Las favoritas de Miss Venezuela

Miss Trujillo acaparó los premios en "La Gala de la Belleza"

Domingo 31 de agosto de 2008

12:19 AM | La noche del sábado 30 de agosto se llevó a cabo "La Gala de la belleza", evento que premia a las misses, y en donde la representante de Trujillo conquistó el mayor número de bandas.
El certamen fue animado por la hermosa venezolana Viviana Gibelli, y junto a ella, destacadas figuras del espectáculo compartieron escenario.
Entre los artistas que formaron parte de este show producido por Joaquín Riviera, estuvieron Mayré Martínez, quien cantando abrió la escena musical; Keiser; Winston Vallenila a dúo junto a la revelación Jessi; Juan Carlos Luces; Los Cadillac’s y los reyes del romantiqueo “Chino y Nacho”, fueron otros de los invitados especiales.
Durante la premiación, la representante del Estado Trujillo, Stefanía Fernández, conquistó tres de las nueve bandas de la noche, las cuales fueron Miss Rostro más bello, Miss Elegancia y Miss Cuerpo. Cabe mencionar que esta misma joven fue la ganadora del certamen Miss Rostro Ebel 2008.

Miss Sucre, Natasha Domínguez, conquistó los títulos de Miss Belleza y Miss Integral. También mereció una banda en la premiación de Miss Palmolive 2008, por la piel más hermosa.
La representante de Táchira, Jennifer Bortolas, volvió a confirmar que posee la sonrisa más hermosa de las 28 candidatas, al obtener el título de Miss Sonrisa. Bortolas conquistó anteriormente el premio a Miss Sonrisa Colgate 2008.
Entre el resto de las ganadoras se encuentran Portuguesa, Verónica Arcay como Miss Personalidad; Vargas, Marielis Ontiveros como Miss Silueta y Bolívar, Kenya Barreto como Miss Pasarela.
El próximo 10 de septiembre en el Poliedro de Caracas se realizará el Miss Venezuela 2008. Cadena Global/Karina Aumaitre
http://www.cadenaglobal.com

Sólo son diez las afortunadas

missvenezuela.com Miss Trujillo es quien más apoyo ha recibido de sus fans.

RNB, Univision Online

31 de Agosto de 2008

Ya falta poco tiempo para que se conozca a la nueva Miss Venezuela 2008, la cual sustituirá a Dayana Mendoza, quien es la actual Miss Universo.

De las 28 candidatas del certamen sólo son 10 las favoritas a ganar el cotizado título de belleza, según las votaciones y el apoyo de los fieles seguidores del concurso.

¿Quién será la ganadora?

A lo largo de un mes de actividades previas a la gran final de uno de los concurso de belleza latinoamericanos más importantes, los fanáticos de dichos eventos han hecho sus Top 10 y Top 5 de sus favoritas.

	Fotos
		Las favoritas del 2008

Haciendo un conteo de las que mayor número de votos han recibido en distintos foros especializados en Reinas de Belleza, así como en comunidades, te presentamos a las 10 venezolanas que más apoyo han recibido y que posiblemente una de ellas sea la nueva soberana.

No existe un orden en especial, aunque hay unas que han tenido más votos que otras, pero aquí está la lista. Aunque la última decisión la tiene el jurado el próximo de 10 de septiembre, cuando se lleve a cabo la gran final.

Miss Trujillo, Stephania Fernández, la cual ganó los premios de Rostro Ebel, Rostro más Bello, Mejor Cuerpo y Miss Elegancia. Natasha Domínguez, Miss Sucre, otra de las grandes favoritas obtuvo el galardón de Miss Belleza y Miss Integral.

Karina Rivero, Miss Amazonas no se queda atrás, es una de las favoritas.Miss Monagas, Laksmi Rodríguez, detrás de ella, Miss Aragua, Ligia Hernández, le sigue, Miss Tachira, Jennipher Bortolas, quien ganó Miss Sonrisa. Miss Nueva Esparta, Natascha Brandt, Miss Carabobo, Gabriela Concepción.

Las que están luchando por la corona de Dayana Mendoza, están Miss Distrito Capital, Lourdes Caldera y Miss Dependencias Federales, Dayana Borges. Entre estas bellas venezolanas está la nueva soberana del país sudamericano.

http://www.univision.com/

Vídeos Gala de la Belleza

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy2rvmPYPxw (part 1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbktWeDsPek (part 2)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efi6FQGllOE (part 3)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iAMtC4I_ic (part 4)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT0RSOG13tI (part 5)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFEiyjpfDy0 (part 6)

"Nuestra Belleza en Forma"

33 aspirantes en busca de la corona

M.

M. Velázquez/Univision Online
En todo momento Lupita Jones estuvo al pendiente de las concursantes
Maribel Velázquez, Univision Online

31 de Agosto de 2008

"No hay belleza sin salud"
Una prueba llena de retos

MÉXICO- Por tercera ocasión las aspirantes a la máxima corona de la belleza mexicana, se dieron cita en un reconocido club deportivo para dar muestras de la condición física con la que llegarán a Monterrey, Nuevo León, estado sede de Nuestra Belleza México (NBM) en donde las 33 participantes buscarán su pase a Miss Universo 2009 y Miss Mundo 2009.

"No hay belleza sin salud"

En la actualidad, el certamen de Nuestra Belleza México ha dado una mayor importancia a la promoción del acondicionamiento físico en el estilo de vida de las participantes, pues uno de los propósitos de esta competencia es también promover la práctica diaria del deporte como un valor indispensable en la búsqueda de la belleza y la salud.

En charla con Univision.com, la única Miss Universo que ha tenido México, Lupita Jones, declaró que esta modalidad, no sólo servirá para fomentar el deporte, sino para que una de las 33 chicas pase a la final por el simple hecho de ser una competidora de alto rendimiento.

“[Nuestra Belleza en Forma] Es una competencia más dentro de la gran final de Nuestra Belleza. Son cinco competencias alternas en donde las chicas están disputando un lugar dentro del grupo de las 15 finalistas. En esta prueba ¡sí sudan la gota gorda!”, detalló.

No obstante, declaró que esta prueba es una de las más fuertes y extenuantes. Sin embargo, con ella desea dejar en claro que se puede tener un buen cuerpo, sin dejar de comer: "No hay belleza sin salud. Para mantenerte bien necesitas hábitos de saludables de vida, como es el ejercicio, una buena alimentación y una disciplina en tu vida que te mantenga en forma. Claro que se puede tener un cuerpo de reina, pero trabajando el cuerpo y eso sí, sin matarse de hambre".

http://www.univision.com/

Jennifer Hawkins

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 28: Model/TV presenter Jennifer Hawkins attends the official launch party for ACP Magazine`s `30 Days of Fashion & Beauty` at the Intercontinental Hotel on August 28, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images)

Miss Nevada 2008 Veronica Grabwoski

Grand Opening Celebration Of Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar At Bellagio

LAS VEGAS - AUGUST 29: Miss Nevada 2008 Veronica Grabwoski arrives at the grand opening celebration of Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar At Bellagio Hotel and Casino Resort on August 29, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/WireImage)

Miss Minas Gerais 2008

Vida de Miss

Candidatas a coroa mineira se preparam para o concurso com aulas de etiqueta e postura

Heloísa Mendonça - Portal UAI

Nádia Micherif dá aula de etiqueta para aspirantes a Miss Minas Gerais Na próxima semana, as 30 cadidadatas do concurso Miss Minas Gerais irão desembarcar em Divinópolis, cidade que sedia o evento, para começar o treinamento e os ensaios para a grande final. Engana-se quem pensa que o trabalho delas é fácil. Muitas já estão, há algumas semanas, se preparando com aulas de etiqueta e passarela, academia, visitas a demartologistas, cirurgiões plásticos e consultas a dentistas. Diferentemente de uma modelo que não pode destacar-se mais do que a roupa, uma miss precisa se mostrar. E em cima de um salto fino ela tem que sorrir o tempo todo e saber conquistar o público e os jurados com belas poses. Segundo a professora de etiqueta, Nádia Micherif, tudo é uma questão de postura. Postura para andar, para escutar, para sentar e para falar. Nádia adora o mundo das misses. Ela mesma já foi Miss Ubá (MG) e sua filha, Naila, foi Miss Brasil 1997. Este ano, Nádia foi jurada do concurso nacional e está dando aulas de etiquetas para várias candidatas do Miss Minas Gerais. Ela será a professora delas na semana de preparação. "Eu posso ensinar tudo pra elas, mas o brilho eu não posso dar , o brilho é da pessoa, ali na hora da passarela", afirma. Se miss que realmente é miss precisa de postura e atitude, elas já sabem que é necessário seguir algumas regrinhas de etiqueta para alcançar os objetivos. Confira algumas dicas Pernas Pernas abertas jamais. A posição para sentar-se, segundo a professora, é sempre com elas elegantemente de lado, mantendo a espinha dorsal ereta. Escada Deve-se descer uma escada de lado, porém não é proibido descê-la de frente se o degrau possuir uma largura que caiba todo o pé. Mesmo assim, pode ser um pouco arriscado. O melhor mesmo é ir de lado já que você adquire mais segurança e firmeza, além de ser bastante elegante. Para subir a ecada, nada de deixar uma parte do pé fora do degrau. Salto alto Salto alto fino é sempre mais elegante que uma plataforma. Para quem vai disputar o concurso de mais bela, o melhor é usá-lo diariamente para ir se acostumando. Camila Bambirra e Vanessa Guimarães caminham com um bastão para treinar a postura correta Passarela Cada pessoa tem o seu estilo e charme para desfilar. Mas, o requisito básico é andar com a coluna ereta e o busto em uma posiçao para fora do corpo. Uma ótima técnica é colocar um bastão nas costas e segurá-lo com as mãos. Atender o telefone na frente do espelho pode ser uma ótima técnica para descobrir os melhores sorrisos Sorriso O sorriso é obrigatório.Se há técnica para isso? Segundo Nádia, a melhor forma de descobrir o sorriso perfeito é atender o telefone rindo na frente do espelho para ver qual é a melhor pose. 3 palavras Existem três palavrinhas básicas para uma boa educação: obrigada, por favor e licença. Maquiagem Micherif incentiva as candidatas a cuidar da própria maquiagem. De acordo com ela, em grandes finais como na do Miss Universo é cada uma por si. A miss representante de Lagoa Santa, Vanessa Guimarães, já dá conta do recado. Ela fez um curso de auto-maquiagem no Senac. "Meu objetivo era aprender a fazer uma maquiagem e descobrir o que deveria usar para o meu estilo de pele", diz. A professora dá uma dica: "a sombra branca e a sombra preta não tem erro, ficam bonitas para todas as peles". http://www.new.divirta-se.uai.com.br

REINAS INTERNACIONALES VISITAN PERÚ

CLICK EN LA IMAGEN Un ramillete de reinas internacionales, entre Universo 2008; Stefany Salgado, Miss Ecuador; Miss Young International 2007, Primera Finalista de Miss Colombia Mundo 2007 y la Reina del Café 2008 Jéssica Jordan, llegaron a Perú para participar en una de las festividades más importantes que se realizan en la ciudad de Tacna, como es el Corso Internacional Albarracino, que forma parte de los festejos de un nuevo aniversario de la reincorporación de Tacna al Perú. http://www.lostiempos.com

Miss Italia

Miss Italia 2008 potrà avere piercing e tatuaggi

ROMA (28 agosto) - Se dici miss Italia pensi alla classica ragazza della porta accanto, acqua e sapone e viso d'angelo, ma i tempi cambiano: e allora prepariamoci alla novità, perché quest'anno a indossare la corona di reginetta d'Italia potrebbe essere una ragazza con tatuaggi e piercing. Infatti «non costituiscono un problema né i tatuaggi né i piercing», ha assicurato Patrizia Mirigliani, patron del concorso, in riferimento alle dichiarazioni del presidente della giuria Enrico Lucherini che aveva manifestato la sua avversione per entrambe le mode.

«Cerchiamo sì la ragazza della porta accanto - ha detto la Mirigliani - ma siamo nel 2008 e siamo vicini all'attualità e alla moda dei giovani». Dello stesso parere è Gianna Tani, la grande esperta di casting: «Non amo né i piercing né i tatuaggi, ma sono ininfluenti nella valutazione delle miss. Gli orecchini, invece, li gradisco».

Consigli da sorella maggiore, quelli dati alle 224 ragazze di Miss Italia 2008 da Patrizia Mirigliani, in occasione del primo incontro tra la patron del concorso e le aspiranti reginette di bellezza. «La vostra presenza mi commuove - ha dichiarato Patrizia - fosse per me e per mio padre porteremmo tutte in finale, ma solo 100 di voi potranno arrivare a quel traguardo», ha detto la Mirigliani, ricordando alle partecipanti l'importanza del rispetto delle regole, punto di forza di Miss Italia. «So che sarete spesso stanche per i tanti impegni in programma, ma non lamentatevi. Il concorso è una scuola di vita - ha aggiunto - e uscite di qui potrete dire di aver frequentato l'università della bellezza. Inoltre il concorso si assume la responsabilità di tutelarvi e di proteggervi: siete in un ambiente sicuro, come in una famiglia».

Nei prossimi giorni arriverà a Salsomaggiore, ospite della manifestazione, Miss Modena, esclusa dalla gara per aver girato un filmino hard finito in internet. «Non l'abbiamo fatto per buonismo - ha precisato Patrizia Mirigliani - ma per aiutare le giovani ragazze come voi a capire che uno sbaglio del genere si paga per tutta la vita. Pensiamo con angoscia al caso della ragazza che si è tolta la vita per la vergogna per lo stesso motivo». Il riferimento è alla sedicenne di Rovigo suicida, dopo che delle sue foto hard scattate sul cellulare dal ragazzo si erano diffuse fra gli amici.

Consigli per un look vincente sono arrivati da Robin, il make up artist, che truccherà le miss in gara. «Quest'anno vincerà la naturalezza - ha detto - è questo il segreto della vera bellezza, perché quando una ragazza è bella, lo è naturalmente, una riga di eye-liner non può fare la differenza».

Metà delle ragazze in gara a Miss Italia sono oggi sotto esame da parte della commissione tecnica presieduta da Enrico Lucherini e composta da esperti di immagine, di bellezza e di casting quali Fioretta Mari, Gianna Tani, Roberto Ciasca (Robin), Roberto Bigherati e dall'autore televisivo Gian Maria Tavanti. Oggi è il turno delle prime 100 miss, quelle di Piemonte, Valle d'Aosta, Lombardia, Alto Adige, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Emilia Romagna, Toscana e Umbria: hanno sfilano al mattino in body e nel pomeriggio con i loro abiti portati da casa. Domani sarà la volta delle altre 100 impegnate oggi con la realizzazione del reportage di Raiuno in onda l'8 settembre, alle 18, vigilia delle finali. In giornata sfila anche Elena Micaela Basile, Miss Eleganza Campania: domani, infatti, mentre le ragazze della sua regione saranno in passerella, lei sarà a scuola, a Ischia, per un esame di riparazione in una materia, fisica.

È ormai risaputo che la bellezza non è fine a se stessa: per questo i giurati hanno cominciato a fare una serie di domande, anche divertenti, per conoscere le ragazze e per fare emergere, nel breve tempo disponibile di questa prima passerella, il loro carattere, temperamento e personalità. «Miss Italia - ha detto Fioretta Mari - deve avere carisma: è la regina che, quando entra, riconosci subito. Noi, per tre giorni, andiamo alla ricerca di ragazze che abbiano questo fascino».

http://www.ilmessaggero.it/

Usa su belleza para salvar el planeta

La joven canadiense está en la Isla para entender un poco la situación local del ambiente. (Primera Hora / Pipo Reyes)

jueves, 28 de agosto de 2008
Actualizado hace 1 días
(00:00 a.m. )

Aixa Sepúlveda Morales / Primera Hora

Votos: 4

¿Cómo calificarías esta nota?

1

La canadiense Jessica Trisko se dejó seducir por los concursos de belleza cuando conoció que el evento Miss Earth tiene como finalidad promover asuntos relacionados con la preservación del medio ambiente.

Este concurso, que apenas tiene siete años de haberse iniciado, ya se ha convertido en uno de los eventos de belleza internacionales más importantes y la reina de turno se dedica a servir de mensajera del planeta. Es ésa la misión en estos momentos de Jessica Trisko, actual Miss Earth.

“Este certamen tiene un propósito que es defender el lugar en donde vivimos y seleccionan a la mujer por sus conocimientos, por su interés en el medio ambiente. La Miss Earth tiene una causa clara, que es hacerle entender a la gente que los problemas del planeta son grandes. Tenemos como misión mantener a la gente activa en este asunto”, dijo la reina durante un recorrido por el Viejo San Juan.

Esta joven universitaria de 23 años está en la Isla para entender un poco la situación actual del ambiente local y conocer a Natalie Cuevas, representante puertorriqueña en el concurso internacional de este año.

En su visita, la canadiense aprovechó para visitar El Yunque, así como diversas playas y el tan popular Viejo San Juan.

“Aquí la situación es muy parecida a la de varias islas y países que he visitado, como Indonesia, Filipinas o Vietnam, que encaran los mismos problemas que es lidiar con el aumento en los niveles del mar, la erosión y la deforestación. Creo que debe haber una comunicación entre los gobiernos y los pueblos para que decidan lo que resulte mejor para su futuro”, expresó.

Jessica Trisko completa un bachillerato en Ciencias Políticas y aspira a convertirse en profesora universitaria.

Precisamente, por su interés en la educación fue que llegó a este concurso de belleza en donde le corresponde de cierta manera orientar a las masas.

Pero no sólo disfruta enseñar, sino adquirir conocimientos que le llegan de parte de líderes ambientalistas que ha conocido en los países que ha visitado.

“Hace poco fui a un evento ambiental y el eslogan era: ‘El mejor momento para plantar un árbol fue hace 20 años, la segunda mejor oportunidad es ahora’. Pienso que muchos países todavía tienen la esperanza de que podamos hacer algo y ahora tenemos la oportunidad de poner todos los avances tecnológicos que tenemos en favor del planeta”, aseveró.

Desde su elección el pasado noviembre, Jessica Trisko ha entendido que cualquier paso, por pequeño que se piense que es, resulta gigante para el futuro del planeta.

“A veces, y principalmente los jóvenes, pensamos que las cosas pequeñas no hacen la diferencia, y nos equivocamos. Se puede reciclar, y sin pensarlo, es algo que produce grandes cambios, y más aún cuando sigues contagiando a los demás. Lo más importante es que las personas entiendan que cada decisión que toman, buena o mala, va a tener algún efecto en el planeta”, concluyó.

http://www.primerahora.com/

Miss Earth 2007 to join Mid-autumn Festival with orphans

17:04' 28/08/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – Miss Earth 2007 Jessica Nicole Trisko (Canadian) and Miss Singapore, Miss Philippines will present gifts to Vietnamese orphans on the occasion of the Mid-autumn Festival. Miss Earth 2007 Jessica Nicole Trisko These beauty queens will come to Vietnam to participate in the 4th International Travel Exhibition – HCM City 2008 (ITE – HCMC 2008) from September 12-14 at the Phu Tho Sports House in HCM City and will also participate in other activities to advertise ecological tourism, call for environmental protection and do charity activities. In October 2007, Miss Earth 2006 Hil Yesenia Hernandez Escobar (Chile) and some contestants of Miss Earth 2006 pageant – Miss Water Catherine Untalan (Philippines) and Miss Singapore Nocole Chen were invited to take part in the ITE – HCM City 2007. One of the most outstanding activities of these beauty queens was calling for Vietnamese people to wear helmets by wearing helmets and riding on motorbikes on HCM City’s streets. La Quoc Khanh, Deputy Director of the HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, vice chief of the organising board of ITE – HCM City 2008, said this year’s exhibition is the largest since 2005. (Source: TP) http://english.vietnamnet.vn

Rebecca Sherlock: She is taking part in the Miss Earth UK contest.

Rebecca Sherlock: She is taking part in the Miss Earth UK contest.

GREEN goddesses from across the UK are set to swap catwalks and bikinis for recycling rubbish and saving energy at a beauty contest with a difference tomorrow - in which a geography student from Thruxton is taking part.

Becky Sherlock, aged 21, is one of 44 young women from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales aiming to take the crown of Miss Earth UK by impressing judges with a speech about her views on the environment.

A member of the Winchester Green Party, Becky says she has never taken part in such a contest before, but wants to get more young people interested in the three Rs - reduce, reuse and recycle - when it comes to rubbish.

She said: "When I moved to uni, a lot of my housemates and friends were shocked when I put things aside for recycling.

"I know my mum and older people tend to recycle, but I think people who are around my age should get more involved, just because it's so easy to do and it really makes a difference."

The winner of the UK competition will go forward to the full Miss Earth contest, where the winner will get to travel to the Philippines for three week's green volunteer work.
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You can vote for Becky by phoning 0901 656 1570 and choosing option 24, or by texting Rebecca Sherlock to 84205. Texts cost 60p and include a donation to the World Wildlife Fund.

http://www.thisishampshire.net/

Star turn for lady in red

Showstopper … Jennifer Hawkins appeared for Myer yesterday in a red chiffon gown by Camilla and Marc.
Photo: Brendan Esposito

Elicia Murray
August 28, 2008

The sun came out yesterday for Myer and its golden girl, Jennifer Hawkins, who launched the store's spring/summer collection.

Defying bleak retail sector forecasts for one day, at least, the store's advertising figurehead - a former Miss Universe - made her first appearance in an itsy-bitsy acid yellow frilled bikini from her new swimwear line, Cozi by Jennifer Hawkins.

Sky-high bondage-style gladiator sandals were not the only catwalk hazard. Beneath the domed ceiling of Byron Kennedy Hall, at Moore Park, a 500-strong crowd watched models negotiate a revolving circular runway with a giant gold-and-white striped "sun" disc as the centrepiece.

Three weeks ago, David Jones held its Brazilian-themed season launch across the road at the Royal Hall of Industries.

Hawkins, 24, said she felt extra pressure because she had helped design Cozi, which features bold prints, stripes, spots and frills.

"I want to see the other models to make sure that it fits right," she said. "It's not that I've got to worry about just my own swimwear."

Hawkins said she would not put an expiry date on her career as a swimwear model.

"I would not want to set an age because I might get to that age and want to keep going."

Her boyfriend, Jake Wall, put in an eye-catching, bare-chested appearance modelling Armani Jeans.

But floaty fabrics and floral prints dominated the looks for women, with colours along the spectrum from soft pastels to vivid cobalt blues, fuchsias and yellows. Hems ranged from micro-mini layered leather skirts at Camilla and Marc to floor-skimming maxi dresses by Leona Edmiston, Charlie Brown and Mad Cortes.

For men, jeans and shorts were looser and paler, moving away from the fashion set's ubiquitous stovepipe styles.

Fifteen children took part in the parade, wearing such "mini-me" creations as Wayne Cooper's Wayne JnR line, which is based on his adult range.

Front-row seats were reserved for Myer's local designers, including Cooper, Jayson Brunsdon, Josh Goot, Toni Maticevski, Yeojin Bae, Nicola Finetti and brother-and-sister team Camilla and Marc Freeman, who designed the full-length red chiffon and lace gown that Hawkins wore to close the show.

http://www.news.com.au/

Venezuela: o país das misses

>Heloísa Mendonça - Portal UAI

Miss Universo 2008, Dayne Mendoza da Venezuela, recebe tratamento em SPA Cinco coroas de Miss Universo, a última delas conquistada por Dayana Mendonza em julho deste ano, outras cinco de Miss Mundo e uma de Miss Internacional deram a Venezuela a reputação de ter as mulheres mais lindas do planeta. Alguns acreditam que essa beleza já não é natural, ela é fabricada em escolas de misses e nas salas de cirurgias. Veja fotos de misses da Venezuela Ao lado de Porto Rico, que também conquistou cinco títulos, a Venezuela só perde para o campeão Estados Unidos, que possui em sua história sete Miss Universo. As venezuelanas estiveram 21 vezes entre as finalistas. Segundo a Organização Miss Venezuela, a meta continua sendo a mesma: seguir exaltando a beleza das mulheres e permitir que o nome do país siga destacando-se em todas as partes do mundo. O sucesso do concurso é tão grande, que ele já tranformou-se em paixão nacional. Os venezuelanos acompanham a disputa das mais belas como se fosse a Copa do Mundo. A transmissão ao vivo do evento, pela televisão, atinge picos de audiência de 90% no país. As beldades acabam virando estrelas. Uma já tentou, até mesmo, entrar na política. Irene Sáez, Miss Universo de 1981, concorreu à presidência em 1998. Ela disputou o posto com o atual presidente Hugo Chávez, porém alcançou apenas 3% dos votos. Duas venezuelanas caminhando durante uma aula de postura e beleza Fábrica de "Reinas" O homem por trás de todo o brilho das candidatas é Osmel de Sousa, que há mais de 20 anos escolhe quem irá representar o país no concurso de Miss Universo. Ele é o presidente da organização Miss Venezuela e criou, em 1988, o chamado "casting popular", no qual representantes da organização viajam pelo país inteiro em busca de candidatas. Cerca de 5 mil mulheres participam anualmente do casting. Após uma pré-seleção, Sousa estuda, durante semanas, os vídeos das candidatas e, nesta fase são escolhidas 40 meninas. As jovens começam, então, um treinamento em uma verdadeira escola para misses, com direito a aulas de passarela, maquiagem, inglês e cultura geral; academia e ioga; consultas com nutricionistas, dermatologistas, dentistas e visitas a cirurgiões plásticos. Um pré-requisito fundamental para as futuras beldades é a altura, que precisa ser, no mínimo, de 1,70 m. Para Osmel, essa é a única característica que não há como modificar em uma mulher. Segundo seu depoimento no site oficial do concurso na Venezuela, a cirurgia estética já é uma ciência que está aprovada por todos, "porque corrige certos detalhes que a natureza não foi generosa em nos fornecer". Para ele, se uma menina é muito linda, mas nasceu com com um nariz muito grande ou com outro defeito, ela não deveria ficar assim até o resto da vida. Afinal, há um profissional que pode ajudá-la a ficar muito mais bonita. Em 1997, a rede de televisão americana ABC, produziu um documentário intitulado Fábrica de Rainhas, mostrando todo o processo em que as aspirantes a misses Venezuela passam. E ,de certa forma, criticam os recursos utilizados por elas, como os bisturis, para atingir um certo padrão de beleza. Ao longo do anos, o concurso tornou-se um verdadeiro investimento e o chamado padrão venezuelano de beleza vem mostrando êxito: desde 1990, a Venezuela não alcançou um posto menor que de terceira finalista. http://www.new.divirta-se.uai.com.br

Sudáfrica recibirá a Miss Mundo

El certamen será el 12 de diciembre

Getty Images Zhang Zi Lin entregará su corona a finales del año.

Univision Online y Agencias

26 de Agosto de 2008

Luego de que la organización de Miss Mundo mandara un comunicado cancelando el certamen en Ucrania para el 4 de octubre hasta nuevo aviso, la directora general Julia Morley, ya tiene nueva sede para el concurso de este 2008.

Sudáfrica recibirá a las bellas candidatas del segundo concurso más importante del planeta y en donde Zhang Zi Lin entregará su corona a la nueva soberana.

De África saldrá la nueva reina

	Fotos
		Miss Mundo 2007

La cancelación de Miss Mundo 2008 en Kiev, Ucrania, se debió al conflicto bélico que viven Georgia y Rusia, pues el país sede se encuentra cerca de dichas naciones.

La directora de la organización Julia Morley envió un aviso a todas las coordinaciones de los concursos nacionales para que tengan listas a sus candidatas, pues la nueva sede de Miss Mundo sera Sudáfrica y la gran final del evento se llevará a cabo el 12 de diciembre.

La ciudad de Johannesburgo recibirá a las 120 candidatas en su edición número 58 del concurso a partir del 16 de noviembre.

A partir de esa fecha las reinas de belleza iniciarán con el programa de actividades previas a la gala final y en el que visitarán los lugares más importantes del país.

El Centro de Convenciones de Sandton, será el lugar donde Zhang Zi Lin, Miss Mundo 2007 entregue la corona a su sucesora.

http://www.univision.com

Míster Universo, de la escala a la pasarela

El gallego Iván Cabrera, bombero y metro noventa, disfruta del salto a la fama que le brinda ser otro guapo oficial

PLANES. El joven será imagen de una firma deportiva. / J. LANZA

PODRÍA decirse que es una belleza de otro planeta. Al menos, que haya sido encumbrado como Míster Universo 2008, lo deja medio claro. También que, con permiso de Julio Iglesias, España atesora un segundo gallego universal (aunque de cantar, que se sepa, poquito). Pero si de jugar con las palabras se trata, su currículum guarda una perla que sería imperdonable pasar por alto. Iván Cabrera, orensano, 23 años, metros noventa y uno y misteriosos ojos azules es, además de un nuevo español coronado guapo oficial fuera de nuestra fronteras, un agente más del cuerpo oficial de bomberos de su localidad natal, Xinzo de Limia. (A ratos se sube a la escala, a ratos a la pasarela. Según parece, con igual aplomo. Falta hace para ponerse delante de ambos 'miuras', que pueden dar cornadas de fuego o de titulares que achicharran. Y no se sabe cuál es peor).

Tras un año y medio apagando fuegos -ya avisa que, de momento, la manguera no la cuelga- ahora podría decirse que es él quien enciende la mecha en el sector femenino con tendencia a tener fuego en el cuerpo. Encadena apariciones en revistas, desfiles de moda y entrevistas televisivas y se va soltando día a día. «Al principio te sientes algo incómodo porque no sabes por dónde te van a entrar pero poco a poco te vas rodando», confiesa con ademanes de caballero inglés. Seductor, pero en su justa medida. Con la mirada fija. (¿Dios, qué mareo!).

Suerte con la genética

Lejos de ser un 'remake' de 'Una serie de catastróficas desdichas', lo suyo es más bien una serie de atípicas dichas. Una carambola le colocó, en 24 horas, en su primer desfile para superar un examen de belleza. «Fui a acompañar a una amiga que se iba a presentar a miss Orense y en la delegación me animaron a que yo participara en el certamen de míster al día siguiente», relata. Sin anestesia. A bote pronto, dijo que 'nanai'. Luego, en casa, su familia le animó a probar suerte con su genética. Especialmente, su madre. «Con 17 años tuvo la oportunidad de participar en Miss Venezuela, lo rechazó y se arrepintió», cuenta.

Sobra decir que se colocó, sin que se le moviera un pelo, la banda de Míster Orense, al año siguiente la de Guapo de España en el certamen que se celebró en Benalmádena y, como no hay dos sin tres, el pasado mes de marzo la de Míster Universo. «Para mí fue una sorpresa ganar. No me lo esperaba en absoluto. Había gente muy preparada», apunta. Su caso. Además de bombero, es diplomado en Laboratorio y Diagnóstico Clínico. Casualidades de la vida, el mejor diagnóstico se lo hicieron en la República Dominicana, donde el jurado le coronó como una belleza estratosférica.

Horarios flexibles

Dice que nunca se le pasó por la cabeza ser modelo pero ahora vive entusiasmado con el mundillo, especialmente con todo lo relacionado con la comunicación. Y cuando se quita los 'armanis' o los 'boss' -o bañadores marcadores, que es el caso- se enfunda el uniforme de bombero en un alarde de versatilidad: «Me encanta ese trabajo y además los horarios son muy flexibles y me permiten compaginarlo con ser míster». (Digo yo, que guardará el cuadrante en la caja fuerte para evitar una oleada de falsas alarmas. Que con tal de verle manguera en ristre...).

En el horizonte más cercano, además de estar con un ojo puesto en las llamas, tiene desfilar en Nueva York y en la República Dominicana, además de estrenarse como imagen de la firma de ropa deportiva VTL Tenerife, creada por el futbolista Vitolo del Racing de Santander. «Doy las gracias de que se me presentara esta oportunidad», concluye. Él y quienes ya cuelgan sus póster, torso al descubierto, en la puerta del armario. (P. D.: No tiene novia. Por si pensaban que me había olvidado de ese pequeño gran detalle. Que hay que estar en todo).

http://www.diariosur.es

Here he is, Mister USA

By Mark Shanahan and Paysha Rhone Globe Staff / August 25, 2008

Eight contestants in the first-ever Mister USA pageant heated up a ballroom at the Lenox Hotel Saturday night, strutting the stage in Speedos and evening wear, and even managing a rather awkward group dance number. The charming Ivan Rusilko (above), of Meadville, Pa., took the sash from outgoing Mister USA Jake Hill, of Plymouth. Hill, who was appointed Mister USA but competed internationally, called competing in a tiny bathing suit "amazingly terrifying. Growing up in the Boston area, Speedos are not necessarily socially accepted, for a masculine man. But you have to take the good with the bad, and enjoy the experience." Hill, Miss Boston 2008 Alida D'Angona, and Suffolk University professor Dana Rosengard were among the judges who chose the new champ. Rusilko, a bodybuilder and fourth-year medical student, will rep America in the Mister International 2008 pageant in Taiwan in November. "I don't have any doubt that he can take it all," said Mister USA founder Rafa Delfin. "We have to doll him up a bit. As you can see, he has a great physique already. He's a champion bodybuilder. He has a great personality, great smile . . . and I'm just very, very happy with him."

Miss Mundo Internacional será en Johannesburgo

Ivonne Orsini, Miss Mundo de Puerto Rico. (Suministrada)

Primerahora.com

Johannesburgo será la sede de la 58va edición del concurso de belleza Miss Mundo Internacional, que se llevará a cabo el 12 de diciembre de este año con la participación de 120 delegadas.

Miss Mundo Internacional 2008 se realizaría el 4 de octubre en Ucrania, pero la organización decidió cancelar la visita al país por la cercanía que tiene al conflicto que mantienen Rusia y Georgia.

Ivonne Orsini, Miss Mundo de Puerto Rico, intentará ganar la segunda corona de este concurso que tendrá su noche final en el Centro de Convenciones de Sandton, en Johannesburgo. La única candidata puertorriqueña que se ha alzado con el triunfo en esta competencia es Wilnelia Merced, quien se coronó en 1975.

Delia Cruz, presidenta de la franquicia local, informó en comunicación escrita que las concursantes deberán llegar a la ciudad sede el 16 de noviembre.

“Según nos informó hoy la presidenta de la organización, Julia Morley, las participantes disfrutarán de una experiencia auténtica sudafricana y llena de emociones durante las cuatro semanas que permanecerán en competencia. Se espera que viajen por varios puntos de interés”, expresó Cruz.

La tenedora de Miss Mundo de Puerto Rico mostró su satisfacción por la elección de Johannesburgo, y anticipó que Orsini hará un buen papel en nombre de la Isla.

“Nos agrada mucho la selección del lugar y nuestra representante Ivonne Orsini está preparada para traernos la nueva corona. Es una candidata muy aplicada y estoy segura que gustará mucho”, dijo.

El equipo de trabajo de la reina puertorriqueña aprovechará el aplazamiento del concurso para coordinar unas clases en las que le enseñen a la joven algunas palabras en dialectos africanos, aunque allí se hablará oficialmente en inglés.

http://www.primerahora.com/

Debuta Lupita Jones en teatro

El próximo 2 de septiembre, Lupita Jones Garay, directora nacional de Nuestra Belleza México, se integrará al elenco de más de 30 actrices que alternan funciones en los Monólogos de la Vagina, justo un día después de las cinco mil representaciones celebradas en el Jardín Versal de Constituyentes, donde se donarán 300 mil pesos a la asociación civil Casa Amiga Centro de Crisis de Ciudad Juárez, en contra de la violencia hacia las mujeres.

“Existe la invitación y he estado ensayando los textos con el director Jaime Matarredona. Esta semana tuve mi primer ensayo en teatro e interpretaré a la mujer uno. Respeto mucho el trabajo de las actrices, así que no podría decirme que voy a actuar, sino comunicar lo que otras mujeres ya dijeron, pero sí es la primera vez que me presento en un teatro”, destacó en entrevista.

La Miss Universo 1991 había visto la puesta en anteriores ocasiones, aunque cuando el productor Morris Gilbert le ofreció integrarse, ella dudó en hacerlo, hasta que la convenció.

“Me quise aventar al ruedo y aunque nunca lo había planeado, tampoco te puedes cerrar a lo nuevo. Durante los primeros ensayos es difícil enfrentarse a la palabra, pero poco a poco me sentí más cómoda al entender el sentido con el que cada mujer dio su testimonio”, explicó.

Mientras tanto, los productores de Ocesa Teatro planean la presentación del primero de septiembre, función especial considerada como el Día del Informe Vaginal, en Constituyentes 876, colonia Lomas Altas, para lo que ya están a la venta 800 localidades abiertas al público.

La embajadora de la belleza mexicana no descarta la posibilidad de radicar en otro país por el tema de la inseguridad de la que ya fue víctima.

“En diciembre de 2006 se metieron a robar a mi casa, denuncié y no pasó nada. A los seis meses llamé a la delegación y me dijeron que estaban terminando de reunir los elementos. ¡Seis meses después! Cuando fueron a mi casa para levantar huellas dactilares me hicieron un cochinero, nada más. Si tuviera los medios para hacerlo, sí me iría de aquí y me da mucha tristeza”, afirmó.

Jones expresó su duelo ante el caso de Fernando Martí, el niño de 14 años secuestrado y encontrado muerto en la cajuela de un auto, dado la cercanía con sus padres Alejandro y Mati Martí.

“Como muchos mexicanos lo he sentido, porque conozco a la familia, a don Alejandro, y me consta que es gente buena, por eso me duele más. Nadie merece sufrir así. El tema nos atañe a todos”, destacó.

La originaria de Mexicali, Baja California, prefirió no detallar si cuenta con seguridad privada para su protección y aún no tiene confirmada su asistencia a la marcha del 30 de agosto, organizada por el Movimiento de Expresión Ciudadana Iluminemos México.

Jones Garay reveló que ya están reunidas en el DF las 33 seleccionadas estatales para competir por el título Nuestra Belleza México 2008, certamen que cumple 15 años y que festejará su final el 20 de septiembre, en Monterrey, Nuevo León.

“Dejaré esto cuando yo quiera, así que lo siento para los que estén muy enojados, porque no ha llegado el momento. Aunque no deseo hacerlo toda mi vida, tengo mi plan B, que consta de promocionar México a escala internacional por televisión y también propuestas de dar difusión a hábitos sanos”, concluyó.

http://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/

Miss e clandestina, arrestata al concorso

E' la storia di una 20enne senegalese che sfilava alle competizioni di bellezza con una carta d'identità falsa e un decreto di espulsione sulle spalle. Stava per partecipare alle semifinali nazionali di Miss Muretto

Udine, 23 agosto 2008 - Era clandestina, ma partecipava ai concorsi di bellezza con una carta d'identita' falsa e un decreto di espulsione sulle spalle: e' la storia di una ragazza senegalese di 20 anni scoperta da Polizia e Carabinieri e arrestata a Sestriere (Torino).

La ragazza, che si faceva chiamare Beatrice Ndyae, e' stata bloccata nel villaggio olimpico della localita' piemontese dove si trovava per partecipare alle semifinali nazionali di Miss Muretto 2008, dopo aver vinto la fascia di miss Optex a Pontebba (Udine), all'inizio di agosto, e quella di Miss Biopoint il 14 agosto a Lignano (Udine).

A smascherarla e' stata una lettera anonima inviata alla Questura di Udine, nella quale si indicava il suo vero nome - Mame Diarra Bousso Ramatu Ndiaye - e si ricordava che il 10 giugno scorso l'Ufficio Stranieri della Questura di Pordenone le aveva notificato un decreto di espulsione perche' in Italia senza permesso di soggiorno dal 14 settembre 2007.

Temendo una sua fuga in Francia - riferiscono alcuni quotidiani - giovedi' sera Polizia e Carabinieri l'hanno bloccata nella camera A32 del villaggio olimpico, le hanno sequestrato una carta d'identita' falsa rilasciata dal comune di Milano e l'hanno arrestata. L'udienza di convalida e' fissata per lunedi' mattina al Tribunale di Pinerolo (Torino).

http://quotidianonet.ilsole24ore.com/

Confessions of a beauty queen

Newly-crowned beauty queen Chloe-Beth Morgan shares her fashion, beauty, diet and exercise secrets with Rin Simpson

AT 5ft 7in and with an enviable size six figure, it’s not difficult to see why Chloe-Beth Morgan was chosen to represent the nation.

The 22-year-old brunette from Cwmbran, who recently qualified as a fitness instructor, looked radiant as she was named Miss Wales, wearing a shimmering evening gown in rainbow colours at Cardiff’s CIA.

Now she’s got just a few weeks before she jets off to face 104 beautiful women in the battle for the Miss World crown.

We’ve no doubt she will give them a run for their money, but Chloe-Beth admits she’s nervous, particularly about the swimsuit round.

To prepare, she’ll be heading down to the gym as much as possible, not to mention using the trip as an excuse to buy a whole new wardrobe of clothes.

Luckily for us Miss Wales is as generous as she is modest, and she’s told us how she keeps herself looking so fabulous.

EXERCISE

n Go to the gym four times a week – do it in the morning;

n Balance about 15 minutes of cardio with lots of toning and strengthening on the weights;

n Take a friend to make it more fun.

Chloe-Beth says: “Leading up to Miss Wales I was so busy I didn’t do as much exercise as usual. Normally I would go four times a week, although I would never become obsessed with exercise. I go because I enjoy it. And I always go with a friend, so we can have a natter. Normally I’ll try to go in the mornings because sometimes after work you’re too tired, you don’t want to go, it’s busy. If you go in the morning it sets you up for the day, it gives you such a boost.

“I was going to a few exercise classes but I found I didn’t have the time. Now I go to the gym and do 15 minutes on the cardio machines and then resistance and the weights. I try to do more toning and strengthening because of my size and I’ve got a very fast metabolism so I don’t want to do too much cardio because I don’t want to lose too much weight. The reason I’m going is to keep fit. I don’t enjoy cardio as much anyway, I don’t like running.

“I can’t swim. I don’t know what it is, I don’t like going into the sea, I don’t like open water. I’m OK in a pool but as soon as I know my feet can’t touch the bottom that’s it, I just don’t like it.

“I really didn’t like sports at school. It’s quite strange for a fitness instructor, I know! I guess I fell into it by accident. I was doing an aerobics instructor course and a fitness instructor course alongside it for the theory. The aerobics instructor course fell through but I was really enjoying the other one, so I carried on with it.”

DIET

n Choose cereal, fruit and yoghurt for breakfast;

n Lunch and dinner can be made up of a jacket potato with cheese, beans and salad or pasta with vegetables and cheese;

n Drink plenty of water, and cut down on fizzy drinks and caffeine;

n Never deny yourself anything – a packet of crisps or a chocolate bar occasionally won’t hurt.

Chloe-Beth says: “Where diet is concerned it’s everything in moderation. I would never tell someone: ‘don’t eat this, don’t eat that,’ because as soon as you start denying yourself you start craving things. Food is there because you need it and enjoy it. I honestly couldn’t tell you what I weigh, I don’t have weighing scales in my house.

“I’m a vegetarian. I don’t eat meat or fish, but I do eat really well. I never let myself get hungry. I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 13 so it’s easy for me, I’m used to it. I do try to drink a lot of water through the day. I don’t drink any carbonated drinks like lemonade or cola and I don’t drink tea or coffee. I’m not a big cook. I will do it if I have to but I’m not a big fan of meals that take a long time to cook.

“I love pasta, vegetables, rice, but I love junk food too like crisps and chocolate, so I do eat it, just not every day because it’s obviously not good for you. I try to stop myself and reach for a banana, but sometimes I reach for the crisps. So long as you’re exercising I think if you have some treats it’s OK.

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for me. I usually have cereal and a banana, or a big bowl of chopped fruit with yoghurt. If I’m working I have something really quick for lunch like a sandwich and another piece of fruit. Or I might have a jacket potato with cheese and salad. For tea I would probably have pasta dish or a mixed bean salad. And I have cheese on almost everything. Or if I haven’t had a jacket potato for lunch I’ll have it for tea with maybe cheese and beans. I’ll always have something sweet afterwards like fruit or maybe ice cream.

“I’m always snacking. I’ll grab a packet of crisps or something, and I also have nuts which are good for protein. I don’t like having to take vitamins as I think with the amount of foods I don’t eat, the amount of pills I would have to take means I would be rattling! So even though I don’t eat meat I eat a lot of green vegetables, for example, so that provides iron for me.”

FASHION

n Choose different types of jeans as your wardrobe staple;

n Complete your outfit with plenty of funky accessories – jewellery, bags and shoes;

n For a smarter look, choose ’60s-style fashion, modern high-waisted pencil skirts and brightly coloured dresses.

Chloe-Beth says: “I know I’m going to be one of the short ones at Miss World so it’s going to be a lot of heels for me!

“My best friend’s mum made my Miss Wales dresses for me because I was having problems finding dresses that I really liked, that were ‘me’. I’m not a huge dress person and I wanted something that I was completely comfortable in. I loved the cocktail dress it was just fabulous, the material was quite loud, quite out there and the dress itself is very pretty. For the evening wear I just thought I didn’t want a puffy dress, I didn’t want to look like I got lost on the way to the church. Because the material was quite busy I wanted a simple design. There were some amazing dresses at Miss Wales but I really felt comfortable in mine.

“Usually I’m in jeans, it’s jeans all the way with me. Obviously if I’m going somewhere out of the ordinary I wear something different. I’ve got lots of different types of jeans: baggy jeans, bootleg jeans, wide jeans, ones I wear with heels and wedges. I love wedges. I think they’re an amazing invention because you get the height but without being so uncomfortable. If you dress jeans up with the right top, the right shoes, the right bag, you can change your outfit. I’ve got lots of accessories and shoes – about 30 shoes, 10 pairs of boots, a few pairs of trainers and then flip flops too.

“My favourite, favourite, favourite jeans I actually bought in Gran Canaria, but my other reliable jeans which I’ve had for about four years – I’ve even had the zip replaced – are a pair of French Connection jeans. Even though they were a bit more pricey, I’m so glad I bought them because they’ve lasted so well. And Mango jeans are good too.

“Other than jeans, I do quite like the high-waisted pencil skirts. Even though I’m not huge on dresses, I do like ladylike clothes and I like ’60s-style clothes, all the patterns.

“I love River Island clothes, I just think they’re great. They usually do a lot of bright things and even though I’m not big on dresses I love the dresses from there. And they fit me really well. I sometimes struggle to get things to fit but I always find something in River Island. I think people assume if you’re a small size you’ve got shorter legs but I haven’t, I’ve got quite long legs.”

BEAUTY

n Don’t wear make-up every day, instead let your skin breathe;

n Wash your face with warm water and cleanser but avoid soap;

n Exfoliate twice a week to stop skin looking dull;

n Choose a light moisturiser, and a highlighter to get rid of dark circles round the eyes.

Chloe-Beth says: “I don’t wear make-up day to day, if I’m going shopping or whatever. I think your skin needs to breathe. When I was younger I had bad skin so I know it’s important to take care of it now. Sometimes I use highlighter to get rid of the dark circles and I always use Vaseline on my lips and that’s it really.

“I don’t use a lot of make-up, except for something like Miss Wales or getting photos taken. I love dressing up, I love the process of putting on make-up and taking your time with it.

“I try not to use soap so mainly I just use warm water to clean my face unless I’ve got make-up on in which case I’ll use a cleanser. I exfoliate my skin twice a week to make sure it doesn’t look dull. And if I’m wearing it, I always take my make-up off before I go to bed.

“I always moisturise my skin. I use a Clinique moisturiser. It’s like a gel not a cream so it’s much lighter.

“For my hair, I just use whatever shampoo and conditioner comes to hand! The one I’m using at the moment is just a normal price one but it smells of strawberries. I sometimes use heat protection spray if I straighten my hair. I’m not very good at doing my hair though. I had to get someone to do it for me at Miss Wales.”

http://www.walesonline.co.uk

O eterno sonho de ser miss...

Heloísa Mendonça - Portal UAI

Os concursos de beleza já não fazem o mesmo sucesso. Já passou o tempo em que eles provocavam comoção nacional como na década de 50, quando Martha Rocha acabou levando o segundo lugar do Miss Universo, por causa das famosas duas polegadas a mais nos quadris. Ela se tornou padrão de beleza brasileira por décadas. Ou como em 1963, quando Ieda Vargas foi a primeira brasileira a conquistar a coroa do concurso. Jornais e revistas estamparam nas capas a musa. Ieda teve direito a desfile em carros de bombeiros pelas ruas de São Paulo e Porto Alegre. Confira as entrevistas de candidatas brasileiras ao Miss Universo na década de 60. A época é outra. Mesmo assim, muitas meninas ainda sonham em colocar a coroa de mais bela, desfilar de faixa e vestido de gala por uma passarela e chorar de emoção ao ouvir o resultado final. Algumas coisas modificaram nos últimos anos nas competições. As candidatas atuais sabem que para ganhar a faixa de miss não basta ser bonita. Elas precisam ser inteligentes, bem informadas e já não podem ter o "Pequeno Príncipe" como livro de cabeceira. A beleza continua em alta e, cada vez mais, as concorrentes investem em tratamentos estéticos e cirurgias plásticas. Hoje, concorrer ao título de mulher mais bonita do Brasil exige uma rotina de exercícios intensos, uma alimentação equilibrada e aulas de conhecimentos gerais. Nas passarelas, nota-se que o que mudou foi o estilo dos maiôs e dos penteados das candidatas. Terezinha Morango (1957 ), Carmen Silva Ramasco (1967), Cássia Silveira (1977), Jaqueline Meirelles (1987), Nayla Micherif (1997) e Natália Guimarães (2007). http://www.new.divirta-se.uai.com.br

Usain Bolt poses with Miss World Zhang Zilin

Usain Bolt Press Conference In Beijing

BEIJING, CHINA - AUGUST 23: (CHINA OUT) Olympic Men's 100m, 200m and Men's 4x100m relay gold medalist Usain Bolt poses with Miss World Zhang Zilin during a press conference at the Westin Beijing Hotel on August 23, 2008 in Beijing, China. Bolt donated 50,000 U.S. dollars to the Chinese Red Cross Foundation to help children injured in the Sichuan earthquake at the press conference. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

De ser destituida por desfilar en ropa interior a Miss Earth Internacional, en Filipinas

Foto: Mauricio Moreno / EL TIEMPO

Mariana Rodríguez Merchán brilló desde el comienzo con luz propia en el Reinado de la Esmeralda, en Muzo (Boyacá).

Mariana Rodrígeuz, escogida para representar al Valle del Cauca en el Reinado Nacional de la Belleza, pero destituida posterioremente, es de las personas que 'caen para arriba'.

Este fin de semana, Rodríguez Merchán se convirtió en la nueva Reina de la Esmeralda.

Es estudiante de mercadeo, de 20 años, 1,80 de estatura, pelo castaño y ojos color verde. Estos atributos, sumados a su buen porte, la convirtieron desde el inicio del certamen en la favorita del público.

La representante del Valle fue coronada en la madrugada del lunes. Las 16 candidatas tuvieron tres presentaciones. Una en la que mostraron sus dotes de bailarinas y dos desfiles: uno en traje de baño y otro en vestido de gala.

Al obtener la corona, la candidata del Valle se ganó 12 millones de pesos, una joya con esmeralda y el derecho a representar a Colombia en Miss Earth International, que se llevará a cabo en Filipinas en octubre.

Las soberanas apoyaron la recolección de fondos con destino a un hogar para niños especiales del municipio de Muzo, occidente del departamento de Boyacá, a 178 kilómetros de Tunja.

El reinado, que por cinco años ha servido para llamar la atención sobre el proceso de paz que se vive en la región y que ya suma 18 años, contó con la conducción de las presentadoras Ana Katalina Torres y Lina Polanía.

El jurado estuvo conformado por la diseñadora Paula Mantilla, el médico Martín Carrillo, el odontólogo Jairo Quintana, el gerente de Supermodelo Internacional, Elías Tobón; Carlos Andrés Abusaid, de vestidos de baño Kelinda, y Alexandra Braun, Miss Earth Internacional 2005.

http://www.eltiempo.com

Japan

"Sex And The City" Japan Premiere

TOKYO - AUGUST 20: Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori. Miss Universe Japan 2006 Kurara Chibana and Miss Universe 2008 Hiroko Mima attend the 'Sex And The City' Japan premiere at Roppongi Hills on August 20, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open on August 23 in Japan. (Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage)

Image © Keystone
Geneviève de Fontenay, ne mâche pas ses mots. Pour elle, Miss France doit être glamour façon années 1940. «On n’est pas dans un «James Bond», dit-elle.

Geneviève de Fontenay, qui distingue ce qui est sexy du glamour, veut redéfinir Miss France. Elle cause et elle flingue

Didier Dana - le 20 août 2008, 22h22
Le Matin

Qu'est-ce qui vous amène à Neuchâtel dimanche prochain?

( Rires.) En d'autres termes: qu'est-ce ce que je peux bien faire-là! Les organisateurs de Miss Fête des Vendanges sont venus voir l'élection de Miss Franche-Comté. Ils ont été séduits par le show et ils ont voulu que l'on vienne chez vous.

Vous serez accompagnée?
Oui. Je viens avec quatre Miss. Laura Tanguy, Miss Pays de Loire, deuxième dauphine de Miss France. Lydie Enguehard, Miss Normandie, Cynthia Tévéré, Miss Lorraine et Krystel Norden, Miss Paris.

Pas l'ombre de Valérie Bègue: vous êtes toujours fâchée avec elle depuis les fameuses photos parues dans le magazine «Entrevue»?
(Sèche.) Pour moi, elle n'existe pas! C'est Laura qui représente la France, à mes côtés et dans tous les concours, Miss Monde et Miss Univers.

Dans la perspective de l'élection de Miss France 2009, vous avez déclaré souhaiter revenir à quelque chose de plus traditionnel, de plus folklorique. De quoi s'agit-il?
Le parc à thème du Puy-du-Fou reflète bien l'esprit Miss France, par ses valeurs et sa tradition. Avec le succès des «Ch'tis», nous avons voulu une fête enracinée dans un folklore local. Le décor est magnifique, bien plus beau que celui de TF1. Les costumes dont étaient affublées les filles ne ressemblaient à rien. Miss France, ça n'est pas «James Bond»!

Comment voyez-vous la chose?
Je les imagine en robe du soir, telles des amazones sur des chevaux. Il y en a des centaines là-bas, dressés et capables de faire la révérence. Rien à voir avec la lingerie deux pièces de l'an dernier et les ailes d'ange collées dans le dos qui avaient une connotation religieuse ou faisaient penser à un spectacle de Madonna. Non merci!

Vous allez continuer à collaborer avec TF1. Partagent-ils votre nouvelle vision des choses?
Oui, on continue ensemble. Pour le reste, il va falloir discuter.

Pour vous, Miss France n'est pas compatible avec une touche sexy?
Non! Une enquête d'Endemol, la maison de production, a démontré que dans le public les notions de glamour et sexy n'avaient rien à voir l'une avec l'autre.

Quelle est la différence?
L'image de Rita Hayworth (n.d.l.r.: actrice des années 1940) avec sa robe fourreau fendue sur le côté est glamour, mais pas sexy. Nous sommes regardés par énormément de petites filles, le nu est incompatible. Pour ces gamines, Miss France c'est un rêve de princesse.

Le concours est regardé par pas mal de grands garçons...
Dans la rue, les gens m'apostrophent: «Geneviève, ne changez rien!» L'autre jour, deux jeunes Maghrébins m'ont interpellée. L'un d'eux m'a dit: «Je rêve. Madame de Fontenay, je vous vois en vrai. Vous êtes une grande dame. Vous savez, on vous respecte!»

Quel type de réaction votre brouille avec Valérie Bègue a-t-elle suscité?
Pour la première fois, sur notre site, les messages, très durs, parlaient de sexe et demandaient: «Alors à quand le porno?» Voilà ce qu'a suscité cette Bègue: de la grossièreté! On nous demande ce que fait cette fille, allongée sur une croix, blasphématoire, ou la bouche ouverte sur un pot de crème. Au Puy-du-Fou, l'endroit le plus catholique de France, ce sera tout autre chose.

Miss Suisse 2008, Amanda Ammann, vient de réaliser une campagne pour une marque de lingerie. C'est incompatible avec le statut de Miss selon vous?
Cela dépend de la lingerie. Il y a des déshabillés très beaux. Tout est dans la façon. Si une fille se met une ficelle dans les fesses, eh bien, ça n'est pas de la lingerie!

http://www.lematin.ch

La Miss de los Juegos

• La jabalinista y modelo paraguaya Leryn Franco enamora a Djokovic y revoluciona Internet, aunque en el 'Nido' no pasó del penúltimo puesto

Joan Justribó - 20/08/2008 03:00

Leryn Franco tiene más futuro como modelo que como atleta de jabalinaFOTO: AP

No es una historia nueva: la belleza es rentable en el deporte, atrae atención y vende. Después, los resultados, si acompañan, mejoran el producto, pero sin ellos se sale adelante. De la primera categoría, de las campeonas o campeones que aprendieron a sacar partido de su imagen, hay ejemplos conocidos en todo el mundo: Maria Sharapova o Amanda Beard, ex campeona olímpica de 200 braza, que el año pasado se desnudó para Playboy. Incluso David Beckham, aunque su fotogenia haya ido siempre por delante de su talento con el balón, que lo tiene. De la otra categoría, la que antepone la belleza a los resultados, el paradigma es Anna Kournikova, ya retirada de todo lo que no sea una exhibición aquí y otra allá. A la rusa le ha salido una competidora latina, la 'Miss' de Pekín 2008: Leryn Franco.

Leryn tiene 26 años y es de Paraguay, un país que pasa de puntillas por los Juegos. También ella lo ha hecho, al menos deportivamente. Ayer acabó en el puesto 51 de 52 competidoras en la calificación de jabalina. Tiró el dardo a 45,34 metros, diez metros menos de lo que dicen los libros estadísticos que ha llegado a hacer en una pista. La representante española, Mercedes Chilla, le sacó 16 metros y se metió en la final. La mejor de la ronda, Barbara Spotakova, le sacó 22 metros. Deportivamente no merecería ni un breve en la prensa más allá de su país. Pero Leryn, que ya estuvo en Atenas 2004, se lleva todas las fotos porque su belleza llama la atención por donde pasa.

En la ceremonia de apertura, los fotógrafos enloquecieron a su paso, y las agencias la retrataron aunque apenas se sabía nada de ella. Detrás de su melena morena y un rostro perfecto, 1,75 metros de estatura, 54 kilos y proporciones perfectas. Materia prima para el modelaje, una profesión que ha permitido a Franco ganarse la vida y mantener su carrera de jabalinista hasta hoy. Acabó segunda en el concurso de elección de Miss Paraguay y compitió en otro certamen de belleza, éste mundial y de nombre sugerente: Miss Bikini Universo.

"Ser modelo me permite seguir con mi deporte. Los horarios son flexibles, gano dinero y mantengo mi otra carrera", dice ella mientras revoluciona Internet, que ya recoge 40.000 sitios con fotos de la atleta en bikini o en poses sexy. La revista Sports Illustrated la incluyó en un reportaje sobre el rendimiento de la belleza en el deporte, que concluye que la excelencia deportiva no es, en esta ecuación, lo más importante para obtener rendimiento publicitario.

De la mano con Djokovic

En la Villa de atletas de Pekín se la ha visto paseando, cogidos de la mano, con el tenista serbio Nole Djokovic, bronce olímpico. Ha acudido a todos sus partidos, le consoló cuando cayó eliminado ante Nadal y se sentaba siempre con la delegación serbia. Incluso la ha tratado el fisioterapeuta de 'Nole'. ¿Romance? Eso parece, aunque también ha hecho buenas migas con algunos deportistas españoles. Ahora ya está eliminada, pero seguirá siendo un imán para los fotógrafos

Miss Mundo, una reina menor de edad

Katherine Medina, Miss Mundo Colombia (Colprensa / VANGUARDIA LIBERAL)

No sólo su 1.82 metros de estatura, sin tacones, hicieron destacar a Katherine Medina entre las 30 candidatas al título de Miss Mundo Colombia que logró el pasado lunes festivo en Bogotá.

También su carisma, la belleza de su escultural cuerpo y un rostro, mezcla de belleza y picardía, que le valió el premio al Rostro más bello del certamen.
Tal vez la altura, el porte de reina y la solidez que tenía al modelar por la pasarela, hacía que pareciera mayor de 20 años, aunque realmente sólo hasta el 28 de octubre, día en que cumpla 18 años de edad, podrá tramitar su cédula, pues por ahora, es una reina menor de edad.

Afirma que sus padres siempre la han apoyado en cada una de sus decisiones. Claro, mientras cumpliera con sus deberes al ser estudiante de contaduría en su natal Medellín.

"Cuando me hicieron la propuesta de participar en Miss Mundo Colombia, se alegraron mucho, aunque no les gustó mucho la idea de que me alejara un tiempo de ellos y menos aplazar el semestre, pues el estudio es primero", comentó la reina.

A diferencia de sus rivales en el concurso, Katherine Medina sólo tenía año y medio en el mundo del modelaje, algunos meses en la presentación, uno que otro pinito en la actuación y cero experiencia en los reinados de belleza.

"Siempre me ha interesado el mundo de la televisión, y he contado con la fortuna de tener las oportunidades para dar mis primeros pasos. No tengo afán alguno, quiero cumplir como Miss Mundo Colombia, terminar mi carrera y poder profundizar en la actuación y presentación", continúa.

En la actuación ha tenido algunas participaciones en series como "El Cartel". "Fue una interesante experiencia porque era conocer cómo se hace una serie, el detrás de cámaras".

Asegura que tiene mucho por mejorar con miras a representar al país en Miss World, que se realizará en Ucrania, posiblemente en el mes de octubre.

Según Katherine: "Creo que me falta mucha pasarela y más fogueo periodístico. Siento que uno de mis fuertes fue la entrevista con el jurado, donde me sentí segura y hablé con naturalidad. Esa frescura no quiero perderla".

Ser reina tiene sus sacrificios, como alejarse de su familia a tan temprana edad, así como aplazar sus estudios y tener tan poco tiempo, que hace casi imposible poder tener una relación sentimental por estos días.

También quiere intensificar el trabajo en el gimnasio, para mejorar su escultural figura y así aspirar seriamente a la corona en Ucrania.

A largo plazo, luego de terminar con su sueño de reina y culminar sus estudios, desea crear una empresa de cosméticos, los cuales pueda exportar y generar empresa en su natal Medellín.

http://www.vanguardia.com

Trujillo conquista la banda de Miss Rostro Ebel 2008

Miércoles 20 de agosto de 2008

3:12 PM | La representante de Trujillo, Stefanía Fernández, se alzó anoche con la banda y corona que la acreditan como el Rostro más Bello del Miss Venezuela 2008. El Mundo nos tiene los detalles.

El segundo evento preliminar del máximo certamen de la belleza venezolana, esta vez patrocinado por la firma de cosméticos Ebel, logró además consolidar el cuadro de favoritas para el título que entregará nuestra Miss Universo, Dayana Mendoza, el próximo 10 de septiembre, que no es más que Monagas, Aragua, Sucre, Trujillo y Amazonas en el cuadro final.

Anoche, en el Hotel Eurobuilding, también se dejó sentir lo acertada de la selección de Osmel Sousa con las 28 candidatas que este año nos representan, ya que las chicas demostraron que están preparadas para enfrentarse al concurso que este año se perfila de alta competencia.

Y es que las "niñas" de Osmel salieron dispuestas a demostrar el porqué son candidatas, sacando sus mejores trucos para cautivar al jurado, mostrando sus mejores poses y ángulos ante las cámaras.

DETALLITOS
Como para que nadie pudiera olvidarse de ellas, las misses sacaron sus mejores armas: Amazonas se soltó el moño con el que se había dado a conocer, cosa que a algunos gustó y a otros no. Anzoátegui fue la primera que se inclinó graciosamente frente al jurado, Canaima se levantó tanto el traje que mostró sus partes íntimas, aun a sabiendas de que el vestido llegaba justo a la frontera que ninguna mujer debe rebasar y que ella trató de cubrir con la banda, sin lograrlo.

Portuguesa salió con una rosa y se tiró literalmente al piso frente a los jueces, Sucre fue la primera que arrancó aplausos y de hecho era la ganadora, sólo que, según nos informaron, por cuestión de competencia entre las marcas, no podía llevarse el título del mejor rostro; Zulia se decepcionó al no escuchar los aplausos y miró con cara de pocos amigos, al punto de voltearle ésta a los presentes en una de las mesas que estaba cerca de la pasarela y, finalmente, cuando Mónica B´Sereni, Miss Rostro Ebel 2007, bastante pasada de kilos, dijo su corto discurso antes de entregar la tiara, se "autodió" las gracias, logrando risas entre los asistentes, incluso muchos pensaron que hubiese sido mejor que no hablara.

Laura Vieira, como animadora de la noche, estuvo a la altura, tal cual como cuando condujo desde los estudios de Venevisión la transmisión del Miss Universo, mientras que Luciano D’Alessandro, el coanfitrión, pasó sin pena ni gloria.

Como todos los años, la agrupación zuliana Vocal Song puso la nota musical, interpretando temas de su próximo disco.

Luego de un prudencial tiempo de espera, se dieron a conocer las cinco finalistas de la noche: Amazonas, Sucre, Monagas, Aragua y Trujillo, las cuales desataron aplausos por lo acertada de la selección, que coincide con los vaticinios de la prensa para la gran noche del 10 de septiembre en el Poliedro de Caracas, donde se elegirá a la sucesora de Dayana Mendoza.

Por ahora, sólo basta esperar el sábado 30 de agosto, cuando se realice la Gala de la Belleza en Venevisión; el sábado 6 de septiembre cuando se reciba en nuestro país a Dayana Mendoza, y el 10 de septiembre en el Poliedro, para elegir a la nueva Miss Venezuela. Cadena Global

http://www.cadenaglobal.com/n

Natália Guimarães: a trajetória de uma Miss Brasil

Em entrevista exclusiva ao Portal UAI, ela dá dicas para as candidatas ao Miss Minas Gerais

Heloísa Mendonça - Portal UAI

Mineira de Juiz de Fora, Natália Guimarães, aos 22 anos, saiu do anonimato e alcançou as páginas de jornais de várias partes do mundo ao receber o título de segundo lugar no Miss Universo 2007, em uma final considerada por muitos duvidosa. "Todo mundo fala comigo que não foi justo, mas aconteceu o que tinha que acontecer. Eu fiquei muito feliz e não tenho como reclamar, pois a minha vida mudou completamente, da água para o vinho, e tudo aconteceu depois desse segundo lugar". E mudou mesmo. Quando voltou ao Brasil, ela já tinha várias campanhas publicitárias marcadas, capas de revistas e eventos. Não demorou muito para Natália ganhar um personagem em uma novela. Atualmente, ela mora no Rio de Janeiro e interpreta Ariadne, a mulher aranha da novela Mutantes-Caminhos do Coração, da Record. Desafio? Sim. Ela sabe que ainda tem que aprender muito sobre atuar, mas esse já era um sonho antigo, que a modelo entrou em contato aos 15 anos, quando se matriculou em uma escola de teatro. Hoje, em Belo Horizonte, Natália estampa um outdoor grande em um edifício e lembra de quando passava, anos atrás, no local e sonhava."Será que um dia eu vou conseguir ficar grandona desse jeito em um prédio?". Ela chegou lá. Veja fotos de Natália Guimarães Confira a entrevista que ela concedeu ao Portal UAI. Quando começou o seu contato com o mundo da moda e dos concursos de beleza? Minha primeira foto como modelo foi quando eu tinha 13 anos. Mas tudo muito pouquinho, tudo aqui em BH, meu pai nunca me deixou ir pra São Paulo ou para o Rio para tentar crescer na carreira, por causa dos estudos. Ele queria sempre me acompanhar. Depois, aos 19 anos, eu fui para os Estados Unidos e fiquei um ano trabalhando como modelo. Quando voltei, já estava pensando em me mudar para lá, ficar mais três anos. Só que nesse intervalo de 15 dias que fiquei no Brasil, fui ao dentista e no elevador conheci o Rodrigo Moura. Ele é de uma agência daqui e me apresentou ao José Alonso (coordenador do Miss Minas Gerais) e aí que tudo começou nessa história de Miss... Qual a grande diferença entre uma Miss e uma Modelo? Eu acho que não tem diferença. Assim, é claro que a modelo tem aquele perfil que tem que ser bem mais fashion, bem magrela. O corpo dela não pode aparecer em um desfile, tem que ser o cabide da roupa mesmo. Já a miss tem que mostrar ela. Minha mãe sempre falava: Natália, vai tentar ser miss que aí você não vai mais precisar passar fome. Mas eu tinha medo de sofrer preconceito da minha agência. Eu pensava que eles poderiam achar brega. Mesmo assim, fui. Você acha que o glamour de ser miss foi mudando ao longo dos anos? Diminuiu? Isso depende de cada pessoa, das oportunidades. Pelo menos quando eu ganhei o Miss Brasil 2007 falei: eu quero fazer diferente, eu quero levantar o nome do Miss Brasil, junto com o meu nome, quero que seja uma coisa diferente. O que você acha do estereótipo que criaram sobre as misses? Hoje em dia, se uma miss falar que quer a paz mundial e que leu o Pequeno Príncipe, coitada, vão acabar com ela. Essa candidata nunca vai ganhar o concurso. Não tem jeito, precisamos fazer diferente, mostrar que somos mulheres modernas, inteligentes, que a gente estuda, que temos conhecimento. Já conheço 18 países, graças ao miss também. Precisamos correr atrás sempre. Você considera que tenha incentivado essa nova leva de miss? Acho que o segundo lugar no miss Universo chamou a atenção das meninas e tudo que aconteceu comigo.Todos os convites que apareceram para mim, tudo chamou a atenção delas, que estão tentando a carreira por esse lado, porque não deixa de ser uma porta. Depois do miss, eu conheci muitas pessoas, fiz muitas contratações. Qual seria o conselho para as candidatas que sonham alcançar a coroa de mais bela? É muito importante ter estudo, cultura e fé em Deus. Na vida a gente leva muitos nãos, aí quando a gente chega lá na frente a gente pensa: se eu tivesse desistido, né? Eu não estaria aqui hoje. Por isso é preciso fé, paciência, que um dia o que é bom para a gente, o que está reservado, vai acontecer. Um dia, um câmera da novela me perguntou uma dica para a filha dele que quer ser miss. Eu falei: coloca ela em uma escola de inglês, porque faz muita diferença. Isso pode ter sido uma grande diferença para a miss Brasil desse ano (Natália Anderle) que não falava inglês. Ela não consiguia dar as entrevistas. E como é a sua relação com as outras misses? Como é lidar com a rivalidade? As meninas são lindas. A Marcela Duarte, que foi miss um ano antes de mim (Miss Minas Gerais), é uma grande amiga minha, sempre torci para o sucesso dela. Mas, quando a gente está no mesmo concurso é muito difícil criar amizade. Sinceramente, no meu Miss Brasil eu sofri bastante. Eu já cheguei lá como favorita e isso incomodou bastante as candidatas, o que me dificultou muito para fazer amizades. As vezes, eu gostava das meninas, mas percebia que elas faziam uma cara ruim. Já no Miss Universo não. Ali, todas as meninas já sentiam-se vitoriosas por estarem na competição. Muitas estavam lá para ganhar mais cultura, conhecer mais pessoas. Realmente, aproveitar uma coisa que ficaria para o resto da vida. Atualmente você interpreta a mulher aranha da novela "Caminhos do Coração". Atuar era um sonho seu? Sim, eu comecei com 15 anos com teatro aqui em Belo Horizonte. O ruim é que o mercado de trabalho para atriz não é tão grande. Então, acabei ficando no lado da moda, fazendo muitos catálagos, depois eu viajei e voltou isso tudo. Mas, acho que eu ainda tenho muito que aprender. No Rio, eu tenho uma professora marvilhosa. No final de julho você estampou a capa da revista "Noivos e Noivas" ao lado do seu namorado (Leandro do grupo KLB). Falando de outro sonho seu, você já pensa em casar? Eu acho muito natural, toda mulher quer um dia, eu pelo menos não quero ficar sozinha (risos).Eu gosto demais do Leandro e acho que ele é o homem da minha vida. Pelo menos hoje eu tenho essa certeza: ele é o homem da minha vida. Se der tudo certo, que seja, que caminhe para o bem. http://www.new.divirta-se.uai.com.br

Rachel Smith - Miss USA 2007

Nicky Hilton And Kourtney Kardashian Host BestOfVegas Launch Party

LAS VEGAS - AUGUST 19: Miss USA 2007 Rachel Smith arrives at the BestOfVegas.com launch at Sushi Samba at the Palazzo in the Venetian Hotel and Casino Resort on August 19, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/WireImage)

Puerto Rico escoge a su candidata a Miss Universo en un 'reality'

LAS ASPIRANTES COMPETIRÁN DOS MESES POR LA CORONA

Actualizado martes 19/08/2008 10:01 (CET)

ELMUNDO.ES

MADRID.- Si surgen rencillas en la concentración de Miss España que no dura tanto tiempo... ¿qué cabe esperar de una concentración que dura dos meses y que cuenta con 78 candidatas a ser la respresentante de Puerto Rico en el certamen de Miss Universo?

Ha comenzado ya la competición 'Por la corona', 'reality' que escogerá a la más bella de Puerto Rico con el fin de ser la representante en el certamen internacional de belleza.

Pero no todo será desfilar por un camino de rosas. Tendrán que superar algunas pruebas complicadas como posar, por ejemplo, dentro de un tanque de agua. A lo largo de dos meses las 78 candidatas, de entre 17 y 26 años, tendrán que estar dispuestas a todo si quieren ser la 'escogida'.

El jurado tendrá que evaluar su evolución en esos dos meses para reducir el grupo a 12 finalistas. Serán los propios telespectadores entonces, los que escojan a su candidata favorita a través de mensajes sms.

Además, como gancho para el programa, según ha explicado Magali Febles, su organizadora y responsable del concurso de belleza en Puerto Rico y República Dominicana, entre las candidatas habrá chicas que van al programa a perder peso, otras que ni tan siquiera tienen experiencia como modelos e incluso una joven con marcapasos.

Esta edición que cuenta con el mayor número de aspirantes de toda su historia se emite todos los viernes por la noche a través del canal 'Wapa América' no sólo en el país, sino en ciudades estadounidenses como Orlando, Chicago y Nueva York.

Sólo cinco puertoriqueñas han conseguido ser las más guapas del universo. La representante de Puerto Rico en la última edición celebrada en Vietnam (Ingrid Rivera), fue eliminada en la primera ronda del concurso ¿Será la ganadora de 'Por la corona' la próxima en conquistar el título?

elmundo.es

Miss Universe 2000

Indian actress Lara Dutta speaks at the 11th Rajiv Gandhi Awards ceremony in Mumbai, on August 17, 2008. The Rajiv Gandhi Awards are given anually to socially renowned dignitaries of the society. Lara Duta was awarded Best Actress. AFP PHOTO/Sajjad HUSSAIN (Photo credit should read SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images)

Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza

of Venezuela poses at the 9th century Buddhist temple Borobudur in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia, Monday, Aug. 18, 2008. Mendoza is on a 10-day tour in the world's most populous Muslim country. (AP Photo/Slamet Riyadi)
Yahoo News.

Miss Continente Americano

Marianne Cruz coronará a la nueva reina

Televisa México está representado por Lupita González.

Roxana Navarro, Univision Online

18 de Agosto de 2008

El próximo 6 de septiembre se llevará a cabo la tercera edición del concurso Miss Continente Americano, el cual tendrá lugar en Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Son 21 bellas mujeres de distintos países de Hispanoamericana que buscarán la corona de la actual reina, la dominicana Marianne Cruz, tercer lugar de Miss Universo 2008.

Hay caras conocidas

A partir del 28 de agosto las aspirantes llegarán a Guayaquil donde se realizará el certamen y el cual tiene como propósito recaudar fondos para la Fundación In Terris Balandra Cruz del Sur.

	Fotos
		Miss Continente Americano

Entre las participantes hay muchas caras conocidas, pues algunas de ellas participaron en Miss Universo 2008, en los concursos de sus países o en otros eventos.

Las actividades de las participantes iniciará con una bienvenida el 28 de agosto, y a partir de ese día su agenda se complementará con un recorrido por las principales avenidas de la ciudad en carros alegóricos.

Tendrán una visita a la fundación a la cual le donarán lo recaudado, sesiones de fotos y entrevistas con la prensa internacional, así como el famoso desfile de Trajes Típicos.

Una de las 21 reinas se alzará con la corona de la actual soberana, la dominicana, Marianne Cruz, quien ganó el tercer lugar de Miss Universo 2008.

La gala final se realizara el 6 de septiembre en en el Centro de Convenciones Simón Bolívar de la ciudad ecuatoriana.

http://www.univision.com/

17-Year-old beauty crowned Miss Jamaica World

By Suelika N. Creque

Editor-SKNVibes.com

Brittany Lyons

KINGSTON, Jamaica - MISS LOGO STITCH Brittany Lyons is the newly crowned Miss Jamaica World having captured the title from a field of 15 other contestants.

Lyons was followed by First Princess Jade Grant, Miss Guardian Fencing, and Second Princess Marshagay Reynolds, Miss Quality Dealers Limited.

Lyons, a 17-year-old native of Kingston, is currently employed at the Body Shop Ltd. She is a bronze medal recipient in the Festival of Art and has won a number of prizes in swimming and water polo.

Her life’s ambition is to become a successful Fashion Marketing Manager and to make a difference in the world. She hopes to one day own a store with a major clothing line and become one of the best fashion marketing managers in the world.

Some of her hobbies are designing, drawing/sketching and swimming while ‘Sushi’ and the colour purple are her favorites.

She describes herself as an energetic, outgoing and passionate individual who is trying to make a trademark in the world.

“I am a very dedicated individual to my country and I believe that the Miss Jamaica World Pageant will give me the opportunity and exposure to aid in many ways,” she was quoted as saying. “My aim is to gain the knowledge needed to further present positive change in my country and to make ‘beauty with a purpose’ reign all over the world.”

The Miss Jamaica World Pageant was held at the Hilton Hotel on Saturday, August 16 under the theme “In Search of Gold”.

The pageant is said to be more than just about beautiful young women competing for the title, as it assists and promotes the growth and development of the individual skills, self-esteem and provide a greater sense of worth for the nation’s young women.

Apart from the many prizes, Lyons now has the opportunity to represent Jamaica in the prestigious Miss World Pageant.

http://www.sknvibes.com/

Miss Universe visits Borobudur

Magelang, C Java (ANTARA News) - Miss Universe Dayana Mendonza (22) in her current tour of Indonesia paid a visit to the well known Buddhist temple of Borobudur in Magelang district, Central Java, on Monday.

Accompanied by Miss Indonesia 2008, Zivanna Lestisha Siregar, Mendonza arrived at the temple at around 8.30 am.

Director for Operation and Development of Borobudur and Prambanan Temples, Guntur Puronomo Adi received the Miss Universe in the Borobudur temple yard. Purnomo Adi when receiving the Miss Universe was accompanied by Retno Hardiasiwi, head of the Borobudur Tourism Park unit.

Guntur handed over a gift in the form of a book titled "Borobudur Prayer in Stone" to Mendonza. Besides, the book, the Miss Universe also received a traditional `batik` cloth with a motive of the Borobudur temple.

Mendonza had an observation tour of the temple, and walked around the stupa in the temple peak. She happened to try to reach one of the Buddhist statue named "Kunto Bimo" by Javanese people.

Javanese believed that whoever was able to touch the legs of the statue would be awarded with welfare and have his or her prayers answered.

Mendonze left the temple at 9.10 am after taking a picture in the temple`s yard.(*)

Miss World launches broadband TV channel

By Julian Clover | August 18, 2008 | 11:37 UK

Miss World is launching a broadband TV channel and interactive website, it was announced today, in reverse order.

Despite losing its appeal in the UK market the Miss World final still has a global audience of some 2.2 billion people, second only to the World Cup and Olympic Games.

The web-based channel makes it possible for visitors to watch all the rounds of the contest, which is being filmed on the Chinese island of Sanya.

The site is produced by Internet Television Productions Ltd.

http://www.broadbandtvnews.com

Can Miss SA be an ex-Mr?

18/08/2008 09:32

Eagan Williamson, Beeld

Johannesburg - The organisers of the annual Miss South Africa pageant have been in crisis the past week, after a woman who had had a sex-change operation wanted to enrol in a workshop for prospective participants, and encountered a very chilly welcome.

The identity of the woman, who used to be a man, was not revealed by Sun International, which owns the pageant.

It must still be decided whether the woman may participate in the contest.

The woman, whose age is also unknown, was apparently furious at the workshop in Johannesburg last week and threatened to take legal steps against the organisers.

Sue Klerck, the marketing manager of the pageant, confirmed the incident on Sunday, but could not give further information.

Natural born women

Laurie Botha, an expert in beauty pageants and the owner of an agency that scouts for prospective participants for the contest, said that the local rules of the contest had to be considered first.

The rules "say nothing specifically about the participation of transgender people.

"But the international competition rules can be used as a yardstick because the local winner will have to be sent to big competitions like Miss World later on."

Klerck said they have been using international rules as a yardstick for years, and these specifically dictate that participants have to be natural born women.

http://www.news24.com/

Miss Teen USA 2008

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Stevi Lauren Perry, Miss Arkansas Teen USA was crowned Miss Teen USA 2008 at the beautiful Atlantis Paradise Island Resort on August 16, 2008. The 18-year old winner is from Hamburg, Arkansas.

"Days of Our Lives" star and former Miss Teen USA 2004 Shelley Hennig joined Seth Goldman of NBC's "Entertainment Buzz" to emcee the pageant, and female R&B local sensation TaDa performed.

The judges for this year's competition included: Alina Shriver, Founder of Shriver Art; Farouk Shami, Founder and Chairman Farouk Systems; Heather Kerzner of Kerzner International; Alicia Bridgewater, Bookings Editor at Cosmo Girl Magazine; Duane Gazi, Director of Scouting and Development at Trump Model Management; Eric Parrinello, founder and owner of Bacchanalia Private Dining in Overland Park, Kansas; David Dzanis, Vice President of Coca Cola Client Services at Genesco Sports Enterprises; and Seth Mayeri, Television Talent Veteran.

Throughout the event, the contestants competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview, and the "Top Five" finalists were selected. Hilary Cruz, Miss Teen USA 2007, crowned her successor at the conclusion of this two-hour Miss Teen USA pageant.

Final Results:

First Runner Up: Brittany Pjetraj, Miss South Carolina Teen USA who will
assume the duties of Miss Teen USA 2008 if for some
reason she cannot fulfill her responsibilities.

Second Runner Up: Julia Dalton, Miss North Carolina Teen

Third Runner Up: Lindsey Evans, Miss Louisiana Teen USA

Fourth Runner Up: Shareece Laree Pfeiffer, Miss Idaho Teen USA

Top Five: Shareece Laree Pfeiffer, Miss Idaho Teen USA
Lindsey Evans, Miss Louisiana Teen USA
Julia Dalton, Miss North Carolina Teen
Brittany Pjetraj, Miss South Carolina Teen USA
Stevi Lauren Perry, Miss Arkansas Teen USA

Top Fifteen: Courtney Parker, Miss Alabama Teen USA
Ashley Stainton, Miss Arizona Teen USA
Stevi Lauren Perry, Miss Arkansas Teen USA
Taylor Atkins, Miss California Teen USA
Danielle Rose Scimeca, Miss Colorado Teen USA
Jillian Leigh Wunderlich, Miss Florida Teen USA
Shareece Laree Pfeiffer, Miss Idaho Teen USA
Lindsey Evans, Miss Louisiana Teen USA
Caroline Lunny, Miss Massachusetts Teen USA
Courtney Morgan, Miss New Hampshire Teen USA
Julia Dalton, Miss North Carolina Teen USA
Taylor Gorton, Miss Oklahoma Teen USA
Elliot Griffin, Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA
Brittany Pjetraj, Miss South Carolina Teen USA
Megan Leigh Myrehn, Miss Virginia Teen USA


Miss Photogenic Teen USA(TM) Award: Sana, Idnani, Miss New York Teen USA. The general public voted at missteenusa.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera.

Miss Congeniality Teen USA(TM) Award: Elizabeth Hollomon, Miss Mississippi Teen USA. The award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate's peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant.



MISS TEEN USA 2008 CROWNED

The MISS TEEN USA® 2008 prize package includes: the Miss Universe tiara created by Mikimoto valued at $15,000 dollars; a 2-year scholarship from the New York Film Academy worth more than $100,000 dollars to its acting or film- making programs; eveningwear gowns from Scala, designed by Sherri Hill; a trophy from Rogaska Crystal; year-long supply of Farouk Systems products, makers of CHI, the original Ceramic Technology tools; a four-day/ three-night vacation for two, including airfare, at the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas; membership to Gravity Fitness and pampering at John Barrett Salon; fashion portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha; consultations with nutritionist and creator of The F-Factor Diet(TM) Tanya Zuckerbrot; dermatology and skincare services by Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher; consultations with personal stylist Billie Causieestko and access to an event wardrobe from leading fashion designers; access to a New York City apartment for the year of her reign including living expenses and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization to further her personal and professional goals.

About Atlantis, Paradise Island Resort, The Bahamas

Atlantis, Paradise Island is the flagship resort of Kerzner International. This unique, ocean-themed destination features a variety of accommodations, all built around a 97-acre waterscape. Atlantis unveiled AQUAVENTURE, a non-stop water experience. The Cove Atlantis, a 600-room resort, features oversized rooms with a step down living space, spectacular designs by acclaimed interior architects Jeffrey Beers and David Rockwell, unprecedented services and amenities, private all-adult and family pools, lavish cabanas and breathtaking views of the ocean. Atlantis is also known as THE culinary destination in The Caribbean with a collection of restaurants from world-renowned chefs including Nobu Matsuhisa, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Bobby Flay and Angelo Elia. The resort boasts an impressive collection of luxury boutiques and shops and the largest conference center, meeting and convention facilities in The Caribbean.

About Miss Teen USA

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants, is a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. Miss Teen USA spends her year building relationships with organizations devoted to education and action, such as Best Buddies, Girl Talk, Sparrow Clubs and Project Sunshine.

Miss Suisse 2008

De la fuite de Kinshasa à la finale de Miss Suisse

Bertrand Monnard

- le 16 août 2008, 19h49

Image © Luca Carmagnola
Silhouette parfaite, on compare souvent Nancy Kabika à Naomi Campbell. Elle a longtemps joué au plus haut niveau en basket avant d'opter pour les podiums des défilés. La Suisse la choisira-t-elle comme nouvelle ambassadrice?

Le Matin Dimanche

Dans la rue, on la compare souvent à Naomi Campbell. La silhouette parfaite (1,76 m et 59 kilos) mais le visage aussi évoquent immédiatement le mannequin américain. La Genevoise Nancy Kabika (24 ans) est Congolaise d'origine. Elle avait 4 ans quand Roger son papa est arrivé à Genève comme requérant d'asile, seul, avec elle et son frère jumeau Archimède.

Vendredi dernier, Nancy est partie pour dix jours de vacances en République dominicaine, sans oublier de prendre ses cours d'allemand. Elle ne veut rien laisser au hasard pour le grand rendez-vous du 27 septembre prochain, la finale de Miss Suisse à Lugano. «Je sais à quel point l'allemand est important lors du choix final. J'ai déjà pris trois mois de cours intensifs. Maintenant, j'arrive à tenir une conversation.»

«J'aime qu'on me regarde»
Première finaliste noire, la Zurichoise Claudia Wambululu avait fini troisième l'an dernier. Elle avait eu les préférences du jury, mais le public, seul juge au final, en avait décidé autrement. Figurant parmi les quatre Romandes retenues pour la finale, Nancy pourrait entrer dans l'histoire en cas de victoire. «Elire une vraie Black comme moi, ce serait pour la Suisse un geste d'ouverture. Je rêve d'être l'ambassadrice de ce pays qui m'a permis de m'épanouir», sourit-elle

Son coeur, côté passion, a longtemps oscillé entre le basket et la mode. Sur les parquets, elle a joué au plus haut niveau avec Meyrin et Pully notamment. «Si je ne bouge pas je m'ennuie, c'est dans mon sang.» Depuis deux ans, elle a opté pour les défilés. «Une fois sur le podium, j'aime qu'on me regarde, qu'on me trouve belle».

A Genève, elle vit dans un petit appart, avec son frère jumeau. «Moi je m'occupe plutôt du ménage», s'amuse ce joli coeur à prendre: depuis neuf mois, elle n'a plus de petit copain. Sa vie a déjà un peu changé depuis qu'elle a été retenue parmi les finalistes. «Quand je me trouve dans le bus avec mes copines, elles n'arrêtent pas de dire aux gens: «Votez pour elle, elle est finaliste de Miss Suisse!». La honte!»

A 24 ans, date butoir, c'était pour Nancy sa dernière chance. Elle a été choisie pour la finale parmi 150 autres candidates lors d'un premier passage devant un jury. «On nous pèse, on nous mesure, toi oui, toi non, c'est un peu dévalorisant. Ça fait partie du concours. Ma sélection, je l'ai apprise le 6 juin, le jour de mon anniversaire, merci pour le cadeau!»

Touché par son histoire et séduit lors d'un défilé, un promoteur immobilier de Lausanne a décidé de la soutenir. Depuis juin, Nancy a ainsi pu quitter son travail dans une boutique genevoise pour se consacrer à fond à sa préparation. Ex-directrice de Miss Beauté romande, Marie-José Joly lui prodigue aussi ses conseils et son soutien: «Le trend est là. Il y a Obama aux Etats-Unis. La Suisse, en élisant Nancy, ferait mentir beaucoup de vieux clichés.»

Trois dans une chambre
De sa petite enfance passée à Kinshasa, Nancy garde le souvenir d'une immense maison pleine de vie. «Il y avait ma grand-mère, mes cousins, on était au moins une bonne vingtaine.» Bibliothécaire dans son pays, son père travaille aujourd'hui comme employé aux Laiteries Réunies. Lui et ses deux enfants ont passé leurs six premières années en Suisse au centre de requérants de Satigny, dans la campagne genevoise, dans l'attente d'un permis de séjour. «On vivait à trois dans une chambre. Moi et mon frère, on était entourés de plein d'autres enfants venant de tous les pays et on allait à l'école normalement, on était heureux. Papa, en revanche, vivait en permanence dans l'inquiétude d'une expulsion, il nous répétait: «Faites pas ci, faites pas ça!» La maman de Nancy a pu rallier la Suisse voilà dix ans. «J'ai beaucoup souffert de son absence, on est redevenues très proches.» Si elle ne réussit pas dans la mode, Nancy s'imaginerai

Guayaquil se alista para Miss Continente Americano

Guayaquil (CRE).

Candidata que representa a Perú.

Guayaquil se prepara para ser sede del concurso de belleza "Miss Continente Americano 2008", el mismo que hasta el momento ha confirmado la participación de 21 candidatas.

El evento se realizará el próximo 6 de septiembre en el centro de convenciones Simón Bolívar.

Las candidatas que vendrán al país han participado en certámenes como Miss Universo, Miss Mundo, Miss Internacional, Miss Tierra, entre otros.

Las participantes se hospedarán en el Hotel Hilton Colon, y cumplirán con una agenda que incluye desfile de Traje Típico y obras sociales.

Los fondos recaudados en este concurso serán para la Fundación IN TERRIS que tiene como objetivo principal trabajar junto con alumnos, ex-alumnos, padres de familia, profesores y todos quienes forman parte de la comunidad educativa Balandra Cruz del Sur.

http://www.cre.com.ec

There she was, Miss America

Kirsten Haglund at the 2008 Miss America Pageant, where she was crowned Miss America. Following the crowning, a press conference was held. Kirsten was presented with a pearl necklace, a tray of chocolates, and answered questions for the press. Photo Credit: Scott Doctor / Splash News

By Jacqueline L. Urgo

Inquirer Staff Writer

ATLANTIC CITY - When it didn't get its way with city officials, the Miss America Pageant packed up like a scorned girlfriend and left town in a huff for Vegas three years ago.

Now city officials are removing the last vestiges of a beauty pageant that was born in this seaside resort in 1921 and graced its Boardwalk and convention hall until, after a dispute in 2005 over local funding and network television coverage, it moved to Nevada.

Miss America Way will now be called Convention Boulevard.

Mayor Scott Evans signed the executive order this week, after City Council last week voted to officially change the name of the block-long winding thoroughfare that was constructed 10 years ago between the Atlantic City Convention Center and the Sheraton Hotel.

The decision was based on a marketing move to better promote the Atlantic City Convention Center, according to Jeffrey Vassar, executive director of the Atlantic City Convention Center & Visitors Authority.

And like so much clutter that's left over after a bad relationship, locals seem to have done their best in the last 36 months to sweep away the last bits of minutia the pageant left around town.

The Sheraton, which had been the headquarters for the pageant and had lined its walls and grand staircase with glass cases filled with ballgowns, photographs, programs and glittery shoes from the pageant's heyday, has gone with a more subdued decorating scheme in recent months.

A line of historic photographs of long-legged and toothy pageant winners that hung on the wall leading into the nearby Tun Tavern are gone.

Even the William Schoppy Trophy Co., of Linwood, which had supplied Miss America's crown since the 1920s, no longer donates its services to the pageant.

Remaining is the Miss America Rose Walk, a collection of bronze plaques featuring Miss America quotes embedded in the sidewalk along Michigan Avenue, and a bronze statue in front of the Sheraton of the late Bert Parks, the pageant's longtime emcee best known for crooning "There she is, Miss America . . ." as the winner wended down the runway. No one can say how long those artifacts will remain.

"I just don't understand why, in a town that was brought so much by the pageant, people are willing to just forget such a legendary piece of Atlantic City history," said Robert Marks, whose late father, Albert A. Marks Jr., was chairman and executive producer of the Miss America Pageant for 25 years before retiring in 1987.

Known as "Mr. Miss America," the elder Marks led the pageant through tumultuous times that included its transition from radio to television, the 1980 dismissal of Parks as a ploy to bring in younger audiences, and the Vanessa Williams scandal in 1984 when it was revealed that the reigning queen had posed for nude photographs.

"Do we forget the Rat Pack when we talk about Atlantic City history and remove Frank, Dean and Sammy from everything just because they eventually moved to Las Vegas?" queried Robert Marks yesterday. "That pageant kept this town alive during some lean times. She deserves more respect than that."

http://www.philly.com/

Miss Puerto Rico saldrá de un reality show

La ganadora Ingrid Rivera desató un escándalo al denunciar sabotaje con gas pimienta [Efe]

San Juan.- La próxima Miss Puerto Rico egresará de un programa de televisión de realidad simulada, no por certamen tradicional.

"Por la corona'' arrancaba el viernes en la televisión local y la presidenta de la organización Miss Puerto Rico Universe, Magali Febles, aseguró que las más de 70 candidatas están muy entusiasmadas porque es la primera vez que se escogerán por voto del público cinco aspirantes que entrarán directamente al cuadro semifinal.

"Ellas tienen un jurado que es fuerte y este jurado las evalúa y van a dar una puntuación, pero, quien verdaderamente decide quiénes van a entrar al cuadro semifinal es el público a través de mensajes de texto'', donde se escogerán cinco chicas que pasarán directo a la semifinal, explicó Febles, quien además funge como productora ejecutiva del espacio televisivo.

Las que no clasifiquen tendrán una segunda oportunidad el día del certamen, cuando otro jurado las evaluaría en la competencia final, que sería en octubre (aún no se ha anunciado una fecha específica).

"Es bien interesante porque generalmente la gente ve la parte bonita de los concursos cuando las muchachas están desfilando en traje de baño, traje de gala y el jurado le hace la pregunta. Pero aquí estamos llevando la otra cara de la moneda, lo que pasa detrás de los bastidores donde ellas se muestran como son'', destacó Febles.

Indicó que para obtener puntos del jurado-integrado por el reportero de espectáculos Omar Matos, la actriz Zully Díaz y la licenciada Mayra López Mulero-las candidatas tendrán que pasar retos que incluyen modelar en un tanque de agua y maquillarse sin un espejo en frente.

"Se ve el esfuerzo que ellas hacen y las frustraciones, los corajes, las lágrimas, es una novela de la vida diaria, pero sin libreto. Son historias reales de estas jóvenes que la gente ni se imagina que pasan o que si pasan nadie las toma en cuenta porque es una Miss'', indicó. "Aquí la gente se va a dar cuenta que las reinas son de carne y hueso y vienen de todo tipo de núcleos familiares''.

Una de las aspirantes a la corona es hija de un homosexual, otra tuvo que sacar a su familia adelante tras sufrir su madre un aparatoso accidente. Algunas son universitarias, otras están bajo la custodia del Departamento de la Familia.

Serán 10 programas con historias distintas de cada una de las aspirantes, de las cuales, además, una ganaría un contrato como talento de la cadena WAPA TV y WAPA América.

Febles aseguró que las concursantes no se han desanimado por el hecho de que Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2008, Ingrid Marie Rivera, no quedó en el cuadro de las 15 semifinalistas en la competencia internacional en Vietnam.

"Con mucho pesar Ingrid no entró, pero al contrario, ellas sienten que tienen mayores oportunidades y están trabajando duro y muy entusiasmadas con ir a la competencia'', destacó.

Recordó que luego que Zuleyka Rivera se coronó Miss Universo 2006, localmente sólo participaron 29 candidatas en Miss Puerto Rico Universe.

Cinco puertorriqueñas han conquistado el título universal. Estas son, además de Rivera, Marisol Maralet (1970), Deborah Carthy Deu (1985), Dayanara Torres (1993) y Denise Quiñones (2001).

Febles dijo que ha cerrado varios capítulos en su vida que incluyeron un acuerdo extrajudicial con la virreina del Miss Universo de 2005, Cynthia Olavarría, con quien mantuvo un largo pleito judicial en el que ambas se demandaron por alegado incumplimiento de contrato.

"No puedo entrar en detalles, pero no medió ningún tipo de transacción económica. Ese es otro capítulo cerrado'', dijo Febles, quien también hizo las pases con un ex guardia de seguridad del certamen a quien involucró en un incidente en el que se le roció "gas pimienta'' al traje de Rivera.

Todos esos detalles los incluirá en un libro que llevará por título "Limonada'', que espera publicar antes que finalice el año, indica AP.

http://internacional.eluniversal.com/

Miss Indonesia 2008 Zivanna Letisha Siregar

Newly-crowned Miss Indonesia 2008 Zivanna Letisha Siregar waves during the final of Miss Indonesia pageant in Jakarta, late Saturday, Aug. 15, 2008.

(AP Photo/Irwin Fedriansyah)

Jennifer Hawkins . Miss Universe 2004

RSFF S/S 2008/09: Hot In The City Lingerie - Catwalk

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 15: Model Jennifer Hawkins (R) showcases designs by Lovable during the Hot In The City Lingerie group show on the catwalk as part of the inaugural Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival 2008 at Martin Place on August 15, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. The inaugural Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival (RSFF) runs from August 13-17, and showcases Spring Summer designs by Australia´s biggest designer names and leading fashion retailers at the first Sydney consumer event of it's kind. (Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)

30 contestants to vie for Miss Vietnam title

11:59' 15/08/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge - Thirty young women will participate in the final round of the Miss Viet Nam beauty contest to take place at the Hoai River Square in the ancient city of Hoi An from August 19 to 30. Selected from hundreds of entrants in regional rounds, the beauties will have to spend 11 days in the UNESCO-listed heritage site, which is located in the central province of Quang Nam. Though every contestant is vying for the main title above all, there are also the Miss Photogenic, Miss Sea and Miss Earth titles to be won, according to the organizing board. They will take part in swimwear, ao dai (Vietnamese dress) and gown and interview rounds to be held during the pageant. A 5,000 seat floating stage will be built on an area of more than 600 square meters for the grand finale, added Mr. Tran Minh Ca, deputy chairman of the Quang Nam People’s Committee. This is the peak of the tourist season, so the pageant is expected to attract a large number of visitors, said Mr. Duong Xuan Nam, head of the organizing board. The Miss Viet Nam Pageant, held every two years since 1988, is the country’s most prestigious beauty contest. It is organized by Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper. (Source: SGGP) http://english.vietnamnet.vn/

Miss Marianas Universe pageant in October

Candidate No. 18 Myana T. Welch was crowned by reigning Miss Marianas Universe Shequita Bennett. — Photos by Ulysses Torres Sabuco

Stellar Marianas, the islands' non-profit pageant organization, is now recruiting candidates for the 2008 Miss Marianas Universe Pageant, tentatively scheduled for Oct. 18, 2008.

Women with ages 17-25 year old will have the opportunity to represent the CNMI as its ambassador to the world and be a positive role model for the communities of Saipan, Tinian, Rota and the Northern Islands.

The winner will be crowned the 2009 Miss Marianas Universe to compete in the 2009 Miss Universe in May and the 2009 Miss International Pageant in September.

Contestants will automatically receive free hair and make-up training, free nutrition and fitness training, free model portfolio, free media and public speaking training, a goodie bag from Stellar Marianas, opening number outfits, swimsuits and two month worth of fun community events and activities.

The titleholder could win $1,000 cash, $1,000 scholarship award, all expense-paid travel to the Miss Universe and Miss International pageants and a list of other fabulous prizes.

Contestants have to 17-25 years old, U.S. citizen, single (not married), have no children, and of good moral and ethical character.

“As a contestant, you will learn how to be confident on stage, meet different people, understand the virtues of competition and earn the chance to represent your islands to the best of your ability,” said national director Neda Camacho.

“As a titleholder, your world just changes. There will be many opportunities for you to grow, boost your career and education through the scholarship awards as well as help to better your community,” she said.

Applications are available at Marianas Variety office in Garapan and are due on Aug. 29, 2008.
For more information, call Stellar Marianas president Laila Boyer at 888-1609 or e-mail Camacho at camacho698@gmail.com. (PR)

http://www.saipantribune.com/

Miss Jamaica World to be held this Weekend

By Suelika N. Creque
Editor-SKNVibes.com

Arcadia Brown

KINGSTON, Jamaica – “IN Search of Gold” will be the theme for this year’s Miss Jamaica World Pageant that will be held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel in Jamaica at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 16.

The pageant will see a total of 16 contestants vying for the prestigious title that was last won by Yendi Phillips.

The theme was chosen because of the growing excitement over the Beijing Olympics in which between Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt will participate in 100m Dash. This race, according to the Jamaicans, is one that would be written in that island’s annals.

The Finals of this race will also be aired on Saturday, August 16.

The pageant is in its 23rd staging and was first won by Carol Crawford. Past winners include Cindy Breakspeare and Lisa Hanna, who were both victorious in the Miss World Pageant in 1976 and 1993, respectively.

Likewise, this year’s winner will also have the opportunity to represent Jamaica at the Miss World Pageant.

The pageant’s motto is “Beauty with a Purpose”.

Brittany Lyons	Chaka Laguerre	Danielle Bazzoni
Danielle Brown	Jade Grant	Jodion Henry
Marshagay Reynolds	Monique daley	Nikita Byfield
Raecine Williams	Shaneka Simpson	Sian Watts
Staci-Lee Peart	Sydonie McBayne	Yanique Levy http://www.sknvibes.com/

Impiden maoístas celebración de Miss Nepal

KATMANDÚ, Nepal(EFE)

Tras acabar con la monarquía nepalí, los maoístas se dirigen ahora contra otro tipo de reinas y han impedido la celebración de Miss Nepal, un certamen que consideran un "instrumento de capitalistas" y una "violación de los derechos humanos".

Sitashma Chand es todavía la vigente reina de la belleza en Nepal. Y si todo hubiera transcurrido según lo previsto, el día siete debía de haber puesto su corona sobre la cabeza de una de las 20 participantes del concurso de este año.

"Participar en el concurso el año pasado me dio madurez y confianza", dice Chand. "Es una plataforma para el fortalecimiento de la mujer".

El concurso de belleza, sin embargo, no tuvo lugar este año por la presión de los grupos feministas y maoístas.

"Impedimos el espectáculo Miss Nepal porque los capitalistas están utilizando a las mujeres como medio para vender sus productos", dijo Jaya Puri Garthi Magar, la presidenta de la Asociación de Mujeres de Todo Nepal (Revolucionaria).

"Durante el feudalismo, las mujeres eran usadas como esclavas por los señores feudales, y ahora son los capitalistas quienes las utilizan", continuó.

La organización del espectáculo, Hidden Treasure, planea ahora celebrarlo el próximo día 23 de agosto, pero no está segura de que el desfile pueda realmente tener lugar.

"Vamos a hacer nuestro trabajo", cuenta su representante, Girendra Man Rajbanshi.

La función de Miss Nepal está patrocinada por Dabur Nepal, una filial de la compañía india Dabur, que produce desde champús hasta zumos de frutas, medicina ayurvédica, miel o pasta de dientes.

"Si pasa, pasa. Y si no pasa, no pasa. No organizamos el 'show', sólo lo patrocinamos", respondió una fuente de la compañía a la pregunta de qué significaría la cancelación del evento.

De momento, la feminista y maoísta Garthi Magar asegura que ella y lo suyos harán todo lo posible para impedir el espectáculo una vez más, porque, dice, viola los derechos humanos de las mujeres.

Tanta es la incertidumbre que rodea al concurso que por el momento ni siquiera está fijado el emplazamiento de la función, según Rajbanshi.

"Veremos qué pasa", dice.

Para la vigente Miss Nepal, sin embargo, el concurso trae más bien ventajas y su celebración debería estar ya asegurada.

"Miss Nepal es un programa progresista y una plataforma para desarrollar la confianza de las mujeres. Si no fuera por mi participación en el concurso, no estaría concediendo esta entrevista con tanta confianza", comenta Chand, de 24 años.

"Si queremos mirar los defectos, por supuesto que sólo veremos defectos", añade la vigente reina de la belleza nepalí.

"Hidden Treasure" emprendió el proyecto "Miss Nepal" hace catorce años como una "plataforma para alzar a las mujeres", según Rajbanshi.

En las primeras ediciones del concurso, las candidatas procedían principalmente de Katmandú, aunque en los últimos tiempos la organización ha enviado formularios fuera de la capital a la búsqueda de más bellezas.

Esos formularios, sin embargo, son destruidos cuando caen en manos de la sección femenina del partido maoísta, la formación más votada en las elecciones legislativas de abril.

"Sólo recibimos 150 solicitudes en comparación con las 300 del año anterior a causa de esto", dice Rajbanshi.

A comienzos de mes, las revolucionarias de Gharti Magar pusieron candados en la sede de "Hidden Treasure" para impedir que tuviera lugar el concurso.

"Vamos a presionar al Gobierno para que el 'show' no pueda celebrarse en el futuro", dijo Magar.

Por el momento, su lucha puede resultar exitosa, porque los maoístas tienen las cartas en la mano para formar Gobierno a finales de esta semana, lo que significaría que el concurso no tendrá lugar al menos este año.

http://www.elimparcial.com/

Miss Lebanon Emigrant

Lebanese-Brazilian Carine Kiddisi (R) reacts after winning the 2008 'Miss Lebanon Emigrant' beauty contest at a venue in the northern Lebanese village of Batrun late on August 13, 2008. Kiddisi was crowned 'Miss Lebanon Emigrant' 2008 last night in the annual contest that honours beautiful woman of Lebanese nationality or origin living abroad. AFP PHOTO/ANWAR AMRO (Photo credit should read ANWAR AMRO/AFP/Getty Images)

Miss Táchira y Miss Sucre conquistan las primeras coronas

6:22 AM | En la noche del miércoles se eligió en Quinta La Esmeralda a la sonrisa y la piel más hermosa, resultando ganadoras las bellas representantes de Táchira, Jennifer Bortolas, y Sucre, Natasha Domínguez.

Las más importantes figuras del mundo de la moda, la belleza y el espectáculo nacional se dieron cita en el show más esperado del año para elegir a la nueva Miss Sonrisa Colgate Plax Whitening y Miss Belleza Palmolive Nutri Milk, en una noche donde el glamour y la vanguardia fueron los protagonistas.

Una vez más Colgate Palmolive reunió en un solo evento al más prestigioso jurado, a los invitados más selectos y a los protagonistas de la vanguardia de la moda, la música y la belleza de nuestro país; quienes en compañía de los medios de comunicación descubrieron “El Misterio de la sonrisa y la belleza” entre las candidatas al Miss Venezuela 2008.

Las 28 chicas que sueñan con la corona del Miss Venezuela 2008, hicieron su primera aparición pública el 13 de agosto en la Quinta La Esmeralda en un elegante show, en donde compitieron por las bandas de Miss Sonrisa Colgate Plax Whitening y Miss Belleza Palmolive Nutri Milk Doble Humectante.

En tres apariciones, las chicas desfilaron ante el jurado luciendo las más sofisticadas creaciones del joven y talentoso diseñador Alejandro Ramírez con zapatos de ALDO y elegantes piezas únicas del reconocido Alberto De Castro, quién también vistió a la siempre elegante Carmen Victoria Pérez, la animadora del evento que compartió este rol con el exitoso animador John Paul Ospina.

La Quinta La Esmeralda estuvo ambientada con imágenes de Andrea Matthies, Miss Sonrisa Colgate 2007 y Hannely Quintero Miss Belleza Palmolive 2007, quienes gracias al trabajo del reconocido fotógrafo Frand Beufrand, productor creativo del evento, retrataron lo mejor de la sonrisa y la belleza de la mujer venezolana.

La velada fue musicalizada por Maurimix (Mauricio Arcas de la banda Los Amigos Invisibles) y a lo largo de toda la noche la audiencia se deleitó con los diferentes invitados musicales que compartieron escena con este chico: la joven promesa de la producción musical nacional Nuuro, Mariana Cadavieco cantó con Gabriel Figueira del grupo Gaélica, y finalmente se disfrutó de Eduardo Larez, que junto a Maurimix conforma Fantastek Duo.

Se vivió una experiencia inolvidable, en un evento innovador, fresco, deslumbrante, elegante, lleno de actitud y belleza integral; pilares fundamentales sobre los que se cimientan las marcas Colgate Plax Whitening y Palmolive Nutri Milk Doble Humectante.

Miss Sucre, Natasha Dominguez, fue la chica que expresó todo lo que representó la belleza integral, que tuvo la piel más suave y lozana, para alzarse con la banda de Miss Belleza Palmolive Nutri Milk Doble Humectante 2008.

Miss Táchira, Jennipher Bortolas, expresó la sonrisa más blanca y deslumbrante, convirtiéndose así en Miss Sonrisa Colgate Plax Whitening 2008.

Otras de las candidatas que mostraron el favoritismo de la audiencia fueron, Miss Zulia Gabriela Fernández y Miss Carabobo, Gabriela Concepción.

Aunque estas no ganaron nada se llevaron los piropos y aplausos de los invitados a la gran gala en La Quinta La Esmeralda.

http://www.cadenaglobal.com

Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza

Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela poses as she gets the spa treatment at Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa in Jakarta on August 14, 2008. Mendoza who was crowned as Miss Universe 2008 visited Jakarta to attend Indonesia's Beauty Pageant contest which will be held on August 15. AFP PHOTO/ADEK BERRY (Photo credit should read ADEK BERRY/AFP/Getty Images)

Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela, right, receives foot massage in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Aug 14, 2008. Dayana Mendoza is on a visit to the country to attend the final of the Miss Indonesia Pageant.
(AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)


Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela receives a traditional health treatment during her visit to a local spa in Jakarta August 14, 2008. Mendoza is in Indonesia for a tour visit and to attend the finals of the 2008 Miss Indonesia beauty pageant on Friday. REUTERS/Supri (INDONESIA)



Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela pauses as she talks with journalist in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Aug 14, 2008. Dayana Mendoza is on a visit in the country to attend the final of the Miss Indonesia Pageant.
(AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)
Yahoo News

The Wincci Code

By VIVIENNE PAL

Beauty pageants are hard work but the experience has been priceless for Soo Wincci.

IT’S tough work, all these beauty pageants. Just ask Soo Wincci (pronounced win see).

Being drop-dead beautiful is not enough, the newly-crowned Miss World Malaysia 2008 will tell you from experience.

“I think what set me apart, among other things, were my qualifications, confidence, experience, talent and sheer hard work,” says Soo, 23, on the morning after winning the crown last Saturday.

Soo Wincci: ‘I have always come in second or third, never the winner. Finally, I can sit on that chair with the crown on my head and wave to everyone!’ – Photo by LOW LAY PHON / The Star

It’s tough competing with a bevy of hopefuls whose lifelong dream is to be a beauty queen, or who are just as intelligent, qualified and beautiful as you are.

Still, what upped the ante in this year’s pageant is the change in concept: 30% of the score was based on SMS and online voting, while the remaining 70% depended on the judges.

Surely 30% would not account for much? After all, this is not a popularity contest. On the other hand, it could help make up for the judges’ scores.

“No, this pageant is far more challenging,” insists the Selangor-born Soo. “The marks between the contestants were so close.”

Soo knows what she’s talking about, having been in enough pageants to compare the results.

She was a finalist in 2004 at the age of 18, back when the pageant was still known as Miss Malaysia/World, at the suggestion of a modelling agency. This year, she participated on the encouragement of her friends and mother.

“I also wanted to come back this year because I believed in what the pageant stood for. So, I sent in my application on a Friday and they called me the following day for an audition,” she says, adding that she also represented the country in the Miss Intercontinental 2004 pageant in China. Locally, she has been the first runner-up in Miss Chinatown 2005 and second runner-up in Miss Oriental World 2004.

“I’ve always come in second or third, never the winner. Finally, I can sit on that chair with the crown on my head and wave to everyone!” she says with a mischievous grin.

The beauty queen has always been the busy bee, juggling between vocal, dance (hip hop) and composing lessons – all this on top of studying for her law degree at the University of Reading, which she has now completed, and currently pursuing her Master in Business Administration with the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, under a twinning programme with Segi University College.

“I love singing and composing, and have been taking lessons since I was 16. I have a great passion for music and performing on stage,” says Soo, who plays the piano and guitar, and who has competed in various talent competitions.

Incidentally, it was her original composition entitled Hope, which she dedicated to the children of the world and performed at the Miss World Malaysia 2008 pageant, that won her the new subsidiary title of Miss Talented.

She hopes to use her talents for the benefit of the Start Foundation, the pageant’s chosen beneficiary which advocates equal opportunities for underprivileged children to grow to their full potential through the arts.

Quite predictably, her decision to join Miss World Malaysia – though approved by her mother – met with some resistance from her father.

“Dad was concerned that I wasn’t able to manage my time, or concentrate on my studies. I had too many things going on at the same time,” explains Soo, whose parents founded and manage a garment manufacturing business.

“But I convinced him. I knew I could do it. It’s all about confidence in yourself,” she says.

Despite her hectic schedule, Soo is pleased that she had given this and other pageants a shot.

“It has enlightened me in a big way, particularly my IQ and EQ. Even back in my first pageants at 18, I realised that they open doors to potential networking, good opportunities and were an avenue to showcase your talents. It’s a training ground, a platform for me to learn how to groom myself – a priceless experience,” she shares, with a bright smile.

Determined and ambitious

It’s really refreshing to see that there are no airs about Soo. Her gestures and expressions are natural and she speaks sincerely.

And, as the conversation progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that there is more to her than meets the eye: this is a woman with many feathers in her cap and who is determined not to let time slip by without taking the fullest advantage.

“I know I’m young, but there’s no time to waste where attaining knowledge and experience is concerned,” she explains.

“I am thankful that I am brainy enough, but I admit that I do get tired and sometimes depressed because I am doing so many things. My family initially had doubts about me handling so many things at one time.

“I’m definitely ambitious, but that’s because I like to learn new things,” she admits, adding that she had always wanted to be a chemical engineer, but switched courses during her A-levels because she enjoyed public speaking and because a law degree opened up more doors to other industries.

“Besides, my father is growing older, and my academic qualifications will equip me when I eventually help with the family business.”

But Soo also keeps her full and hectic life in order through determination and discipline – which she also applies to other aspects of life such as her diet (she doesn’t eat rice, and loves Japanese food and bread), health and beauty.

“When I was younger, I was always fat and teased in school. Now to keep fit and maintain my weight, I hit the gym twice a week and count my calories,” says Soo.

Her skincare regime is far more rigorous.

“I drink lots of water and eat lots of fruits and I use a facial mask almost every day. I spend about 15 minutes applying creams on my face alone – in the day, I apply about seven creams, and at night, about 10 different creams.”

She chuckles at the disbelief on my face, then deadpans: “I’ve been a vain pot from young. I used to clip my nose with a clothes peg so it’d remain sharp, and hit the flesh under my chin to get rid of the double chin. Hey, it works!”

Still, one has to forgive a girl for wanting to take care of herself. Perhaps it was this determination that the judges saw during the pageant.

“Perhaps ... but it was also hard work,” she insists.

Yet underneath all that determination and ambition is a T-shirt-and-jeans girl next door who loves dresses, the colour blue, desserts, food-hunting and window-shopping with her gal pals.

There is also a deep-rooted love for her homeland.

“I was offered the Bar when I finished my law degree in England, but I chose to do my CLP here instead. I intend to work here, where my heart is,” she says.

Come Sept 6, Soo will take with her to the Miss World 2008 pageant in Ukraine, her qualifications, talents, experience, ambitions and a profound love for her country. What more could you ask of a beautiful Malaysian ambassador?

Fact File

Name: Soo Wincci

Age: 23

Weight: 53kg

Religion: Buddhist

Height: 170cm

Vital stats: 31-25-37

Status: Single, but attached

Favourite colour: Blue

Favourite food: Japanese food and bread

Loves: Singing, composing, dancing, desserts

Countries she has travelled to: Britain, France, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, China, Australia, Spain, Greece.

http://thestar.com.my/

Mwima is Miss Uganda

EDWIN NUWAGABA

Chick, slim and somewhat articulate 18- year-old Dora Mwima, was crowned Miss Uganda 2008 on Saturday night at Kampala Serena Hotel. Whereas she wasn’t the audience’s favourite, she impressed the judges with her charm and good looks. She also won the Miss Personality prize.

Miss Uganda Dora Mwima (centre) with first-runner-up Daisy Nabagereka (left) and second-runner-up Medina Agenorwot after being crowned. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO.

The young dark skinned girl who has never been to formal school having spent all her life studying at home, out scored first-runner-up Victor Nabagereka, a returnee from last year’s contest and second-runner-up Medina Agenorwot. She now gets into the hot shoes of Monica Kansiime, who was not around at the crowning night.

The event started towards 9p.m, with the 18 girls making their first appearance on stage as they danced and cat walked. The stage was either slippery or the girls had stage fright, because one of each of the two sets of twins slipped and almost fell.

But thanks to their courage, they continued walking as if nothing had happened. Well, that aside, when the girls came for the talent show, there was a moment of laughter from the audience. In a play that she wrote herself, Tyra Baligira made effort to shine but did not go beyond the first five.

In light green, white and blue swimsuits, the 18 contestants strutted across the stage during the swimsuit competition and they were greeted with a roar from the audience. They then returned for the creative wear and the evening gownsession, after which the 18 contestants were eliminated to five; Dora Mwima, Victor Nabagereka, Medina Agenerwot, Patricia Ayo Otoa and Joselyn Nyangoma.

Whereas the audience seemed to like Toro’s beauty Nyangoma, they were disappointed when she was asked what she would do to change the environment, she said; “Thank you very much for coming here today. I want to encourage the young ones to come and join Miss Uganda.” Having said this, she walked away proudly.

Some of the other winners include Lalam Nyeko, Miss Congeniality, Patricia Ayo Miss Perfect, Jackline Nyangoma Miss Photogenic, Tyra Baligira Miss Talent and Jocelyn Nyangoma Miss Popularity.

The event was fairly attended with hardly any technical distractions, though the catwalk area wasn’t long enough, as the organisers had promised, for even those at the back to watch. Sponsored by Uganda telecom, Club beer, Air Uganda the event was spiced up by performances of Bebe Cool, Soul Beat Africa, Sarah Ndagire, Desire Luzinda, plus Mowzey Radio and Weasel.

http://www.monitor.co.ug

Certamen Miss Mundo se va de Ucrania

La actual Miss Mundo Internacional es la china Zi Lin Zhang. (AFP)

Aixa Sepúlveda Morales / Primera Hora

El concurso Miss Mundo Internacional ya no tendrá como escenario a Ucrania, probablemente por la cercanía del país con el conflicto bélico que se libra entre las vecinas repúblicas de Rusia y Georgia.

Así lo confirmó a PRIMERA HORA Héctor Joaquín Colón, manejador y entrenador de Miss Bahamas Mundo 2008, quien recibió la notificación vía correo electrónico.

En la misiva, enviada a todos los dueños de las franquicias locales, la presidenta del concurso Julia Morley informó que el evento de belleza ya no tendría como sede a Ucrania por cosas que estaban “fuera de mi control”.

Se agregó que la nueva sede sería informada la próxima semana y que el concurso se retiraba de Ucrania “con mucho pesar”. No se daban razones específicas para este cambio abrupto, pero se presume que sea por los ataques de Rusia a Georgia. Esta competencia de belleza estaba pautada para realizarse el 4 de octubre.

“Me da la impresión de que por la situación política que está ocurriendo con la invasión rusa a Georgia, están tomando una precaución para que no ocurra lo que ocurrió en 2002, es lo que supongo. Si fuera eso, pienso que es una buena decisión, porque la organización está actuando con prontitud. No sabemos qué va a pasar en Rusia y cómo se seguirá desarrollando esto, pero hay similitud entre esta situación y la de Nigeria”, dijo Héctor Joaquín Colón.

Wilnelia Merced, única Miss Mundo puertorriqueña, y su madre Delia Cruz, presidenta del concurso local, también recibieron la notificación.

“Ya estaba un poco preocupada porque, si hay guerra, o algo mayor, Ucrania está al lado y habrían muchas vidas expuestas”, dijo Wilnelia Merced vía telefónica desde Londres (Inglaterra).

En 2002, las candidatas de Miss Mundo Internacional debieron ser trasladadas hacia Londres para celebrar allí la gala final después que se desataran en Nigeria, país sede, unas violentas protestas por la realización del concurso.

http://www.primerahora.com/

Arrancó Miss Venezuela 2008

El evento de la belleza nacional sigue su marcha, rumbo a la noche final el 10 de septiembre. Y en la apretada agenda de actividades que llevan a cabo las chicas, ayer, en horas de la mañana, nos sorprendieron con su grata presencia
JHORNERY LÓPEZ BALBI
Las 26 candidatas a la máxima corona de la belleza venezolana, dieron un paseo ayer en horas de la mañana por diversos medios de comunicación impresos de Caracas.

Las hermosas misses radiantes y frescas, llegaron a nuestras instalaciones del Bloque Editorial DEARMAS ¡causando una total conmoción!

Acompañadas por las cámaras del canal VV Plus, el programa “Sálvese quien pueda”, una comitiva de seguridad de Venevisión y su pofesor de oratoria José Rafael Briceño, las bellas candidatas se prepararon para responder a las inquietudes de los periodistas presentes.

Para la representante de la Península de Araya, Charyl Chacón, el grupo está bastante reñido este año, “Este año el grupo es difícil, ya que todas estamos explotando nuestra naturalidad. Cada una tiene una personalidad distinta, cada una redistingue por algo”, comento la ex Señorita Deporte.

Las esbeltas jóvenes, ven como un reto el triunfo de Dayana Mendoza en el Miss Universo 2008, “Es un reto que tenemos que superar, creo que todas tenemos la capacidad para ser la próxima Miss Venezuela y hasta Miss Universo. Somos 28 mujeres muy lindas y preparadas para cumplir el reto”, dijo Tiffany Andrade, representante del Estado Yaracuy.

Por su parte, Adahisa Peña, portadora de la banda de Apure, asegura que lo más difícil de la preparación, hasta ahora, es la organización del tiempo, “Lo más difícil es adaptar los horarios, sobre todo porque la mayoría estudia y trabaja, antes pensábamos que era difícil manipular nuestro tiempo y ahora en la organización”.

La morenaza de Bolívar, Kenia Barreto, y la gochita de Táchira Jennifer Bortola, son las concursantes que más peso han rebajado, con 16 y 10 kilogramos respectivamente.

Amazonas, Apure, Vargas, Nueva Esparta y Táchira son sólo algunas de las chicas que son bilingües dentro del concurso de belleza.

Entre las hermosas chicas que se disputan el título de Miss Venezuela 2008, las que más destacan son Distrito Capital, Lourdes Caldera, Barinas, Yosy Meléndez, Zulia, Gabriela Fernández, Monagas, Laksmi Rodríguez y Anzoátegui, María Milagros Veliz.

http://www.2001.com.ve

Venezuela once again hits the beauty spot

The nation has traditionally been the home of beauty queens, something largely owing to Osmel Sousa, a man with a passion for preparing women for pageants. By Chris Kraul, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

CARACAS, VENEZUELA -- Osmel Sousa finally got his groove back.

Famous in the 1980s and '90s for producing international beauty queens at his school for pageant contestants, Sousa ended a 12-year drought last month when protege Dayana Mendoza took the Miss Universe 2008 crown in Vietnam.

After taking over as director of the Miss Venezuela pageant in 1981, Sousa went on an incredible 15-year tear, molding winners of dozens of international beauty contests, including seven Miss World and Miss Universe titles.

His record helped establish Venezuela's fame for beautiful women -- probably its second-best-known natural resource after oil.

"Sousa created a myth for Venezuelan women to live up to," local pollster Alfredo Keller said. "In the States, you have the feminine culture of Barbie. Here it's all about the Misses."

The legend of the Cuban-born Sousa as a Latin American Henry Higgins grew from an uncanny knack for picking women out of crowds or off catwalks and making them glamour queens. He accomplished it, he acknowledges unabashedly, with discipline, training, dental work and plastic surgery.

"I don't make ugly girls into beauties. That's not my job. Plus, it's not necessary. There are plenty of beautiful women in Venezuela. What I do is make them perfect," the 60-year-old said in an interview late last month, still basking in the glow of Mendoza's victory.

But before that victory July 14, many observers feared Sousa had lost his touch. No Miss Venezuela had taken the sine qua non title of Miss Universe since the 1996 crowning of Alicia Machado.

"If you don't score a goal in 12 years, naturally it's going to affect your self-confidence," said Carlos Bardasano, vice president of Cisneros Group, the media conglomerate that owns the Miss Venezuela pageant and finances Sousa's academy.

Various theories were floated in this beauty-pageant-mad nation about why Venezuela was falling short. "It certainly wasn't a problem with the raw material," said Keller, the pollster. "Beautiful women continue to exist here."

Some said the Miss Universe organization was gun-shy about choosing another Venezuelan in light of its experience with Machado, who put on weight during her year as title holder, later posed for Playboy and recently had a child out of wedlock with a married man.

Others thought that stridently anti-U.S. President Hugo Chavez would be a controversial piece of baggage that any new queen would have to deal with every day of her reign.

"Two topics are taboo at any pageant: religion and politics," said Jose Briceno, a university speech and acting professor who is coach at Sousa's academy. "You can always rub someone the wrong way with those."

The preparation for the annual Miss Venezuela pageant held in September begins in March, when Sousa culls 5,000 applicants down to 70 and then, finally, to 26. This year's finalists were paraded before the media here recently; unlike Miss America contestants, those making the cut don't necessarily come from the Venezuelan states and other regions they represent -- they are assigned them. (Why? Sousa wants the most beautiful 26 candidates he could find, even if they all come from one state.)

For the next two months, the women will be trained according to an ironclad regimen to walk, talk, dance and express themselves in keeping with the Sousa formula. Noses will be narrowed, thighs reduced and breasts enlarged by exercise or surgery.

Sousa said the newly crowned Mendoza, an internationally successful model who has worked in Paris and Milan, didn't need much perfecting. But she had a "look" that was too icy and opaque. So he ordered up sessions with a psychotherapist to help her discover the inner Dayana and teach her to "project a natural theatrical talent."

"Modeling is about showing off the dress, cosmetics and hair color but not yourself," Briceno, the speech coach, said. "Dayana had built a small wall around herself. We had to tear down that wall."

One of this year's contestants is Maria Veliz, 25, a tall former high-jumper who was making a good living as a personal fitness trainer in London before deciding to come home to go for the crown, "just to go for it."

"I'm the type of girl who doesn't smile much, so to act fresh, happy and relaxed under all this pressure is what I have to learn," Veliz said. Her other priority is to "reduce the muscle mass in my thighs."

Sousa and production manager Joaquin Riviera built the Miss Venezuela pageant into an important asset for Venevision, the Cisneros media TV channel that broadcasts the show. Most years, the September contest is the nation's most-watched TV program.

The Miss Venezuela pageant and Sousa's school have "an incalculable value," Riviera said, in keeping the talent pipeline flowing for Venevision's TV news and variety shows. Contestants also are cast in the eight to 10 soap operas called telenovelas that the media giant produces each year.

But executives acknowledged that they've missed the gloss of a Miss Universe title. The title means added millions of dollars in advertising revenue for beauty products and clothing that pageant winners promote. Venezuelan women spend more on such products than those of any other Latin American nation, pollster Keller said.

Even Chavez, who has expressed disdain for beauty pageants, took note of Mendoza's victory and congratulated her during a broadcast in July.

The gap between Miss Universe titles has "taught us how hard it is to win," coach Briceno said. "But also to trust what we've got.

http://www.latimes.com

Why the fashion universe is at Laura Dundovic's feet

From Sydney Confidential

IF ANYBODY has the credentials to model swimwear its Miss Universe Australia, Laura Dundovic.

The 21-year-old psychology student from Dural had the eyes of the world on her in her bikini when she strutted her stuff in the swimwear section of the Miss Universe finals in Vietnam last month.

Now she's set to capture Sydney's attention when she shows off top designer Charlie Brown's new swimwear line and complete summer collection at the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival this week.

"I'm excited but also a bit nervous, it's my biggest modelling role so far," she said.

The ambitious Sydneysider is also keen to follow Jennifer Hawkins into TV: "I've studied drama and would love to work on TV like Jen has with Getaway.

She's deferred university and is modelling full-time.
She will be the centre of attention in Martin Place on Wednesday when she leads 50 models.

http://www.news.com.au

Miss Malaysia World

The newly-crowned Miss World Malaysia 2008 Soo Wincci smiles after winning the beauty pageant in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 09 August 2008. EPA/SHAMSHAHRIN SHAMSUDIN


The newly-crowned Miss World Malaysia 2008 Soo Wincci, 23, (C) flanks by 2nd runner-up Shereen Kaur, 20, (L) and 1st runner-up Cindy Chen, 24 (R) pose for photographers after winning the beauty pageant in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 09 August 2008. EPA/SHAMSHAHRIN SHAMSUDIN

Miss Jamaica World contestants go for gold

published: Friday | August 8, 2008

Something has caught the attention of Miss Jamaica World contestants (from left) Shaneka Sherise Simpson, Miss Acropolis Gaming & Entertainment Centre; Marshagay Reynolds, Miss Quality Dealers Limited, and Sian Watts, Miss Jergens.

As our athletes go for gold in Beijing, 16 of our island's most beautiful young women will go for the Miss Jamaica World crown and the chance to continue Jamaica's fantastic showing at the pageant, which this year is to be held in Kiev, Ukraine.

The Miss Jamaica World pageant will be held on August 16 at the Hilton Kingston hotel. This year, in honour of our athletes' quest in Beijing, the show has been appropriately themed 'In Search of Gold'. The 'golden' affair will be produced by veteran producer Weston Haughton, who has had many years of experience working with the pageant. Larry Watson will provide the set design.

Patrons will get an opportunity to see Yendi Phillipps in her final moments as Miss Jamaica World. Since winning, she has worked herself into the hearts of Jamaicans, successfully staging a charity fashion show for the victims of Hurricane Dean. She went on to the Miss World pageant in China, where she was a finalist in all the fast-track events - the first woman to accomplish this feat. She has since become host of the popular Digicel Rising Stars.

The contestants will parade in the always- popular swimwear section, wearing designs from The Mushroom. Designs by Neah Lis and Uzuri International will be featured in the model competition segment of the show.

Sashed and ready are (from left) Jodion Henry, Miss Empire Supermarket; Raecine Williams, Miss Geddes Refrigeration Limited; Sydonie McBayne, Miss Tropical Metal Products Limited; and Arcadia Brown, Miss Perfectil Skin, Hair & Nail. The occasion was the Miss Jamaica World 2008 Sashing and Presentation of Finalists, held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, on Sunday, July 27. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

2008 Sashing and Presentation of Finalists, held at the Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston on Sunday July 27, 2008.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/

OUT OF THIS WORLD. MISS UNIVERSE DAYANA MENDOZA SHOWS OFF FALL'S HOTTEST LOOKS

By ANGELA BRUNO

Dayana Mendoza

Last updated: 5:28 am
August 6, 2008
Posted: 12:00 am
August 6, 2008

At 5'10" - and just about sky-high in heels - newly crowned Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza is living large. Since taking home the crown in July, her life has been a whirlwind of TV interviews and photo-shoots.

The Venezuelan beauty, who grew up sharing a bedroomwith her grandmother and younger sister, is now living in a luxury Midtown crib with two fellow beauty queens, courtesy of Donald Trump (unsurprisingly, their lives are being filmed for a reality show).

Mendoza took some time out of her breakneck schedule to chat with us about everything from the new fall fashions to how she once missed a phone call from Hugo Chávez.

Has being Miss Universe hit you yet?

No, I haven't realized it. I'm having fun because the girls at the apartment are pretty nice. [Miss Teen USA] Hilary [Cruz] and [Miss USA] Crystle Stewart.

What's a day in the life of Miss Universe like?

Waking up early and doing makeup and hair for interviews and shows. I heard that these are the busiest weeks we have. But I don't know how it's going to be for the rest of the year. I think I'm going to have fun traveling all over the world.

How many hours of sleep would you say you've gotten since winning the title?

During the pageant, we slept like four hours each night. At the end of the month, you're exhausted. Even coffee doesn't work for you anymore. So, it's really something that you have to love because otherwise YOU WILL DIE!

Getting four hours of sleep - do you have any secrets on how to look well rested?

Makeup, baby! [Laughs.] Makeup is just perfect. My dad told me to put [crushed] aspirin on your dark [undereye] circles. You mix cold water and aspirin, mash it up. Take a little piece of [cotton] and you put it under your eye and let it rest a little bit until it gets warm and change it. It works, but you have to do it every morning or before sleeping.

Any beauty tips you can share?

Well, not all faces are the same. To show the most beautiful parts of the face, you have to have tricks. The principal one is, once you have on your foundation that is the color of your skin, use a lighter foundation - just one tone lighter - to show the parts that you want to highlight. What we should all do is [highlight] between the eyebrows, a little bit more in the front of the face [top of the cheeks and under the eyes] and a little on the dark circles and thin line down your nose. I always do that because it doesn't matter if you're in the dark, you will always look good.

Who are some of your favorite designers?

Cavalli, Rocco Barocco, Armani, Dior. But I prefer dressing how I feel comfortable. And fashion, it really helps in getting you to find your own style and how you feel comfortable - whether it's with nice shoes or with a nice top and cute makeup.

Do you have a must-have item in your wardrobe?

I like simple shirts that can go pretty well with jeans, nice pants, shorts or a skirt. You can put a nice jacket on and be fine.

What's it like to have to get made up to the fullest every day?

You get used to it. And actually, when it's Sunday morning and you wake up, and you're like, "Okay, it's Sunday. I'm not doing anything. I'm going to rest," and you're in your pajamas, you feel horrible! You get used to the makeup and getting dressed up.

Four out of five Miss Universe finalists were from Latin America. Latinas' stock keeps going up!

We have a really nice mix of cultures.

Because the relations between Venezuela and Colombia have been strained lately, would you consider giving up your crown to Miss Colombia as a peace offering? Just kidding . . .

You know, in a beauty pageant, we're not taking about politics. It's not the point. We are out there to have fun.

Is it true Chavez called you after your victory and you missed his call?

Yeah, he tried to call me, but he called me at the hotel . . . I would have liked to be there to answer his call, but I couldn't. We didn't have phone numbers to call him back.

How long have you been participating in pageants?

My first one was Miss Venezuela, and that was the one that I was not so sure about because I wasn't used to pageants and I was scared about being judged. So that was my first pageant, and I won.

What did you have to do to prepare - to transform from model to pageant queen?

I had to watch myself in the mirror. I didn't like mirrors before. I wasn't like these girls that are always looking in the mirror And the therapy was like trying to talk to yourself in the mirror, trying to recognize how you move, how your expressions are when you talk.

Now that you've moved to New York, this will be your first time having a room to yourself. In Venezuela, you shared a room with your sister and abuela? How did that work out?

You never experienced having privacy! [Laughs.]

And when you found out that you would be living with Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, were you happy about that?

I was really happy because I never lived by myself before.

But Donald Trump's so rich - can't he afford to put you all up in your own place?

I think it's pretty well done - we are all kids. I'm 22, but I feel like a kid. We pretty much need to be with each other to have talks and to help each other.

Being in the house, with the two American titleholders, do you think it'll help improve "international relations" between our countries?

Well, no, I don't think that we girls are paying attention to that right now. We don't really talk about that stuff.

Do you have any reservations about how people stereotype pageant queens?

No, I understand them. I thought that before going to the pageant. I understand that people can easily judge something that they don't know. That is the biggest mistake that human beings make. It's nice to sit at home with your hot chocolate or pasta or whatever and judge when this girl is doing a diet, when she's not sleeping enough for a month. I really thank the Miss Venezuela and the Miss Universe organization for helping me feel the way I feel about myself right now - comfortable, confident and pretty secure.

Do you think there was any irony in Miss USA falling - again! - and you, Miss Venezuela, winning? There were a lot of weird connections – Miss Colombia was runner-up. You were in Communist Vietnam . . .

I don't know. This was part of our job, the judges' job and God's job. As far as [Miss USA] Crystle, I'm just so proud of how she recovered so fast. And it's not easy, as I told you, to be so young and be judged - in heels and an evening gown. It's something that can happen to anybody. Anybody can fall in the street walking in heels. And what's the difference? She did it on stage. She's a human being like us.

Have you ever fallen?

Yes, of course. On the catwalk.

And what did you do?

Well, what are you gonna do? You're not gonna sit there the whole time! You're going to stand up and keep doing your job.

And how did the audience react?

Oh, they clap. People understand that we're all human beings. And the ones that laugh and think that it's funny, I would love to see them falling, too!

You've been exposed to the gritty realities of living in a developing nation. Do you think that will help you as Miss Universe?

You know, what's really interesting is, no matter where you are, poverty is not in your pocket, it's in your mind.

How long have you been dating your boyfriend?

Four years.

What does he do?

He's a pretty normal guy that goes to university and has a job at the same time.

How is he taking you winning as Miss Universe, and traveling the world?

We were talking about that last night. He doesn't like to give interviews because, of course, they are going to ask him, "What does it feel like to have the most beautiful lady as your girlfriend?" He's like, "How does it feel? I don't feel anything - she's in New York and I'm in Venezuela - I can't even touch her. I'm talking to her by Internet." We are like normal relationship - we love each other and we want to be with each other. He's happy for me. He told me "I knew you were going to win - I knew it, I knew it." He cried, too. So, I'm glad I wasn't the only one that cried.

So, since you are Miss Universe, where is your favorite place in the universe?

I don't know because I haven't gone to Pluto or the moon yet. [Laughs.] On this planet, I don't know because I haven't gone to the countries that I would love to visit. I would love to go to Egypt, Israel, Africa, India. I love Paris - but not for living. I love Italy for living. I love Spain.

Models and beautiful, tall women, why does God put you on this earth? To torture us mere mortals?

You know that is something that I've been thinking about. You know what I think? I think that my mission on this planet has to be huge for being Miss Universe now. God gave me my height and my eyes and my brain and my mouth to talk and my arms and my legs. I'm complete and I get to be here as Miss Universe. He really has something [in store] for me.

Fall fashion trends:

* Peep-toe shoes and lace-up-style booties

* Bold colors, i.e. purple, berry

* Back details on dresses

* Feathers, on shoes, on dresses

* Chunky or statement necklaces and rings

* Lace, everywhere tops, dresses, shoes, handbags

* Mens-style trousers with feminine soft tops

* Fur, faux or real

* Gloves or arm-warmers

* Ladylike handbags with details, i.e. chains, textures, charms

http://www.nypost.com/

China’s Human Rights Abuses Betray Olympic Pledge, says Cotler

HUMAN RIGHTS CRUSADERS L – R: Beryl Wajsman, president of the Institute for Public Affairs of Montreal: Liberal MP Irwin Cotler; international human rights activist Nazanin Afshin-Jam; and former Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific David Kilgour (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

By Cindy Chan

OTTAWA—On the eve of the Beijing Olympics, Liberal MP Irwin Cotler released a report that highly criticizes China’s ongoing human rights abuses despite promising to make improvements when awarded the Games in 2001.

“What we are witnessing today in China is a persistent and pervasive assault on human rights — a betrayal of the Olympic Charter, the modern Olympic movement, and China’s pledge to respect both,” said Mr. Cotler at a press conference on Parliament Hill.

The report identifies 11 key areas of human rights violations by the Chinese regime. They include Tibetans, Falun Gong practitioners and other persecuted groups; the crackdown on press freedom; mistreatment of prisoners; the death penalty; and complicity in genocide and rights abuses in countries such as Darfur, Zimbabwe, Burma, and Nepal.

“China undertook, in their words, to respect human rights, to respect media freedom, and then they added, ‘we will translate these words into deeds,’” Mr. Cotler said at an interview following the press conference. “Yet seven years later, the deeds mock the words.”

Mr. Cotler urged foreign governments to “speak up and speak out” and in particular asked world leaders attending the Beijing Olympics to call publicly for the release of political prisoners.

His report includes names of specific prisoners and makes recommendations with respect to each category.

“It concludes both with the need to hold China to account to end the culture of impunity, and to secure the promises that China originally gave that it would have press freedom and advance the cause of human rights,” said Mr. Cotler

At the press conference he was accompanied by former Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific David Kilgour, international human rights activist and Miss World Canada 2003 Nazanin Afshin-Jam, and Beryl Wajsman, president of the Institute for Public Affairs of Montreal.

Mr. Cotler is a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and currently the Official Opposition Human Rights Critic. He noted that “there is an inter-relationship between trade and human rights and we cannot proceed in terms of business as usual.”

Mr. Kilgour agreed. In dealing more effectively with China, one of the areas that should be explored is trade laws, he said.

“If we all act together, Canada with all the trading partners of China doing the same thing, for example not allow fraudulently made goods or counterfeit goods to come to any of our countries, … I think we will be a lot more effective.”

Mr. Cotler added that “we can’t just be sending trade missions — we should be sending human rights missions to China as well.”

Commenting on the attendance of U.S. President George Bush and Foreign Minister David Emerson at the Games, Mr. Cotler said what is important is what these world leaders do and will continue to do whether they attend or not.

After the press conference the speakers joined a demonstration at the Chinese embassy that drew over 250 people, including representatives from Reporters without Borders and the Uyghur, Dafrurian, Tibetan, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Burmese, and Falun Gong communities.

“It’s been close to my heart to try to help all the oppressed in the world,” said Ms. Afshin-Jam, whose idea it was to hold the event.

“We decided to organize an event here in our capital to show Canadian people’s solidarity for the people of China. Simultaneously around the world other groups are gathering at various Chinese embassies and other meeting points.”

Mr. Wajsman’s institute, in conjunction with the Canada-Tibet Committee (CTC), gave support by providing transportation for participants coming from Montreal.

This event shows the government of China that “unlike other protests this is a protest that is bringing diverse groups together to speak with one single voice,” said Dermod Travis, CTC’s executive director.

Ms. Afshin-Jam said she is seeing the Olympics as a “blessing in disguise.

“Our journalists are finally seeing just how restrictive the satellites are... This will get our journalists to spread the message and put more pressure on the Chinese government to make change.”

Pamela McLennan of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong noted that her organization has provided a journalists’ guide to forced labour camps near Olympic venues where thousands of Falun Gong adherents are incarcerated for their belief.

She encouraged international journalists attending the games to investigate human rights abuses in China.

Miss Ukraine Universe answers KP’s questions

by Zoya Lytvyn, Kyiv Post Staff Writer
Aug 06 2008, 19:02

© KP Media, photo by Oleksiy Boyko Eleonora Masalab is crying tears of happiness after just being crowned Miss Ukraine Universe.

Eleonora Masalab, Miss Ukraine Universe flew to Vietnam this summer to officially represent her country in the Miss Universe 2008 pageant. She won the honor of Miss Legs in a field of 80 international contestants. Though disappointed about not winning, the 19-year old remains opimistic about her future and is full of ambition and plans.

KP: How did it feel to participate in such a high-profile event and fail to win it?

EM: For the first two days I was bitterly disappointed – and this is a normal reaction in such a situation. Participation in a Miss Universe pageant means that you temporarily give up your life for it. It took me a long time to prepare for it – to sort out all the dresses, to find the best national costume, to learn all the choreography. It’s a pity my eagerness did not yield the result that I wanted.

What added to my disappointment was that from the first day of my trip the Vietnamese people and press paid me a lot of attention and I was their favorite contestant. My pictures appeared on several covers of local magazines. The public and the press predicted my triumph. I wish I lived up to their expectations. But now that I’m finally back home again, I realize that I have something much more important than victory. I have priceless life experience that I can share with my future children and grandchildren. I’m sure this experience will help me win other similar contests, and I plan to do it very soon.

KP: What did you like most about your trip?

EM: The greatest impression during the trip was Vietnam – it’s an amazing country with breathtaking nature and sincere, fun-loving people. The national cuisine is just outstanding, delicious and very cheap!

I regret that during the whole month in Vietnam we didn’t get a single chance to swim in the sea, even though we were just 15 minutes away. We had a very tight schedule. Next year I plan to visit Vietnam again and spend more time discovering some interesting places in this country. It was also great to make friends with so many contestants.

KP: If you were a judge in this contest, would you also have voted for Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela?

EM: Actually I agree with the contest results – the top-five girls are really amazing. But if I had been responsible for the final decision I would have given the crown to Miss Mexico Elisa Najera or to Miss USA Crystal Stewart. As far as I am concerned, they were the most graceful and attractive contestants.

KP: What do you think is the key to winning a beauty pageant such as Miss Universe?

EM: This year’s winner, Dayana Mendoza, is a very positive and cheerful person. She really stood out among others because she was best prepared. She was the only girl who seemed to be perfect all the time: sublime make-up, hair and manicure in every situation. By the way, Venezuela is a record-holder of Miss Universe winners. They even have a special school to prepare future beauty queens.

KP: What are your plans for the future?

EM: For the next two months I plan to do only one thing – rest. After five months of preparation I feel totally exhausted. And after that I have a huge number of propositions to consider – photo and video shoots, modeling and acting. Because of the contest I had no time to think about it, but now I’m open to new and interesting ideas.

My career ambition is to have my own television program and direct it as well, but I also believe that my main mission in life is to create a happy family and bring up many children.

Zoya Lytvyn can be reached at lytvyn@kpmedia.ua

http://www.kyivpost.com

Miss Brasil encanta Maringá

Esbanjando charme e simpatia a gaúcha que conquistou o título de mulher mais bela do país esteve na Cidade Canção no último domingo para abrilhantar um concorrido evento de moda. Ao som de Aquarela do Brasil se emocionou ao pisar na passarela e se deparar com aproximadamente mil pessoas que a aplaudiram em pé.

No município a Miss foi recepcionada oficialmente pelo presidente do Miss Paraná, Wall Barrionuevo (BMW Eventos), que teceu comentários sobre a forma carinhosa com a qual a Natália foi ovacionada em um evento totalmente fashion. “O assunto Miss mexeu, mexe e sempre despertará algo mágico no imaginário das pessoas. Explicar é quase impossível, por ser mais ou menos a união das histórias dos Contos de Fadas com os acontecimentos cotidianos a qualquer um de nós”, e ele continua de forma entusiástica a falar sobre o assunto, “ser Miss é isso e muito mais. É cativar..., encantar..., e principalmente defender cada brasileiro em suas mais diferentes situações. O que aflora em situações como essas são os sentimentos de orgulho por sermos livres e termos o direito de sonhar”. E finaliza: “Quer beleza maior que essa!”

Natália, que desfilou para grife paranaense Denúncia Jeans, já estuda a possibilidade de marcar presença durante a realização do concurso Miss Paraná, que será realizado no dia 14 de fevereiro do próximo ano, em Maringá. “Será um prazer retornar a Maringá em um momento tão importante que é a escolha da representante do Estado no concurso Miss Brasil.

http://www.paranashop.com.br

Apesar de fotos em que aparece nua, nova Miss Universo não perderá título

Em ensaio fotográfico, ela cobriu partes íntimas com seu cabelo ou pernas.

Venezuelana Dayana Mendoza foi coroada no Vietnã.

Da EFE

AP

Miss Universo Dayana Mendoza. (Foto: AP)

A presidente da organização Miss Universo, Paula M. Shugart, disse que a venezuelana Dayana Mendoza não corre o risco de perder o título que ganhou no mês passado, na final do concurso disputada no Vietnã.

A declaração de Shugart foi uma resposta às notícias de que Dayana, que é modelo, poderia perder seu título por causa de fotos que tirou para campanhas publicitárias em que aparece nua, mas cobrindo suas partes íntimas com seu cabelo ou pernas.

"Dayana Mendoza não corre o risco de perder seu título de Miss Universo", afirmou Shugart, em uma nota à imprensa. "Apoiamos e respeitamos suas conquistas como modelo e a beleza artística capturada nestas fotos", acrescentou.

Veja imagens da Miss Universo 2008

A franquia do Miss Universo na Colômbia, em que aparentemente a notícia repercutiu mais, já havia evitado comentar os rumores de que a primeira finalista do concurso, a colombiana Taliana Vargas, poderia substituir Dayana como rainha da beleza por conta das polêmicas fotos.

Segundo os representantes colombianos do Miss Universo, as fotos "foram tiradas com fins publicitários" e, "por tal razão, são altamente artísticas" e sem "nenhuma mensagem obscena".

http://g1.globo.com/

Mawuse Crowned Miss Ghana

Twenty-two year old Ms Mawuse Appea, a student of the University of Ghana, Legon emerged winner for this year’s Miss Ghana competition which was held on Friday at the National Theatre in Accra.Competing alongside 21 other contestants, the Bachelor of Arts students justified winning the title with her elegance and poise to leave Ms Huberta Naa Quartey and Shirley Nwangere in the second and third positions respectively.

Tuesday, 05 August 2008

For her prize, Ms Appea took home a brand new Hyundai Accent saloon car worth $17,000 which was donated by Sparrow Productions Limited, organisers of the event, home appliances from Somovision, cash prize of GH¢2,500, wardrobe from Akosombo Textiles Limited (ATL), a one-year free make-up and skin therapy from FC Skin and Beauty Klinik and an opportunity to participate in the Miss World 2009 Pageant.


In a statement, the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, said the pageant which “began many decades ago has helped to shape the future of many young ladies who have contested in the pageant from the regional level to the national level and to the world stage.”He said the high patronage of the beauty pageant, especially at the world stage, was an opportunity to promote Ghana in the world through the participation of Miss Ghana.


According to the Minister, participating in the Miss World would throw the searchlight on Ghana and as a result, people would be curious to visit the country in order to sample our culture and hospitality.“It is therefore, gratifying to note that for two successive years, Ghana has made it to the top five in the Miss World Pageant. They were Ms Lamisi Mbillah, 2005 and Ms Irene Dwomoh, 2006,” he said.Mr Osei-Ameyaw indicated that the trend was significant and pointed to the fact that if the appropriate steps were taken in the search for a Miss Ghana, the country could one day win the Miss World crown.

Ms Shirely Frimpong Manso, Managing Director of Sparrow Productions, organisers of the event, said the aim of the event was to give all young women in Ghana, the opportunity to harness their potential and open doors for them. The event was sponsored by Airport West Hotel, Somovision, Simbins Furniture and others.

Pix: Miss Frances Tekyi -Mensah, Miss Ghana @ 50, crowning Miss Mawuse Appea, a Bachelor of Arts student at the University of Ghana, after winning this year’s, Miss Ghana pageant at the Grand Finale held at the National Theatre in Accra on Friday.

http://www.peacefmonline.com

'Miss Nepal' pageant scrapped after Maoists object

Miss Nepal 2007 Sitasma Chand

©2008 Google - Map data ©2008 AND, NFGIS, Europa Technologies - Terms of Use

4 hours ago

KATHMANDU (AFP) — A contest to choose the next "Miss Nepal" slated for Thursday was cancelled after Maoist female lawmakers denounced the beauty pageant.

The former rebels emerged as the single largest party in the country's newly elected assembly and are poised to form the next government.

"We won't let the event take place. We don't need such a thing in the new federal democratic republic of Nepal where women are treated as objects of entertainment," Maoist lawmaker Amrita Thapa told AFP Wednesday.

She said the Maoists would not allow an "anti-women" event inspired by "capitalist" elements.

"Such contests send the wrong message to society as they emphasise physical beauty rather than intellectual ability," said another female Maoist leader.

Girendra Man Rajbanshi, the contest organiser, said: "We had to cancel our programme at the last minute."

He said they would try to change the activists' minds and stage the contest later.

The winner of the pageant gets the chance to represent Nepal at the annual Miss World contest, the organiser said.

http://afp.google.com/

Miss Universe to keep crown despite photos

Pageant president says Mendoza's near-topless pics have ‘artistic beauty’

Access Hollywood
updated 11:40 a.m. ET Aug. 6, 2008

LOS ANGELES - Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza will retain her crown despite a host of nearly topless modeling photos of the pageant queen that surfaced this week.

“Dayana Mendoza is not in jeopardy of losing the title of Miss Universe,” Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe organization told Access Hollywood in an exclusive statement.

In fact, the Miss Universe president said that Mendoza’s photographs had artistic merit.

“We embrace and respect her success as a model and the artistic beauty captured in these photographs,” the statement concluded.

The photos in question show Mendoza topless with her arms covering most of chest.

This is not the first time scandal has rocked the Donald Trump-owned pageant world. In December 2006, Miss USA Tara Conner caused a stir in the pageant world after she entered rehab for drug and alcohol use. Trump allowed her to keep the crown after receiving treatment.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com

Miss Korea

2008 Miss Korea Beauty Pageant

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - AUGUST 06: Nari (C), 22, waves after winning the Miss Korea 2008 beauty pageant at Sejong Center on August 6, 2008 in Seoul, South Korea. Nari, a 22-year-old student, beat 51 other participants to win the pageant. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

"Holly" New York Screening

"

NEW YORK - AUGUST 05: Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza, attends a screening of 'Holly' at the Hearst Tower on August 5, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/WireImage)

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Miss Vietnam to exhibit nude photos

05/08/2008

Mai Phuong Thuy

Mai Phuong Thuy
VietNamNet Bridge - Miss Vietnam 2006 Mai Phuong Thuy has revealed she will display nearly 100 photos of herself posing nude “in keeping with Vietnamese culture and tradition” but is discreet regarding to what extent her nudity goes.

The nudity captured is “very Vietnamese and nothing extreme”, the 20-year-old beauty who entered the top 16 at Miss World Pageant 2006 said.

“This is not totally nude…just artistic photography”

Thuy, the tallest Miss Viet Nam so far at 1.79m, said she has already finished some of the photos taken by photographers Tran Huy Hoan and Le Thanh Hai, featuring herself in various positions inside the studio and outdoor.

However, she declined to reveal the exhibition’s exact date.

“Everyone has their own opinion [on aesthetics]…I chose for myself a way to express the sensuousness typical of Viet Nam (sic)”.

“If sexy is within accepted boundaries and has beautiful values, why not?”, she added.

She said she has already had her targeted audience in mind for this nude collection but prefers to keep it a secret.

Just several days ago, Thuy exhibited a photo book of a different nature, this time featuring herself dressed in tuong (traditional drama) costumes, meaning she is completely covered in long gowns, long sleeves, and masks, not to mention her colorfully painted face.

Just like the tuong exhibition, this [nude one] would serve a purpose…who knows it could help me stay in people’s hearts longer?

As scheduled, Thuy will end her mission as Miss Viet Nam to hand over the crown to her successor - Miss Viet Nam 2008 - late this month.

According to Thuy, she is doing her best to introduce Vietnamese culture and its beauty to the world to promote her country’s image on the international arena while at the same time seeking fund to finance her multiple social and charity activities.

However, it is not clear whether the nude exhibition in question has been approved by any state agency or not.

Late last year, Viet Nam published for the first time a nude photo book entitled “Xuan thi” (Spring Time), a collection of 71 nude photos by Thai Phien following heated debates by authorities. But in the Southeast Asian country where Confucianism still holds sway, nude photography continues to be frowned upon.

(Source: VNE/SGGP)
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/

Miss World Georgian Contestant Revealed

The FINANCIAL -- The finals of the beauty contest revealed 18 year-old Khatuna Skhirtladze as Miss Georgia 2008. The jury chose Khatuna to represent Georgia at the Miss World contest in Kiev on October 4. Runner-up Lika Orjonikidze takes on the task of battling it out for Miss Universe, and the third place winner – Kristine Dzidziguri will compete for the crown of Miss Tourism International.


Last year Miss World was from China, the People’s Republic of - Zhang Zi Lin.
The organization of the event is Image Centre. The latter has an exclusive right to represent Georgia at Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Tourism beauty contests.
According to Image Centre, the company has no competitors on the local market as this agency is developed in various directions. Image Centre represents Elite Model Look Georgia in Georgia. The company has the experience of having organized Miss Georgia for the past 6 years. Image Centre holds the license of the two biggest competitions Miss World and Miss Universe, also Miss Tourism International and Miss Intercontinental.

“Miss Georgia is far more profitable for the agency, but only if we manage to make sponsors interested in the project. Finding sponsors in Georgia is one of the most difficult challenges to take. Event management is developing now and supposedly will expand soon. Miss Georgia is a long term project as it takes at least 6 months to get ready. However this project is becoming more and more popular every year,” says the company.

Since 2003 this has been the sixth Miss Georgia contest and it is has become more popular amongst the Georgian population. Almost all the cities and regions are involved in this event (Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Gori, Rustavi, Zugdidi, Poti, Ozurgeti, Lagodekhi, Telavi, Borjomi).

The parameters of the most beautiful girl in Georgia are: height – 177cm; body measurements - 84 - 61 - 89.

The contest was held on July 27 at Batumi Drama theatre.
22 girls from different regions of the country participated in Miss Georgia 2008. 13 contestants were from Tbilisi ; none from Georgia’s conflict zones of South Ossetia or Abkhazia.
Miss Georgia was awarded with an automobile Peugeot 207 from Iberia Motors.
Girls of ages ranging from 17 to 25 years longed to become the proud holders of the Miss Georgia title.
The contestants gave their best attempts at looking like beauty queens as they modelled modest swimsuits, casual wear and evening dresses.
For the first time one woman was chosen as Miss Internet through online polling, while votes cast by SMS for GEL 1 went to picking Miss People’s Choice. Pageant organizers said they would donate those revenues to a children’s orphanage near Batumi in Makhinjauri.

Miss Internet went to Tatia Donadze from Tbilisi . The perspicacious judges also named her Miss Talent.
Georgia’s most successful contestant abroad was Miss Georgia 2003 Irina Onashvili, who was named Miss Talent for her singing in that year’s Miss World.
The model agency Image Centre selected twenty-two young women this year for Miss Georgia 2008, 300 participants took part in the selection. The Georgian beauties were trained during the one-month preparatory period, first in Tbilisi and later in Batumi.
Participants of the competition Miss Georgia must meet the following requirements: they must be a citizen of Georgia, aged between 17 and 24, height from 168 cm and not married.
In 2003, Georgia for the first time took part in the annual international beauty competition Miss World, where only one of the world’s most beautiful girls is awarded the Miss World Title.
Organizers of Miss Georgia 2003 were Model Agency Image Centre, Broadcasting Company Rustavi 2 and Advertisement Company Imperial.
Miss Georgia 2003 travelled to the city Sanya, China to participate in Miss World 2003. She was 19 year old Irina Onashvili, who was presented with a flat from Building Company Arci and an automobile Mercedes from Company Canargo Standard Oil. Irina was named Miss Talent for her singing in Miss World 2003.
Runner up Miss Georgia 2003 Nino Murtazashvili took part in the International Competition Miss Universe, where she was granted the people’s and organizers’ sympathy.
Miss Georgia 2004 was Salome Chikviladze. She went to Miss World 2004 and Miss Tourism International 2004.
Miss Georgia 2005 Salome Khelashvili took part in Miss World 2005.
Miss Georgia 2006 was Ana Kalandadze who went to the international competition Miss World.
Winning a beauty contest is the dream of many young girls. And last summer it became a reality for 18 year old Nino Likuchova., although she turned out to be a Mrs.
This year’s competition is so far without scandal, a break from the year 2007 when contest winner Nino Likuchova said she was bride kidnapped after marriage records revealed she wasn’t a Miss at all.
Runner up 20 year old Nino Lekveishvili was slated to take the crown, but it turned out that she too had been married. This was a big scandal in Georgia.
This farcical turn of events caught the organizers totally off guard. They were called incompetent for failing to check the contestant’s histories.

Written By Sopho Kheladze
http://www.finchannel.com/

2008 Miss Earth South Africa

A platform to empower and educate young women is the last thing you would expect from an event of this nature. The “Miss Earth South Africa in association with Consol” aims to educate and empower young South African women, so as to embrace the challenges South Africans are faced with environmentally and as citizens of the earth. This event is in its sixth year.

National director, Catherine Constantinides, ensures that this competition is different and unique in its approach and roll out. “Each young woman must leave with more than she arrived, knowledge that she can impart and share with those around her. The participants are encouraged to look at lifestyle behavioural changes within their lives; this creates an impact on the environment. These are individuals with the ability to go out and empower people around them in order to bring about sustainable and tangible changes in their way of life,” says Constantinides. “This initiative is not just a pageant, it’s a programme.”

These gorgeous women have an extensive schedule of activities over a three month period. Finalists get hands on involved in greening initiatives in both urban and rural areas, environmental and conservation workshops, shoots, gardening activities, awareness campaigns and school visits. The programme is also endorsed by several green agencies such as SANParks, Food and Tree’s for Africa, My Acre of Africa, The Wilderness Foundation, Eco Access and Ekurhuleni Metro Parks to name a few. The Miss Earth South Africa in association with Consol has adopted several schools throughout the country. They have pledged to green these schools and educate the children in the course of the next 18 months.

Why beautiful women you may ask? This platform creates ambassadors and spokeswomen that people aspire to, people admire and children look up to. The 2008 national finalists are an exciting group of young diverse women, from students, to a water analyst, psychologists, school teachers, professional models, fear factor contenders, and a fuel supply co-ordinator. Over the next nine weeks these finalists will be busy with a back to back schedule of activities, including a four day trip up to the Kruger National Park with SANParks. The official announcement of the 2008 “Miss Earth South Africa in association with Consol” will take place on the 21st of June at Emperors Palace, Centre Court in Johannesburg. The winner of the 2008 event will go on to represent South Africa at the International Miss Earth event in October in South East Asia. Over 120 international delegates from around the globe participated last year.

http://www.krugerpark.co.za/

Miss Tanzania 2008

NASONGELYA KILYINGA
Daily News; Sunday,August 03, 2008 @

Vodacom Miss Tanzania 2008 Nasreem Karim (centre) poses for a picture with the first runner-up Sylvia Mashuda (left) and second runner-up Pendo Laizer, shortly after she was crowned at the colourful event at the Leaders Club, Kinondoni in Dar es Salaam on Saturday night. (Photo by Mroki Mroki)

Nasreem Karim (22) was on Saturday night crowned Miss Tanzania 2008 after outshining 26 other contestants during a dazzling event held at the Leaders Club in Dar es Salaam. Her magnetic appearance, alluring intellect, confidence and perhaps sense of a well informed mind enthralled almost everyone.

And the judges including Taifa Stars coach Marcio Maximo too were left with no choice, but to give Miss Mwanza an opportunity of her life time. She will represent the country in the coveted Miss World beauty pageant set for Ukraine later this year. She also won her self a brand new Suzuki Grand Vitara worth 42m/- and 8.8m/- cash in prize from the event sponsors Vodacom Tanzania.

After she was declared the winner, Karim gazed for a while, apparently in disbelief, and then she exhaustedly waved to the yelling crowd. A vivid overwhelmed Karim said; “I’m completely surprised. I did not expect to go this far. Every one in the camp deserved to win and I thought the competition was too stiff. “I thank God for this achievement.

I believe my confidence and sociable life made it possible for judges to think that I’m the right candidate for the crown,” Karim said shortly after she was crowned by the outgoing Miss Tanzania 2007 Richa Adhia. The colourful night saw Sylvia Mashuda (19) from Ilala emerging the first runner up. She won herself 6m/-.

Mashuda was earlier declared an Ambassador of the newly introduced Tanzania Commission for Aids (TACAIDS) crown, which is awarded to a girl who excels in the awareness matters related to the killer disease. She won herself 1m/- and will be used for campaign against the scourge during her one-year in reign.

Arusha’s Pendo Laizer (22), who represented Higher Leaning Institutions was the second runner-up and received 3.8m/-. Pastor’s daughter Angela Luballa (18), was declared the 2008 Redd’s Premium Cold Ambassador. Luballa, who is also Miss Temeke 2008, took over from Victoria Martin who won the crown last year.

Again, Luballa was another enchanting figure that most thought, she would finish among the top two, arguably her height. However, she was unlucky only to finish among the top five. Another girl who made it to the top five was Fay Antony (18) from Kinondoni. The duo took home 2.7m/- and 2.2m/- respectively.

The audience was enthralled for four hours by a sparkling and dramatic beehive of performance - a combination of traditional and modern performance, staged by top local and international artistes. They listened and watched awestruck as the artistes took by storm a panoramic and a well decorated stage.

Coupled with a well balanced sound system by local based company Round trip artistes such as Uganda’s dynamic, incomparable and ever-changing Chameleon, Chidy Benz, Wanaume Family and FM Academia ‘Wazee wa Ngwasuma’ stole the show with their amazing and exhilarating performances. Even the sick at the Tanzania Heart Institute (THI), which is just a stone throw away from the Miss Tanzania venue, evolved for a while and were forced to peep by their windows to enjoy the coulourful night.

http://dailynews.habarileo.co.tz

Ngoc Diem crowned 2008 Miss Vietnam Tourism

23:51' 03/08/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge - Wining over 36 contestants, Phan Thi Ngoc Diem was crowned 2008 Miss Vietnam Tourism on the final night of a beauty pageant, which took place at Phan Dinh Phung Competition House in Ho Chi Minh City on August 2. Through four competitions: Ao Dai (traditional long dress), swimming costumes, evening dress and interview, Ngoc Diem from south-central Khanh Hoa province won the Miss Vietnam Tourism title. She will represent Vietnam in the 2008 Miss Tourism Queen International. The prize for the winner included VND100 million in cash, a scholarship to study English and a tour of Europe. The two runners-up were Nguyen Minh Ngoc Tran and Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao. In addition, the organising board presented other titles, including “Most Photogenic”, “Best Speaker”, “Best in Ao dai”, “Best in Evening Dress”, “Best in Swimming Costume”, “Miss Congeniality”, Best Performance” and the audience choice prize Launched in March 2008 by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and Asia-Europe Film Studio, the pageant attracted 700 contestants from across the country. It aims to promote cultural traditions and the image of Vietnamese tourism to friends at home and abroad. (Source: VOV) http://english.vietnamnet.vn

New Miss Belize Selected

By

The Founder

on August 3, 2008 10:25 AM

Belmopan 2 August 2008 - (Belizean.com) - Miss Charmaine Chinapen has been selected as the new Belize 2008 and will represent her country at the Miss World Pageant in the Ukraine next year.

The new Miss Belize was crowned by the second runner up, Iris Jessie Medina, after Tanisha Vernon, Miss Belize 2007-2008, was stripped of her crown earlier this year. She competed against five other Belizean ladies, chosen from among eleven applicants for the position.

Chinapen is no stranger to the stage, as she has been modeling for print ads in the U.S.A. for Pantene Pro-V. She is currently majoring in chemistry at St. John's University in New York and is studying to be a neurosurgeon. She also plays the piano.

Chinapen said that she believes the competition was fair and was made to understand that this is the way it is normally held in other countries. She adds that it is indeed a very great feeling to be Miss Belize, and having always been patriotic, she can now represent Belize on an international level. She intends to do her best to make Belize shine in the Miss World pageant, said Chinapen.

Jessie was originally born in El Salvador, grew up in Guatemala and came to Belize at age 13 and became a Belizean. She speaks English and Spanish fluently, works at the Corozal Free Zone as the Assistant Manager of the Corozal Free Zone Development Company.

Jessie's dream is to own and manage a chain of fine restaurants that specialize in Latin and Belizean cuisines in keys tourism areas of Belize. She enjoys dancing, cooking, working out, Supa G music, photography and modeling. Jessie is no newcomer to pageants. She was Señorita Jaripeo in El Salvador, second runner-up in the Miss Pan-American Pageant in Orange Walk, and was Señorita Traje de Baño in Orange Walk.

Jessie has also represented Belize in the Miss PJD2 annual Caribbean Pageant recently held in the island of St. Maarten with 30 other delegates in March 2008, and is now competing for Belize through Pageants Belize in the Dominican Republic at the Miss America Latina Pageant along with over 27 delegates. The Miss America Latina finals will be held on June 28th and Pageants Belize wishes her the very best.

http://www.belizean.com

Miss World is moving on

Rosanna Davison is chasing new horizons, with a career move into television and a photoshoot in the current issue of lads’ magazine Loaded

By Susan Daly

Saturday August 02 2008

Rosanna was exposed to a whole new audience this week when she scored a glossy, glamorous photoshoot in Loaded magazine

Rosie Davison is all grown up. Her considerable charms were exposed to a whole new audience this week when she scored a glossy, glamorous photoshoot in Loaded magazine. "I'm very happy with the pictures -- they are glamorous, but they're just as I visualised them."

It's nearly five years since the daughter of crooner Chris de Burgh was crowned the most beautiful girl in the world. She's 24 now, and most definitely a woman.

Her Loaded shoot isn't the only sign that Rosanna is cultivating an updated, raunchier image. A recent magazine shoot saw her frolicking in a de-frocked state, posing with model boyfriend Wesley Quirke in a Dublin hotel bedroom. In another shoot, she's naked with just a designer handbag to saucily cover her blushes.

The naked handbag shoot was by far the most revealing shoot that Rosanna, queen of the photocalls, has ever done. Did she have any concerns about posing without clothes? "The shoot [with the handbag] was a good challenge for me, to put away my fear of appearing the way I did," she says.

Even size-perfect beauty queens get nervous about stripping off for the camera, it seems. For Rosanna, it was time to rebrand.

"I want to move away from the Miss World image. That was five years ago now," says Rosanna. But she insists that she does not want to "go down the glamour-girl route." She will, however, have to get used to the idea of a wider audience ogling her pictures.

"I didn't have any doubts about posing for a men's magazine," she says. "It was a totally professional shoot all the way through." Anyway, she counters, "It's not a big step up from underwear and bikini shoots, which lots of girls do every day."

Rosanna's foray into men's magazines was masterminded by her London agency, Storm, and it's all part of a bigger plan to raise her profile in the UK, where she is already making inroads into a TV career.

"As much as I love modelling, it's not a career with longevity," she says. "That's why I'm going into TV presenting. I love communicating an idea to an audience."

She has already presented a slot on GMTV this year, and is motoring ahead with presenting a car show for TV3, which she hopes will see her move "outside the box of health and beauty".

Then there's a genealogy show coming up on "either ITV or Channel 4", in which Rosanna chases down some interesting ancestors from her family tree. Her Argentinian-born dad's side can trace the de Burgh origins as far as back Hubert de Burgh, a nobleman under the English King John.

"I would probably get a place in England if things really took off there," says Rosanna, "but I'm a homebird and I love Ireland and my family, so I would always be between the two countries."

Another reason to keep the home fires burning, of course, is boyfriend Wesley, who appears to have all the traits she wants in a man. But Rosanna will surely have plenty of new admirers once Loaded hits the shelves?

Rosanna is adamant that her head isn't easily turned. "I like a man who knows how to treat a girl," she says firmly, before correcting herself: "I don't mean in monetary terms -- I mean someone who will spend the same time and attention on you as he will on his friends.

"I like it when a man is not afraid to show affection in public; when a man will hold your hand or kiss you in public. A man who really understands what a woman likes."

And, boy, does Ms Davison know what she likes. One great positive in her relationship with Wesley is that their personalities complement each other. "I see that couples who are good together have similar goals and so on, but their personalities can be quite different.

"He's definitely more relaxed than I am. I'm very driven. Well, he's driven too, but I'm driven in a more... highly-strung kind of way," she laughs.

Rosanna says her drive to succeed is not for the sake of fame. "I have never been driven by the idea of having fame itself. If fame comes with success, that's fine, but success is important."

I get another glimpse of inner steel in the former beauty queen when I enquire if she feels she could see herself breaking into the States in the future.

She pauses, for just half a moment. "It would be a tough job to crack America, but I have the drive to do it."

- Susan Daly
http://www.independent.ie/

Natália Guimarães investe na Mulher-Aranha

Márcio Maio
Da TV Press

Quando grava algumas de suas cenas como a Ariadne de Os Mutantes - Caminhos do Coração, Natália Guimarães se diverte com uma lembrança. Exatamente no dia em que a Record confirmou seu nome no elenco da novela, a ex-miss e atriz viu, pela primeira vez, uma tarântula. Isso em um ensaio para um catálogo de moda feito em uma região serrana. Na hora, Natália refletiu sobre sua função na emissora durante os oito meses de exibição previstos da história. "Achei que era uma espécie de sinal. Vi que era aquilo que eu ia interpretar e comecei a me preocupar. Ser a mulher-aranha não é fácil", brinca Natália, que tem pavor desses bichos.

Passado o susto e a empolgação da notícia, Natália começou a conversar com Alexandre Avancini, diretor da novela. Além das dicas dele, usou na composição elementos que retirou dos filmes do Homem-Aranha. "Analisei os movimentos - que são rapidinhos - e o olhar mais malicioso", explica. Mas nem tudo é perfeito dentro de sua composição. Para a atriz, um ponto a atrapalha na hora de encarnar a vilã: a voz suave. "Estou trabalhando para ela ficar cada vez mais forte. Ainda tenho muito para estudar nesse sentido", avalia.

Não é só o tom de voz que Natália tenta deixar mais forte para a personagem. Desde que foi escalada, a atriz intensificou a malhação e começou a caminhar na areia para tonificar as pernas e ganhar mais resistência nas cenas de ação. Essas, aliás, são as que mais dão trabalho à moça. Mas não tanto pela dificuldade, e sim pelo desgaste dessas seqüências.

"Algumas são bem demoradas por causa dos efeitos especiais", justifica, completando que na maioria das vezes essas cenas também são responsáveis por alguns momentos de insegurança profissional. "Dá um baita frio na barriga. Mas é bom, a vida só é gostosa quando a gente tem essas sensações", garante, bancando a aventureira.

APRENDIZADO - Natália sabe que ainda tem muito a aprender. Já contratou uma instrutora de interpretação com quem tem, em média, uma aula para cada cinco cenas a gravar. Mas faz questão de deixar claro que seu interesse em artes cênicas não surgiu depois da fama de miss Brasil.

Bem antes do concurso, quando ainda era adolescente, decidiu estudar teatro em Belo Horizonte. Além disso, já fez outros cursos de interpretação específicos para a TV e para o cinema. Mas só agora, gravando a novela, consegue colocar em prática as técnicas aprendidas. "Minha verdadeira escola é a Ariadne", filosofa.

O empenho é tanto que Natália está deixando de lado vários compromissos como modelo para se dedicar à carreira artística. Nada definitivo, mas a atriz quer deixar claro quais são suas prioridades agora.

"Estou engatinhando na televisão e todo mundo sabe que não dá para ser modelo por muito tempo", pondera. Mas, depois que sua participação na novela chegar ao final, Natália fará de tudo para conciliar os dois trabalhos. O que só deve acontecer em fevereiro, já que o autor Tiago Santiago pretende explorar a maldade de sua mulher-aranha até o último capítulo. "O que eu sei é que eu gravo até o final", afirma.

http://home.dgabc.com.br/

In a Land of Beauty

Beauty pageants are about more than good looks - they can have a message, too.
Stas Shectman and Marina Kamenev report.

By Marina Kamenev, Stas Shectman

Published: August 1, 2008

The headquarters of Nuclear.ru sit in an uninspiring building near Paveletsky Station. The company is an independent Internet portal providing the latest developments in the field of nuclear energy. But that is not what they are best known for.

Inside the small office sits Yulia Nagayeva, a tall, striking brunette. She is a senior manager for business development at TVEL, a manufacturer of nuclear fuel. She is also Miss Atom, the latest winner of the beauty contest that has been run by Nuclear.ru annually since 2004. Miss Atom is an online contest for girls under the age of 35 who work in the nuclear energy industry.

In addition to the country's oil and mineral wealth, over the past decade Russia has been busy refining another one of its valuable natural resources: beauty. And while there have been no major international wins for Russia since Oksana Fyodorova won Miss Universe in 2002, the numerous domestic competitions ensure that some of Russia's most beautiful girls get to bask in the glow of a spotlight.

"I think it's every girl's dream to see how they compare to other women," Nagayeva said. She had entered the contest twice before she won this year and loves the process of it.

"It's great. We get a stylist who chooses our dresses, a professional hairdresser and a photographer. Then we get photographed in beautiful locations. I really wanted to take part in this," she said.

"Our country is recognized for the beauty of its women," said Tatyana Andreyeva, director of Beauty of Russia (Krasa Rossii), one of the longest-running beauty contests in Russia. "I consider ours one of a very few countries, perhaps even the only country, where female beauty is in the blood, where it is a national resource. Because of this, I feel that beauty contests here are very significant. They glorify these national resources."

"It's not that Russian women are more beautiful than other women," said Fyodorova in a telephone interview. "It's just that Slavic beauty is a universal kind of beauty."

Ilya Platonov, the director of Nuclear.ru, runs his competition for a rather different reason. "When people think of nuclear energy, they get scared, they think of Chernobyl. We want to show that the people working with and promoting nuclear industry are normal and the fact that the industry is filled with lots of beautiful women."

Vladimir Filonov / MT Yulia Nagayeva is the current Miss Atom, having won an Internet beauty contest for workers in the nuclear energy industry.

On July 25, 63 "beauties" -- as the organizers call them -- represented the genetic wealth of cities, villages and regions across Russia and the CIS and strutted their stuff on a custom-built, 500-meter stage on the shore of Lake Onego in Petrozavodsk, Karelia. This year's Beauty of Russia pageant was the first to be held outside of Moscow since 1995.

The winner, Sofia Larina, 20, a student from Siberia, will go on to represent Russia in Miss World.

Preparation for the event involved a tight, 10-day schedule of rehearsals and a strict "no alcohol" and "no boys" policy for the contestants. And while carbohydrates and sweets were not officially prohibited, they were discouraged.

"We don't prohibit bread, but we try to limit it and put it far away so that it's not easy to get," Andreyeva said. "We serve a lot of vegetables, a lot of juice, a lot of liquids and try to get them to do a lot of exercise. Some of the girls still need to lose weight, but, you know, a lot of them are children; they're still growing, and if they want to eat ice cream, there's not much you can do about it," she said before the contest.

As well as rehearsing for their group and individual performances, which included a professional flamenco dancer, an opera singer and a magician, the women also took daily yoga classes.

The classes were taught by Maria Kalinina, queen of the first Moscow Beauty (Moskovskaya Krasavitsa) competition in 1988. Kalinina, an honorary president of Beauty of Russia, lives and runs her own yoga studio in Los Angeles. She is also the president of a school of beauty in Russia called The First School of Aesthetic Development and Completeness, a place where ladies can learn to behave like beauty queens.

"We try to achieve a golden mean between feminism and femininity," said Zina Baldanova, who works for the school, which will open this fall. The courses, which will run for three hours daily, will include classes in stress-management and etiquette.

"We want a woman to be a good wife and housewife, but we also want her to be presentable in public," Baldanova said.

"The daily yoga will not only help the girls deal with the stress of the contest," said Kalinina at a news conference. "It will also help give the girls the confidence they'll need to talk to the media. Often a girl can do well in the beauty part of the competition, but when it comes to talking to the press or on stage she has trouble expressing her thoughts. The yoga helps with that a lot."

The youngest participant this year was 15 years old, and the oldest was 23, although Andreyeva said that women as old as 26 could compete. This year the contest was also open to women who have children but are not married, a unique allowance for many beauty contests.

"Because of the small number of men in our country, there aren't a lot of women who have kids and a full family," Andreyeva explained. "We feel that a woman who has a child but not a husband is no worse than any other woman."

As 2008 is the state-sponsored Year of the Family, this year's Beauty of Russia is dedicated to "developing family priorities, the maternal spirit and female beauty as a national resource."

Although her Miss Universe crown was taken away from her after four months for not completing her duties, beauty has launched Fyodorova's career. She has a television show, "Goodnight, Little Ones," and is also a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. Soon she will also release a book of beauty advice and style.

A rather different beauty contest has changed the life of another young woman. In 2005, Russia held its first, and so far only, Miss HIV-Positive beauty pageant. The winner of the contest was Svetlana Izambayeva, 24.

While physical appearance played a role in the contest, the focus was more on women who presented a positive outlook on life. "The contest was important not only for providing people with information about HIV, but also for helping the women work through some of their own issues," says Izambayeva, who is married and recently gave birth to an HIV-negative girl.

For the winner, the pageant was one of the most memorable events in her life and a turning point for her activism. Thanks to the contest, she was able to found her own organization, the Svetlana Izambayeva Foundation, which helps HIV-positive women deal with the emotional, psychological and social stress of their illness.

"These kinds of events give people the power to open up, to deal with their self-stigmatization and help other people realize that this can happen to anyone, that people with HIV are regular people, just like them."

http://www.themoscowtimes.com

Miss World gets interactive

Miss World has launched an interactive website and online channel to encourage fans to interact with the brand. The site will offer global advertising and sponsorship opportunities.

The internet protocol TV channel (IPTV) will offer photos of the current competition and from its archives, news and programmes as well as coverage of every round of the latest contest. Viewers will be allowed "behind the scenes" of the beauty pageant and can also learn the contestants' beauty secrets.

The site and channel, which have been created by Internet Television Productions, is seeking partner suppliers and licence agreements for the Miss World brand for merchandise, which will be sold on the site.

The website will have a diary written by the current Miss World and photos of her travels around the world.

Miss World attracts a TV audience of 2.2 billion people every year, which is over a third of the world population

La guerre entre Valérie Bègue et Geneviève de Fontenay continue

ajouter à mes stars préférées

Le 28/07/2008 à 13h01

La semaine dernière, Valérie Bègue lançait un appel à la paix à Geneviève de Fontenay. Eh bien, elle n'a pas été entendue...

Loin d'être attendrie par les déclarations de la Réunionnaise, Geneviève de Fontenay est plus que jamais déterminée à empêcher Valérie Bègue d'assister à la prochaine cérémonie des miss France.

"Je n’accepterai pas qu’elle soit au Puy-du-Fou pour remettre la couronne lors de l’élection de miss France 2009. Sinon, je perds la face et mes valeurs. Dans le règlement, rien n’oblige miss France à être présente. C’est juste une tradition", annonce-t-elle dans Le Parisien.

Selon elle, Valérie Bègue fait tout pour passer pour une victime, et cela a le don de l'agacer. La dame au chapeau conclut avec une comparaison qui risque de faire jaser encore longtemps : " Le problème aujourd’hui, quand vous regardez certaines miss, comme la Dominicaine qui a fini dauphine de miss Monde, c’est qu’il n’existe plus aucune différence entre elles et des candidates de L’Ile de la tentation." Mais qu'est-ce qui peut bien la déranger, chez les candidates de L'Ile de la tentation ?

http://www.actustar.com/

Miss Brasil 2007

Com agenda apertada, Natália Guimarães acha tempo para o amor
Namoro com Leandro, do KLB, vai "ótimo", diz a ex-miss Brasil

Do EGO, no Rio

Natália: correria, mas com tempo para o namoro

Com a agenda apertada entre as funções de atriz e apresentadora, Natália Guimarães , a miss Brasil 2007, sempre arruma tempo para ver o namorado Leandro, do KLB. O casal está junto há cerca de cinco meses.

. Veja aqui uma galeria especial de fotos de Natália Guimarães

“O namoro continua ótimo”, disse a ex-miss, à revista “Caras”. “Apesar de emendar um trabalho no outro, para o Leandro eu sempre consigo um tempinho. Isso a gente não pode deixar a agenda atrapalhar, né?”.

ego.globo.com

Márcio Garcia e Natália Guimarães na reinauguração da ABBR

Natália Guimarães e Márcio Garcia vão a festa beneficente no Rio de Janeiro

Natália Guimarães e Márcio Garcia foram os mestres-de-cerimônias do evento que marcou a reinauguração a ABBR (Associação Brasileira Beneficente de Reabilitação), ao lado do governador do Rio, Sérgio Cabral, nesta quinta-feira (31).
O centro de reabilitação, localizado no Jardim Botânico, completou 54 anos este mês e teve a festa marcada pelo lançamento da campanha de doação de cadeiras de rodas para os pacientes. Os atores parabenizaram os donos da organização e cumprimentaram os portadores de deficiência que são atendidos no local.
A ex-miss Brasil Natália Guimarães segue, atualmente, a carreira de atriz e está na novela "Os Mutantes - Caminhos do Coração", da Record. Já Márcio Garcia deixou o comando do programa "O Melhor do Brasil", também da Record, e pode estar na próxima novela da Globo, "Caminho das Índias", de Glória Perez.

http://babado.ig.com.br/