Miss Italia 2008

mercoledì 31 dicembre 2008

L’INTERVISTA MIRIAM LEONE

La prima sera era ultima, l’ultima sera prima. Miriam Leone, 23 anni, è diventata miss Italia così. Eliminata, ripescata, reginetta, come Cenerentola. La prima con i capelli rossi.
Da ultima a prima: qual è la morale della favola, signorina Miss Italia?
«Credere sempre in se stessi. Più bello arrivare davanti quando parti dal fondo».
...ma non era meglio arrivare ultimi e sentirsi belli dentro?
«A Miss Italia a dire la verità eravamo tutte belle. Soprattutto dentro...».
So che ha fatto un calendario per il 2009...
«L’ha visto?».
Direi, divorato...
«E come le sembra?».
Bello, bianco e nero, elegante.
«Peccato solo non sia in vendita. È scaricabile da internet, tutto gratis».
Perché le spiace?
«Be’, no. Ma mi sarebbe piaciuto appenderne uno in camera mia».
...vedrà: lo faranno in tanti
«Dice? Bello però essere sfogliata».
Il mese preferito?
«Tutti. Lo hanno realizzato quattro fotografi giovani giovani. Ognuno di loro ha tirato fuori una parte diversa da me».
Dove va all’ultimo dell’anno?
«Rimini, piazzale Fellini, con Carlo Conti per la diretta di Capodanno su Rai Uno».
Dove vinse l’anno scorso Miss Prima...
«Finisco dove ho cominciato».
E dove anni fa vinse anche l’attuale ministro Mara Carfagna
«Vede? Belle fuori, belle dentro».
Il suo ultimo pensiero dell’anno.
«Miriam, non pensare di essere arrivata».
Gli ultimi sms del 2009?
«A mamma Gabriella e a Patrizia Mirigliana. Senza di loro non vivrei questo sogno».
...e l’ultimo bacio?
«Rinviato al 2009. Sempre se trovo un fidanzato. In amore sono ancora in coda...».

http://www.ilgiornale.it/
magazine.liquida.it

Comienzan a buscar la nueva Miss Mundo

El trío, que se hace llamar “The Queens”, preparará a la próxima chica que represente a Puerto Rico en Miss Mundo. (Suministrada)

Primera Hora

La búsqueda de la nueva Miss Mundo de Puerto Rico arrancó oficialmente, después de que las ex reinas Thebyam Carrión y Jennifer Guevara, además de la actual soberana Ivonne Orsini, anunciaran que las audiciones comenzarán a principios del próximo año.

En rueda de prensa ofrecida en la tarde de ayer, lunes, el trío de beldades confirmó que estarán realizando audiciones por toda la Isla para evaluar a potenciales candidatas para la edición de 2009.

El trío, que se hace llamar “The Queens”, también preparará a quien resulte la nueva reina.

“La próxima (reina) tendrá todo lo que hace falta. Nos hemos unido porque este año buscaremos la mejor exponente para traer esa corona que tanto deseamos. Las experiencias de cada una las ejecutaremos para sacar y enviar a competir a la candidata mejor preparada”, dijo Ivonne Orsini, según se desprende de un comunicado de prensa.

Thebyam Carrión (2006) estará a cargo del entrenamiento en pasarela, renglón muy importante porque las últimas dos Miss Mundo han ganado las competencias de modelaje.

Jennifer Guevara (2007) la preparará en proyección y en el dominio del inglés, mientras que Ivonne Orsini (2008) la entrenará para que pueda destacarse en todas las minicompetencias.

Este junte, se agregó, surge para motivar a las jóvenes entre 17 y 24 años para que se inscriban y logren cumplir su sueño de representar a la Isla.

En enero, las tres reinas iniciarán las visitas a las escuelas del país donde buscarán a las aspirantes y recorrerán los centros comerciales en una campaña promocional.

El número para información e inscripciones es el (787) 241-4445.

http://www.primerahora.com/

Linor Abargil

LA VIOLACION DE MISS MUNDO, AL CINE
JAVIER CID

El título de Miss Mundo es, por contrato, un sabroso espectáculo de piernas infinitas, apartamentos en Acapulco, la liturgia de la paz mundial, sesiones de fotos salpicadas de aguas turquesas...La letra pequeña, sin embargo, no dice nada de agresiones sexuales.Y Linor Abargil, coronada hace ahora 10 años, vivió las dos caras de los certámenes de belleza; siete semanas antes de ser nombrada la mujer más bella del mundo, esta modelo israelí fue víctima de una violación.

Tras todo este tiempo, con el dolor convertido en rabia y el trauma transformado en sentido del deber, Abargil quiere desmontar el mito del 90-60-90 con un documental autobiográfico que viaje a las entrañas de aquellos días de flashes, collares de diamantes y mucha, muchísima, angustia. «Quiero conectar con otras mujeres que también hayan sido víctimas de una violación», explica. «Si hubiera rodado este documental hace 10 años lo habría hecho como una víctima. Hoy lo haré como una superviviente».

La película, además, cuenta con un aliciente muy especial: estará producida y dirigida por Cecilia Peck, la hija de Gregory Peck, dedicada al mundo del cine, los documentales y la cosa audiovisual.Y tanto la directora como la protagonista advierten de que no habrá espacio para lo políticamente correcto. Las escenas serán estremecedoras y llenas de crudeza. En definitiva, un puñetazo de realidad que pretende ayudar a otras chicas que han pasado por el mismo infierno.

«SERA DURO, PERO ES MI DEBER». «Contaré toda la historia. Todos los detalles. Todo», advierte Abargil. «No quiero avergonzarme de lo que pasó. Las películas suelen mostrar los detalles de los crímenes, ¿no? Pues entonces yo también quiero enseñar los detalles de una violación. Si alguien no quiere verlo, no tiene por qué hacerlo. Sé que será duro, pero yo sólo pienso en mi deber, que no es otro que hacer algo por otras personas».

Y así, con el discurso de la solidaridad y el bien común muy bien aprendido, la ex modelo vuelve al ruedo de la actualidad por motivos mucho más turbios que una melena firme o una sonrisa de marfil. El argumento del documental, construido con la ayuda de los atestados policiales, se resume así: con 18 años, Linor trabajaba como modelo en Milán, la ciudad de las mil óperas y las mil pasarelas. Cuando faltaban siete semanas para el Certamen de Miss Mundo -Miss World para los entendidos políglotas-, la joven pensó en tomarse unas vacaciones antes del ajetreo del certamen. Echaba de menos a su familia, se sentía sola, los desfiles no encajaban en su puzzle vital... así que decidió volver unos días a Tel Aviv (Israel). Y entró en una agencia de viajes milanesa para comprar un billete de avión que la llevara de vuelta a casa.

Uri Shlomo, un agente también israelí, le dijo que todos los vuelos estaban completos, pero que él podía acercarla a Roma en coche, desde donde sería más fácil encontrar plaza en algún avión. Ella aceptó. A las afueras de Milán, Uri detuvo su BMW, le tapó la boca y la violó en repetidas ocasiones antes de intentar asfixiarla con una cuerda y una bolsa de plástico. Milagrosamente, Abargil logró persuadir a su raptor, que la dejó marchar. Al día siguiente, la modelo denunció los hechos ante la policía italiana. Shlomo fue interrogado y, horas después, puesto en libertad por falta de pruebas.

Pero la joven ganó el certamen de Miss Mundo y el caso, cosas de la fama, dio un giro de 180º. Linor ya no era una chica guapa más con aspiraciones de modelaje internacional. Ahora era embajadora de Israel en los cinco continentes, icono de belleza internacional, chica con corona y séquito y dinero y una agenda muy apretada.Así que los investigadores israelitas retomaron su denuncia y detuvieron a su agresor.

Abargil tuvo que testificar a puerta cerrada -recuerda cómo ambos, entre lágrimas, tuvieron que verse las caras una última vez- y el violador fue condenado a 16 años de cárcel. La opinión pública ya podía respirar tranquila. La organización de Miss Mundo, cuyos cimientos podían tambalearse por un asunto tan turbio, también.

Una vez conocidos los detalles de la historia, una pregunta inevitable salta al ruedo del qué dirán: ¿ayudó la fama de la miss en la detención y condena de Shlomo? «Está en la cárcel no porque yo fuera Miss Mundo, sino porque yo quería que estuviese en la cárcel», se justifica la modelo. «Nunca me rendí. Desde el principio supe que iba a ganar».

De momento, Abargil está inmersa en la preproducción del documental.Ha creado una web (www.linordocumentary.com) para que otras chicas que han pasado por una situación similar compartan, si quieren, su experiencia. «La única forma de sobreponerse a una violación es hablando de ello», reconoce Linor. «Quiero que las víctimas digan 'sí, me ocurrió y quiero que mi agresor acabe en la cárcel'.Sólo así podrán superar un trauma tan brutal». En esta misma línea, Abargil se ha propuesto lanzar un mensaje alto, claro y directo a las autoridades: pide una mejora de los procedimientos policiales, condenas más severas para los agresores y programas de rehabilitación para los violadores que están en prisión.

Pero la ex Miss Mundo, que actualmente tiene 28 años, no está sola en esta cruzada. Ella pondrá su fama, su experiencia y su determinación. Y Cecilia Peck prestará su talento cinematográfico.La hija de Gregory Peck, que ya se encuentra inmersa en el proyecto, tiene muy claras las líneas maestras de este trabajo. «Como cineasta, tengo la obligación de buscar a gente que está deseando contar la verdad, incluso cuando esa verdad me hace sentir incómoda».

MADRE CORAJE. Y Linor cumple a rajatabla este requisito. «Estoy aquí para descubrir cómo una chica tan joven fue capaz de reunir el coraje suficiente para enfrentarse al problema. Su madre fue fundamental en la detención del violador; cuando Linor le contó por teléfono lo sucedido, ella la obligó a ir directamente a la policía, cuando otras madres hubieran adiestrado a sus hijas en el silencio».

Tras finalizar su reinado, Linor centró todos sus esfuerzos en el mundo de la interpretación. En la actualidad es actriz en Israel y compagina sus trabajos con la carrera universitaria de Derecho. «Quiero luchar por las mujeres. Tengo la sensación de que puedo ser útil y de que valgo para algo más que comer y dormir», explica. Su espíritu combativo, unido a una personalidad muy mediática y a su trabajo en cine y televisión la han convertido en toda una celebridad en su país. Su fama alcanzó cotas estratosféricas cuando se casó con la estrella de baloncesto lituano Sarunas Jasikevicius, con quien estuvo casada unos meses. Y ella, sin embargo, se empeña en dejar, una y otra vez, la alfombra roja.Porque, como siempre dice, no está «en este mundo para ser una estrella».

http://www.elmundo.es/

Reinas de belleza y de escándalo

Muchas llevan el título como las mujeres más bellas, pero también se han dado a conocer porque fueron despojadas de los privilegios que tenían por portar ese honor, pues la corona de escándalos con la que se han desenvuelto tiraron los brillantes que un día decoraron su cabeza.

Incluso, los organizadores del concurso de belleza en Suecia dijeron que preferían retirar a su representante pues Miss Universo estaba empañado por el escándalo y eso degradaba la figura de la mujer.

El caso de la mexicana, quien es Nuestra Belleza Sinaloa, Laura Elena Zúñiga, recientemente fue despojada del título del certamen de belleza Reina Hispanoamericana debido a que fue detenida en México junto a otros presuntos narcos en posesión de armas, a pesar de que ha sido involucrada con el crimen organizado el concurso nacional no le ha retirado el cetro de Miss Sinaloa.

Este es el caso más reciente de las mujeres que se han visto involucradas en eventos que ensucian la aparente

“inocencia” de los concursos de belleza mundiales.

La Miss Estados Unidos, Tara Conner, admitió que era visitante frecuente de clubes nocturnos en Nueva York, además de ser consumidora de cocaína y de bebidas alcohólicas, “He consumido cocaína, sí”, dijo en una entrevista con la cadena de televisión NBC.

A pesar de esto, Donald Trump, dueño del concurso de belleza dijo que daría a Conner una segunda oportunidad para que mantuviera la corona de Miss Estados Unidos.

También está el caso de Katie Rees, ex Miss Nevada, quien tuvo que despedirse de su corona, pues se difundieron unas fotos en las que aparecía besándose con otras mujeres, mostrando sus senos y su ropa interior, y simulando una escena de sexo oral, imágenes que volaron en la red y que los organizadores decidieron que no permitirían que la señorita siguiera su camino en Miss USA.

Las imágenes llegaron a las manos de los organizadores del certamen de belleza y le quitaron el cetro a pesar de que su abogado argumentara que “Katie Rees quiere que el público sepa que tenía 17 años y sufrió una falla temporal en su buen juicio. Este fue un incidente aislado que ocurrió hace más de cinco años cuando era menor de edad”.

A otra “reina” que le costó muy caro su vida social fue a la primera rusa Miss Universo, Oxana Fedorova, en 2002, quien fue cesada tan sólo cuatro meses después de ser coronada la mujer más bella, debido a los rumores de embarazo y a que mantenía una dudosa amistad con el presidente de su país, Vladimir Putin.

La Miss International 2007, Priscila Perales, quien tuvo una destacada participación en Miss Universo en el 2006 y por haber obtenido la corona de Miss Internacional, pero la policía la detuvo en una carretera de Monterrey, México, por conducir su auto en estado de ebriedad cuando salía de una fiesta con su novio.

Perales tuvo que pagar una multa de más de dos mil dólares para recuperar su auto y fue blanco de duras críticas

En 1984, la entonces Miss Estados Unidos, Vanessa Williams fue forzada a dejar la corona dos meses antes del fin de su reinado, después de que una revista publicara fotos de ella desnuda, tomadas varios años antes.

La bella actriz hizo historia al ser coronada como la primera Miss América afro-americana de Estados Unidos, y cuando tenía la mirada de muchos sectores sobre ella, decidió hacer unas fotografías desnuda para la revista Penthouse, hecho que le costó la corona, pues fue destituida. Sin embargo, esto la lanzó a la fama y la convirtió en uno de los símbolos sexuales más grandes del país.

Vanessa Williams es una de las actrices más populares de EU gracias a su papel en la serie Ugly Betty.

Marjorie Wallace, Miss Mundo 1973, la joven fue definida por la organización como una coqueta que no daba un buen ejemplo a las muchachas de la época, por lo que fue obligada a decirle adiós a su corona.

Durante su reinado estuvo envuelta en varios líos amorosos, varios de ellos con el cantante Tom Jones y el tenista Jimmy Connors, con quienes incluso se rumoró de que tuvo relaciones íntimas, algo no permitido para una reina.

La mexicana Ana Bertha Lepe, Miss México 1952, vivió un amargo final de reinado, a pesar de que hizo un destacado papel en Miss Universo, la ahora actriz no fue invitada para coronar a la señorita que sería su sucesora.

Los chismes que se corrieron en esa época fue que uno de los organizadores le había hecho una propuesta indecorosa, y como ella no había aceptado, decidieron que no sería invitada a dejarle el trono a la siguiente reina de belleza.

Otro caso muy comentado fue en 2006, la representante de la belleza de Gran Bretaña, Danielle Lloyd, no llegó al auditorio Shrine de Los Ángeles, California, donde se llevó al cabo el Miss Universo 2006, porque había sido destituida apenas unas semanas antes.

Danielle confesó que desde un par de meses antes de su elección era novia de uno de los miembros del jurado, el jugador de la Premiership inglesa, Teddy Sheringham.

En un principio se había informado que la pareja comenzó su relación la noche en que Lloyd fue elegida Miss Gran Bretaña.

Además, declaró que deseaba aparecer en la revista Playboy. Todo eso fue demasiado para los restantes miembros del jurado, quienes le retiraron la corona.

cronica.com.mx

Miss France pourrait bien être destituée

Nous vous le disions, Marine Beaury, une candidate à l'élection de Miss Albigeois, qui a vu Chloé Mortaud être couronnée et qui lui a permis du coup de décrocher la banderole de Miss France ensuite, affirme que les choses ne sont pas faites dans les règles.

L'affaire, sérieuse, est portée devant les tribunaux et Chloé pourrait bien être destituée. Marine Beaury vient en effet d'apporter plus de preuves à ces accusations. Selon un article du règlement du comité Miss France, concernant les élections régionales, le "jury" composé "de 7 à 10 membres" ne "devront n'avoir de lien ni de parenté, ni de subordination avec l'une des candidates."

Marine Beaury apporte la preuve que les parents de Chloé connaissaient certains jurés. "La mère de Chloé Mortaud (Miss France 2009) Brenda Mortaud est Professeur d'Anglais à la "Chambre de Commerce et de l'Industrie" locale. Le père, Jean-Marie Mortaud est Conseiller d'Entreprise à la Chambre d'Agriculture rattachée à la Chambre de Commerce et de l'Industrie" locale."

Dans le jury, il y avait Didier Tarn, Président de la "Chambre de Commerce et de l'Industrie" locale et Maryline Lherm, 1ère Vice-Présidente de la Chambre de Commerce et de l'Industrie" locale. Le monde est petit...

http://www.7sur7.be/

Furieuse, Marine Beaury demande que Chloé Mortaud soit destituée de son titre de Miss Albigeois Midi-Pyrénées 2008 pour non respect de l'article 7 du règlement. Si le Tribunal de Grande Instance de Toulouse statue en ce sens, Chloé devra donc également ôter sa couronne de Miss France.

L'avocat de Marine Beaury déclare: "C'est une affaire nationale qui engage les rêves de très nombreuses jeunes femmes. La moindre des choses, c'est que cette élection soit irréprochable".

Verdict attendu dans le courant du mois de janvier.

Dé.L.

Dora Mwima, Miss Uganda

EDWIN NUWAGABA

Dora Mwima is the current Miss Uganda. She has recently returned from South Africa where the Miss World beauty pageant was held. The contest saw the blonde Kseniya Sukhinova from Russia emerge as the World’s beauty queen.
What is the biggest misconception that people in South Africa have about Uganda?
South Africans think that we are a strong country having fought Idi Amin.

What is the biggest embarrassment you encountered while you were there?
It was during one of the rehearsals, actually the day before the finals, I felt a flu coming. I also felt like coughing but I held it back. I think that was embarrassing.

Who was the funniest of the contestants?
Nevenna Lipovac, Miss Serbia. She was the funniest. I remember she used to act as a black girl yet she was white. She loved hip hop and funk. Basically she was very down to earth and lively.

What is the strangest thing you discovered about South Africa?
The cleanliness, Johannesburg is a very clean city. I could not believe I was in Africa.

As reigning Miss Uganda do you have a car?
That is out of context Edwin, I can’t talk about it.

Do boys sometimes hit on you because you are Miss Uganda?
No, I don’t think they hit on me because of the title but because I am beautifully and wonderfully made.

Do you sometimes smile even when you don’t want to?
Yes, I do that a lot because I believe in the law of attraction; for instance if I say that today is going to be a bad day then it is going to be a bad day. If I wake up and smile then people will smile back and it will be a nice day.

Having studied at home all your life, do you miss studying with other children?
No, I don’t miss that because I am who I am because of home schooling.

Are you a loner?
No, I am not, besides even when I was at home I used to study with my siblings.

What was your father’s first reaction when you told him that you were going to contest for Miss Uganda?
He was okay because before that, I had engaged in other beauty pageants and I had also done some modelling.

If you were Michelle Obama what is the first thing you would do after entering the White House?
I would fight corruption in society.

http://www.monitor.co.ug/

‘In unity is strength’

29 Dec 2008, 0002 hrs IST, NIMISHA TIWARI On 26/11, Parvathy Omanakuttan, Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2008, was in Durban preparing for the Miss World Parvathy Omanakuttan. (TOI Photo)More Pics pageant. She had a premonition that something “really dreadful” may occur back home. Maybe it was because her father, CN Omanakuttan, was restaurant manager at the Taj’s Shamiana, which came under immediate attack. “I prayed for the safety of my people,” she said. But Mumbai has its own charm. And Parvathy is touched by the city’s magical healing ability. “It’s been a month and Mumbaiites have this lovely ‘never-give-up’ spirit. We, the youth, must have a sense of duty towards our country. This is a calling and we must rise to it together. If we put our heads together and chalk out the future course of our country, we can bring about a change with deserving people at the fore,” said the beauty queen. Parvathy’s currently chilling at home in Mumbai. “I want to spend time with my family who are happy about my victory but are still so shaken by the terror attacks. Today, I can truly feel the responsibility of being a title holder. And now is the time I want to usher in a change.” Over to Johannesburg, where this beautiful Malayali girl missed the Miss World crown by a whisker. A winner still for every Indian, Parvathy said, “I am grateful to all the experts who trained and moulded me into a beauty queen with brains.” All set to roll... what next? “There are many opportunities ahead and I want to be wise and selective,” she said. Bollywood dreams are high on this beauty queen’s agenda. “I have already auditioned for Karan Johar and JP Dutta’s production houses,” she says. But as 2009 dawns, Parvathy said, “We, the youth, have a duty towards our country to be patriotic and be responsible for our actions. We must pledge to usher in a positive beginning.”

Miss 600 cartuchos

Encarcelada por narcotráfico una reina de belleza mexicana

www.sinaloatv.com

Cuando, recién cumplida la mayoría de edad, Laura Zúñiga abandonó su Culiacán natal para adentrarse en la turbulenta Ciudad de México y probar suerte en el mundo de los concursos de belleza, se marcó un propósito: nunca se dejaría influenciar por nadie y solo haría caso de sus propias decisiones con la ayuda de Dios y su familia. Eso, contaba la actual Miss Sinaloa, la preservaría "de las malas compañías". Ayer, un juez mexicano decretó la prisión preventiva para este bellezón de 23 años, detenida hace cinco días en Jalisco junto a siete narcotraficantes y un arsenal que incluía dos rifles de asalto AR-15, 600 cartuchos y tres pistolas. El grupo llevaba en el vehículo, además, 55.000 dólares (unos 40.000 euros).

México

A FONDO

Capital:

Ciudad de México.

Gobierno:

República Federal.

Población:

109,955,400 (est. 2008)

Laura Zúñiga dice que no sabía que su novio era 'capo' del cartel de Juárez

A Laura, quizás, le falló el olfato. Uno de sus acompañantes era su novio, Ángel García Urquiza, capo del cartel de Juárez y hermano de Ricardo, alias El Doctor, en prisión desde 2005. La explicación de la reina de belleza no pudo ser más desconcertante: el grupo planeaba ir "de compras" a Bolivia y Colombia. Luego explicó que su novio la había secuestrado y que desconocía las actividades a las que se dedicaba. "Ahora sólo rezo por mi seguridad", declaró.

La prometedora carrera en las pasarelas de Laura Zúñiga ha sufrido una indeseada interrupción en un año que había sido fulgurante. La esbelta joven, de 1,74 metros, era una de las favoritas en el concurso Nuestra Belleza México, que se celebra hoy en la ciudad de Monterrey. Su gran sueño. La directora del certamen, Lupita Jones, se ha apresurado a marcar distancias y a garantizar la "honestidad" de la organización, que se dedica "exclusivamente a preparar mujeres mexicanas para que representen de forma exitosa al país".

Esa era también la intención de Laura, recientemente coronada Reina Hispanoamericana 2008 en Santa Cruz (Bolivia). Ayer se vio despojada de ese título, y tampoco podrá competir en el concurso Miss Internacional que se celebra en Asia el próximo año. La joven y su familia soñaban con el estrellato, pero no de esta manera. Su padre, Jesús Zúñiga, se declaró "absolutamente desconcertado". Y es que Laura era una niña formal, hija de familia numerosa, que había estudiado educación preescolar y leía a Paulo Coelho.

Los blogs de los medios digitales mexicanos echaban ayer bombas. En medio de insultos irreproducibles, ellas la consagraban como "La ganadora de la Narcocorona". Ellos, en general, se mostraban más comprensivos, justificaban que ha caído en malas compañías y llamaban "ardidas" y "envidiosas" a las participantes críticas.

Laura Zúñiga pasará de momento 40 días en la cárcel mientras se investigan sus nexos con el cartel de Juárez. Su detención es el capítulo más frívolo de la guerra desatada en México entre el Gobierno del presidente Felipe Calderón y las organizaciones de la droga. La violencia del crimen organizado ha causado este año más de 5.000 muertos. El pasado fin de semana, los narcotraficantes torturaron y decapitaron a ocho soldados en el sureño Estado de Guerrero.

http://www.elpais.com/

Misses con corona de escándalos

Laura Elena Zúñiga no ha sido la única representante de belleza que ha sido despojada de su corona debido a chismes y mala reputación, a continuación los casos más importantes

Video: Miss belleza Sinaloa coqueteaba con narcos
La reina de belleza mexicana e internacional Laura Zúñiga fue detenida junto a un grupo de presuntos narcotraficantes, quienes portaban fusiles de asalto y gran cantidad de dinero en efectivo

Video: Miss belleza Sinaloa coqueteaba con narcos La reina de belleza mexicana e internacional Laura Zúñiga fue detenida junto a un grupo de presuntos narcotraficantes, quienes portaban fusiles de asalto y gran cantidad de dinero en efectivo

Redacción
El Universal
Ciudad de México Domingo 28 de diciembre de 2008
00:45

Han sido coronadas por ser las mujeres más bellas, pero también han sido despojadas de los privilegios que conlleva portar este honor, pues la corona de escándalos ha podido más que los brillantes que un día decoraron su cabeza.


El caso de la mexicana Laura Elena Zúñiga, quien recientemente fue despojada del título del certamen de belleza Reina Hispanoamericana debido a que fue detenida en México junto a otros presuntos narcos en posesión de armas, no ha sido el único que ha robado cámara, pues como éste han existido varios que ensucian la aparente "inocencia" de estas mujeres.


Tal es el caso de Katie Rees, ex Miss Nevada, quien tuvo que despedirse de su corona, pues se difundieron unas fotos en las que aparecía besándose con otras mujeres, mostrando sus senos y su ropa interior, y simulando una escena de sexo oral.


Las imágenes llegaron a las manos de los organizadores del certamen de belleza y le quitaron el cetro a pesar de que su abogado argumentara que "Katie Rees quiere que el público sepa que tenía 17 años y sufrió una falla temporal en su buen juicio, es una ciudadana respetuosa de la ley y una mujer adulta talentosa. Este fue un incidente aislado que ocurrió hace más de cinco años cuando era menor de edad".

A otra "reina" que le costó muy caro "el chisme" fue a la primer rusa Miss Universo, Oxana Fedorova, en 2002, quien fue cesada tan sólo cuatro meses después de ser coronada la mujer más bella, debido a los rumores de embarazo y a que mantenía amistad con el presidente de su país, Vladimir Putin.


La Miss Estados Unidos, Tara Conner, admitió haber bebido en Nueva York, además de consumir cocaína, "He consumido cocaína, sí", dijo en una entrevista en la cadena de televisión NBC.

A pesar de estas revelaciones, el director del concurso de belleza, el multimillonario empresario Donald Trump, dijo que daría a Conner una segunda oportunidad para que mantenga la corona de Miss Estados Unidos, pese a que la reina, de 21 años, admitió mantener un estilo de vida con muchas fiestas y bebidas alcohólicas, además de haberse besado con Miss Teen USA (Miss adolescente Estados Unidos) en público.

La Miss International 2007, Priscila Perales, es una de las reinas mexicanas más queridas por el público por su destacada participación en Miss Universo en el 2006 y por haber obtenido la corona de Miss Internacional , pero la policía la detuvo en una carretera de Monterrey, México por conducir su auto en estado de ebriedad cuando salía de una fiesta con su novio.

La joven debió pagar una multa de casi 2000 dólares para recuperar su auto y fue blanco de duras críticas


En 1984, la entonces Miss Estados Unidos Vanessa Williams fue forzada a dejar la corona dos meses antes del fin de su reinado, después de que una revista publicara fotos de ella desnuda tomadas varios años antes.


La bella actriz hizo historia al ser coronada como la primera Miss América afroamericana de Estados Unidos, y cuando tenía la mirada de muchos sectores sobre ella, decidió hacer unas fotografías desnuda para la revista Penthouse, hecho que le costó la corona, pues fue destituida. Sin embargo, esto la lanzó a la fama y la convirtió en uno de los símbolos sexuales más grandes del país.

Vanessa Williams es una de las actrices más populares de EU gracias a su papel en la serie 'Ugly Betty', pero ese éxito comenzó a germinar hace hoy 25 años, cuando fue proclamada la primera Miss América de raza negra.



Marjorie Wallace, Miss Mundo 1973, la joven fue definida por la organización como una coqueta que no daba un buen ejemplo a las muchachas de la época por lo que fue obligada a decirle adiós a su corona.

Durante su reinado estuvo envuelta en varios líos amorosos, varios de ellos con el cantante Tom Jones y el tenista Jimmy Connors, con quienes incluso se rumoró de que tuvo relaciones íntimas, algo no permitido para una reina.

Durante los meses seguidos a su coronación mostró poco compromiso con la organización y muy polémica con las declaraciones escandalosas que solía dar a la prensa sobre todo si era referente a pasados romances que había tenido con famosos.

Además el contrato de Miss Mundo la obligaba a mantenerse soltera durante su reinado y como el amor no podía esperar, en marzo de 1974 Marjorie rompió con los organizadores y ya libre de compromiso con la organización de Miss Mundo, se comprometió en matrimonio y justo a los 14 días de esto, Peter murió en una carrera de autos en Johannesburgo, Sudáfrica.

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/

Quitan a Miss Sinaloa el cetro continental

Reemplazan a Laura Zúñiga Huízar como Reina Hispanoamericana, por “comportamiento inadecuado


El Universal
Domingo 28 de diciembre de 2008
La reina de belleza mexicana Laura Zúñiga Huízar, detenida junto a un grupo de presuntos narcotraficantes, fue destituida en Bolivia como Reina Hispanoamericana y reemplazada por la brasileña Vivian Noronha, informó la prensa local el viernes pasado.

La decisión fue tomada por la empresa Promociones Gloria, que organiza los certámenes de belleza en Bolivia y que el 31 de octubre pasado coronó a Zúñiga con ese título, entre representantes de 19 países, en la ciudad de Santa Cruz.

Según notas periodísticas, Promociones Gloria señaló que la destitución es una “consecuencia de los sucesos de conocimiento público en los cuales se ha visto involucrada la señorita Laura Zúñiga”.

El diario El Deber de Santa Cruz, publicó que Tatiana Limpias, gerente de la empresa Gloria, señaló que Zúñiga incumplió el reglamento que exige a la ganadora “un adecuado comportamiento, estar alejada de escándalos y malos hábitos, y ser un buen ejemplo para la sociedad”.

Zúñiga Huízar, de 23 años, también ganadora este año del certamen Nuestra Belleza Sinaloa, fue detenida a principios de esta semana junto con siete hombres, con armas y miles de dólares en efectivo en la ciudad de Guadalajara, en México.

El presunto novio de Zúñiga, Ángel Orlando García Urquiza, también detenido, es hermano de Ricardo García, El Doctor, uno de los jefes del poderoso cártel de Juárez.

En lugar de la modelo mexicana, Promociones Gloria entregó el título hispanoamericano a la brasileña Vivian Noronha, quien recibirá el cetro en enero próximo, mientras la vicerreina de belleza ahora es la paraguaya Gabriela Rejala.

El pasado viernes, las autoridades ordenaron el arraigo por 40 días de Laura Zúñiga Huízar por “la probable comisión de los delitos de delincuencia organizada, contra la salud (narcotráfico), operaciones con recursos de procedencia ilícita y violación a la ley federal de armas de fuego”. (EFE)

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/

Beauty queen to change Russia’s image abroad

Ksenia Sukhinova (AFP Photo / Alexey Sazono

The Russian winner of the Miss World beauty contest says she’s determined to challenge the West’s view that Russia is an ‘aggressive’ country. Ksenia Sukhinova says she’ll show through her actions that a Russian woman can be “an example of kindness, beauty and happiness.”

Sukhinova made her pledge while visiting a children’s home in Moscow, where she handed out presents to disadvantaged kids, many of whose parents are either in prison or are alcoholics.

Miss World will continue her humanitarian tour by visiting Asian countries next year.

The Siberian beauty queen won the Miss World 2008 pageant in South Africa on December 13.

http://www.russiatoday.com/

Brasileira herdará coroa de miss mexicana presa por tráfico de armas

Do UOL Notícias
Em São Paulo



Na foto, Vivian Noronha recebe a faixa de vice-rainha em outubro

A brasileira Vivian Noronha Cia, 25, é a nova Rainha Hispanoamericana. A coroação da brasileira foi anunciada nesta sexta-feira (26) pela Promociones Gloria, empresa responsável pela realização do evento.

Vivian Cia havia ficado em segundo lugar no concurso que aconteceu em Santa Cruz, Bolívia, no último mês de outubro. Na ocasião, a vencedora foi a mexicana Laura Zuñiga. No início da semana, Zuñiga foi presa sob acusações de tráfico de drogas. Ela foi detida em uma blitz com vários homens armados. No carro onde ela estava foram encontrados US$ 55 mil e dois rifles de assalto.

Nos próximos dias, Vivian viajará a Santa Cruz de la Sierra, sede do concurso, onde receberá faixa e coroa de Rainha Hispanoamericana. Ela deverá participar de diversas atividades em vários países da América Latina até outubro, quando coroará a sua sucessora.

http://noticias.uol.com.br

Prisión preventiva para Miss Sinaloa

Laura Elena Zúñiga fue detenida el pasado lunes junto a su novio, líder del cartel de Juárez, con armas y dinero ilegal

EP / ELPAÍS.com - México / Madrid - 27/12/2008


Un juez federal mexicano ha ordenado prisión preventiva para Laura Elena Zúñiga Huizar, actual reina de la belleza de Sinaloa, por su presunta implicación en delitos de delincuencia organizada.

La modelo fue detenida el pasado lunes en el Estado de Jalisco junto siete hombres que la acompañaban en dos camionetas pertrechadas de armas y dinero. Entre ellos estaba el novio de Zúñiga, Ángel Orlando García Urquiza, identificado como uno de los mandos del cartel de Juárez y hermano de Ricardo García Urquiza, alias El Doctor, arrestado en 2005 por considerarse principal enlace entre el grupo del narcotráfico mexicano y los carteles colombianos.

Zúñiga, su pareja y los otros seis hombres permanecerán en prisión preventiva por 40 días, tiempo durante el cual también serán investigados por operaciones con recursos de procedencia ilícita y violación a la ley federal de armas de fuego.

En el vehículo en que viajaba Miss Sinaloa se encontraron dos fusiles AR-15, tres pistolas, 633 cartuchos de diversos calibres y 55 mil 300 dólares.


http://www.elpais.com/

Piden diputados blindar concursos contra narco

Propone el priista Juan Francisco Rivera investigar hasta las últimas consecuencias a la empresa Grupo Pacífico, encargada de la organización del certamen en donde ganó Laura Elena Zúñiga, Miss Sinaloa
Por: Andrea Merlos /El Universal
2008-12-26 17:03:58

Diputados federales del PAN, PRD y PRI exigieron que los concursos de belleza tengan reglas para evitar la filtración del narcotráfico, como sucedió en el concluso de Miss Sinaloa organizado por Grupo Pacífico.
Esta semana detuvieron en Zapopan, Jalisco a Laura Elena Zúñiga, quien fuera coronada como Miss Sinaloa de este año, y quien incluso representó a México en algunos certámenes internacionales.

Ante esa detención, y su presunta vinculación con el narcotráfico, el secretario de Turismo de Sinaloa, Antonio Ibarra denunció que el concurso sólo es un negocio privado.

Diputados federales demandaron que las instituciones encargadas de los certámenes de belleza, estén blindados de la influencia del crimen organizado.

El presidente de la Comisión de Seguridad Pública de la Cámara de Diputados, Juan Francisco Rivera (PRI), aseguró que se debe investigar "hasta las últimas consecuencias a la empresa Grupo Pacífico", encargada de la organización del certamen en donde ganó Laura Elena Zúñiga, ahora investigada por la Subprocuraduría de Investigación Especializada en Delincuencia Organizada (SIEDO).

"Obviamente se debe investigar, para que en el caso de que no tenga nada que ver, se limpie el nombre de la institución, y en caso de que si: se castigue a quienes estén utilizando estos membretes para estar en un mercado indebido".

"Se debe llegar a las últimas consecuencias, de ver el originen, y que no vayan a estar vinculados con otro tipo de ilícitos, habría que buscar y dejarlo muy en claro: para que no haya dudas respecto a esos organismos".

En entrevista por separado, el diputado Cristian Castaño Contreras (PAN), secretario de la Comisión de Gobernación, comentó que la empresa Grupo Pacífico, que se ocupa de manera privada de la ceremonia para escoger a Miss Sinaloa, debe ser investigada bajo una línea que no viole la ley, con el fin de detener acciones delictivas asociadas con el narcotráfico y evitar que las organizaciones sociales corran el mismo riesgo.

"La autoridad debe de abrir una línea de investigación sin concluir nada anticipadamente con todos los requisitos que llevan estos procesos y siempre teniendo todas las pruebas que se puedan tener a la mano para que no se vaya a ver afectado alguna persona o algún institución por actos de la autoridad que no estén debidamente sustentados", refirió.

Por su parte, el secretario de la Comisión de Seguridad Pública, Armando Barreiro aseguró categórico que es necesario abrir una línea de investigación con base a la detención de la Miss Sinaloa y siete hombres, para deslindar a las empresas que coordinan, organizan y patrocinan los certámenes de belleza a nivel nacional.

"Por salud de estas empresas se requiere investigar a fondo, tienen ahora materia prima para poderlo lograr, y en ese sentido nosotros estaríamos respaldando el que la investigación sea lo más amplia posible".

"Seguramente existen eslabones en esa cadena, incluso con lavado de dinero, por las grandes cantidades de recursos que se invierten en la producción de estos certámenes", dijo.

http://www.laregiontam.com.mx

I am ready for dancing around trees in Bollywood: Parvathy

Delhi, Dec 25: In the midst of numerous controversies and hurdles, Parvathy Omanakuttan did the nation much proud as she bought home the first runner-up Miss World 2008 title. Losing the top spot by just a few points, the long legged lass presented apt composure and poise as she accepted the other most beautiful woman in the world crown.

But for all those who thought that Omanakuttan had it easy with her beautiful frame and stunning looks, there is a news. It took years of hard work and determined effort to achieve a dream that most of the girls just fantasize avout.

Talking about her years of toil to Shashank Chouhan of Spicezee, Parvathy Omanakuttan said, "My trainers toned me up in the shape that I am now. As far as eating habits go, I am quite a foodie but I don’t hog. I take food in small quantities through the day and it’s a mix of nutrition and delicious food that any 21 year old would like…"

Excerpts from the interview:

Shashank: What was going through your mind when you were in the final five?

Parvathy: I was sure of my training and myself. I was telling myself that I am going to win this. My name was announced in the end of top 15 - but even as the fourteenth name was announced, I knew I was the fifteenth one. I was thinking that I can do my best in the Q/A round. There was so much applause each time my name was called that there was little space for fear…

Shashank: If given a chance, would you like to change the answer you gave in the finale?

Parvathy: Well, I was pretty confident about my answer. All of this was at the back of my mind in the Q/A round - all the cheering that I was getting from the hundreds of Indians who were there that night, my own training and presence of mind etc. May be I would like to answer a bit slowly if given another chance, but there is nothing I would like to add or subtract from it.

Shashank: Now that you have been there and done that, what do you think Indian girls need to win more consistently?

Parvathy: I think you should have conviction first. That’s the most important thing. You also need to be proud of the fact that you are representing your country on the largest platform possible. In South Africa, I saw many girls who had just given up and they were just having fun there. But fun is just one element, there are expectations from you back home. Our trainers are the best in the world and they didn’t leave any stone unturned to groom me in a most international style. We have it all, in the end it’s the attitude that matters.

Shashank: Is Bollywood calling?

Parvathy: I am waiting for good offers right now. Of course I won’t have much choice in the beginning. But I am ready for my share of dancing around the trees!

Shashank: What’s your New Year Day plan?

Parvathy: Oh I m a very family person. New Year eve will be spent with friends and family at home.

http://www.zeenews.com/

Affaire Miss France, révélations exclusives

Écrit et posté le Jeudi 25 décembre 2008 @ 17:53:47 par S.Dupuy

Dans le dossier Miss France, Marine Beaury a tenu, via un communiqué de presse de l’A.I.C.B.P.F. a faire de nouvelles révélations exclusives en ce qui concerne l'élection de Chloé Mortaud comme « Miss Albigeois Midi-Pyrénées », c'était le 20 septembre 2008 à l'Isle sur Tarn.

Cette élection, Marine Beaury continue de la constester formellement parlant de tricherie et de vote truqué. A ce sujet elle fait remarquer que :

La mère de Chloé MORTAUD (MISS FRANCE 2009) Brenda MORTAUD est Professeur d’Anglais à la "Chambre de Commerce et de l’ Industrie" locale; Le père, Jean-Marie MORTAUD est Conseiller d’ Entreprise à la Chambre d’Agriculture rattachée à la "Chambre de Commerce et de l’Industrie" locale.


Faisaient partie des Membres du Jury de « MISS ALBIGEOIS MIDI PYRENEES 2008 » le 20 septembre 2008 à l'Isle sur Tarn:

Didier GARDINAL, Président de la "Chambre de Commerce et de l’Industrie" locale et Maryline LHERM, la Présidente du Comité « Miss Albigeois Midi-Pyrénées » qui est également la 1ère Vice-Présidente de la "Chambre de Commerce et de l’ Industrie" locale !

Or, et toujours selon Martine Beaury, l’Article 7 du Règlement du « Comité Miss France » précise que toutes les candidates acceptent et signent avant de se présenter à l’élection Régionale qualificative pour l’élection de « MISS FRANCE » que :

…Chaque élection se déroule devant un public auquel il est demandé d’émettre un vote consultatif sur un bulletin distribué à l’entrée de la salle, chaque spectateur ne pouvant recevoir qu’un seul bulletin. Ces bulletins de vote sont ensuite collectés à l’issue du dernier passage des candidates et dépouillés par un jury de 7 à 10 membres (dont au moins un membre représentant de la société Miss France lors des élections régionales), qui devront n’avoir de lien ni de parenté, ni de subordination avec l’une des candidates…

Réponse des parents de Chloé MORTAUD : « Il n’y a eu aucune tricherie… nous ne connaissions personne du Jury … » Étonnant et de plus de nombreux témoins ont constaté le tutoiement entre la mère de Chloé MORTAUD et certains membres du Jury !!

Le Juge du Tribunal de Grande Instance de Toulouse devra statuer sur la demande en annulation de cette élection courant janvier 2009

Ceci est un communiqué de presse de l' A.I.C.B.P.F (Association Internationale des Concours de Beauté pour les Pays Francophones)

http://www.newsfrance.fr/
photo: http://www.chloemortaud.com/

Police say beauty queen's bo powerful trafficker

hoto 1 sur 3
Laura Zuniga is crowned Miss Sinaloa 2008 at the Pacific resort city Mazatlan, Mexico, July 2, 2008. Zuniga, a 23-year-old model, has been arrested at a military checkpoint, just outside the city of Guadalajara, after she was found riding with suspected gang members in a truck filled with weapons and cash.(AP Photo)

De ARTURO PEREZ – Il y a 2 heures

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — A Mexican beauty queen arrested in a truck filled with weapons was dating a suspected leader in the powerful Juarez drug cartel, police said Wednesday.

The boyfriend of Miss Sinaloa Laura Zuniga is Angel Orlando Garcia Urquiza, a top operative in the Ciudad Juarez-based cartel, which at one point was considered Mexico's largest drug ring, said Jalisco Public Security Secretary Luis Carlos Najera.

The couple was traveling with six alleged bodyguards in Zapopan, outside the colonial city of Guadalajara, when soldiers stopped their two trucks at a military checkpoint on Monday, police said.

Inside, authorities found a large stash of weapons, ammunition and $53,300 in U.S. currency.

The alleged relationship between Garcia and Mexico's well-known reigning beauty queen shows how deep powerful drug gangs have penetrated society, stretching well beyond bribing police and officials.

Mexican media report that traffickers with their visible wealth often have their pick of women in states like Sinaloa, where Zuniga is from and the home of the cartel of the same name. The popular musical genre "Narco-corridos" glorifies traffickers' exploits and gangs often have prefered bands who play their private parties. A number of Mexican musicians linked to cartels have been murdered in recent years.

Zuniga won the Miss Sinaloa pageant this year. She placed third in the Miss Mexico contest, whose winner competes for the Miss Universe title, and was crowned Miss HispanoAmericana, beating out contestants across Latin America.

She was expected to represent Mexico in an international contest in January.

Pageant organizers say they are awaiting the results of the investigation before deciding whether to strip her of her crowns.

Garcia's brother, Ricardo, was arrested in 2005 and police said he was responsible for 20 percent of Mexican narcotics sold on U.S. streets at the time. He reportedly earned nearly $1 billion a month smuggling Colombian cocaine and marijuana into the United states through corridors near Ciudad Juarez, which lies across the border from El Paso, Texas.

The Juarez Cartel was considered the country's largest drug ring under the leadership of Amado Carrillo Fuentes, known as "Lord of the Skies" because the gang flew planes packed with cocaine directly into U.S. territory.

Carrillo died in 1997 from botched plastic surgery to alter his appearance and investigators say control of the cartel fell to his brother, Vicente.

The gang split in 2004 after other powerful smugglers tried to move in on its trade, and Vicente, fearing for his life, went into hiding.

In his absence, according to federal prosecutors, Ricardo Garcia Urquiza took control of a faction after forging contacts with Colombian drug producers while studying to become a surgeon.

After being arrested, Zuniga told police they were planning on traveling to Bolivia and Colombia to go shopping.

Zuniga's father, Jesus Esteban Zuniga, said her daughter had told him she was going to a Christmas party in Guadalajara. He told The Associated Press that he does not believe his daughter is involved in drug trafficking.

"She's a good daughter," he said. "She's always focused on her work and she's had a spotless reputation ... until now."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/

Deux miss en colère pour une conférence de presse qui fait pschitt

Marine Beaury et Claudine Cassereau (à gauche), deux Miss en colère/AFP / François GUILLOT

PEOPLE - Remontées contre Geneviève de Fontenay et le comité Miss France, Marine Beaury et Claudine Cassereau espèrent régler leurs différends devant la justice...

Les «Miss en colère» ou l’histoire d’un bide. Ce mardi, le collectif a convoqué la presse pour revenir sur les différends qui opposent les Miss qui s’estiment lésées au comité Miss France. Une union sacrée des écharpées sensée être une démonstration de force du front anti-Geneviève.

Rendez-vous est donné rue Taitbout, dans le 9e arrondissement de Paris, à 14h30, pour disserter avec d’anciennes reines de beauté et Me Gilbert Collard, avocat d’une des «miss en colère». A l’heure dite, les journalistes sont accueillis par Michel Le Parmentier, président du comité dissident «Miss Francophonie» et instigateur du «Collectif des miss en colère», seul et bien désemparé.

«Manque de respect» et «mépris»

Les miss ne sont pas encore arrivées. L’une, Marine Beaury, «venue exprès de Toulouse», est même bloquée dans les embouteillages et «aura un peu de retard», prévient Michel Le Parmentier. Après dix minutes de soupirs ostensibles et de réglages impatients des caméras et des appareils photos arrive Claudine Cassereau, seule, qui revendique l’écharpe de Miss France 1972. Cette année-là, Chantal Bouvier de Lamotte est élue Miss France. Quelques semaines plus tard, une mauvaise chute à cheval la contraint à laisser sa place à Claudine Cassereau, sa première dauphine, pour assurer l’année de galas et les autres animations qui incombent à Miss France. Celle-ci représentera même la France aux Etats-Unis pour le concours de Miss Monde et à Porto Rico, pour celui de Miss Univers.

Mais un soir de 1987, son rêve s’effondre. «Le soir de l’élection, j’étais devant ma télé et j’ai constaté que le comité avait invité Chantal Bouvier de Lamotte, à nouveau proclamée Miss France 1972 par Geneviève. Depuis, j'attends en vain une explication, qu’on arrête de se moquer de moi, mais le mal est fait», s’agace Claudine Cassereau qui dénonce le «manque de respect» et le «mépris» de Geneviève de Fontenay à son égard. «J’ai eu une année formidable, je ne veux pas qu’on y touche», résume celle qui souhaite être «réhabilitée».

«Je fais du sport et dans le sport, on apprend à perdre»

Bilan: l’ancienne reine de beauté poursuit la présidente du comité Miss France en justice – l’audience en référé aura lieu le 7 janvier prochain – et insiste sur le préjudice moral subi, tant pour elle que pour sa fille. «On se moquait d’elle à l’école», explique-t-elle. Et de rebondir sur «l’affaire» Valérie Bègue. «Je me mets à la place de ses parents, avec tout ce qu’ils ont entendu sur leur fille cette année, ça ne doit pas faire plaisir. Ardisson l’a traitée de pute, c’était méchant. Il y en a d’autres qui ont fait des photos de charme.» Outre l’audience du 7 janvier, Claudine Cassereau n’a rien à annoncer sinon se désoler de sa mise au placard.

Arrive enfin Marine Beaury, avec ses parents, qui revendique l’écharpe de «Miss Albigeois Midi-Pyrénée» à la place de Chloé Mortaud, miss France 2009. Une accusation qu’elle a déjà portée le 12 décembre, le lendemain de l’élection de Chloé Mortaud au sacre suprême, et qui la pousse aujourd'hui à déposer une requête en annulation de l'élection régionale auprès du tribunal des référés de Toulouse. Une éventuelle annulation du scrutin régional entraînerait de facto celle de l'élection Miss France 2009.

Juchée sur un siège en forme de trône doré, la jeune femme de 23 ans se prête en souriant au jeu des questions-réponses et revient sur sa mésaventure. «Je veux savoir pourquoi je n’ai pas pu voir les bulletins et pourquoi il n’y avait pas d’huissiers le jour de l’élection de «Miss Albigeois Midi-Pyrénée». Je demande l’annulation de cette élection», explique-t-elle en réfutant les accusations de jalousie de Geneviève de Fontenay. «Je veux juste savoir s’il y a eu injustice. Geneviève pense que je suis une mauvaise perdante, pas du tout. Je fais du sport et dans le sport, on apprend à perdre», lâche-t-elle à l’attention de la dame au chapeau. Qui ne tremblera sans doute pas devant ce front encore frêle.

Sandrine Cochard

GENEVIEVE DE FONTENAY

Interrogé par l'AFP, le Comité Miss France a confirmé que seul le scrutin national est placé sous le contrôle d'un huissier de justice. «Nous avons pleinement confiance dans les jurys régionaux et le vote du public qui font l'objet de procès-verbaux à la disposition de tous», a souligné Geneviève de Fontenay, qui préside les élections en régions tout au long de l'année.

http://www.20minutes.fr

Viet beauty, many scandals, rare hallmarks

03:44' 25/12/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – A new year is coming. What did Vietnamese beauty do in the world arena? VietNamNet reviews beauty contests in Vietnam and international events which saw Vietnam’s participation. Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 Thuy Lam, Miss Vietnam 2008 Thuy Dung and the second runner-up of Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 Thien Ly. Still scandals The number of national beauty contests this year was half as many as in 2007 because events like Miss Vietnam Global, Miss Sports, Miss Jewelry, and Miss Vietnam Ethnic are not held on an annual basis or were cancelled for some reasons. However, scandals occurred at some big pageants. The first Miss Universe Vietnam was organised very quickly in early 2008, to prepare for the Miss Universe 2008 in Vietnam. Vietnamese audiences weren’t satisfied with the pageant’s results because they saw some sensitive photos of the contest’s beauty queen and her boyfriend in a bar. The largest and most prestigious pageant contest, Miss Vietnam 2008, took place a short time after the Miss Universe Vietnam 2008. The public and the media raised a tumult because Miss Vietnam 2008 was found to have not graduated from high school and there were suspicions about her school report, which was said to be a fake. While the scandal related to Miss Vietnam 2008 was still burning, some contestants of the Miss Vietnam Tourism 2008 told the media that they hadn’t received their prizes from the organisers thought the contest had been over for months. Vietnamese beauty dim at int’l events Cao Thuy Duong, Vietnamese contestant at Miss International 2008. Vietnam sent representatives to many international beauty contests this year, such as Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Tourism International, Manhunt International, Mister International, etc. However, Vietnam needs to learn experience from these contests in choosing suitable candidates for such events. Miss Universe Vietnam Thuy Lam, Vietnam’s contestant at Miss Universe, is said to have had inadequate English skills. Moreover, her chronic fatigue made her look dim in comparison to other contestants. Thien Ly, second runner-up in Miss Universe Vietnam, who participated in the recent Miss World pageant, can speak English very well. But her height is quite modest and she didn’t have sufficient time for preparation. She didn’t have a chance to show her talent in the Miss Talent competition. Some companies that hold the rights to send Vietnamese contestants to international beauty contests continued to choose models to represent Vietnam. However, the only easy-to-see advantage of models is their performance style. Their faces and knowledge are things that need to be discussed further. Supermodel Quang Thinh at Manhunt International, model Dinh Lan Phuong at Seeking Famous Models and model Ngoc Ha at World Model Contest returned home with bare hands. Cao Thuy Duong was luckier with the Most Favourite prize from Miss International. Vietnam reaches summit of men’s beauty! Mister International 2008 Tien Doan. The reasons for Vietnam’s failure at international pageant contests are very familiar: poor English, poor preparation, and lack of outstanding apparel. At Mister International 2008, model Tien Doan didn’t follow other Vietnamese contestants from previous contests in choosing the traditional Vietnamese dress (ao dai – Vietnamese long dress for men; and khan dong – turban for men), but wore a costume he himself designed. For the talent competition, he drew a painting, he did not sing or dance like others had done. These differences helped Tien Doan become Mister International 2008. He also won the Best in Swimwear title. The secret of Tien Doan’s victory was his careful preparation for the contest. He designed his own costumes and studied English for several months as well as met with experts to learn experience. With Tien Doan’s victory, for the first time Vietnam reached the peak of an international beauty contest for men. To have more Tien Doans, Vietnam needs to make changes in selecting contestants. In addition, each contestant must carefully prepare for the event and they also need assistance from related agencies. Son Ha http://english.vietnamnet.vn/

L'élection de Miss France 2009 menacée par une requête en annulation

Une requête en annulation de l'élection régionale "Miss Albigeois Midi-Pyrénées", remportée par Chloé Mortaud devenue ensuite Miss France 2009, sera lancée début janvier devant le tribunal des référés de Toulouse, a indiqué mardi à l'AFP Me Gilbert Collard, à la demande de sa cliente, la 1ère dauphine régionale Marine Beaury.

Photographe : Francois Guillot AFP :: Marine Beaury, 1ère dauphine de Chloé Mortaud (Miss France 2009), le 23 décembre 2008 à Paris

agrandir

photo : Francois Guillot , AFP

1 vidéo

Au cours d'une conférence de presse organisée à Paris par le "Collectif des Miss en colère", Mlle Beaury a affirmé que le vote régional avait été "truqué". Une éventuelle annulation du scrutin régional entraînerait de facto celle de l'élection Miss France 2009.

Pour Me Collard, "le fait que les scrutins régionaux qui désignent les candidates au titre de Miss France ne soient pas contrôlés par un huissier de justice n'est pas acceptable à ce niveau de la compétition".

Interrogé par l'AFP, le Comité Miss France a confirmé que seul le scrutin national est placé sous le contrôle d'un huissier de justice.

"Nous avons pleinement confiance dans les jurys régionaux et le vote du public qui font l'objet de procès-verbaux à la disposition de tous", a souligné Geneviève de Fontenay, qui préside les élections en régions tout au long de l'année.

Déjà candidate régionale malheureusement l'an dernier, Marine Beaury a été élue 1ère dauphine de Mlle Mortaud lors de l'élection régionale de "Miss Albigeois-Midi Pyrénées", le 20 septembre dernier à L'Isle-sur-Tarn (Tarn), mais elle avait aussitôt rendu son écharpe en signe de protestation.

"J'étais déjà 1ère dauphine l'année passée et beaucoup me donnaient des chances", a confié à l'AFP Marine Beaury, actuellement comptable aux Assedic en banlieue de Toulouse.

Mlle Beaury a rejoint le "Collectif des Miss en colère" lancé à l'initiative de Michel Le Parmentier, président de l'"association internationale des concours de beauté des pays francophones" qu'il a fondée à Montréal.

M. Le Parmentier est l'un des opposants les plus virulents de Mme de Fontenay et du Comité Miss France à qui il conteste toute légitimité depuis plusieurs années.

Le "collectif des Miss en colère" regroupe aussi Claudine Cassereau, Miss France 1972 qui estime ne pas être mise en valeur dans le palmarès historique Miss France et Lumir Richet, première dauphine 2008 de Miss Picardie qui, elle aussi, conteste la légitimité du scrutin régional qui l'a désignée.

http://actu.orange.fr/

Miss Belgique 2009 est Zeynep Sever

Zeynep Sever, 19 ans, de Molenbeek, a été élue Miss Belgique 2009.

Zeynep Sever était justement notre petit coup de coeur.

Les vingt plus jolies filles du royaume s'affrontaient ce soir pour le titre de Miss Belgique 2009.

Au programme de la soirée: sex-appeal, charisme, beauté...

Eliminée en cours de route, Marie-Pierre, de Namur, déclarait, amère, valoir "plus que Miss Belgique."

Chaque année, à la même période, comme le Beaujolais nouveau en son temps, revient l'élection de Miss Belgique. Ce soir, c'est le Spiroudôme de Charleroi qui était envahi par les vingt beautés belges et leurs familles et amis déchaînés. Eh oui parce que dans la salle, les comités de soutien avaient fait le déplacement. Dès les premières minutes, certaines filles étaient huées (discrètement mais quand même) par l' "équipe" adverse. Miss Belgique, ton univers
impitoyable...

Pour préparer le show, les demoiselles s'étaient envolées il y a quelques semaines en Egypte. Au programme: tournages, séances photo et autres réjouissances.

Et c'est ce soir, qu'elles devaient faire étalage de leur apprentissage. Premier défi: défiler dans une robe blanche qui dévoilait leurs courbes. Toute fille normale aurait refusé le challenge, preuve que n'est pas Miss qui veut! A peine le temps de les apercevoir que déjà venait le temps d'en éliminer dix.

Plus que dix
Cruellement, les filles, séparées en groupe de cinq, devaient tantôt faire un pas en avant, tantôt un pas en arrière. Mais ce n'était pas forcément celles qu'on imaginait partir (donc celles qui avaient été priées de se mettre en retrait), qui étaient éliminées. A ce moment de la soirée, on eu droit à un florilège de sourires crispés, de visages soulagés et de début de crise de nerf, dû au stress ou à la tristesse.

Mais, parce qu'une Miss reste calme, gentille, polie et souriante, elles promettaient, en direct des coulisses, de "donner tout leur meilleur"!
Après la première coupure de pub, les dix jeunes femmes ont dû répondre à quelques questions parce que selon Jean-Michel Zecca, "être Miss, ce n'est pas basé que sur le physique".

"Sur une île déserte, j'emporte mon mascara"
Physiquement, notre préférence allait pour Seren, la rouquine. Reste que quand on lui a demandé ce qu'elle prendrait avec elle sur une île déserte, elle a préféré le mascara à la crème solaire, "parce que même sur une île, il faut être belle."

Cassandra, très jolie fille, faisait également partie de nos préférences au niveau physique. Si en français, tout allait bien, en néerlandais, elle a su à peine aligner trois mots. Un revival à la Alizée Poulicek? Huée l'année passée durant l'émission, ça ne l'a pas empêchée d'être élue Miss Belgique.

Notre préférence? Zynep Sever
Zynep Sever, originaire de Molenbeeek, a, elle, été mise à mal par une étrange question: "Laquelle de ces choses ne t'a jamais été offerte?" Elle a répondu, vu que cela lui était proposé, "le cannabis". Rien que le mot dans sa bouche à jeter un froid. A cet instant du concours, c'est en tout cas elle qui récoltait les faveurs du jury. Matthias, gagnant de Secret Story, qui faisait partie de ce dernier, portait lui sa préférence sur Cassandra.

Pendant ce temps, dans la salle de presse où nous étions, la police investissait les lieux à la recherche d'un colis suspect. En coulisses, pas d'inquiétude, les filles se préparaient pour la suite du show.

Défilé en maillot de bain
Une suite intéressante: un défilé en maillot de bain. Pas de différenciation possible quand les jeunes filles étaient filmées en dessous de la ceinture: elles avaient toutes des jambes interminables.

Plus que cinq
Enfin, très vite, il n'en resta plus que cinq: Cassandra D'Ermilio, Michèle Thissen, Zeynep Sever, Debbie Vaes, Larissa Vastapane, soit trois francophones, deux néerlandophones. En coulisses, ça grinçait des dents. Marie-Pierre Demoutiez, de Namur, amère déclarait: "je sais ce que je veux et ce que je vaux. Mes ambitions vont bien au-delà de Miss Belgique."

A quelques minutes de l'annonce des résultats, Zeynep, notre coup de coeur donc, trônait en tête du classement. Mais, comme à la Star Ac', tout peut changer sur la fin.

Et la fin, enfin, arriva... Michèle Thissen, de Gand, est la deuxième dauphine de Miss Belgique. La première dauphine est Cassandra D'Ermilio, du Hainaut. Tout était encore possible pour notre petite préférée. Et oui! C'est elle, cette étudiante en tourisme, élue précédemment Miss Bruxelles, qui a été couronnée Miss Belgique 2009.

Quelques minutes après son sacre, la jeune femme, qui n'est autre que la petite copine du gardien de but de l'équipe de foot de Turquie, Fenerbahce, faisait face aux journalistes pour répondre à ses premières questions en tant que Miss Belgique. "J'étais stressée jusqu'au bout. Je me disais que j'allais être dans le top 3 et je suis fière de moi. Je voulais pleurer mais j'étais bloquée. Mais j'étais tellement stressée pendant la soirée. Je le suis encore."

http://www.7sur7.be/

Zeynep Sever, 19 ans, habitant Molenbeek, a été couronnée Miss Belgique 2009 mardi soir au Spiroudome de Charleroi. Elle succède à Alizée Poulicek, Miss Belgique 2008.

mar 23 déc, 23:18

Zeynep Sever, 19 ans, habitant Molenbeek, a été couronnée Miss Belgique 2009 mardi soir au Spiroudome de Charleroi. Elle succède à Alizée Poulicek, Miss Belgique 2008.
Originaire de Molenbeek, Zeynep Sever a participé à l'élection de Miss Turquie lorsqu'elle avait 17 ans. Elue Miss Bruxelles, elle étudie le secrétariat-tourisme. La première dauphine est Cassandra D'Ermilio, Miss Hainaut, originaire de Quaregnon et la deuxième dauphine Michèle Thyssen de Genk (Limbourg). La soirée était présentée par l'ex Miss Belgique Véronique De Kock et Jean-Michel Zecca. (FLO)

/www.rtlinfo.be

Se deslinda Nuestra Belleza de Miss Sinaloa

Señalan los organizadores del certamen que esperarán los resultados de la investigación que realicen las autoridades contra Laura Zúniga, quien fue detenida con otros siete sujetos en Jalisco

Laura Zúñiga Huizar, Nuestra Belleza Sinaloa 2008, fue detenida junto a otros siete sujetos, en posesión de un arsenal (Foto: Archivo EL UNIVERSAL)

Laura Zúñiga Huizar, Nuestra Belleza Sinaloa 2008, fue detenida junto a otros siete sujetos, en posesión de un arsenal (Foto: Archivo EL UNIVERSAL )

Gilberto Molina Arcos/ Agencia EL UNIVERSAL

El Universal
Ciudad de México Martes 23 de diciembre de 2008

14:43 La dirección del certamen Nuestra Belleza, a cargo de Lupita Jones, se deslindó "de cualquier relación o actividad ilícita" en la que pudiera estar involucrada, Laura Zúñiga Huizar, Nuestra Belleza Sinaloa 2008, quien fue detenida ayer junto a otros siete sujetos en un operativo llevado a cabo en Zapopan, Jalisco.

A través de un comunicado, los organizadores del evento señalaron que estarán pendientes del caso y tomarán las medidas "pertinentes", una vez que se conozcan los resultados de las investigaciones.

"De acuerdo a la información que algunos medios de comunicación han publicado sobre la representante de Nuestra Belleza Sinaloa 2008, Laura Zúñiga Huizar, la Dirección Nacional del certamen se deslinda de cualquier relación o actividad ilícita en la que pudiese estar involucrada", señaló el comunicado.

La dirección nacional del evento señaló que desde 1994, Nuestra belleza ha sido una organización "seria, honesta y transparente" dedicada exclusivamente a preparar mujeres mexicanas para que representen de forma exitosa al país.

Aclaró que su único objetivo es "resaltar la belleza, valores e inteligencia" de cada una de las participantes.

Laura Zúñiga Huizar, Nuestra Belleza Sinaloa 2008, fue detenida junto a otros siete sujetos, en posesión de un arsenal compuesto por rifles de asalto, armas cortas, cargadores, cartuchos de distintos calibres y 53 mil 300 dólares.

Apenas en julio pasado fue coronada como Nuestra Belleza Sinaloa 2008, lo que le había ganado un lugar para el certamen Nuestra Belleza México 2009.

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx

Afirma Miss Sinaloa que fue secuestrada por su novio
Los siete detenidos la noche del lunes en la colonia Residencial Poniente son miembros activos del cártel de Juárez

Mae López Aranda/corresponsal
El Universal
Guadalajara, Jal. Martes 23 de diciembre de 2008
21:03

Laura Elena Zuñiga, Nuestra Belleza Sinaloa 2008, aseguró que desconocía las actividades ilícitas a las que se dedicaba su novio Ángel Orlando García Urquiza, líder del cártel de Juárez, con quien fue detenida durante un operativo conjunto de policías estatales y elementos del Ejército, en Zapopan, Jalisco.

Según información de la Secretaría de Seguridad Pública de Jalisco, Zuñiga afirmó que fue secuestrada por su novio y que ahora sólo reza por su seguridad.

En conferencia de prensa, Luis Carlos Nájera Gutiérrez de Velasco, titular de la dependencia, informó que los siete detenidos durante la noche del lunes en la colonia Residencial Poniente son miembros activos del cártel mencionado.

Sin embargo, el director general de Comunicación Social de la Secretaría, Genaro Pacheco, negó que dicha dependencia haya informado declaraciones de Zúñiga.

Pachecho aseguró que la única información oficial fue en el sentido de la detención de las siete personas.
http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/

Cierra el libro de los concursos de belleza

Ivonne Orsini compartió que se concentrará en sus estudios universitarios, tras sentirse satisfecha con su desempeño en Miss Mundo. (Primera Hora / Pipo Reyes)

Así de rápido como se inició, Ivonne Orsini ha decidido retirarse del cuadrilátero de la belleza.

Miss Mundo de Puerto Rico 2008 expresó ayer, lunes, que no desea intentar más conquistas de títulos de belleza y que sólo aspira a aprovechar al máximo su exposición.

“Definitivamente, no (lo intentaré más). Cierro mi libro de los certámenes. Fue el primero y el último. Este momento es para aprovechar el reconocimiento que me gané (con esta experiencia). Éste es mi momento”, dijo la semifinalista de la pasada edición de Miss Mundo, realizada en Sudáfrica.

Ivonne Orsini regresó a la Isla el domingo en la noche, tras permanecer todo un mes en la competencia internacional y disfrutar de una semana de vacaciones en Londres.

Ayer, llegó hasta el restaurante Makarios del Viejo San Juan para satisfacer un antojo de hummus que la llevaba mortificando desde que se fue de la Isla para la competencia.

Mientras disfrutaba de su platillo, la reina de belleza contó sus experiencias en Sudáfrica, en donde participó de un safari.

Compartió, además, que como parte de ese anhelo de iniciarse en los medios de comunicación, se mantiene muy entusiasmada con su posible regreso a Sudáfrica para filmar un comercial en el que promocionaría la Copa Mundial de Fútbol que se celebrará en ese país en el 2010.

“Será para después de febrero. Ya hay varias cositas pautadas, pero se irán enterando poquito a poco”, acentuó.

En Miss Mundo 2008, la puertorriqueña logró convertirse en finalista en todas las minicompetencias previas al evento final y fue favorecida por el panel de jueces que la incluyó en el grupo de 15 semifinalistas.

“Lo disfruté muchísimo y ése fue mi plan siempre: no importa el resultado, disfrutarlo”, dijo.

Ivonne Orsini comentó que sabía que la rusa Kseniya Sukhinova era una potencial ganadora, por lo que no le sorprendió el resultado final.

Destacó que pudo compartir bastante con ella, a pesar de que no dominaba mucho el inglés. También narró que el primer día de competencia utilizó lo que había aprendido en ruso para presentarse.

Por lo pronto, la boricua aspira a culminar sus estudios en comunicaciones y actuación, en la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras.

Cambio de fecha

Carlos Bermúdez, relacionista de Miss Mundo de Puerto Rico, confirmó que la competencia nacional se realizará “después de verano”.

Explicó que el certamen se iba a realizar en marzo, pero la fecha fue cambiada porque continúan firmes en realizar varios proyectos con las escuelas. Sin embargo, para que se concreten las conversaciones, deberán esperar por el cambio de gobierno, agregó.

Se espera que la próxima semana, Wilnelia Merced y Delia Cruz anuncien las innovaciones que han realizado al concurso nacional.

primerahora.com

Miss mexicana é presa com armas e dólares

Miss mexicana é presa com armas e dólares

A ganhadora do concurso Nuestra Belleza Sinaloa 2008, Laura Elena Zúñiga Huizar, 23 anos, foi presa na companhia de sete homens portando armas e milhares de dólares em dinheiro, em Guadalajara, no oeste do México, informou a polícia à agência EFE nesta terça-feira.




O diretor de Segurança Pública do Estado, Francisco Alejandro Solorio, disse que oito pessoas foram presas na noite de ontem em Zapopan, quando viajavam a bordo de duas caminhonetes.

Os presos, colocados à disposição da Procuradoria Geral da Justiça, levavam dois fuzis AR15, três pistolas, nove carregadores, mais de 600 cartuchos de diferentes calibres, 16 telefones celulares e cerca de US$ 18 mil.

LAura Elena, original do Estado de Sinaloa, foi coroada em julho deste ano rainha de Sinaloa, além de vencer a disputa Rainha Hispanoamericana, realizada na Bolívia em novembro.

EFE Laura Elena Zúñiga Huizar, 23 anos, foi presa junto com sete homens em Guadalajara

http://noticias.terra.com.br/

Miss Alagoas 2009

Miss Viçosa é eleita a mulher mais bela de Alagoas

Miss Alagoas 2009 contou com a participação de 19 finalistas, com idade entre 18 e 25 anos. Wadson Regis


Numa noite memorável, no Teatro Gustavo Leite, a jovem Kamila Brandão, de 18 anos, foi eleita a Miss Alagoas 2009. A loira, que havia vencido o Miss Viçosa, conquistou o título com 180 pontos e vai representar Alagoas no Miss Brasil, que acontece em Abril, na capital paulista.

O Miss Alagoas 2009 contou com a participação de 19 finalistas, com idade entre 18 e 25 anos, representando 15 municípios e quatro empresas privadas. Para Paulo Sergio Magalhães, organizador do evento, o bom nível das candidatas comprovou a seriedade do concurso. "Tudo transcorreu como planejado. Além de não haver nenhum incidente a nova Miss foi praticamente unanimidade, tanto que o público aplaudiu de pé. Espero, apenas, que no próximo ano os empresários e o setor público prestigiem este evento, que só tem a engrandecer o Estado", destacou o promoter.

Assim como no ano passado, com Williana Siqueira, a Miss Alagoas representa o município de Viçosa. "Foi muito difícil. As meninas são belas e todas as finalistas tinham chance de vencer. Agora vou trabalhar muito para representar o nosso Estado no Miss Brasil", disse Kamila Brandão.

A segunda colocada foi Ana Carolina, representante da Verdes Mares (Maceió), com 170 pontos. A terceira colocada foi Aline Sâmara, Miss Campo Alegre, com 158 pontos. Daniela Costa, Miss Matriz do Camaragibe, ficou com o quarto lugar, com 154 pontos e Raiane Rocha, Miss Santana do Ipanema, com 140 pontos, foi a quinta colocada. A Miss Arapiraca, Flavia Oliveira, foi eleita pelas próprias candidatas a Miss Simpatia.

Além dos desfiles a festa contou com a apresentação da Companhia de Dança Ary Buarque e o show do cantor Kako Casta.
http://www.tudonahora.com.br/

Fotos:
http://www.primeiraedicao.com.br/
Fotos> http://www.tudonahora.com.br/

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Miss Suisse est menacée par une fanatique

Yverdon-les-Bains

«Un châtiment vous attend et il sera pénible», a écrit une vieille dame à Whitney Toyloy.

Selon Blick, l’Yverdonnoise de 18 ans, élue Miss Suisse en septembre dernier, est dans la ligne de mire d’une fanatique religieuse. «Un châtiment vous attend. Et il sera pénible!» écrit la vieille dame, qui a signé la missive de son nom en toutes lettres. Comme Whitney était en Afrique du Sud la semaine passée, c’est son père qui lui a appris la nouvelle et a de suite averti les autorités.

«Elle m’accuse de pratiquer la magie noire et d’être une sorte de gourou», a expliqué Dwayne Toyloy au tabloïd alémanique. «Cette femme est une râleuse notoire qui déraille. Pour l’instant, on ne prend pas la chose au sérieux et on réfléchit à une parade si elle recommence.»

Rappelons qu’en octobre, Whitney avait déjà subi des injures racistes de la part du PNOS, un parti alémanique d’extrême droite.

Sur un plan plus anecodtique, on dirait que la malchance lui colle à la peau en ce moment, car Whitney est rentrée d’Afrique du Sud sans ses bagages: deux de ses valises ont été égarées en cours de route...

(cgo)

http://www.20min.ch/r

Dodici mesi con Miriam Leone: il calendario di miss italia

LA GALLERY
Arriva anche per il 2009 il calendario di Miss Italia. Naturalmente dedicato a Miriam Leone, la concorrente siciliana incoronata reginetta dell’italica bellezza nel settembre scorso a Salsomaggiore Terme. “Il calendario, nel 2009, avrà una valenza particolare”, afferma Patrizia Mirigliani, figlia dello storico patron Enzo Mirigliani, “il concorso infatti festeggia il 70esimo compleanno. Una data importante che sarà adeguatamente celebrata”. Ha vita più giovane, invece, la consuetudine degli scatti annuali dedicati alla Miss Italia in carica. Quello di Miriam Leone è il sesto album dopo i calendari di Francesca Chillemi, Cristina Chiabotto, Edelfa Chiara Masciotta, Claudia Andreatti e Silvia Battisti. “Le novità del calendario 2009, ben diverso nell’impostazione da quelli precedenti - continua Patrizia Mirigliani - sono in linea con la personalità e il carattere di Miriam Leone, una Miss Italia da tutti molto apprezzata”.

Intanto si guarda già all’elezione della Prima Miss dell’Anno, iniziativa che da 15 anni apre a gennaio il Concorso di Miss Italia. Per la prima volta tale elezione sarà decisa dal pubblico televisivo, nel corso del programma L’anno che verrà, in onda su Raiuno la notte di Capodanno. La Prima Miss dell’Anno è proprio il titolo che ha portato Miriam Leone sul palcoscenico di Salsomaggiore Terme dove è divenuta Miss Italia 2008. Lo spettacolo, in diretta da Rimini e condotto da Carlo Conti, vedrà in gara tre ragazze, rappresentanti rispettivamente il nord, il centro e il sud. Il pubblico sceglierà la miss attraverso il televoto, aperto all’inizio della trasmissione; l’elezione avverrà subito dopo la mezzanotte. Ma c’è un’altra novità: la ragazza prescelta, proprio perché votata dal pubblico, sarà ammessa direttamente alle Finali di Salsomaggiore Terme (anziché alle Prefinali, come avvenuto finora). Le tre candidate al titolo saranno selezionate in un casting il 16 dicembre a Roma, presenti le ragazze già iscritte nel sito del Concorso. Il titolo di inizio anno, ideato da Enzo e Patrizia Mirigliani, ha messo in luce molte ragazze, tra le quali, nel 1997, Mara Carfagna, attuale Ministro delle Pari Opportunità.

LA GALLERY

http://www.panorama.it/

Miss France : retour au "païs" pour Noël

Retour. Chloé Mortaud va passer les fêtes chez elle. Dans le Tarn et en Ariège.

DDM

L e grand jour approche. Après deux semaines loin d'elle, Brenda et Jean-Marie Mortaud vont enfin retrouver leur fille. Ils l'ont quittée le dimanche 7 décembre, à la nuit tombée. Après être « montés » à Paris, ils retrouvent leur fille pour un dîner tout ce qu'il y a de plus banal.

Des retrouvailles chaleureuses, un repas dans un restaurant chinois, un retour à pied vers son hôtel et c'est déjà le temps de se dire au revoir. Même pas le temps de découvrir le (superbe) appartement de fonction des Miss France situé dans le XVIIe arrondissement de la capitale. Ce sera pour plus tard.

une année 2009 au pas de charge

Trois jours après l'élection historique du Puy du Fou pour Midi-Pyrénées, le papa se languissait déjà de sa fille. « Là, mon souhait, c'est de la revoir le plus vite possible. » Quinze jours totalement fous, aussi, pour la famille. Et si, emploi du temps surchargé oblige, Chloé ne retrouvera son canapé de Bénac que demain dans la soirée, ce n'est pas grave. « On attendra vingt-quatre heures de plus, c'est tout », explique Jean-Marie, faisant contre mauvaise fortune bon cœur. Car Chloé attend avec impatience son retour « chez elle. » Elle a d'ailleurs demandé à ses parents de l'attendre pour faire le sapin de Noël.

Comme quoi, la vie parisienne c'est bien, mais un petit retour dans le Sud, ça ne fait pas de mal. Surtout à 19 ans. Pendant quelques jours, la nouvelle Miss France va quitter le tumulte des micros ou des appareils photos pour un retour au calme bienvenu. Le temps de recharger les batteries avant d'entamer une année 2009 au pas de charge. Allez, encore un petit effort. Un dernier rendez-vous parisien ce matin et il sera alors temps de s'envoler pour le Sud. Enfin. Etape à Albi en fin d'après-midi puis, demain matin, accueil triomphal, chez elle à Bénac (voir par ailleurs). Comme toujours, dans la foule, Brenda, Jean-Marie et Grégoire (le petit frère) se feront discrets. Ils n'auront plus que quelques heures à attendre. Demain soir, ils auront Chloé pour eux tout seuls.

http://www.ladepeche.fr/

Gabrielle: Government not understanding Miss TT’s role

By MELISSA DASSRATH Sunday, December 21 2008


Gabrielle Walcott, the second runner-up in the Miss World pageant 2008, fears the worst for the future of Miss Trinidad and Tobago. The 24-year-old beauty queen who represented TT on December 13 in South Africa, said, “It is very sad that we do not invest in our national heroes and that our Government does not have the foresight of the potential of Miss TT.”

According to Walcott, this lack of funding will impact the future of Miss TT and cause many potential delegates to abandon their dreams of representing their country. “When I was a little girl I used to dream about being Miss TT and that was only made possible by funding. Peter Elias put out of his own pocket to finance my preparations for this pageant. I would not have wanted my dreams to be sabotaged by something that is out of my control. If there continues to be a consistent lack of funding a lot of girls will be forced to give up their dreams of being an ambassador to our country on the world stage.”

She said that Miss TT serves to set a good standard for a generation that is disoriented by foreign media. Walcott stated, “Our Government fails to recognise the role of Miss TT as a positive example for young people who are exposed to the influences of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.”

Furthermore, she said that young people are impressionable and will generally emulate adults. Walcott said the remedy for many of society’s ills stems from neglecting the youths, “A lot of the problems in our country could be solved if the Government started investing in youth.”

She praised Elias for making it his personal responsibility to ensure that she was prepared and provided with everything, “I never felt pressured because of the financial limitations. I must thank him for that.” As for his retirement, Walcott said he certainly left his mark on everyone he worked with, “Peter Elias ended his career on a high note. He has had an amazing run. He had the winning formula. We are definitely losing one of the greats.”

Looking back on her experience representing TT at the Miss World pageant, Walcott considers it one of the most memorable moments in her life,“It was an amazing experience, also every aspect of it was very well-rounded. Like, we went from an African Safari in the desert to meeting dignitaries in ball gowns.”

Walcott said that the pageant night was unforgettable. She said that she felt a little unnerved backstage, but was very at ease on stage, “You know, I was not nervous at all on stage. I felt nervous back-stage because I was rushing to get into my gown and find my jewelry. But once I was on stage I was able to pick out my family in the crowd. It helped me to feel calm and confident.”

Given a second chance at the crown, Walcott said there is not a single thing she would have done differently, “I am completely happy with the outcome. I am 100 percent proud of my performance. Although, I would have loved to finish my answer because my quote was strong. But everything happens for a reason. Still, I think the judges had a good idea of who I was.”

When asked what was the single most interesting person, place, or thing that she had the opportunity to meet, learn or experience, she said, “While we were on the safari tour, we visited Entabeni which means ‘place of the mountains’. It was breathtaking. We interacted with some of the South African wild animals there.”

In summing up her entire journey from model to Miss TT and Miss World, Walcott said, “It was a long journey. A journey of growth that culminated in a lot of personal development. I learned a lot about myself. I became mature, confident, passionate, secure and it strengthened my character. It was, undoubtedly, a pivotal year in my life.”

The challenges and triumphs that came along the way taught her certain life lessons also, “I struggled with being Miss TT from time to time. It was exciting getting the star treatment. The beautiful clothes, hair and makeup. But it quickly becomes old. Those are just superficial things. They cannot make you happy. I learned to dig a lot deeper than the physical.”

Throughout the period of preparation to performance, though, she indicated that she boldly remained true to herself, “I discovered that the true meaning of Miss World is strong character, inner warmth and genuine goodness and not just outward appearance. So I went into this with the understanding that I am going to be myself, but I also know that I am not perfect. So I surrender to allowing myself to develop.”

Responding to rumours about pre-pageant breast augmentation, she said, “That is a private part of my life. The two things you never ask a woman are to reveal her age and her beauty secrets.

http://www.newsday.co.tt/n

Japan

Lexus RX Museum - Press Preview

TOKYO - DECEMBER 19: 2006 Miss Universe Japan Kurara Chibana, Costume designer Keiko Hayakawa and 2007 Miss Universe Riyo Mori attend the Lexus RX Museum Press Preview at the Lexus International Gallery on December 19, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage)

Ex-Miss World to make graphic film of her rape

John Follain

IT was only seven weeks before she was named Miss World that Linor Abargil was raped and almost lost her life at the age of 18. A decade later, the Israeli model is to return to the scene of the crime in a documentary she hopes will inspire other rape victims to pursue their attackers as tenaciously as she did.

“I want to connect with women who have been raped,” Abargil said. “If I’d made this documentary 10 years ago, it would have been as a victim. Today I will make it as a survivor.”

In the film, which will be produced and directed by Cecilia Peck, the 50-year-old daughter of the actor Gregory Peck, Abargil will recall the events leading up to the attack.

She had been purring down the catwalks of Italy’s fashion capital when she became homesick and decided to leave early. She went to a travel agency in Milan to buy a flight to Rome on her way back to Israel.

Uri Shlomo, an Israeli travel agent, told her all flights to Rome were fully booked but said he was driving there and offered her a lift. On the outskirts of the city he stopped his BMW and stabbed her.

He taped her mouth and hands and raped her repeatedly before trying to asphyxiate her with a cord and a plastic bag. Somehow, she persuaded him to let her go. She went to the Italian police the following day and Shlomo was questioned, but then released.

Israeli investigators eventually took over the case. They tricked Shlomo into travelling to Israel and arrested him there. Abargil testified behind closed doors – she remembers that both she and the female prosecutor were in tears – and he was given a 16-year jail sentence.

Abargil, now 28, bristles when asked about reports that she succeeded in having the rapist jailed because of her celebrity. “I got him jailed not because I was Miss World but because I wanted to get him into prison. I never gave up. I knew from the beginning that I would win.” Since then she has been approached by many young rape victims who felt they had nobody else to talk to.

For the documentary she plans a graphic account of the attack. “I’ll tell the whole story, all the details, everything. I don’t want to be ashamed of what happened to me. Films show the details of other crimes all the time, so I will show the details of rape. If you don’t want to see it, you don’t have to watch,” she said.

Asked how she would cope with retelling the story in detail, she replied: “It will be hard but I always think of my duty, it’s something I can do for other people.”

Abargil and Peck have set up a website, www.linordocumentary.com, to seek other rape victims who are willing to take part in the film.

“The only way to overcome rape is to talk about it,” Abargil said. “I want victims to say ‘Yes, it happened to me and I want the guy to go to prison.’ I want their families to know.”

She hopes it will make women less ashamed and less inclined to blame themselves. She also wants better police procedures, longer jail sentences and rehabilitation for rapists in prison.

Peck, who made the documentaries Shut Up & Sing, about the Texan band Dixie Chicks, and In Conversation with Gregory Peck, said she was struck by Abargil’s determination to share what happened to her. “As a film maker, you look for someone who is willing to tell the truth, even when it makes you uncomfortable,” she said.

“I’m here to find out how one young woman was able to summon up the courage to step forward when so many others don’t. Linor’s mother, from the moment she answered the phone, told her to go straight to the police and not blame herself, when so many other mothers will tell their daughters never to say a word.”

After a short-lived marriage to Sarunas Jasikevicius, a Lithuanian basketball star, Abargil is working as an actress in Israel and studying for a law degree. “I want to fight for women, people can take from me. I wasn’t born just to eat and sleep,” she said.

She admits she has yet to overcome the trauma caused by the rape. “I get flashbacks or nightmares sometimes. For good or bad, it’s part of who I am. Sometimes it hurts more, sometimes it hurts less. But I get on with life.”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/

Miss Australia Universe 2008

IT'S far from the wholesome image expected from Miss Universe Australia.

WOw ... Laura models for Charlie Brown.

Laura Dundovic, 22, has posed in black underwear and suspenders for her first official photo shoot as the face of fashion label Charlie Brown.

"It is very sexy, but it has a sophistication to it," Dundovic said. "It's attention-grabbing, but it shows off the beautiful shirt."

The photo, for Charlie Brown's 2009 winter campaign, was shot at Darling Point mansion Swift House.

With one subject of her degree to complete, Dundovic, from Dural in northwest Sydney, has put her psychology studies at Macquarie University on hold for the time being.

"I got into honours at uni and that is really not as tempting as what I am doing at the moment," she said.

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

Miss Angola 2009 aponta a luta contra o HIV/Sida

	Angop
	Nelsa Alves aponta como alvo do seu mandato a luta contra o Hiv/Sida

Luanda - Nelsa Suraia Pombal Alves, eleita sexta-feira à noite Miss Angola 2009, apontou a luta contra o HIV/Sida e outras endemias como o seu "cavalo de batalha" para o seu mandato de um ano.

Falando à imprensa no final do concurso realizado no Cine Atlântico, a também Miss Luanda e Miss Ingombota adiantou que a intenção é dar continuidade ao trabalho desenvolvido pela sua antecessora, Lesliana Pereira, como forma de dar o seu contributo nas campanhas de sensibilização.

"Como Miss e figura pública, tenho a obrigação de dar o meu exemplo, que passa pela realização de campanhas de sensibilização mostrando ao público, principalmente os jovens, as formas de protecção contra a doença", disse.

Na qualidade de Miss Luanda e Miss Ingombota, Nelsa Alves disse que o seu alvo estará direccionado na participação pela melhoria da qualidade da imagem da capital angolana.

Apesar de reconhecer o potencial das outras concorrentes, Nelsa Alves disse ter-se preparado para vencer a edição 2009 do Miss Angola.

"Todas as candidatas tinham em mente a vitória, e eu como representante de Luanda não podia deixar mal os meus concidadãos. Não ficaria bem na foto não ganhar o título do concurso realizado em Luanda", frisou.

Como prémio, Nelsa Suraia Pombal Alves receberá uma viatura de marca Gol, três mil dólares e um fio de ouro branco com pedras de diamantes.

http://www.portalangop.co.ao/

Indian beauty says deserved Miss World title

JOHANNESBURG: The first runner-up of Miss World 2008 Parvathy Omanakuttan said she was done in by the jury alleging that its decision to adjudge her only second best was "unfair".

"I have performed better than others in the personality and question-answer round. This is not just that. All those who watched it felt like that. I feel the jury's decision was unfair",

Parvathy(21), who was adjudged the first runner up from among 108 contestants at the Miss World pageant in Johannesburg, told local tv channel.

"I had confidence. I could do well. The question-round did not come as a challenge to me considering my background in literature," said Parvathy.

Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai (1994), Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999) and Priyanka Chopra (2000) were the previous five Indian beauty queens who had won the coveted title.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/

Nelsa Alves leva coroa de Miss Angola 2009 ao município da Ingombota

Luanda - A jovem Nelsa Suraia Pombal Alves, natural do município da Ingombota, província de Luanda, foi eleita na noite de sexta-feira sucessora de Lesliana Pereira, durante a gala de Miss Angola 2009, realizada no Cine Atlântico.
Numa gala animada por artistas nacionais, como Maya Cool e Ary, e pela brasileira Joanna, a estudante de 21 anos, que também detêm o título de Miss Ingombota e Miss Luanda, teve que superar 24 concorrentes.
Como prémio, Nelsa Suraia Pombal Alves receberá uma viatura de marca Gol, três mil dólares e um fio de ouro branco com pedras de diamantes.Para primeira e segunda dama de honor elegeu-se as jovens Jercinda da Silva, da província de Cabinda, e Vilma Leonardo, da Lunda Norte, respectivamente.

Aberto com o desfile em trajes tipicamente angolanos ao som de batuques executados por quatro instrumentistas, as candidatas tiveram depois que exibir os seus dotes físicos em fato de banhos e roupa de gala.
Intercalando a música e o desfile das concorrentes, a organização que elegeu este ano o tema "Nossa Gente...Nosso Desporto", numa homenagem aos desportistas angolanos e demonstração do casamento entre o desporto e a beleza.

Durante a gala foi ainda eleita a Miss Simpatias, título que ficou com Emilia Pires, Miss Bengo2009. Para Miss Fotogenia, os fotógrafos e câmeras da televisão elegeram Calita Teixeira, da província de Benguela.

Miss Angola Telecom, título que resultou da votação online do público, foi para Nezireth Francisco, da província do Kwanza Sul, enquanto que para a Miss Pele de Seda elegeu-se Vilma Leonardo, da Lunda Norte.
A Miss Angola 2009 representará o país no concurso Miss Universo 2009, enquanto a primeira e segunda dama de honor vão ao Miss Mundo.

http://www.portalangop.co.ao/

Governador recebe a visita de candidatas a Miss Alagoas

(19/12/2008 20:01)

Neno Canuto / Divulgação

Téo e as misses

O governador Teotonio Vilela recebeu, em seu gabinete, na noite desta sexta-feira, as vinte candidatas ao Concurso Miss Alagoas 2009, e desejou a todas boa sorte e reflexão sobre a responsabilidade de representar uma cidade e o Estado. Na ocasião, o governador foi presenteado pelas candidatas.

“É preciso encarar essa representação com muita responsabilidade; o município, o Estado, estão confiando em vocês, independente de ser um reinado de beleza ou não, vocês levam o nome da cidade, do Estado”, reforçou.

O concurso vai acontecer no próximo domingo, no Teatro Gustavo Leite. De acordo com o organizador do evento, Paulo Magalhães, as candidatas, com idade entre 18 e 25 anos, vão representar alguns municípios de Alagoas, entre eles, Arapiraca, Palmeira, Messias, Santana do Ipanema, Junqueiro, São Miguel dos Campos, Rio Largo, Atalaia, entre outros. A vencedora do concurso vai representar Alagoas no Concurso Miss Brasil em abril.

http://www.primeiraedicao.com.br

No compromises!

She’s the perfect combination of beauty and brains and it is this trait that helped her win the Miss Universe crown in 1994. Sushmita Sen with her father Subir Sen (TOI Photo) More Pics We are talking about the unmistakeable aura of Sushmita, the ‘sen’sation, who makes it to the headlines for some reason or the other, be it her numerous link-ups or her absence from the bada parda. Little wonder then that when this actor chose to tower over Kolkata on Thursday to celebrate her Baba’s birthday, the flashbulbs didn’t seem to get enough of her. But the lady had more than enough to appease one and all. With her wits in place, she wisecracked that as opposed to 2008, there would be an overdose of her in the coming year. “This year, I was busy shooting and there were several post-production delays. But in 2009, there’s Dulha Mil Gaya with Shah Rukh Khan, a David Dhawan film Do Not Disturb and Karma Confesssions and Holi with Randeep Hooda and Naomi Campbell,” she filled us in. The actor seemed visibly excited to have worked with Naomi. Talking about her experience of working with the supermodel, she said, “Naomi is like a child. She can throw tantrums and be difficult at times. But at the end of the day, she is a great human being, very hard working and gorgeously stunning.” But with two of the world’s most beautiful women together, didn’t they ever get catty? “Not at all,” assured Sushmita, adding, “In fact, we got along like a house on fire.” We have no reason to doubt that. But talking about fire, one couldn’t help but ask Sushmita about the firebrand experience that Mumbai recently witnessed. “I lived through those days in Mumbai. I was horrified to witness something so ruthless and gruesome,” she reminisced, while stressing, “This is a wake-up call. We have to ensure that we do our bit to fight terror. It’s time we stop blaming others, politicians, for that matter and do something right away.” Not one to mince words, she revealed that she is “better-equipped” to face life post 26/11. But she is also quick to applaud Mumbai’s “fearless and resilient” spirit. “Even the foreigners should be applauded for not giving in and visiting the city again,” she continued. The terror attacks may have severed India’s ties with neighbouring Pakistan but Sushmita does not approve of the strained relations between the two countries especially on the sports and cultural arenas. This haseena who had recently rocked the small screen with the khiladi from us paar — Wasim Akram — in Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena on Colors, points out that such drastic measures will not help improve the situation. “Human beings, denied of human contact, cannot survive. If we give in so easily and build walls between us, terrorism will win,” she warned. This undying spirit is evident in her work as well. And she is in no mood to give in, especially when it comes to her home production Rani Lakshmibai. “I don’t want to make any compromises with this venture. That’s why I want to take it slow, following the global meltdown. Nevermind if I have to put the project on hold for some time. I want everything perfect for this movie,” she said. At a time when the lady was at her communicative best, we tried our best not to let go of her so easily. But that was not to be. But before her disappearing act, she did confess her “love” to be cast in a Bengali project. Even though she had been offered many earlier, nothing seemed to have materialised. “When I do a Bengali movie, it better be a masterpiece,” was her parting shot.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

Adriella Barbosa é a Miss Beleza Negra MS 2008

Da Redação

Foto: Livio Bozzano

Arielle Barbosa, a mais bela negra de MS

A disputa foi acirrada entre as 28 candidatas a Miss Beleza Negra MS 2008. O quadro de jurados formado por entidades do Movimento Negro, Colônias Paraguaia, Libanesa, Japonesa, Luso Brasileira, Fundação Municipal de Cultura, Fundação Municipal do Esporte, Coordenadoria de políticas públicas para a mulher, Conselhos Municipal e Estadual dos Direitos do Negro, empresários, ex modelos, entre outras autoridades, tiveram a difícil missão de escolher a mais bela negra de Mato Grosso do Sul.

Das 28 candidatas, 10 passaram para a segunda fase e cinco para a grande final. Adriella Barbosa da Rocha Batista de 20 anos, consultora de vendas, foi a grande vencedora, levando pra casa um presente da Joiart, um jeans @zero, um kit feminino presente do Banco do Brasil, um vale da Lucimar Roza Hair Designer, um kit presente da Cazo, um book fotográfico do fotografo Livio Bozzano da Revista Ímpar, um mega hair presente do Rudy Nolasco Cabeleireiro; um curso completo de informática do Cebrac, meia bolsa de estudo no Colégio Latino Americano, um dia de beleza presente do Arce Cabeleireiro, uma mesa e uma cadeira presente da Mov Flex.

A Miss Simpatia foi Camila Alves Bernardo de 21 anos, manicure, premiada com um relógio de parede presente do Banco do Brasil, um vale da Lucimar Roza Hair Designer e um secador presente da Ele & ela cosméticos.

A terceira colocada foi Janete Rosa de Souza de 48 anos, diretora de escola, que foi premiada com um relógio de parede presente do Banco do Brasil, um vale da Lucimar Roza Hair Designer e um kit presente da Cazo.

A segunda colocada foi Fhabianna Santos Teles, 23 anos, bióloga, que faturou um relógio de parede presente do Banco do Brasil, um vale da Lucimar Roza Hair Designer, um kit presente da Cazo e meia bolsa para fazer inglês no CCAA.

Após o sucesso do evento, o concurso tem sua segunda edição garantida em 2009 com eliminatórias no interior do Estado. O concurso foi realizado na noite de ontem no Atalaia Show Bar e foi organizado pela Show de Bola Comunicação, Marketing e Eventos.

http://www.fatimanews.com.br/

Pakistan May Not Be Ready for Its Beauty Queen

David Goldman for The New York Times

Natasha Paracha, 24, a United Nations worker, was crowned Miss Pakistan World this May in a pageant held in, well, Ontario.

By SUSAN DOMINUS

Published: December 18, 2008

If you live in the East Village, you may have seen the reigning Miss Pakistan coming out of her walk-up not far from St. Marks Place. You may have glimpsed her celebrating her victory with some friends at the Hudson Hotel, or entering one of the jazz clubs where she likes to hear live music.

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Times Topics: Susan Dominus

Every once in a while, you can catch Miss Pakistan, Natasha Paracha, 24, hopping out of a cab in her rhinestone tiara, fresh from an appearance. “Give me that tiara!” a young man with his boyfriend called out to her on such an occasion a few weeks ago. “I want it!” She flashed them a megawatt smile but kept the tiara, which she normally stashes in a floral-patterned box in her closet.

On the one hand, it seems only natural that Miss Pakistan should live in downtown Manhattan, a place where celebrity seems to be its own form of local citizenry. On the other hand, it makes no sense at all. You could say a lot about the glamorous internationalism of, say, Shanghai, and yet there’s no chance that you’d catch the reigning Miss America taking up residence there, limiting herself to an audience of expatriates.

The Miss Pakistan pageant, now in its sixth year, is unique as these things go. None of this year’s 12 contestants, to start, reside in Pakistan, but hail instead from the United States, Canada and England. (The full title reflects that international flavor: Miss Pakistan World.) And the contestants do not compete for the crown in Lahore or Islamabad, but in Mississauga, Ontario. Pakistan, apparently, is not yet ready for a beauty pageant, although why that is depends on whom you ask.

“It’s still a new country, and pageantry is a new concept there,” said Ms. Paracha, chic in a Nanette Lepore dress, sipping an espresso at the Blue Water Grill. “The entertainment industry is just developing.”

Ms. Paracha, who works at the United Nations and has lived in the United States since age 2, allowed that there might be some backlash in Pakistan, a conservative Muslim state, if one of its representatives were to compete internationally in a bikini. Indeed, Amna Buttar, a founder of the Asian-American Network Against Abuse of Human Rights, who lives in Lahore, pointed out that there is currently a scandal brewing in Pakistan over a leak of photographs of the daughter of the governor of Punjab swimming in a bikini.

“In Pakistan, we are trying to get basic rights for women: right to marry, right to divorce, equal opportunity for job and education, and issues like Miss Pakistan create problems for this movement,” Ms. Buttar said in an e-mail message. “An average Pakistani young woman does not want to wear a bikini in public, and for her it is important to have equal opportunity and all focus should be on that, and not on a pageant where only the elite can participate.”

The founder of the pageant, a Toronto entrepreneur named Sonia Ahmed, said that she had been making plans to take the pageant to Pakistan as soon as next year until the fall of President Pervez Musharraf, whose government was considered relatively open to the advancement of women — which in Pakistan, at least, meant the conditions were relatively favorable for aspiring beauty queens. Now, she is keeping the pageant in Canada because she cannot guarantee the security of contestants.

“It may only be like 1 percent of the total population, but the fundamentalist problem is still present in Pakistan,” Ms. Ahmed said.

Since she was crowned in May, Ms. Paracha, a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, has limited her appearances to the United States, speaking at a gathering of nonresident Pakistanis in New York, showing up at a Pakistan Day celebration in Washington, raising money for Vision of Development, a nonprofit agency that she started in high school to support rural Pakistani women, and making the occasional media appearance.

This month, she went on CNN to urge her country to stand up and condemn the terrorist attacks on Mumbai, except that she accidentally used the word condone. Fortunately, it was clear from the context what she meant, and no international incidents ensued. (Slip of the tongue or not, her comments were an improvement on those of a previous Miss Pakistan: calling President Musharraf a “hunk” she’d like to date.)

So Ms. Paracha is a beauty queen, unlike most others in some important regards, and a lot like them in others: a comely ambassador for her country who’s eager to avoid controversy, promote her country and be a good role model for young women (she’s also an accomplished flamenco dancer). She told CNN she’d like “to show that Pakistani women are strong and we can definitely do a lot to represent the nation on a global sphere.”

It may sound like yet another blandishment, but given what Ms. Ahmed had to say, Ms. Paracha, who is traveling to Islamabad on Saturday to see her family and, she hopes, make press appearances, may be making more of a political statement than she would care to admit in taking on that particular crown.

In future global competitions, Ms. Paracha, an observant Muslim, says yes, she’d be willing to wear a bikini (there was no bathing suit event in this year’s Miss Pakistan competition, though there has been twice since 2002). “It’s just one small aspect of the pageant,” she said. Because both Miss World and Miss Universe require that their competitors be crowned in the country they represent, Ms. Paracha is ineligible for those competitions. But Miss Tourism Queen International — watch out!

E-mail: susan.dominus@nytimes.com

http://www.nytimes.com/

Miss Angola 2009 é eleita esta noite

Yara Simão |

Abram alas porque as pulcrérrimas (belíssimas) vão passar. As 26 candidatas ao Miss Angola 2009 vão desfilar em fato de banho, traje tradicional e vestido de gala, esta noite na passarela do Cine Atlântico.
Os espectadores vão calcular a dimensão da beleza angolana. Uma das concorrentes recebe a coroa de Lesliana Pereira. Mas, para conquistarem o ceptro, para além de mostrarem o quanto são boas de corpo, têm de mostrar inteligência, porque o júri vai interrogá-las sobre cultura geral.
O tema do concurso Miss Angola 2009 é o Desporto, que por sinal é um quebra-cabeças para a maioria das beldades angolanas. Com a sua beleza excitante, as 26 candidatas revelaram à reportagem do “Jornal de Angola” as suas perspectivas, no caso de conquistarem a coroa de mulher mais bela de Angola. O país tem outras beldades, não coroadas, de Norte a Sul, mas essas não concorreram.
Carla Arlete, técnica de contabilidade e gestão, 21 anos, concorreu à mulher mais bela do Namibe e ganhou. Conquistar a coroa foi difícil, porque não basta só ter beleza: “o aspecto físico não é tudo na vida e num concurso de beleza, é preciso ter uma boa postura, personalidade e acreditar em si mesma.” Carla Arlete revelou que todas as candidatas tiveram aulas de cultura geral.
A nossa equipa de reportagem fez um teste à cultura geral de oito misses. Carla Arlete sabe que a primeira miss Angola foi antes eleita miss Namibe e depois foi Miss Portugal. “Sei que a primeira miss saiu aqui do Namibe, só o nome é que já não me vem na mente”. Nós refrescámos a memória da beldade do deserto. A primeira Miss Angola foi a Riquita.
Caso ganhe o concurso Miss Angola hoje à noite, Carla Arlete diz que vai trabalhar na área da educação e na sensibilização do meio ambiente. Ela acha mesmo que vai ganhar mas “seja qual for o resultado, estou preparada para o que der e vier”.
Josefa Cupisiala, 18 anos, é estudante do curso de Ciências Físicas e Biologia. Foi eleita Miss Moxico 2009. Para ela, o concurso é de beleza, mas também de inteligência. “Caso seja a vencedora, vou trabalhar no resgate dos valores morais e culturais do nosso país, principalmente na minha província”.
Josefa Cupisiala disse que o Comité Miss Angola proporcionou a todas as concorrentes, aulas de etiqueta, Literatura e História. “Está a valer a pena, percebi que o concurso não é simplesmente mostrar a beleza feminina.”
Se a coroa continuar na província do Zaire, as atenções da futura miss Angola vão estar viradas para o combate à malária. Yara Guida, de 19 anos, sucedeu a Lesliana Pereira, no concurso provincial.
Nelma Pinheiro vem do Kwanza-Norte, tem 20 anos e é estudante de Direito. Confessa que sente o peso da responsabilidade por representar as mulheres da sua província. Ser miss Kwanza-Norte é mais do que beleza, é também trabalhar em projectos sociais que beneficiem a população.
“Por isso uma das minhas prioridades, caso venha ser a sucessora de Lesliana Pereira, é trabalhar com crianças desfavorecidas de todas as províncias. Quero levar a todos alimentação e material escolar”.
Nelma Pinheiro diz que o concurso Miss Angola é uma forma de mostrar ao mundo a beleza angolana.

Beleza e inteligência

Representar a beleza e a intelectualidade da mulher angolana, é o projecto da miss Luanda, Nelsa Alves, de 21 anos, estudante do curso de engenharia ambiental. Como miss Luanda, pretende ajudar o Governo Provincial, em particular na educação. Nelsa garantiu que está preparada para o concurso, pois confia na sua beleza e na sua inteligência.
“Tivemos o apoio do Comité Miss Angola com aulas de Educação Física, etiqueta, cultura geral e História. Tudo isso consiste na preparação para o concurso”, disse Nelsa Alves. Miss Luanda sabe muito bem que a primeira Miss Angola, antes da independência, foi a Riquita, mas já não se lembra do ano. Ela ainda não era nascida.
Luísa Simba é estudante de Enfermagem, 18 anos, e foi eleita miss Bié. Considera-se o espelho da província: “tenho de demonstrar boas atitudes e, acima de tudo, personalidade”. Para ela, o concurso significa mostrar a beleza angolana mas, sobretudo, a beleza africana. Luísa gostou das aulas de etiqueta, costura e cultura geral.
Manuela Tavares, de 22 anos, é estudante universitária de Relações Internacionais. Representa a comunidade angolana no Reino Unido. Participar no maior concurso de beleza em Angola, sempre foi o seu sonho, agora concretizado.
Manuela garante que estar entre as candidatas já foi uma grande vitória. “Não venho ao país desde os meus 14 anos, estando aqui, estou a aprender a língua portuguesa e a conhecer sítios de que só ouvia falar.”
Caso vença o concurso, a candidata do Reino Unido pretende trabalhar em projectos sociais e culturais. “Quero levar para o Reino Unido, as riquezas culturais do meu país.”

Adeus à coroa

“Trabalhar como Miss Angola foi um sonho que realizei. Cresci e conheci lugares que antes eram para mim imaginários. O meu mandato foi um ano de muitas surpresas. Realizei várias actividades sociais e prometo continuar a realizá-las, mesmo estando fora do Comité”, disse Lesliana Pereira, que até logo à noite ainda é a rainha da beleza angolana.
“À minha sucessora, peço que continue a trabalhar no combate à SIDA”, disse Lesliana Pereira. A ainda Miss Angola reconheceu que o Comité este ano reuniu um grupo de jovens muito bonitas e garantiu que as 26 candidatas estão preparadas para o concurso: “o júri vai ter um trabalho muito difícil”, disse Lesliana.
De acordo com a ainda detentora da coroa, o Comité Miss Angola tem dado a cada concorrente formação para que a beleza angolana seja representada por alguém que não vai deixar ficar mal o país: “eu transmiti a todas a minha experiência. É uma maneira de se sentirem apoiadas”, disse Lesliana Pereira, que deixa um conselho às beldades que logo à noite vão desfilar no Cine Atlântico: “cuidem da vossa educação e da cultura geral, porque a beleza não está só na face ou no corpo, mas também na mente.
O conjunto de tudo, sim, torna uma mulher bela.”
Lesliana Pereira disse ainda que o Comité Miss Angola tem feito um grande trabalho na preparação das jovens que participam nos concursos de beleza mas “a sabedoria e a inteligência é nossa, não do concurso.”

Os títulos mundiais

Depois da independência, o concurso Miss Angola só voltou a ser realizado em 1992, com o objectivo de elevar a beleza da mulher angolana dentro e fora do país. Emília Guardado foi a primeira miss Angola, a trazer um título para o país ao vencer o concurso de beleza “Miss Pernas”.
Stiviandra Oliveira conquistou o quarto lugar de Miss Mundo. Micaela Reis, miss Angola 2007, foi eleita a segunda mulher mais bonita do universo no concurso que decorreu na China.
Já este mês, Brigite dos Santos, Miss Luanda, esteve entre as cinco melhores candidatas a Miss Mundo 2009, no concurso realizado na África do Sul.

http://www.jornaldeangola.com/

Miss World 2008

Top of the world

Kseniya Sukhinova won the Miss World 2008 crown on Saturday in a glittering African-themed pageant where she outshone 108 other international beauties and pledged to "help people."

"And Miss World 2008 is Russia," announced Julia Morley, head of the Miss World committee that organises the event.

The second runner up was Gabrielle Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago and the first runner up Parvathay Omanakuttan of India.

The 21-year-old blue-eyed blonde beauty, who declared shortly before her win was announced that being nervous made her "feel stronger," takes over from Zhang Zi Lin of China to become the 58th Miss World.

"I think I can help people and I want to help people and today if I walk away with this crown I will do that," Sukhinova told judges through a translator after being asked why she should be crowned the winner.

Hailing from Nizhnevartovsk in the north west of Siberia, Sukhinova was dressed in a purple gown, with a decorative neckline and flowing skirt.

She is a student pursuing an engineering degree from the Tyumen Oil and Gas University.

Sukhinova becomes the second Miss Russia to win the global event after Julia Kourochkina took the crown in 1992.

India's Omanakuttan wooed the crowd by greeting them in the Afrikaans language, spoken by many in South Africa. She also referred to heroes such as Mahatma Ghandi and South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela, who was quoted by Trinidad and Tobago's Walcott as well.

Contestants, aged 17 to 25, were dressed by South African and Jamaican designers for the final show after a month of galas, rehearsals and even a safari on the tip of the African continent.

Trading glamour for the bush, the beauties donned T-shirts and snea­kers as they ga­me­ly tram­ped into the bush to see lions and giraffes, play African drums, sleep in huts and cook traditional Zulu meals.

Johannesburg sought to use the event to boost its ima­ge as a world class city, despite being known for its high crime rates, while the country also hopes to benefit from the publicity ahead of staging the football World Cup in 2010.

Beauties from 109 countries were whittled down to 15 semi-finalists with India, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, Angola and South Africa among the five finalists.

The winner of the event, broadcast live to millions of viewers in 187 countries, has to espouse "beauty with a purpose" with charity being one of the main focuses of the pageant.

The 51-year-old competition was originally scheduled for October 4 in Kiev, but was delayed in September over security concerns due to the conflict between Russia and Georgia.

First impressions after victory

In an interview with a Russian newspaper, Miss Sukhinova described the off stage life of the contestants and also shared her plans for the future.

She said she did not yet know how to spend the 100 thousand dollars she received as a monetary prize, but suggested that she could aid some Russian biathlon union.

"Honestly, I have not yet decided anything about the money. Why not donate it for biathlon? I had a degree in biathlon back home in Nizhnevartovsk and I attended races in Khanty Mansiysk," the pageant winner told the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper.

The news Miss World also added that contrary to the popular belief there were no hidden intrigues in the contest.

"We had nothing of this sort. I became real good friends with the girl from Ukraine, we live in one room. The girls from Latin America were really good company as well", she said.

Miss Sukhinova also said that the pageant was quite difficult and stressful. "The hardest thing at the pageant were the rehearsals that lasted for hours. Me and other girl got really tired. I only slept for two hours before the finals, I was so worried. And at the Miss Sport contest we were running, jumping and even doing press-ups".

However, the new star said that she could not concentrate on her original engineer's career and personal life. "I have not even thought about the subject of my thesis yet. I have had no time. Of course, I hope to graduate, but I do not know how I will do that. I will have to travel the whole world. What happens afterwards - we will see", Sukhinova said.

"My heart is vacant now", the Miss World added, sighing. "With one pageant following another, I have no time for personal life..."

Tutors praise Miss World's academic success

Despite of Miss Sukhinova's confession of paying very little attention to studies, the tutors at the university praised her academic record on Monday, happily complaining that the news of her victory almost disrupted classes.

Sukhinova is a fifth-year student studying cybernetic systems in the Oil and Gas University in Tyumen, a center of the region's oil and gas industry located over 2,000 kilometers from Moscow. She is one of only five women in the 27-student group.

Yefremova said Sukhinova has had her course schedule tailored to her needs since winning the Miss Russia crown last year.

"Ksenia is an aspiring girl. She demonstrated excellent knowledge at [the latest] exams," the head of the university's cybernetic systems department, Oleg Kuzyakov, said. "We are very glad she won. Her group and the whole university will congratulate Ksenia, when she is in Tyumen."

The professor said reporters have virtually besieged the university, which is adorned with Ksenia's photographs and posters with congratulations, complicating classes on Monday.

"This is a pleasant diversion from work, with journalists asking questions of professors and Ksenia's fellow students. Such things do not happen every day," Kuzyakov said.

Combined report RIA Novosti, AFP, The Moscow New -http://www.mnweekly.ru/

Una Miss Mundo cibernética

Un auténtico enjambre de fans y periodistas esperaban ayer en el aeropuerto moscovita de Domodiédovo a Ksenia Sujínova, coronada el pasado sábado en Johannesburgo como Miss Mundo 2008. Nada más aparecer en la terminal, Ksenia, que llevaba puesta la corona y un traje de noche, fue agasajada con decenas de ramos de flores. Ni las horas de vuelo, ni el brusco cambio de clima hicieron mella en su angelical rostro.

Se trasladó después a la sede de la agencia ITAR-TASS, donde ofreció su primera rueda de prensa en suelo ruso. «Lo que más deseo es ver a mi madre, a mi familia y la nieve», fueron sus primeras palabras. Sujínova nació hace 21 años en Nizhnevártovsk (Siberia), la zona petrolera más importante de Rusia, pero vive y estudia en la ciudad siberiana de Tiumén, en donde obtuvo su primer título de belleza hace tres años. Luego fue proclamada Miss Rusia en 2007. «El haber obtenido este título no cambia mis planes, pienso terminar mis estudios y ser ingeniera», aseguró. La reina mundial de la belleza está ya en quinto curso de la Universidad Estatal de Petróleo y Gas de Tiumén. Su especialidad son los «sistemas cibernéticos» y, según sus profesores, es un área muy difícil, en el que, no obstante, obtiene muy buenas calificaciones.

La joven reveló ayer que el secreto de su éxito en Miss Mundo es la práctica del deporte. «Me dedico con regularidad al biatlón y la gimnasia». «Hace tan sólo tres años, ni se me pasó por la cabeza que iba a participar en concursos de belleza», reconoció. Ksenia dice que la mayor dificultad que tuvo que afrontar durante la fase final del concurso fue tener que definir la diferencia que hay entre mujer y hombre. «Me quedé en suspenso unos segundos, pero me vino enseguida la respuesta a la cabeza. Les dije que los hombres marchan hacia sus objetivos por el camino más corto mientras nosotras lo hacemos en zigzag».

Miss Mundo 2008 admite que tuvo unas adversarias de gran nivel y que aprendió mucho en la competición. «Los concursos de belleza son una auténtica escuela de la vida».

Sujínova se quejó de la imagen negativa de Rusia en el mundo. «Nos pintan como personas con la estaca preparada, pero yo quisiera ser para mi país un símbolo, no sólo de belleza, sino también de amistad y bondad». La joven rusa no sabe todavía en qué se va a gastar el dinero del premio y anuncia que nadie ha conquistado todavía su corazón. Le gusta la literatura, su escritor preferido es Mijaíl Bulgákov, y la música de Sting y Madonna.

http://www.abc.es/

Miss Mundo 2008

La belleza de Kseniya Sukhinova no pasó inadvertida el pasado 13 de diciembre, día en que fue proclamada Miss Mundo 2008
Pinche sobre la imagen para ver las ampliaciones de las fotografías

Natural de Rusia, tiene 21 años y estudia una licenciatura en la Universidad de Tyumen para convertirse en Ingeniero de Administración

ASÍ ES KSENIYA SUKHINOVA, LA NUEVA MISS MUNDO: 'MI LEMA ES SEGUIR ADELANTE, SIN IMPORTAR LO QUE PASE'

Es rusa, tiene 21 años, le gusta viajar y se confiesa una amante del deporte y de los bailes de salón

16 DICIEMBRE 2008
Es, desde hace menos de una semana, la nueva reina de la belleza mundial. La rusa Kseniya Sukhinova se proclamó Miss Mundo 2008 el pasado sábado 13 de diciembre, en una brillante ceremonia que se llevó a cabo en el Centro de Convenciones Sandton de Johannesburgo, la Ciudad del Oro. Millones de personas en todo el planeta fueron testigos de cómo su antecesora, la china Zilin Zhang, le cedía su corona mientras ella intentaba contener la emoción y un aplauso ensordecedor acompañaba tan mágico momento.

Su innegable belleza la llevó a superar a las otras 108 candidatas que aspiraban a alzarse con el título, en una edición que ha roto el récord en número de participantes. Su rostro ocupa ya miles de portadas en todo el mundo, pero ella sigue siendo la misma chica sencilla que adora pasar el mayor tiempo posible con su familia, sus amigos y su gato.

Aunque reside con sus padres en la ciudad rusa de Tyumen, Kseniya Sukhinova vino al mundo hace 21 años en Nijnevartovsk, un pequeño pueblo situado al norte de Siberia. La joven asegura que ya siendo niña era una gran deportista: “Mi madre me llevaba a clases de gimnasia desde los cinco años, y llegué a obtener un graduado profesional”. También se interesó por la natación y el ballet, de hecho se confiesa una amante de los bailes de salón. A los 13 años destacó en biathlon, un deporte muy popular en algunos países nórdicos que combina esquí de fondo con estilo libre y tiro. Ha practicado esquí de montaña, patinaje sobre ruedas, bádminton y gimnasia rítmica. Sin embargo, Kseniya abandonó la idea de dedicarse profesionalmente al deporte cuando decidió estudiar una carrera.

En su tiempo libre disfruta leyendo obras de la literatura clásica rusa y confiesa que, si pudiera viajar atrás en el tiempo, “iría a la época de los mosqueteros, porque había mucha pasión, romance, honor y coraje en la Francia de entonces”. En cuanto a sus preferencias gastronómicas, disfruta con la comida japonesa e italiana. Sus artistas favoritos son ABBA y Sting, “pero cuando me apetece bailar escucho música house”.

Actualmente cursa una licenciatura en la Universidad de Tyumen para convertirse en Ingeniero de Administración. “Disfruto mucho de mis estudios, de hecho tengo un premio del instituto al Estudiante Excepcional de 2006”, afirma. Aunque otra de sus ambiciones es llegar a convertirse en una supermodelo para poder practicar una de sus mayores aficiones: viajar. Su deseo está más cerca de hacerse realidad tras haberse convertido en la nueva Miss Mundo, una hazaña que ha conseguido guiándose por su lema personal: “Seguir adelante, no importa lo que suceda, y respetando a los demás para que te respeten”.

http://www.hola.com/

Miss India

Miss India World: Hot or Not?
December 18 2008 12:50 PST

Pantaloon's Femina Miss India World 2008 narrowly lost the coveted crown of Miss World to Miss Russia, the tall, blonde haired Ksenia Sukhinova last weekend. It was undoubtedly a grueling journey to the end, which included everything from bathing suits, talent shows, and evening gown portions. In the end India's beloved Parvathi Omanakuttan still came out as the first runner up, which will make her a pride of the country.

Moving forward it'll be interesting to see what Parvathi has planned to do next. She told some sources, 'I am looking for a career in films but have not really planned my future as I first need to go on a long vacation to calm myself. However, I hope good roles come my way.' Parvathi's continual hard work in different beauty pageants has given her a well earned vacation. Parvathi isn't too far off from the dream of becoming the next Bollywood movie starlet either as Indian Miss World beauty queens very often go on to become actresses, examples which include the likes of Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra. But the question begs to be asked whether or not the reigning Miss India is considered as beautiful and sexy as her crown would say she is by all and thus worthy of the next career move she hopes to transition into, which would be film.

The twenty-one year old from Kerala, India now resides in Mumbai and wore an above the knee plum colored dress to a recent press meet at Olive, showing off her hot body. We'll wait to see how talented she is as an actress. But for now Desi Hits readers should take a closer look at the pictures of Parvathi's press meet and let us know what they think. Is she hot or not?

http://www.desihits.com/

India's Miss World Runner Up Celebrates Her Victory

India boasts of Miss Worlds like Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (1994), Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999) and Priyanka Chopra (2000). Now to join the list is Parvathy Omanakuttan. She was adjudged the first runner-up of Miss World 2008 at a glittering ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday, while Miss Russia Kseniya Sukhinova won one of the most prestigious crown of the year.

Miss Trinidad and Tobago Gabrielle Walcott was declared second runner-up. Among the other five finalists were Ms Angola Brigite Santos and Ms South Africa Tansey Coetzee

Parvathy Omanakuttan celebrated her victory at their ancestral house in Kottayam. She impressed the jury with her looks and quick wit and was one the five finalists out of the 109 contestants at the Sandton Convention Center. She was finally beaten by Miss Russia.

Parvathy's excited family members said they were actually expecting her to win the Miss World crown. "I am very happy, but disappointed very much, because not only me, every one in the family expected that she will be getting the Miss World crown," said Ashok Kumar, Parvathy's uncle.

The pageant was broadcast live to over one billion viewers in 187 countries. Last year's Miss World title was won by China's Zhang Zi Lin.

http://living.oneindia.in/i

Miss Taguatinga 2009 será escolhida

O concurso será nesta sexta-feira (19), a partir das 20h, no salão de eventos do Lions Club Taguatinga Independência. No evento, haverá o espetáculo de variedades Taguatinga é show com responsabilidade social. O jornalista Carlos Alberto Bahouth Júnior será homenageado por ser o pioneiro da vida cultural e social da cidade. O concurso é promovido pela revista Evidence e a Evidence Eventos. O Miss Taguatinga é um projeto cultural e social, que destinará parte de sua renda para o Lar da Criança Padre Cícero. Os convites estão à venda no Taguatinga Shopping e no Alameda Shopping, pelo valor de R$ 20.

http://www.comuniweb.com.br/

Miss World 2008, Kseniya Sukhinova

Miss World 2008 Kseniya Sukhinova of Russia attends a press conference in Moscow on December 17, 2008. Sukhinova was crowned Miss World 2008 in Johannesburg on December 13 after beating 108 other international beauties in a glittering African extravaganza.
AFP PHOTO / ALEXEY SAZONOV (Photo credit should read Alexey SAZONOV/AFP/Getty Images)


Miss World 2008 Kseniya Sukhinova of Russia sits under a portrait of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at a press conference in Moscow on December 17, 2008. Sukhinova was crowned Miss World 2008 in Johannesburg on December 13 after beating 108 other international beauties in a glittering African extravaganza.
AFP PHOTO / ALEXEY SAZONOV (Photo credit should read Alexey SAZONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

Tal vez este no era el año

Nataly Chilet siente que tal vez este no era el año en el que tenía más posibilidades de ceñirse la corona de "Miss Mundo"

Aunque aclara que no se arrepiente
NATALY CHILET Y SU TRASPIÉ EN "MISS MUNDO": "TAL VEZ NO DEBÍ HABER IDO ESTE AÑO"
Feliz por su participación en el certamen de belleza internacional, la morena piensa que quizá no daba con el perfil de la mujer que estaban buscando este año (TERRA.cl)

http://www.terra.cl/e

Miss World 2008 welcomed home

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Miss World 2008 Kseniya Sukhinova is greeted by fans upon her arrival in Moscow (AFP Photo / Dmitry Kostyukov)

December 17, 2008, 22:00 The winner of this year's Miss World – Russia’s Ksenia Sukhinova - has arrived in Moscow. Crowds gathered at the capital's Domodedovo airport to welcome back the Siberian beauty. The 21-year-old student won the crown last week at the beauty-contest extravaganza in Johannesburg.

Having flown from the sunny African savannah into the cold hands of the motherland, the newly crowned Miss World 2008 received a warm welcome.

“I dedicate my victory to my grandmother and to Russia. I want to thank everybody who supported me. My victory is a New Year present to all Russians,” the beauty said, glowing with happiness.

Born in 1987 in Nizhnevartovsk, Ksenia later moved to the Siberian city of Tyumen, a centre of Russia's oil and gas industry located 2,000 kilometres from Moscow. Now she is a student of cybernetic systems at Tyumen’s Oil and Gas University.

“I desperately want to see my parents, friends and relatives. And I’m looking forward to seeing the snow in my homeland – Siberia,” the Miss World said.

AFP Photo / Dmitry Kostyukov

The coming year will be very busy for Ksenia. She has to travel on charity missions around the globe, take part in various events and TV shows, and she has also signed several contracts. Kseniya's relatives worry that these activities will not allow her to graduate from university. She may take a year off, but they believe that she has to receive a diploma anyway.

Answering a question on her private life, Sukhinova confessed that her heart was "still free."

Before being crowned Miss World, Ksenia had also won the titles of Miss Tyumen, Miss Image and Miss Russia 2007.

The Siberian beauty took over her current title from Zhang Zilin of China, last year's winner.

The only previous Russian winner of the international beauty festival was Yulia Kurochkina in 1992. Oksana Fyodorova was crowned Miss Universe in 2002.

http://www.russiatoday.com

Ksenya Sukhinova, Miss Mundo 2008, volta para a Rússia

A modelo foi clicada chegando em seu país nesta quarta-feira, 17

Do EGO, no Rio

Ksenya Sukhinova, a Miss Mundo 2008, foi recebida com louvor em sua volta para a Rússia. A modelo, de 21 anos, foi clicada quando chegava, ao aeroporto do país, nesta quarta-feira, 17, com direito a faixa e a coroa de mulher mas bonita do globo. Ksenia disse que ficou muito feliz em ver que o mundo elegeu as russas como as mulheres mais bonitas. Seu desejo agora? “Quero ir para casa e ver a neve", revelou.

Ksenya Sukhinova, a Miss Mundo 2008, volta à Rússia depois de participar do concurso

Ksenia Sukhinova diz que agora quer descansar em casa e ver a neve

http://ego.globo.com/

Patricia Rodríguez: "Sabía que podía hacerlo bien"

La tinerfeña ha obtenido el mejor resultado para España en Miss Mundo desde 1999. De su paso por Sudáfrica destaca el compañerismo entre las chicas y la complejidad del certamen.

The Associated Press

MARISOL BARROSO, S/C de Tenerife

La tinerfeña Patricia Rodríguez ya se encuentra de nuevo en España después de quedar clasificada entre las quince finalistas en el certamen de Miss Mundo celebrado el pasado fin de semana en Johanesburgo. Hacía nueve años que una Miss España no obtenía un resultado tan satisfactorio en esta competición internacional.

La joven canaria admite que ha sido "la mejor experiencia de mi vida", no sólo por ocupar el puesto que logró entre 109 chicas sino por la convivencia con sus compañeras del resto de países.

Miss España se situó desde el principio entre el grupo de misses destacadas por los medios de comunicación y el público, junto a Rusia, Ucrania, México, Venezuela o India. Patricia fue finalista en dos de las pruebas que se celebraron en los días previos al concurso, como fueron el de mejor cuerpo bonito y el de top model.

Su pase a las semifinales era esperado por muchos, debido a las cualidades que demostró a lo largo de casi un mes de convivencia, en el que realizaron numerosas competiciones, visitas y hasta un safari. "Me parecía increíble ver a una jirafa pasar a mi lado", comenta.

La actual Miss España era consciente de que era muy complicado entrar en el cuadro de honor. "Sabía que podía hacerlo bien pero había mucho nivel. Lo habitual es que, en la final, entre una chica por cada continente, y yo sabía que Rusia tenía posibilidades. Cuando la nombraron entre las cinco finalistas sabía que mis opciones se habían acabado, aunque no estoy disgustada ya que era una de las favoritas. Me sorprendió que no estuviera Venezuela, porque era un bellezón y una chica encantadora", explica.

El pasado sábado, se produjo una circunstancia anómala al quedar dos representantes africanas en la final y ninguna por América. El hecho de que se celebrara en Sudáfrica propició este fallo, que fue muy criticado por los expertos en este tipo de competiciones.

Tal y como relata la joven tinerfeña, "la propia organización realizó una fiesta una vez acabado el concurso, en la que se eligió a Miss Venezuela como Miss América. Creo que de esta manera arreglaron la historia, aunque sí resultó raro".

Patricia ha disfrutado durante el certamen de un gran compañerismo. "He hecho grandes amistades y me han invitado a muchos países. Fue maravilloso convivir con chicas de culturas muy diferentes a la nuestra. Con las latinas no había problema, con otras me comunicaba en inglés y con otras, como Rusia, lo hacía por señas, pero todas fueron encantadoras. Guardo mejor recuerdo de las representantes de Paraguay, con la que compartía habitación, y de Venezuela, que tendría que haberse llevado el título a la simpatía", comenta.

De su entrevista con el jurado, que hizo en inglés, Patricia recuerda haber hablado de Canarias, al tiempo que preguntó a sus miembros si conocían su tierra. "Me sorprendió que me contestaran afirmativamente. Fue muy gratificante. Después continuaron interrogándome sobre mis aspiraciones y proyectos si fuese elegida Miss Mundo".

Patricia llegará en los próximos días a Tenerife para pasar unos días con su familia. En enero retomará su apretada agenda de compromisos en desfiles, presentaciones y numerosas campañas publicitarias, de las que la tinerfeña es imagen.

http://www.eldia.es/

Hong Kong TV station admits Miss Asia 2008 result altered

One of Hong Kong's leading television stations is in uproar after admitting a television viewer poll to decide the winner of Miss Asia 2008 was altered before being announced.


By Richard Spencer in Beijing

Eunis Yao

Lene Lai, Eunis Yao and Belinda Yan

A student from Hong Kong, Eunis Yao, was crowned as winner of the competition, beating an Asian-Canadian and a model from Taiwan into second and third place.

But she has now been forced to take off her tiara as the company investigates the voting records.

The incident has triggered a management crisis at the company, ATV, which runs one of Hong Kong's main free-to-air television channels.

Its chairman, Linus Cheung, announced that the chief executive Ricky Wong had resigned in the wake of the scandal, though he suggested Mr Wong's crime was to have asked the fourth-placed contestant whether she had breast implants.

But Mr Wong, who has been embroiled in a row about whether he is too hostile to China's leaders in Beijing, said he was staying on. Both men were only appointed two weeks ago.

The reason why the records - from text messages and online voting - were altered after the competition ten days ago was not given by the company. But its board is said to be split over how much to allow Beijing to influence its output.

The company is majority-owned by a local Hong Kong family with banking support, but a minority stake is held by an investor who though based in Hong Kong has strong ties to the mainland.

Television competitions have a long record of being fixed, with both the BBC and GMTV having been caught out in recent years. But even in the fractious world of Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China relations, to fix a beauty pageant for patriotic reasons might be a first.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
photos: http://www.chinese-tools.com/

A Miss Mundo le gusta un futbolista argentino

Una nueva “botinera” se suma a la larga lista de las chicas desesperadas por salir con futbolistas. Su nombre es Kseniya Sukhinova y es la diosa que fue consagrada Miss Mundo el sábado pasado entre 106 representantes de todo el planeta.

La flamante reina de la belleza reveló que siente un “hechizo” por Maxi López, casado hace algunos meses con Wanda Nara.

Citada por el diario italiano Corriere dello Sport, la rubia dijo estar fascinada con el delantero que jugó este año en el a FC Moscú de Rusia.

La representante de Rusia en el certamen Miss Mundo fue la gran ganadora de la noche en una ceremonia celebrada en Sudáfrica.

"Creo que puedo ayudar a la gente y deseo ayudar a la gente. Si hoy me voy de aquí con la corona, eso será lo que haga", dijo la candidata.

La joven, que deslumbró al jurado con sus ojos celestes, se dedicará a pasear su corona por todo el mundo.

http://www.infobae.com/

Miss World 2008 to come to Vietnam

15:20' 17/12/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – RASS, the company that holds the copyright of Miss World pageant contest in Vietnam, has said that Miss World 2008 Ksenia Sukhinova and Miss World 2007 Zhang Zi Lin will come to Vietnam in January 2009 to be involved in charity work. Miss World 2008 Ksenia Sukhinova and Miss World 2007 Zhang Zi Lin. The two beauty queens will participate in the following programs: The television film festival in the coastal city of Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province form January 5-10, 2009, and do charity work in various parts of the country including the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang on January 12, in Hanoi on January 13, in the central province of Thanh Hoa on January 14, Quang Binh on January 15, Hue City on January 16, Quang Nam on January 17, Tien Giang on January 20, and HCM City on January 24. They will take part in a show called “Miss Worlds wish Vietnam a Happy New Year” at the Thong Nhat Palace in HCM City. (Source: Tuoi Tre) http://english.vietnamnet.vn/

Miss Vietnam is the People’s Choice at Miss World 2008

Vietnamese beauty queen Duong Truong Thien Ly Tuesday was announced winner of Miss World 2008’s People’s Choice Award Vietnamese beauty Duong Truong Thien Ly has won the People’s Choice Award at the Miss World 2008 contest in South Africa, the pageant’s official website announced Tuesday.

The 19-year-old native of Dong Thap Province raised in Ho Chi Minh City, won the award with 13,157 ratings, far ahead of second-placed Miss Ukraine, Iryna Zhuravska, who logged 3,180. On the grand final night last Saturday, organizers said the award was not being included “due to technical reasons beyond control” and pledged to announce it on Monday. Russia’s Ksenya Sukhinova was crowned Miss World 2008 after beating 108 other international beauties. Earlier, the 1.67-meter tall Thien Ly had said she was unlikely to win the crown due to her modest height. However, global bookmakers had said Ly is among the top contenders, according to globalbeauties.com. According to postings on November 20, Boyle Sports ranked Ly and Miss Ecuador as tied for third at 12 to 1 odds while Ly was also ranked third by Stan James’ ranking with odds of 14 to 1. Bet 365 ranked Ly in equal fifth position with Miss Namibia at 12 to 1 odds. Ly and Miss Trinidad and Tobago shared the fourth position in Game Bookers with odds of 13 to 1. Ly, a second runner up at Miss Universe Vietnam 2008, had the best pre-competition odds of any Vietnamese Miss World contestant. She was chosen to attend the pageant in Johannesburg, South Africa, to replace Miss Vietnam 2008 Tran Thi Thuy Dung, after Dung was disqualified for not having graduated from senior high school. Source: Thanh Nien http://www.thanhniennews.com/

La guerre des Miss : Le film inspiré des élections

Miss France News Télé7 | Edité le 16 Décembre 2008 | Source : Télé7.fr / Premiere.fr

Présents dans le jury de Miss France 2009, le réalisateur Patrice Leconte et l'acteur Benoît Poelvoorde seront à l'affiche de La guerre des Miss le 14 janvier 2009 au cinéma.

Après les scandales lancés autour de Valérie Bègue et celle qui lui a succédé le 6 décembre, Chloé Mortaud , jamais les Miss n'auront été autant à la mode !

Vous êtes fans des élections Miss France et Miss Monde ? Alors ce film vous plaira ! Inspiré du célèbre concours de beauté français, La guerre des Miss sortira le 14 janvier dans les salles obscures.

Réalisé par Patrice Leconte ( Les Bronzés 3 , La fille sur le pont , Ridicule ), La guerre des Miss évoque le conflit entre deux villages de sport d'hiver français, Charmoussey et Super Charmoussey. Tous deux proposent chaque année un concours de Miss, que seule la station de ski familiale et prospère, Super Charmoussey, est parvenue à gagner ces 22 dernières années. Mais le petit Charmoussey n'a pas dit son dernier mot !

Présent lors de la dernière élection de Miss France au Puy du Fou avec son acteur Benoît Poelvoorde , Patrice Leconte s'y connaît désormais presque autant en canons de la beauté que Geneviève de Fontenay . Mais lorsqu'en plus on lui donne un avant-goût des Bronzés font du ski , c'est sûr, les fous rire seront au rendez-vous le 14 janvier avec La guerre des Miss !

Découvrez en avant-première la bande-annonce de La guerre des Miss :

>> Tout sur le film la Guerre des Miss avec Premiere.fr <<

http://www.tele7.fr/

Tatum Keshwar crowned Miss South Africa

17 Dec 2008, 0359 hrs IST, IANS

JOHANNESBURG
: Tatum Keshwar, a South African model of Indian origin, was crowned the Miss South Africa on Tuesday evening at a gala banquet at
Sun City.

It was a case of second time lucky for 24-year-old psychology graduate Keshwar who persevered after participating in the contest in 2005. She was then named Model of the Year, but did not make it to the top five after being part of the top 10 contestants.

"Hope, pray and cry!" was how Keshwar described her strategy for winning the prestigious title which will now see her represent South Africa at the Miss World pageant, which will again be hosted in Johannesburg next year.

On Saturday evening, Keshwar was in the audience at the Sandton Convention Centre here when Miss India Parvathy Omanakkuttan was named the first runner-up to Miss World 2008 Kseniya Sukhinova of Russia as the two beat contestants from 110 other countries.

Keshwar said she had come to the contest to win, but believed that even if she did not, she would go back home with many memories and new friends.

Conceding that she was not necessarily friends with every one, Keshwar said she was leaving Sun City with some friends that she would remember for the rest of her life.

Delving a little into politics, the new Miss South Africa said she would love to meet the new leader of the country after the general elections due in the first half of next year: "I'd like to give him or her the youth perspective (as) the onus for the future of this country rests with the youth."

Keshwar was also named Model of the Year in her hometown of Durban earlier this year.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/



Fotos gentilmente enviadas por Dekh

Despite sagging economy, plastic surgery booms in Venezuela

A demand for plastic surgery in Venezuela
By Tyler Bridges | McClatchy Newspapers

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan businesses are battening down the hatches in anticipation of a tough 2009.

Not plastic surgeons such as Dr. Peter Romer, however.

He has a full schedule through March and expects little decline during the rest of the year even if Venezuela's oil-dependent economy suffers a sharp fall as expected.

"I've lived through one or two crises here, so I know how it goes," Romer said, sitting behind a desk laden with round silicone-gel implants of varying sizes. "In Venezuela, a woman may not have enough money for her home, but she will spend to keep up her appearance with plastic surgery and new clothes. It's seen as a priority."

Plastic surgery has boomed, ironically, while President Hugo Chavez has attempted to remake Venezuela as a socialist nation. With the economy awash in money thanks to record-high oil prices, plastic surgeons report that business has doubled in the past five years. And they expect little slowdown next year, thanks to a culture that puts exceptional emphasis on a woman's physical attributes.

The Miss Venezuela contest is one of the country's highest-rated shows every year. When a Venezuelan wins an international beauty contest — Dayana Mendoza became the latest in July when she was selected Miss Universe — the country celebrates it as a national triumph.

Women go to work in short skirts and revealing tops that would raise eyebrows in the United States. At parties, women brag about the big-name plastic surgeons such as Romer who enlarged their breasts.

Elizabeth Facchinei openly discusses her recent surgery.

"My breasts began to sag after I had my baby" two years ago, said Facchinei, a 27-year-old preschool teacher who was visiting Romer for a checkup. "Now I feel more secure. It's been a spiritual and physical transformation."

Facchinei spent 25,000 bolivares, about $10,000 at the official exchange rate, and she considers it money well spent even though she expects the economy to decline next year.

Romer interrupted Facchinei to examine his handiwork. "They're beautiful!" he exclaimed.

"I love them," Facchinei responded.

It seems as if the only Venezuelan women who won't discuss whether they went under the knife are the Miss Venezuela contestants.

"Asking me that is like asking a woman her age," Mendoza told reporters after winning the Miss Universe contest.

She was the fifth Venezuelan to be selected Miss Universe.

Romer, who serves as the plastic surgeon for the Miss Venezuela pageant, pointed out a photograph of Mendoza with him behind his desk but declined to say whether he'd enlarged her breasts.

Dr. Antonio Goncalves, who'd just returned from an international conference in New York, said that the warm weather and the macho culture in Venezuela contributed to the spread of plastic surgery.

"Venezuelan women like to show themselves off," Goncalves said. "They like to be stared at. You don't see that in the United States."

Plastic surgery has become so widespread in Venezuela that banks offer credit for it.

Margherita Esposito borrowed about half of the $12,000 it cost to have Goncalves give her a face-lift, enlarge her breasts and staple her stomach to lose weight.

"I weighed about 250 pounds and was very depressed after getting divorced," said Esposito, a 50-year-old mother of three who sells lingerie from her home. "I wouldn't sell my home or car for the surgeries, but if you have the possibility to feel better, why not do it? I felt ugly before. Now I feel happy."

Esposito said she'd lost 100 pounds. With her renewed self-worth, she's planning to start another home business, selling tape that lifts women's breasts.

Margarita de Perri, 62, had Goncalves replace the breast implant that she'd received 20 years ago. "Doesn't it look great?" she asked, lifting up her sweater but not her T-shirt.

De Perri is so pleased with the result that she's planning a face-lift next year. Her 44-year-old daughter wants Goncalves to enlarge her breasts. "She said she'll do what it takes to better herself," de Perri said.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/

Miss France, élection sur fond de scandale !

Miss France 2009, une élection sur fond de scandale, voilà le titre choc qui fait la une du magazine Télé 7 jours cette semaine. Mais ce n'est pas le seul puisque de nombreux hebdomadaires (people ou autres) tentent de profiter du buzz fait autour de cette élection très controversée. Et le magazine de télévision ne fait pas dans la demi-mesure en nous permettant de revivre minute par minute cette journée du 6 Décembre 2008. De la crise de nerfs de Geneviève de Fontenay en voyant le nom de la lauréate 2007 affiché sur la porte d'une loge en passant par l'absence de Valérie Bègue et le petit mot de Jean-Pierre Foucault, retour sur une journée électrique faite de tensions, de clash et de suspicion de tricherie.

Mais la guerre s'est aussi déplacée jusqu'en coulisses avec les réactions hostiles de plusieurs Miss dont Miss Tahiti et les accusations de lâcheté lancée par la dame au chapeau contre le maître de cérémonie. Télé 7 jours a mis le paquet.. c'est un numéro à ne pas manquer !

Bref ce n'est pas demain la veille qu'Endemol réussira à ramener le calme autour de cette élection surtout qu'une partie des téléspectateurs réclament toujours une modification du système de vote. Rappelons que les téléspectateurs avaient élu Camille Cheyère , alias Miss Pays de Loire et non Chloé Mortaud, arrivée seulement 3eme.

http://www.buzz-actu.com/

Paloma Garzedim vai concorrer ao Miss Brasil Oficial 2009

Segunda-feira, 15/12/2008 - 09:22

A estudante e modelo Paloma Garzedim Veja é a nova Miss Bahia Oficial 2009. Com 21 anos de idade e 1.78 m de altura, a morena vai concorrer ao Miss Brasil Oficial 2009. Estudante de arquitetura e modelo exclusiva do salão Maison da Beleza, a nova Miss Bahia começou a se preparar seis meses antes, com massagens redutoras de medidas, limpezas de pele e clareamento de dentes, entre outros cuidados. Foi também com a produção do salão que a modelo se apresentou na noite de sábado. Paloma Garzedim Veja se prepara para o concurso nacional O concurso teve inscrições de 32 participantes, da capital e de cidades do interior. Dividida em duas etapas, a seleção Miss Bahia Oficial 2009 avaliou quesitos como beleza e elegância. "As meninas eram todas boas candidatas, mas Paloma tem muito potencial, principalmente para a etapa seguinte", resume Antonio Miguel Fonseca, coordenador e detentor da marca Miss Bahia. "Agora é o momento de intensificar os tramentos estéticos e fazer novos cursos, como o de etiqueta", adianta Paloma. Em abril do próximo ano, a baiana concorre com representantes dos outros estados do país ao posto de Miss Brasil Oficial 2009, que será realizado em São Paulo, com cobertura televisiva nacional. As outras finalistas do concurso foram, respectivamente do 2º ao 5º lugar, Carolina Santana Cardoso Ferreira, Iuca de Castro Lemos, Maiana Costa e Silva e Maria Gabriela Santos Rodrigues.

http://www.jornaldamidia.com.br/

Andreia regressou a Portugal

Nuno Lourenço Andreia Rodrigues à chegada a Lisboa

15 Dezembro 2008 - 00h30

Candidata a Miss Mundo já tem saudades da África do Sul

"Uma parte de mim ficou lá", disse Andreia Rodrigues, a candidata portuguesa a Miss Mundo, mal saiu do avião que a trouxe da África do Sul. À chegada a Lisboa, Andreia tinha à sua espera a mãe e a avó, Paula Rodrigues e Adelaide Oliveira, respectivamente, bem como o namorado, Carlos Fernandes, e vários amigos.

"Gostámos muito da participação da Andreia. Ela esteve muito bem", disse ao CM a mãe. Para Andreia a experiência foi muito boa, sobretudo o safari, que foi "simplesmente fantástico". "Foi diferente em tudo. Portugal necessita de cultivar mais a cultura de Miss Mundo, para conseguir melhores posições", frisou.

http://www.correiomanha.pt/

Modesty cast aside as Russia fetes Miss World win

Ksenya Sukhinova, is crowned Miss World in Johannesburg

MOSCOW (AFP) — Russia's newspapers purred with satisfaction on Monday that its victory in the Miss World contest proved what everyone already knew -- that Russian girls are the most beautiful in the world.

"Whoever doubted that Russian girls are the most beautiful in the world?" the popular tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda boasted after the crowning of Kseniya Sukhinova as Miss World 2008 in South Africa on Saturday.

A rival title, Moskovsky Komsomolets, published the results of a readers' Internet survey showing that 66 percent considered "Russian girls the most beautiful in the world."

The self-congratulatory expressions were part of a proud tradition in Russia of asserting that Russian women are the world's most stunning, an issue that allows very little room for debate.

In a string of interviews, Sukhinova professed relief that this year's gruelling contest was over, although she doubted she would be returning soon to her studies in the cybernetics department of her Siberian home town.

She told Moskovsky Komsomolets, which claimed to have woken the sleeping beauty in her Johannesburg hotel room: "My smile and self-confidence were the main secrets of my success."

The Miss World crown, glittering on her bedside table, "is heavy, but I noticed very comfortable," she said. "I didn't want to take it off."

"I want to see snow as soon as possible as I really missed it -- I want to get home," she added.

The 21-year-old from the Siberian oil and gas region of Tyumen was among 109 young women who competed for this year's Miss World crown, spending nearly a month on safari as part of the contest.

Sukhinova can look forward to a packed year of promotional events before handing on her crown.

Still, Russian papers pointedly noted she had yet to be swept off her feet by a "prince charming," apparently being too busy for romance.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/

¿Qué pasó con las latinas?

No hubo hispanas entre las finalistas

The Associated Press México era una de las grandes favoritas.

Por Roxana Navarro, Univision Online

15 de Diciembre de 2008

JOHANNESBURGO- La corona de Miss Mundo tiene nueva dueña: la rusa Ksenia Sukhinova, de 20 años de edad, quien desde el principio se había colocado como la gran favorita para ganar.

Pero la pregunta de todos los hispanos es ¿qué pasó con las latinas? pues este año no pasó una de ellas entre las cinco finalistas.

¿Sin Miss América?

La organización de Miss Mundo cada año entrega otros títulos internacionales a parte del principal, los cuales son: Miss América, (países de Latinoamérica), Miss África, Miss Asia y Pacífico, Miss Europa y Miss Caribe.

Fotos
	¿Y las latinas?

Los cinco títulos le pertenecen a las cinco finalistas del certamen, que este año fueron ocupados por las representantes de Rusia, Angola, Sudáfrica, India y Trinidad & Tobago.

De las cuatro latinas que habían ganado su lugar en las semifinalistas ninguna tuvo el ascenso a la final del certamen. Aunque fuera del escenario, por ocupar el sexto lugar, Miss Venezuela, Hannely Quintero, se alzó con el título de Miss América del Mundo.

El año pasado el título fue para la representante de México, Carolina Morán, en el 2006 fue Brasil, Jane Borges, en el 2005 México, Dafne Molina, en 2004 fue para Perú, María Julia Mantilla, quien también fue Miss Mundo.

Venezuela ha ganado ese título en cinco ocasiones, Argentina y Perú en dos ocasiones, Puerto Rico y República Dominicana (Miss Caribe), lo han obtenido una vez.

Qué pena que éste año ninguna mujer latina fue elegida como finalista de Miss Mundo.

¿Por qué no pasó ninguna latina a la final?

http://www.univision.com

Gabby's dad proud

Beauty returns to T&T on Wednesday Camille Bethel cbethel@trinidadexpress.com Monday, December 15th 2008

FLYING THE FLAG: Miss Trinidad and Tobago Gabrielle Walcott, centre, who emerged second runner up at the 2008 Miss World competition in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday, is flanked by Miss World Kseniya Sukhinova of Russia, left, and Miss Angola, Brigite Santos. -Photo: MICHEAL BRUCE Winning the Beauty with a Purpose segment at the 2008 Miss World competition was the most important thing for Miss Trinidad and Tobago Gabrielle Walcott, who placed third in the international pageant on Saturday night, her father Derek Walcott (not the Nobel laureate) said yesterday in a telephone interview. "As any father would be, I am extremely proud of Gabrielle. She did the best that she could and I know that the Beauty with a Purpose will be the most important thing for her because she has always had a passion for the underprivileged," he said. Describing his daughter as a child who has always been focused and always known what she's wanted, he said, he remembers seeing her cry when she raised funds for the Just Because Foundation and her asking him to pray for her to remain grounded. "She said to me: 'Dad this is what I want to do. Even if this is all that comes out of this - the pageant.'" Walcott who left South Africa yesterday for London is expected home on Wednesday. In a brief telephone interview yesterday Earl Nesbitt, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Community Development and Gender Affairs, said he was not yet aware of what the official arrangements would be as it relates to rewarding Walcott for her performance but: "The Ministry made a statement on the results on Saturday, today is Sunday but I believe that those arrangements will be made tomorrow," he said. On Saturday, Minister of Community Development Marlene McDonald congratulated Walcott on her "excellent performance at the 2008 pageant and the great charity work she did during the local leg of the competition by raising $100,000 for her charity. "The Ministry shares with the national community our immense pride in the achievement of Miss Walcott and her embodiment of beauty with a purpose, the true ethos of the competition." "The Government of Trinidad and Tobago remains conscious of the tremendous opportunity afforded by the Miss World pageant for the promotion of our country and the development of delegates like Miss Walcott as possible role models for our young women," the Minister said in a release. She went on to thank Peter Elias and Associates for their contribution in preparing delegates for both the Miss World and Miss Universe competitions and called on the private sector to play a role in partnering with franchise holder for future competitions. Queen-maker Elias announced his decision on Saturday to bow out as franchise holder to select local women to participate in the Miss Universe and Miss World competitions. http://www.trinidadexpress.com/

Profesores definen a Miss Mundo 2008 como estudiante ejemplar

10:19 | 15/ 12/ 2008 Tiumen (Rusia), 15 de diciembre, RIA Novosti. La rusa Kseniya Sukhinova, quien acaba de adjudicarse la corona de Miss Mundo 2008, es una estudiante ejemplar, coinciden sus profesores. Nacida el 26 de agosto de 1987 en la ciudad de Nizhnevártovsk, en una zona petrolífera del norte de Rusia, Kseniya estudia actualmente en el quinto y último año de la Universidad del Petróleo y el Gas de Tiumen (TGNGU), en la sección de Sistemas Cibernéticos. Uno de los profesores, Vitali Fomin, la definió como "joven inteligente", pues "consigue prepararse y entregar todas las tareas en plazos muy reducidos. La vicerrectora del centro universitario, Veronika Yefrémova también resaltó que Ksenia saca únicamente las notas de "sobresaliente" o "bueno", a pesar de que estudia una carrera muy complicada y en una sección donde hay pocas mujeres. "No tiene asignaturas pendientes. De lo contrario, nadie la habría dejado ir al concurso", dijo. Al mismo tiempo, reconoció que el pasado año, después de que la joven fue elegida Miss Rusia, la Universidad le concedió la posibilidad de estudiar de acuerdo con un plan individual, "para ayudarle en su apretada agenda". "Estábamos seguros de que ganaría. Nos sentimos muy felices y la esperamos con impaciencia. Toda la Universidad está llena de fotos de Ksenia, pancartas y felicitaciones. Todo el mundo está contento", declaró. Durante la infancia, Ksenia practicó diversas modalidades deportivas, entre ellas, la gimnasia rítmica y el biatlón. http://sp.rian.ru/

State celebrates as Parvathy makes it to the podium

George Jacob and P.K. Ajith Kumar

— AFP

Parvathy Omanakuttan waves to the crowds after being crowned the first runner-up at the 2008 Miss World pageant.

KOTTAYAM/ KOZHIKODE: The State celebrated Parvathy Omanakuttan’s first runner-up title at the Miss World pageant in Johannesburg on Saturday night, which may be deemed as a coming of age of the beautiful, confident and cosmopolitan Malayali women on a global stage.

At Madappally, a sleepy village near Kottayam, people were feeling proud, as Parvathy was born there. Though she is settled in Mumbai with her parents and brother, she visits her relatives every year.

Tryst with destiny

On Saturday night, at Krishnavilasom House, her grandmother, Santhakumari, and relatives sat in front of television well before 8.30 p.m., to see Parvathy’s tryst with destiny. There was tension in the air when the results of the semi-final round were announced. Even as the 14th name was announced, the faces looked worried, but only to light up when Miss India was announced as the 15th entry. Just before 10 p.m., Parvathy’s father, Omanakuttan, telephoned home and said, “Pray for her.” When her name was called for the final round as the first one, hope and expectancy returned. After the questions and the answers, almost everyone was sure their ‘Paru’ would return with the Miss World crown.

She may not have done quite that. But the first runner-up title was cause enough to begin the end of a never-ending night of celebrations.

The 21-year-old represents the modern Malayali girl who is as comfortable in haute couture as she is in the ‘set mundu.’ Her achievement, over more than 100 contestants has come at a time when two Malayali actors have made it big beyond the borders of Kerala.

Asin Thottunkal, whose first Bollywood film, Ghajini, will reach cinemas later in December, and Nayanthara, the reigning queen of South Indian cinema, have proved that a Malayali girl could look as chic, glamorous and westernised as any other girl from a metropolis and demand, and get, as much money as many of the top Indian heroines. Parvathy, as Asin and Nayanathara, belongs to the generation of Malayali beauties who have come a long way from that of Padmini, the first Kerala woman to make a mark in the entertainment industry at the national level. She proved with her answers at the Miss World pageant that she is not just beautiful but articulate and poised too; she was clever enough to bring in both Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela in her answer in the final round.

Worthy successor

And that answer nearly fetched the Miss World crown, which she lost to Russia’s Ksenya Sukhinova. She showed she is a worthy successor to the likes of Reita Faria, the first Indian woman to walk away with the Miss World Crown in 1966, Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen, former Miss Universe, and Priyanka Chopra.

Parvathy’s feat will inspire many aspiring beauty queens and models in Kerala, according to Ram Menon, executive director, Impresario, which has been conducting Miss Kerala pageants for the past one decade.

“Though there have been Miss India winners from Kerala in the past such as Shweta Menon, Mini Menon and Shweta Vijay, nothing can be compared to Parvathy’s outstanding achievement,” he said. “It is a proud moment for Kerala.”

http://www.hindu.com/

Miss World jury was unfair, says Parvathy 15 Dec 2008, 0506 hrs IST, PTI

JOHANNESBURG/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congratulations poured for Parvathy Omanakuttan for making "India proud" despite missing the Miss World 2008
crown by a whisker but the lanky Kerala beauty feels she was done in by the jury alleging that its decision to adjudge her only second best was "unfair".

"I have performed better than others in the personality and question-answer round. This is not just that. All those who watched it yesterday felt like that. I feel the jury's decision was unfair", Parvathy(21), who was adjudged the first runner up from among 108 contestants at the Miss World pageant in Johannesburg, told Kerala's India Vision channel.

"I had confidence. I could do well. The question-round did not come as a challenge to me considering my background in literature," said Parvathy, who hails from Changanassery in Kottayam in "God's own Country", as hopes soared in India that she would bring back the coveted title which was last won by an Indian girl in 2000 when her name was announced in the five semi-finalists.

There were mixed emotions at Parvathy's mother's home in Madapally village in Changanassery. Some relatives felt she deserved to win the title ahead of the Russian blonde Ksenya Sukhinova while others thought it was a proud moment for India for coming second position warding off competition from over 100 beauties from around the world.

"Well done Parvathy! We are all proud of u!!! Successful exit matters more than a favourable entrance.... U made urself count... another feather in India's cap..," a fan commented on the official website of the Miss World contest.

Another comment noted that though the Malayalee did not win the crown her coming second was a splendind achievement overcoming stiff competition.

"We are proud of you!," the mail said.

Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai (1994), Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999) and Priyanka Chopra (2000) were the previous five Indian beauty queens who had won the coveted title.

A compatriot from Kerala wrote to the 5 feet 9 inch- tall Parvathy that she wishes to send her "oaraayiram poochendukal, Parvathii, ellavidha ashamsakalum" (1,000 bouquets and all the very best wishes).

Another fan, Malavika wrote that the feat was "still an amazing achievement!!!"

"Best of luck for the future!!!! I am a pageant freak and I was so happy that our country made a mark at Miss World 2008. waiting for your return!!!!!!!!," she wrote.

Parvathy, hailing from Kottayam, grew up in Mumbai. Having graduated in Arts, she has studied Sociology, Psychology & English Literature.

Parvathy's ambition is to further her studies in Psychology to learn more about human behaviour in depth, her bio-data on the website says.

The lanky beauty is an ardent sports fan with a special interest in basketball, badminton and swimming.

She has a special talent for whistling. She likes listening to music, singing, reading, glass painting, acting, modelling, dancing (varying from local dances to ballroom and Latin dances) and learning new languages.

Parvathy is also very fond of a beautiful quote by former President APJ Abdul Kalam 'Dreams are not what you see in your sleep, but dreams are that, which do not allow you to sleep', hence her motto in life is 'Dream with your eyes open'.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

Bellezas tras la corona de Miss Nicaragua

Sayali Baca
END - 20:31 - 13/12/2008

Imagen
Parte de las jovencitas que acudieron al último casting convocado por la Organización Miss Nicaragua, para seleccionar al grupo de aspirantes a Miss Nicaragua 2009. ALEJANDRO SANCHEZ/END

Llegar a ser una Mis Nicaragua es la aspiración de cada una de las bellas jovencitas que se dieron cita el día de ayer en el último casting realizado por la Organización Miss Nicaragua, en la agencia de modelos Silhuetas.

La convocatoria estuvo concurrida desde tempranas horas de la tarde y hubo presentaciones individuales de cada una de las aspirantes a integrar la lista de seleccionadas para competir por la corona de Miss Nicaragua 2009.

Parte de la mecánica del casting incluyó una breve entrevista a cada jovencita, realizada por el jurado calificador compuesto por Armando Irías, de Canal 2, Alfonso Parés y Denis Dávila, como invitado, Martín Argüello, Director Ejecutivo de la agencia Silhuetas, y Karen Celebertti, Directora General de la Organización Miss Nicaragua.

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre inteligencia y sabiduría?, fue una de las preguntas que el jurado calificador hizo a las candidatas. Muchas de ellas dieron respuestas firmes, demostrando seguridad con los argumentos planteados.

Cabe mencionar que antes del de ayer, la Organización Miss Nicaragua realizó cuatro precasting, con la intención de conocer más de cerca a las jovencitas que competirán por el título, expresó Celebertti.

El grupo de seleccionadas como aspirantes a sucesora de Thelma Rodríguez, Miss Nicaragua 2008, será presentado oficialmente por la organización a cargo del certamen de belleza más importante del país el día 30 de enero de 2009. A partir de entonces las jovencitas escogidas vivirán la etapa de preparación que les ayudará a desarrollar su potencial previo a la noche de elección y coronación de la próxima soberana de la belleza nicaragüense, que tendrá como principal misión representar al país en Miss Universo 2009.

http://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/

Fátima Jiménez, nueva Miss Sevilla

El Correo

Se llama Fátima Jiménez Triguero, tiene 19 años, pelo castaño, ojos marrones y un montón de dígitos en su currículum (1,70 metros y 85-62-99) que, convenientemente interpretados, le valieron anoche el título de Miss Sevilla durante todo un año. La jovencísima modelo, una estudiante de Administración y Finanzas que se presentó en el concurso como Miss Los Palacios, se impuso a las 22 candidatas de diferentes puntos de la capital y la provincia que acudieron a la gala oficial que se celebró en la tarde de ayer en el Hotel NH Central Convenciones.

La ceremonia contó con algunas sorpresas para las bellas candidatas, así como con las actuaciones musicales de los grupos Sinlache y Directo Urgente. El jurado, por su parte, estuvo presidido por la ex Miss España sevillana María José Suárez, y contó con otras caras conocidas que Sevilla ha dado al mundo de la moda y las pasarelas, como es el caso de Marisa Jara y Raquel Revuelta, entre otras personalidades de la vida social de nuestro país.

Pero fue la actual Miss Sevilla, Carmen Laura Sánchez, la que entregó la corona a una flamante Fátima Jiménez y despidió un año de reinado que culminará, para la nueva reina de la belleza sevillana, en el certamen de Miss España. A Fátima Jiménez le siguieron en el podium de la belleza Virginia Labrador Jiménez (Miss Triana) como primera Dama de Honor; y Beatriz Fernández García (Miss Giralda), en tercera posición.

http://www.elcorreodeandalucia.es/

Russa é coroada Miss Mundo 2008 na África do Sul

A representante da Rússia, Kseniya Sukhinova, foi coroada neste sábado Miss Mundo 2008 diante de centenas de espectadores que enchiam a sala do Centro Internacional de Convenções de Sandton, em Johannesburgo, capital financeira da África do Sul.

Sukhinova é a 58ª Miss Mundo, sucedendo a chinesa Zilin Zhang, que levou o título no ano passado, celebrado em Sanya, na China.

	Kim Ludbrook/Efe
	A russa Kseniya Sukhinova ganhou o título de Miss Mundo 2008 neste sábado após derrotar outras 111 candidatas em Johannesburgo, na África do Sul; a brasileira Tamara Almeida ficou entre as 15 pré-finalistas

A Miss Índia, Parvathy Omanakuttan, graduada em Belas Artes e residente em Mumbai, ficou em segundo lugar e levou o título de Primeira Dama de Honra após ficar entre as cinco finalistas do concurso de beleza.

A representante de Trinidad e Tobago, aspirante a atriz, foi nomeada Segunda Dama de Honra, com o terceiro lugar.

A representante brasileira no concurso, Tamara Almeida, 22, ficou entre as 15 pré-finalistas, mas não chegou a ser escolhida entre as cinco escolhidas para a rodada final.

Os ritmos africanos e o colorido das numerosas danças das distintas nacionalidades representadas durante as duas horas de duração da gala marcaram esta 58ª edição do concurso.

As representantes de Barbados, México, Rússia, Islândia e Trinidad e Tobago passaram diretamente às semifinais como ganhadoras de distintas competições especiais realizadas durante um mês que passaram na África do Sul.

Todas as 112 candidatas desfilaram pelo palco com modelos confeccionados por costureiros sul-africanos e jamaicanos, e também com jóias brilhantes elaboradas por designers locais.

Com Efe e France Presse

folha.uol.com.br/

La nueva Miss Mundo es rusa

Miss Russia, Kseniya Sukhinova, posa tras ser coronada Miss Mundo 2008 en el Centro de Convenciones Sandton en Johannesburgo, Sudáfrica. Miss India, Parvathy Omanakuttan, terminó el concurso en segundo lugar y Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Gabrielle Walcott, fue tercera. (EFE/KIM LUDBROOK EPA)

Primera Hora

La representante de Rusia, Ksenia Sukhinova, fue coronada hoy Miss Mundo 2008, durante la ceremonia efectuada en el Centro Internacional de Convenciones de Sandton, en Johannesburgo, Sudáfrica.

La primera finalista fue Miss India, Parvathy Omanakuttan, y en tercer lugar arribó Trinidad y Tobago, Gabrielle Walcott. Las candidatas de Angola y Sudáfrica completaron el grupo de finalistas.

La rusa sucede a Zilin Zhang, quien en 2007 llevó el título a su China natal.

Ivonne Orsini está "sumamente satisfecha" con su participación en Miss Mundo

Aixa Sepúlveda Morales / Primera Hora


La puertorriqueña Ivonne Orsini esta "sumamente satisfecha" con su desempeño en el concurso Miss Mundo 2008 en donde logró ubicarse en el cuadro de semifinalistas. Lo que más le llena de orgullo, dijo a pocas horas de la elección de la rusa Ksenia Sukhinova, es que la eligió un panel de jueces, contrario a otras de sus compañeras que ingresaron al cuadro gracias a que ganaron las mini competencias que se realizan días antes.

"Estoy muy contenta porque Puerto Rico sonó otra vez y lo más importante es que un jurado me eligió en esas 10, por mi personalidad y eso para mí vale mucho más", dijo a PRIMERA HORA vía telefónica desde Johannesburg, Sudáfrica, en donde se realizó hoy, sábado, el evento.

La reina nacional aseguró que estaba de acuerdo con la elección, mas no así con la selección del resto de las finalistas.

"No me lo explico mucho, no lo esperaba, pero sé que esto significa que hay algo bueno para mí allá afuera y me siento muy orgullosa de mí misma", agregó la beldad, que partirá mañana, domingo, hacia Londres, ciudad en donde pasará una semana "descansando de los tacos y el maquillaje".

"Y luego, a parrandear", expresó.

Miss Mundo 2008 fue transmitido en vivo aquí a las 11:00 de la mañana (5:00 de la tarde en Sudáfrica) y comenzó con la presentación de las 109 aspirantes al famoso título de belleza por orden alfabético.

Angela Chow y el actor africano Tumisho Masha aparecieron en el escenario para llevar la conducción del espectáculo y se pudo ver que la puertorriqueña logró un puesto muy privilegiado, justo detrás de los animadores.

La primera en ser llamada al grupo de 15 semifinalistas fue Miss Rusia (Ksenia Sukhinova), ganadora de la mini competencia de modelaje. Siguió en la lista la representante de México (Anagabriela Espinoza), quien obtuvo la victoria en trajes de baño. A ellas se sumaron Miss Barbados (Natalie Griffith) y Miss Islandia (Alexandra Ívarsdóttir), quienes vencieron en las pruebas de talento y deportes, respectivamente. El premio más importante para la organización, el proyecto belleza con propósito, correspondió a la delegada de Trinidad y Tobago (Gabrielle Walcott), quien junto a la fundación "Just Because" logró recaudar más de $100 mil para los niños pacientes de cáncer de su país.

Con todas las candidatas en el escenario anunciaron las finalistas del premio diseñador nacional: Miss Trinidad y Tobago, Miss Estados Unidos (Lane Lindell) y Miss Guatemala (Maribel Arana). La norteamericana se llevó el trofeo.

De inmediato se completó el cuadro de semifinalistas con las elegidas por los jueces. Fueron llamadas Miss Venezuela (Hannely Quintero), Miss Ucrania (Irina Zhuravskaya), Miss Croacia (Josipa Kusic), Miss Brasil (Tamara Almeida), Miss Angola (Brigith dos Santos), Miss Kazajstán (Alfina Nassyrova), Miss Puerto Rico (Ivonne Orsini), Miss España (Patricia Rodríguez), Miss Sudáfrica (Tansey Coetzee) y Miss India (Parvathy Omanakuttan).

Tras la deliberación del jurado el grupo se redujo a cinco: Miss Angola, Miss Sudáfrica, Miss India, Miss Rusia y Miss Trinidad y Tobago.

Finalizó cuando Julia Morley, presidenta de este famoso certamen, entró al escenario para anunciar a la nueva ganadora y a sus dos virreinas, Miss Trinidad y Tobago y Miss India.Los artistas invitados fueron la banda británica McFly y la cantante pop Alesha Dixon.

La representante de Rusia, Kseniya Sukhinova, elegida Miss Mundo 2008

EFEE. 13.12.2008 - 20:24h

Ampliar foto

Miss Russia, Kseniya Sukhinova, fotografiada en el trono tras ser coronada Miss Mundo 2008. (EFE)

• Es la 58 Miss Mundo y sucederá a Zilin Zhang, quien en 2007 llevó el título a su China natal.
• Miss India se hizo con el título de Primera Dama de Honor.
• FOTOGALERÍA: Las chicas más guapas del mundo.

Minuteca todo sobre:

• Miss Mundo

La representante de Rusia, Kseniya Sukhinova, fue elegida este sábado como Miss Mundo 2008 y coronada ante cientos de espectadores que llenaban la sala del Centro Internacional de Convenciones de Sandton, en Johannesburgo. Sukhinova es la 58 Miss Mundo y sucederá a Zilin Zhang, quien en 2007 llevó el título a su China natal.

La gala ha sido televisada en directo a 200 países

Miss India, Parvathy Omanakuttan, graduada en Bellas Artes y residente en Mumbai, la capital financiera de su país, se hizo con el título de Primera Dama de Honor tras quedar entre las cinco finalistas del concurso de belleza. La representante de Trinidad y Tobago, aspirante a actriz, fue nombrada Segunda Dama de Honor.

Los ritmos africanos y el colorido de las numerosas danzas de las distintas actuaciones representadas durante las dos horas de duración de la gala marcaron esta 58 edición del certamen de Miss Mundo.

2.000 millones de personas

Las representantes de Barbados, México, Rusia, Islandia y Trinidad y Tobago pasaron directamente a semifinales, puesto que fueron las ganadoras de distintas competiciones especiales que se han ido celebrando durante su mes de estancia en Sudáfrica. Las 112 candidatas desfilaron por el escenario con modelos confeccionados por modistos sudafricanos y jamaicanos, así como las joyas que lucieron, elaboradas por orfebres locales.

Esta etapa final del concurso comenzó a las 17.00 hora local (15.00 GMT), en el Centro Internacional de Convenciones de Sandton, al norte de Johannesburgo, y ha sido televisada en directo a 200 países, con una audiencia potencial de 2.000 millones de personas.

Sudáfrica ha querido demostrar con este concurso, que ha organizado en sólo tres meses -por la repentina decisión de no celebrarlo en Ucrania- que está preparada para organizar grandes eventos que le esperan en los próximos dos años, como la Copa Confederaciones y el Campeonato Mundial de Fútbol.

http://www.20minutos.es/

58th Miss World - Final

Miss World 2008 Ksenia Sukhinova of Tyumen, Russia.

JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG - DECEMBER 13: Miss Russia Kseniya Sukhinova wins the 58th Miss World at Sandton Convention Centre on December 13, 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Michelly Rall/WireImage)





Photo credit: Michelly Rall/WireImage

Miss Russia on top of the world
India’s Parvathy finishes first runner-up, Trinidad & Tobago’s Gabriel is second
— Photo: AP

CROWNING GLORY: Miss World Ksenya Sukhinova of Russia flanked by Parvathy Omanakuttan of India and Gabriel Walcott from Trinidad and Tobago in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Johannesburg: Russia's Ksenya Sukhinova was on Saturday crowned Miss World 2008 after beating scores of international beauties, including India's Parvathy Omanakuttan who finished first runners up, at a glittering African extravaganza held here.

"Miss World 2008 is Russia," announced Julia Morley, head of the Miss World committee that organises the event.

The 21-year-old Parvathy, who hails from Kottayam in Kerala, narrowly missed out on joining five Indian glamour queens Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan (1994), Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999) and Priyanka Chopra (2000) who had won the title.

The second runners up was Gabriel Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago.

More than 100 international beauties participated in this year's Miss World pageant, hosted by South Africa.

Sukhinova, who took over the title from Zhang Zi Lin of China to become the 58th Miss World, was crowned after a two-hour long spectacle that combined elements of travelogue and reality show. She beamed as she was crowned.

Sukhinova also had won the contest's top model award and was third in the swimsuit competition. Miss South Africa Tansey Coetzee had made it to the final five.

"I think I can help people and I want to help people and today if I walk away with this crown I will do that," Sukhinova told judges through a translator after being asked why she should be crowned the winner.

India's Parvathy, who had won the Miss femina contest in April this year, said: "In India and South Africa people are warm and warm-hearted. I felt at home in Johannesburg."

"Presence of two great leaders Mahatma Gandhi (India) and Nelson Mandela (South Africa) have influenced millions of people in both the countries," she said.

Asked About her experience in the beauty pageant, the 5 feet 9 inches tall dusky beauty said: "It is a great journey for me."

South Africa, who hosted the event for the sixth time, became the country that has held more Miss World pageants than any other. The event was broadcast to millions of viewers in 187 countries.

Beauties from 109 countries were whittled down to 15 semi-finalists with India, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, Angola and South Africa named the five finalists as the audience willed their favourite to go forward. -- PTI

http://www.hindu.com/

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) — Russia's Kseniya Sukhinova won the Miss World 2008 crown on Saturday in a glittering African-themed pageant where she outshone 108 other international beauties and pledged to "help people."

"And Miss World 2008 is Russia," announced Julia Morley, head of the Miss World committee that organises the event.

The second runner up was Gabrielle Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago and the first runner up Parvathay Omanakuttan of India.

The 21-year-old blue-eyed blonde beauty, who declared shortly before her win was announced that being nervous made her "feel stronger," takes over from Zhang Zi Lin of China to become the 58th Miss World.

"I think I can help people and I want to help people and today if I walk away with this crown I will do that," Sukhinova told judges through a translator after being asked why she should be crowned the winner.

Hailing from Nizhnevartovsk in the north west of Siberia, Sukhinova was dressed in a purple gown, with a decorative neckline and flowing skirt.

She is a student pursuing an engineering degree from the Tyumen Oil and Gas University.

Sukhinova becomes the second Miss Russia to win the global event after Julia Kourochkina took the crown in 1992.

India's Omanakuttan wooed the crowd by greeting them in the Afrikaans language, spoken by many in South Africa. She also referred to heroes such as Mahatma Ghandi and South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela, who was quoted by Trinidad and Tobago's Walcott as well.

Contestants, aged 17 to 25, were dressed by South African and Jamaican designers for the final show after a month of galas, rehearsals and even a safari on the tip of the African continent.

Trading glamour for the bush, the beauties donned T-shirts and sneakers as they gamely tramped into the bush to see lions and giraffes, play African drums, sleep in huts and cook traditional Zulu meals.

Johannesburg sought to use the event to boost its image as a world class city, despite being known for its high crime rates, while the country also hopes to benefit from the publicity ahead of staging the football World Cup in 2010.

"I think we have been able to showcase the best of what our country has to offer," said judge Lindiwe Mahlangu, the chief executive of Johannesburg tourism.

Beauties from 109 countries were whittled down to 15 semi-finalists with India, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, Angola and South Africa among the five finalists.

South Africa's Tansey Coetzee had her home crowd on their feet shouting support as her name as a finalist was announced.

The winner of the event, broadcast live to millions of viewers in 187 countries, has to espouse "beauty with a purpose" with charity being one of the main focuses of the pageant.

"Over the years the crown that is worn by the winner is a symbol for fundraising. Miss World herself, this year, the winner from China, she's raised over 30 million dollars in her year in office," Morley said.

"So perhaps from anything else it does a lot of good things for needy children and old people, which I think is important too."

The 51-year-old competition was originally scheduled for October 4 in Kiev, but was delayed in September over security concerns due to the conflict between neighbours Russia and Georgia.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jhXdIFyFG1MG-xgSITD3zIwY0QIQ

58th Miss World Final - Pre Show Portraits

JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG - DECEMBER 12: Miss UK Laura Coleman poses on the day before the 58th Miss World Final at Sandton Convention Centre on December 12, 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Michelly Rall/WireImage) *** Local Caption ***

Rússia realiza concurso de Miss Constituição

Com um concurso de miss, comícios, atos de governo e oposição, a Rússia lembra nesta sexta-feira o 15º aniversário de sua primeira Constituição. Para ser a Miss Constituição, as candidatas devem, além de ser belas e carismáticas, ter conhecimento político.

Reuters
Candidata desfila durante o concurso Miss Constituição, em Moscou

» Veja fotos do Miss Constituição

"As garotas precisam provar que são talentosas em diversos aspectos", disse um organizador do evento. "Além disso, devem ser espertas, eruditas, artísticas, graciosas, flexíveis e com brilho".

A Constituição russa foi aprovada em um plebiscito dois meses depois que o então presidente, Boris Yeltsin, dissolveu à força o Soviete Supremo, o Parlamento herdado da época soviética.

"A adoção da Constituição russa foi um marco na história nacional e mundial; o povo a ratificou com sua vontade", disse o presidente russo, Dmitri Medvedev, em uma conferência realizada no Palácio Estadual do Kremlin.

O chefe do Estado destacou que, "com isso, o povo optou de forma decidida em favor do desenvolvimento livre e progressista, da mudança das relações políticas e econômicas em direção a um Estado social e a uma sociedade justa".

"A Constituição foi resultado de um acordo social sobre as vias de desenvolvimento do país a longo prazo, apesar da muito complexa situação vivenciada", disse Medvedev no discurso, transmitido ao vivo pelo canal de televisão de notícias Vesti.

Os grupos nacionalistas Movimento contra a Imigração Ilegal e a União Eslava convocaram um comício em Moscou, que foi autorizado pela Prefeitura.

Com informações de agências internacionaiis
http://noticias.terra.com.br/

Hoy se elige a la mujer más bella del mundo

La guayaquileña Marjorie Cevallos representa al país en el certamen mundial de la belleza.

Marjorie Cevallos.

Cuenca. Las mujeres más bellas del mundo se reúnen hoy a las 20:00 en el Sandon Convention Center de la ciudad de Johannesburgo, en Sudáfrica para participar en la elección de la nueva Miss Mundo, que reemplazará a la actual reina Zhang Zi Lin, de China.

Ajetreada

En el certamen de belleza se reunirán 100 aspirantes, entre ellas la guapa guayaquileña Marjorie Cevallos, de 22 años, quien está desde hace un mes en Sudáfrica. Antes de partir, en un diálogo con Diario EL TIEMPO dijo que sus últimas semanas han sido ajetreadas, pues tuvo que tomar clases de baile, porque una de sus presentaciones será de mapalé y hip hop, en los que le preparó la bailarina Verónica Chevasco.

Marjorie, comentó que también recorrió el país en busca de diseñadores para escoger los vestidos que lucirá está noche, entre ellos Patricia Kein, Alexandra Donoso, Abel Lara, Tatiana Torres, Aracely de Bucco, Melissa Murthiño, Luis Tippán, además de prendas de la tienda de la presentadora de noticias Denisse Molina, hermana de su novio.

Emocionada

A través de declaraciones a medios extranjeros Marjorie, ha dicho que se encuentra feliz, emocionada, en Sudáfrica, donde esta semana ha tenido que levantarse a las 04:00 o 05:00 para efectuar diferentes ensayos de coreografía y pasarela para esta noche de elección.

Muy serena Marjorie, ha expresado "que no se siente desanimada por no haber ingresado en el top de la mejor figura y mejor modelo del torneo, porque la esperanza es lo último que pierdo. Estoy súper bien y sacrificándome día a día. No les voy a fallar a mis queridos hermanos ecuatorianos", comentó.

Transmisión

El certamen de belleza será transmitido por la señal de Gama TV, en horario diferido, esta noche a las 22:00.

http://www.eltiempo.com.ec/

Sul sito di Miss Italia il nuovo calendario 2008

Data di pubblicazione: 12/12/2008 Grande festa al Beige di Trastevere, per Miriam Leone e i quattro giovani fotografi (Gaia Tofani, Omar Ricci, Emanuele Menduini e Francesco Berardinelli), studenti dell’Istituto Superiore di Fotografia e Comunicazione Integrata, di età compresa dai 23 ai 28 anni, e autori del calendario di Miss Italia, da ieri disponibile per tutti sul sito www.missitalia.rai.it

A festeggiare il calendario, in prima fila, Enzo e Patrizia Mirigliani, ma anche la direttrice artistica del progetto Tiziana Luxardo e il press agent cinematografico Enrico Lucherini. Sono stati tanti gli amici del Concorso (che l’anno prossimo compirà 70 anni) che hanno voluto brindare a questo sesto album. C’erano le miss Claudia Andreatti, Gloria Bellicchi, Christiane Filangieri e Ylenia De Valeri.

Tra i tanti artisti, anche Manuela Aureli, Fioretta Mari, Rosanna Lambertucci, Amedeo Minghi, Pino Insegno, Pamela Camassa e Filippo Bisciglia. Hanno partecipato all’evento serale anche le troupe de La Vita in Diretta (Raiuno) e di Pomeriggio 5 (Canale5).

Miss Italia sarà ancora a Roma stasera per partecipare alla puntata speciale di “Affari Tuoi”, condotto da Max Giusti, a favore di Telethon, in prima serata su Raiuno, dove giocherà con Gigi D’Alessio, Branko, Gigi Buffon, Francesco Totti, Piero Focaccia, Jimmy Fontana, Michele Pecora e Annarita Spinaci.

"E' stato un lavoro complesso ed emozionante nostro, dei fotografi e dei designer", ha detto Patrizia Mirigliani, seduta accanto al press agent Enrico Lucherini e al direttore artistico del progetto Tiziana Luxardo. Miriam Leone (nella foto), che si è commossa durante la proiezione del video sul backstage di quei giorni, ha sùbito commentato “sono un carico di emozioni e spero di aver lasciato qualcosa di me a loro come loro l'hanno lasciato a me. Hanno fatto vedere alcune parti di me che non sapevo neanche di possedere”. Intanto la miss è pronta a sostenere un provino per il film “Oggi Sposi” in programma ad aprile, con protagonista Luca Argentero.


Fonte Miss Italia
http://www.savonanotizie.it/

Miss World 2008

Miss World: Desi family album

Miss World - the beauty pageant caught India's attention when Ash walked away with the crown.

That year was a double dhamaka for the gorgeous Indians - Sushmita Sen walked waltzed away with the Miss Universe title and Ash wowed the judges of the Miss World beauty pageant and won the coveted title.

We brought back our old family album, which we incidentally love doing because there are so many wonderful memories locked in there. While Reita Faria was the first Indian to win the title, modern India's tryst with the Miss World crown began with gorgeous Aishwarya Rai and followed with Diana Hayden, Yukta Mookhey and ofcourse, Priyanka Chopra.

Source: India Syndicate

Images: Santabanta, AFP

More galleries:

Parvathy Omanakuttan Reloaded

Miss World Top model 2008

Sneak peek at the Kingfisher swimwear calendar

Sneak peek at the Kingfisher swimwear calendar

http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/fashion/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=1731469

Miss World 2008

The finals of the Miss World 2008 pageant will be aired live from South Africa on CNMG television from 11 am on Saturday, December 13, 2008 for Trinidad and Tobago viewers.

To vote for Trinidad and Tobago's representative to become this year's people's choice, fans can go to MissWorld.com. The people's choice system tends to favour larger countries with larger internet populations and greater interest in competitions like Miss World but fans are encouraged to still lend their support to the national rep in South Africa for record's sake.

A beaming Gabrielle Walcott, Miss Trinidad and Tobago World 2008, has been making many friends at the pageant. At left and below are some candid shots of the Miss World 2008 contestants during rehearsals for the big show on Saturday night for South Africa, and Saturday morning for most of the Americas. The photos from Walcott's album "At Miss World 2" feature her with some of the favourites entering Miss World 2008. These include:

- Miss Paraguay
- Miss Russia
- Miss Venezuela
- Miss Kenya
- Miss Lithuania
- Miss Costa Rica
- Miss Chile

Supporters say the photos demonstrate the friendly nature of Trinidad and Tobago nationals towards peoples of different cultures, thanks in no small part to the racial composition of this country's society.

Gabrielle, Gabz or Gabby as her friends call her, would find it extra easy to mix with the 100+ participants because she grew up in Trinidad and Tobago where many different races and cultures come together. She would have spent her childhood in Diego Martin and school life at Providence with girls of African, East Indian, Chinese and European descent because of Trinidad and Tobago's unique history.

Today, the country is still very much a melting pot of people from all parts of the globe and thanks to oil and gas money, Trinidad and Tobago continues to attract more.









http://news.bn.gs

Las favoritas del Miss Mundo

De 112 reinas, sólo 16 son las elegidas

Wikipedia.org Miss Rusia es una de las grandes predilectas por el público

Univision Online y Agencias

11 de Diciembre de 2008

A pocos días de la gran final de Miss Mundo 2008, crecen las expectativas y la tensión por saber quién será la sucesora de la actual portadora de la corona, la china Zhang Zi Lin. La contienda está reñida, pero las apuestas no se han hecho esperar.

De acuerdo con los foristas, "missólogos" y expertos de Univision.com y otros sitios de internet, te presentamos a continuación a las 16 reinas más favorecidas por el voto popular.

Apoya a tu reina

Por lo pronto, ya hay cuatro misses que tienen su pase directo a la semifinal: la mexicana Ana Gabriela Espinoza, quien ganó la prueba de la mejor silueta; la rusa Ksenia Sukhinova, quien se alzó con el título de Top Model. La prueba de talento la obtuvo la representante de Barbados, Natalie Griffith; mientras que la reina de Islandia, Alexandra Ívarsdóttir, ganó el reto deportivo.

Fotos
	Favoritas de Miss Mundo 2008

En la lista se encuentran varias latinas, como la venezolana Hannely Quintero, la puertorriqueña Ivonne Orsini, la paraguaya Gabriela Rejala, la dominicana Nathali Montes de Oca, la colombiana Khaterine Medina, y la peruana Annmarie Dehainaut.

El resto de las favoritas de nuestros foros son las representantes de Rusia, Ksenia Sukhinova; España, Patricia Rodríguez; Ucrania, Irina Zhuravskaya; Grecia, Angeliki Kalaitzi, India, Parvathy Omanakuttan; y por supuesto la anfitriona sudafricana Tansey Coetzee.

Las reinas de Inglaterra, Bolivia, Bélgica y Singapur también son mencionadas pero con menos frecuencia que las anteriores. En ocasiones, las favoritas del público no son las del jurado, de modo que cualquier cosa puede suceder.

Lo cierto es que por lo menos Rusia, México, Barbados e Islandia, ganadoras de etapas previas del certamen, tienen la balanza inclinada a su favor.

Recordemos que en el concurso se entregan otras coronas: Miss América, Miss Caribe, Miss Europa, Miss Asia y Oceanía y Miss África. La gran final será el próximo 13 de diciembre en el Sandton Convention Centre de Johannesburgo.

Y tú, ¿ya elegiste a tu favorita?

¿Quién crees que gane el Miss Mundo 2008?

http://www.univision.com/

Chloé Mortaud alias Miss France 2009 nue : l'affaire qui agite le web

Agrandir l'image

Paru le 2008-12-10 13:10:00 | 12852 lectures

Dans les heures qui ont suivi l'élection de Miss France 2009 Chloé Mortaud, une rumeur a commencé à faire son chemin sur le web, photos à l'appui : comme Valérie Bègue avant elle, la belle métisse a posé pour des photos de nu...

Sauf que non ! Relayée par bon nombre de nos confrères peu soucieux de la santé de Geneviève de Fontenay sans la moindre vérification, l'information était en fait un canular du site web Eteignez votre ordinateur.

Le rédacteur de l'article revient sur l'affaire, qui a fait pas mal de bruit.

"Ce qui au départ n’était qu’une petite blague pour les fidèles lecteurs d’Eteignez Votre Ordinateur, s’est très vite transformé en un buzz après que Voici.fr ait relayé mot pour mot un gag monté en 5 minutes à 3 heures du matin.
Repris par Yahoo, LePost, Le JDD, 20 minutes puis par bon nombre de blogs surfant sur le buzz, j’avoue que je ne m’attendais pas à ce que cet article prenne une telle ampleur en dépassant les simples frontières du blog pour se répandre comme une trainée de poudre" écrit Nico, l'auteur de ce canular dont chacun est libre de juger du bon goût ou non.

"La photo du titre n’était bien entendu pas Mademoiselle Chloé Mortaud, l’article expliquait clairement, si on prenait la peine de l’ouvrir que c’était une photo de Naomi Campbell" explique notre confrère.

Seulement voilà, plus intéressés par le buzz qu'autre chose, de nombreux sites ont repris l'information en l'état sans même prendre la peine de vérifier sa véracité alors que l'auteur de l'article précisait bien dedans qu'il ne s'agissait de rien d'autre qu'une blague de potache sans prétention.

Finalement, le site a fini par présenter ses excuses à Chloé Mortaud, à sa famille et au comité Miss France. On l'a échappé belle, Geneviève de Fontenay est certainement passée à deux doigts de l'infarctus !

http://www.news-de-stars.com/

Miss World 2008

Can Parvathy Omanakuttan clinch the Miss World crown?
Thu, Dec 11, 2008 18:00 IST



She is vibrant, vivacious and her mesmeric smile makes her a winner. She is the Southern beauty, Parvathy Omanakuttan, who is India’s hope for the Miss World beauty pageant on 13th December in Johannesburg, South Africa.

It’s been more than seven years since any Indian beauty won the Miss World crown. Priyanka Chopra won it last in the year 2000. But the grooming experts of Parvathy Omanakuttan believe she has what it takes to be a winner; and they are sure that she can bag the coveted title for the country.

According to her diction expert, Sabira Merchant: "She has the 'X' factor that sets apart a supermodel from the models. It's her vivacity and warmth that make her instantly likeable. She is a perfect mix of beauty with brains."


Even the ace photographer Subi Samuel admires Parvathy a lot and believes she exudes class and confidence and this could do the trick for her.

During Miss India contest, Paravathy won the best smile title and her fitness expert Deanne Pandey, floored by her smile, says: "She is an ideal blend of panache and poise. Her face just lights up each time she smiles."

Ace choreographer Sandeep Soparrkar says about Parvathy: "You cannot take your eyes off her even in a room full of gorgeous women and that is the hallmark of a beauty queen."

And for the 21-year-old Parvathy, representing her country is “a big responsibility”. She says: "This contest is not only about winning but with it comes the responsibility of upholding the name of the country. I am trying to be a stronger person to face the contest and I will try my level best to make every Indian all over the world proud.”

Like other beauty queens, Parvathy too has Bollywood aspirations. From Hrithik Roshan to Salman Khan , she wants to act with them all.

Parvathy will compete with 109 contestants at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday. Zee Café will telecast the Miss World 2008 contest live at 8.30 p.m.

Now, the question is, can she repeat the history? Anyway, our best wishes are with her.

http://www.apunkachoice.com/

Political Instability Bad News for Miss World Contestants

Submitted by Payton on Wed, 12/10/2008 - 13:53.

For the first time ever, viewers will select the winner of Miss World 2008. However, contestants from countries experiencing upheaval are depicted as long shots.

Miss India, Parvathy Omanakuttan grew up in Mumbai - India’s economic capital and site of recent terrorist attack. Despite placing in the top 10 in the “Beach Beauty’ portion of the Miss World contest, Parvathy is still listed at +1200. However, India is known for it’s supportive population, and in light of the recent turmoil in the country, don’t rule out the Indian citizens calling in their support for their longshot contestant.

Parvathy graduated with a major in Arts. She studied Sociology, Psychology & English Literature.

Miss Thailand, Ummarapas Jullakasian, is also a whopping long shot contestant at + 5000, offered by Betus.com. Although the recent unrest in Thailand was mostly nonviolent, the contest for political power shut down the Suvarnabhumi and the smaller Don Mueang domestic airports, leaving an estimated 350,000 travellers stranded in Thailand, and cost the kingdom billions of dollars in lost revenue.

Ummarapas is known by her nickname Mim, she grew up in Bangkok, a vibrant and exotic city. She has a Bachelor degree in food nutrition & development, and is currently working as a model and reading books about personal financial management as her ambition is to go into Property Management. Miss Thailand also placed within the top 25 in the recent Beach Beauty portion of the contest.

Finally, Miss Greece (pictured above) will have to stand tall for her country, despite the face that Greece is Crippled from riots and strikes. Miss Greece is listed at +4000. Her supporters in Greece may not be much help on contest day as well, as Banks, schools and hospitals are closed, and transportation and transit systems have ground to a halt in Athens.

Many local and international flights are also canceled. Angeliki was born in Thessalonica but grew up in Poligyros, Chalkidike, a place with wonderful blue and green sea and endless sandy beaches, it is situated at the root of the Cholomontas mountain. She studied at the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science at the Aristotle University of Thessalonica. She has worked as a gymnastic trainer; a yoga, pilates & aerobic teacher and is currently a Lifeguard.

http://www.gambling911.com/entertainment/political-instability-bad-news-miss-world-contestants-121008.html

World competition heats up for Judith

Miss Northern Ireland, Judith Wilson, performing on stage in Johannesburg in the talent contest section of the Miss World competition in which Judith reached the top 15.

BY NUALA MCALOON

With just three days left to the original and arguably the most popular global beauty pageant, the Miss World competition is certainly heating up for Ballinamallard girl Judith Wilson.

The Miss Northern Ireland model who has been in Johannesburg for the last month will learn her final fate in the contest this Saturday night, 13th December.

And with young women from every country competing in front of over a billion television viewers, Judith is sure to be feeling the pressure as judges determine which contestant has the winning combination of beauty, glamour, poise and intelligence - all part of the remit needed for the crown.

But for Judith, competing in the Miss World Final has always been an added bonus to attaining the coveted Miss Northern Ireland crown earlier this year. And so rather than be fazed by the experience, Judith has taken it all in her stride and is enjoying every minute of it.

Judith's mum Ingrid and stepfather Hamish Logan flew out to join her in Johannesburg on Sunday while her boyfriend Gareth Grey left on Monday.

Emotions were running high among many of the contestants as their families arrived before the final. The girls were allowed to meet their families and say hello but were not allowed to leave the hotel with them. Even on afternoons off ahead of rehearsals the contestants were not allowed to leave their hotel rooms due to security measures heightening as the event drew closer. However, Judith and her fellow contestants did have the opportunity to enjoy the families gala dinner on Monday night.

Ingrid and Hamish arrived in time to see Judith perform in the final stage of the talent show and throughout this week have also had the opportunity to participate in organised activities for the contestants families.

Despite reaching the final 15 of the 'Miss World Talent' contest, Judith didn't win the talent contest but according to Mum Ingrid, she put in a huge performance doing herself and her folks back home proud. This particular contest was staged in front of a large audience and was televised on South African television.

Earlier in the week, Judith participated in the competition's Sports Day and won the team event. She also competed in the 'Top Model' contest but with competition fierce didn't make the final.

To vote for Judith you can log on to www.MissWorld.com

http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com

Miss Perú entre las favoritas al título Mundial

1 de 1

Lima (Peru.com).- Annmarie De Hainaut ya se encuentra entre las 25 favoritas candidatas al cetro de la mujer más bella del mundo en el Miss World 2008. La hora de la verdad se acerca con el certamen a realizarse este 13 de diciembre en Johannesburgo, South Africa. ¡Lee, vota y opina!

Tras superar los retos atléticos y quedar entre las finalistas de las pruebas deportivas del Miss World, nuestro crédito ya cosechaba éxitos como la mejor top model de este evento internacional.

HORA DE VOTAR

Los peruanos podemos contribuir a que nuestra Annmarie se corone como la ganadora del certamen de belleza más importante del mundo. Las votaciones continúan en www.missworld.com.

La puntuacion obtenida vía web será considerada por el jurado en el momento de entregar el cetro a la nueva reina mundial.

Foto: Martín Valdivia

Peru.com

Miss Japan Universe 2009

Miss Universe Japan national director Ines Ligron of France (C) and 2006 Miss Universe winner Riyo Mori (L) attend the official announcement of finalists for the 2009 Miss Universe Japan in Tokyo on December 10, 2008. Miss Universe Japan will be chosen from twenty-six finalists on May 11, 2009. AFP PHOTO / Kazuhiro NOGI (Photo credit should read KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images)

Una chica de Hong Kong gana el primer certamen de “Miss Asia por votación popular”

La belleza de Hog Kong Eunis Yao fue coronada Miss Asia 2008 el domingo en la final del certamen anual, que incluyó la votación popular por primera vez.

Yao, de 23 años, obtuvo 137.610 votos en una encuesta global, según anunció la página web del concurso. También fue aclamada como “Figura perfecta”.

Belinda Yan, de 22 años y también de Hong Kong, recibió 129.416 votos y fue proclamada segunda y Miss Fotogenia. Lene Lai, una taiwanesa de 19 años, ocupó el tercer lugar con 60.542 votos.

Las tres primeras fueron seleccionadas por fans de todo el mundo, que votaron por sus favoritas enviando mensajes de texto o votando en la página web del evento. Anteriormente las ganadoras habían sido escogidas por un jurado.

El concurso anual también atrajo candidatas de China, Japón, Singapur, Corea del Sur, Tailandia y Turkmenistán.

El certamen de Miss Asia fue lanzado por Asia Television Limited, una emisora de Hong Kong, en 1985. El palmarés incluye a ganadoras como Kristy Yang (en 1995), que se convirtió en una popular actriz, y Nina Li (1986), esposa de la estrella de acción Jet Li (Pueblo en Línea)

10/12/2008
http://spanish.peopledaily.com.cn

Will Parvathy Omanakuttan fetch Miss World crown?

Will Parvathy Omanakuttan fetch Miss World crown?
10 Dec 2008, 1040 hrs IST, IANS

Parvathy Omanakuttan
NEW DELHI: The last time India won the Miss World pageant was in 2000. But experts busy grooming Parvathy Omanakuttan say she has the vivacity,
warmth and beauty to bag the crown again for the country.

Standing tall at 5 feet 9 inches, 21-year-old Parvathy will compete with 109 contestants at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday. Zee Café will telecast the Miss World 2008 contest live at 8.30 p.m.
"She has the 'X' factor that sets apart a supermodel from the models.

It's her vivacity and warmth that make her instantly likeable. She is a perfect mix of beauty with brains," diction expert Sabira Merchant said in a statement.

Ace photographer Subi Samuel admires Parvathy a lot and believes she exudes class and confidence and this could do the trick for her.

Talking on the same lines, fitness expert Deanne Pandey said: "She is an ideal blend of panache and poise. Her face just lights up each time she smiles."

Ace choreographer Sandeep Soparrkar said: "You cannot take your eyes off her even in a room full of gorgeous women and that is the hallmark of a beauty queen."

Expectations from millions of Indians are acting as an inspiration for Parvathy as she feels 'this is a big responsibility' and is trying her best to live up to the hopes of everyone.

"This contest is not only about winning but with it comes the responsibility of upholding the name of the country. I am trying to be a stronger person to face the contest and I will try my level best to make every Indian all over the world proud," she explained.

Like many beauty queens, Parvathy too is smitten by the big screen and says she would love to act if the 'right' kind of roles fall into her kitty.

"I would love to do a movie opposite Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan, as I have a big time crush on these guys," she said.

Parvathy indeed has big shoes to fill as India boasts of Miss Worlds like Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (1994), Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999) and Priyanka Chopra (2000).

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/

Final de Beauty with a Purpose

Son cuatro las reinas que compiten

Eric Kenney/Univision Communications Inc. México es la primera vez que queda finalista.

Univision Online y Agencias

SUDÁFRICA.- La última prueba del "Fast Tracks", de Miss Mundo 2008 es la denominada "Beauty with a Purpose", en donde este año cuatro candidatas fueron las elegidas para competir por el gran premio.

La ganadora a la mejor causa altruista se conocerá el día de la gala final el próximo 13 de diciembre. Las cuatro finalistas son: México, Trinidad & Tobago, Hungría y Kenya.

Reinas de gran corazón

La prueba de "Beauty with a Purpose", consta en que cada una de las representantes de Miss Mundo, presentan una causa altruista en la que están trabajando en sus respectivos países y un jurado especializado se encarga de seleccionar a los mejores.

Es así como México, Trinidad & Tobago, Hungría y Kenya, fueron elegidas como los mejores trabajos altruistas de este 2008. Sólo una de las reinas será la ganadora, cuyo resultado se conocerá durante la gala final éste 13 de diciembre.

Miss Mundo México, Ana Gabriela Espinoza, presentó "Pasa la Corona", un proyecto en el que ha trabajado durante cinco años. Es en la "Casa Hogar Ayuda y Solidaridad" de niñas de la calle, en donde cada mes realiza eventos recreativos con el propósito de darles una alegría a las pequeñas que también han sido maltratadas, así como buscar fondos económicos para la manutención de la casa hogar.

Miss Mundo Hungría, Szilvia Freire, trabaja en la Fundación NEM de ADOM FEL, la cual está dedicada al conocimiento y valorización de las personas minusválidas, y de la importancia que tienen para la sociedad. Además buscan a través de terapias que las personas se sientan aceptadas por los demás.

Miss Mundo Kenya, Ruth Kinuthia, presentó su labor en una escuela de Naibori, en donde imparte clases a los niños que quedaron huérfanos de padres con Sida. La reina de belleza colabora buscando financiamiento para sostener los gastos de dicho Colegio.

Miss Mundo Trinidad & Tobago, Gabirelle Walcott, desde hace años colabora con una Fundación dedicada a crear mejores condiciones hospitalarias para los niños enfermos de cáncer. Desde su participación se han recolectado más de 100 mil dólares con el propósito de abrir más salas especializadas.

La organización de Miss Mundo procura que el concurso no sólo sean caras bonitas y cuerpos esbeltos, sino una belleza integral que también abarca el corazón de cada una de las participantes.

http://www.univision.com

Controversies in Miss World pageants – But the show goes on…

By Meenakshi Shankar

Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Whether it is the basic concept of the competition or the participants themselves, there has always been a hullabaloo. The nastier side of beauty, as some of our well placed fashionistas would like to call it. Well, 2008 Miss World seems to be free of controversies, till now, but a quick look at what the history of controversies and scandal the beauty pageant has left us with.

In 1960, Argentina's Norma Gladys Cappagli was threatened with disqualification from Miss World when it was reported that she frequently drank alcohol.

Britain's Lesley Langley, crowned Miss World 1965, hit the front page of many tabloids for having posed in the nude. She was not dethroned.

Scandal broke out again four years later when it was leaked that Sweden's Eva Von Ruber-Staier, Miss World 1969, also had shed her clothes in a photo shoot. She was allowed to keep her crown.

Four months after United States delegate Marjorie Wallace was crowned Miss World in 1973, she was dethroned for dating too many high-profile men. But the crown was not given to the Miss Philippines, Evangeline Pascual who was that year's first runner up.

In 9, Helen Morgan, Miss United Kingdom, relinquished her crown just four days after it was revealed she was a single mother.

In 1984, radical animal rights activists campaigned against Miss Venezuela, Astrid Herrera, for her support of toros coleados ("pulling the bulls' tails"), a popular South American rodeo sport.

Bolivia's representative also that year was highly criticized by Britain's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for wearing of leopard fur. Miss Venezuela went on to win the crown.

In 2002, Human rights advocates called for an international boycott of the contest, protesting the treatment of women under sharia, the code of law based on the Koran recently enacted in 12 of Nigeria's northern states. Some Miss World contestants answered the call to protest.

Several countries' delegates dropped out of the competition and rallied behind the campaign to save a Muslim Nigerian woman, Amina Lawal, sentenced to be stoned to death for adultery. Amid growing international attention to the case, the Nigerian government promised that Lawal's sentence would not be carried out.

In 2002 in Nigeria, after a young fashion writer in Nigeria wrote that Prophet Mohammed probably would have chosen one of the Miss World contestants as his wife, old tensions between Christians and Muslims exploded. Riots erupted in the northern city of Kaduna, where two years before, 2,000 people had died in religious clashes. The trouble spread to Nigeria's capital, Abuja. The death toll exceeded 200 people, with hundreds of others reported injured.

Miss World was then transferred to London where Miss Turkey, Azra Akin, was crowned the winner. Amina Lawal was freed on September 2003.

The 1980 winner Gabriela Brum of Germany resigned one day after winning, initially claiming her boyfriend disapproved. A few days later it emerged that she had been forced to resign after it was discovered that she posed naked for a magazine.

Just days after her 1998 crowning, Israel's Linor Abargil revealed that she had been raped only two months before the pageant. One of the highlights of her year was seeing her accused rapist convicted.

Source: India Syndicate

http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/

A Gallery of Black Beauty Queens

FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo Updated December 10, 2008 12:00 AM

Black is beautiful. With the election of Barack Obama as the (44th) first Afro-American President of the United States, black will be the brightest color not only in the (still) Land of Milk and Honey but beyond.

Inspired by Obama’s landmark victory, Funfare asked its “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas (now working in Saudi Arabia) to make a list of Black Beauty Queens.

Here they are:

• Oprah Gail Winfrey — As 1971 Miss Black Tennessee, Oprah represented the state in the 1972 Miss Black America pageant. She was also 1971 Miss Fire Prevention of Nashville. An Emmy award winning television host/producer, Oscar and Golden Globe nominated best supporting actress, media mogul and philanthropist; Oprah received the highly coveted Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 1998. She was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 Most Important People of the Century and the only person to be listed five times in its annual list of 100 Most Influential People (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008).

• Vanessa Lynn Williams — Representing New York, Vanessa was the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss America (1984, 63 years after Miss America pageant’s inception), only to resign after Penthouse magazine