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| 01.25.2010 | Monday
• THE NEW MISS ATLANTICO INTERNATIONAL is Jessica Guillen, 24, of Venezuela who was crowned Saturday in
Punta del Este, Uruguay. The first runner-up is Mariana Palleiro, 19, of Argentina and the second runner-up is Lisandra Rodriguez, 22,
of Cuba. Guillen was a finalist in last year's Miss Venezuela pageant representing the department of Amazonas.
• THE NEW MISS FINLAND is 21-year-old Viivi Pumpanen from Vantaa who was crowned during a live television broadcast
from Helsinki on Sunday, January 17. She will compete in 2010 Miss Universe pageant. Anne Nurminen from Helsinki was named
the first runner-up. Susanna Turja, also from Helsinki, was second runner-up. For Pumpanen, the title means a dream
come true. ”I have been dreaming about this since I was eight years old. My mother and father have been supporting me,"
Pumpanen commented after the coronation ceremony. Pumpanen was crowned Miss Helsinki last year. (Helsingin Sanomat,
1/18/2010)
• THE NEW MISTER COSTA RICA MANHUNT is Jonathan Campos, a 20-year-old student who was elected on January 13th. He will
compete in Manhunt International 2010 whose date and venue are still to be determined. However, he will compete in Mr.
Universe Model to be held in the Dominican Republic in April.
• GAY PAGEANT SHUT DOWN IN CHINA : The stage was set, the event sold-out. International media cameras lined up along on
the catwalk beneath rows of gleaming spotlights, but an hour before the Mr. Gay China pageant was supposed to start, police
shut it down. The announcement triggered a media scrum at LAN, a flashy nightclub in downtown Beijing. Event organizer
Ben Zhang of Gayographic disappeared amid what seemed to be an intense conversation with authorities. Contestants
scattered and found refuge with friends. "I'm a little bit sad," said Jay, a 29-year-old contestant from Tianjin.
"I encouraged myself to do this, but now it's cancelled." The competition was scheduled to include a fashion and talent show,
as well as a question-and-answer session. Several of the eight finalists were planning to go public with their
homosexuality for the first time. "I tried to use this competition to come out," Jay said. "But now I'll wait another few
years until I find my Mr. Right."
26-year-old contestant Emilio Liu from Inner Mongolia also expressed disappointment.
"[Homosexuality] is still not really accepted by the whole society and China is not there yet." According to Gayographic,
police cited lack of proper licensing as a reason to cancel the pageant. "The authorities said we did not have the proper
permit to do a show involving performances," said Ryan Dutcher, communications director and co-founder of Gayographic.
However, Dutcher said they filled out all the relevant paperwork many days in advance. "I wouldn't say it's a step back,
but it's definitely not a step forward," Dutcher said. He also announced the weekly gay night at LAN club has been
cancelled until further notice. According to state-run media there are an estimated 30 million homosexuals in China, but
the majority of them are not out of the closet. (CNN, 1/18/2010)
Former Miss India Universe Celina Jaitley (farthest left) poses with some of the contestants for the 'Indian Super Queen'
beauty contest for the transgendered community in Mumbai. 'Indian Super Queen', launched in Mumbai on January 11,
is the first ever beauty pageant organized for the transgender community in the country. Such pageants are among the latest in a
series of recent attempts to break down barriers for India's transgendered citizens. In November 2009, eunuchs - men who have
been castrated - claimed victory in a long-standing campaign to be listed as 'others,' distinct from males and females,
on electoral rolls and voter identity cards. And in July 2009, Delhi High Court decriminalized gay sex between
consenting adults by declaring a colonial-era ban on homosexuality unconstitutional. The grand finale of the pageant
will be held on February 21st.
• MISS GAY AMERICA DETHRONED : Miss Gay America (MGA) 2010 Alyssa Edwards has been stripped of the national
female impersonation title for alledged contract violations according to an announcement made on the pageant's website
this week. MGA first alternate, CoCo Montrese will be officially crowned the reigning "symbol of excellence," Feb. 20
at the Grey Fox in St. Louis. crowd favorite and former national title holder, Edwards became the first former Miss Gay U.S. of A.
to win the coveted MGA crown at the 38-annual pageant held in St. Louis, Oct. 28 - Nov. 1, 2009. The announcement from MGA
owners Larry Tyger and Terry Eason (L & T Entertainment) read as follows: "Please be advised that effective
immediately (1.20.2010), we have removed the title of Miss Gay America 2010 from Alyssa Edwards. The title was removed
for "conduct unbecoming to a titleholder". We wish Alyssa Edwards the very best of luck in her future endeavors."
(The Vital Voice, 1/23/2010)
• A VOICE FOR RAPE VICTIMS : It's a cliched, but not-undeserved, joke that beauty pageants support such simplistic and
crowd-pleasing aims as "world peace." But when Christina Keegan takes the stage Saturday in Las Vegas to represent
Nevada in the 2010 Miss America competition, she will be there to address an issue that's as far from world peace
as it gets. Keegan's platform, "Strength Over Silence: Rape Education and Recovery," is an intensely personal issue because,
five years ago, while studying in Spain, Keegan was, herself, assaulted. Since then, advocating on behalf of sexual
violence victims has become "my passion," says Keegan, a Gardnerville resident who has completed her first year of
medical school at the University of Utah. "Many people have this conception that Miss America is this ceremonial,
beautiful girl who wants to believe in world peace," Keegan says. "Well, that's not true."
Nothing against world peace, Keegan adds with a laugh. But, she continues, sexual
assault is "not a convenient issue, it's not a pretty issue, (and) it needs to be addressed." Imagine, Keegan says, what
it would mean "to have someone like Miss America say, 'I'm a survivor of sexual assault, and I'm not ashamed.' "
Judges willing, it will be that sense of passion, leavened with humor and a generous helping of girl-next-door charm,
that will win Keegan the crown on Saturday when the 2010 Miss America Pageant Finale takes place at Planet Hollywood Resort.
(Las Vegas Review Journal, 1/24/2010)
• CHANGING HANDS : The Miss Bahamas Organization (MBO) has acquired the Miss Universe franchise, making it the first
organization in the history of Bahamian pageantry to hold both the Miss Universe and Miss World licenses concurrently.
Under the theme Timeless Beauty, the pageant will select one winner who will compete in both the Miss Universe and Miss
World pageants – joining the ranks of Ava Burke Thompson - the only Bahamian woman to do so to date.
“This is an exciting time for us,” says MBO President Michelle Malcolm who never gave up on the vision of having
both international franchises under her directorship. “By acquiring this franchise, we will now be able to crown one
Miss Bahamas, and in so doing hopefully rid the Bahamas of all the confusion about which is the real national pageant
system in the country,” she says. “Ever since our launch back in 2005, we were hopeful that the day would come when
we could be managing both Miss World and Miss Universe in the Bahamas. And now that day is finally here.”
The 2010 pageant is set for April 25 and eligible young women are encouraged to apply to enter quickly as there is only a
two-and-a-half-week window to do so before the pageant’s contestants screening and training regimen begins.
• CLINTON KELLY TO HOST MISS AMERICA SPECIAL : "What Not to Wear" host Clinton Kelly will host a one-hour Miss America special,
set to air at 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, the night before the Miss America pageant on TLC. The special, titled, Miss America:
Behind the Curtain, will take viewers behind the scenes of the pageant and serve up details about the 53 contestants.
In addition to participants from the 50 states, women from Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of
Columbia compete, totaling 53. The special will be unique in that it will include never-before-seen footage from the
preliminary competition that lead up to the live event. Additionally, Behind the Curtain will reveal the 12 state titleholders
who will be eligible for “America’s Choice,” which allows the viewing public the chance to send contestants to the Top 15.
• IN MEMORIAM : Miss World 1956 Petra Schürmann (photo) of Germany died on Wednesday, January 13th at the age of 74.
In the official Miss World Organization site, it is mentioned that Schürmann worked for many years as a TV presenter in
Germany and that she was expected to attend the 60th edition of Miss World in Vietnam in November. Seven years ago,
Schürmann lost her daughter Alexandra to a car crash, and her husband died in 2008. Schürmann was the first German woman
to win Miss World. (EPA, 1/15/2010) See a fan's video tribute to her in YouTube.
• CHECK OUT the first annual HJ BLOG CROWN AWARDS - the best in pageantry of 2009.
Also check out Global Beauties' Top 50 Most Beautiful Faces of 2009.
• NEXT JOURNAL UPDATE : Monday, February 1, 2010.
PHOTO CREDITS: Bharatwaves.com, Wire Image, El Mundo (Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
| 01.11.2010 | Monday
The pageant suffered several hitches. Both contestants from Guatemala and USA wore identical gowns
designed by Sherri Hill, and the representative from Colombia Alejandra Tovar, who thought her country's name
was announced as a finalist, stepped forward, and then stepped away after the host repeated "Polonia" (Poland). Earlier
during a float parade, Miss Venezuela broke into tears because she could no longer stand the nasty comments made by
some members of the audience who yelled criticisms of her country and of the Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. Watch Fonseca's
crowning moment.
• THE NEW MISS BELGIUM is Cilou Annys, 18, who was crowned Saturday. She hails from Bruges in west Flanders.
The first runner-up is Lien Aernouts, 18, and the second runner-up is Binta Telemans, 19. Annys will represent
Belgium in 2010 Miss Universe and Miss World pageants. (Buzz24.be, 1/10/2010) Watch Annys' coronation.
• ALMOST OVER : Miss America Katie Stam is about to hand over her crown, but her family says the Indiana native's work is far
from over. Stam will end her reign Jan. 30 when the pageant crowns a new winner in Las Vegas. The handoff will cap a whirlwind
year that saw the Seymour native meet President Barack Obama, travel to Iraq and promote community service and the Children's
Miracle Network around the world. The University of Indianapolis student was crowned Miss America last January after winning the swimsuit
competition and battling laryngitis while performing in the talent portion of the pageant. "It is an unbelievable dream that has been
such a blessing, not only to our family, but to our community and our state," said Tracy Stam, Katie's mother.
Stam's schedule has kept her out of Indiana most of the year. She visited soldiers injured
in Iraq at a German hospital and helped repair homes destroyed by natural disasters. She performed for race fans at the Indianapolis
500, participated in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and made appearances in Canada as the spokeswoman for Joseph Ribkoff Clothing.
Uncle Blake Hackman said the experience hasn't changed his niece, who would dress up in bridesmaid gowns and make crowns out of cereal
boxes while playing "pageant" with a cousin as a child. "She's still the same grounded person she's always been, and that's what
I'm most proud of," he said.
Family members said Stam will take a month off after her reign ends, but they don't expect her to be idle long.
Stam's parents predict she'll pursue more opportunities for community service and resume her goal of a career in broadcast
journalism this year. "Her dream for her whole life has been to become Miss America, and she said now she has to dream bigger,"
Keith Stam, said of his daughter. "She'll do it." Stam previously interned at Indianapolis TV stations WTHR and WISH. (The Indy Channel,
1/10/2010)
Meet the 2010 Miss America contestants.
Contestants in China's first gay pageant, to be held in Beijing this week. The winner will compete
• CHINA'S FIRST GAY PAGEANT : There's a swimwear round and a talent section where contestants can show off their singing and dancing. But
organisers insist the contest to be held this Friday is a serious business. It is China's first gay pageant.
The event is a striking sign of how far attitudes in China have changed and of gay people's increasing confidence.
Gay sex was illegal until 1997. Homosexuality was classed as a mental illness for four years after that. Now an emerging
gay community is busting stereotypes. "We are intelligent, we're professionals, we're gorgeous – and we're gay," said
contestant Emilio Liu, from Inner Mongolia. "I want the audience to know there are a whole bunch of people like us
living in China. It's a wonderful life and it's not hidden any more."
These days there are gay support groups and websites helping people to explore their
sexuality and meet potential partners. There are gay venues in most major cities; last year, the first government-backed
bar opened in Kunming, in south-western Yunnan. Shanghai held the first Gay Pride week and in Beijing, campaigners
called for same-sex marriages. Now comes Mr. Gay China, reported in approving terms in English-language state media.
Eight finalists will take to the stage of a Beijing nightclub to strut their stuff in casual clothes and swimwear,
exhibit their talents and answer questions. The winner – picked for his ability to represent gay issues as well as
his skills, personality and looks – will head to Norway for next month's finals of Worldwide Mr Gay. (The Guardian, UK, 1/10/2010)
• PAGEANT FOR INDIAN EUNUCHS : Come March and Goa will host a unique beauty pageant. Unlike other contests where lasses try hard to outdo
each other, the pageant will see eunuchs attempting to impress the judges with their beauty and brain. A private company on Saturday
announced the launch of the “first nation-wide” beauty contest for eunuchs. “The major objective behind organising the event is to
change people’s perception towards eunuchs and to bring them in the mainstream of the society,” said the organizers of the event.
The pageant will be held in three phases - auditions, semi-final and final. “Auditions will be held in 10 cities including Lucknow,
Meerut, Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Bhopal, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Banglore and Pune, starting from today (Sunday),” the organizers announced.
They also said that 5 to 10 eunuchs will be selected through audition from each city, who will participate in the semi-finals to be
held in Delhi in last week of February. The semi-finalists will be selected by a team of experts and they will finally participate
in the finals to be held in Goa in mid-March. “We intend to organzse the event every year,” the organizers said. (TheHindu.com, 1/10/2010)
• WHAT'S UP WITH IVAN? Mister USA 2009 Ivan Rusilko is finishing his fourth-year medical school specializing in osteopathic
medicine. Ivan joins a panel of fitness experts for a six-week program designed to motivate people to reach their New Year's resolutions
to slim down and live more fit and healthy in a very high tech way. The inspiration to organize the six week program came from
Daniel Watrous, creator of the online exercise log at maintainfit.com and author of "The Accidental Runner." Research from his
site’s nine-year history shows that the top health and fitness goals people have are to #1, lose weight and #2, stay motivated.
“Each January, maintainfit.com gets a lot of seasonal traffic from people that just made fitness New Year’s resolutions. They’re
looking for motivation and instruction to lose weight and stay fit. This program is designed especially for them,” says Mr. Watrous.
With the approach of the 2010 New Year, Maintain Fit invited Ivan to join a panel of fitness experts to host the first ever
Fitness Jumpstart program. The program will compliment existing tools and resources already available at maintainfit.com.
• QUEEN OF SEAL HUNT : She's 19, has a gun licence and is a beauty queen being hailed as an unlikely hero of Canada's fading commercial
seal hunt. Sara Green, Miss Newfoundland and Labrador, took to the airwaves Friday in defence of the centuries-old tradition after
a gory doctored photo of her was posted online (below). The picture appeared on an anti-sealing Facebook group page. It alters a photo of
Green wearing a loaned sealskin coat during the Santa Claus parade in St. John's in November. Green was shocked to see herself sprayed
with red and wielding a club over blood-spattered seal carcasses. She called local media outlets to complain. "It was gruesome.
It was unnecessary. ... When I saw the photo, of course my jaw dropped," she said in an interview. "I couldn't believe it, but it
gave me a bigger motivation to stand up for the seal hunt." The photo is no longer on the site.
Sara Green, who wore a sealskin coat at the Santa Claus parade in St. John’s in November, said she was shocked
Green was raised in the tiny outport town of Winterton, about a 90-minute drive west of St. John's.
She has a firearms licence and plans to join her grandfather and uncle on their annual seal hunt this spring, she said.
"I wore the sealskin jacket because I do support the seal hunt. I wasn't expecting it to go this far." Animal rights protesters say the
dwindling annual ritual is cruel and unnecessary. They have pushed for a European Union ban on seal products that's to take full effect
in August. A spokeswoman for the International Fund for Animal Welfare said the group would never stoop to personal attacks or fake
photos in its campaign against commercial sealing. "We want to express our views," said Laurie Wilson. "What our organization does is
very important to us, but we would never engage in that behaviour. There's always people who are really radical, who are really negative,
who are not concerned about how they get to where they need to get to. They'll hurt anyone. And it impacts all of us."
Green said the hunt is needed to control voracious seal populations that feast on fragile cod
and herring stocks. "It's been a part of our heritage for hundreds of years and there's no reason to be bashing it. "I mean, it's
become so humane in the last few years. There's been so many changes to make it better and make it less dreadful for the seals."
Camille Labchuk, a member of the Green Party of Canada's federal council, said the photo flap is overblown.
"It seems to me that this is more of an opportunity for somebody of limited celebrity to use such a doctored photo as a political
hot-button issue – perhaps to further their own career," she said. But, she added, "No compassionate person can observe the seal kill
and still support it. What it represents is an archaic industry that is going nowhere but downhill." (The Toronto Star, 1/9/2010)
• NEXT JOURNAL UPDATE : Monday, January 25, 2010.
PHOTO CREDITS: Global Beauties, The Guardian, The Canadian Press
| 01.04.2010 | Monday
• THE NEW MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL is Germany's Sarah Elzanowski (photo, center) who was crowned at Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel
in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia on December 31, 2009. The pageant markets itself as the end-of-the-year pageant. The first
runner-up is Jessica Ibarra of Venezuela, the second runner-up is Thays Calmanv Neves of Brazil,
the third runner-up is Weena Marcus of Malaysia, and the fourth runner-up is Gabriela Korinkova of
Czech Republic. Since the pageant was held in a conservative Muslim country, there was no swimsuit competition.
• LARA DUTTA - ONE OF TIGER WOODS' MISTRESSES? It seems that Tiger Woods’ taste in woman was not limited to
only American beauties, as the latest woman to have been romantically linked with the disgraced golfer is none other
than Bollywood actress Lara Dutta. According to certain reports, the Bollywood actress was romantically involved with
the World No.1 golfer way back in 2001, just after she won the Miss Universe beauty pageant. Sources claim that the
Bollywood diva was spotted on a number of occasion with the champion golfer, who was supposedly smitten by the Indian
beauty. The 31-year-old actress was seen with Tiger Woods in a number of restaurants and clubs all across United
States during their affair, which supposedly went on only for a brief period of time. At the same time, rumors
also claim that during her fling with the golfer, the Indian actress was also involved in a relationship with
New York Yankees baseball player, Derek Jeter.
However, the defamed golfer has supposedly brushed away the claims that he ever dated
the Bollywood diva and at the same time has refuted the allegations that he had attempted to steal the former Miss Universe
from her baseball player boyfriend. Interestingly, Lara Dutta is not the only Indian beauty to have been linked with the
ace golfer. Reportedly, Tiger Woods had also shown interest in actress Priyanka Chopra, who had won the title of Miss
World the same year as Lara Dutta. Meanwhile, Lara Dutta, who is currently said to be romantically involved with
Indian tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi, has not publicly reacted to the ongoing controversy. (Thaindian, 1/2/2010)
• ROYAL RACES : And speaking of Bollywood, four of the leading beauties of Bollywood - Sushmita Sen, Priyanka Chopra,
Neha Dhupia and Celina Jaitley - are all set for a race at the box-office, as their films are releasing this month.
Neha's "Raat Gayi Baat Gayi" and Celina's "Accident on Hill Road" are hitting theatees this Friday, while Priyanka Chopra
and Sushmita Sen's films, "Pyaar Impossible" and "Dulha Mil Gaya" respectively are scheduled to be released next Friday.
When asked about her film "Raat Gayi Baat Gayi," Neha said, "It's interesting to note how all our films are releasing
in the same month. I'm delighted but I must say whatever be the outcome, I am very proud to be a part of 'Raat Gayi Baat Gayi.'"
(TotalFilmy, 1/3/2010)
• ROTTEN FRUIT : Kelly Bochencko, who was recently stripped off her title as Miss Paris after semi-naked photos of
her appeared in the French tabloid, Entrevue, has now become the subject of contempt by Geneviève de Fontenay,
the outgoing director of Miss France Committee. De Fontenay said that if naked photos of the new Miss France Malika Ménard
should surface in the media, she would call it quits. But with Bochencko, it's not the same. She said, "The former Miss Paris
was an exception to the 37 contestants. In a basket, there's always a rotten fruit. It's always like that every year, but I
remain positive. She had to be thrown away because she's a pervert, a liar, and a traitor.
• BARING ALL : A tiny crease on her waist, a slightly dimpled thigh and naturally uneven skin tones - these "flaws" on the
exquisite body of Jennifer Hawkins (photo, top left) represent a minor revolution in Australian magazines. Naked, unretouched photographs
of the 26-year-old model will appear on the cover of Marie Claire this month, in a bid by Hawkins and editor
Jackie Frank to join the "positive body image" trend in glossy magazines. "I'm not a stick figure - I thought it
would be great to tell women to just be themselves and be confident," Hawkins tells the magazine, which hits news-stands
on Wednesday.
• JUST NOT RIGHT : Having bared all herself recently in a naked photoshoot, proud-to-be-curvy radio host Bianca Dye (photo, sitting
on stool) has slammed a fashion magazine for upholding Jennifer Hawkins as a positive role model for body image. The comedienne said,
while she had the utmost respect for the Myer model and publication Marie Claire, which will this week publish nude
pictures of Hawkins, pushing a 26-year-old Miss Universe winner as the pin-up for female body confidence is "just not right".
"She was born beautiful. She has not had to go through any stress to look like that," Dye told Confidential.
"Jackie Frank is one of the most respected editors in the country and I am in shock that they would say Jennifer Hawkins
is a natural role model. Its like we've taken 20 steps backwards." Hawkins appears on the cover of the glossy, which proudly
declared she had not been airbrushed.
Dye stripped for Madison magazine in November to show women "there's a difference
between red-carpet Bianca and me sitting there with size 14 thighs and gut". "Are they missing the point? Yes [Hawkins]
is lovely, but does that make her a poster girl for positive body image?" Dye said. Former Nova gal Dye, who hosts the
breakfast show on i98 FM in Wollongong, said there was also a difference between untouched and natural. "If you're going
to say you're natural you have to be natural. I've had botox and happily admit it. What's natural is that 70 per cent
of women have a bit of a pot." (News.com.au, 1/4/2010)
• SECRET TALK : In a recent interview with Télé 7 Jours, Miss France Malika Ménard revealed some of her secrets
with the public. She said that when she was a little girl, she used to watch Miss France with her father and grandmother.
Last summer, while working as a hostess at Deauville hippodrome, she crossed path with Geneviève de Fontenay (perhaps
a sign of her destiny). "I don't like my nose," said the 22-year-old beauty, but I love my eyes. I wouldn't have plastic surgery.
My operation in my right hand has been rather traumatizing. When I was 10, I broke a window which shattered into pieces. I was wounded
in my right hand. I lost part of my sensitivity." (Premiere, France, 12/30/2009)
OOSTENDE, BELGIUM: Candidates Miss Belgium pictured at the traditional New Year's dive (Nieuwjaarsduik)
• GLOBAL BEAUTIES publishes its 10 Sexiest Women Alive.
MUNDIAL BEAUTIES selects the best reps for each country in the last decade.
• MISS AMERICA 2010 will take place in Las Vegas on January 30th. One of the frontrunners is the beautiful Miriam
Pabón, Miss Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico returns to the pageant after 48 years. Read Miriam's interview.
• Also read my interview with Rachel Frimer, the Vice-President of Production of the Miss Universe Organization.
• NEXT JOURNAL UPDATE : Monday, January 11, 2010.
PHOTO CREDITS: News.au.com, Belga Picture
DECEMBER 2009
Kelly will also serve as a special correspondent the night of the pageant, which airs at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30.
Mario Lopez is hosting the pageant, and judges include actress Vivica A. Fox, Miss America 2002 Katie Harman,
Olympian Shawn Johnson, Grammy nominee Dave Koz, radio host Rush Limbaugh, actor Paul Rodriguez, and
American Idol contestant Brooke White.
• THE NEW INTERNATIONAL QUEEN OF COFFEE is Mariana Notarângelo da Fonseca (photo) of Brazil who was crowned
Saturday night in Manizales, Colombia. Her court includes first runner-up Iwona Wyrzykowka of Poland,
second runner-up Flavia Fernanda Foianini of Bolivia, third runner-up Audris Rijo Gómez of the
Dominican Republic, and fourth runner-up Ana Elizabeth Mosquera Gómez of Venezuela. The International Queen of
Coffee is one of the oldest and most traditional pageants on the planet, held in Manizales, Colombia, as part of the
Manizales' Annual Fair to promote Colombian coffee. Brazil holds the record number of victories in this pageant with 7
crowns. Info courtesy of Henrique Fontes.
for the title of Worldwide Mr. Gay in Norway. Photograph: Dan Chung
to see a Facebook photo of herself with blood-spattered seal carcasses. HANDOUT/THE CANADIAN PRESS
But the pictures owe nothing to the federal Government's proposed "code of conduct"
for magazines' portrayal of women, Frank said. "It's had no impact," Frank said of the proposed voluntary code, launched
by Youth Minister Kate Ellis last year with a budget of $125,000. "The Government obviously feels this is an issue,
so it's thrown a bone out there. But in terms of real change, it hasn't achieved anything," Frank said, adding she
believed the Government should address issues such as better public health funding for the treatment of eating disorders
and obesity. In recent months, several magazines have run "body image" specials, with an unretouched Sarah Murdoch on the
cover of Women's Weekly, and nude photographs of curvy celebrities Bianca Dye and Tiffani Wood in Madison magazine.
But the magazines are having trouble ditching their addiction to perfect skin tones and cellulite-free thighs.
One woman who posed for a Madison magazine "dress for your shape" picture spread said she was shocked to see wrinkles
and bumps airbrushed from her face and legs. (News.com.au, 1/2/2010)
into the North Sea
in Oostende, Saturday 02 January 2010. BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER