Barnett

8. Sanya finds love and clarity with DJ Narity

9. Spaces Jamaica brunch for home, heart

10. Davina Bennett ‘grateful to be alive’ following accident

11. A modern escape in Richmond’s Plantation Village

12. Ja captured Darlene Rhoden’s heart - and inspired her St James dream home

13. Driving on love - Andrew and Roshaunah’s ride to ‘I do’

14. Dance leads to romance for Garth and Rushelle

15. A miracle birth brings healing for Claudene Givans

16. From Starbucks to Top 6 - Naima Scott shines in pageant debut

17. Second chance leads to lasting romance for Giovanni and Kevonnie

18. A Valentine’s surprise

19. Fenty unveiled at Fontana - Kingston gets a taste of Rihanna’s luxe beauty world

20. A strong chance of faith, family, and purpose - Evan Thompson shares the passions, people that keep him grounded

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com