Miss USA Crystle Stewart Takes Another Fall

In the picture is Miss USA-Universe 2008 Crystle Stewart. Last year in Vietnam, during the finals of the Miss Universe pageant, she fell onstage while parading in her evening gown.

Now, she's into another fall. But this time, it's a free fall or skydiving with the elite US Army parachuting team, the Golden Knights.

This is the first free fall for this 26 year-old beauty queen. She jumped out of the plane in a tandem skydive from 13,000 feet in Yuma, Arizona, on Monday. She was with instructor Sgt. 1st Class Mike Elliott and other members - Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Schafer, left of the pictures, Stf. Sgt. Joe Jones and Sgt. 1st Class Dallas Berentis at right.

Stewart just became the seventh Miss USA to jump with the Golden Knights.She says it was the most exciting and terrifying experience she's ever had — and something she will never forget.

Her big leap was part of a two-day tour of the Yuma area and its bases.

Pinay beauties' edge over Latin ladies: Warmth

I have been observing how beauty pageants are being taken for the last 20 years. I have heard lots of backstage stories of most of the contestants. It is countless. One thing I have observed is the diversion of what could be the original purpose of the pageant which is to build friendship and camaraderie among the participating countries. It is supposed to be for fun but things aren't the same nowadays.

Beauty pageants, though this are really contests, has reached a new dimension. This is being taken uber now. Contestants usually bitch other contestants not to mention also the fact that pageants fans insult, bash, and criticize heavily every candidates and even supporters of a particular country. Racist comments are thrown to each and everyone. This is pathetic. The purpose is now defeated.

I don't see something wrong in being so competitive but not to the point of bitching around. A friendly atmosphere should always be observed since this is one of the reasons for the staging of the pageant. Candidates should still learn to befriend each and everyone.

I want to share an interesting article about an interview of the three Binibining Pilipinas winners this year. Miss Philippines-Universe Jennifer Barrientos (who competed in Vietnam last Miss Universe pageant), Miss Philippines-World Danielle Castano (who replaced Janina San Miguel as Philippine representative to the Miss World 2008 pageant in South Africa) and Miss Philippines-International Patricia Fernandez had an interview with a Philippines local television show.

In the interview, Jennifer Barrientos talked about the difference of Filipina beauties to other beauties especially the South Americans. She said her contemporaries are friendlier to their fellow candidates.

Pinay beauties' edge over Latin ladies: Warmth

SOURCE: LINK

For years now Latin ladies have dominated the world of international beauty pageants but Filipino beauties are unfazed.

Reigning Binibining (Bb) Pilipinas Universe Jennifer Barrientos, Bb. Pilipinas World Danielle Castaño and Bb. Pilipinas International Patricia Fernandez said Filipino beauties are unique.

In an interview on “Mornings@ANC,” the three women said Filipinas have their own style.

“We show more warmth and friendliness,” Fernandez said.

It is not easy being a beauty queen though. Before they can represent the country in international competitions, the winners of the prestigious beauty contest are required to undergo rigorous trainings.

Barrientos emphasized the importance of preparing for the competitions.

“The secret is how you prepare and how you keep the power within. It’s how you concentrate, keep your focus,” she said.

Castaño, on the other hand, said: “Just finish school first before you go into something like beauty pageants and then that’s when you focus. If you want something and just keep dreaming, just be strong and you’ll succeed.”

The hard work though pays off even if the country’s representatives fail to bring home the crown.

Barrientos, who represented the country in Miss Universe 2008 held in Vietnam, for instance, said because of the experience she got to meet new friends from other countries.

“The whole experience was very fun. I got to meet new people, new friends from other countries. And I got to experience all of the things that other beauty queens experienced,” she said.

Fernandez and Castaño are set to compete in Macau and South Africa, respectively, in the coming months.

“I really pray that I will be able to bring honor to our country but, of course, I could only prepare,” said Fernandez who is leaving the country next week for the Miss International competition in November.

For Castaño, she said she has been undergoing trainings to prepare her for the Miss World pageant in December.

Ever wondered what’s up with beauty queen hand wave? The three beauties said it is for picture taking.

In the first picture is Miss Philippines-International Patricia Fernandez and in the second picture is Miss Philippines-Universe Jennifer Barrientos. Photo credits to OPMB and Binibining Pilipinas.

Most Hyped Miss Universe 2008 Candidates

Below is the list of the most hyped five unplaced candidates of the Miss Universe 2008:

1. PUERTO RICO - She's no doubt the most hyped unplaced Miss Universe 2008 candidate. Right after her national pageant, she stole the limelight by accusing fellow candidates of spraying pepper in her evening gown and to her make up which made her face swollen during the final part of the pageant. She was in the pages of newspapers side by side with the owner of the Miss Universe, Donald Trump. In a Puerto Rican discussion board, her fans were busy praising every little details about her gown to her hairstyle. Her fans were busy as well bashing and trashing other candidates in an effort to lift Ingrid Rivera. But the tactics did not work this time for this 2005 Miss World Second Runner-Up. She did not deserve the hype.

2. INDIA - Because of the sash factor (India became a beauty superpower only in the nineties); her seemingly rehearsed and pageant patty interview; and her inclusion in the Top Ten Best in National Costume chosen by Vietnamese judges, she was in everybody's list, including me. A newspaper even reported in her country that she won the National Costume award even before the announcement of the real winner. Too bad, she had a very poor swimsuit and evening gown presentations. She did not also deserve the hype.

3. IRELAND - The amount of hyping on Miss Ireland is no match on the hypes on both Puerto Rico and India. Ireland was hardly noticed by the press covering the pageant but she did impress the eyes of all the beauty afficionados all over the world as manifested by almost all discussion boards on beauty pageants. She showed an impressive performance during the preliminary but she failed to break in to the Top 15. She deserved the hype, she should has been a finalist.

4. BRAZIL - She is not the prettiest face her country usually send to any international pageant. She's an ordinary Brazilian if you're in her country. In fact, the pageant went through without much media attention on her. But there was an effort by a number of Brazilian based websites and discussion boards in Latin America to help her get media mileage. In an effort to hype her, an article was quoted saying Miss Brazil made the biggest surprise at the preliminary. Indeed, she was a surprise at the Final night for not placing on the Top 15. The hype was not picked up. She definitely did not deserve the hype.

5. THAILAND - The inclusion of Thailand in the Top 15 or 20 for the last two years (Thanks to Singha beer for being a sponsor of the pageant) helped this year's Thai representative get enough media attention. Like Puerto Rico, she was in everybody's list. Her fans emulated also the tactics of most of the Latin Americans of bashing other candidates in an attempt to make their candidate looks the best or superior in the pageant. She did not make it. She deserved it without a doubt.

Miss Universe 2008, Dayana Mendoza in her national costume during the pageant in Vietnam.

Below is the list of the most hyped Miss Universe 2008 candidates who penetrated the Top 15:

1. VENEZUELA - The sash factor worked on Dayana Mendoza, a priviledge Venezuela has been enjoying since the eighties. Half of the world's beauty pageant fanatics predicted her as the winner. She was given favouritism during the pageant especially during a parade that required half of the candidates to wear the Vietnamese tradidtional dress, the Ao Dai. Dayana was the priority of the press covering the event for interviews and picture takings. Afterall, she deserved it.

2. COLOMBIA - Talia Vargas ahs been in every pages of all beauty pageant forums. Her fans did well with their hyping. But, all in all, Miss Colombia did a very strong preliminary performance. She had the best gown in the pageant and I really love it. She carried the gown very well. Too bad, she did not win but she deserved all the efforts to hype her.

3. JAPAN - Having a national director who has a very popular blog discussing about her, Hiroko Mima was indeed overhyped by Ines Ligron and her followers unintentionally. Ines is such a good person and she did it in good faith, I still believe. There is no doubt that Miss Japan deserved her placement on the finals but the hyping on her just went overboard.

4. KOSOVO - How many times you've seen a Miss Kosovo at teh Miss Universe? Only this year. That idea made her the apple of the eyes of all the beauty pageant fanatics. Aside from that fact, she is no doubt one of the prettiest faces in the competition. Her look is unconventional and she has resemblance to Angelina Jolie, a popular Hollywood actress. Well, she deserved the hype.

5. AUSTRALIA - Her resemblance to her fellow Australian Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins made Miss Australia a top favourite to win the crown. She was indeed a favourite topic in all forums. Though she did not display outstanding preliminary performances, she made it to Top 15. I can say, she deserve the hype afterall.

To complete my TOP 15 MOST HYPED 2008 Miss Universe candidates, I am including in my list the countries of Mexico, Panama, Peru, Kazakhstan, Norway and Trinidad and Tobago.

Based also on my observation, the people of Latin America and the Caribbean especially Brazil, Mexico and Puerto Rico tend to overhype their representatives. They are prolly beauty fanatics in its true meaning as vindicated by their performances year after year.

Well, it is not that bad to hype especially if there are no bashing and trashing of other candidates.

Disappointment at Miss Universe 2008

Here is an article written by Verdel Bishop for a paper in Trinidad and Tobago.

Peter disappointed with Miss Universe judging

by Verdel Bishop

Miss Universe franchise holder, Peter Elias, has expressed disappointment over this year’s Miss Universe pageant judging in Vietnam.

Elias told Newsday he felt confident that this country’s representative, Anya Ayoung-Chee should have been among the top five finalists and described the judging process as subjective.

“I wish Trinidad and Tobago could have seen Anya in Vietnam. After the pageant, Miss Venezeula and Miss Colombia also expressed their disappointment. They too, expected TT in the top five with them. They too, wanted to know what happened,” Elias said.

Elias added that in his 15 years of involvement with the pageant, this is the first time he has written to the organisation to try to determine what went wrong, however, he is still waiting on a response.

“I am disappointed because we gave our best; the entire team really worked hard. In our judgement and in the judgement and opinion of others while we were there, and based on the positive feedback, we felt confident that this country would have done well.

“Anya is very intelligent, vibrant and amazing. She worked really hard and was very prepared. She deserved it and I had high expectations because of her performance,” Elias said.

Elias said Ayoung-Chee will return to TT in a couple weeks, as she deserves a little time to breathe and to travel a bit.

Pre-pageant favourites included Miss Trinidad and Tobago Miss Venezuela, Miss Mexico, Miss Puerto Rico and Miss South Africa. However, the big award of Miss Universe 2008 went to Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza – dubbed as the girl with modern beauty, dynamic and confident characteristics.

Trinidad News, Port of Spain,Trinidad and Tobago, 23.07.08

Top 10 GOOD Things about Miss Universe 2008

1. Miss Puerto Rico's exclusion in the semi-finals. Her scandals including pepper spraying, cosmetics enhancement and bashing from her rabid fans are not good example of a good model in the universe.

2. The stage is fantastic especially during the swimsuit segment. I love the falls at the background. It brings good fortune. Hopefully, for Miss Universe and Vietnam.

3. Mis USA's rise after the fall. What is important is how you stand up everytime you stumble.

4. Miss Colombia's eye-popping gown. It is also an eye opener for the Philippines that their designer, Alfredo Barraza, will always put the interest of his country ahead of a foreign country like the Philippines in this case.

5. Witnessing the admirable fighting spirit and positive attitude of the "unnoticeable" ladies from countries like Singapore, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Kazahstan, Egypt, Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago, the Philippines, etcetera despite the seemingly unending bashings and namecallings of lunatic uneducated fans all over the world.

6. The pageant shows Vietnam as a country rich of beautiful sceneries and traditions in a fifteen-minute of fame.

7. MUO's effort of continuing a tradition loved by so many people including myself despite setbacks it is experiencing nowadays.

8. The pageant brings few occasions where we see Israel, Lebanon and Egypt enjoying all together without tensions.

9. It provides an avenue for less fortunate women who can't afford surgeries in some countries like Puerto Rico, Venezuela, India and Mexico to have free cosmetics enhancement before going to the pageant.

10. It gives women a platform for a better showbiz or modelling career. Right, Lara Dutta.

Top 15 BAD Things About Miss Universe 2008

1. It registered the lowest rating of the pageant since its birth. Miss Universe is dying except in Latin America and the Caribbean, home of millions of rabid fans.

2. It's getting boring every year with the same countries making to the semi-finals. There are no more surprises. The market is only concentrated to Latin America which is not helping the pageant regain its popularity.

3. It makes people who are less fortunate frustrated upon seeing the beautiful ladies.

4. Thailand unmasking herself as haven of silent but fierce rabid fans who voted their representative day and night to win the Best in National Costume this year. Watch out India, Puerto Rico, USA, Mexico and the Philippines.

5. MUO exploiting the money of poor Vietnam for asking them high franchise fee for hosting the pageant. A waste of money that was never capitalized.

6. MUO exploiting the money of the represented countries for asking them high franchise fees. It's a waste of money for Malaysia, Guam, Uruguay, Guatemala, Honduras, Turkey, Egypt, Cyprus, Malta, etcetera.

7. The standard of candidates is getting poorer and poorer every year. Where is now the prestige?

8. Making a billionaire like Donald Trump richer and richer with the expense of the small and poor countries that yearly send delegates to the pageant.

9. Hiring a NOBODY , a STARLET like Eesha Kopphikar as a judge for the pageant. Why not ask Ellie Saab or Monique Lhuillier and other famous designers?

10. Obviously trying hard to include Miss USA year after year to pick up ratings in the US of A.

11. Letting business and politics get along the way which is causing the pageant loss its true meaning or essence of a beauty contest.

12. It's provides uneducated lunatic fans an avenue to bash and throw racist comments towards another country. This is pathetic. These bashers should be incarcerated.

13. The annoying Jerry Springer's voice when he was calling the names of the countries as finalists or semi-finalists.

14. The show had a poor dance choreography during the opening number.

15. The victory of Venezuela and Colombia and the failure of Tanzania and Albania to advance.

....And They Are Going Home

Miss Universe 2008 ended on the morning of 14 July 2008 in Vietnam. The final telecast started at very early 8 o'clock in the morning in time for a primetime viewing in the USA, the main market and origin of the pageant.

At these pictures below, we can see some of the candidates probably going out of the convention. They are heading to their hotel rooms to prepare going home to their homeland.

Miss Philippines

Miss Thailand

Miss Colombia, First Runner Up

Miss Mexico

Miss Russia

Is this Miss Kosovo?

Misses Malaysia and Vietnam

Miss Korea?

Miss Australia?

Miss Netherlands on the phone

Miss Universe is Dying

We have to admit that Miss Universe is slowly losing its prime and is diving at the ratings game.

Here is a report Tony Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine:

Miss Universe Stumbles with Viewers in USA
By Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine
Jul 14, 2008

Miss USA wasn’t the only one to stumble last night. NBC’s “Miss Universe” pageant took a fall as well, down 9 percent from last year and likely earning its lowest-rating ever, though it still won its timeslot.

“Universe” averaged a 4.1 household rating from 9 to 11 p.m., according to Nielsen overnights, off from last year’s previous all-time low, a 4.5. Among viewers 18-49, the year-to-year dip was even steeper, 20 percent, from a 2.5 to a 2.0.

But a decline was probably to be expected after the pageant was moved from late May to early July, when TV viewing levels are well off from the end of May sweeps. That left “Universe” without a strong promotional platform, on a night where the networks have been posting low ratings throughout the summer.

The show wasn’t helped by its very low-rated lead-ins, a Jim Cramer special at 7 p.m. that drew a mere 0.4 and a repeat of “America’s Got Talent” that averaged a 1.1 at 8 p.m.

Still, “Universe” won its two-hour timeslot in households, barely outdrawing CBS’s 3.8. It was also tops in total viewers (6.6 million), adults 25-54 and women 18-49.

Miss Venezuela took the crown in the Donald Trump-owned pageant, but it was Miss USA, Crystle Stewart, who attracted much of the attention today. She tripped during the evening gown competition, marking the second straight year a Miss USA has done so.

Miss Universe 2008

Folks, Miss Universe 2008 is now ongoing in Saigon, Vietnam. The candidates started arriving last 17 June 2008 and the coronotion is slated on 13 July 2008.

Who will succeed 2007 Miss Universe Riyo Mori of Japan?

According to Japan's National Director, Ines Ligron, a Frenchwoman, this year is the weakest batch.

Let's take a look at the favourites to win the crown.

CRITICAL BEAUTY:

Antigua and Barbuda, Colombia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mexico, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, USA and Venezuela.

The inclusion of Miss Philippines was globally attacked by non-Filipinos who always bash a Philippine delegate year after year.

GLOBAL BEAUTIES:

Here they are:

Mexico, Venezuela, USA, Panama, Puerto Rico, Norway, Belgium, South Africa, Australia, Colombia, India, Kosovo, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic and Germany

MISSOSOLOGYalso disclosed their Top 15 predictions and they are (in order): Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Czech Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, USA, Korea, Belgium, Australia, India, Brazil, Norway, South Africa and Kosovo.