Controversies at the Miss Bahamas 2009 pageant

There's a hot discussion on the recently concluded Miss Bahamas 2009 pageant in beauty pageant forums and blogs especially the controversies involving candidates and the selection of the winners.

Obviously, many fans have been disappointed.

Another controversy on the pageant which I failed to highlight in my first blog entry, fans noticed that the answers of the winners are all rehearsed except for Amanda Appleyard who was the only one who gave the most honest answer to the final question. Amanda was crowned Miss Bahamas International.

Since the whole world is watching Bahamas (Due to the fact that it is in this beautiful island where the Miss Universe 2009 pageant will be taking place) let's try to know more about the 22-year old Enna Thomas who stands 5'8".

Enna is the candidate who walked out at the middle of the pageant when her name was not called for the semi-final round. She was an earlier favourite and got two special awards. Despite these awards, she failed to advance.

In fact, one poster commented in my blog that Enna actually won SIX special awards. Take note of that, it is six and NOT two. According to the anonymous poster, "when the pageant organizer realized thats Miss Thomas was no longer in the building, they did not announce the other 4 awards."

Maybe someone from Bahamas can confirm this since I still don't have any idea on this.

Anyways, I found out a very interesting interview of Enna by Miss Bahamas Organization. I am just sharing this in order for us, non-Bahamas residents, to know something about the beautiful lady who walked out from the pageant.

1. WHY DID YOU JOIN THE MISS BAHAMAS UNIVERSE COMPETITION?

It has always been my dream to become Miss Bahamas; I decided to join the 2009 Miss Bahamas Universe competition because of the international media attention that this pageant is receiving, as the host for the 2009 Miss Universe pageant. This media attention will give me an opportunity to reach thousands of individuals as I share my platform “Save the Children”.

2. IF YOU WERE TO BECOME MISS BAHAMAS 2009, WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST THING THAT YOU WOULD DO?

The first thing I would have to do is thank God, the judges, my sponsors, my family and friends for their support and congratulate all of the contestants because we are all winners at the end of the day.

3. WHAT IS THE MOST UNIQUE OR UNUSUAL THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU IN YOUR LIFE?

In 2005, three weeks after starting my sophomore semester at the University of New Orleans I witnessed firsthand the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Fortunately, I evacuated to Baton Rouge three days before the storm hit. I spent the next few days watching the destruction of New Orleans and I knew right away that I wanted to do something to help. I immediately signed up to volunteer at a local shelter for refugees from New Orleans. I helped displaced families with meals, homework, and social support but I felt like this wasn’t enough. So, in January 2006 just two months after the city opened back up I moved back to New Orleans to help rebuild and revitalize the city. I spent my weekends gutting out homes and attending many community events.

This experience has taught me that in life there are going to be obstacles in life that may slow us down but you do not have to let any obstacle stop you from pursuing your dreams. Immediately after the storm I resumed my semester at L.S.U in Baton Rouge and returned to the University of New Orleans when it re-opened the following January. I completed my Bachelors in Management in the Fall of 2007, a semester early.

4. DO YOU THINK THE SWIMSUIT CONTEST AT BEAUTY PAGEANTS DEGRADES WOMEN?

I personally don't find the swimsuit contest at beauty pageants degrading but I feel like whether or not the swimsuit contest degrades women depends on the individual. If a women is not comfortable and confident with her body then yes when she puts on a swimsuit she may feel degraded, but for those ladies who are comfortable and confident with who they are physically, the swimsuit contest can empower them as they display their confidence.

5. GIVE AN IDEA OF WHAT YOUR NATIONAL COSTUME WILL BE AND WHAT DOES IT REPRESENT?

My costume will be Enchanting! It represents a mythical element of one of our Bahamian islands and captures the essence of what attracts so many to our shores.

6. WHAT ARE THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO AS MISS BAHAMAS 2009?

Firstly, I would like to reach out to the youth in our community. It is important for them to know that we are all our brothers and sisters keepers, and serving each other increases our national self worth. While pursuing my Masters Degree in Business Administration in New Orleans, I have been tutoring children in the city whose parents are incarcerated. Being there for them while their parents are serving time shows them that they live in a community where they are loved and cared for and teaches them that loving and serving each other is the key to happiness.

Secondly, I would like to help preserve our natural environment. From the ecologically pristine turtle nesting grounds in Curtis Creek, Mayaguana to the magnificent barrier reef in Andros, The Bahamas has an array of natural beauties that need to be protected so that they can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Thirdly, one of the three things that I would like to do is see that the government conducts a referendum on legalizing gambling in The Bahamas.

7. IF YOU HAD TO RESIDE ON ONE OF THE FAMILY ISLANDS IN THE BAHAMAS, WHICH WOULD IT BE AND WHY.

If I had to reside on one of the family islands in The Bahamas it would have to be Cat Island. Proclaimed to be one of the most beautiful islands of the Bahamas, Cat Island has everything that I am looking for in a family island! The Rake n Scrape Festivals would keep me entertained, the golden sand beaches and unspoiled turquoise waters would keep me relaxed, and my trips to the Hermitage would keep me fit as I would have to travel up 63 meters up Mt. Alvernia the highest point in our nation to get to the top of this Sacred monastery and that’s why I choose Cat Island!

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR AND WHY?

My favorite color is definitely black because it represents strength and power and is stronger and more powerful than any other color. Black is also mysterious and is associated with the unknown like the Black Holes of Andros.

9. TELL VIEWERS A LITTLE ABOUT THE BAHAMAS AND WHY YOU LOVE IT SO!

There is no place on earth like The Bahamas - an archipelago of natural beautiful islands with the friendliest most beautiful people. Each island has its own unique culture, topography, ecology, personality, and history. From marvel of the Glass Window Bridge in Eleuthera to the spectacular rolling hills of Cat Island the Bahamas is awe-inspiring and diverse and a place to be loved.

Joahnna Mariel Lasic Wins Miss Argentina Universe 2009

Joahana Mariel Lasic, a beautiful girl 20 year-old of Ciudad Autonoma (Capital District), was crowned Miss Universe Argentina 2009 during the pageant held in the Hall of the Americas NH Hotel Provincial on 23th May.

The new Argentinean beauty queen who stands 1.82 m tall will represent Argentina in Miss Universe 2009 Beauty Contest in the Bahamas in August 23.

Crowd favourite, a beautiful Gretel Venecia Otto of Misiones was just a First Princess. Lovely girl Gisela Berger from Córdoba was Second Princess.

Twenty-three young women participated in this year's pageant. This is the first time in the pageant's history that a reigning Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza, was invited as a guest.

Kiara Sherman Wins Miss Bahamas 2009

Bahamas, the host country for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant, has chosen their representative.

Kiara Sherman was crowned Miss Bahamas Universe 2009 under the theme "A Taste of the Bahamas Through Elegance" at the Nassau Wyndham Resorts, Rain Forest Theatre on Sunday, May 25th.

Photo is courstesy of The Eleuthera News.

The sold out gala event featured a plethora of young, talented ladies who were narrowed down stepwise to first 12, 8, then 5 and eventually the final three who were crowned Miss Bahamas International, Miss Bahamas Earth and Miss Bahamas Universe in order of ascendancy.

Sherman will now play as hostess to the eighty plus international beauty queens at the 58th Annual Misss Universe pageant on August 23.

Crowned as Miss Bahamas Earth is the heavy favourite IFE Bethel Sears. Many fans have been disappointed when she did not get the Miss Bahamas Universe title.

Amanda Appleyard is crowned as the Miss Bahamas International.

Alyssa Knowles and Camille Kenny were crowned third and fourth runners-up respectively.

The pageant is not without controversies.

Originally, there were seventeen women who signed up for the pageant, but three dropped out citing personal differences with pageant organizer Gaynell Rolle-Stubbs.

Last year's Miss Bahamas Universe Sacha Scott did not show up; rumour has it that she refused to attend the pageant because she has never received her prizes. In place of Scott, her runner-up Garnell Storr, Miss Bahamas Earth 2008, was introduced simply as "Miss Bahamas."

One of the contestants, Enna Thomas, a big favorite but failed to reach the semifinals, walked out of the event before it was finished and did not claim her two special awards.

Miss Vietnam Vo Hoang Yen is not offended by Ines Ligron's Comment

Wow, the comments made by Ines Ligron, Japan's national director for Miss Universe Organization, in her blog about some of the candidates for the Miss Universe 2009 in Bahamas and was FIRST reported in our blog is now generating "controversy" because of fans around the world who were offended.

In my entry dated 20 May 2009, I relayed what Ines has said about Miss Vietnam. "Võ Hoàng Yến is indeed special, but she need to seriously start to look more sophisticated. I saw many pictures of her and she looks like a beautiful Miss Tiffany to me sometimes. She is a beautiful girl but she needs urgent styling. I wish her the best because I want Asian girls to do great. Methinks. Meilleurs voeux le Vietnam!"

But Vietnam's Vo Hoang Yen is not really offended when Ines compared her to a beautiful Miss Tiffany Universe, a pageant for transsexuals.

In an interview with the Yen by Vietnam Net, the beauty queen said that she was not upset by Ligron’s comment because the comment was correct and frank, and not easy to recognize.

“There are some photos of me on the Internet in which I was captured at angles that make me look quite husky. I will learn from them for my next photo shows,” Yen said.

About Ligron’s suggestion of building her own style, Yen said: “I’ll try to develop my image as a supermodel, but not so cold. I’ll smile more and be more cheerful.”

The Performance Art Agency under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism hasn’t received an invitation letter from the Miss Universe 2009 organising board so it hasn’t approved Hoang Yen’s participation. However, Yen is preparing for the event by taking a training course at John Roberts Powers School.

Guðrún Dögg Rúnarsdóttir Wins Ungfrú Ísland or Miss Iceland 2009

Another beauty queen to the Miss World 2009 pageant has been named when Iceland crowned Miss Vesturland Guðrún Dögg Rúnarsdóttir as the new Ungfrú Ísland 2009 or Miss Iceland 2009 at Broadway in the capital Reykjavík.

The 18 year old gorgeous lady will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa and in London on December for the Miss World pageant.

Iceland has produced 3 Miss World winners in the history of the pageant. It was in 1985 by Holmfridur Karlsdottir, 1988 by Linda Petursdottir and 2005 by Unnur Birna Vilhjalmsdottir.

The 1st runner-up was Magdalena Dubik, and the 2nd runner-up was Sylvía Dagmar Friðjónsdóttir. It is not clear whether the two will compete to any international pageants or not.

Rumour says that last year first runner-up, Ingibjorg Ragnheidur Egilsdottir, will be competing at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in Nassau, Bahamas on August 23.

Serdült Orsolya Wins A Királynő or Miss Hungary 2009

A 21-year old student was crowned A Királynő or Miss Hungary 2009 in a glittering event in Budapest in May 21st. Serdült Orsolya or also known as Orsi bested other contestants to have the right to represent this Eastern European country to the Miss World 2009 pageant to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa and in London, UK on December.

Orsi stands 1.75 meters.

Like the usual scenario in beauty pageants, another crowd favourite ended only as first runner-up. 21-year old half-Jamaican, Zsuzsa Budai, was crowned Miss Hungary Universe. She will be going to the Bahamas to compete for the Miss Universe 2009.

Budai is known model in her country who stands 1.81 meters. She will try to give Hungary its first Miss Universe win.

Crowned as Miss Hungary Earth is 18-year old Korinna Kocsis. She will be competing at the Miss Earth 2009 in Manila, Philippines.

Serdult Orsolya as Miss Hungary World 2009

Zsuzsa Budai as Miss Hungary Universe 2009

Korinna Kocsis as Miss Hungary Earth 2009

Claudia Arce Wins Miss Bolivia 2009

As early as this time, Bolivia has already a representative for Miss Universe...not for the 2009 pageant in Bahamas this coming August 23 but for the next pageant in 2010 in a host country which is not known yet.

Claudia Arce of Chuquisaca is the winner of Miss Bolivia 2009 that was held in the Gran Mariscal Theatre of Sucre. She became the first confirmed delegate of any country in the world to the Miss Universe 2010 pageant. The 18-year old new Bolivian beauty queen stands 1.73 meter. She has over one year to prepare for her international pageant. She is also an Industrial Engineering student.

The pageant also marked the 30th year anniversary of Gloria Limpias as the organizer.

In case you are curious, Bolivia's representative to the Miss Universe 2009 in the Bahamas is Miss Cochabamba, Dominique Peltier.

Arce's court includes First Runner-Up Miss Bicentenario Flavia Foianini who is going to Miss World 2009 in Johannesburg, South Africa and London, UK. Foianini was the crowd favourite.

Second Runner-Up is Miss Santa Cruz Ximena Vargas. She will be representing Bolivia to the Miss International 2009 to be held in Japan and China.

Miss Litoral Paola Flores was declared as Third Runner-Up. She will be competing at the Miss American Continent in Ecuador.

Present in the pageant who assisted in the crowning of the beauty queens are the Top 2 winners of Miss Universe 2008, Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela and Taliana Vargas of Colombia. Mendoza is Miss Universe 2008 while Vargas is her runner up.

Canadian Beauty Queen is Sexually Abused

Former beauty queen files suit against agency, its vice-president and other men, claiming she was groped and more seriously abused

A former B.C. beauty queen has filed a class-action lawsuit against a top Hollywood talent firm and several men, alleging a "criminal conspiracy" to sexually assault and exploit young aspiring models and actresses.

Claire Robinson, 23, who was named Miss British Columbia in 2004 and was a top-15 finalist in the Miss Universe Canada pageant, is the plaintiff in a suit filed in Los Angeles Tuesday against talent firm International Creative Management, Jack Gilardi, a vice-president at the agency, and other named and unnamed men.

Ms. Robinson, 23, alleges she was one of many women to be "hip-pocketed" by Mr. Gilardi and his associates. The phrase "hip-pocketed" is used when a veteran male talent agent agrees to represent a young model or actress but never formally signs her or secures any legitimate auditions.

"Once the girls believed they were ICM clients, the co-conspirators sexually exploited the 'hip-pocketed' actresses," alleges the claim, obtained by celebrity website TMZ.com.

Ms. Robinson said she attended a number of "auditions," at which she was asked to pose sexually for casting agents to be considered for roles that either didn't exist or were already filled. On a number of occasions, she claims, she was sexually assaulted.

"The girl, of course, was thrilled thinking that she was being represented by ICM, but it was just this whole sham arrangement," Ms. Robinson's lawyer, Perry Wander, alleged in an interview with The Globe and Mail.

ICM denied the claims Tuesday night.

"Ms. Robinson's allegations are completely baseless. ICM denies any and all wrongdoing and will vigorously defend this action," the company said.

Ms. Robinson alleges that Mr. Gilardi, 79, groped her. She alleges she was sexually assaulted more severely by his associates. She believes she is one of many victims, and filed the class-action suit on behalf of any other young models or actresses who were hip-pocketed by ICM.

"We're taking the position that this hip-pocketing of actresses and sexually exploiting them, that's been a criminal enterprise that's been going on for about 20 years," Mr. Wander said.

The suit is filed under a U.S. racketeering law designed for prosecuting the mafia, and allows civil suits for acts committed as part of an ongoing criminal organization.

It's seeking $10-million in punitive damages — 10 per cent of ICM's last reported annual earnings, chosen as an "ironic twist" because it's the same percentage the firm is said to take as a cut from its clients' pay, Mr. Wander said.

Ms. Robinson is in Vancouver with her family, Mr. Wander said. Her career included work around the world and credits with DKNY, Betsey Johnson, and Salvatore Ferragamo. She returned to Vancouver last year after the most serious of attacks, and has undergone counselling.

Miss World beauties photographed flashing the "Fuck You" sign

Two Miss World beauty queens have photos emerging on the net showing them flashing the "fuck you" finger sign. Miss World 1994 Aiswarya Rai of India and Miss World 2008 semi-finalist Josipa Kusic of Croatia probably have a message to the world. I just don't know what it is.

In Aishwarya's case, she is flanked by her family that include her equally famous husband Abishek Bachan, her father-in-law who is India's megastar Amitabh Bachan, and an old woman who appears to be her mother-in-law. All of them but the mother are showing to the world their middle fingers.


But it could be that the gesture is some kind of religious act that Hindus have. I just don't know. Probably, they were all just showing their identical rings. LOL

It's different in Josipa's case. She is obviously just playing around with the cameraman. The photo is taken inside a bus or any form of transportation.


Well, this is not an issue. I am just showing you these pictures of famous personalities  who we expect to "behave" well but caught in "bad" photos.

Sushmita Sen Admits Having Breast Implants

Former Miss Universe winner, Sushmita Sen of India, is now the latest addition to the growing list of beauty queens who subjected parts of their bodies under the knife.

According to the report of India Times, the 1994 Miss Universe was one of the Bollywood personalities who admitted publicly that she had gone for silicon implants to enhance her breasts.

Sen defended herself by saying that "she is proud of what she had done sine it wasn't a crime to enhance one's beauty."

It is not clear whether India's first Miss Universe titleholder had done this enhancement before becoming a Miss Universe or after she won. But a quick comparison of her pre-pageant and post-pageant photos shows that Sushmita seems to have bigger boobs now than 14 years ago when she competed in Manila, Philippines for the crown.

Miss Japan Emiri Miyasaka will Wear a Gucci Gown in the Miss U

Miss Universe 2009 has not even started yet but Miss Japan, Emiri Miyasaki, has already an expensive gown that will surely mesmerize all the pageant enthusiasts in the world like me.

Ines Ligron, the woman who is responsible in turning Japanese girls into modern sophisticated women, has just confirmed that Emiri will be wearing a Gucci gown.

The announcement was made by Ines in her blog. A reader expressed about his excitement to see Emiri's gown in the finals as Miss Japan always has the best gown. She responded by saying, "I already bought it. She will wear Gucci."

One of the most anticipated events in the Miss Universe pageant is the parade of the beauty queens in their colourful evening gowns. Lots of us are glued on our seats watching the ladies how they carry their gowns. Most of us also are busy scrutinizing every details in the dress.

I'm also excited to see the gown.

Ines also added that from now on she will start calling Miss Japan as Emiri and not as Emily.

The reader can explain it better. "Hi Madamme Inés, congratulations on your new winner and she is the best choice. But I prefer you calling her “Emiri” instead of “Emily” because Emily is way to westernized and ordinary, especially when you register her for the Miss Universe pageant. It is better to be Emiri Miyasaka. Although the two names sounds alike, I think Emiri sounds cooler and has the Japanese charm in the name itself. Because the fans love calling the complete names of Miss Japan such as Miyako Myazaki, Kurara Chibana , Riyo Mori etc… Now let’s wait the name Emiri Miyasaka to be called in the top 15 in Miss Universe this August"

"Miss Vietnam Võ Hoàng Yến is like a beautiful Miss Tiffany" - Ines Ligron

Just hours ago, I made a blog entry about Ines Ligron's honest opinion on Miss India Universe Ekta Chaudhary. She called the beauty queen as someone "who can't speak and a little immature" based on a video the National Director of Japan had watched on Youtube.

Ines is the most interesting and most vocal among all the pageant directors in the world. She is very transparent but very sincere and sweet. She is actually my most favourite. If there was a Miss Universe contest for all the national directors, this Frenchwoman could have been definitely the clear runaway winner.

She's also a very good source of beauty pageant news and gossips. Anything that comes out from her mouth makes headlines. That's the reason why I love her aside from being an excellent pageant coach who has high taste for fashion.

I continue updating you on Ines' thoughts on any beauty queens or beauty pageants for that matter. Thus, let's continue.  She is not actually frugal in her thoughts about Misses Vietnam, Colombia, Turkey and Venezuela. Let's hear it from her.

On Miss Vietnam - Võ Hoàng Yến is indeed special, but she need to seriously start to look more sophisticated. I saw many pictures of her and she looks like a beautiful Miss Tiffany to me sometimes. She is a beautiful girl but she needs urgent styling. I wish her the best because I want Asian girls to do great. Methinks. Meilleurs voeux le Vietnam!

On Miss Colombia - Michelle Rouillard is special, a pretty face with an angel-aura and a killer body!

Ines agreed on a fan who commented that Miss Colombia's background as a Colombo-French makes her unique. She has a strong personality and amazing look. She is herself and doesn't look like anyone.

On Miss Turkey - According to Ines, Ebru Sam did not include Miss Turkey because to her, she is just a little girl, not a woman yet. But she added that of course she can be wrong.

On Miss Ukraine - Kristina Koz-Gotlib is gorgeous but her hair is too 70’s.

On Miss Venezuela - Estefania Fernandez has such a pretty face when she wears no make-up. She likes her very much. Venezuela has a killer body again!

Ines Ligron Says Miss India Universe Ekta Chaudhary "Can't Talk and a Little Immature"

Frenchwoman Ines Ligron who is the National Director of Japan for Miss Universe mentioned in her reply to comment to her blog that Miss India Universe 2009, Ekta Chaudhary "can't talk and a little immature" that's why the beauty queen is not included in her favourite list of Miss Universe hopefuls for this year.

But don't take it negatively, for the Ekta fans, because it is Ines who is talking. We all know that this well-loved pageant director has an eye for beauty. Besides this is only her opinion and she could be wrong or right.

One fan asked Ines why India and USA are not in her list and that was the answer she gave. Only Misses Spain, Kazakhstan, Australia, Belgium, Colombia, Dominican Republic, England, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Russia, Venezuela, Vietnam and the Philippines are in her list.

Ines reasoned out that her comment was influenced by a Youtube video of Ekta speaking before she won her national title. She added that "she's sorry for the statement and she's just being honest about it"

I just don't know what video she was referring to. So, if you are reading this Ines, maybe you can point us the link. Merci.

But she still complimented Miss India by saying that Ekta is indeed beautiful.

"I am sure the Miss India Organization will turn this around because all their misses are indeed the best speakers normally."

I also remember that hours after Ekta was crowned, Ines made a blog entry also praising her. If I can remember it right, she said that she was happy Ekta won the title. It was Ekta who she really wanted to win.

As for Miss USA, Kirsten Dalton, Ines did not include her because she fails to see something special on the beauty queen.

"Nothing special for me, zero impact, just very “American-girl-next-door” but not in a good way. Again, I am giving my honest opinion, I cannot lie to you."

She also mentioned that Miss Dominican Republic, Ada de la Cruz is so far the clear winner this year.

She ended her statement by spreading peace to everyone.

Carolina Gomez, Miss Universe Runner-Up is Considered to star in Grey's Anatomy

I have a good news for the fans of Miss Universe 1994 first runner-up, Carolina Gomez Correa of Colombia. I know you've been wanting to read the latest updates on her. A lot of  fans have been asking how she is nowadays. Luckily, I  got news she was considered to star in Grey's Anatomy.

Whoah. Can you believe that folks? Yes, our dear Carolina who is 33 years old now was considered to play the role of Meredith Grey in the Colombian version of the popular show. This series will be set in a Bogota hospital. Take note, we are not talking about the US version.

Here's the bad news. Carolina was only considered to play the role and she was replaced by a younger singer and actress, Veronica Orozco.

Do you wanna know the reason? You won't believe this gals. Apparently, the reason is because our Carolina is "too old for the role". Sigh.

The Colombian version of 'Grey's anatomy' will be produced by Julio Sanchez Cristo from Vista Productions. The series will be screened on the RCN channel.

Carolina was a crowd favourite during the 1994 Miss Universe in Manila, Philippines. Miss India, Sushmita Sen, beat her for the crown. But our Carolina made history by registering the highest score in the evening gown competition at the finals with a 9.897. No other Miss Universe semi-finalists have ever matched or surpassed that.

Miss Australia Universe 2009 Rachael Finch Gown Designer

The designer of Myf Warhurst's controversial Logies dress is to create a show-stopping gown for Miss Universe Australia Rachael Finch's international final.

Warhurst burnt the Sonia Cappellazzo-designed blue, single-sleeve dress after newspaper readers voted it the "worst" on the red carpet.

But stunning 21-year-old beauty pageant winner Rachael, in Melbourne this week for preliminary discussions for the all-important evening gown, says she has confidence in Cappellazzo.

"It's a real privilege for me to be dressed by Sonia, I love her stuff," she said.

Rachael has had more on her mind lately than dresses.

Her mother, Colleen Zablocki, has been suffering from a serious tumour on her shoulder, which she had removed this week.

"Luckily it came back non-cancerous," Rachael said.

Preparations for the Miss Universe finals in the Bahamas in August have also been intense for the young model. "It's been crazy since winning," she said.

Radio host Myf was so miffed by the furore surrounding her frock she burnt it live on her breakfast show.

But Cappellazzo stands by the dress, saying it was ahead of its time. "I know it was bagged by the public, but if you look at the catwalks, that's what Chanel and Louis Vuitton are doing," she said.

Miss Nude South Africa

In case you haven't heard yet, there is another unique beauty pageant that is taking place in South Africa. If most of us love to see beauty candidates in their evening gowns and swimwears, I doubt if you can appreciate these things in the Miss NUDE South Africa.

Yes, this is a pageant which requires candidates in their birthday suits. This is organized by Sexpo.

As expected there are Christian protesters gathered outside Cape Town Convention Centre where the pageant will be taking place to denounce it. But the pageant organizer rejected claims that the event exploited women

"We are all here by our own choice: no-one's been forced to be here," said a topless Bella Anderson at her stall in the expo.

"I mean, I love sitting here... I enjoy this. It's not like I'm a prostitute or anything.

"I'm just enjoying the fact that I'm a woman first of all, and second of all I'm using my womanly side and my femininity... to have fun with people.

"It's not like I'm sleeping with anyone or doing bad things."

Anderson, who is conducting lap dancing workshops at Sexpo, said she hoped visitors to the event would leave more comfortable with who they were, rather than worrying about what other people said.

Spokesperson for the Christian Action Network Taryn Hodgson said Christians believed sex was a gift from God and should be expressed only within the confines of marriage.

"We shouldn't take something that's private and personal and make it public," she said.

She also said it was outrageous that an industry that promoted the "objectification and exploitation" of women should be given space at a premier tourist destination in the heart of the city.

Contestants of World Supermodels are Detained in Taiwan

Twelve Australians models who allegedly conned a supposed-to-be international pageant are reported to have been detained in Taiwan for questioning.

Taiwanese prosecutors say they are probing claims that a pageant organiser conned a beauty contest by pretending his Australian models were in fact from many different countries.

Models claiming to be from 24 countries took part in the World Supermodel Pageant in Taiwan last week, but organiser Huang Chih-hui later found that at least nine women — including winner Esma Voloder of Bosnia — were from Australia.

Nations represented by Australian women included Croatia, France and Sri Lanka.

Huang said she had been fooled by the scam, having paid air fares, hotel and other activities for the women for what was supposed to be an international event.

"I was conned by the Australians ... I had no idea about this, I feel so foolish," she said.

A spokesman for Taoyuan district prosecutor's office said it was probing fraud and document forgery charges against an Australian organiser, named as Gavin Dooley.

"The contestants were supposed to come from 24 countries, but they were mostly from Australia and New Zealand," he said, adding that Dooley had been advised to remain in Taiwan pending the investigation.

Dooley told prosecutors that Australia is a nation of immigrants and the suspected contestants all have dual nationalities, the spokesman added.

Australian-born winner Voloder told the Apple Daily her parents were Bosnian refugees and that she considered herself Bosnian.

Ironically, the Miss Teen Australia creed is to find a "role model, not a supermodel".

Taiwan's formerly thriving pageant industry has been plagued by a string of scandals in recent years.

In 2003, a woman voted Miss Taiwan was stripped of her crown after she was found to have bribed judges, while the runner-up who replaced her was accused of working as a hostess in Japanese bars — charges she rejected.

Miss Japan Universe Emiri Miyasaka visits Japanese Prime Minister

Miss Universe Japan Emiri Miyasaka chats with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso during her visit to the premier's official residence on May 15, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. Emiri won the Miss Universe Japan crown on May 11, 2009 and will now go on to represent Japan at the Miss Universe final on August 23, 2009 in Nassau, Bahamas.

Scandal: World Supermodels Pageant caught in hoax by Australian Models

The organisers of a Taiwanese beauty pageant have claimed they were conned by a modelling agency when it sent Australian women posing as international contestants.

Models claiming to be from 24 different countries took part in The World Supermodel Pageant co-hosted this week in Taichung by the city's tourism association TMTA and an Australian modelling organisation, the Apple Daily said.

Esma Voloder of Bosnia was crowned the winner but Taiwanese organisers later found that nine women, including Ms Voloder, were all Australian models claiming to represent countries including Croatia, France, and Sri Lanka.

"I was conned by the Australians... I had no idea about this. I feel so foolish," organiser Huang Chih-hui was quoted by the paper as saying. Ms Huang said she had entrusted an Australian modelling organisation to recruit the contestants and admitted she did not check the women's passports to verify their nationalities.

The organisation's representative, identified by the paper as Gavin Dooley, rejected the charges but declined to provide any proof of the women's nationalities, the report said.

The Australian-born winner Voloder was quoted by the paper as saying that her parents were Bosnian refugees and that she considered herself Bosnian.

Taiwan's once-thriving pageant industry has been plagued by a string of scandals in recent years.

In 2003, Miss Taiwan Liu An-na was stripped of her crown after she was found to have bribed judges while the runner-up who replaced her was accused of working as a hostess in Japanese bars -- charges she rejected.

Former Miss World Bet, Ada de la Cruz Wins Miss Dominican Republic Universe 2009

Ada Aimee de la Cruz (23) won the Miss Dominican Republic pageant held in Santo Domingo on Sunday, May 16th. The 1.83 m professional model will represent her country at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas next August. She was crowned by last year's titleholder (and 2nd runner-up in Miss Universe) Marianne Cruz.

The 1st runner-up was Miss Monte Plata, Ana Rita Contreras, and the 2nd runner-up was Miss Distrito Nacional, Rocio Castellanos. The contestants from San Cristobal, Santiago and Duarte completed the Top 6 finalists.

Ada de la Cruz is no stranger to the pageant scene. She competed in the Miss Dominican Rep. Universe pageant in 2007, where she reached a Top 10 spot. Afterwards she competed and won the Miss Mundo Dominicana contest, which gave her the right to represent her country at the Miss World 2007 pageant in Sanya, China.

While in Miss World, Ada won the coveted Beach Beauty title and was among the Top 15 semi finalists. She also broke a record with the bookmakers, getting a top spot in all of them until she was tied by Miss China, the eventual winner.

Two years later she returned to the pageant scene, and very strongly. She could easily become the Dominican Republic's second Miss Universe titleholder (Amelia Vega won in 2003).

Canadian-Filipino Delegate to Miss Canada Universe 2009

Did you know that one of the candidates of the recently concluded Miss Canada Universe 2009 pageant where Mariana Valente won the title is of Filipino heritage?

Orlandice Balanag represented Edmonton, Alberta in the pageant but failed to advance.

Before I continue with this, I guess some of you (readers) have already raised your eyebrows. I will not be surprised if I get arguments again for posting stuff like this. I'm telling you this because lately, I have been receiving "scandalous comments" for what I have written here.

The purpose of this post is just to inform majority of my readers who definitely would love to hear things related to them, things that might interest them. In case you didn't know, according to my google analytics, the second biggest group that reads my blog comes from the Philippines. On top is the US.

Ok, so I continue. Orlandice Balanag is 21 years old and stand 5'7". According to beautiesofcanada.com, the beauty queen was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. She is very proud of her mixed heritage of Filipino, Bajan, and English.

She has always had an eye for art ever since she was young and is inspired by her father who is an artist; he is the reason for her love and talent for art. From her passion of art she hopes to become an Architecture designer. She is starting her first year of Architecture Technology this year and will be looking forward to completing the Program at the North Alberta Institute of Technology.

If she were to be picked to become Miss Universe Canada, Orlandice would like to take the opportunity to speak out and work with issues such as bullying, children and youth abuse and animal abuse. She is a firm believer that those who cannot stand up against abuse themselves need to be protected by others; it is a crucial need in order to stop violence.

 

Here is a video of Orlandice from youtube. Thanks to the uploader, fbgenesismultimedia

Miss Mundo Argentina (Miss Argentina World) 2009 Crowns Bets to Misses World, Earth and International 2009

Argentina, a beauty superpower during the early days, has another reason to be optimistic that the memories of old gold days in pageantry will be alive again in this year's international pageants. Just hours ago, May 17, three lovely and gorgeous Argentinian ladies were crowned as the country's top beauty queens to be sent to Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth.

 

  

 

Evelyn Lucia Manchon, 22 years old, finished on top of the Miss Mundo Argentina 2009 or Miss Argentina World in English. She will represent this South American country to the Miss World 2009 pageant in Johannesburg, South Africa and London, UK in December 12.

Announced as First Runner-Up is the crowd favourite, Mercedes Viaña, 18. She will compete at the Miss International 2009 pageant to be held in Japan and China.

The Second Runner-Up who is going to Miss Earth 2009 pageant in Manila, Philippines, is 21-old Gisela Menossi.

The remaining two girls in the Top 5 who won't go to any international pageants are 3rd Runner-Up, Gema Pineda of San Juan; and, 4th Runner-Up is Belen Fernadez of Corrientes.

The rest of the Top 10 are Debora Quiroga of Santa Fe, Guadalupe Ferreira of Catamarca, Micaela Lopez of Salta, Johanna Milsztejn of Tucuman and Paulina Becher of La Pampa.

Goodluck, Argentina. I am one of many beauty pageant fans who is looking forward to see Miss Argentina in the Top 10 of Misses World, Earth or International.

Sorawee Nattee Wins Miss Tiffany's Universe 2009

Folks, this is not your regular beauty pageant but I bet this one is as interesting as the Misses Universe, World, Earth and International. I am talking about a gay pageant in Thailand - the Miss Tiffany's Universe.

Sorrawee Nattee, a 20-year old student, was crowned as Miss Tiffany's Universe 2009 at the Tiffany Show Theatre in Pattaya, an east coastal city of Thailand.

Nattee beat 29 other lovely gay beauty queens. She will represent Thailand at the Miss Queen of the Universe that will be held also in Thailand in November. The pageant is the Miss Universe (Donald Trump's pageant) for the gays around the world. Other countries are also sending their representatives.

The theme of the 12th Miss Tiffany's Universe is "Live and Learn Life to Enhance your Beauty."

The purpose of the pageant (Of course, aside from empowering the gays) is to promote Pattaya as a tourist destination. The money raised will be donated to Thailand Red Cross Society for AIDS prevention and treatment. Thailand is one of the countries in the world with a high rate of people who have been infected with AIDS.

There was a little drama at the coronation night, when Nattee was declared as the winner, she knelt down in tears with hands clasped.

Miss Panama 2009 Crowns Representatives to Misses World and Universe 2009

A reality TV show that lasted 9 weeks came to an end on Friday when Nadege Herrera (22), a professional model who holds a degree in Tourism and Marketing, was crowned Panama's representative to Miss World during the final show held at the Tihany Spectacular Circus tent in Panama City on May 15th.

The program was pre-taped for television in the middle of an epidemic scare due to the AH1N1 virus, which forced the cancellation of major massive events.

Herrera (photo, left), who stands 1.82 m tall, will represent Panama at the Miss World 2009 pageant in London and South Africa next December.

Crowned as the Miss Universe representative was 22-year old Diana Patricia Broce (right), from Los Santos. The 1.70 m former carnival queen holds a degree in finances and will compete at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas, next August.

The remaining finalists were Liseth Diaz (24), Stephanie Thompson (18), Lidia McNulty (20) and Maria Luisa Pretelt (22).

The reality TV show -which was delayed due to the presidential elections weeks ago- was on the eye of a worldwide audience due to the famous "Confucious invented confusion" answer by contestant Giosue Cozzarelli, who was eliminated one week prior to the final. The 10 contestants were supposed

Another innovation was the announcement of the winners; Diana Broce was announced, during the first part of the show, that she would represent Panama in Miss Universe. The remaining delegates will compete again; and when the show concluded, the hosts announced that Nadege Herrera was representing Panama in Miss World. 

Katharine Brown Wins Miss Scotland 2009

Katharine Brown almost can't believe she was the winner of Miss Scotland 2009. She definitely did not expect winning the right to represent this kingdom to the next Miss World pageant to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa and London in December 12, later this year.

She screamed "Oh, My God" when she was declared as the winner.

The native of Dunblane, Perthshire beat nine other finalists to grab the title at Glasgow's Clyde Auditorium.

Mariana Valente wins Miss Canada Universe 2009

Canada crowns Mariana Valente to be this country's representative to the Miss Universe 2009 pageant to be held in Nassau, Bahamas in August 23. The 23-year old beauty queen who is originally from Brazil and moved to Canada when she was 12 was crowned as Miss Canada Universe 2009 at John Bassett Theatre in Toronto, May 16.

Have you noticed that lately Canada is not selecting pure Canadians to represent this country in international pageants? I just noticed that their recent beauty titleholders are of mix blood. Most of them are immigrants.

Natalie Glebova who won Miss Universe 2005 is from Russia and Miss Earth 2007, Jessica Trisko is of Filipino heritage. Miss World 2003 First Princess, Nazanin Afshin-Jam has Iranian parents.

Going back to Miss Canada Universe 2009, Valente is a student of languages at York University. She is 1.72 meters tall.

The first runner up is a contestant from Canada's Next Top Model. She is 26-year old Ylenia Aurucci. Ksenia Mezenina is second runner up. Neda Derakshan is third runner up while fourth runner up is Isabelle Grastin.

Even the courts of Valente are not pure Canadians, I guess. Their names sound Russian. I know for a fact that Neda has Iranian blood because I posted a blog entry about her here.

There are 56 women who competed in this year's pageant.

For the special awards, TingJia Lorogiano is People's Choice Award. Chanel Beckenlehner is Miss Elegance and Audience Favourite. Xiao Sun is Best in Runway while Cristina Heslenfeld is Best in Swimwear.

Have you noticed it again? Even the winners of the minor awards are not pure Canadians. Well, this means Canada is a melting pot of all nationalities around the world.

Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza Named Most Beautiful

Current Miss Universe titleholder, Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela is the only beauty queen who was included in the list of the People En Espanol's '50 Most Beautiful'. Most of the celebrities in the Top 50 are actors and singers from all over Latin America most especially from Mexico.

Here is our darling Dayana attending the ceremony that will honour the 50 Most Beautiful at The Edison Ballroom on May 13, 2009 in New York City.

Mister World 2009 will be hosted by South Korea

Eighty countries will compete for Mr. World 2009, it was recently announced in London. For the very first time the event will be held in Korea, in September.

Julia Morley said, 'I am so delighted that we will have the opportunity to showcase the beautiful country of Korea to the rest of the world as our contestants battle it out for the title of Mr World.

Previous winners from the Mr World pageant came from Belgium (1996), Venezuela (1998), Uruguay (2001), Brazil (2003), and Spain (2007).

Spain's Juan Garcia Postigo has been reigning since March 2007. 

Shu-rina Wiah wins Miss Liberia 2009

Miss Shu-rina Wiah, 21, is the new Miss Liberia. She is studying Public Administration at the African Methodist Episcopal University. She desires to become a Lawyer, with focus on defending the rights of women and children. In the future, she would like to use her voice as a concerned citizen to serve as Ambassador on behalf of young women.

Shu-rina participated in last year's Miss Liberia pageant and was unsuccessful however, Miss Wiah says she had a whole year to develop her negatives and build her skills and is sure she will win this year's crown.

She feels it's important not to give up on herself and has lived by the motto if you don't succeed try and try again.

Her hobbies are modeling, singing, reading and going to church.

It is not confirmed if winner will represent her country in any international pageant.

Beauty Queen and Journalist Roxana Saberi Sets Free from Prison

The controversial former beauty queen and American journalist, Roxana Saberi has been freed from prison after four months in a Tehran prison and two weeks of hunger strike. She was accused of spying for a "hostile" nation (Iran's words), the United States of America.

The news comes after the decision of an Iranian appeals court to reduce her original eight-year sentence for spying. Her lawyer says she shed tears of relief at the news.

Friends and supporters of jailed U.S.-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi rejoiced over the decision by an Iranian appeals court to release her, and Saberi wept after hearing the news.

Eyewitnesses say that Saberi was released from a secret exit of Tehran's Evin prison, rather than the main gate, where journalists and supporters had gathered to see her.

Saberi's father Reza called his daughter's release "an unexpected surprise," telling reporters at her house in northern Tehran that she was "well."

Iran's Judiciary spokesman Alireza Jamshidi confirmed Saberi's sentence had been reduced by an appeals court, following Sunday's hearing. Saberi's initial eight-year conviction on charges of espionage were reduced to a two-year suspended sentence, according to her attorney Abdulsamad Khorramshahi. He told journalists the Saberi case was one of the most gratifying he had ever taken on.

Human rights organizations across the world, including Reporters Without Borders, had lobbied for Saberi's release, calling her initial conviction "politically motivated." The United States had repeatedly called the Iranian spying charges against Saberi "baseless" and had pleaded for her immediate release.

Saberi will reportedly be allowed to return home to the United States and under the terms of her suspended sentence will not be allowed to practice journalism in Iran for 5 years.

Here is a video showing Roxana Saberi. An she's really beautiful. Her father is an Iranian an her mother is a Japanese.

Miss California vs. Miss Rhode Island: Is There a Double Standard over Racy Photos?

This is a rush transcript from "On the Record," May 11, 2009. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, FOX NEWS HOST: Some racy pictures of Miss California could end up costing her her crown. But is there a double standard at play here? Take a look at this picture. This is Miss Rhode Island USA posing in "Maxim" magazine before she won her crown.

So why isn't she in danger of losing her crown? And what does Miss Rhode Island think about this controversy.

Joining us is live is Miss Rhode Island USA, Alysha Castonguay. Nice to see you, Alysha.

ALYSHA CASTONGUAY, MISS RHODE ISLAND USA: Nice to see you. Thank you for having me.

VAN SUSTEREN: I'm glad to have you here. So what you think, should Miss California lose her crown or not?

CASTONGUAY: Absolutely not. I don't think it's something that she should lose her crown over if it's just the photos. And I know there are a lot of other things that are going on right now, but for the photos, definitely not.

VAN SUSTEREN: Do you know her at all?

CASTONGUAY: We met briefly. We were at Miss USA for about 17 days. So we talked a few times. She's a very nice girl.

VAN SUSTEREN: So you're not close friends or anything like that?

CASTONGUAY: No.

VAN SUSTEREN: Now, your situation, your pictures -- you had your pictures taken before you competed, is that right?

CASTONGUAY: Yes, I did. I had them -- they were taken in February 2008, and I was crowned in September of 2008.

VAN SUSTEREN: When you competed, did the pageant people know that those photos were out there of you?

CASTONGUAY: Yes. I contacted the Miss Rhode Island staff, and I submitted the photos because they were published, and I knew that somebody could get their hands on them.

And to eliminate a catastrophe from happening, I sent them in to the Miss Rhode Island staff, and they sent them to Miss Universe, and that left me with three weeks to prepare for Miss Rhode Island USA. I was waiting on a response from the Miss Universe organization on whether or not they cleared the pictures, and they did.

VAN SUSTEREN: So it wasn't the Rhode Island pageant that Okayed the, but the Miss Universe, the umbrella organization, which would presumably be over Miss California and every other state, right?

CASTONGUAY: Yes.

VAN SUSTEREN: Do you know, does that go all the way up to Donald Trump, or is that a separate entity, if you know?

CASTONGUAY: I am not sure. I don't k now if they would bother Donald Trump with something like that. But I think that they have some staff that works out situations like that.

I'm not really sure how high it went, but I know that it went into the hands of some staff members of the Miss Universe organization.

VAN SUSTEREN: Now that you are Miss Rhode Island, if you went out and took those pictures, is there anything in your contract or your agreement that would prevent you from going out and just doing those pictures like that yourself, now?

CASTONGUAY: Yes. Now that I'm Miss Rhode Island, yes, it's contracted. It's in our contract.

And I didn't know if it was something we had to submit from before, but in order to eliminate anything, I just submitted them just so that they would know that it's out there and everything would be laid out on the table before I entered Miss Rhode Island.

VAN SUSTEREN: When you compete in this contest, do they ask you on an application, are there any pictures sitting out there someplace that might be embarrassing? Is there any sort of application or anything that you are obliged to tell them before you compete?

CASTONGUAY: They ask you if you have you a Facebook, if you have a MySpace, if you have any photos on there, anything that you've done previously.

I mean, to me, if I took those photos for "Maxim" and they never used them, I don't know if I would tell the Miss Universe organization about them. If they weren't published, I don't know if I would come forward with saying that if they didn't use them.

And I feel that's what happened to her. I feel she probably took these photos for a job or a possibility, a chance at modeling. It's nothing less than what you would see in a Victoria's Secret catalogue, or anything like that.

So I don't know if she just didn't submit them because they weren't published, or what happened with that. But the reason why I submitted mine is because they were published and they were out there.

VAN SUSTEREN: Do you have a sense that her answer to her question is haunting her in any way or is going to sort of play into the decision, or is it simply the pictures?

CASTONGUAY: I think it has a lot to do with her answer to her question, that final night. I think that's part of the reason why that picture's out there.

She answered a question with her honest opinion, and I don't think that America was ready for that question to be answered both ways. And I think that when a question like that is answered, you need to be prepared to receive that answer both ways that it can go.

It's somebody's opinion. We're 51 girls that represent the United States, and we're 51 individual girls with our own opinions. So, I mean, it's not just her opinion. I'm sure there are other girls out there who have the same opinion as her. And, unfortunately, this had to come of it.

VAN SUSTEREN: What do you do now? What is the job of Miss Rhode Island now that the Miss USA Pageant's over? What's your obligation?

CASTONGUAY: We have appearances in Rhode Island. My state isn't really as big as many of the other states. But I travel around Rhode Island doing different things, different events. There are a lot of parades coming up for Memorial Day. And I just did a charity event the other day.

There's a lot of different things that come up. You just make appearances, anything.

VAN SUSTEREN: Alysha, thank you very much, and you do a great job representing Rhode Island, I suspect. I think you probably do a really good job. Thank you.

CASTONGUAY: Thank you for having me. I appreciate it.