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Showing posts from May, 2012

Musical Performers for Miss USA 2012 announced

New York, NY- May 30, 2012— NBC ,  Donald J. Trump  and  Paula M. Shugart , president of the Miss Universe Organization, announce today that international multi-platinum recording artist & producer,  Akon , and American pop band, Cobra Starship,  will be the musical performers for the 61ST Annual MISS USA ®  Competition, which will be broadcast live from  Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino  in  Las Vegas  on  Sunday,   June 3  at  9 p.m. ET  on  NBC. With 45 Billboard Hot 10 songs and over 300 guest appearances with megastars such as Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga,  Akon  is one of the most popular artists in music today. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of the smash hit single "Locked Up", from his debut album “Trouble.” His second album, "Konvicted" received three Grammy Award nominations. During the telecast, he will perform “America’s Most Wanted” from his upcoming album, “Stadium,” during the “Final Look” portion featuring the Top Five

The politics of beauty pageants in Lebanon and the Arab world

To think of holding a beauty pageant in the Arab world, in the mold of Miss America or Miss USA, especially in today’s unstable political environment, would be considered an insult to those who think ending dictatorships is much more important than holding a beauty pageants. Not for Lebanon however, the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism has held Miss Lebanon Emigrant competition in Dearborn on May 24 where the winner will compete for the title of Miss Lebanon Emigrant, and Miss Lebanon later in the year. From a western perspective, beauty pageants represent a development in how western societies view women and beauty as powerful means of communication to change public perceptions and stereotypes. In developed western societies with highly complex economies, communication often means that looks are very important in how the message is formulated, delivered and presented. Such factors can sometimes make all the difference between success and failure in business or careers or politics.

Miss Philippines Earth 2012 crowned

Manila, Philippines – A 22-year-old freelance fashion model and de- signer who vowed to actively promote walking and take part in cleaning the environment was crowned Miss Earth Philippines 2012 in Pasay City last Sunday night. Stephany Dianne Stefanowitz of Quezon City, who also is a singer, bested 46 other candidates in the environment-driven beauty contest. She will represent the Philippines in the 2012 Miss Earth beauty pageant to be held in Indonesia later this year. The Miss Earth Philippines pageant is indeed lovelier the second time around for Stefanowitz who first competed in the same pageant two years ago. She placed in the Top 10. In the final question and answer portion of the pageant, Stefanowitz was asked by judge actress-model Rachel Gran t: “If you were a superhero, what power would you choose to have and how would you use it to save the Earth.” Stefanowitz, who also won Best In Long Gown, answered: Defintely, I will use my power to clean-up the environment.

Miss Lebanon Emigrants 2012 crowned

DEARBORN - On Thursday May 24 Miss Lebanon Emigrants USA pageant was held at Greenfield Manor in Dearborn. Fourteen female contestants from all over the country participated in the pageant to represent Lebanon, including four from Dearborn and one from Dearborn Heights. The remaining contestants came from states that included New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, and Pennsylvania as well as three from Texas. Some of the attendees at the event included 1972 Lebanese Miss Universe winner Georgina Rizk , who flew in from Lebanon to be an honorable guest. Alongside Rizk was her husband and singer Walid Toufic , who entertained the crowd of more than 600 by performing during the pageant. Another Lebanese singer in attendance was Ayman Zbib who also performed a few songs during the evening. Fadi Aboud, the Lebanese Minister of Tourism and Antoine Chedid , the Lebanese Ambassador to the United States, were also in attendance. Joumana Kayrouz who just recently became the President of the Lebano

Miss Ghana 2012 launched

Inna Mariam Patty, the new franchise owner of Miss Ghana The Banquet Hall of the State House on Tuesday May 22, witnessed yet another historic milestone in the life of the Miss Ghana beauty pageant, Ghana’s oldest pageant that seeks to reward the most beautiful and intelligent young lady in the country. The launch of Miss Ghana 2012 had long been anticipated to be a successful one, and yes it was, as the standards were raised to the admiration of patrons. Even more refreshing was the impressive array of society’s high and mighty, socialites and the glitterati who graced what has already been said to be a night that was worth it. Perhaps if the opening comment by Julia Morley , Executive Chairwoman of the Miss World Organization, that she was stunned by the near class act put up by the organizers, is anything to go by, then Ghana’s name was really etched in history on Tuesday. She graced the occasion together with Ivian Sarcos , Miss World 2011, Miss Puerto Rico 2011 and Miss En

Exclusive: Miss USA Judging Panel Revealed

What do two reality stars, a pop singer and fashion police host have in common? They're all judges for the upcoming  2012 Miss USA Pageant  in Las Vegas. Sources close to the pageant tell toofab exclusively the following celebrities will comprise the judging panel: Ali Fedotowsky  -- former  "Bachelorette" Joe Jonas  -- recording artist and member of The Jonas Brothers Rob Kardashian  --  "Keeping Up With The Kardashians"  castmember and former  "Dancing With the Stars"  competitor George Kotsiopoulous  --  "Fashion Police"  co-host These four will join five other stars in deciding the fate of one young woman. The winner of the Miss USA pageant goes on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss USA pageant airs live June 3, 2012 on NBC.  SOURCE: Miss Universe Organization, 5/23/2012

Celebrity Apprentice winner Arsenio Hall to judge Miss USA 2012

Arsenio Hall and Donald Trump Pageant officials confirmed that Arsenio Hall , who was the winner on Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” on Sunday night, will be a judge at the pageant as his first assignment for The Donald, who owns the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA events. The remaining judges will be named next week. In all, there are two weeks of events and festivities leading to the 61st annual pageant Sunday, June 3, at Planet Hollywood’s Theater for the Performing Arts and airing on NBC. The contestants checked in over the weekend at Planet Hollywood, and Miss Nevada Jade Kelsall was the first to register and lead the way. All 51 of the beauties will be here by Wednesday when talk-show titan Jerry Springer , guest hosting at “The Price Is Right Live” at Bally’s, officially welcomes them. During the ceremony with Paula Shugart , president of the Miss Universe Organization, and David Hoenemeyer , regional president of Planet Hollywood, reigning Mi

Rostro de México 2012 crowned

Rostro de México 2012  is a beauty pageant that selects young Mexican women between the ages of 18-26 to represent Mexico in several international pageants. The top winner is  Laura  Álvarez Damián (above) , 23, of Yucatan who will represent Mexico in Miss Tourism Queen International 2012 in China in December.   Other titles were handed to the following finalists: 2nd place -    Tamaulipas ,   Catalina  Méndez - to Miss Tourism Queen International 2013 3rd place -  Michoacán, Norma Valle , to Miss Humanity International 2013  4th place -   Sinaloa ,  Gabriela Medina , to Miss Jade Universe 2013 5th place -   Oaxaca ,  Daniela Ayala 6th place -  Jalisco ,   Karen Cornejo 7th place - Baja   California ,   Alexandra Iñiguez , to Miss Global International 2012   8th place -   Guanajuato , Lilianne  Aranda , to Miss  Motors International 2012     SOURCE:  Jesús Rábago

Heroic housewives — India's unlikely pageant event

Winner Jyoti Nagpal, 35, is greeted by friends as she is photographed backstage after the winner's announcement at the inaugural AAS Housewives Awards 2012 on 19th May 2012 in New Delhi, India. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National NEW DELHI - Dressed in designer saris, the six finalists stood on stage waiting with bated breath for the final question in a most unlikely pageant held in New Delhi on Saturday. "In your opinion," a judge asked, "what is the merit of being a housewife?". "She is a resource manager," announced Nisha Sharma , 37. "What she can manage with the limited resources given to her, how she runs a house, and how she hides the lapses in finances and makes do with what she has to present a brave face for her family to society, that is the merit of being a housewife." The competition for India's first Housewives Award was understated but steeped in all things to do with home. Twelve women were singled

MUO President Paula Shugart on Gloria Allred: "There are laws all around the world that you have to respect."

Transgendered beauty queen Jenna Talackova watches a fellow contestant take to the stage in the Miss Universe Canada pageant in Toronto on Saturday May 19, 2012. Talackova sparked global attention when she was initially disqualified from the pageant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young TORONTO - Transgender trailblazer Jenna Talackova lost her bid to become Miss Universe Canada over the weekend, but said Sunday that her history-making appearance has awarded her a much more meaningful role as a civil rights champion. "I never thought I would be wearing (the) crown of an advocate and it feels really good, I feel very honoured," Talackova said one day after losing the Miss Universe Canada title to fellow Vancouverite Sahar Biniaz. "I was training for eight months, I was very dedicated and all of a sudden I was disqualified and for something that was so unjust. And now I'm a heroine in a lot of people's eyes and it's just made me so humbled and I wa

Vanessa De Roide wins Nuestra Belleza Latina 2012

Vanessa De Roid e, 24, from Puerto Rico was crowned the new Nuestra Belleza Latina on May 20th. The competition is based on a reality show that seeks to elect a spokesperson for Univision which produces the show. A pageant veteran, De Roide represented Puerto Rico in Miss Earth 2005 where she placed in Top 8. She also competed in Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2012 where she placed 1st runner-up.

2012 Paraguay queens crowned

Egny Eckert , 24 (photo, center), was crowned Miss Universe Paraguay 2012 on May 18th during a dinner show televised by Telefuturo at the Grand Salón of Sheraton Asunción Hotel. She will compete in Miss Universe 2012 in December in a venue that is still to be announced. Other titles were handed out: Miss World Paraguay to Fiorella Migliore , Miss International Paraguay to Nicole Huber , Miss Earth Paraguay to Alexandra Fretes , Miss Continente Americano to Liliana Santacruz , Miss Bikini International to  Nadia Servián , and Miss Model of the World to Daisy Lezcano .

Miss World Guam 2012 crowned

Jeneva Bosk o was crowned Miss Guam World 2012 Friday, May 18 at the Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort.  Bosko will represent Guam at the Miss World 2012 pageant in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China on August 18th. Bosko's court includes 1st runner-up  Tiara Joemae Guerrero Lizam a, 2nd runner-up  Feliciana Tiara Tainatongo , and 3rd runner-up  Christiana Williams . 

Miss Universe Canada 2012 crowned

Sahar Biniaz (26) from Vancouver, B.C., was crowned Miss Universe Canada 2012 at the conclusion of the 10th anniversary of the pageant. Sahar, who was born in India and raised in Iran, is now a proud Canadian citizen living in Vancouver. She graduated with honors from Stella Adler Academy in Los Angeles, in performing arts. Currently she is working as an actress in film and television. Sahar will now represent Canada at the 2012 Miss Universe competition to be held in mid-December. Official Results: Miss Universe Canada 2012: Sahar Biniaz 1st runner-up: Adwoa Yamoah 2nd runner-up: Majd Soudi 3rd runner-up: Katie Starke 4th runner-up: Kesiah Papasin Top 12 Semi Finalists:   Chelsea Bird, Dajana Radovanovic, Ines Kipre, Jenna Talackova, Maria Julia Nahri, Sarah Harrison and Suzette Hernandez Top 20 Quarter Finalists:  Casar Jacobson, Christine White, Diana Schoutsen, Kuyan Elliott, Lisa Wong, Mandi Gale, Marta Jablonska,  Vaughan Marr Special Awards: Miss Photogenic: Ela Mino Rev

Miss World boss plans Fiji trip after fiasco

 The head of the Miss World beauty queen franchise says she plans to travel to Fiji "as soon as possible" to address the problems that turned last month's pageant in the island nation into a fiasco. "Sadly I am aware of many problems that have occurred," wrote Julia Morley (above) in an email sent to The Associated Press on Friday. Morley, who co-chairs the organization from its London headquarters, said she wants to work with a "specially selected team," including this year's Miss World Fiji pageant director, to "find solutions" for future Fiji pageants. The Fiji director, Andhy Blake , has been at the center of criticism after 16-year-old Torika Watters was crowned winner last month. First there were complaints Watters looked too Western to represent her country. Then, two weeks after the pageant, Watters was told she was too young to compete in the international competition in China. The crown has been handed to t

Kelly Osbourne and Jeannie Mai will serve as commentators in Miss USA 2012

Kelly Osbourne Jeannie Mai New York, NY- May 18, 2012— NBC , Donald J. Trump and Paula M. Shugart , president of the Miss Universe Organization, announce today that Kelly Osbourne of E!’s “Fashion Police” and Jeannie Mai of Style Network’s “How Do I Look?” will serve as commentators for the 61ST Annual MISS USA ® Competition, which will be broadcast live from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday, June 3 at 9 p.m. ET. Kelly Osbourne is a television personality, singer, actress, author, fashion designer, model and currently one of the hosts of E!’s “Fashion Police.” During the telecast, she will serve as roving commentator giving the viewers access to moments backstage, the judges and contestants. Jeannie Mai is a style expert and TV personality. She is most known for her work as the host of Style Network's "How Do I Look?” and has recently appeared as the Digital Fashionista on NBC's “Fashion Star.” Mai will provide

Miss Northern Ireland 2012 crowned

Tiffany Brien has been named Miss Northern Ireland 2012. The stunner from Holywood was crowned at a glittering ceremony at the Europa Hotel in Belfast last night. Meagan Green was placed second and Sarah Ennis was third.  Tiffany will now represent Northern Ireland at the Miss World final in China on Saturday August 18. She will compete against over 100 girls from round the world, including Miss Ireland, Rebecca Maguire , who is from Belfast.  SOURCE: Belfast Telegraph, 5/15/2012 Photo credit: Tiffany Brien Facebook page    

Islamic organizations call off Miss Transvestite pageant in E. Kalimantan

Contestants in traditional dresses take part in Social Cultural Transvestite Queen beauty pageant in Banda Aceh, Aceh province,  Indonesia , late Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010. A Miss Transvestite pageant in Kutai Timur regency, East Kalimantan was postponed from its original schedule on Monday evening amid protests from several Islamic organizations in the region. The contest, which was planned to feature transgender individuals wearing Javanese kebaya traditional attire, was originally scheduled to take place at the Buana Mekar building in North Sangatta, Kutai Timur, East Kalimantan at around 7:00 p.m. The event’s organizing committee confirmed that 30 transgender individuals, with most of them working as beautician or street singers, were scheduled to participate. Protests came from members of Indonesian Mosque Youth Communication Forum (BKPRMI) and several members of mass-based Muslim organization Muhammadiyah. (asa) SOURCE: The Jakarta Post, 5/16/2012

Miss World Dominican Republic dethroned for being too old

           Television presenter Jenny Blanco (above) posted in her Twitter account yesterday that she will no longer represent the Dominican Republic in Miss World 2012 pageant because she's over the maximum age requirement of 24. She is 25 years old. But when one door closes, another one opens. Blanco also tweeted that she is nevertheless very happy because Miss World chairwoman Julia Morley has invited her to co-host the event. 

Miss World Canada 2012 crowned

The new Miss World Canada is Tara Teng , 23, who was crowned May 13 at the River Rock Casino Resort in British Columbia. She will represent Canada in Miss World 2012 to be held in Ordos,  Inner Mongolia, China in August. Teng was Miss B.C. and Miss Canada in 2010 and 2011, respectively. She has used her position to advocate for the victims of human trafficking and modern slavery, from developing nations to Canada.  It was her strong stance and volunteerism that got the attention of judges in her previous pageants. SOURCE: Vancouver Sun, 5/14/2013

Miss Universe Jamaica 2012 crowned

   Chantal Zaky was crowned Miss Universe Jamaica 2012 on May 12. The beautiful Portland native who wore the sash Miss Matahari Furniture and Accessories won in spectacular style ahead of Racquel Jones (Miss Just Bet Limited) who was selected first runner-up and Sherece Cowan (Miss Caribbean Dreams) who placed as second runner-up. Zaky was crowned by the reigning Miss Universe Leila Lopes .   Zaky will now compete in Miss Universe 2012 in December.