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| 02.27.2006 | Monday
Someone told me
that the pageant would be held in Athens sometime in July or August, but I tend not
to accept statements as true until they are confirmed by MUO. So we'll just have to
wait a little longer and be patient. But what is curious is that in the months following
the pageant in Thailand, no country has shown fervor in hosting the pageant this year.
I wonder why.
• NOT TRUE : In my February 2nd Journal, I cited a Peruvian article that reported that
Percy Luzio and Carlos Cépeda had traveled to New York City to acquire the Peruvian franchise
for Miss Universe without discussing it first with their then associate Tito Paz.
MUO President Paula Shugart advised me that the article is inaccurate, and that
MUO did not receive any representatives from Peru at all. However, MUO did not deny
or confirm if Luzio is the new franchise owner; all we know is that Luzio is in the
thick of things preparing the Miss Teen Peru and Miss Peru Universe pageants.
• THE NEW MISS CAYMAN ISLANDS is Ambuyah Ebanks who was crowned last February 18th. The
first runner-up is Arleth Chiari-Powery and the second runner-up is Jovani
Hessing. At six feet tall, Ebanks also won the best legs and best in gown awards.
Although the country has won the Miss Congeniality award in 1980 and 1982, it has still to
place in Miss Universe. Will Ebanks be able to make it? (Cayman Net News, Cayman Islands,
2/23/2006)
• HOT CHILEAN : Renata Ruíz, Miss Chile Universe 2005, has been elected by
Global Beauties as GB's Supermodel 2006, a title well-deserved for Ruíz whose looks, moves
and personality can give the Gisele Bundchens a run for their money. Read more.
• A GAY STREET : The current Miss Michigan USA Danelle Gay, who comes from
the city of Flint, will see her name on city limit signs after Flint
city commissioners approved it last week. The signs for Gay, a 1999 graduate of Lapeer West High School,
will replace the ten-year-old Lapeer West High School varsity football state champion
signs at several locations in the city. The Michigan Department of Transportation
told the city that the sports championship signs are meant to be displayed
for five years, but cannot be left up when a new sign is chosen.
Commissioner Bill Sprague worked a compromise with his suggestion
that the old football championship signs could be offered to the high
school or placed on or near the high school. (Flint Journal, Flint, MI, 2/23/2006)
• A NEW BEAUTY PAGEANT has been launched in Ghana by the XYZ agency, headed be Zynab
Ayesha Passah, Miss Style and Miss Congeniality Universe (Ghana) 2000. This pageant,
which will be known as Miss Africa Queen, is going to focus more on the natural African
beauty. To win this contest, one doesn't have to emulate western pageant standards -
rail thin, tall, etc. More emphasis will be placed on having a full body (not fat)
with the right curves at the right places. Contestants who will take part in the contest will
wear natural African hairstyles and jewelry, African-based gowns and the like.
Screening sessions have already begun in the country. Thanks to Edem Tamakloe for this info.
An article published in April 2003 mentioned Renouf's penchant for lying, extravagance, and
anti-Jew stand. Read more.
• COURTLY APPEARANCE : A former Toronto beauty pageant winner — who captured
her title while out on bail — is among five people who will appear in court
March 6 in connection with a massage parlour robbery and the planning of another.
Zenovique Wilson, now 20, won the Miss Toronto Tourism title in April
2005, six months after she had been arrested for her alleged role in the crimes.
Four people are alleged to have worn masks and used imitation firearms to
steal purses from women at a spa in Mississauga on Oct. 22, 2004.
At the time of their arrests, police alleged the group was planning to rob
the Mystique Massage Parlour. Police said replica firearms were also seen
in one of their vehicles. (Toronto Star, Canada, 2/23/2006)
• PROMOTING MALAYSIA : "Beauty pageants are an innovative and creative way to
promote Malaysia's cultures and traditions, and attracting visitors to Malaysia,
says Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai." Read more.
• SHARK FINS AND TRANNIES : "Chinese tourists love to chow down at Hong Kong's shark fin restaurants.
They also load up on designer goods at the city's boutiques. Now they have a
new must-do stop: gawking at Thai transsexuals prancing around in bikinis and
low-cut gowns." Read more.
• SEE how Jennifer Hawkins performed in "Dancing With the Stars", round one.
• NEXT UPDATE : Monday, March 2, 2006.
Photo credits: Friendly Planet, Sydney Morning Herald
• THE MISS ECUADOR 2006 pageant has kicked of with the official presentation of the fifteen
candidates. According to María del Carmen de Aguayo, the director of the Miss Ecuador
Organization, the participants have all undergone physical improvements that included
liposuction, dental work, bust enhancement and even HIV and cardiovascular tests.
The new queen will be crowned on March 16 in Cuenca. The show will be
organized by Gamavisión. (El Mercurio, Ecuador, 2/17/2006)
• CZECH MATE : The new Miss Czech Republic is Renata Langmannova, 19,
who was crowned on Feb. 17th.. She will represent her country at Miss Universe.
The first runner-up was Miroslava Kostarova, and the second runner-up was
Barbora Kolarova. Miss Universe Natalie Glebova attended the coronation night.
Thanks to Michael Knittel for this info.
• PAINFUL PAST : Rachel Boughan, 24, was admitted to a hospital in 1995
after she took an overdose of painkillers because she couldn't take any more of the
cruel abuse she was getting from bullies who told her she was repulsive and teased
her for having big blue eyes.
Rachel suffered from severe depression for six years from the age of 14, but last
month she was named Miss Crawley and on Saturday, February 25th, she will join contestants
from all over the United Kingdom at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair, London, as the most
beautiful women in the country battle it out for the title of Miss Great Britain.
(Horsham Today, UK, 2/18/2006)
• WHAT'S UP WITH TATIANA : Two months after she gave up her crown, Tatiana Silva, the second colored woman to win Miss
Belgium, is now hosting "Miss Swan," the Belgian version of the popular American reality
show, "The Swan" where contestants undergo extreme cosmetic surgeries before competing
in a beauty contest. Silva will be writing her own script and will be introducing each
new segment. When asked about her opinion on cosmetic surgery, she replied: "While watching
the program, you'll see that the women who opt for surgery have psychological problems
and that surgery can help them to feel better about themselves. Sometimes it's beneficial,
but sometimes it could go wrong. It's not that simple. The program also shows that it is
very hard; some of the participants are on the verge of dropping out."
(La Dernière Heure 2006, 2/17/2006)
• BEACH PAGEANT : Playa Dorada in the Dominican Republic will play host to the Miss Ámbar
Mundial 2006 pageant that will be held on March 27th. The pageant's aim is to promote
tourism in the area called "Costa del Ámbar," in Puerto Plata. Thirty-five young from all
over the world are expected to compete. (Diario Digital RD, 2/17/2006)
• AVENGING BEAUTY : If you missed Denise Quiñones's appearance as the Avenging Angel
in "Smallville," you can catch a glimpse of her character in the Vengeance Chronicles site.
• FAREWELL, FEE : Fee von Zitzewitz, who represented Germany in Miss Universe 1967, lost her battle with
cancer on February 9th. She was 62. Thanks to Michael Knittel for this info. Read the
story in German.
• NEXT UPDATE : There's not much going on in the pageant world. The Journal will be
updated next Monday, February 27, 2006.
Photo credit: Wire Image
• LACK OF COMMITMENT : Miss Universe 1996 Alicia Machado, who appears on the
cover of this month's Playboy Mexico, did not fulfill her contract with the
magazine that would have required her to promote it thru public appearances and
interviews. Instead, Machado decided to join the second season of the reality show "Cantando por un sueño" ("Singing for a Dream").
Playboy Mexico expressed its disenchantment with the controversial ex-beauty queen,
but did not give any indication that it would take legal action against her.
(El Siglo de Torreón, México, 2/15/2006)
Is Alicia following Amparo Muñoz's footsteps? What possibly has gotten into her head to
act stupid? I am beginning to dislike this woman. She's really dumb.
• DIVA COMPLEX : Venezuelan gossip columnist Chepa Candela wrote that the current Miss
Venezuela Jictzad Viña has been behaving like a diva recently. Candela received
a tip from the organizers of the famous carnival from the state of Sucre. This weekend,
a new Miss Sucre will be crowned, and the organizers told Candela that Viña will not
crown her successor unless she is paid with a handsome fee amounting to the equivalent
of US$10,000. Viña is reportedly avoiding the press. What if she refuses to crown the
next Miss Venezuela? One can only imagine how Osmel Sousa would react!
(Diário 2001, Caracas, 2/15/2006)
• DANCING JEN : Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins has been preparing herself
to participate in the Australian version of the popular reality show "Dancing With the
Stars." Many of us know that she was a former cheerleader, but did you also know that
she took dance classes for several years? She did ballet, jazz and tap dancing, having
started at age 5. She was urged to join the show last year, but she hesitated because
she feared that she would be criticized for her lack of dance experience. She stated,
"My head was everywhere. I thought, I can't just go and do this random show
that I hadn't watched and didn't know too much about. And I'd also heard about
the whole stuff with people having dancing experience and I thought, definitely not."
Now, she is ready to dazzle everyone with her pose, charm and beauty. Whether or not
she'll be voted off the show will rely entirely on the judges. (Daily Telegraph,
Australia, 2/15/2006)
• MUDDY MAKEOVER : "Mud from the Petiticodiac River is getting a new lease on
life as a high-end beauty product to fight skin problems and age spots."
Read more.
• NEXT UPDATE : Monday, February 20, 2006.
Photo credit: Associated Press
• THE NEW MISS COSTA RICA is Fabriella Quesada, a 21-year-old medical student
who was crowned Friday night in San Jose's Auditorio Nacional. She will go to Miss
Universe. Belgica Avis, 21, was crowned Miss Costa Rica World and will compete
in Miss World 2006 in Poland. There were only five candidates who participated in
this year's pageant. Both winners will each receive a new automobile, cash prize, make-up
supply and all the works to prepare themselves for their respective international
pageant. To see photos from the coronation night, click here.
• LOVABLE : Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins has just signed a three-year contract
with the lingerie company, Lovable. Jennifer's job is to promote the company's intimate
apparel throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia. She will also help in the designing
of products and in creating advertising campaigns. Says her manager Sean Anderson,
"She is still a very down-to-earth girl. Winning that [Miss Universe] title didn't
change her personality but it has helped turn her into a genuine international star."
Jennifer is currently one of the contestants in the Aussie version of Dancing With
The Stars. (Sydney Morning Herald, Australia, 2/12/2006)
• ALLURING LARA : With movies such as "No Entry" and "Zinda" doing well in the Middle East,
former Miss Universe Lara Dutta seems to be gaining popularity in the region.
And adding proof to this statement is the fact that Lara was recently invited
as a special guest from India for the inauguration ceremony of Ethiad Airways at Abu Dhabi.
The purpose for the invitation was the expansion of the Ethiad Airways fleet.
(Apun Ka Choice, CA, 2/11/2006)
Before going to the Big Apple, Durán had posed for the Bolivian tourist guide magazine
Cuñataí:
• DESPERATE QUEEN : Eight years ago, María Conchita Alonso, stepped out of the limelight.
Now, the former Miss Venezuela Word (1975) has come back with five new movies, a new album,
a line of clothing, and a special appearance in the hit comedy, "Desperate Housewives."
In the February 19th episode of the show, Alonso will debut as Lucía Márquez, the mother of Gabrielle Solís played
by actress Eva Longoria. "Lucía is nice, sexy and flirts with Gabrielle's husband," says
Alonso whose character may recur depending on the impact it may have on the audience.
(Panorama, Maracaibo, 2/10/2006)
• DISTORTED BEAUTY : "I am disappointed to see how racial influence has distorted
and continues to wrongly portray African beauty. Nearly two decades ago while
living in exile in Eastern and other parts of Africa , I observed a large number
of south Sudanese girls bleaching themselves, turning their elegant African black
beauty into what is neither light-skinned nor pink." Read more.
• HAIL TO THE DANISH QUEEN, PART II : A CB reader sent me an e-mail critiquing my reference
to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark who had declared last week that her people should oppose
Islam. This reader writes:
Nevertheless, I believe you should NOW stick to news related to the pageant world. Your segment on "HAIL
TO THE DANISH QUEEN" was uncalled for. Using freedom of expression as a pretext to defame someone's religion is completely wrong.
Yes, the violence went way too far, but the newspapers were wrong, when they
are fully aware of the religious tensions these days. It is strictly forbidden to depict
the prophet in any shape or form, so says the Koran - so why piss them off then?
Do you remember that problem in Nigeria during Miss World when one journalist said something about
the prophet and dating, something to that effect? Ignorance is not really a bliss.
First of all, I'd like to clarify that my opinions do not necessarily reflect those
of the other members of the CB staff.
To fully understand the controversy behind the cartoons, please read BBC's Q & A section.
There is absolutely nothing in the Koran that prohibits the representation of Mohammed.
Mohammed has been drawn and caricatured over the centuries, and the Danish cartoons were
originally published in October; yet, why are the raucous protests happening just now?
Besides, the cartoons are nothing compared to the disgusting anti-Jewish cartoons
that appear frequently in the Arab media; even so, you don't see Jews demonstrating, boycotting
Arab goods, or calling for the death of the Arab cartoonists.
The reference to Queen Margrethe II is very much related to the pageant world. The Queen
possesses noble traits that every beauty queen should imitate - intelligence, culture,
eloquence, courage, and conviction. In my past Journal entries, I have mentioned many
things that were unrelated to pageants, and I will continue to do so. If you don't like what
you read, then just move on to something else.
Meanwhile, support Denmark by buying Danish products.
• READ Pageantry Magazine's interview with Miss USA 2005 Chelsea Cooley.
• NOSTALGIA : Check this gallery of former Philippine Carnival Queens.
• MABUHAY : Meet the official candidates
for this year's Binibining Pilipinas.
• NEXT UPDATE : Thursday, February 16, 2006.
Photo credits: RedBolivia.com, El Nuevo Día (Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
• ROSY BERRY : Jennifer Berry, the new Miss America, visited Atlantic City last
Tuesday to be part of the tradition on the Rose Walk, a section of Michigan Avenue where
all the Miss America winners' faces and biographies are on display. “This is the home of
Miss America. It still is,” Berry said after she cut a red ribbon around a pillar
bearing her likeness. Berry does plan to make several repeat visits to Atlantic City,
where the 85-year-old beauty pageant still has its national headquarters.
(Press of Atlantic City, 2/8/2006)
• YUCKY JICTZAD : Venezuelan gossip columnist Chepa Candela writes that Osmel Sousa
had ran into Jictzad Viña, the current Miss Venezuela, who came back from her
hometown where she had spent vacation. Osmel nearly had a heart attack after seeing
Jictzad who looked like a "meatball". Alas, the beauty queen had neglected her diet and exercise.
Instead of saying hello to her, Osmel turned away. A big vertical scar was also visible
on her abdomen. Osmel had advised Jictzad to control her eating habits, and with only three
months before Miss Universe, one wonders whether she will be able to stay in shape and
have her scar surgically removed. (Diário 2001, Caracas, 2/8/2006)
• SUPPORT DENISE : I missed Denise Quiñones's debut appearance in "Smallville" last
February 2nd in which she played the character of the "Angel of Vengeance." I heard her
performance was superb. Denise is certainly winning new admirers with her talent, and
of course, her beauty. If you've seen her performance and if you wish to see more of her
in the show, you may write to: Smallville Production Offices, 3400 Riverside Dr. Suite 200
Burbank, California 91505.
• SCANDAL : CB's Turkish-language correspondent Nick Can shares with us
this juicy tidbit regarding Jennifer Schäfer, the first runner-up to Isabelle Knispel,
the new Miss Germany. Nick writes:
Sebnem is born to a Turkish mother and a German father. She is one of the most
famous supermodels in Turkey, and caused some stir last year when she thanked
her ex-boyfriend for leaving her as a "virgin" in front of millions of TV viewers.
According to Sebnem's mother, Lale Schäfer, the reason for the name change
was to hide Sebnem's "Turkish blood." However, she also claims that just to reveal
this fact, the emcee specifically asked Sebnem about her heritage by forcing her to
reveal her favorite city (which happens to be Istanbul) during the interview segment.
They are furious with the organization, and they think that the organization had
influenced the judges not to crown Sebnem.
• START WHEN YOU'RE YOUNG : "A nationally known beauty expert says women have a better
chance of retaining a youthful appearance throughout their lifetime by launching a
pre-emptive anti-aging campaign before the first major visible signs of aging appear."
Read more.
• SALAAM : "Four Arab women – a Saudi, a Palestinian and two Lebanese – whose looks
differ from the stereotypical beauty ideal portrayed in the media are featuring
in the Dove Campaign For Real Beauty that was launched today in the Arab region."
Read more.
• SHALOM : Meet this year's Miss Israel candidates. Sorry, the site is all in Hebrew!
Click here.
• REMEK : Meet this year's Miss Universe Hungary candidates. Sorry, the site is all in Hungarian!
Warning: there are links to highly erotic photographs, so be sure nobody is looking over your
shoulder when you browse! LOL! Click here.
• NEXT UPDATE : Monday, February 13, 2006.
Photo credit: Miss Nevada Organization
• THE NEW MISS FINLAND is Ninni Laaksonen, 20, of Helsinki who was crowned last night.
Laaksonen will represent her country in Miss Universe in May. The first runner-up is Sini Vahela, 19,
who will go to Miss Europe. The second runner-up is Karolina Ylöjoki, 22, who will be sent
to Miss International. Thanks to Michael Knittel for this info.
• THE NEW MISS GERMANY is Isabelle Knispel, 18, who was crowned at a gala in Rust last
Saturday night. Knispel represented Berlin. Her court includes first runner Jennifer Schäfer, 21,
of Rheinland-Pfalz and second runner-up Wlada Schüler, 17, of Brandenburg. The title is
not to be confused with Miss Deutschland whose winner goes to Miss Intercontinental. Usually,
the Miss Germany winner is sent to Miss World, although runners-up have been sent in the
last few years. (Reuters, 2/5/2006)
• A WIND CALLED WENDY : Wendy Fitzwilliam, Miss Universe 1998, is causing a stir
in her native Trinidad and Tobago. Wendy, now 33, had chosen a private Catholic school for
girls to announce her pregnancy. Why the stir? Because Wendy is not married and the father of
the child is David Panton, a former Rhodes scholar and Oxford graduate who is separated
from his wife, 1993 Miss World Lisa Hanna from Jamaica. To make things worse, Wendy
declared that being an unwed mother is "one of her greatest achievements." Wendy's conservative
compatriots condemn her for being a bad role model to impressionable girls.
(Miami Herald, 2/5/2006)
I admire Wendy for what she did. It takes a lot of courage for someone to be honest about
her private affairs and to challenge traditional norms. Why are people condemning Wendy and
not Alicia Machado for posing nude? Maybe because the public has gotten accustomed to Alicia's "wild" ways
and controversies and that the Catholic Church in most Latin countries is not as imposing as it
is in Caribbean countries that were former British colonies. Tony Deyal, a columnist for
The Trinidadian Express, wrote a tongue-in-check defense of Wendy in
this article
where he also condemns the Catholic Church for its hypocrisy. Meanwhile, Wendy seems not to
be too bothered by the whole affair. Read more.
• CONGRATULATIONS : To Henrique Fontes, the founder and director of Global Beauties, for
successfully acquiring, along with his colleagues, the Brazilian franchise for Miss World.
Fontes celebrated his birthday yesterday. Felicidades, Rique!
• JOYFUL JOYCE : Joyce Giraud, Miss Universe Puerto Rico 1998, is very happy because
the movie "Capote" has been nominated for five Oscars including for best picture, for best direction
(Bennett Miller), and for best acting (Phillip Seymour Hoffman). One of the movie's producers,
Michael Ohoven, is Joyce's current beau. (El Vocero, 2/3/2006)
The violent protests included the burning of Danish embassies and
flags in Syria, Lebanon, Indonesia and everywhere else where there are Muslims, as
well as the boycott of Danish products. And
since newspapers in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, and Spain have also published the
cartoons, the embassies of these countries have also been torched and their staff threatened and beaten by Islamofascist
thugs. Reactions to the cartoons
have been varied among Muslims, which means that not all Muslims think alike. The violence
protests, to me, reinforce the notion that democracy (freedom of expression and critical thinking)
and Islam are obviously not compatible with each other.
• VANISHED QUEEN : "An orange jack-o-lantern, illuminated by an electric bulb, still grins
mockingly from Tara Grinstead's porch - a Halloween adornment the beauty queen and
promising young teacher put out just before she vanished more than three months ago." Read more.
• NEXT UPDATE : Thursday, February 9, 2006.
Photo credits: Playboy, Belleza Venezolana, Danex Export Marketing Resources
• BETRAYAL : In an article published in a Peruvian newspaper last December 21st,
Tito Paz, the director of Reinas del Perú, accuses ex-partner (and now ex-friend)
Percy Luzio of betrayal and deceit. Here's a summary of what happened: last October,
Luzio and another colleague Carlos Cépeda decided to leave Reinas del Perú
"for professional reasons." Luzio, who works for the Chilean airline company Lan Chile, said
that he would be receiving more training in Santiago and that his job would require frequent
international travels, which would prevent him from staying in Lima. Oddly on that same day,
Cépeda stated that the firm Regus had promoted him to be in charge of a business in Mexico.
Thus, both men turned in their resignation to Dr. Jesús Ochoa who is the president of
Reinas del Perú.
By November, it was rumoured that Luzio's resignation
had been caused by his conflicts with ex-Miss Peru, Marina Mora. This rumour
was determined to be untrue. In the weeks that followed, various activities had been
happening that included the preparations of Fiorella Castellano as Peru's representative
to Miss World. Meanwhile, Luzio and Cépeda were concocting a plan to appropriate the Miss
Universe franchise. According to Paz, Reinas del Perú had some debts that were supposed to be
paid off by Luzio and Cépeda. Cépeda had told Paz not to worry, and that he would take care
of it. Paz believed Cépeda. However, the truth was that Luzio and Cépeda had traveled
to New York City and presented themselves before the MUO staff as representatives of Reinas
del Perú and were offered the franchise without consulting first with Paz.
When Paz arrived in Lima from Sanya, he discovered
that the Reinas del Perú office had been ransacked by Luzio who took off with the files and
even the framed pictures of beauty queens. The company's debts from Miss Universe 2005 were
never paid. (RPP.com.pe, 12/21/2005)
• THE NEW MISS ATLANTICO INTERNACIONAL is Manuela Esposito of Italy (above center), who was
crowned last Saturday night in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The first runner-up is Andrea Lopes
of Brazil (right) and the second runner-up is Houda Jendoubi of Tunisia (left) who also won
the award for best national costume. Fifteen young
women competed in this year's pageant. (From www.missatlantico.com.uy)
• MEXICO AGAIN? A rumour is brewing in the Internet suggesting that Cancún, Mexico will
host the 2006 Miss Universe pageant (the city hosted it in 1989). The Miss Universe
Organization has not released any official statement to confirm the venue. Last year on
February 11th, MUO confirmed that Bangkok would be the venue for the 2005 pageant, so
fans shouldn't be waiting long for the new venue to be confirmed.
• PROCESS OF ELIMINATION : The selection process for this year's Miss India will
literally go to the public. The pageant organizers decided to
produce a 12-part reality series entitled, "Pond's presents Banungi Main Miss India (BMMI)"
on Zoom channel. The voting process will ensure that the contestant who gets
the least votes will be out of the pageant, while the one with the maximum will
get a wild card entry to the top ten finalists. The viewers will get to witness all
the backstage drama, the trials and tribulations of the contestants, and much more.
All of the organizers agree that the viewers' participation will be a fair process
of selection, as they will be able to judge for themselves who is best to represent India.
Choreographer Sandip Soparrkar feels that audience participation will
be crucial and essential because, "We as Indians should be able to vote for
our Miss India just as we vote for our politicians." (Times of India, 2/1/2006)
• IS SHE EATING ENOUGH? To some people, the new Miss America Jennifer Berry
may be too thin and perhaps underweight. An article discusses a study of Miss America
contestants from 1960 to 1979 and it was "discovered that the average weight of the
women declined significantly during that time period." Read more.
• CYNTHIA'S GONE PLASTIC : Even though she has not submitted herself to plastic
surgery to improve her looks, ex-Miss Puerto Rico Universe Cynthia Olavarría. who
turned 24 last January 28th, has certainly discovered that plastic sells. Stopol, Inc. - a leader in managing auctions
and the acquisition and sale of production equipment, parts, businesses, divisions,
product lines and manufacturing licenses in the plastics industry - is launching
a $1 million global expansion initiative to increase its visibility
and presence throughout the world. The company has signed Olavarría as the spokesperson
for the Latin American market; her job will consist of representing and promoting
Stopol at trade shows, appearances and other events, and visiting plastics
manufacturing operations throughout Latin America. Olavarría was selected because
she is "a dynamic individual who would reflect the Stopol brand by displaying
intelligence, leadership success and potential" and that "her incredible popularity
in Latin America gives Stopol immediate recognition in that region."
(Business Wire, CA, 2/1/2006)
• QUEEN TO THE 98TH DEGREE : Nick Lachey, recently married to Jessica Simpson,
has been seen dating beauty queen Lizzie Arnold. Two months after
separating from his new wife, the former lead singer of the group 98 Degrees
has been seen romancing the former Miss Kentucky USA (2001). The couple have been seen
kissing at the Los Angeles international airport, and friends now insist that
the pair are an item. A friend told In Touch magazine: "They've been together for
about a month." (Digital Spy, 2/1/2006)
• UNHAPPY WITH THEIR LOOKS : "In a recent global study conducted among women, nine
in 10 Arab females revealed they are unhappy with their physical attributes.
A further 65% of those questioned admitted to avoiding activities due to feeling
self-conscious about their appearance." Read more.
• CRITICAL PHOTO : The appearance of Denise Quiñones in the sitcom, "Freddie."
• NEXT UPDATE : Monday, February 6, 2006.
Photo credit: Miss Atlántico Internacional
JANUARY 2006
• WOULD THE GODDESS ATHENA know? A rumour is flying all over the Internet suggesting that this year's
Miss Universe will be held in Athens, Greece - home of the ancient Olympics.
MUO has neither confirmed nor denied the rumour, and as I write this entry, there's
nothing in the MUO website that even remotely refers to this rumour. 
• NAZI QUEEN? Michele Renouf, left, a former Australian beauty queen (she was
Miss Newcastle 1968), created headlines last week by showing her support to her
friend David Irving, the British historian who wrote a book denying the
Holocaust. As a result, he was sentenced this week to three years in an Austrian prison.
What is shocking is that Renouf is now making friends with extreme Jew-haters
such as France's Jean-Marie Le Pen and Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
who called for the destruction of Israel. Read more. (The Sydney Morning Herald, 2/24/2006)
| 02.20.2006 | Monday
• SOUL QUEEN : Eva Longoria, left, one of the stars of the hit sitcom "Desperate Housewives"
and Miss Corpus Christi USA 1988, will host the Alma 2006 Awards which are presented
to outstanding Hispanic artists. "As a former recipient myself, this experience is even more
significant to me because it allows me to acknowledge our Latino talent in Hollywood."
The show will be taped on May 7th at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and will be
broadcasted on ABC network on June 5th. (El Siglo de Torreón, México, 2/17/2006)
| 02.16.2006 | Thursday
• WEDDING BELLS? Popular Hindu priest and astrologer Chandrashekar Swami said
in Bangalore that he had examined the horoscopes of ex-Miss World Aishwarya Rai
and India's megastar Amitabh Bachchan (in photo with Rai) and found they "matched perfectly",
The Times of India said in a front page report last Sunday. Traditional Hindus
have their horoscopes matched by astrologers before getting married.
Reports had it that Rai was at Bachchan's birthday recently. When she reached
the venue and found Bachchan waiting to greet her, she was said to have
shouted: "Hey birthday boy!" and hugged him. He took her to the party and held her
hand. Bachchan cut his birthday cake and gave a piece to Rai. Later they danced
to the tune of "Right Here, Right Now" and "Kayra Re." Everytime Rai tried to leave the dance
floor, Bachchan dragged her back. (Media Corp Press Ltd, New Delhi, 2/13/2006)
| 02.13.2006 | Monday
• JETSETTERS : Gloria Limpias and her daughter Gloria Mariana Limpias traveled
to Berlin where they signed an agreement with Salón Berlín so that Bolivian models
could participate in the filming of documentaries promoting tourism in Bolivia. Then
the mother and daughter team flew to New York City to meet with Desirée Durán, left,
the current Miss Bolivia Universe, where they attended a benefit dinner with the
Bolivian residents. They were also met by MUO President Paula Shugart
and MUO's international franchise director Annette Cammer. Durán also had
a photo session with famous MUO photographer Fadil Berisha.
(RedBolivia.com, 2/10/2006) 
I am a very huge fan of your site and always visit a lot since the old version, "Miss
Universe Critic". Amazingly, I have always been on your side on all
comments since I have been reading you, well I guess that is why I love you so much.
| 02.09.2006 | Thursday
• THREATENED : The family of Miss Nevada Crystal Wosik, left, has received anonymous
threats following the beauty queen's remarks in support of the proposed nuclear waste
dump in Nevada's Yucca Mountain. Crystal Wosik's mother, who lives in Las Vegas, says
taunts have been left on her answering machine and delivered to the family's doorstep.
Wosik's chaperone told a reporter the 23 year old said Nevada should allow the waste
to be deposited on the site and "take one for the team." Wosik reportedly made the
controversial comments while competing in the Miss America pageant last month.
(KVBC, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2/8/2006)
As you know, the new Miss Germany is elected. According to the Turkish papers,
the overwhelming favorite was the first-runner up Sebnem Schäfer, who competed
with the name Jennifer Schäfer.
| 02.06.2006 | Monday
• MEAT MARKET : Playboy Mexico has released its February edition featuring the controversial
Alicia Machado, left. This former Miss Universe decided to pose nude for "personal" reasons.
"I'm doing it for myself, to free myself from traumas and to feel more beautiful than ever,
in accordance with what I have and with who I am," said Alicia, now an actress and singer, in
the variety show Don Francisco Presenta in which she talked about her projects that
include a movie about Fidel Castro that was filmed in Miami. Alicia had to ask permission from
her parents' permission to pose nude. Her father approved as long as everything is done in good
taste; he also stated that all the greatest divas and female artists of the entertainment world
have posed for Playboy. Her mother, on the other hand, hoped that Alicia would not show her
"pelitos" (genital area). Did she or did she not? See the photos for yourself and decide
whether they were done in good or bad taste. Click here.
• TOO SHORT : According to gossip columnist Chepa Candela, Osmel Sousa decided not to send the current Mister Venezuela, José
Ignacio Rodríguez, left, to Mr. World 2006 because he is only six feet tall, physically unprepared,
and lacks talent. This year's Mr. World competition, according to Osmel, will be much tougher
and will include taller and talented young men. Osmel handpicked Francisco León, Mister
Venezuela 2004, to replace Rodríguez. 
• HAIL TO THE DANISH QUEEN : No, I am not talking about Miss Denmark. I am talking about Queen
Margrethe II of Denmark (left) - the most intellectual European monarch - for calling Danes to show opposition to Islam in the light of
violent Islamic protests around the world that resulted after a Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published
last October twelve caricatures depicting the prophet Mohammed. According to Islamic teaching, it is considered
blasphemous to portray the prophet. But according to the Danes (and their freedom-loving allies),
the publication of the cartoons is merely an example of freedom of expression, no matter how
offensive it may be. If you haven't seen the caricatures, here they are.
| 02.02.2006 | Thursday