Miss World Malaysia 2014

 Dewi Liana Seriestha was crowned Miss Malaysia World 2014 on August 30' 2014 at Ballroom, Corus Hotel, Jalan Ampang. She will compete in Miss World 2014 to be held in London on December 14.

Miss Universe Germany 2014

Josefin Donat, a 20-year-old model from Leipzig, was crowned Miss Universe Germany 2014 on August 31st. She will now represent Germany at Miss Universe 2014 pageant whose date and venue are still to be confirmed. The first runner-up was Sandra Somodevilla and the second runner-up was Valmira Krasniqi.

Miss Universe Jamaica 2014

Kaci Fennell, 21, was crowned Miss Universe Jamaica 2014 on August 30th in Kingston. She represented Sand Castles. She will represent her country at the Miss Universe 2014 pageant whose date and venue have not yet been confirmed.  

 The first runner-up (right) is Rochell McKinley and the second runner-up is Kimar Muir (left)

USA wins Mrs. Universe 2014

Sabrina Pinion, representing USA, was crowned Mrs. Universe 2014 at Sunway Hotel & Spa in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 29. 

1st Runner-up is Mrs .Universe Mexico, Yezzi Navarro 

2nd Runner-up is Mrs. Universe UK, Robyn Morrison-Charlesworth 

3rd Runner-up is Mrs. Universe Russia - Ekaterina Plotko 

4th Runner-up is Mrs. Universe South Korea - Aiko Lee Macdonald

Miss Asia Pacific World 2014 May Myat Noe dethroned

Miss Asia Pacific World ousted its 2014 winner, Myanmar model May Myat Noe, because she was rude and disrespectful, contest organizers said. After the announcement, the 18-year-old allegedly ran off with the pageant's $100,000 crown. / KHIN MAUNG WIN/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Uneasy lies the head that wears the stolen crown.

A dethroned beauty queen from Myanmar swiped her $100,000 tiara after she was ousted Wednesday for being rude and lying, pageant officials said.

May Myat Noe had an ungrateful attitude since she was crowned Miss Asia Pacific World in May — even after sponsors paid her $10,000 plastic surgery tab, said David Kim, media director for the South Korea-based pageant.

"We thought she should be more beautiful ... so we sent her to the hospital to operate on her breasts," Kim said.

The pageant hoped to turn the 18-year-old into a regional megastar and booked singing gigs and video deals for the teen.

But Noe was unappreciative of every gesture, Miss Asia Pacific World said in a statement released to Asia One News.

The pageant paid for the teen and her mother to visit Seoul for 10 days, but they stayed for three months, in what Miss Asia Pacific World calls an "illegal attempt" to get a visa.

Noe's "ungrateful attitude and (lack of) trustworthiness" forced the pageant to end her three-month reign Wednesday.

The 18-year-old was one of the first contestants from Myanmar to compete in — let alone win — an international beauty contest. A half-century of military rule and self-imposed isolation kept Myanmar contestants off the stage until 2012.

When Noe was crowned in May, it was seen as a new beginning for young, talented beauties. The pageant decided her small breasts could hold her back from stardom, organizers said, so it footed the bill for her plastic surgery, as it had for previous winners.

"It's our responsibility," Kim said. "If she has no good nose, then maybe, if she likes, we can operate on her nose. If it's breasts, then breasts."

Noes whereabouts were unknown following the content's decision to boot the beauty, but she could be back in Myanmar, BBC News reported.

A pageant staffer is tasked with tracking down the ex-queen and retrieving her crown and sash.

Noe was not immediately available for comment. She plans to hold a news conference later, according to Eleven Media, a Myanmar newspaper.

Source: New York Daily News, August 29, 2014

With News Wire Services

Getting to Know Courtney Thorpe - Miss World Australia 2014

How did you become interested in pageants?

I was looking for a way to push through my insecurities and challenge myself to truly believe that I like who I am, and decided that pageants would be a good way to start. Little did I know that they would teach me more about myself than I ever thought possible and made me realise it isn’t about liking every single thing about yourself, it is about being completely self-aware and accepting the good with the bad and to never stop striving to improve on who you are physically, mentally and emotionally.

How does it feel to represent Australia in Miss World 2014?

Unbelievable! It is a feeling I don’t even know how to explain. It is a mix of excitement, pride, nerves and gratitude with a little bit of pressure all mixed into one strange but amazing feeling! More than anything I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to represent my country in something I have worked so hard for.

Tell me about your country and why we should visit it?

I think it is quite common knowledge around the world that Australia is blessed with some of the most beautiful landscapes imaginable. From our beaches and tropical weather, to buzzing city centres, our iconic outback bushland to colourful desserts, Australia has so much to show. I truly think it is the Australian people that make it the country I love! Australian’s are always up for some fun, a bit of a laugh and embrace everyone like a friend.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As strange as it is for an eight year old to aspire to, I always wanted to be a judge. As I grew up that then changed and I instead decided to study Primary Education followed by Journalism and PR, but I have every intention of studying law in the future, not to become a judge, but because I truly enjoy learning and developing myself, and it is an area that I have always been interested in.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

One of my strengths would be my ability to relate to people from all different walks of life. I genuinely enjoy connecting with people from different backgrounds and getting to know more about them and their story. Whilst I also consider it one of my strengths, at times my sense of loyalty can also be one of my weaknesses. 

Give three adjectives that your friends would describe you.

I decided to go to the straight to the source to answer this one to provide an accurate answer which sparked quite an amusing conversation that went a little something like this:

“Dedicated”

“Dedicated and ambitious”

“Sparkly and stylish”

“Defs sparkly!”

“Poised and passionate”

“Sparkly I like!!!”

“Poised is great too”

“Love poised”

So from what I can gather, sparkly, poised and dedicated are the three most common. 

               

What do you see when you look in the mirror?

I see someone that has worked hard, doesn’t give up, has a good heart and at the moment a great tan!

How do you measure success?

To me success is similar to the concept of “tomorrow never comes”. I think everyone, me included, is so focused on this idea of being successful that we never stop to look at what we have accomplished, learnt and experienced along the way, and often times it is those elements that define us and make us who we are. So to me, progress is success. It is focusing on growing, developing, learning and improving every day.

How do you handle criticism?

I welcome constructive criticism. I am only human and while I don’t know if anyone actually enjoys being criticised, I think it’s important to take it on board to help me grow.

If you were to come back as an animal in the next life, what would you be and why?

Like the saying goes, it’s a dog’s life! I have two dogs and when they aren’t spending the day being pampered by me, they are always there by my side and have traits that I wish more humans had.

Name three pet peeves.

People chewing ice cubes
Sand in my bed
Arrogance

What will you never do?

I will never let anyone tell me that my dreams are too big.

Got any favourite reality shows?

Most people tell me I shouldn’t admit this, but I am a proud Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fan!

True or False: People who are attractive tend to be more successful.

I think people who have the confidence to believe they are attractive are definitely more successful. I think there is a sparkle about people who truly accept and like themselves for who they are, they are optimistic, confident and assured. I believe it is those traits that make people successful.

Do you have a problem saying "no"?

No- case and point! I have to admit I do sometimes struggle to say no if someone asks me for a favour or for help, but I am trying to learn to only offer as much as I am able to give and not over commit myself.

Describe a romantic date.

I can’t help but think of Miss Congeniality when reading this one! I think the perfect romantic date would be a little sentimental. Little special details mean so much more to me than big over the top gestures that anyone could do.

Your craziest or funniest tweet so far.

I recently received a marriage proposal over twitter! That would definitely take the cake as the both the craziest and the funniest. I can only hope that when my future husband proposes to me that he is able to top the ‘romanticness’ that is a twitter proposal!

You are going to compete at Miss World this year. Aside from winning the pageant, what do you wish to accomplish in the said competition?

I want to make myself proud. I am often very focused on making sure I make everyone else proud, so for me I will feel like I accomplished a lot if I am able to look back on the experience and know that I did everything to the very best of my ability, right through from my preparations to all the events that will take place in London, and genuinely feel proud of myself.

Why do you want to be the next Miss World?

As a Primary Educator, working with children has been a big part of my life. It would be an incredible opportunity for me to be able to work with such a strong international fundraising organisation such as Miss World, who are so focused on the work they do with children, and would enable me to continue to make a difference on a larger scale. It would also be a great way for me to pursue my acting and presenting interests.

Courtney's Favorites

Favorite Music: I like anything I know the words to!

Favorite Musical Artist/Entertainer: Michael Buble

Favorite Movies:  "My Best Friend’s Wedding" I think I have probably set a world record after how many times I have watched this movie!

Favorite Actor: Steve Carrell

Favorite Actress:  Jennifer Aniston

Favorite Author: Some of my favourite childhood memories were spent being taken away to the magical land of Hogwarts and spending hours upon hours with Harry, Ron and Hermione and over ten years later J.K Rowling still allows me to escape into my imagination.

Favorite Book: The Diary of Anne Frank

Favorite Flower: Gardenias, because when they blossom in Australia it always means that Christmas is close!

Favorite Perfume: Roberto Cavalli

Favorite Fashion Designer: This one is always tough for me! I worked as a stylist for a number of years so picking just one is tricky. I love our Australian designers and I think Lisa Brown never fails to produce pieces that I am desperate to have in my wardrobe and being a pageant girl I can never go past a Belluccio gown!

Favorite Vegetable: My Nana used to grow snow peas when I was little and they have been my favourite ever since

Favorite Proverb: You can’t be responsible for someone else’s actions, but you are responsible for your reactions.

What is your message to all your Critical Beauty fans who are supporting you?

I am so humbled and overwhelmed by all of the support I have already received. I can’t express how much it means to me to have you all behind me and believing that I can do this! I can promise you all that when I am up on stage at Miss World 2014, it will be all of you that I am smiling at.

Photography by Elizabeth Grinter
Interview conducted by David Natanawan 

FOLLOW COURTNEY ON TWITTER

FOLLOW COURTNEY ON INSTAGRAM

Miss Honduras Universe 2014

The new Miss Universe Honduras 2014 is Gabriela Ordonez, 22, who represented Comayagua. She will represent her country at the Miss Universe 2014 whose date and venue will soon be announced. The Virreina (sub-queen) is Belkys Sanders who will replace Ordonez if for any reason she cannot fulfill her obligations. The first runner-up is Celia Monterrosa who was named Miss Continentes Unidos Honduras 2015 and will compete in Miss Continentes Unidos 2015 pageant in Ecuador.

Miss Aruba 2014 and Miss Aruba World 2014

Two new Aruban queens were crowned yesterday. Digene Zimmerman from Orangestad (left) is the new Miss Aruba 214  She will represent her country at the Miss Universe 2014 pageant whose date and venue will be announced by pageant owner Donald Trump soon. Joitza Henriquez (right) was crowned Miss Aruba World 2014 and will compete in Miss World 214 to be held in London on December 14.

Miss Universe Singapore 2014

  Rathi Menon, 23, was crowned Miss Universe Singapore 2014 on Friday night. The first runner-up was 20-year-old model and entrepreneur Arrian North, while law student Ijechi Nwaozuzu, also 20, was the second runner-up. Rathi will represent Singapore in the Miss Universe 2014 pageant whose date and venue will be announced soon by pageant owner Donald Trump, according to his tweet earlier today.

Miss Spain comes out of the closet

A two-time national beauty queen for Spain has outed herself on Instagram as the first openly gay national pageant winner.

 

Patricia Yurena, Miss Spain in 2008 and again in 2013, recently posted a sexy Instagram pic of her and her lover, Vanesa Cortes, with the caption “Romeo and Juliet”— effectively announcing to the world which way this beauty queen swings.

 

The Miss Universe runner-up and Cortes, a DJ on the Spanish house circuit, are pictured cozying up in bed while gazing deeply into each other’s eyes.

 

Social media has openly supported the 24-year-old Castilian beauty queen, prompting her gratitude on Twitter: “Thanks to everyone for their comments,” she said. “I published the picture spontaneously and in an impulsive manner.”

 

Beauty pageants have historically been pretty, ahem, straight-laced. In 2013, Russia’s anti-homosexual laws tainted its Miss Universe pageant in Moscow — openly gay Andy Cohen pulled out of the hosting gig.

 

 

 Source: New York Post, August 22, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patricia placed second to Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler (left) at Miss Universe 2013 pageant.

 

Photo credit: Miss Universe Organization

 



Miss Dominican Republic Universe 2014

Kimberly Castillo, 24, was crowned Miss Dominican Republic Universe 2014 in Santo Domingo on August 17th. She represented the city of Higuey. She will now compete in Miss Universe 2014 whose date and venue are yet to be confirmed. Castillo was a former Miss Italia Nel Mondo 2010.

Miss World Puerto Rico 2014

Genesis Davila (Miss Arroyo) was crowned Miss World Puerto Rico 2014 tonight in San Juan. She will now compete in Miss World 2014 pageant to be held in London on December 14. The 1st runner-up is Franceska Toro (Miss Toa Baja) and the 2nd runner-up is Rebeca Valentín (Miss Dorado). It is not clear which of these two women will compete in Miss Earth 2014 or Miss Grand International 2014. 

Miss World Brazil 2014

Julia Gama, 21 years old, a chemical engineering student from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul was crowned Miss World Brazil 2014 at the Costão do Santinho Resort, in Florianópolis, Brazil last weekend. She will compete in Miss World 2014 to be held in London on December 14, The 1st runner-up was Vitória Strada, and the 2nd runner-up was Vitória Bisognin. 

Miss World Guadeloupe 2014

 Wendy Métony has been appointed as Guadeloupe's representative to Miss World 2014 to be held in London on December 14. Wendy is the reigning Miss Intercontinental Tourism 2014, a title she won in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on July 26.  Meanwhile, Alex Rabolion, Miss United Nations 2013, will represent Guadeloupe in Miss Model International 2014 to be held in Beijing, China starting August 26.

Source: FranceAntilles.com 

Miss World Bahamas 2014 & Miss Universe Bahamas 2014

For the first time in the history of the Miss Bahamas Organization, a double header (two pageants held hours apart from each other) took place on August 3rd. Rosetta Cartwright, 19, representing Grand Bahama, was crowned Miss World Bahamas 2014 at the Atlantis Grand Ballroom in Paradise Island on August 3rd. She will compete in Miss World 2014 to be held in London on December 14. 

The first runner-up is Shanae Strachan and the second runner-up is Chantal O'Brien.

Four hours after Cartwright's coronation, Tomacina (Tomii) Culmer, 22, also representing Grand Bahama, was crowned Miss Universe Bahamas 2014. She will compete in Miss Universe 2014 whose date and venue are still to be confirmed.

Miss Namibia 2014

 Brumhilda Ochs (22) was crowned Miss Namibia 2014 at the Windhoek County Club Resort on August 2. She will represent Namibia in Miss World 2014 in London, England on December 14 and/or Miss Universe 2014. Bernedine Kubersky was the first runner-up and Anienke Karsten was the second runner-up.

Georgia wins Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2014

Twitter picture

Olivia McMillan, 17, of Georgia was crowned Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2014 in Orlando, Florida on August 2nd. Her court includes: 

1st runner-up : Lexie Perry, 17, Tennessee

2nd runner-up : Morgan Green, 17, Alabama

3rd runner-up : Casey Shepard, 15, Virginia

4th runner-up : Morgan Holen, 16, Nebraska

Photo credit: Miss America Organization

South Carolina wins Miss Teen USA 2014

K. Lee Graham, 17, of Chapin, South Carolina was crowned Miss Teen USA 2014 on August 2nd at the Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas. 

Her court includes:

1st runner-up - Mississippi - Vaeda Mann
2nd runner-up - Pennsylvania - Sydney Robertson
3rd runner-up - California - Bianca Vierra
4th runner-up - New Jersey - Valentina Sanchez

Special Awards:

Miss Photogenic - Baskin Champion, Alabama

Miss Congeniality - Sydney Robertson, Pennsylvania

Top 15 Miss Teen USA 2014 as they were called out in order:

1.Indiana - Zoe Parker

2. Oklahoma - Brooklynne Bond

3. Mississippi - Vaeda Mann

4. Tennessee - Morgan Moseley

5. West Virginia - Lexsey Marrara

6. New Jersey - Valentina Sanchez

7. South Carolina - K. Lee Graham

8.Texas - Kellie Stewart

9. Delaware - Mia Jones

10.Pennsylvania - Sydney Robertson

11. Arizona - Savannah Mix

12. Wisconsin - Patience Vallier

13. Michigan - Iris Robare

14. California - Bianca Vierra

15. Massachusetts - Bailey Medeiros

Photo credits: Miss Universe Organization