Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from 2022

Fun Chat With Miss Universe Seychelles 2022 & Miss Universe Mauritius 2022

My friend Boogie Rivera, a Filipino designer based in New York City, advised me that he is designing the gowns for Miss Universe Seychelles 2022 Gabriella Gonthier and Miss Universe Mauritius 2022 Alexandrine Belle-Etoile. It just so happens that both queens are staying with Boogie in his NYC apartment before they leave for Los Angeles in a couple of days for more fittings, so Boogie asked if I would be interested in interviewing them. I did not hesitate!Thank you, Boogie, for facilitating the interviews.  

What We Think of the New Miss Universe Sash

  This is an excerpt of the live group chat I had with my guests (Peter Sereno, Noemi Melendez, Braian Peralta) on December 23, 2022 at 9:00 PM EST. In this segment, we share our thoughts on the new Miss Universe sash.

What We Think of the New Miss Universe Crown “Force for Good”

This is an excerpt of the live group chat I had with my guests (Peter Sereno, Noemi Melendez, Braian Peralta) on December 23, 2022 at 9:00 PM EST. In this segment, we share our thoughts on the new Miss Universe crown and we also reveal our respective all-time favorite crown.

Rafa's Virtual Christmas Party 2022

  I had so much fun at my virtual Christmas party last night with my cool pals Peter Sereno of  The Pageant Institute  and Miss International Cuba director Noemi Melendez and with my new pal Braian Peralta who runs his own pageant vlog on YouTube, Mathwiz07. We talked about so many things related to pageants. We share our thoughts on the changes in Miss Universe (ownership, crown, sash), on Miss International (the production, the confusing judging criteria, the new crown, the winner, and the email sent to directors that angered them). And since it’s Christmas week, we also shared our feelings on Christmas and what our favorite Christmas traditions are.

The New Miss America Doesn't Believe Contestants Should Be Married Or Have Children

Mothers and married women currently can't compete for Miss America, and Grace Stanke, who was crowned the new winner on Thursday, doesn't believe those rules should change.  Stanke represented Wisconsin during the pageant, which took place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. While speaking with Insider on Friday, Stanke said she believes the Miss America winner shouldn't be married or have children because it's a demanding role.    "It is Miss America and we are aged 18 to 26, and it's described in the contract right now that you have to be unmarried," Stanke told Insider. "We spend a lot of time on the road." She added: "The position of Miss America is an incredibly demanding one, requiring an average of 20,000 miles of travel monthly and visiting cities across the country for no more than 48 hours at a time."  "It's a very rigorous position, and I'm excited to be in the role and excited to step into it,&q

Germany Wins Miss International 2022

  Congratulations to Jasmin Selberg , 22, of Germany who was crowned Miss International 2022 at Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan just moments ago. She is the third German to win the crown after Ingrid Fifi Finger in 1965 and Iris Klein in 1989. Selberg competed in Miss Supranational 2022 where she was unplaced. She also competed in Miss Globe 2021 where she won the Miss Social Media award. First Runner-Up: Stephany Amado - Cabo Verde Second Runner-Up: Tatiana Calmell - Peru Third Runner-Up: Natalia Lopez - Colombia Fourth Runner-Up: Celinee Santos - Dominican Republic Top 8: Jamaica, Canada, Spain Top 15: Philippines, Northern Marianas, Costa Rica, Finland, France, New Zealand,  United Kingdom Photos courtesy of Miss International Facebook Page

My Top 15 Favorites For Miss International 2022

    On this vlog, I reveal my top 15 favorites for Miss International 2022 pageant which will take place in Tokyo, Japan on December 13.

Miss Universe Pageant Moves to Streaming via Roku Channel, as Deal With Fox and Steve Harvey Ends

  The 71st edition of Miss Universe competition will be streamed live via Roku channel, an streaming service, according to an article published by Variety Magazine yesterday. The other take-aways include: - Steve Harvey will not return as host. Instead, a female host will replace him. - A streaming service like Roku will cut down on commercials that usually pollute mainstream television. Instead of commercials, behind-the-scenes footage will be shown - MUO CEO Amy Emmerich says that the voting process will be transparent, but the scores will not be posted during the telecast to prevent “aggressive” viewers from harassing and bullying the selection committee - The swimsuit competition stays because the pageant not only highlights the power of voice but also the power of the body - Emmerich foresees accepting plus-size women in the future because she believes in body positivity - The delegates from Russia and the Ukraine are allowed to compete despite the ongoing war between the two coun

Reacting To Miss Earth 2022 Finals

On this video, I react to the finals of Miss Earth 2022 that took place at Okada Manila Resort in Manila, Philippines on November 29, 2022. The live stream was broadcasted on Miss Earth Facebook page and YouTube page.  

Korea Wins Miss Earth 2022

  Mina Sue Choi of Korea was crowned Miss Earth 2022 on Tuesday night at the Cove Manila, Okada Manila, Parañaque City. Miss Air 2022 was Sheridan Mortlock of Australia. Miss Water was Nadeen Ayoub of Palestine while Miss Fire was Andrea Aguilera of Colombia. Making up the Top 8 were Zimbabwe, Belgium, Puerto Rico and Netherlands. In the top 12 were. Brazil, Cuba, Portugal, Nigeria. Completing the Top 20 were Ethiopia, Namibia, Ireland, Slovenia, Vietnam, Norway,  Czech Republic, and host country Philippines. Choi, crowned by Miss Earth 2021 Destiny Wagner of Belize, is the first Korean to win the pageant. Source: Manila Times, 11/29/2022

Why Are There So Many Pageants Called “Miss Tourism?”

  On this vlog, I discuss the several tourism pageants that exist in the world today. It seems that many pageant fans, especially the younger ones, can't tell the difference for example between Miss Tourism World, Miss Tourism International, Miss Tourism Pageants, and others. It appears that all these pageants are infringing on each other's trademark, but the truth is none of these pageants are trademarked in the countries where they are based - which explains why the word "tourism" is used worldwide without legal reprisals.

Diana Silva Crowned Miss Venezuela 2022

  Diana Silva, 25, representing Distrito Capitol, was crowned Miss Venezuela 2022 at Poliedro de Caracas just moments ago. She will now represent Venezuela in Miss Universe 2023 contest. Silva represented Venezuela in Miss Earth 2018 where she placed in the top 8, but was unable to finish competing after she fainted. Meanwhile, Andrea Rubio, 23, of Portuguesa was crowned Miss International Venezuela 2022 and will compete in Miss International 2023. First Runner-Up: Daniela Malavé (Delta Amacuro) Second Runner-Up: Andrea Romero (La Guaira) Third Runner-Up: Katheryne Bello (Amazonas) The Miss Venezuela pageant celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.

Trans-Identified Male Crowned “Miss Greater Derry 2023,” Takes Home Women’s Scholarship

A local beauty pageant is attracting ample mockery on social media after a trans-identified male was crowned the winner of the competition and awarded a scholarship intended for young women. Brían Nguyen , 19, was awarded the crown in the Miss Greater Derry pageant, held on November 8 in the Greater Derry area of New Hampshire. The competition is a locally-run event under the national Miss America series of pageants. In addition to winning the crown, Nguyen will receive the  Miss Greater Derry Scholarship , a financial award established to support young women. Nguyen, who is male, is a freshman at Nashua Community College majoring in Business Management. After his win, Nguyen wrote on  Facebook : “ I am ecstatic to be the FIRST transgender woman to be a Miss America local titleholder, and I hope to make everyone proud and become the first to walk the Miss America stage. I am Brían Nguyen, your Miss Greater Derry 2023 .” Nguyen had previously announced on Instagram that he has intention

Miss Universe Extravaganza Lacked Extravaganza

  There was nothing extravagant about the Miss Universe Extravaganza that was held in Bangkok tonight. The event, organized by Anne Jakrajutatip, the owner of JKN Global Group which now owns Miss Universe, featured a handful of former Miss Universe winners, the current titleholder Harnaaz Sandhu, MUO CEO Amy Emmerich, MUO President Paula Shugart, several former Miss Universe Thailand winners, the current MU Thailand Anne Sueangam-iam, and Anne Jakarajutatip herself. Also present was Angela Ponce, MU Spain 2018 who made history by being the first transgender contestant at the pageant.

The Real Reason Roberta Tamondong Accepted MGI’s Fifth Runner-Up Position

  In this vlog, I discuss the decision of Miss Grand Philippines 2022 Roberta Tamondong to accept the fifth runner-up position from Miss Grand International after the resignation of Miss Grand Mauritius Yuvna Rinishta).

Interview With Mahrou Ahmadi - Miss Earth Iran 2022

  This interview was conducted via Zoom of Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 12:00 PM EST (7:00 PM Istanbul). Dr. Mahrou Ahmadi, Miss Earth Iran 2022, will represent Iran in Miss Earth 2022 to be held in the Philippines on November 29. Thank you to Mr. Amjad Khan, Mahrou’s mentor, for facilitating the interview, and to Hima Zaker, Miss Earth Iran 2021 for serving as an interpreter.

Dominican Republic Wins Mister International 2022

  MANILA, Philippines — Manuel Franco from the Dominican Republic was proclaimed Mister International at the pageant’s 14th edition staged at the New Frontier Theater at the Araneta City in Quezon City on Sunday, Oct. 30. He bested 34 other delegates from all over the world to become the first representative from the Dominican Republic to receive the title. This year’s presentation was mounted three years after the competition’s 13th installment, technically its 2018 edition, was staged in February 2019, also in the Philippines. Trinh Van Bao bested 38 other international delegates that year, making him the second winner from Vietnam. Settling for the first runner-up spot in this year’s edition was Lukanand Kshetrimayum from India, while Orangel de Jesús Dirinot Guanipa from Venezuela was the second runner-up. Jason Li Kwai Chiu from Hong Kong and Myron Jude Ordillano from the Philippines were third and fourth runners-up respectively. Juan Pablo Colías González from Spain rounded up th

Philippines Is The New 5th Runner-Up Of Miss Grand International 2022

  Miss Grand Philippines Roberta Tamondong has been announced as the new fifth runner-up of Miss Grand International 2022 during a live announcement tonight in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Miss Grand Brazil 2022 Isabella Menin did a live on her Instagram to catch the moment. Philippines replaces Mauritius after the latter resigned. According to MGI President Nawat Itsaragrisil, Roberta will fly to Bangkok to meet with the rest of the top 9 finalists.

Thai Transgender Businesswoman Buys Miss Universe For $20 million

  Thai business tycoon and transgender activist Chakrapong "Anne" Chakrajutathib poses for a photo after a news conference Thursday in Bangkok. Photo credit: Anne Jakrajutatip Facebook BANGKOK — A Thai business tycoon and transgender activist has purchased the Miss Universe Organization for $20 million, her company announced Wednesday. Chakrapong "Anne" Chakrajutathib, who controls JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., is a celebrity in Thailand who has starred in reality shows and is outspoken about being a transgender woman. She helped establish a nonprofit group, Life Inspired For Transsexual Foundation, to promote trans rights. JKN said it acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC, a sports, talent and events marketing company which has held the Miss Universe Organization since 2015. Former U.S. President Donald Trump was part owner of the pageant rights from 1996 until IMG's purchase. JKN said it has established a subsidiary in the

Reacting To The Top 5 of Miss Grand International 2022

  On this video, I react to the top 5 placements of Miss Grand International 2022 finals held in Jakarta, Indonesia on October 25, 2022. Watch my full live reaction to the entire 4-hour show on this link:

Brazil Wins Miss Grand International 2022

  Brazil’s  Isabella Menin  was crowned Miss Grand International 2022 during a four-hour pageant Tuesday night in Jakarta, Indonesia. Menin succeeded Vietnam’s Nguyễn Thúc Thùy Tiên, becoming the 10th Miss Grand International since the pageant’s inception in 2013. Brazil has been placing in the top 5 for the last three years and has finally won its first crown with Menin's outstanding performance. Menin bested 67 candidates after three cuts, as seen in the livestreamed pageant on YouTube which crossed a million concurrent viewers. First runner-up - Thailand, Engfa Waraha Second runner-up - Indonesia, Andina Julie Third runner-up - Venezuela, Luiseth Materán 4th runner-up - Czech Republic, Mariana Beckova Forming the Top 10 were the candidates from Cambodia, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Spain and Mauritius (who automatically was fast-tracked to Top 10 after winning the Popular Vote). Completing the top 20 were the delegates from Curaçao, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, Nige

Who Will Win Miss Grand International 2022?

  This group chat was conducted via Zoom on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022 at 9:00 PM EST. My guests include: Peter Sereno, Noemi Melendez, Phil Pugeda, Brian Javier, Summer Smith of the Crown Sisters, Roger of The Pageant Nerd, George of The Pageant Empress, and Henrique Fontes of Global Beauties. Each of us reveals our Top 20, Top 10, Top 5, and winner. Watch the coronation night of Miss Grand International 2022 on October 25 via Grand TV on YouTube.

My 24 Favorite National Costumes Of Miss Grand International 2022

  The Miss Grand International 2022 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 took place on Thursday, October 20th at Sentum International Convention Centre (SICC) Bogor, Indonesia. The whole show was amazing! From the thrilling background music, to the substantial description of each costume, the great camera angles, the contestants’ execution, the narration and the huge grand stage!

Miss Grand Hong Kong 2022 Chan Mei To Dazzles The Judges With Her Accomplishments

Miss Grand Hong Kong Chan Mei dazzles the judges with her accomplishments during the closed door interviews at Miss Grand International 2022 pageant. The event took place on October 16, 2022 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The judges included former Miss Grand International titleholders Lees Garcia (2014), Ariska Putri Pertiwi (2016), MGI Vice-President Teresa Chaivisut, and MGI President Nawat Itsaragrisil. Chan admits that she does not have a chance to win the crown, but she wishes to join the MGI team to work possibly as a historian. A student of literature and an accomplished writer, she dreams some day of winning the Nobel Prize for Literature and wants to help MGI get nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.  

Miss Grand Türkiye Deria Koc: “I Deserve A Spot In The Top 20 For The Sacrifices That I Made.”

  Miss Grand Türkiye Deria Koc gets emotional during the closed door interviews at Miss Grand International 2022 pageant. The event took place on October 16, 2022 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The judges included former Miss Grand International titleholders Lees Garcia (2014), Ariska Putri Pertiwi (2016), MGI Vice-President Teresa Chaivisut, and MGI President Nawat Itsaragrisil. Deria was doing well for the first couple of minutes until she becomes emotional while sharing her experience as a refugee counselor. Then she addresses her weight problem by sharing a shocking story, admits that she's not the prettiest girl in the contest and that she will not win the golden crown, but tells the judges that she at least deserves a top 20 spot and this would make her happy.

Philippines Wins Miss Supermodel Worldwide 2022

  Congratulations to Alexandra Rae Morales of the Philippines for winning Miss Supermodel Worldwide 2022 in Jaipur, India on October 15. She is the first woman from her country to win the title. 1st runner-up: Kaylee Roxanne Zwart (Netherlands) 2nd runner-up: Nova Retalista (Indonesia) 3rd runner-up: Sonia Alt Mansour (France) 4th runner-up: Alina Cheveleva (Kazakhstan)  Asia-Thailand Europe: Estonia Russia: Belarus Africa: Ethiopia America: Ecuador IMAGES COURTESY OF MISS SUPERMODEL WORLDWIDE FACEBOOK PAGE

Vietnam Wins Miss Intercontinental 2022

  Congratulations to Lê Nguyễn Bảo Ngọc of Vietnam for winning the Miss Intercontinental 2022 on October 14 in the Meraki Resort in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. She also won Miss Intercontinental Asia & Oceania 2022. Her victory marks her country’s first time in winning the title. 1st runner-up - Puerto Rico - Mariela Pepin (Miss Intercontinental North America 2022) 2nd runner-up - Brazil - Maria Cecília Almeida de Sousa (Miss Intercontinental South America 2022) 3rd runner-up - Nigeria - Joy Raimi Mojisola (Miss Intercontinental Africa 2022) 4th runner-up - Germany - Tatjana Genrich (Miss Intercontinental Europe 2022 5th runner-up - Venezuela - Emmy Carrero (fast-tracked to top 6 after winning Power of Beauty award) PHOTO COURTESY OF MISS INTERCONTINENTAL

Dominican Republic Wins The Miss Globe 2022

  Congratulations to Anabel Payano of the Dominican Republic for winning The Miss Globe 2022 crown on October 15 in Tirana, Albania. She is the first woman from her country to win the crown. 1st runner-up: United Arab Emirates - Anamaria Babau 2nd runner-up: Albania - Drita Ziri 3rd runner-up: Thailand - Thanawan Wigg 4th runner-up: Vietnam - Lam Thu Hong Top 10: Philippines - Chelsea Fernandez Latvia - Anastasija Aleksejevska Colombia - Sofia Donado Ghana - Prisca Abah Brazil - Heloisa Godinho Poland - Patrycja Krzywoń Costa Rica - Nella Chaves Venezuela - Argiannis Luna Montenegro - Natasha Stefanovic Estonia - Sirel Saad I think the winner has been pre-determined. Payano was the last finalist to respond to the final question, but a few seconds after her answer, the host was given a card with the results. There was not even time for the judges to deliberate. Weird. Also, Payano’s IG account hardly has any photos or images from the pageant which she doesn’t even follow, assuming that

Miss USA Pageant Director Responds To Allegations Of Rigged Competition

Crystle Stewart, the president of the Miss USA Organization, was asked by a reporter if the Miss USA 2022 contest that took place last October 3 was rigged to favor Miss Texas USA as the winner.   Watch my vlog which addresses the issue:

Interview With Sheridan Mortlock - Miss Earth Australia 2022

  This interview was conducted via Zoom on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 8:00 PM EST (Monday, Oct. 10, 2022 11:00 AM Sydney). Sheridan will represent Australia in Miss Earth 2022 to be held in the Philippines on November 29.

Texas Wins Miss USA 2022

  Congratulations to R’Bonney Gabriel, 28, of Texas for winning Miss USA 2022 tonight in Reno, Nevada. Gabriel is the 10th winner from her state. The last one was Crystle Stewart, the current Miss USA president, who won in 2008. Earlier, Gabriel had also won the Best State Costume. Gabriel also makes history by being the first Miss USA of Filipina descent, and the third of Asian descent after Mai Shanley of New Mexico (1984) who is part-Chinese and Brooke Lee of Hawaii (1997) who is part-Korean. Gabriel will now represent USA in the next edition of Miss Universe which will take place in New Orleans on January 14, 2023. COURTESY OF MISS USA North Carolina's Morgan Romano placed second, Nebraska's Natalie Pieper in third place, Ohio's   Sir’Quora Carroll in fourth place, and Illinois's Angel Reyes in fifth place. Last year’s  Miss USA Elle Smith  passed the crown to Gabriel, 28. Gabriel, a fashion designer, designed her Miss USA interview outfit on her own as a tribute to