Born as Leah Janine Marville in Saint James, Barbados, she received her Bachelor of Law with honors in 2007. Her modelling career started in 2006 when spotted at the Barbados Fashion Week. She had also posed for magazines like Elle, Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan. Leah also works as one of the hosts for US network BET J Caribbean-music show Wicked style. Her Miss World journey started when she was crowned Miss Barbados World 2009 on October 3, 2009.

Throughout the pageant, Leah continued to wow her fans as she was performing consistently. Leah has the beauty, the body and the substance - essential qualities to become Miss World. But why was she excluded? She was touted as the best black this year - ahead of South Africa and France. She is a woman of substance - being the founder of The Love Campaign, a charity that assists children infected with, or affected by HIV/AIDS. There are two possible reasons why she was left - first, her charity work was very similar to Miss Universe and she is considered as a "well-done steak" - with the choice of Gibraltar as the winner, it was clear that MWO was looking for a cutesy girl this year like Unnur in 2005 than a woman like Agbani in 2001.

But the shock wasn't over. Leah won the Continental Queen for the Caribbean despite that Martinique placed in the Top 16. An explanation was given - Martinique is one of the twenty-six regions of France (overseas region) and an integral part of the Republic of France. As part of France, Martinique is part of the European Union, and its currency is the euro. And Barbados is an independent nation. The reason why Leah got the award.

Whatever story behind her exclusion, Leah will remain as one of the best delegates in 2009's world of pageantry. She did not place in the semis but for sure, she had captured our hearts. Leah - a woman in its real essence and a true pride of Barbados!