Queen of Vinpearl

Miss Universe contestants pose in bikinis on Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An Provincial City last Wednesday A bikini competition will take place tomorrow night in Nha Trang for 80 striking Miss Universe contestants.

Eighty contestants of the Miss Universe 2008 pageant are set to participate in a bikini show tomorrow night in Nha Trang Town to compete for the title of “Vinpearl Queen.” The performance, to be held on one of the country’s most beautiful islands – Vinpearl Land, is organized by Thanh Nien and its film studio following other big events like a gala dinner charity auction and ao dai show. MISS UNIVERSE 2008 SWIMWEAR SHOW ■ To be held at 8 p.m. tomorrow ■ Venue: Vinpearl Land, Nha Trang Town ■ Tickets, ranging from VND250,000-1.5 millio (US$14-85) and available at: Thanh Nien branch office, A3, no. 26 Hai Ba Trung St., Nha Trang Town. Tel: 05 881 9307 Mob: 090 511 8885 or 098 295 4724 Other outlets in Nha Trang include: 78/26 Tue T St.; 84 Hung Vuong St.; 100 Tran Phu St.; 67 Bach Dang St.; 9 Ha Thanh St. The winner of the Vinpearl Queen title will receive a trophy and a cash award of US$2,000. Show director Nguyen Quang Dung says the electronic effects will give audiences a feeling they’re at the local beach in the glow of dawn or watching a beautiful sunset at night. Music editor and composer Vo Thien Thanh will blend international pieces with traditional Vietnamese ones to enhance the performance and delight audiences, says Dung. The beauty contestants Monday attended inauguration ceremonies at the Diamond Bay Resort, the Crown Convention Center and the Press Center. In the evening, they wore ao dais as they toured around the city’s center. The women arrived in Nha Trang on June 29 following their trips to Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. Today, the contestants will participate in a charity tour. One-on-one interviews will be conducted between the judges and contestants on July 6 and 7 and the women will spend the remaining days rehearsing for the final show on the 14th. PROFILES OF THE PRELIMINARY JUDGES Four judges will choose the top 15 candidates to compete in the finals, July 14, to be telecast live on NBC. ROSALINA TRAN LYDSTER Born in Vietnam, Rosalina Tran Lydster worked as a co-designer for the official Miss Universe Crown for the 2008 pageant. A graduate of San Francisco State University and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Lydster has designed pieces for a wide array of celebrities and her jewelry has appeared in major films such as “Superman Returns.” She was also recognized in 2007 in the Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition’s Fashion Awards. ADEL CHABBI French-born Adel Chabbi has over 23 years of experience as a hair dresser, working with notable clients including Alicia Silverstone, Lauren Hutton and Jessica Lange, to name a few. Specializing in hair extensions for many years, Chabbi has become an expert in the field. His expertise has landed him several TV appearances over the years, including spots on Bravo’s “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” NBC’s “Today Show” and “Extra.” He has also styled for major fashion and beauty magazines including French Vogue, Glamour, Elle and many more. LEIGH ROSSINI Leigh Rossini began her career in 1993 shampooing hair for the Louis Licari Color Group on some of the most influential people in the world. In 1995 she left New York for New Mexico where she earned her degree in communications. After graduating, she returned to the Louis Licari Salon in New York City as Licari’s personal assistant and soon after became the salon’s first in-house publicist. Today, Rossini works side by side with Licari and his team in New York and Beverly Hills and is responsible for the company’s publicity efforts. DEAN McFLIKER Dean McFliker is the vice president of NBC Primetime Special Projects where he produces, directs and choreographs countless productions and has created promotional campaigns for “ER,” “Law & Order,” “Grease: You’re The One That I Want,” “The Apprentice,” “Deal or No Deal,” and many more. On Broadway, McFliker has also choreographed “Upfront” (Radio City Music Hall) as well as international tours, concerts and benefits for Tina Turner, Kool & The Gang, Ray Charles, The Temptations, and The Pointer Sisters. Recently, McFliker worked as a choreographer for “Blame It On Bacharach” at the Wilshire Theater and is currently producing a “Heroes” one-hour special airing September 22nd on NBC. Reported by Luu Hong – Nguyen Van http://www.thanhniennews.com/