Final Top 16 and not Top 15 in Miss Universe 2009?

Rumours are circulating that the judges of Miss Universe 2009 will not only pick a Top 15 from the preliminary round but the pageant allows the picking of an extra contestant into the semi-finals, who will be voted by the people of Bahamas through newspaper and SMS voting.

It has also been said that the names of those who made the semi-final will not be disclosed until the day of the pageant, on August 23rd.

On Monday night, August 10, the 84 delegates will be parading with their national costumes before the first round of judging takes place.

It is not sure yet whether they will continue to award the Best in National Costume just like year when Miss Thailand Gavintra Photijak won the award with her Muay-Thai-inspired outfit.

Miss Thailand Chutima Durongdej Faints

Miss Thailand Chutima Durongdej fainted last Thursday, August 6, while she and other fellow candidates for the Miss universe pageant were visiting the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas.

I don't know if you've already heard this but this is a report coming from a Senior Manager of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Michelle Malcolm, who is having regular updates about the pageant at Critical Beauty.

Apparently, the reason why Miss Thailand fainted was because of the heat in Bahamas. Most of the candidates especially from the Nordic countries are still trying to adjust from the heat.

Chutima was not able to join the rest of the candidates at the veranda of the National Art Gallery for refreshment because she was tended to. But the Thai beauty was able to join them for lunch at the next stop - the historic Graycliff restaurant.

I am impressed with Chutima's attitude in the pageant. No one can deny her effort to make herself visible in every photo shoots. She makes sure she's in every photos with a drama. That's her style and it's working. She's very vibrant and playful.

Because Chutima doesn't have the prettiest face in this batch, she's trying to compensate this with her outstanding personality. It won't be a surprise if she makes it to the Top 15.

Asians, this year, are very competitive.

 

Miss Thailand Chutima Durongdej in her official swimsuit photo.

Official Dress for the Opening Number of Miss Universe 2009?

In the picture is Miss Thailand Universe Chutima Durongdej while fitting a dress with Miss Universe officials in Bahamas. Chutima is also showing a pair of earrings that goes with the dress. Now, everybody is speculating that this white dress with floral designs would be the official dress for the opening number before the Top 15 finalists will be called onstage.

Photos of the early delegates to the Miss U in Bahamas

Lots of girls representing different countries are already in Bahamas for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant but there seems to be a problem with the coverage. Few pictures on the arrival of each delegates are sprouting in the net. In fact the pictures I am posting in this post are the only ones they are in a group.

In the pictures, we can see Misses Egypt, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa, Paraguay, Bolivia, Csezk Republic, Serbia, Montonegro, Iceland, France, Peru, Panama and Guam.

Hope to see more of them in the coming days.

 

  

  

  

 

Long Gown and National Costumes of Misses Thailand Chutima Durongdej and France Chloe Mortaud

The official long gown and national costume of Miss Thailand Chutima Durongdej to the Miss Universe 2009 in Bahamas were revealed in a Thai show the other day.

The Thai organizers made two gowns of the same design but in two different colours - red and blue. I prefer the red one. Chutima's traditional dress is also fantastic and it may win the Best in National Costume.

 

Miss Thailand Chutima Durongdej's evening gown in red

  

Miss Thailand Chutima Durongdej's evening gown in blue.

 

Miss Thailand Chutima Durongdej's national costume.

On the other hand, here is the national costume of Miss France Whitney Toyloy. It's very Moulin Rouge.

Miss Moldova Diana Curmei Wins Miss Italia Nel Mondo 2009

Miss Moldova is the new winner of Miss Italia Nel Mondo. Nineteen year-old Diana Curmei wins the pageant yesterday, 27 June 2009 at the magnificent Palace of Tourism Jesolo. She beat 49 other beauty queens who have Italian blood from 43 countries to win the title.

Italia Nel Mondo is on its 19th year anniversary.

Diana stands 1.76m. She is the daughter of a Sicilian mother who is married to a Moldovan. The beauty queen speaks five languages. She loves dancing and photography.

She was crowned by the outgoing Italia Nel Mondo 2008  Fiorella Migliore Llanes from Paraguay.

Adjudged as First Runner-up is from Romania. She is the twenty-two year old Simona E. Lungu. Second Runner-up is Argentinian Ana P. Ras Vitiello who is 18 years old.

Words came to us that one of the finalists is Miss Thailand Maria Giulietta Consentino.

 

 

The Very First Miss Bhutan

While the audience looked on with unabated breath, 24-year-old Tshokey Tshomo Karchung was crowned Miss Bhutan 2008 at a contest held in Thimphu 10 October. The Miss Bhutan also walked away with two other titles: Miss Talented and Miss Photogenic. “I kept every confidence to compete and I am so relieved,” said Tshokey Tshomo who will be representing the country for Miss Earth 2008 in Philippines and Miss Young International in Taiwan.

Among other prizes, the Miss Bhutan took home a cash prize of Nu 0.1 million.

She was crowned by Miss Thailand 2006 Charm Reya Osthanond, one of the five judges. Fifteen women competed for the title at the contest that lasted past midnight.

“The grand finale had seven judges for the finals, five Bhutanese and two international celebrities – Kelly Dorji and former Miss Thailand and actress Charm Reya Osathanond,” said Karma Tshering, Director of Miss Bhutan Organisation that hosted the event.

“The reason we had more Bhutanese judges is to make sure that the contestants are judged more on inner beauty than on physical beauty. In most of the international pageants, they have only one round on inner beauty, the Q&A round and that’s it,” Karma said. The finals had five rounds – traditional dress round, evening gown round (using Bhutanese textiles), express yourself round, talent round and Q&A round. There will be no swimsuit round. “We did not have any swimsuit round. We don't think it is really necessary. It instead worries many parents, relatives and community. True beauty needs not be judged through one’s skin,” Karma said. “But of course, when our winner participates in international pageants, she has to follow the criteria they set,” he added.

Held for the first time, 77 contestants from across the country registered for Miss Bhutan 2008. Twenty contestants were shortlisted for the main event through the preliminary round. The winner of the title is the country’s only delegate at global pageants. She will be participating in Miss Earth pageant in Philippines, Miss Young International in Taiwan and Miss Safari 2008 in Kenya later this year.

“We think beauty of a woman should not only be judged on her physical appearance but on her inner qualities like concern for tradition and culture, preservation of environment, social awareness, general knowledge and above all who is kind and seek to improve the lives of others. This is our version of true beauty,” Karma added. “This concept will make us stand out and I wish all the international contests are judged more on inner beauty, at least 50 per cent. A winner judged on inner beauty will not only make a great role model but will also be able to render better service to charitable works,” Karma said.

SOURCE: Sonam Pelden of kuenselonline.com and another reporter timesofindia.indiatimes.com