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Showing posts from July, 2012

Miss Universe New Zealand dethroned: lacks proof of citizenship

AVIANCA BOEHM  The newly crowned Miss Universe New Zealand said it was "sad and unfortunate" how she was awarded the title but is honoured to accept it. Talia Bennett from Auckland's North Shore was yesterday awarded the title after original winner Avianca Bohm was unable to secure New Zealand citizenship. South African born Bohm was given awarded the title in June despite not being a New Zealand citizen, and was given until today to gain citizenship. The 22-year-old had hoped to fast-track the process ahead of the international Miss Universe pageant in December. "To be asked by the Miss Universe New Zealand organisers to represent New Zealand at Miss Universe 2012 is a wonderful honour," Bennett says on Zeisha PR company's website, which is owned by a competition spokeswoman. "It has been sad and unfortunate how events have unfolded and I am truly humbled in accepting my selection. "I am looking forward with excitement to the once in a life

New Bahamas queens for 2012

Celeste Marshall (left), 19,  from Nassau, was crowned Miss Universe Bahamas during the live ceremony held at the Atlantis resort on July 29th. Celeste will represent the Bahamas during the Miss Universe competition to be held in a date yet to be announced. De’andra Bannister (right), 23, was crowned Miss World Bahamas 2012 and will head off to Bali, Indonesia  for Miss World 2013. Elected Miss Supranational Bahamas 2012 is Deandra Harris , 21, who will compete in Miss Supranational 2012 finals in Sopot, Poland on September 15th.      Crowned Miss Intercontinental Bahamas 2012 is Irina Key, 19, who will represent the Bahamas in the Miss Intercontinental 2012 beauty event to be held in a date and place yet to be announced. 14 contestants competed in this year’s edition of the Miss Bahamas beauty pageant.   CELESTE MARSHALL, MISS UNIVERSE BAHAMAS 2012 DE'ANDRA BANNISTER, MISS WORLD BAHAMAS 2012 DEANDRA HARRIS, MISS SUPRANATIONAL BAHAMAS 2012 IRINA K

Miss World Portugal 2012 crowned

The new Miss República Portuguesa (Miss World Portugal) is  Elisabele Rodrigues who was crowned on July 27 and will represent Portugal in  Miss World 2013 .  The 1st runner-up was Indira Ferreira , Miss International Portugal 2012.   The 2nd runner-up was  Carmen Fernandes and crowned as  the new Miss Tourism Queen Portugal. And 3rd runner-up Vanessa Henriques will represent Portugal in Miss Supranational 2012.

Miss Teen USA 2012 crowned

PHOTO BY DARREN DECKER, MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION Logan West (center), 17, of Connecticut was crowned Miss Teen USA 2012 Saturday night at the Atlantis, Paradise Island, in the Bahamas. Her court includes (L-R): 4th runner-up Kendall Fein (Ohio), 2nd runner-up Courtney Pizzimenti (Michigan), 1st runner-up Elizabeth Sabatino (West Virginia), and 3rd runner-up Jessica Morgan (Oklahoma). Completing the top 16 were the delegates from Alabama, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah and Wyoming. Vermont's Karsen Woods was chosen Miss Congeniality by her peers. A group of professional photographers selected Morgan as Miss Photogenic. The show was streamed live and was hosted by Colin Hornett and Miss Teen USA 2005 Allie LaForce . West's victory marks the third time that Connecticut has placed in the pageant. Cynthia Schneck and Ashley Bickford were semifinalists in 1993 and 2002 respectively. It is also the first time

Miss World 2012 pageant kicks off in Ordos

Contestants attend the opening ceremony of Miss World 2012, a beauty contest, in Ordos, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, July 24, 2012. Contestants from 125 countries and regions will compete in the event which lasts from July 24 to August 18. (Xinhua/Zhao Tingting)

New franchise owner Dean Ackin takes over Miss Trinidad & Tobago pageant

  Tribe CEO Dean Ackin poses with Anya Ayoung-Chee, Miss TNT 2008 and winner of  Project Runway, Season 9. Photo: Sean Nero Dean Ackin , chief executive officer of mas band Tribe is the new queen maker in town. On Thursday, he received and accepted documents from Miss Universe Inc, certifying the band as the new local franchise holder, and he immediately issued a call to the beautiful women of T&T interested in becoming a Miss T&T to prepare for the screening. “The plan so far is to have both the casting and the finals in September this year. It may be the first week in September to host the casting and maybe the last week in September to host the final,” he said. The final of the Miss Universe 2012 is advertised for December, but the country and venue are yet to be decided. Tribe was granted the rights following the submission of its impressive Carnival and corporate resumes, as well as recommendations from previous franchisees Peter Elias and Ian Lee .

Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2012 crowned

  Sabrina Herft was crowned as the new Siyatha Lux Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2012 on Sunday, July 22nd. She will now represent Sri Lanka at Miss Universe 2012 pageant in December. The runner-ups were Aushani Samarasinghe; Nicola Dabrera; and Luckme Perera . During the same contest, the Miss International Sri Lanka 2012 title was awarded to Madusha Mayadunne .    (Photo: M.A. Pushpa Kumara for Timesonline)

Beauty Pageant Spotlighting Conservative Women Strikes a Chord With Contestants

Beauty pageant contestant and coach Ginny Meerman is proud of her conservative beliefs and values.  Yet, according to Meerman, pageant contestants across the country — including herself and the women she has coached — are being met by judges who are less than accepting of their conservative values, blackballing them from competitions and making conservative pageant participants afraid to speak their minds. Instead of backing down and hiding her point of view, Meerman decided to take action: She launched the Miss Conservative U.S. Pageant earlier this month. It’s her attempt to allow conservative women of all ages to compete in a beauty contest in which they feel free to express their beliefs.   “I wanted to provide a venue for women and young women to shine before everyone and then go out into the community and say, ‘I am a conservative. I am beautiful. We are the foundation and backbone of this country,’” Meerman said at the pageant. “America was built on conservatism,

Miss World 2012: Top model fashio show contestants are confirmed

From the Miss World website: After the whirlwind auditions that took place to cast contestants for the Top Model catwalk show (taking place on August 12th) we can now reveal the 47 countries whose representatives will be walking the runway: Angola Nigeria Kenya Brazil Jamaica Lithuania Argentina India Sri Lanka Chile Ireland Guadeloupe Bahamas Japan England Bosnia & Herzegovina Philippines Thailand Hong Kong, China Spain Guatemala Austria Trinidad and Tobago Slovakia

Miss World 2012: First round talent winners are announced

From the Miss World website: As well as bringing singing and dancing skills to the Miss World group performances, contestants are given the chance to demonstrate their own unique talents in front of a panel of judges.  Yes, the talent auditions have kicked off here in Ordos and those who make it through will get to showcase their skill at the Miss World talent show, which will take place on August 10th.  It’s one of the most exciting elements of the whole festival and a great way for the contestants to catch the eye of the judges. It really highlights the richness and diversity that Miss World brings together.  Previous years have seen contestants playing the accordion, performing magic tricks and one memorable performance of the traditional Chinese face-changing dance, Bian Lian.  This year promises to be every bit as memorable and we have already been treated to some incredible performances. You’ll have to tune in on the 10th to find out just what is in store, but

China: a pageant has to be repeated after ugly winners had been chosen

CHINA - The organizers of a beauty contest were involved in a national controversy because of the differences between the taste of the judges and  that of the public.   After choosing the three most beautiful women of the city of Chongqing, people went crazy and went on to criticize the choice of the jury on the Internet. The commotion was such that the organizers had to choose three new winners to try to calm things down.   "Since the three winners have generated so much criticism among bloggers and media in Chongqing, the committee decided to add a direct election and pick three winners," organizers told he newspaper South China Morning Post.   After that, six women - three original winners and three others yet to be named - will represent Chongqing in a national beauty pageant that will select China's representatiive to the 53rd edition of Miss International pageant.   Controversy erupted around the country after pictures were published of the three o

Miss Oregon gives up crown over residency dispute

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Miss Oregon gave up her crown Thursday following questions about her residency. KGW reported  Rachel Berry (photo) will not be able to compete in the Miss America pageant next year. She was selected as Miss Oregon last month. Pageant director  Dana Phillips  says Berry couldn't prove she had lived in Oregon long enough to qualify for the title. She previously lived in California. "To compete for Miss America is a dream I have worked toward since I was young, but I accept this decision to do the right thing and relinquish this title," Berry, 24, said in a statement. "In the spirit of what Miss America stands for, I would not want to deprive another contestant of the opportunity to represent the beautiful State of Oregon at the Miss America Pageant." Instead, the runner-up Nicole Mead , 24will compete in Las Vegas in the January pageant, KGW reported. Pageant rules require contestants to live in Oregon for six months before competing

Miss Peru Universe 2012 apologizes for her homophobic remarks

(Foto: Félix Ingaruca / El Comercio) In a message addressed to the general public, Miss Peru Universe 2012 Cindy Mejia regretted her controversial remarks to a local newspaper.  "Regarding the interview that I gave to Pe rú 21 and the negative consequences that my response had when I was asked the question, 'What would you do if you had a homosexual son?'  I must say that it has not been at any moment my intention to affect or to offend the lesbian, gay, transsexual and bisexual community, as well as their families and friends, since they deserve my utmost respect and I appreciate them. That is why I'd like to express my apologies for my remarks."  Mejía  also acknowledged that her opinion was "foolish and regrettable". "Due to my lack of understanding on the particular subject, an error that I committed and that I will never commit again. I would regret deeply if my remarks contributed to discrimination and incited violence towards the LGB

Avatar-esque Miss World Australia national costume sparks criticism

IT was labelled boring last year, but our national costume for the Miss World pageant is now being branded "Avatar".   The Aboriginal culture-inspired bodysuit for Miss World Australia Jessica Kahawaty has copped the thumbs-down from fashion experts. Project Runway  mentor Alex Perry said it looked more circus than serious fashion. "I never knew Egyptian sea urchins were Australian? The creators of  Avatar  called,  they want their catsuit back," he said. "I can't see the connection to Australiana in this - it has a little too much Cirque du Soleil for my liking." Project Runway  runner-up and Melbourne bridalwear designer Craig Braybrook described it as: " Avatar  going to the beach in a red sarong." Kahawaty, 23, unveiled the outfit at a charity high tea in Melbourne as she continues preparations before the 62nd Miss World pageant in Mongolia next month. Designer Julie Sufi , of Belluccio, said the outfit was inspired by Abori

Ex-Miss Philippines Maita Gomez dies of heart attack

     Former beauty queen and political activist Maita Gomez died in her sleep in her Quezon City home Thursday, according to film director Behn Cervante s.      Gomez, 64, who represented the Philippines in the Miss World contest in 1967, did not wake up from an afternoon nap, Cervantes said.      It was her son who discovered his mother had died when he tried to wake her up at about 2 p.m. yesterday, the director said.      Gomez, a top model for designer Pitoy Moreno before winning the Miss Philippines title and the right to represent the country in the Miss World beauty pageant, caused a sensation when she went underground to join the communist guerrilla movement to fight the Marcos dictatorship. According to reports, she became a political activist while studying medicine at the University of the Philippines in the 1960s.      After the Edsa People Power Revolution of 1986, she became a popular advocate for women’s rights and other social and political causes. She was one of

Miss Florida USA 2013 crowned

The new Miss Florida USA 2013 is Michelle Aguirre ( Miss Broward County Fair USA) , 19, of Hialeah who was crowned July 14 in Davie. She will compete in Miss USA 2013 pageant. Her court includes 1st runner-up Jessica Santiago ( Miss West Broward USA), 2nd runner-up Damaris Aguiar (Miss Miami Carnival USA) 3rd runner-up Jaclyn Raulerson (Miss Central Florida USA) and 4th runner-up Connor Boss (Miss Delray Beach USA) who made headlines during the week for being legally blind.