THE Northern Marianas will not participate in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam.

By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE Northern Marianas will not participate in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam.
Stellar Marianas president Laila Y. Boyer said there was no Miss Marianas Universe competition held last year as there were not enough local candidates.
The last time the CNMI participated in the international pageant was in 2006 when it sent Shequitta Bennett to be its representative.
“Miss Universe requires us to have at least 10 contestants in order to crown a delegate for the Miss Universe pageant,” Boyer said. “But we’re going to work it out this year to send our representative for the 2009 competition.”
So far, Boyer said, Stellar Marianas has five contestants for the local pageant and will finalize details after the Miss Teen Marianas pageant slated for March 8.
“There’s no reigning Miss Marianas Universe right now but we’re excited to crown a new queen to participate in the 2009 prestigious competition,” she said.

Sending a delegate cost the CNMI $6,000 two years ago.

“And every year that fee increases so it takes a little over $10,000 in total to be able to send a delegate,” Boyer said, adding that the nonprofit group will seek the community and business sector’s support to raise the needed funding.
According to a Web site, Miss Universe 2008 will be held at the Diamond Bay Resort in Nha Trang, Vietnam on July 15.
Over 80 contestants are expected to arrive in Vietnam.
This year’s winner will star in season two of the reality show “Pageant Place” which currently stars Riyo Mori, Rachel Smith, and Hilary Cruz.
The pageant will be broadcast to over 180 countries.

http://www.mvariety.com