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| 07.31.2006 | Monday
• LOST IN TRANSLATION : An interesting article stated that Miss Japan Kurara Chibana
may have lost the Miss Universe crown due to a poor translation into English of her
response in Japanese. The same article also mentioned that "Asian fans are up in arms
over the 24-year-old losing out to Miss Puerto Rico, 18-year-old Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza."
The question that was asked Chibana was this: "If you had the opportunity to change the history of
humanity, what would you change and why?" According to blogger Yumi Toyama's translation,
Chibana's response was that if exploitation and violence against women could
be eliminated, 'the world would be better' (sic). However, it was alleged that
the official Miss Universe interpreter missed out the feminist element of her answer,
which apparently cost her the crown.(Electric New Paper, Singapore, 7/30/2006)
Though born and raised in the city of Naha in Okinawa,
the 1.73m-tall free spirit has travelled the world. As a features reporter for a top
fashion magazine in Japan, she flies around the globe to interview people in the
entertainment industry and capture their lifestyle. It helps that she speaks French
and Spanish - the result of spending two years studying and touring Europe in between
her philosophy studies at the Jesuit-run Sophia University in Tokyo. In her own words,
Chibana is a go-getter: "When I decide to do something, I go all the way,"
she said on the Miss Universe website. "Proof of this is that I put my studies
on hold and went to live for three months in Spain to improve my skill at
dancing the flamenco." (Electric New Paper, Singapore, 7/30/2006)
• ASIAN FANS REACT : If Kurara Chibana had won, she would have been the second
Japanese to do so since Akiko Kojima won the crown back in 1959.
Homemaker S. Ravindran, 30, said she was surprised that Miss Puerto Rico had won:
"I thought Miss Japan was so much more intelligent. Miss Puerto Rico was just another Barbie doll.
What kind of message are (the Miss Universe organizers) trying to send out by
choosing Miss Puerto Rico over the obviously better contestant?" she said.
Miss Indonesia, Nadine Chandrawinata, told Indonesian news agency
Antara that she never thought Rivera stood a chance. Judge Maria Celeste Arraras,
a journalist with US Spanish-language TV station Telemundo, told Antara:
"In the last 15 minutes of the contest, the jury appeared to be rather in
doubt as the audience seemed to support Miss Japan." Viewer Fung Zequan wondered
why Chibana didn't answer the Q&A in English, despite claims that she can speak the language.
"I am sure the judges would have understood her. She had the goods, she could have
easily won," said the 22-year-old university undergraduate. He also felt that
there might have been a bias towards Latin Americans among the judges. Fung said:
"I don't remember seeing any Asians on the panel. There should have been equal representation."
Well, Miss Chibana may not have won the contest, but she certainly won fans around
the world thanks to her costume.(Electric New Paper, Singapore, 7/30/2006)
• NEXT YEAR IN PUERTO RICO? Even though she acknowledged that Puerto Rico
is undergoing a difficult economic situation, Magali Febles, the president
of Belleza de Puerto Rico, urged the island's government to consider the possibility
of Puerto Rico hosting next year's Miss Universe pageant. Febles said that Zuleyka
Rivera's homecoming may take place in three or four weeks and that a big reception
is being planned. ( El Diário, New York, 7/30/2006)
• THE IRATE DIRECTOR : Just minutes before the announcement of the twenty semi-finalists,
Osmel Sousa had joined other national directors in a room away from the
Spanish-language press. After the Venezuelan representative Jictzad Viña did not
enter the semi-finals in Miss Universe 2006, Sousa - according to a witness - flew into a
rage by flinging his fan and kerchief on the floor before returning to the hotel.
(Panorama, Maracaibo, 7/30/2006)
• JUDGE GIVEN THE BOOT : The judge who criticized Miss Universe contestant Erin McNaught
has been barred from the Australian arm of the pageant. Jonathan Westbrook
may also face legal action after his attacks on McNaught and others involved
in the pageant. Westbrook criticized Ms McNaught for being photographed topless
for a men's magazine and wanted her replaced by runner-up Leah Fuhrmann.
But Miss Universe Australia director Jim Davie blamed McNaught's failure
to make it into the top 20 at the international final last week on a "smear campaign".
"Erin was the most beautiful girl in the pageant," Davie said. "It is likely that
because of what happened, the judges thought, 'that's too hot to handle - let's not
score her too high'."
But Westbrook said he did nothing wrong. "All I have
done is point out that she did not meet the Miss Universe criteria," he said.
A spokeswomen for McNaught said the model might take legal action against Westwood.
Davie added: "As long as I am licensee of the pageant in Australia, he will never
have any involvement." (Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia, 7/30/2006)
• SWIMSUIT BANNED : "The winner of a planned Miss Cambodia beauty pageant may
have to take a crash course in swimsuit posing if she competes abroad." Read more.
• CHANGES : The Critical Beauty website is undergoing some "cosmetic enhancements."
Don't worry, it's painless and bloodless and it didn't involve wearing a 30-lb. chain
mail gown. LOL! For now, only the Journal and two sections on the 2006 Miss Universe pageant
- William Prendiz de Jurado's reports
and my review of the telecast - have been enhanced and
re-released. Most of the other sections should be available for viewing within the next
two weeks, so please keep coming back.
• NEXT UPDATE : Thursday, August 3, 2006.
Photo credits: Miss Universe Organization, Trujillo Digital
| 07.27.2006 | Thursday
• THE FAINT : The newly crowned Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera from Puerto Rico
made her first national TV appearance on "Live With Regis and Kelly" yesterday morning.
When asked about her now infamous fainting on stage minutes after speaking to the press,
Zuleyka explained that her faint was caused by too much emotion and fatigue, in addition to the
30-pound metalic gown that made her sweat profusely and left a bruise on her chest.
Zuleyka - to my knowledge - made
history by being the first Miss Universe to collapse on stage.
Skeptical observers speculate that the faint
was caused by something more unorthodox, such as being pregnant. "No," responded
Zuleyka who insisted that it was the intense heat in the auditorium and her excessive
sweating that were the culprits. She also said that she had lost eight pounds due to
constant mobility.(Primera Hora, San Juan, 7/24/2006) The original skirt - which had a column cut - was removed and replaced
by chains. Febles and Alberto decided to add a few more details at the very last minute.
Febles: "I didn't like the color of the gown for her skin. I had instructed her to
get tan and I didn't like the color of the gown on her already bronze skin. I didn't
like the texture of the skirt, and Carlos Alberto and I were there, looking for chains like
crazies. We finished the changes in two days." (Primera Hora, San Juan, 7/24/2006)
• SURGERY-FREE : Zuleyka Rivera denied reports that she had had plastic surgery
to improve her body: "I didn't have any esthetic surgery. There are people in the pageant
industry that always speculate. They are attracted by any type of changes in the candidates."
She also denied having her nose done, claiming that it is all speculation and explaining
that the changes that some people might have seen in her could ultimately have been
"make-up tricks." (Primera Hora, San Juan, 7/26/2006)
• GOOD RATINGS : Last Sunday night's telecast of the 2006 Miss Universe pageant on
NBC proved to be the most-watched program in the U.S. among viewers between
18 and 49 years of age. There are certain factors that might have contributed to
the pageant's rating success in America. Usually, July is a slow month for television;
most shows are reruns and ratings are generally low in July when most viewers are
on vacation. Nevertheless, the good ratings is enough to make Donald Trump
very happy. (Media Life Magazine, USA, 7/24/2006)
• DENISE ON ZULEYKA : Denise Quiñones, the fourth Miss Universe from Puerto Rico
(2001), was watching the live telecast of Miss Universe 2006 with fellow Puerto Ricans
in a Manhattan apartment. "When I saw Zuleyka among the five finalists, I said, 'Just
put the crown on her head!' There wasn't anything else to look for; she was gorgeous
and although I loved the Japanese girl, ours was the best. When she won, my fellow Puerto Ricans and I shouted and
jumped with joy. While I was watching the pageant, I could feel what the people
felt when I won." Denise immediately called the Miss Universe Organization to tell them
that "Puerto Rico is in the house again." (El Nuevo Dia, San Juan, 7/26/2006)
• PERUVIAN? The Spanish-language program "Corazón de Verano" on Televisión Española (TVE)
reported that Zuleyka Rivera was "a young Peruvian woman who represented Puerto Rico,"
which provoked a barrage of calls from viewers who demanded more details.
Ismael Mendoza, Zuleyka's uncle, spoke via telephone to the Puerto Rican
newspaper El Vocero and responded with much emphasis that "Zuleyka is 100
percent Boricua!" (Primera Hora, San Juan, 7/24/2006)
• WHY SHE LOVES BEAUTY QUEENS : "When you see a beauty pageant, you might see eye candy
in bathing suits and high heels. When Elissa Stein looks at a beauty pageant, she
sees a bit more: a snapshot of a nation's young women, their thoughts, interests and ideals."
Read more.
• INDECENT NADINE : Honestly, Indonesians should be worrying more about the next deadly
tsunami than condemning their national queen! "A militant Islamic group in Indonesia has filed a police report
against the country’s most beautiful woman, accusing her of indecency for having
participated in the recent Miss Universe contest." Read more.
• NEXT UPDATE : Monday, July 31, 2006.
Photo credits: Miss Universe Organization, Miss Bahamas Organization
| 07.23.2006 | Sunday
6:12 PM, Boston time: I'm about to leave for a Miss Universe party hosted by
my friends Steve and Harrison. After the telecast, I will be up until the wee hours
of the morning writing my review which should be published late Monday afternoon.
Enjoy the show everyone!
2:40 PM, Boston time: William just called me. He is currently attending
the dress rehearsals and they just selected the mock top 20! Some of the heavy
favorites are not on this list. He also said that the entire presentation is "flat" and "no spark" at all.
10:40 AM, Boston time: Here are some articles that may interest you:
Kenisha takes on the universe tonight - yet another newspaper that misspells
and mis-domains Missosology.org!
Lia Andrea Ramos - Will She Be RP's 3rd Miss Universe?
WMM Model at Miss Universe Pageant
Miss Peru Universe not among the favorites
In relationship to Miss Venezuela Jictzad Viña, VHeadline.com writes:
"Critics are suggesting that US Americans are not all that interested in the contest,
which is why the jury will Latino-heavy with Telemundo anchorwoman Maria Celeste
Arraras and Miss Universe 2003 (Dominican Republic) Amelia Vega. Media watchers argue
that journalists are not covering the event as before, claiming lack of access
to contestants for interviews. In Venezuela tonight people will be glued to their
TV sets to see if Vina can pull it off after years of failure by earlier Miss
Venezuela wannabes."
Read William's latest report.
8:17 AM, Boston time: TODAY is the big day. Are you ready to see all the excitement
on the live telecast?
I am! Two nights ago, the New England area was hit by a severe thunderstorm. It was so
severe that it knocked out power lines, even in my neighborhood. I said to myself, "Please,
God. Don't bring another storm this Sunday night. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to
tape Miss Universe!" I know, it's silly, but a pageant fan has got to do whatever it takes
to see the most exciting pageant telecast of the year, and that includes praying!
So where will you be watching the telecast? At home by
yourself, or with friends? Perhaps in a bar? At the airport while waiting for your
connecting flight? Have you assembled all your TV snacks? Have you already picked your top 20 favorites? Are you ready for some
surprises and upsets? Have you voted for Miss Photogenic? Have you set up your VCR or DVD
recorder or TiVo? Have you checked if your TV set is working? LOL!
Share your thoughts and comments with other pageant
fans by posting them on the CB Message Board. And check the Journal later today for more
tidbits.
| 07.22.2006 | Saturday
• NOT FRIENDLY : A Russian newspaper Izvestia reported that Miss Israel Anastacia Entin, 20,
refused to pose before the camera next to Miss Lebanon Gabrielle Bou Rached for
political reasons. Seven years ago, Entin emigrated to Israel from the Ukraine, and
it was only three months ago that she signed up with the Israeli army. Entin lives with her
parents in Haifa, a city in northern Israel that is being hit with rocket missiles
by the Lebanese terrorists Hezbollah. In Los Angeles during the Miss Universe pageant, Entin
shares a hotel room with Miss Russia Ana Litvinova. Izvestia requested to
interview Entin but she declined, recommending instead that the newspaper contact her manager.
(RIA Novosti, Mosvow, 7/21/2006)
The above report seems to contradict a Yahoo news article that claims that Miss Israel
and Miss Lebanon are best friends. Read more.
• TRUMP ON LETTERMAN : MUO owner appeared on The David Letterman Show on CBS last night,
accompanied by four Miss Universe delegates (Puerto Rico, Colombia, Finland, Australia) but the
delegates appeared very briefly and did not even speak. Letterman gave each of them a kiss on
the hand, and then they returned backstage. Then Letterman read out the names of each delegate,
and horribly missed out on Puerto Rico's first name by pronouncing it as "Zuleyku" instead of "Zuleyka."
I must say that of the four young women, Miss Puerto Rico looked the most telegenic. But what
bothered me about this segment was Trump's condescension and ignorance - which proves once and
for all that he is first and foremost a businessman and not a pageant specialist. Here are
some of his comments (with my own in parentheses):
- "Miss America was a scholarship program, and it went out of business. Well, not really since it was
picked up by cable." (Miss America is an American institution. Miss Universe has a long way to go
to match Miss America's long-standing prestige.)
- "Miss Universe is all about beauty. That's what people want to see." (Okay, I agree.)
- "There are over 90 countries participating this year. We intend to increase it to 110 next year." (This will
happen if and only if MUO has enough money to produce a three-hour telecast, or if the United Kingdom
will be split again into four "countries" - Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and offer
sliding scale fees to countries or territories that are economically depressed.)
- "There will be two hosts, and I haven't even heard of them." (This does not surprise me. Trump is too busy
running his empire instead of getting acquainted with two of his temporary employees - hostess Nancy
O'Dell and Puerto Rican entertainer and actor Carlos Ponce.)
- He said, "I will not be a judge." But then proceeded to say, "I get to pick five of the finalists."
(What exactly does he mean?)
After Trump's interview, the camera zoomed at the four delegates waiting in the green room. That was it.
They had flown six hours from Los Angeles to New York City just to appear for one minute on
a popular talk show.
• THE POLLS HAVE ENDED : To the question, "Who gave the best interview?" - the most number of votes
was earned by Miss Thailand (360), followed by Miss Philippines (259), Miss Dominican Republic/Miss Mexico (tie with
75 each), Miss India (61), and Miss Chile (50).
To the question, "Should pageants ban surgically enhanced beauties? -
53% of the voters said yes, 38% no, and 9% not sure.
To the question, "Who do you think is the most
artificially looking delegate in this year's Miss Universe pageant? -
this title belongs to Miss Puerto Rico (315), followed by Miss Venezuela (123), Miss Dominican
Republic (50), and Miss Indonesia (26).
The polls do not have any scientific basis and serve
only to entertain the readers. Thank you all for participating.
• NEXT UPDATE : Sunday, July 23, 2006.
Photo credit: El Panamá América
| 07.20.2006 | Thursday
This Friday on "The David Letterman Show," four delegates (Puerto Rico, Finland, Australia
and Colombia) will be joined by Donald Trump to promote the telecast of
the pageant this Sunday night. The show was taped last Monday. Could the four selected beauties
eventually be among the top 20?
After showing her eye-stopping number during the preliminaries
- a black lace robe and a skimpy tube skirt - Miss Singapore Carol Cheong, above, hopes to top the hotpants
that Lebanon's Georgina Rizk wore in Miss Universe 1971. Rizk won. Will Cheong's tube skirt
bring her luck?
• COSTUMES GALORE : I've seen photos from the event from the official
Miss Universe site. The national costume segment is always the most exciting segment
of any international pageant, and this year's MU is no exception. These are some of the
costumes that caught my eye: Albania, Kazakhstan, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Cyprus, Indonesia,
Ireland, Japan, Mauritius, Puerto Rico, Ukraine (love that Madonna and Child icon below
her bustier!), and Uruguay (I am puzzled as to why she opted for a one-piece in the
swimsuit session when in fact she looks hot wearing a two-piece in her costume!)
There were a few that did not look like authentic costumes, such as
those worn by Croatia (
a short white dress with umbrella), by Belgium (looks like a
zebra curtain trying to pass up as an evening gown), by Czech Republic (looks like that
actress Bette Davis would have worn in "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?"), by Germany
(feathers showing the colors of the German flag, and a hoop skirt decorated with
various flags), by Namibia (an ethnic-inspired gown?), and
United Kingdom (a cheap imitation of a Las Vegas showgirl costume).
• PROJECT TARA : Did anyone watch Episode 2 of "Project Runway, Season 3" last night
on Bravo Channel? The designers - who were teamed up in duos - took to the challenge
of designing a gown for Miss USA Tara Conner. One team consisted of leader
Kayne Gillaspie, a professional pageant gown designer from Oklahoma who was in
charge of designing Tara's gown. Gillaspie was assisted by Robert Best who
is a professional Barbie doll dressmaker. Gillaspie's design was adjudged as the best,
and both designers advance to the next round. This episode was taped months ago, and
the winning design was supposed to have been worn by Conner in Miss Universe, but we know
now that it did not happen because Conner wore a different gown on the red carpet and
in the prelims. See Gillaspie's winning pageant gown here.
• DENYING FAVORITISM : Last weekend, Venezuelan TV presenter Federica Guzman
was crowned as Venezuela's representative to Miss World. But now her victory
over five other rivals has been questioned by a skeptical press. The contest took place
in Venevision TV studios in a short contest that did not include the usual personality
questions. Normally, the girl who wins second place in the Miss Venezuela automatically
represents Venezuela in the Miss World contest.
For Guzman it was a successful return to beauty
contests since winning Miss Miranda in 2001. She said, "I returned because I still
had a little bug about losing in 2001." The presenter says she was not aware of
any favoritism and throws the question back at reporters: "Did any of you NOT want me to make it?"
Guzman is convinced that she will bring back the trophy to Venezuela and beauty
contest impresario and organizer, the evergreen Osmel Sousa agrees, stating
that the first thing Guzman must do is to dye her hair. (Vheadline.com, 7/18/2006)
• MEASURING BEAUTY : "Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. Therefore, it is a subjective thing.
Any attempt to judge beauty would be an exercise in futility. So it is improper to
commodify it through pageants held all over the world." Read more.
• NEXT UPDATE : Saturday, July 22, 2006.
Photo credit: Miss Universe Organization
| 07.17.2006 | Monday
Majewska is a graduate of Temple University (Philadelphia) with
an honor's degree in international business and economics. Special awardees included Jenna Lee Crelman of Brampton (Woman
of Style), Simin Bagheri of London (HK Beauties Photogenic), and a tie
between Sandi Vincent of Nunavut and Abigail Lee of York Region (Miss Congeniality).
CB correspondent Vince Soto attended the pageant and will soon write a review. Pictures
from the event will be posted later.
• FRIENDLY TIPS : Former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins has offered some timely tips to the Queensland
student who hopes to emulate her success at this year's pageant. Erin McNaught, 24,
is in Los Angeles preparing for next Sunday's competition and showing Hawkins the city's best boutiques.
"Just stay cool, calm, enjoy it and just be yourself," Hawkins told McNaught."As soon as you start
trying too hard, that's when it all falls in a heap."
Hawkins, who is in Los Angeles shooting a story for "The
Great Outdoors," has a hosting role at this year's pageant. "The story was part of a shopping
series I've been doing for the show," she said. "We mainly went to Melrose in this fantastic
limo and tested a whole lot of really cool shops. I knew some parts of LA, like the shopping,
but Erin certainly knew other bits of the city because she had spent a bit of time there before."
The episode featuring Hawkins' favourite LA hotspots
airs on Monday week. She will introduce Seven's Miss Universe coverage next Sunday.
(Daily Telegraph, Sydney, 7/16/2006)
Guzmán is considered as one of the hottest models in her country. She was a hostess and the
image of the international TV channel, FASHION TV (FTV). She is currently hosting a social
events show for the news channel Globovisión. Watch Guzmán's coronation
in Youtube.com. Thanks to Daniel Gonzalez Villamediana for this info.
• MISS UNIVERSE TIDBITS : As the preliminaries draw near, the Miss Universe 2006 contestants are
beginning to feel the pressure of performing well. The last few days have been very hectic as
the ladies had been subjected to more photo shoots, press conferences, autograph signings,
and other activities that hardly give them any time to exercise or watch their diet.
- Miss Colombia Valerie Dominguez said that no one in the MUO staff watches what the girls eat, so it's
really up to the contestants to do it for themselves.
- Miss Panama Alessandra Mesquita said that the contestants do not have any spare time
to exercise regularly at all, so when they return back to their hotel, they try to
burn off calories by walking in the hallway.
- Every year, the Latin delegates seem to draw the most attention, and this year's pageant
is no exception. Two days ago, the Latin beauties attended the Telemundo Breakfast For Hispanic
Miss Universe contestants to answer questions from the Spanish-language media. Read "Hispanic,"
which refers to countries that were formerly colonized by Spain. This explains why Miss Brazil
Rafaela Zanella was not invited. Brazil is a Latin country, but not necessarily Hispanic,
since it was colonized by Portugal.
- Concerning the swimsuit photos taken by MUO photographer Fadil Berisha, the delegates
were asked to select their best shot. Has anyone noticed that Miss Slovenia Natasa Pinoza's
swimsuit shot
is the only one showing a candidate from the waist up? All the others have either a full-body
shot or from the upper thighs up.
• FROM HER POINT OF VIEW : Aixa Sepúlveda Morales, a reporter for the Puerto Rican
newspaper Primera Hora, is in Los Angeles covering the pageant. In a column published
last Saturday, Sepúlveda writes the following:
- The media and the public in general give little attention to the pageant, in contrast to
the last time the pageant was held in Puerto Rico in 2002 where all sorts of activities related
to the pageant were going on 24 hours a day.
- The delegates were supposed to be given an official welcome by Los Angeles mayor Antonio
Villaraigosa, but the mayor failed to show up and it was reported that he was celebrating
his daughter's birthday instead. In Puerto Rico, every town mayor would take advantage of
every opportunity to have a picture taken next to a beauty queen.
- The general public, unaware of pageant-related activities, would sometimes ask the media
what is going on. Only the Latin American media, with the exception of NBC, is giving
full coverage of the pageant. (She's right. I cruised
The Los Angeles Times online and there isn't any mention of the pageant as I write this entry!)
- The reporters are not well-treated by MUO's Public Relations department (ouch!) which prevents
them from getting close to the delegates. It is almost necessary to use a paparazzi zoom-lens
to get a good picture.
- Security is very tight. During the delegates' trip to Universal Studios, they were approached
by a group of actors from the show "Waterworld". One of the actors told them to follow him if
they were looking for entertainment. But when the delegates began to follow the actor, one of
the bodyguards yelled at them and said, "Nobody leaves the place unless I say so!"
• STRONGEST LATINAS : I watched Telemundo's special last night, "Camino a la corona," which
featured this year's delegates from Latin America. There were two delegates missing - Argentina
and Chile - only because the taping of the show was recorded months before the representatives
from these two countries were crowned. Honduras did not send a rep this year. Based on what I've seen (that is, my subjective
biased opinion), these girls have the strongest chance of entering the semi-finals: Rebecca Iraheta
(El Salvador), Valerie Dominguez (Colombia), Desirée Durán (Bolivia),
Mia Taveras (Dominican Republic), Priscila Perales (Mexico), Zuleyka Rivera
(Puerto Rico) and Jictzad Viña (Venezuela).
• TOP TWENTY : It has been reported that twenty semi-finalists will be chosen this year. The top
twenty will compete in swimsuit wear, and then will be cut to ten who will go on to compete in
evening gown. Adding five more semi-finalists certainly increases the chances of some countries
that usually have not fared well in past competitions, but have sent strong delegates this year,
like the Ukraine, Ethiopia, Croatia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Nicaragua, Poland, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia
and U.S. Virgin islands.
• THE JUDGES : And what about the judges? There are nine of them, all celebrities in their
own right. Two are repeat judges: American actress Bo Derek (who judged in 2004) and
Puerto Rican journalist Maria Celeste Arrarás (who judged in 2003). The list is not diverse
since it consists of mostly Americans (which is understandable since the pageant takes place
on American soil and is produced by Americans). But the nationality of the judge should not
matter as much as his or her ability to select the young woman who would best represent the
interests of Donald Trump and the Miss Universe Organization.
• MORE TROUBLES FOR JOHN SINGH : I received an e-mail from a reader who wrote the
following: "He seems to have gotten one of his girls pregnant and she is now
suing him for child support! He will not answer his phone nor would anybody
from his office comment except to say 'somebody is trying to gain market share
by making these allegations' B.S.! He has been allegedly doing this sort
of sexual misconduct with his contestants for many years, and only now got
more than he bargained for!"
This fan directed me to a blog created perhaps
by a former contestant in Miss Tourism World. The blog certainly makes a very
interesting summer reading.
• AND TROUBLE FOR JACK FRERE : The reader also sent me a note regarding Jack Frere, the director of the British
version of Miss Intercontinental: "Jack Frere seems to have sunk to a new
low desperate to get girls for his Miss Intercontinental by falsely claiming
that Miss Universe Zambia 2006 Mofya Chisenga is a delegate for his copy
cat Miss Intercontinental. He had some how gotten a photo of her when she
was about 16 years old and posted it on his website. What a scum bag!
No word from him or the organizers how he got the photo. Mofya Chisenga is currently
at Miss Universe 2006 in L.A. and must have no knowledge about this bad photo
which is so very unflattering to her and I think she should sue him as well."
• NEXT UPDATE : Thursday, July 20, 2006.
Photo credits: Miss World Canada, Belleza Venezolana
| 07.13.2006 | Thursday
• NO MORE CLOTHES : Erin McNaught, the Aussie rep to Miss Universe, stated
that she has run out of clothes for the three-week long beauty event. Before she left, three
Aussie designers offered her some of their clothes, but it seems that she didn't take all of them with
her. Now she's at risk of being condemned by the fashion police for being ill-prepared and
for wearing the same clothes twice, or thrice! This has what happened when McNaught's
national director Jim Davie had been spending more time clearing his and McNaught's
name rather than actually doing an inventory of what McNaught had to bring to the pageant.
I am sure any of the Latin delegates would be willing to loan her some of their many clothes.
(The West Australian, 7/12/2006)
• MISSO OR MISSIO? : A Puerto Rican newspaper El Vocero features a list of
favorites for the Miss Universe crown, based on Missosology.org. The article misspelled
the website's name and calls it "Missiology.org." This is the second time that a Puerto Rican
publication has misspelled Missosology. Last year, I mentioned in my 5/26/2005 journal
entry that Primera Hora had misspelled the website's name and instead used the name
of a religious site. And I am saying it again: don't these reporters ever proofread their writings?
• ISLAMISTS SLAM AGAIN : Last June 30th, the Miss Nouakchott pageant (Nouakchott is the
capital city of Mauritania) was supposed to have taken place. Posters announcing the pageant
had been glued all over the city. Several young women had already been selected to compete
in a beauty pageant organized by the Racing Club with the help of sponsors, and national and
foreign groups. However, the local Islamist community voiced its opposition to the pageant,
citing that it "is incompatible with the morals of the country and contrary to the Sharia Law."
Yes, the lovely Sharia Law. Now that the pageant has been forbidden, young Mauritanian women
have lost their opportunity to improve themselves and to make a difference in their society,
all thanks to a bunch of retarded, unenlightened and women-hating religious freaks.
(Jeune Afrique, 7/12/2006)
• IN OR OUT? "The search for the most beautiful woman in Universe is on! Miss Universe 2006
is round the corner and representatives from all over the globe are vying for the
prestigious crown. Winning the title brings instant fame, money and love from the whole world.
But over the years, the craze for beauty pageants is no more the same. So, what's the reason?
Are beauty pageants losing their appeal?" Read more.
• THE RIGHT ATTITUDE : I've been reviewing the written interview section for each delegate.
I love Miss Japan Kurara Chibana's super self-confidence:
I already think about myself as Miss Universe! My advantages might be that:
- I can communicate with people in 4 different languages (Japanese, French,
English & Spanish) -I already have the lifestyle of a Miss Universe, traveling
the world to listen and communicate with people. -I am in front of as well
as behind a camera daily. -I am active in several charity works. -I am able
to switch from glamour to humbleness. -I received a good education
from my loving parents -I am patient and compassionate. -I think big picture always.
... which is so much more than what Miss Spain Elisabeth Reyes could say: "My personality."
... and much much more than what Miss Russia Anna Litvinova
could respond.
• NEXT UPDATE : Monday, July 17, 2006.
Photo credits: Netscape Celebrity, Miss Universe Organization
| 07.10.2006 | Monday
The top ten list was completed by the delegates from Puerto Rico,
Bolivia, Thailand, China and Hungary. And rounding up the top sixteen were Misses Monaco,
Poland, India, Slovak Republic, Australia and Martinique. Interesting trivia about Gabionza: she participated in
Miss Philippines Earth 2002 and placed second (Miss Philippines-Air)
to April Ross Perez who,
by the way, was named the first runner-up in the Miss Mesoamerica International 2005 pageant
in Guatemala.
• MISS UNIVERSE TIDBITS : I've seen the interview video clips and I have some comments
to make. The I-Can't-Shut-Up Award goes to Miss Ukraine Inna Tsymbaliuk who has the
longest - and dragging - responses to the questions. The girl just won't shut up.
The Are-You-Really-From-That-Country Award is shared
by Miss Mexico Priscila Perales, Miss Thailand Charm Onwarin Osathanond,
and Miss Colombia Valerie Dominguez - who all sounded impeccably American.
Osathanond is the first ever Miss Thailand that I know who used the word "ditzy" to describe herself.
Miss Puerto Rico Zuleyka Rivera wins the Trying-To-Be-Cute Award with her frequent
annoying chortles at the end of each response. And I could listen to and watch endlessly at
the underrated yet surprisingly gorgeous Miss Ireland Melanie Boreham and Miss Mauritius
Isabelle Antoo. To the question, "Who Is Your
Role Model?", several mentioned Oprah Winfrey or Mother Teresa, but one in particular -
Miss Belgium Tatiana Silva mentioned Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the first
female president of Africa from Liberia.
• REALLY EXCITED : Shilah Phillips, who was unsuccessful in her bid to win the popular
reality TV show "American Idol" this year, was crowned as the first black Miss Texas on Saturday night
at the Will Rogers Memorial Center Theater. Phillips represented the town of Frisco.
"I'm very excited about it because I have reality TV experience," the 24-year-old said
moments after being crowned. "I was actually kicked off American Idol, so I'm looking
forward to Miss America." Phillips won on her first try. She won both the talent and
swimsuit competitions during pageant preliminaries last week. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9/7/2006)
• CHAOTIC : The escalating violence and disruptions related to King Gyanendra’s
absolute reign continue to affect Nepal. This time, the latest casualty is Miss Nepal, the kingdom’s best
known and most-popular beauty pageant. The contest, sponsored by Dabur India’s subsidiary
and one of Nepal’s largest corporates, Dabur Nepal, will not be held this year, the fast
moving consumer goods giant said Sunday. The Dabur Vatika Miss Nepal Pageant 2006, scheduled
to be held Aug 5 at the prestigious Birendra International Convention Center in the capital,
has now been postponed to January 2007. This is the second time since its inception in 1994
that the kingdom’s oldest beauty pageant has been postponed. Previously, it was not held
in 2001 when the king and queen of Nepal, along with their three children and other members
of the royal family, were massacred in the palace, plunging the nation into mourning. The winner
of the 2007 pageant will have the chance to represent Nepal in Miss Universe for the first
time. (India eNews.com, India, 9/7/2006)
• DETHRONED : Yanira González, Miss Puerto Rico Petite 2005, was stripped off her
title last Friday by the pageant president Luis Santiago. González was replaced by
her first runner-up Yamileth Gilbes who will reign only for less than two months.
Santiago alleges that González had made comments and complaints in public while Santiago
was away on a trip. Pageant contract forbids the titleholder to make any disparaging
remarks against the company. González claims that Santiago had planned to send her
to an international pageant that would take place in Dallas, Texas. But three months
ago, Santiago supposedly informed González that the plan had to be postponed due to his
"missionary" trip to Mexico. Later, González found out that Santiago's supposed missionary
trip to Mexico had something to do with Santiago's girlfriend Libni Garcia's
participation in Miss America Latina pageant that took place in Cancun.
Furthermore, González alleges that she has never
received any of her prizes - a statement denied by Santiago who insisted that González
was treated in the same manner as the previous titleholders. He is now considering taking
the 20-year-old González to court. Meanwhile, Gilbes is getting ready to compete in
the Miss Intercontinental pageant to be held in the Dominican Republic starting July 18th.
(Primera Hora, San Juan, 7/8/2006)
• AND SPEAKING OF MISS INTERCONTINENTAL, did you know that there are two different pageants
that carry the same name? World Beauty Organization, led by Detlef Tursies, purchased
the rights to the title in 1991 after the pageant was discontinued in Nigeria, or at least
this is what he told me in his e-mail when I asked him about the second Miss Intercontinental
which is based in London and directed by Jack Frere. Tursies explained that neither
he nor WBO sold the MI trademark or rights to anyone; he even provided me copies of the
documentation that appear to support his statement. When I informed Frere of Tursies's claims,
Frere counter-argued by saying that Tursies had lost the MI trademark and rights in the German
courts which later awarded the MI trademark and rights to Frere's group - the Fibafa Group.
Now, both groups are considering taking each other to court.
It was Tursies's WBO that crowned the current Miss
International Emmarys Pinto of Venezuela. As far as Frere's pageant goes, he claims
that most of the national directors have now switched to his group, and that his pageant
seeks to be more profitable (for everyone involved including directors) than WBO's pageant.
Whereas WBO's pageant usually takes place for three weeks, Fibafa's pageant will only
take place for three days in October.
I wrote to Frere that his version of MI seems very promising, but I didn't think that three days
are sufficient enough to hold a pageant that claims to have over 50 participants.
Could this be another scam?
Incidentally, when you do visit the Guide section of
Frere's pageant, you will see this laughable paragraph:
Since when has Antarctica been sending delegates to pageants? LOL!
• AND SPEAKING OF SCAMS, Carolyn Baldwin, the director of Pageants South Africa,
sent a warning to Cesar Montece, the president of Queen of Ecuador, Inc., to stop
using the title "Queen of the Universe" in yet another pageant that Montece is producing
in two weeks in Guayaquil. On July 4th, Montece had sent a mass e-mail to all possible directors that exist in the
world (including myself) inviting us to purchase a franchise (for US$600.00) and to send a representative to his pageant. He
even attached franchise forms along with the e-mail. Apparently, Baldwin found out about Montece's e-mail and quickly wrote to Montece telling him to
stop infringing on the title "Queen of the Universe" that is copyrighted by Baldwin's company.
How reputable are Montece's pageants? Montece
owns at least twenty pageant titles, and he is fond of notifying national directors in such
a very short notice. So if you get an invitation from him today and a pageant is held at the end
of the month, you only have three weeks to prepare your candidate! His franchise forms - written in
pathetic English - are funny as hell. For instance, under the "General Regulations" section, it
states: "All the Delegates must arrive to Guayaquil from July 21 to 25 July 2006 and return
to your countries on July 1st." LOL! And in the "Registrations" section, it states: "The transport
and demurrage are to be on the companion account and risk. The will not lodge at Candidate's
room." Huh? What the hell is a "demurrage?" If someone could understand what the statement
means, please tell me and I will send you one of Eric Siow's beautiful paper dolls!
• NEXT UPDATE : Thursday, July 13, 2006.
Photo credits: Reuters, Yahoo
| 07.06.2006 | Thursday
Last April, another British women's magazine New Woman
selected classic glamour queen, actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn as
number one. Hepburn has been dead since 1993, yet her beauty - inside and out - continues
to enchant many of us. Coming second is another dead glamour queen, Grace Kelly, a/k/a
Princess Grace of Monaco who died in a tragic car accident in 1982. Coming third is
supermodel Cindy Crawford who is spending her time these days selling her own line of
skin-care products. Ex-beauty queens Halle Berry ranked #9 and Eva Longoria at #73.
Supermodel Tyra Banks is nowhere
on the list.
It's great that women's magazines are able to select
their winner of the Most Beautiful Woman title. Considering that virtually all the readers of
these magazines are women, it is safe to assume that the celebrities who made the list - only made
the list because of too much media exposure and attention. Notice that hardly any major beauty queen
made the list: no Natalie Glebova, no Alexandra Braun, and no Jennifer Hawkins
despite their extensive media exposure. What does this signify?
That readers of women's mags base their concept of beauty on many hours sitting in front of the small box or the big screen, or browsing
through beauty and fashion magazines that constantly feature big female celebrities? Are these readers
any different from pageant fans who spend many hours checking out images and data about beauty queens
all over the Internet and countless hours watching and rewatching pageant tapes? No, not really.
• THE LAST OF ITS KIND : Vedrana Grbovic, an 18-year-old beauty who emigrated
to Australia with her parents twelve years ago, was crowned as the last Miss Serbia &
Montenegro last Sunday. Why last? Because Montenegro finally became an independent
country last month. But if this is the case, then why continue dragging the name of
Montenegro next to Serbia? Couldn't Montenegro organize its own pageant?
Grbovic is supposed to go to Miss World, but will she represent two countries, or just
Serbia? (The West Australian, Australia, 7/5/2006)
• CYBERPRESS DARLING : Global Beauties selected Gordana Strajin of Serbia &
Montenegro as the winner of the Miss Cyberpress award for Miss Tourism Queen International
(MTQI). Read more about it here.
• THE NEW MISS EARTH VENEZUELA is Marianne Puglia, who was crowned last July 1st
at Centro Sambil in Isla de Margarita. Puglia will try to steal away the Miss Earth crown
from Alexandra Braun, with whom she competed in the 2005 Miss Venezuela pageant in
which both women reached the finals. Puglia also won the Miss Press and the Miss Sambil
Model Caracas awards. (El Meridiano, Caracas, 7/5/2006)
• MISS WORLD AUSTRALIA CONTROVERSY : "Behind the permanent smiles and graceful demeanour of Miss World aspirants,
an unseemly brawl has erupted over who should represent Australia at this year's pageant.
Sabrina Houssami, last year's runner-up, was given the crown after Australian officials
cancelled the 2006 local pageants, claiming they had no time to prepare because the Miss
World competition in Poland was pushed forward from December to September." Read more.
• CHECHNYA CHICK : Zamira Jabrailova, a 15-year-old girl from Chechnya,
has won the Northern Caucasus 2006 beauty pageant in Pyatigorsk, Evgeni Sabetski,
an advisor to the head of the local government, told Interfax Monday. "Twenty girls from
all over the Northern Caucasus took part in the contest. A 15-year-old schoolgirl from
Grozny won the title," Sabetski said. The title of First, Second and Third Vice-Miss Northern
Caucasus 2006 went to Kira Poselnikova of Armavir, Irina Daliyeva of Vladikavkaz,
and Elena Titova of Lermontov. (Interfax, 7/3/2006)
Why are the Chechnyans crowning fifteen year-old queens?
What's up with that?
• THE FIRST EVER Miss National Asia Pageant was held in The Palace of Fine Art Theater,
in San Francisco, California last July 1st. A total of thirteen contestants of
Asian descendant from four US states competed in the pageant. The lucky winner is Linda
Phung of Chinese descent. Her court includes first runner-up Catherine Hwang of Korean descendant,
Aimee Truong and Julie Mai both of Vietnamese descent, who are second and
third runners-up respectively. Visit the official Miss National Asia Pageant site.
• NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE : "Vietnamese student Vu Nguyen Ha Anh has been deemed the most beautiful
and talented Asian woman in the UK’s The Face of Asia contest held earlier last week in London."
Read more.
• HERE THEY COME : William Prendiz de Jurado called me yesterday from Los
Angeles (9:05 L.A. time) to report the following. Miss South Africa Thuli Sithole
arrived with six luggages, six hand-carries, and a mink jacket (which is inappropriate
for a hot weather!). Miss Ukraine Inna Tsymbaliuk had four pieces of luggage and
said that she flew in from India with stopover in New York City. The arriving
delegates each gets a single-stemmed rose from the hotel officials. William also commented that
Miss Peru Fiorella Viñas is "very beautiful." Read more of William's report here.
• VIÑAS ON VIÑA : When asked who her greatest competitors would be, Miss Peru Universe
Fiorella Viñas does not shy away from dissing Miss Venezuela Jictzad Viña. "I am not nervous. I'm calm. Miss Venezuela has a great
body, but I don't think she's pretty. My competitors are Misses Ukraine, Canada and Brazil,
though I expect to do very well and to bring honor to Peru. Winning the crown
is my goal." (Peru.com, 7/5/2006)
• NEXT UPDATE : Monday, July 10, 2006.
Photo credit: Squidly.com
| 07.03.2006 | Monday
I have been exchanging e-mails with a couple of
Australian pageant fans about Erin's dilemma. Peter Sereno, who coached Miss Universe 2004
Jennifer Hawkins, argued that "there are standards that need to be maintained
and by sending Erin to the competition sends a message to our young girls that flaunting your
assets to gain fortune and fame is okay." Sereno questioned the purpose of Erin's photos
that were published in a men's magazine. Sereno draws the line between posing nude for
art's sake or posing nude to titillate a male audience. Francis Gil and myself agreed that Erin
should be sent simply because she won the national title fair and square, and that the scandal
could very well benefit McNaught and MUO, publicity-wise.
However, there is some hard truth in Sereno's argument,
regardless how puritanical it may seem. Over the years, especially since Trump took over MUO,
the focus has been on physical beauty, even though the winners may not always please
Trump's taste for women. Has anyone noticed that most scandals or controversies involving
Miss Universe usually involve contestants who have posed nude before the pageant and
that these events occur as the pageant itself is drawing nearer? And has anyone noticed, too,
that Trump rarely mentions MUO's charitable activities, thus underscoring the popular
feminist cliché that beauty pageants serve no purpose but to exploit women? Ha!
This is a far cry from Société Miss France whose
self-proclaimed director Geneviève de Fontenay demands that Miss France do not pose
nude during or even eighteen months after her reign. MUO could certainly learn something
from the Hat Lady, especially in the area of elegance and refinement.
This month's CB Magazine features a translated
article about the Hat Lady and Miss France Alexandra Rosenfeld dissing Trump and MUO!
Read all about it here.
• TWO QUEENS : The Miss Venezuela Organization announced that it will select two queens
in two separate pageants this year. The first pageant, which will take place this month,
will select the representative for Miss World. Unexperienced contestants, as well as
repeat contestants, will fight for the crown. Osmel Sousa stated that Miss World
owner Julia Morley had demanded that the new representative must be crowned
in a national pageant and not hand-picked. Meanwhile, preparations for the Miss Venezuela
pageant - to select the rep for Miss Universe 2007 - have already begun. The much-awaited
event will be held during the second week of September. (La Verdad, Maracaibo, 6/30/2006)
• THE NEW MISS ITALIA NEL MONDO is Karina Michelin, 26, representing the Amazon
region of Brazil who was crowned in Salsomaggiore on June 29th. What makes Michelin interesting is that she is one of the oldest contestants and the mother of
a young son, 6-year-old Richardo. The pageant started accepting unmarried single mothers in 1994 - like
Beatrice Bocci who placed second to Alessandra Meloni. Bocci had a daughter.
Michelin, with 57% of the comprehensive votes (judges, televiewers, text messagers),
triumphed over Miss Liechtenstein Dahlia Ferrazzo who earned 43% of the votes.
The pageant was broadcasted by Rai International. (Savona Notizie,6/30/2006)
• NEW BEAUTY BOOK : Miss Universe 1991 Lupita Jones will publish her new book
entitled, "Bella y en forma, 15 años después" ("Beauty and Form: 15 Years Later") consisting of
seven chapters that talk about beauty as an integral concept. Jones stated that she will
share her beauty secrets with women, especially on how to defy the aging process. She also
stated the book will also touch beauty from within. Meanwhile, Priscila Perales is working hard
to bring Mexico's second Miss Universe crown. Jones said that a victory for Mexico would
be the best way to celebrate her fifteen years in pageantry. (Notimex, 6/29/2006)
• CLEARING THE AIR : Venezuelan actress Ruddy Rodriguez, who was a finalist in Miss World 1985,
recently told the Venezuelan press that she categorically denies any hint of romance
between her and Venezuelan president (err, dictator) Hugo Chávez. "I will neither
marry him nor he is my ideal guy." She further stated that she could not marry someone
without being in love. "Besides, it would be bigamy since I am still married to Rodolfo
Pizani even though we will get divorced soon." Rodriguez also expressed her total disinterest
in politics. (D2001, Caracas, 6/30/2006)
• WHAT'S UP WITH DENISE : Miss Universe 2001 Denise Quiñones is reportedly dating
René Pérez, also known as Residente, the lead singer of the Puerto Rican reggaeton duo,
Calle 13. The couple claims that they
are just good friends, even though they have been seen romancing each other since they
first got together during the Gay Pride Parade several weeks ago in the town of Santurce.
(Primera Hora, 6/29/2006)
• MISS UNIVERSE TIDBITS : The candidates will soon be arriving in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, message
boards are filling up with photos of several contenders showing their official wardrobe and
national costumes. Some of the dresses, sadly, look gawdy and cheap (Miss Czech Republic and Miss Panama).
Miss Puerto Rico Zuleyka Rivera's national costume is magnificent, but most of her gowns leave very little
impression on me. Miss Japan Kurara Chibana's avant-garde red and black samurai costume is to die for, and it is obvious that
Japan's national director Inés Legron continues with her "shock" strategy. Miss Philippines Lia Ramos's
Colombian make-over is terribly dissapointing; a picture of her wearing a similar red gown made famous
by Karen Agustin in 2002 is an insult to Filipino couturiers who could have made an equally good
or better gown for her. Finally, several countries will be missed this year: Curacao, the Netherlands,
Barbados, and Vietnam. Portugal and Chinese Taipei are not sending delegates for the second straight year.
Some people have asked me if I am going to Los Angeles for the
pageant, and the answer is no. But if any of you are going, take lots of candid pics and post them
on the CB Message Board! Besides, the number one Miss Universe fan William Prendiz de Jurado,
who lives in Los Angeles, will be part of the welcoming committee and he will provide us with some
news and updates, so stay tuned!
• NEXT UPDATE : Thursday, July 6, 2006.
Photo credit: The Sunday Mail, Australia.
JUNE 2006
• STUNNING COSTUME : Her modern take on the samurai armour will probably go down
in pageant history as one of the highlights of the 2006 contest. Kurara Chibana
wore a red chest plate that was held up by ribbons and had an authentic-looking
samurai sword hanging from her belt. The Los Angeles Times described it as a
'show-stopper' and it won the award for best national costume. It was designed by
Japanese artist Yuichi Miyagawa and created by designer Yoshiyuki Ogata.
The costume was apparently a feminist statement to symbolise the role of Japanese
women in today's society as being on par with the men. Chibana herself is very different
from the perceived image of a typical Japanese woman, seen mostly as submissive.
• THAT WINNING FACE : Jennifer Hawkins has become one of Australia's most profitable
brands, accumulating a $3 million fortune since winning the Miss Universe title two years ago.
The former Newcastle cheerleader, who earned about $70 each match for dancing and waving
pom-poms, has found prosperity through a plethora of product endorsements and a TV career.
Hawkins now earns around four times as much as Prime Minister John Howard. The 22-year-old
juggles her modelling work and personal appearances around her main job as a presenter
on Channel 7's "The Great Outdoors." Among her recent conquests are winning contracts
with retail giant Myer, cosmetics brand Covergirl and the lingerie line Lovable. She is
believed to have secured $400,000 from the Myer deal alone. Celebrity agent Max Markson
estimated Hawkins would earn an annual salary of about $250,000 with Channel 7,
plus between $100,000 and $150,000 each from brands she endorses, including Pepsi,
Lux and Covergirl. Her three-year contract with Lovable is thought to be worth $1 million,
and a lucrative international deal with Hong Kong-based property development firm
Henderson Land is thought to have landed her another $150,000. (NEWS.com.au, Australia,
7/30/2006)
• THE GOWN : The exquisitely sexy gown that Zuleyka wore on the telecast was
designed by well-known Puerto Rican designer Carlos Alberto. It was exactly
the same gown that Zuleyka had worn when she was crowned Miss Puerto Rico Universe,
albeit it had been modified for the big pageant. According to Magali Febles,
the changes in the gown were completed around 5 in the morning of July 23rd (the
day of the finals). There was hardly any time for Zuleyka to try on the newly
modified gown. 
• THE NEW MISS HAITI EARTH is Melan Georges, left, a 20-year-old student majoring
in computer information system. Georges, who at 5'11" is an aspiring model, was selected by the Miss Bahamas Organization
as the ideal Haitian representative to the third largest pageant which will be held
in Santiago, Chile in November. Georges describes herself as innovative, ambitious
and inspirational and looks up to civil rights hero Martin Luther King, Jr. Thanks to
Michelle Malcolm for this info.
Aussie Erin holds Universe "Trump" card
• THE NEW MISS WORLD PANAMA is Gisselle Marie Bissot, left, 23, who was crowned last
Wednesday night at Hotel Veneto in Panama City, defeating eight other rivals for the title.
She also won the Best Hair award. Bissot is a pageant veteran. She placed second in Miss
Panama Universe 2003 and was a finalist in Miss Mesoamerica International 2004. ( El Panamá América,
7/21/2006)
• MISS UNIVERSE TIDBITS : The preliminaries took place last Tuesday night and message boards
are now replete with images from the event alongside comments from pageant fans.
The only ones who know who made the top twenty are MUO president Paula Shugart and
the accountants, so to the rest of us, we will just have to wait untit next Sunday
night to find out.
• THE NEW MISS WORLD CANADA is Malgosia Majewska, 25, left, representing Peel Region.
Majewska was crowned last night in Toronto's Diesel Playhouse. Majewska's court includes
first runner-up Ashley Bursey (Newfoundland/Labrador), second runner-up Grace Russell
(Edmonton), third runner-up Aminata Farmo (Gatineau) and fourth runner-up Shannon
Bowles (Victoria). 
• THE NEW MISS VENEZUELA WORLD is Federica Guzmán Diamante, left, 24, who was
crowned in Caracas last Saturday night by Osmel Sousa himself, director of the
Miss Venezuela Organization. Guzmán and her five rivals were all former Miss Venezuela participants;
she participated in the 2001 national pageant where she represented the department of Miranda
and won the Most Beautiful Legs award.
At least in the eyes, don't you think?
What makes you unique and different from the other contestants?
• SHE'S GOT THE LOOKS : The new Miss Tourism Queen International is Justine Gabionza, left, a
top model from the Philippines who was crowned last Saturday night in Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang province.
Gabionza triumphed over eighty-five other delegates. Her court includes first runner-up
Gordana Strajin of Serbia & Montenegro, second runner-up Fatouma Eboundit of the
Republic of Congo, third runner-up Laxmi Ssunita of Singapore, and fourth runner-up
Lívia Pratissoli of Brazil. 
Miss Thailand shows the girls the American way to greet visitors. LOL!
The climax of the event will be held on Sunday, 29th October 2006 when the new Miss Intercontinental
will be crowned amid a spectacular show hosted by a well-known TV celebrity. Over 50 countries
will be represented from six of the seven continents (Antarctica didn't enter).
• MOST BEAUTIFUL : British women's magazine Eve selected U.S. actress Kristin
Davis, 41, left, of "Sex And The City" as the world's most beautiful woman. Editor Sara Cremer said:
"Kristin's natural beauty combined with her on-screen presence make her a woman with
style and substance. She exudes sex appeal without compromising her intelligence and independence."
Cremer is right. Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones came in second. Two ex-beauty queens also made the list: Halle Berry (3) and Eva Longoria (8).
See the top ten list here.
(Sky, 7/3/2006)
• SHE'S GOING : Miss Universe Australia winner Erin McNaught, left, will compete in the
Miss Universe pageant despite posing nude and topless for magazine spreads.
The scandal, revealed in Aussie paper The Sunday Times last week, almost cost the Gold Coast
model her crown. Miss Universe Organization president Paula Shugart said after
careful consideration that MUO had decided that McNaught would represent Australia and
compete in the pageant on July 23 in Los Angeles. The 24-year-old beauty said,
"I have no idea about Donald Trump being involved," and that she had not had
a good night sleep while worrying whether she would be sent or not. McNaught is
scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles on Wednesday. (Perth Now, 6/30/2006;
The Sunday Mail, 7/1/2006)
