30 abril 2008

Miss Natália Anderle pára treino do Palmeiras para posar de biquíni

Modelo exibe a boa forma que garantiu o título de Miss Brasil 2008

Do EGO, em São Paulo


Flash News/Divulgaçao

Curvas de tirar a atenção de qualquer jogador: Natália Anderle posa de biquíni perto da concentração do Palmeiras

A modelo Natália Anderle parou o treino do Palmeiras em Atibaia, interior de São Paulo, na semana passada. O charme da nova Miss Brasil chamou a atenção dos jogadores, então concentrados em um hotel.

A nova representante da beleza nacional posou de biquíni para a revista “Flash News” que chega às bancas nesta quarta-feira, 30. Vaidosa, Natália contou que fará de tudo para conquistar o título de Miss Universo – a eleição acontece em 15 de julho. “O Brasil pode estar certo de que darei o melhor de mim.”

Questionada sobre um possível namorado, Natália Anderle respondeu tensa: “Como toda mulher, também tenho uma pessoa especial, mas não quero falar sobre isso.”

ego.globo.com

Battle of beauties

Nadia Salemme
FABULOUS DARLING: Southbank's Naomi Foster is vying for the Miss Universe Crown. Picture: TONY GOUGH. N44ME201

FABULOUS DARLING: Southbank's Naomi Foster is vying for the Miss Universe Crown. Picture: TONY GOUGH. N44ME201

HUNDREDS of Jennifer Hawkins wannabes are expected to strut their way to Miss Universe Australia's Melbourne cattle call today (April 30).

The pageant's national director Deborah Miller said auditions held in other states had been inundated with aspiring beauty queens.

"There has been more (interest) than in past years, with the profile of Jennifer Hawkins. More girls have applied wanting to follow in her footsteps," Ms Miller said.

"It's a platform for a career in television or modelling, that's what they want to get out of it."

Hawkins is the face of Myer and Covergirl, while former Miss Universe Australia Erin McNaught has landed a role in Neighbours.

Ms Miller, who has been involved in the Aussie leg of the pageant for a decade but is in her first year as director, said the contest was not just for models.

"We're getting girls who've never done competitions ... girls who work in the corporate world and want to do it for fun," she said.

Personality, not just beauty, is needed to make it in the battle for the Miss Universe Australia title.

"It's a combination of having good looks and a good social IQ," Ms Miller said.

But she said entrants had to cut it in bathers the swimsuit section of the global pageant makes up 30 per cent of their score.

"We ask girls we're interested in to put swimwear on (at the auditions) so we can have a look at them," Ms Miller said.

Southbank executive assistant Naomi Foster, 20, will be among the hopefuls at the try-outs in Toorak.

"I've been preparing for the questions I'll be asked, getting my hair and nails done," Ms Foster said.

She said she wanted to emulate 2004 Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins.

"I'd like to do what she's doing," Ms Foster said.

The "crowning ceremony" to name Miss Universe Australia will be held in Melbourne on May 14. The winner will go on to compete in the global beauty contest.

http://www.melbourneleader.com.au

29 abril 2008

T.O.'s Tajik crowned Miss Universe Canada

By TOM GODFREY -- Sun Media
The Toronto Sun


Samantha Tajik, 25 of Toronto (R) gasps as former Miss Universe Canada 2007 Inga Skaya slides on her reigning sash. (SUN MEDIA/Jack Boland)

Toronto event planner Samantha Tajik was crowned the 57th annual Miss Universe Canada last night before a packed house in downtown Toronto.
An ecstatic Tajik, 25, outshone more than 60 contestants from across the country to capture the crown before hundreds of black-tie supporters at the Winter Garden Theatre, on Yonge St.
"I want to thank my family and friends for all their support," she said. "I look forward to the Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam."
Outgoing Miss Universe Canada 2007, Toronto's Inga Skaya, 22, said, "It's been a life-altering experience for me."
Tajik will represent Canada at the July 14 Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam, and has won the use of a car for a year, jewellery and trips.
Reigning Miss Universe Riyo Mori, 21, of Japan, who was a judge last night, said she was looking for a winner who showed inner beauty.

Aspiring queen Alexandria Wiemer, 24, of Calgary, said she quit her job as an administrative assistant to follow her dream. "This has been a fantastic experience," Wiemer said backstage. "Its not like TV, in that all the girls get along here."
Miss Saskatoon Ann Parry, 25, a Shaw TV anchor, said the competition among girls was tough.
"It has been a good experience and at the same time a lot of work," Parry said. "I think my experience working in the media and with people has helped."
Lateesha Ector, one of 12 contestants from Quebec, said the pageant has been a learning experience.
"This has been one of my goals since I was a young girl," Ector said. "It has made me learn a lot about people."

http://cnews.canoe.ca

Miss Philippines Earth 2008

Miss Philippines Earth 2008 beauty contestants pose during a presentation at a hotel in Manila on April 29, 2008. The local pageant that campaigns for a beautiful environment and fights global warming will crown the Miss Philippines 2008 winner on May 11 from among the 41 contestants. AFP PHOTO/ROMEO GACAD (Photo credit should read ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images)




Concorrentes à coroa de Miss Filipinas protestam contra emissão de poluentes

Foto: Darren Whiteside/Reuters
Darren Whiteside/Reuters
Concorrentes à coroa de Miss Filipinas protestam contra emissão de poluentes. (Foto: Darren Whiteside/Reuters)

Garotas que concorrem à coroa de Miss Filipinas 2008 se organizaram para pedir aos fabricantes de automóveis e ao governo local medidas que possam ajudar na redução de poluentes na atmosfera. O protesto foi realizado no hotel onde as modelos estão hospedadas até a realização do concurso.

http://g1.globo.com

28 abril 2008

Miss Universe Riyo Mori meets with United Nations Deputy Secretary General Asha-Rose Migir

Miss Universe Riyo Mori meets with United Nations Deputy Secretary ...
You Witness User Photo
Mon Apr 28, 1:32 AM ET

New York 25.

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Yvette Nsiah - Miss Universe Ghana


Ameyaw Debrah, AfricaNews reporter in Accra, Ghana

20 year old Ms Yvette Nsiah has been selected as Miss Universe Ghana in Accra. The 5.7 feet beauty is a third year student offering Africana Studies at University of Albany, New York.

She had travelled all the way from the US to compete for the coveted prize. And after three rounds of keen competition that tested communication skills, intelligence, beauty, elegance and poise, Yvette stood out the most and was adjudged the winner.

Daisy Asare Akoto, a student, came out as1st Runner Up while Joyce Akagbo, a third year student at the Ghana Institute of Journalism was 2nd Runner Up. The competition was judged by Emma Moisan, Dennis Nii Dodoo Smith, Gerad Boakye, Pearl Amoah (Miss Universe Ghana 1996 & Fashion Designer), and Ronke Nedd. All delegates were dressed in clothing by the Royal Dennis design label and styled by Sleek Cosmetics.

After crowning the new beauty queen, the producers of the Miss Universe Ghana pageant stated, "After weeks of scouting, we are excited to present a remarkable Ghanaian woman, who we are confident, will make a poignant statement for Ghana at the international event. We are looking forward to a strong presence at the Miss Universe Pageant, and commend the judges for selecting a young woman who is indeed the quintessence of Ghanaian femininity".

Yvette Nsiah will represent Ghana at the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant slated for Nha Trang, Vietnam on July 14. She will join the ranks of other remarkable young women around the globe who have the honour and responsibility of being ambassadors of their respective countries to this international event. Yvette was excited by her victory and has promised to make an impressive showing at the Miss Universe Pageant.

http://www.africanews.com

Ready for the experience - April Jackson, Miss Jamaica Universe 2008

published: Monday | April 28, 2008

Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor


April Jackson, Miss Jamaica Universe 2008 actually prefers to wear beautiful gowns to parading in bikinis all day.

Miss Jamaica Universe 2008, April Jackson, may hold a British passport, but she is as Jamaican as those who claim they were 'born under the clock'. The product of divorced parents is a daddy's girl who at age three lived in Jamaica for one year before returning to England. The family returned to the island when she was eight and she attended Hillel Academy and Campion College.

Back in England, at age 16, she sat A' levels, after which she took a gap year off and worked briefly as an au pair in France so she could hone her French-speaking skills. But she heard about the Miss Jamaica Universe contest and returned to the land of her birth for it.

April spoke with Flair in her first official interview since winning the crown. She will study law and economics when she goes to university but has not yet decided where.

Potential winner

No stranger to beauty contests, Jackson is also a past winner of the Miss Jamaica UK title. As the face of Swift Cash, her father's company, she was spotted by that contest's president, June Daley, who saw a potential winner in her. She entered and won in October 2006.

So, why did she enter the local contest and how will she feel when asked about her thick British accent coming from Jamaica? "It is on a grander scale than Miss Jamaica UK; there are many things I can do with the title. I will take to Vietnam the fact that I am totally Jamaican, so I am not worried about the accent. Initially, people may question it but when they hear what I have to offer and understand my heart, that is what will matter," the articulate queen said.

Controversy

As far as the controversial events at the contest regarding audience preference for a winner, Jackson said she only read about it in the paper the next day. She was too absorbed in events on stage to notice much. When the first runner-up was called, she heard the boos but felt it had subsided when she was announced the winner.

"I was so happy that I did not hear the negatives. The reaction is to be expected because everyone has their favourite. I appreciate why they would want Doneika Plowright to win; we are friends. We had a closeness throughout because she was next to me in the running order and we would check to make sure all was well with each other's outfits," Jackson said.

Plus, if one was late for rehearsals, the other would show what had been missed and a bond was formed. "I am ready to show everyone why I am the best candidate to win and they can be proud of me when I go to represent Jamaica."

Never won the int'l title


This new BMW is among April Jackson's multimillion-dollar prizes. - photos by Andrew Smith/Photography Editor

We have come close but we have never had a contestant win the title. Has Jackson been looking at tapes of past contests to see what they are looking for? Yes, she has; but she understands that there are 82 countries and it's competitive. As for why Jamaica has never won the title, she hopes to stop that trend. Regardless of the outcome, Jackson still considers it an honour to be involved.

Part of her competitive edge is her extensive travel experience and having met several people of all races and cultures, it should help. Second, she learns very fast by listening to details and absorbing it all.

She is looking forward to Vietnam and, along with the local wardrobe pieces, hopes to take a few pieces from hot London designer Adebajo Jones. But she would love to meet franchise holder Donald Trump and speak with him. She will spend a month in Vietnam before the contest in July.

Jackson is happy that she will get an opportunity she will never have again and, should she take the crown, all she wants from her country is a street named in her honour. "I like the sound of April Jackson Avenue," she said.

Serious note

And what will she tell those who ask her about violence in Jamaica? Without a doubt, Jackson prefers living in Jamaica over England. But she feels that foreign media promote negative images over our positives, yet ironically, she has had worst experiences overseas. "There is violence everywhere; schools in London now have metal detectors," she said, citing an example.

One solution to our problem, she feels could be a law that makes it compulsory for young Jamaicans who get an education overseas to return home to help rebuild their country.

For Jackson, the future is promising. She is revved up and ready to contribute even after the year's reign is over, a reign that has changed her life in the brief two weeks so far. "Besides signing of autographs, she is surprised at how quickly she now gets attention.

"People are now more attentive, my calls are returned immediately," she said, flashing her winning smile. But there is a difference: Women whisper when she enters or leaves a room, while men are more direct - they want her phone number or a photo opportunity.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com

Natália Guimarães será uma mutante do mal, na novela ‘Caminhos do Coração’, da Record

Julio BiarFoto: Ag. News
Rio - Natália Guimarães passou a faixa e a coroa de miss no dia 13 de abril, mas seu reinado está longe de acabar. Depois de surpreender no teste feito na Record, a bela será uma mutante do mal na novela ‘Caminhos do Coração’. O autor, Tiago Santiago, está encantado com a mineira: “O teste foi muito bom, superou as expectativas. Sempre esperamos um desempenho fraco de uma pessoa inexperiente, o que não aconteceu. Vimos uma atriz contida, concentrada”, revela.

Natália será Ariadne, uma mutante com poderes de aracnídeo: patas de aranha sairão de suas costas sempre que estiver ameaçada. “Ela é muito perigosa, vai ‘colar’ com o povo do mal”, avisa Tiago. Diferentemente do Homem-Aranha, a personagem não usará sua teia para se locomover no alto dos prédios, mas sim para envolver suas vítimas. “Tenho pavor de aranha, acho que isso vai ajudar a compor o lado mau da Ariadne”, diz a estreante.

Depois de rápida participação (como ela mesma) na novela ‘Dance, Dance, Dance’, da Band, e de fazer Maria Madalena na ‘Paixão de Cristo’ de Nova Jerusalém, Natália interpretará um personagem pela primeira vez na TV: “Tenho certeza de que Natália será muito boa atriz. Eu e Alexandre Avancini (diretor da novela) ficamos muito impressionados”, afirma Tiago, que parece ter caído nas teias de Natália.

A miss Brasil 2007 já fez as provas de figurino e entrará na trama na segunda semana de maio, envolvendo-se com Fernando (Théo Becker) e o vilão Eric (Tuca Andrada). Animado, Tiago Santiago confirma a presença da moça em ‘Caminhos do Coração — Mutantes’, segunda temporada que estréia em junho, mas Natália tem dúvidas por causa da agenda: “Meus compromissos triplicaram desde que passei a faixa de miss”, afirma a madrinha de bateria da Vila Isabel, que participa do carnaval canadense no próximo dia 24 e estará no Miss Universo, no Vietnã, em julho.

A mesma agenda apertada tem facilitado o namoro com Leandro, vocalista do grupo KLB: “Por sorte, tenho muitos compromissos em São Paulo, assim a gente consegue ficar junto”, diz ela, que aproveitou o fim de semana na fazenda do namorado.

http://odia.terra.com.br

2007 Miss France first dauphine Sophie Vouzelaud

2007 Miss France first dauphine Sophie Vouzelaud and Indochine pop band singer Nicola Sirkis (R) attend a Reporters San Frontieres (Reporters Without Borders) press conference on April 28, 2008 in Paris. After a troubled worldwide trip the Beijing Olympic torch relay got under way on April 28,2008 in the capital of communist North Korea, where thousands were mobilised to show support for close ally China. AFP PHOTO OLIVIER LABAN MATTEI (Photo credit should read OLIVIER LABAN-MATTEI/AFP/Getty Images)

Miss Honduras 2008

Escaso público caloriza elección de la nueva Señorita Honduras Universo 2008, Diana Gabriela Barrasa
¡Sorpresa! Olancho se lleva el cetro
Sabino Gámez // sabino.vegaSPAMFILTER@laprensa.hn


Con esta estampa, Diana Gabriela Barrasa Miralda de 21 años, convenció a los jueces.

Clic Para Ver Galería de Fotos
Tela. Diana Gabriela Barrasa Miralda es la nueva reina nacional para el certamen Miss Universo 2008 que se celebrará en julio en Nha Trang, Vietnam.

La noche de sábado, esta joven originaria de Tegucigalpa pero representante de Olancho y que ya había competido en el 2006 en el Miss Honduras Belleza Nacional sin éxito alguno, fue proclamada como la nueva Señorita Honduras Universo 2008, ante la sorpresa del escaso público que llegó a admirar la elección donde hubo sinsabores, sorpresas y hasta desilusión por parte de algunas aspirantes.

La joven de 21 años, estudiante de comunicación y publicidad en la Unitec y con medidas 90-62-91 derrotó a la gran favorita del certamen, la experimentada en concursos de belleza Bélgica Suárez de Gracias a Dios, quien se tuvo que conformar con el virreinato. "Trabajé para estar entre las cinco mejores, pero mi sorpresa fue que obtuve la corona. Esto me compromete más, daré lo mejor de mí", dijo emocionada.

La segunda finalista fue Puerto Cortés, Kathy Fairweather, mientras que la tercera y la cuarta posición fueron para las representantes de Choluteca, Glenda Osorio; y El Paraíso, Eyli Elvir, respectivamente.

La sorpresa

Sin retraso alguno comenzó el show a las nueve de la noche en el hotel Villas Telamar. Dos horas fueron suficientes para presentar el espectáculo de belleza organizado por Carimaxx.

Después de una coreografía inspirada en la esclavitud garífuna y un popurrí al ritmo punta donde destacó la famosa melodía "El sambunango teleño" a cargo de la cantante Ely Rodríguez, comenzaron a caer las ilusiones de nueve de las 19 aspirantes, al ser llamadas sólo las diez semifinalistas.

Desilusión

La no inclusión de la Señorita Francisco Morazán, Leslie Anariva, en esta etapa opacó los ánimos de muchos, más no le restó emoción a la elección que apenas comenzaba.

La chica Rostro Amiga de LA PRENSA fue Carolina Fonseca, representante de Valle.

La chica Rostro Amiga de LA PRENSA fue Carolina Fonseca, representante de Valle.

El Progreso, Tela, Yoro, Lempira y Valle completaron el top 10 que desfiló ante los jueces en bañadores Splash y trajes para gala de Carrión.

Seguidamente las premiaciones auspiciadas por el diario líder LA PRENSA no podían faltar. El premio a la más amistosa, fotogénica y rostro Amiga recayeron en Puerto Cortés, Francisco Morazán y Valle, respectivamente.

Después de ese lapso de distinciones, los maestros de ceremonias Salvador Nasralla y Rosangela Soto revelaron los nombres de las cinco chicas que los expertos del jurado habían considerado como lo mejor de ese cónclave de belleza nacional.

La primera fue Puerto Cortés, luego Choluteca. Le siguió Olancho y Gracias a Dios. Por último fue El Paraíso, una chica de increíble porte, cuerpo y belleza pero la respuesta más pésima de las cinco y dejó mucho que pensar al no responder con entero aplomo y solvencia y confundiendo sus frases que denotaron poca preparación.

Después de esta tensa evaluación, los jueces dieron su veredicto, donde Barrassa fue proclamada a las once en punto de la noche como la más bella de este 2008 y Suárez decía adiós al sueño de representar Honduras en el Miss Universo. Fue la segunda gran sorpresa y desilusión de la velada.

La recién estrenada reina recibió la corona de plata y oro inspirada en la riqueza maya de manos de la capitalina Wendy Salgado.

Viajará a Vietnam el 21 de junio para unirse a más de 80 mujeres de los seis continentes que buscan un mismo ideal: ser la mujer más bella del universo en este año.

De boca en boca

1. La noche comenzó fría, sin eufórico público, lo que demostró que los hondureños le perdieron emoción al certamen, tal como lo reveló la investigación de LA PRENSA.

2. Plantados. Así dejó el diseñador Pedro Alarcón a los organizadores, quienes lo invitaron de jurado y nunca llegó. ¿Por qué habrá sido? ¿Desprecio u olvido?

3. Este año fue el de la belleza de quirófano. Muchas de las chicas lucieron "encantos sintéticos" que le quitaron el aliento a más de alguno y sorprendieron a otros.

4. La nueva reina es novia del presentador deportivo de Televicentro, César Quintanilla, desde julio de 2004. él estuvo solo y nervioso durante el show.

5. La cena de gala en la playa fue uno de los detalles relevantes de la noche. Estuvo a la altura, con categoría y mucha gente que llegó a degustar los manjares.

6. La nueva reina lucirá en Miss Universo el traje típico "Peregrina de Suyapa, inspirado en la Virgen de Suyapa y obra del diseñador colombiano Alfredo Rueda.

7. La representante de Copán fue la más chiquita del certamen. Ni alcanzó el micrófono en la autopresentación lo que provocó algunas risas entre el público.

8. La transmisión de Televicentro desde Tela estuvo muy bien, pese a que tuvo dos grandes fallas de audio que no se pudieron disimular.

9. El alcalde teleño David Zaccarro ni se asomó por la elección para felicitar a la organización, pese a que es la primera vez que Tela es sede del evento.

10.La chica de El Paraíso se creció en escena y hasta pudo ser la vencedora, lastimosamente su respuesta fue la más absurda del concurso.

Wendy Salgado se despidió en medio de aplausos y lágrimas. Su reinado fue promedio. Leslie Anariva, favorita al top 5, no clasificó, pero ganó Miss Fotogénica, premio entregado por LA PRENSA.

Wendy Salgado se despidió en medio de aplausos y lágrimas. Su reinado fue promedio. L eslie Anariva, favorita al top 5, no clasificó, pero ganó Miss Fotogénica, premio entregado por LA PRENSA.

Miss USA 2008, Crystle Stewart

Hollywood Life Magazines 10th Annual Young Hollywood Awards - Sponsors
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 27: Miss USA 2008, Crystle Stewart at Hollywood Life Magazine?s 10th Annual Young Hollywood Awards at the Avalon on April 27, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Bezjian/WireImage)

27 abril 2008

Miss USA 2008, Crystle Stewart

Miss USA 2008, Crystle Stewart, arrives at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on April 26, 2008 in Washington, DC. The WHCA is an organization of journalists who cover the President of the United States. AFP PHOTO/Aude GUERRUCCI (Photo credit should read Aude GUERRUCCI/AFP/Getty Images)

Miss America 2008, Kristen Haglund

Miss America 2008 Kristen Haglund poses for photographers as ...
AP
Sat Apr 26, 9:44 PM ET

Miss America 2008 Kristen Haglund poses for photographers as she arrives for the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington Saturday, April 26, 2008.

(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Hoy es el Miss Honduras Universo

Entre las favoritas se encuentran las representantes de Francisco Morazán y Gracias a Dios


GRACIAS A DIOS. Bélgica Suárez, 22 años de edad.
GRACIAS A DIOS. Bélgica Suárez, 22 años de edad.
Tegucigalpa.

A las 9:00 PM de hoy sábado iniciará la competencia. Una de las 19 candidatas será electa la Miss Honduras Universo 2008 que nos representará en julio en Nhan Trang, Vietnam. Las favoritas para suceder a Wendy Salgado son sin duda alguna Leslie Anariva, de Francisco Morazán, y Bélgica Suárez, de Gracias a Dios; podrían clasificar además Diana Barraza, de Olancho; Kathy Fairrweather, de Puerto Cortés; Eyli Elvir, de El Paraíso; y Glenda Osorio, de Choluteca.

El complejo hotelero Villas Telamar se engalanará con la presencia de las bellas chicas que sueñan con representar a Honduras en máximo certamen del planeta. El costo de la tarjeta por persona es de 800 lempiras, con derecho a la cena y el baile de coronación que amenizará el grupo Los Latinos.

El jurado calificador estará conformado por Júnior Exidio Zelaya, missiólogo hondureño, el diseñador colombiano Miguel Rueda y representantes de las empresas patrocinadoras. En el desarrollo del evento de belleza, EL HERALDO entregará trofeo a la chica Vida.

http://www.elheraldo.hn

26 abril 2008

L'élection de Miss France 2009 au Puy du Fou en décembre

Le Grand carrousel du Puy du Fou sera le théâtre de l'élection de Miss France 2009. : Photo Puy du Fou
Le Grand carrousel du Puy du Fou sera le théâtre de l'élection de Miss France 2009. : Photo Puy du Fou

L'élection de Miss France 2009 aura lieu au Puy du Fou, en décembre prochain. La nouvelle miss sera élue dans le Grand carrousel du parc vendéen, à une date encore inconnue. Cette grande scène de 2 600 mètres carrés peut accueillir 3 000 personnes. La soirée sera retransmise en direct sur TF1. En choisissant la Vendée, Geneviève de Fontenay, la patronne du Comité miss France, veut redonner une "bonne image" de l'élection, après l'affaire des photos de Valérie Bègue, Miss France 2008.

larochesuryon.maville.com

Current "Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria" promises to win Miss World crown

• Saturday, Apr 26, 2008

The reigning Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), Miss Adaeze Igwe has promised to do everything possible to bring back the Miss Universe crown to Nigeria as well as win the Miss World crown.

The beauty queen also promised to use her position to help young talents in the country. She said for now, her official pet project is to continue from where her predecessor stopped.

“I am going to start from there which is sickle cell foundation, the official project of Silver Bird, then as an individual, I want to add some things which is to help young talents in Nigeria, she said.

At the age of 18 years, she had emerged the most beautiful girl in Nigeria and is set to return the Miss Universe crown to Nigeria as well as the Miss World crown.

She disclosed that at the end of her tenure, she will consider going into music or acting. The reigning beauty queen described her predecessor Munachi Abi as her mentor in the industry.

The Akwa-Ekiti, Anambra State born, diploma law student of University of Abuja said: “I like Munachi Abi, I like the way she took her fame and everything. It all went smooth and there was no scandal and she is also pretty and a very nice girl, friendly and good mannered

http://www.thetidenews.com/


Caption: Adaeze Igwe adjusts her crown after she won the 2008 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria beauty pageant in Lagos March 28, 2008. Igwe will represent Nigeria in the Miss World beauty pageant to be held on October 4 in Ukraine. Picture taken March 28, 2008. REUTERS/Akintunde Akinleye (NIGERIA)

Universe 1997 - World 2003

Screening Of Warner Bros. Pictures "Speed Racer" - Arrivals
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 25: Miss Universe Brook Mahealani Lee arrives at a special screening of 'Speed Racer' at the ImaginAsian Center on April 25, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)



Sightings at The Late Late Show
DUBLIN, IRELAND - APRIL 25: Rosanna Davison leaves the Late Late Show in RTE Studios on April 25, 2008 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Phillip Massey/FilmMagic)


Vanessa Vidal, Miss Brasil Beleza Internacional


Segunda colocada no Miss Brasil e candidata à Miss Beleza Internacional, em novembro, no Japão, a Miss Ceará Vanessa Vidal encheu de graça e charme o Plenário 13 de Maio do Palácio Adauto Bezerra, dias atrás. De plantão na presidência da Assembléia, o deputado Gony Arruda ressaltou a notável performance de Vanessa no Miss Brasil - figurou também como a primeira deficiente auditiva a participar do certame, "o que fez o Ceará entrar, mais uma vez, na história do país" - aparteou a parlamentar Meire Costa Lima. Articuladora do evento no Estado, a Miss Ceará 2004, Jorlene Cordeiro, afirmou que um jornal paulista enfatizou mais a segunda do que a primeira colocada no último concurso, "o que demonstra como Vanessa tem carisma e veio para romper barreiras". Vidal manifestou o seu merci à Patrícia Aguiar e à Maria Célia Ferreira Gomes, primeiras-damas, respectivamente, do Legislativo-CE e do Estado, e à prefeita Luizianne Lins pelo incentivo à sua participação no concurso, frisando que "pessoas com qualquer tipo de deficiência podem se sobressair com profissionalismo e tendo um referencial".

http://www.opovo.com.br
Sonia Pinheiro

25 abril 2008

Beauty queens on environment mission

abs-cbnNEWS.com
The Miss Earth Foundation is more than just about a beauty contest. It is an organization which focuses on environmental protection and makes good use of information and communications technology (ICT).
In a presentation during the 2nd International ICT Conference held at the New World Renaissance Hotel last April 24, 2008, Catherine Untalan, project director of the Miss Earth Foundation, reminded the audience of the importance of knowledge coupled with action.
She shared the efforts of the Miss Earth Foundation to help spread awareness on various environmental issues. The foundation formed a special environmental school tour entitled "I Love My Planet Earth." This tour involves past and present Ms. Earth ambassadors who talk to students about the environment.
Their teaching strategies usually begin with a song, followed by a short lecture (reason being the short attention span of children). They also incorporate nature into storytelling and role-playing. Afterwards, the students are asked to sign a pledge wherein they promise to be young environmental advocates.
Water crisis
Untalan also emphasized the importance of ICT in propagating their environmental advocacy. Through videos and other viral channels, more and more people are being influenced to act for the environment. At the same time, ICT allows environmental advocates to express their passion in different ways.
Despite news of the rice crisis dominating the airwaves, the former beauty queen also pointed out other environmental issues that need attention.
"There is a water crisis," she said.
In her presentation, she said that although the earth is composed of 70% parts water, only 3% of it is potable and 1% of this drinkable water is frozen solid. Another 1% is too deep to be accessed. Doing the math, this only leaves humanity with 1% accessible potable water, she said.
In her charming way, she encouraged all of the people present in the room to take action, starting with their half-filled water goblets. She jokingly suggested that perhaps the waiters should wait until they are asked for water instead of constantly re-filling water goblets of each table. -J. Chan, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

Miss Brasil mostra o guarda-roupa

Tudo começou com o email da jornalista Sarah Goulart divulgando a agenda da Miss Brasil Natália Anderle em Porto Alegre. A moça, recém vinda da final do concurso em São Paulo, ficaria apenas um dia na capital gaúcha para, é claro, dar entrevistas. Entrei em contato com a assessora de imprensa e fechei um horário na atribulada tarde de Natália na suíte do hotel Plaza San Rafael, no centro.

Não queria saber os segredos de beleza da miss. Até porque se são segredos, não devem ser falados. E que ela é a maior representante da beleza feminina no Brasil... nenhuma novidade.

Então resolvi abrir as malas da Natália. Nesse bate-papo exclusivo que você assiste logo abaixo, falamos sobre moda, peças favoritas e valorização do corpo com as roupas ideais. Entrem no Banho de Loja e conheçam o estilo da simpática gaúcha!

Blog Banho de Loja

http://www.clicrbs.com.br/

Crystle Stewart -Miss USA

Alicia Keys Visits BET's "106 & Park" - April 23, 2008
NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Crystle Stewart (Miss USA), Alicia Keys, Rocsi and Terrence J attend BET's '106 & Park' April 23, 2008 at BET Studios in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Making Miss India Miss World

Research Associate Susan Dewey Authors Making Miss India Miss World

making-miss-india- Susan Dewey.jpgApril 25, 2008, Greencastle, Ind. - Susan C. Dewey, research associate at DePauw University, is the author of Making Miss India Miss World: Constructing Gender, Power, and the Nation in Postliberalization India. The publisher, Syracuse University Press, says the text "constitutes an important cultural critique and an enlightening take on how macroeconomic change affects cultural identity at the individual level."

A synopsis of the book states, "Through the unexpected lens of the 2003 beauty pageant, Susan Dewey's Making Miss India Miss World examines what feminine beauty has Susan Dewey.jpgcome to mean in a country transformed by recent political, economic, and cultural developments. Dewey offers readers an up-close view of the beauty pageant through her discussion of the contestants' intense training program, a process that involves extensive physical, emotional, and cultural transformations. Covering everything from proper table etiquette to preferred skin tone, the author reveals the exacting standards set by pageant officials and reflected in Indian society. Yet she also recognizes the empowerment these women are afforded by their status as beauty symbols in a culture increasingly shaped by the visual influence of national and international media."

Susan Dewey is a cultural anthropologist specializing in macroeconomic policy and Indian culture, particularly women's culture.

http://www.depauw.edu/

Jana Ina expecting first child in September

Actress and Miss Intercontinental (BRAZIL)Jana Ina, 31, and her husband Giovanni Zarella attended the New Faces Awards’ afterparty today in Berlin, Germany. The couple revealed that they are expecting their first child in September.



Jana_80851000cbbjpg

http://trevelity.org.ua/

24 abril 2008

Beauty for a purpose





She was born into a poor family but became one of Vietnam’s youngest beauty queens.

Mai Phuong Thuy, the 2006 Miss Vietnam, is set to star in a TV series on social evils.

She will reprise the life of a real-life beauty queen who ruined her life through drugs and prostitution and died of HIV/AIDS.
It is among her latest socially-relevant endeavors.
The 20-year-old beauty, who finished in the top 16 at the 2006 Miss World pageant and has gone on to be the face of many social and charity programs at home since then, spoke to Thanh Nien Daily about her life’s calling.

Has your daily life changed dramatically since becoming Miss Vietnam at just 18?

Mai Phuong Thuy: I think my life has changed somewhat since 2006.
But I soon adapted to the changes which have offered me many good opportunities to help the disadvantaged.It is not age but your upbringing and perceptions that decide how mature you are.You are known for being an outstanding student.

Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Vietnam pageant? Was it because you wanted to tell people “I am not only intellectual but also beautiful?”

My father passed away when I was six.Right at an early age, I understood how difficult it was for my mother to raise her two daughters.
The more I’ve grown up, the more I believe I should live positively and show how caring I am towards my family and other people.
I think knowledge is the key I must gain to improve the status of my family.
Passing the entrance exam at the Foreign Trade University and winning a full scholarship from RMIT University in Hanoi are part of my efforts to enhance my knowledge.
I am hoping to get other scholarships to study abroad.
As for why I decided to compete in the 2006 Miss Vietnam pageant, well, I think [proving one’s] intellect is not the only way to establish oneself.
Life provides me opportunities to experiment and the beauty contest was one of many challenges to prove myself.

Do you hope to show you are a perfect woman through your academic achievements, beauty as well as charity work?

To tell the truth, my life’s purpose is to become a perfect woman.Besides my family, I also want to help needy people.I do charity with all my heart.All the money I donate comes from my advertising and entertainment activities.I have just produced a DVD that features lots of my work and activities and the beauty spots in some 50 provinces that I have been to.I will use the profits from the DVD sales to help disadvantaged people.I want to do other businesses to earn more money so that I can do more charity work.

You always say study is the most important but you join in many social and performing activities, which might impact on your study at the university?

If I live only for myself, it is not difficult.I am living for many people who set their belief and hope in me.Therefore, I always try not only to study my best but also to grab any opportunities to work and to help the others.Almost two years since the day I became a beauty queen, I look back, feeling happy that I have done several helpful works while still achieving satisfactory academic result.

It is said you are going to write a tell-all book on beauty contests and related charity activities. Aren’t you worried what you write might impact on people and your relationships with them?

I am going to publish my diaries.I think I should reveal the negative aspects of what I have seen and experienced.I will narrate truthfully what some people do not want to say since they still have careers to think about.Though I am not a professional artist, I want to see a wholesome and professional entertainment industry without some of the seamier aspects I have seen.

The diary, to be published as soon as you hand over your crown to the 2008 Miss Vietnam, is meant to cause a sensation and boost your reputation, isn’t it?

The book will also include many pieces criticizing me that have never been seen in the local media.The book has been censored and licensed, and all the stories are truthful.You are said to be a voracious reader.

You have mentioned books that you love but all of them are foreign. Don’t you care for Vietnamese literature?

Vietnamese books have nourished my soul since I was small.Now I am grown up and possess to some extent, I think, knowledge about my country, culture and people.So I desire to broaden my mind.I want to be up-to-date on everything around the world, especially in the context of international integration.Reading foreign books is also a good way to improve my foreign language skills.

Reported by Diem Thu

Miss Puerto Rico Teen 2008

De Río Grande la ganadora de Miss Puerto Rico Teen 2008
Zaylín Matos es coronada Miss Puerto Rico Teen 2008. (Primera Hora / Pipo Reyes)



Con su naturalidad, belleza y elocuencia, la representante de Río Grande Zaylín Matos conquistó esta noche el título Miss Puerto Rico Teen 2008.
Desde que le correspondió responder a la pregunta informal, una vez anunciado el grupo de semifinalistas, la reina de 16 años impactó por su naturalidad al contestar.
Zaylín Matos también fue uno de los mejores cuerpos de la competencia en traje de baño y dominó la pasarela en vestido de gala.
El anuncio de la victoria lo recibió junto a Miss Bayamón (Tatiana Torres, primera finalista de la noche).
El cuadro de las cinco finalistas se completó con Río Piedras (segunda finalista), Dorado (tercera finalista), y Aguadilla (cuarta finalista).
Entre las diez finalistas figuraron Trujillo Alto, San Juan, Mayagüez, Aibonito y Peñuelas.
La animación de este espectáculo estuvo a cargo de Katiria Soto y Joycelyn Montero.


http://www.primerahora.com

23 abril 2008

Miss Brasil Mundo


AQUÁRIO

O Miss Brasil Mundo vai permitir a participação de representantes de ilhas brasileiras no concurso, em julho. Vão concorrer jovens de Atol das Rocas, Marajó, Ilha do Mel, Abrolhos e Trindade. A idéia é chamar a atenção para a importância da preservação ambiental. A vencedora concorrerá ao Miss Mundo.


Folha de São Paulo, Coluna Mônica Bergamo

Foto: Regiane Andrade, Miss Brasil Mundo 2007
Divulgação

Miss Universe Vietnam pageant kicks off





VietNamNet Bridge – The event was kicked off by a press conference on April 22 in Hanoi, where organisers announced basic information about the contest, the first of its kind in Vietnam.

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/

According to Nguyen Chi Tan, chief organiser of Miss Universe Vietnam, the winner must meet three basic standards applied at Miss Universe: intelligent, skilful and beautiful. In addition, Miss Universe Vietnam must have good communication skills and good English.

The qualifier rounds will be held in Hanoi and HCM City, and be open to all Vietnamese citizens between the ages of 18-26, at least 1.62m tall, high-school graduates upwards who are single and possess natural beauty (no plastic surgeries, no sex changes).

The semi-final and final rounds will take place at Vinpearl Land tourist site in Nha Trang coastal city in Khanh Hoa province on May 24 and from May 25-31, only two weeks before Miss Universe 2008.

Twenty top competitors will compete for sub-titles like Miss Sea, Miss Photo, Miss Talent, and Miss Friendly before entering the final night on May 31. On May 31 night, they will compete in three events: ao dai, swimsuit and night gown competitions. The top five girls will participate in a question and answer round to determine the winner.

Besides VND210 million, Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 will receive a US$5,000 crown made of famous Swarovski crystal from Austria and designed in Singapore.

This will be the first Miss Universe Vietnam contest and organisers say they don’t have any plan for the next because it depends on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Award system of Miss Universe Vietnam 2008:

- Miss Universe Vietnam: VND210 million (VND100 million and $2,000 English language scholarship), $5,000 crown

- First runner-up: VND180 million (VND70 million and $2,000 English language scholarship), three-day tour to South Korea worth $5,000

- Second runner-up: VND125 million (VND50 million and $2,000 English language scholarship), one year’s worth of Calvin Klein products worth $3,000

- Seven sub-awards: VND5 million and one year’s worth of cosmetics provided by CTGroup worth $1,000

- Audience’s award: VND5 million and gift worth VND5 million from CTGroup

22 abril 2008

Miss Universe organizers get cracking in Nha Trang



A sketch of the state-of-the-art Crown Convention Center in Nha Trang that will be ready by mid-June
With just 80 days to go for the Miss Universe 2008 pageant in Nha Trang, organizers are scrambling to ensure the proposed state-of-the-art infrastructure is in place on time.

Le Xuan Than, vice chairman of the Khanh Hoa Province People’s Committee and head of the organizing committee, said, “Engineers and workers are building high-quality roads and lighting systems.

One of the most important constructions is the route from Nguyen Tat Thanh Street to Diamond Bay’s Nha Trang Tourism and Entertainment Site.”

Miss Universe 2008 organizing company Unicorp. is cooperating with Cam Ranh Airport to build a modern terminal.

A 12.5-kilometer stretch of the 40-kilometer road linking the airport with Nha Trang will see flowering plants on both sides.

The provincial authorities will ask local businesses this week to plant trees and flowers on this stretch.

Than said instead of displaying billboards, the businesses could promote themselves by installing lights and maintaining plants which would survive well after the pageant ended.

Each business can maintain a few hundred meters up to a maximum of 1 km.

According to Unicorp., 584 Joint Stock Company, the contractor, will complete construction of the Crown Convention Center by the end of May, and install lighting and sound equipment and do the interiors by mid-June.

On a 10,000 square meter site in the Nha Trang Tourism and Entertainment Area, the center will be a world class indoor facility capable of seating 7,500.

Organizers said the nearby international press center would provide media people everything they needed.

Hospitality

Unicorp. said the city would add 324 five-star rooms and suites in Diamond Bay before the contestants arrived on June 15.

The Miss Universe pageant, to be held for the first time in the country, is sure to see Nha Trang attracting thousands of commercial visitors and tourists.

Organizers said some 700 international VIPs, contestants and their relatives would be lodged in four- and five-star hotels and resorts.

The Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said by June - when the preliminary events are scheduled - the city’s 400 hotels would be able to offer over 8,800 rooms, 1,350 of them of four- or five-star quality.

The Department of Transports said Nha Trang had some 500 taxis and over 1,200 public buses and cars for hire, which would ensure ease of transport for visitors.

Vehicles could also be mobilized from neighboring cities and provinces in an emergency, it said.

Security

The Police Department said it was preparing for anti-terrorism maneuvers in Diamond Bay at the beginning of June.

Hundreds of local officers and soldiers would take part in the drills to be supervised by experts from the Ministry of Public Security, it added.

Reported by Xuan Hoa

http://www.thanhniennews.com

Miss Landmine: exploitation or bold publicity for the victims?

Norwegian theatre director defends what aid agencies dismissed as a freak show


Miss Landmine Survivor beauty pageant.

A contestant in the Miss Landmine Survivor beauty pageant stands outside the Tropical Hotel, Luanda, Angola. Photograph: EPA

In the realm of beauty pageants it is not the stuff of little girls' dreams. Yet after the success of the inaugural Miss Landmine competition in Angola, the
organisers plan to take the contest to Cambodia next year.

Both countries rank alongside Afghanistan as among the world's most heavily mined places, with a correspondingly high number of victims who suffered the terrible effects of the weapons left festering after years of conflict.

It was the plight of the victims that prompted a Norwegian theatre and film director, Morten Traavik, to come up with the challenging - some would say tasteless - contest to spotlight the ongoing tragedy. "My feminist mother was very unimpressed by the idea of a beauty pageant," said Traavik, 36. "Here in Norway beauty pageants are regarded as the work of the devil. They're seen as very, very politically incorrect."

But Traavik shrugs off any criticism. He is buoyed by the attention-grabbing headlines won by the first Miss Landmine competition staged in Angola earlier this month. "I'm a great believer in counterpoint - a good old theatre trick," he said. "Here the counterpoint is to put 'landmine' and 'miss' together. It's the counterpoint of the serious and tragic reality of landmines and the joyful celebration of life inherent in a beauty pageant."

The joint winners of the Angolan contest, Augusta Urica, 31, and Maria Restino Manuel, 26, were the embodiment of Traavik's ideal at the finale in the capital, Luanda, swathed in designer gowns, sashes and silver tiaras that crowned them Miss Landmine 2008.

With 10 women representing their provinces, she hobbled up the platform on crutches to collect her prize - a golden, state-of-the-art prosthetic limb to replace the leg blown off 10 years ago.

Traavik came up with the notion four years ago when he visited Luanda with a girlfriend. He said he was captivated by the Angolan passion for beauty pageants and their carnival atmosphere after some local children asked him to judge a "Miss Backstreet" contest. But he was also struck by the suffering caused by landmines that had left more than 80,000 people maimed after a 20-year civil war, and decided that with his theatre background he was ideally-placed to marry the two things.

After some persuasion, the EU put up some money, along with Norway's arts council, the Angolan government's de-mining commission and a charity run by the country's first lady.

Norway's foreign ministry steered clear, but is considering chipping in for Cambodia's Miss Landmine, tentatively set for 12 months' time, even though Traavik admitted that some international aid agencies had dismissed the first contest as a "freak show".

"In principle we are all ready to go," said Traavik. "We have the support of the Cambodian authorities and we're collaborating with Cambodia's Disabled People's Organisation which is already, on my behalf, travelling about the
country meeting possible participants, who are enthusiastic."

In Cambodia there should be no shortage of contenders for the 2009 title. There are 25,000 amputees among the country's 63,000 victims of landmines and blasts from unexploded ordinance left after 30 years of civil war.

Up to 1m landmines remain buried, out of the estimated million mines planted along the border with Thailand after the invading Vietnamese left in 1989 and the 400,000 planted elsewhere in the country.

"That's a shockingly high number," said Tim Porter, the Cambodian programme director of the Halo Trust, whose staff cleared 40,000 mines in their sector alone last year.

But at least the lurking menace is claiming fewer victims. Last year,
Cambodia suffered 347 landmine victims, down from 450 in 2006. That, too, was an improvement on the 847 in 2002, the result of mines degrading with time and failing to explode.

Still, the legacy of years of injuries is grim and Traavik is sure to have contestants eager to win a new prosthesis and prize money in impoverished Cambodia.

Yet even he accepts that in the conservative Buddhist country the format will have to be radically different. "There's no question the women will be wearing bikinis," he said. "They will more likely be wearing traditional Khmer costumes. But undoubtedly there will be ways to highlight their disabilities."

Kek Galabru, the president of the Phnom Penh human rights group Licadho, is scornful of such a strategy to shine a light on tragedy.

"No doubt awareness is important," she said. "But for me this is using the victims. For them it is still very painful. But they're saying 'look at me, I'm still beautiful, even though I've lost my leg.' We don't need to raise awareness in this questionable way.

"I'm sure there'll be a lot of resistance from the Cambodian people. I can hear it now: 'What? A contest of the suffering?'"

Traavik remains unrepentant in the face of such distaste, adamant that the means justify the end.

"What I set out to achieve - indeed I think we've achieved it already - was to highlight globally a very serious and unnecessary social problem," he said. This contest attracts attention to the issue, but it also challenges our western way of looking at the third world. I'm so fed up of social campaigns with black and white photos of Africans or Cambodians, in rags."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/

Miss New Zealand

It is a long way from being Horowhenua royalty to winning over the universe, but that is the goal for the newest Kiwi beauty queen.

ANDREW GORRIE/Dominion Post
HELPING OTHERS: Miss Universe New Zealand winner Samantha Powell hopes to increase awarenes about the importance of education in Vietnam and Cambodia

Samantha Powell, a 20-year-old bank worker from Paraparaumu, scooped the Miss Universe New Zealand crown in Auckland on Sunday.

The reigning Miss Horowhenua beat 11 other contestants in the week-long battle of beauty.

The competition - which stretched into the early hours of yesterday morning – gave Miss Powell a chance at world, if not universal, domination in Vietnam in June.

Challenges for the contestants included a round of golf, a trip to Waiheke Island and some gruelling interview questions, Miss Powell said.

"They were things like: if you were to choose a country to give humanitarian aid to, which one would it be? And how would you cope if you were competing at Miss Universe?"

She told judges she would like to visit schools in Cambodia and Vietnam and try to increase awareness about the importance of education.

CROWNED: Samantha Powell, representing Horowhenua, has won the 2008 Miss Universe New Zealand contest.

An extra challenge for her was her height - 1.78 metres (5 feet, 10 inches).

"Because I was one of the tallest, I was usually first up for everything."

As for whether beauty pageants were demeaning to women, Miss Powell was clear. "Not at all.

"I feel it's great for young women.

"Beauty is on the inside and outside. It's good for your confidence."

Judge Jack Yan agreed, saying brains were becoming more of a feature in pageants and the women had to be all-rounders.

"Obviously, they're all very beautiful ... but I like to think we can spot a phoney."

Mr Yan – who described himself as the equivalent of American Idol's notorious judge Simon Cowell – was heckled after quizzing the women about globalisation and the concerns of young people.

In the end, Miss Powell had been chosen because she had "X-factor" qualities – including a "very good conscience", Mr Yan said.

Miss Wellington, Rebecca Connor, also finished in the top five.

After peaking in popularity in the 1980s, beauty pageants fell away for years before making a comeback in 2006, Mr Yan said.

21 abril 2008

Miss Great Britain, Gemma Garrett

World Charity Premiere Of 'Three And Out' - Arrivals
LONDON - APRIL 21: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Miss Great Britain Gemma Garrett arrives at the World Charity Premiere of 'Three and Out', at the Odeon Leicester Square April 21, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)

Rules on beauty contests to be amended



The winners of Miss Vietnam 2006

VietNamNet Bridge – The Regulations on Organising Beauty Contests will be amended to put an end to the so-called “disorder of beauty contests”.

“Not every beauty contest will be allowed to choose a ‘Miss’,” said People’s Artist Le Ngoc Cuong, Head of the Performing Art Agency under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, before a conference held last Thursday to review two years of the implementation of the above regulations.

In his report, Cuong outlined the situation and confirmed that the regulations will be tailored to fit new developments.

The first beauty contest was launched by Tien Phong Newspaper in 1988, and was said to blow new air into the country’s cultural and spiritual life by delegates at the conference.

In 1989, funny words like “Miss Ward”, “Miss Fish Sauce”, “Miss Garden” were used to describe the “movement” of all sectors, localities seemingly organising beauty contests. An inter-sector meeting was held, in which Tien Phong Newspaper was assigned to compile the first “Regulations on Beauty Contests”. The regulations were issued by the Ministry of Culture (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism now) and contributed to end this “movement”.

In 2000, the Ministry of Culture and Information instructed the grassroots Culture and Information Agency to issue Regulations 31/2000 on beauty contests. The latest regulation on beauty contests was Regulation 37/2006, which showed many problems.

Last year there was a “movement” of organising pageants like in 1999, resulting in the “disorder of beauty contests”. Up to ten beauty contests were organised in 2007 and all of the winners were called beauty queens or ‘Miss’-es.

“Only national beauty contests organised by reputed agencies will be allowed to declare a ‘Miss’ or beauty queens. The winners of other beauty contests will just be called ‘belles’,” said Chief Editor of Tien Phong Newspaper Duong Xuan Nam.

This opinion was agreed upon by other delegates, who said that the current regulations on beauty contests stipulate that the ‘Miss’ title can be used for all beauty contests.

The current regulations also allow any organisation that has a legal entity to organise a beauty contest, which was said to be too open.

Tien Phong Newspaper’s Editor in Chief Duong Xuan Nam proposed that only reputed agencies be permitted to organise pageants. He suggested setting clear rules on selecting Vietnamese representatives for international beauty contests.

The Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism agreed with Nam, saying that not only legal status and money are enough for an agency to hold a beauty contest. He said it is problematic when the winners of small beauty contests represent Vietnam at international pageants like Miss Earth, Miss International Tourism Queen, Miss International, etc.

(Source: Tien Phong)


http://english.vietnamnet.vn


20 abril 2008

Agências procuram novas modelos longe do Orkut

Miss Brasil 2008 foi descoberta por meio do site de relacionamentos.
Especialistas garantem que internet não é recurso recorrente para localizar talentos


A Miss Brasil 2008 Natália Anderle foi descoberta por meio do Orkut, conhecido site de relacionamentos. No entanto, as principais agências de modelos afirmam que a prática de seleção não costuma acontecer em grandes empresas, que lançam novos rostos para o mundo das passarelas.
“Não procuramos modelos pelo Orkut. Temos scalters buscando novas caras em várias cidades do país. Esses representantes dão um cartão com o nome da agência e pedem para que a candidata nos procure”, afirma Marcos Cunha, coordenador do departamento de new faces da Elite Model.
“O contato pelo Orkut não é recomendado. Há imagens que podem ter alteração e não condiz com a nossa forma de abordagem. Existem muitos falsários por aí”, afirma Júnior Becker, responsável pelo setor de new faces da Mega Model.

Descoberta da miss

Foto

Miss Brasil 2008 Natália Anderle foi descoberta pelo Orkut (Foto: Orlando Oliveira/Futura Press)


O missólogo Evandro Hazzy encontrou Natália Anderle, atual Miss Brasil, por meio do site de relacionamentos. “Quando tenho tempo, gosto de dar uma investigada pelo Orkut”, afirma.
De acordo com o missólogo, ele pediu para que suas assessoras localizassem a menina na cidade de Encantado (RS). “Quando elas conseguiram o telefone dela, eu liguei. Fiz algumas perguntas básicas e pedi que ela fosse ao meu escritório em Porto Alegre. No momento que ela entrou na minha sala, eu pensei: 'opa, essa mulher tem um futuro maravilhoso'”, diz Hazzy, referindo-se à Miss Brasil 2008.

Internet como canal

Apesar dos responsáveis pelas "new faces" garantirem que não fazem uso da internet em um primeiro contato, eles não negam que a web seja um canal de contato.
Após o primeiro encontro, Cunha conta que costuma pedir para que a modelo envie fotos por email. “Algumas acabam mandando o link do Orkut, aí conferimos, mas já temos um contato pré-estabelecido”, diz.
O coordenador também conta que pede o endereço de MSN (programa de mensagens instantâneas) para as modelos agenciadas. “É uma forma prática e rápida de contato”, afirma.
Becker, da Mega Model, também recorre ao programa. “É um recurso que bastante usado. Temos o MSN de pessoas que já conhecemos, é uma forma de facilitar o contato”, diz.

g1.globo.com

Dramatic crowning of Miss Universe 2008




Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Miss Jamaica Universe 2008, April Jackson.

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Well my dears, it was easily one of the most anticipated beauty pageants to be staged in the nation's capital. And with 25 contestants, picking a winner was never going to be an easy task. Add to the task of selecting a beauty from the stellar line-up of contestants, one of hip hop's hottest crossover acts, and you know we are talking the promise of a sensational show. Well, my daahlings, the show held all the promise of a melodramatic event, and for those in attendance on Saturday, April 12, for the crowning of Miss Jamaica Universe 2008, dearhearts, it was all there and then some!

Now, pity the poor judges, as the audience sees their task being to please them. The National Indoor Sport Centre was crammed with people and every one of them vociferous supporters of their particular contestant. And in reality, there is that aspect of it too, as well as that as rising above the parochial expectations to actually identify a contestant who is competitive on the world stage.

Interactive event

For those in the know, beauty contests here in Kingston are not your average spectator sport, as here these events are more interactive with spectators (more often than not being family members and/or close friends of the contestants). They keep the stock of their favoured contestant high while holding down that of her opponents with boos or loud disparaging comments about others. At appropriate moments they boo or cheer loudly.
The now common refrain at beauty pageants is that of accusing the judges and organisers of cooking the scores whenever a preferred contestant is not the chosen one. To be sure, sometimes the judges do get it wrong, but to impugn motives based on ethnicity has become the all too tired refuge of sore losers and/or their supporters.
And so it is was, my dears, at the coronation of Miss Jamaica Universe 2008.
A night of superlatives, beauty, political, diplomatic, reggae and media stars, plus countless other personalities, and it made for one fabulous spectacle.

Saturday night to remember

My daahlings, it was a Saturday night to remember with a spectacular opening number by the venerated dance ensemble ASHE; noteworthy performance by the budding group A20s; the presentation of the contestants in their gowns and swimwear and a spectacularly smashing performance by the strutting, sensationally so, Keyshia Cole, that brought the house to its feet. The show and concert lived up to its billing as one of the most exciting beauty pageants hosted anywhere in Jamaica, in recent memory.
My dears, the show ran smoothly for the most part, except for the security lapse that saw a number of patrons rushing from their allotted stations to the front of the stage, rudely blocking the VIP and judges, as well as the patrons in the VIP sections.
In fact, my dears, Cole's performance all but eclipsed the crowning of the new queen, which should have been the night's highlight. And, my dears, it all but did, save and except for the bruising upset caused by the judges in adjudication. Law and economics student April Jackson had thrashed crowd favourites Doneika Plowright (second) and Rebecca Silvera (third) to emerge winner, but boos and hissy fits accompanied her crowning.

notables

Among the notables out were: Minister of Transport and Works Mike Henry and wife, the lovely Dawn Chambers Henry; Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports Olivia Grange; Allie McNab; MP Dr Laurie Broderick; MP Peter Bunting; head of the EU delegation, His Excellency Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni; HE Russian Ambassador Viktor Zotin; Pulse founding director Hillary Phillips; World Wise CEO Noel Strachan and his wife Judy; Honorary Consul of Slovakia Chris Issa; Honorary Consul of Ecuador Clelia Barreto de Hunter; Professor Dr Carolyn Cooper; Marjorie Cobbham; Desmond Allen; Dr David McBean; businessman Lachu Ramchandani, the lovely Hortense Waul, in from Connecticut; businessman Dwight Moore and wife Sharon Millwood Moore; Mickey Hill; Pat Daley-Smith of KPMG; Danny Champagnie; attorney Denise Kitson; Carlos MaxBrown; Ken Williams, from Carib Media (NY); Sharon Beckford; Dr Lloyd Cole; Richie Stephens and his wife Bernadette; David Annakie; Paul Alexander and wife Sandy Chue-Alexander.

We also spotted: publisher Douglas Gordon; Kim Bernard of sponsors BMW; Gymkhana's Peter Morris; artist/chef Mark Cameron; Olympian Brigitte Foster-Hylton; Duane Lue-Fung; TV host Winford Williams, his fabulous colleague Amelia 'Milk' Sewell, also out and looking positively fab; the artist manager extraordinaire Robert Livingston; international singing sensation Shaggy; Sean Paul; Anthony B; Assassin; Christopher Martin; Sharon Burke; Patrick Cawley; Althea Laing; former dancehall queen Carlene Smith; Angelie Martin Spencer and Sonya Hughes; Steven Pottinger; Jaunel McKenzie; the super-hot Carla Campbell; Nadine Willis; DJ Leftside; Sean Lyn of The Quad; Robert Collins; Juanito Beckford; D'Angel; Andre Grange; Michael Goulbourne.

Judges were: former cricketer turned broadcaster Maurice Foster, businesswoman/artist Lois Sherwood, curator Gilou Bauer, former model Kimberley Mais-Issa, marketing executive Natalie St Louis, the lovely architect Michelle Hall-Subaran, and business executive and senior judge, E. George Hosang.

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