Former Miss Norway Disses Beauty Pageants, Drinks Guys Under Tables

Former Miss Norway Monica Hansen Disses Beauty Pageants, Sues Plastic Surgeon Over Breast Implant Exposure, Drinks Guys Under Tables

She’s known across the world as one of the most bangin’ bikini babes — but Monica Hansen is no Miss Universe. After unexpectedly being crowned Miss Norway in 1997 (she was entered into the competition by a friend as a joke) Hansen didn’t go on to compete in the now Donald Trump-owned pageant. Even though the Miss Universe Organization reportedly told her it was too late to drop out after she explained the situation, Hansen was struck down by a not-so-healthy gall bladder.

"Beauty pageants bring out the best and worst in women: on one hand they enhance already high level of cattiness women are known for, on the other hand they sure help the contestants to overcome their shyness, improve self-esteem and unleash the go-getter in each of them," Hansen told Tarts in an exclusive interview. "But overall I view pageants as a bit silly - yet one can't discount the entertainment factor." (And based on the whirlwind two weeks surrounding Miss California’s controversial gay marriage response at Miss USA, that’s an understatement).

So while Hansen may consider the concept of catty queens pretty entertaining, she was far from amused when a plastic surgeon used her famous face and figure to promote breast implants on his website without her consent. The 6"1 stunner recently filed a lawsuit against Dr. Leonard M. Hochstein for splashing copyrighted snaps of her assets across his site, and according to Hansen the case is only now starting to heat up. But dodgy docs aren’t the only downfall of the modeling industry, it seems Miss Monica has had and continues to have run-ins with the murky men behind the lens.

"The modeling industry is very sexist. Being a model you become a symbol/object of all what human desire is about — including sex. There are always disparaging men that comes along with that," Hansen admitted. "You have to have a very strong head on your shoulders in order to make it in this industry. You don’t have to take crap from these men, but it’s easy to fall into the traps they lay out."

But hey, there are times even away from the set when being blonde, busty and beautiful has bewitching benefits …

"One time a girlfriend and I got pulled over for a driving on red light, and we used our charm to get out of it," she laughed.

As one of the most in-demands swimsuit starlets today (who also happens to be a painter, speaks seven languages, spends spare time helping the homeless and writes a travel tips column for bestswimwear.com) Hansen divides her time between Norway and the United States, but can’t seem to draw a conclusion on which country breeds the better boys.

"Norwegian men are more straight forward and transparent. They will call you the minute they get your phone number, and tell you right away if they like you or how they feel about you. The American man is more of a game-player. He is more likely to wait a few days before he calls you, after meeting you for the first time," she explained. "American men are also more "old fashioned" on the first date versus Norwegian men, they would pay the first drink or dinner.

"Norwegian men would most likely expect you to pay your own drink or dinner the first time you meet. I don’t have any preference, as I believe suitable men exist in every country, but I generally like when a man is honest and straight up, rather than over-strategizing and playing silly games."

But one thing is for sure, no matter what land her man is from she can drink them right under the table.

"I am not a heavy drinker by nature, but I grew up in Norway where women and men don’t just drink to get drunk, but until you pass out," Hansen added. "I can for sure handle a few drinks with no problems, and I can sure drink a few guys under the table …"