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| 12.01.2008 | Monday
• MISS WORLD UPDATES : Miss Mexico Anagabriela Espinoza Marroquín, (photo, center) won the Beach Beauty competition in
Miss World 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The judges had selected 25 semifinalists which were cut down to
ten finalists that included Spain, Russia, Philippines, Lebanon, Angola, Venezuela, Mexico, South Africa, Puerto Rico,
and India. South Africa's Tansey Coetzee (left) placed second and Russia's Ksenia Sukhinova (right) placed third.
Espinoza's victory automatically guarantees her a top 15 spot in the finals which will be held on December 13th.
Mexican beauties have been winning the body awards in three major pageants so far this year: Elisa Nájera
in Miss Universe, Abigail Elizalde Romo in Miss Earth, and now Espinoza in Miss World.
For more recent updates, visit HJ Blog.
• BANNED FROM MODELING : The curvy Laura Coleman started her career as a skinny size eight model.
However, opting for a healthier figure, is said to have ruined her catwalk and magazine career. But the 22-year-old blonde,
who has dated cricket star Stuart Broad, says that she is comfortable with herself. I'm a size 10 to 12," The Sun
quoted her as saying. "I really think the curvy girl should be promoted more as a positive image in the media.
But the modelling agencies seemed to have a problem with me when I wasn't skinny any more. It puts you in a different
type of modelling. But I think as long as people are comfortable with themselves that's all that matters. And I'm just
proving that I am comfortable with myself as opposed to feeling under pressure to be a size zero," she added.
Meanwhile, Laura is representing England in the Miss World pageant taking place in South Africa. (NewKerala.com, 11/29/2008)
• BAGHDAD BEAUTIES : A country club in Baghdad has staged the Iraqi capital's first public beauty contest since the downfall
of Saddam Hussein. As Noor Samir sashayed on stage a round of applause rippled out among the 500-strong
audience. Her outfit of knee-length skirt and knee-high boots, topped off with a long sleeve shirt was modest for a
beauty contest, there was certainly no bikinis on display. But the very fact one was being held in Baghdad at all was
cause for celebration. "It is a good thing we are doing this," Ms Samir, a 24-year-old IT worker, told The Sunday
Telegraph with a smile. "It is my first time."
A year ago when sectarian violence in the Iraqi capital was at its peak, and girls were
killed in the street for simply having their head uncovered, the openness of this contest would be unimaginable.
Fourteen young ladies arrived for the contest, including one girl who later dropped out. It was unclear if it was due to
nerves or being underage. As the competitors walked on stage and answered questions from the five judges, the Iraqi
media lapped up every scene. Although Iraq has a long history of beauty pageants, just one has been held, two years ago,
since Saddam Hussein was overthrown in 2003. Its location was shrouded in secrecy and the media banned from the event
for fear of putting the lives of contestants at risk.
The first public contest, held at Baghdad's Hunting Club, an exclusive private-members'
establishment with two swimming pools, tennis courts, sauna and bar, complete with imported spirits and beer, drew guests
from Baghdad's elite. Many of those gathered, such as Samara Mohammed, 23, a secretary and contestant who had fled
the country to live in Germany, only returned in May this year. "The security has improved and we hope it will get more and more.
It's a nice thing that I am here. All my friends and family are supporting me," she said.
The five judges, who would vote for Miss Hunting Club, included a cigar smoking Tony
Soprano-type and a chain-smoking female MP. They quizzed the contestants on their education and employment. In a scene
unthinkable just a year ago, Shamss Tallal, an elfin 18-year-old, drew whistles of approval from the audience during
the question and answer stage. Talla later won the contest, with a straw poll of audience members revealing she was
also the people's choice. (The Sunday Telegraph, UK, 11/30/2008)
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 27: Miss USA Crystle Stewart attends the 82nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day
Parade
• PACIFIC BEAUTY : A fresh graduate of Saipan Southern High School reaped most of the special awards on her way to winning
the crown in the 2009 Miss Marianas Universe pageant, besting four other contestants during coronation night on Saturday
at Palms Resort Saipan. Sorene A. Maratita brought home fabulous prizes including $1,000 cash and $1,000 scholarship
from the organizing Stellar Marianas, one year use of a brand new car from Triple J Motors, a cell phone from PTI,
gift certificates and one-year supplies of other products. More importantly, this 18-year-old fan of supermodel Tyra Banks gave
herself a once-in-a-lifetime chance to represent the CNMI both in the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant and Miss International
Pageant-all-expense paid courtesy of Northwest Airlines. Winona Chance Camacho, 17, was adjudged the first
runner-up after taking two specials awards: best in swimsuit and best in evening gown. (Saipan Tribune, 12/1/2008)
• AFRICAN BEAUTY : The new Miss Guinea is Anne Fatoumata, a student from Conakry who was crowned November 28th.
She will represent her country in the Miss CEDEAO pageant to be held in Côte d’Ivoire on December 6th. Her first
runner-up is Aissatou Diallo and her second runner-up is Fatim Karel Touré. Fourteen young women participated
in this year's pageant. (Afrik.com, 11/29/2008)
• CRITICS ATTACK BRITISH PAGEANT : Students unions up in arms over ‘cattle market’ approach to women in London’s colleges.
Read more.
• WHAT'S UP WITH TALI? Taliana Vargas, Miss Universe 2008 first runner-up from Colombia, gave up her national crown
nearly two weeks ago. What is she up to now? Well, she will be going back to Washington, DC to live with her family again
and to finish her studies in fashion merchandising and communications. She will also be traveling weekly to New York City as an exclusive model for the Trump
Modeling Agency, owned by Donald Trump. (El Tiempo, Bogotá, 11/29/2008)
• THE END OF MISS TRINIDAD & TOBAGO? "Miss Trinidad and Tobago for Miss World and Miss Universe may well be taking their final
bow this year. Pageant organiser and local fashion personality Peter Elias is lamenting that the powers-that-be have not
readily come forward to offer financial support for the pageants and he is at the point of throwing in his hat when it
comes to promoting this country internationally." Read more.
• THE NEW MISTER INTERNATIONAl is Ngo Tien Doan, a 25-year-old university lecturer and model from Vietnam who was
crowned in Tainan, Taiwan (ROC) on November 24th. His court includes first runner-up Mohamad Chamseddine of Lebanon,
second runner-up Zhang Lun Shuo of China, third runner-up Mihovil Barun of Croatia and fourth runner-up
Vincent Cleuren of the Netherlands. Making the top ten were the delegates from Belgium, Brazil, Greece, Philippines
and Venezuela. Completing the top fifteen were the delegates from India, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan (ROC) and USA. Doan's
victory marks Vietnam's first title in any international beauty pageant, male or female. Doan had competed earlier this
year in Manhunt International in Korea but failed to make the finals.
Read my comments about the pageant in my Mister USA Blog.
Also see pics from Ivan's Taiwan experience in the galleries.
• NEXT UPDATE : Monday, December 8, 2008
PHOTO CREDITS: Miss World Organisation, Film Magic, Associated Press
NOVEMBER 2008
on the streets of Manhattan on November 27, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/FilmMagic)