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| 11.30.2009 | Monday
• THE NEW MISS INTERNATIONAL is Anagabriela Marroquin Espinoza (photo above), a 21-year-old fashion model from Monterrey, Mexico, who
was crowned Saturday in Chengdu, China. The first runner-up is Korea's Eun Mi Seo and the second runner-up is
the United Kingdom's Chloe Beth Morgan. Completing the top fifteen semifinalists were the delegates from
Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Finland, Japan, Panama, Philippines, Spain, and Venezuela.
Espinoza had competed in Miss World 2008 where she was a semifinalist and also won the Beach Beauty fast-track event.
She had to replace Laura Zúñiga, the original Mexican representative to Miss International 2009, after Zúñiga was implicated with arms and drug-trafficking.
Espinoza's victory marks Mexico's second Miss International crown which was initially won by Priscila Perales in
2007.
• THE NEW MISS SOUTH PACIFIC is Merewalesi Nailatikau, Miss Fiji Islands, who was crowned last night. Nailatikau will now
represent the South Pacific region at World Trade Expo which will be held in Shanghai in China next month. For the first time in
21 years the Miss South Pacific crown has finally made its way to Melanesia after being won by Polynesia through
past winners - Samoa, the Cook Islands, American Samoa, New Zealand and Tonga. Thanking God, her family, her fellow contestants
and her country, Nailatikau stressed the importance of regional unity on issues of concern, especially climate change.
Nailatikau's court includes first runner-up Miss Cook Islands Engara Gosselin, second runner-up Miss Aoteroa New Zealand
Paretaunu Randal, third runner-up Miss Solomon Islands Milicent Barty and fouth runner-up Miss Samoa
Tusisalea Pomele. (Fiji Village, 11/29/2009)
• THE NEW MISTER SPAIN is Guillermo García Becerril, 23, representing the city of Zaragoza, who was crowned
during the finals held Saturday night at the Princesa Yaiza Suites Hotel Resort in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote,
Spain. The first runner-up is Juan Carlos Morejón Serrano of Málaga and the second runner-up is José Enrique Martín Aguilera
of Sevilla. This is the first time that the city of Zaragoza has won the Mister Spain title. Fifty-two young men competed
in the pageant.
• THE NEW MRS. WORLD is Victoria Radochinskaya of Russia, who won the world’s leading international beauty pageant
for married women held in Vietnam on November 23rd. Vietnam's Hoang Thi Yen was named the second runner-up after
her question and answer round response was lost in translation. Mrs. America Andrea Robertson, meanwhile, took
the first runner up position at the competition’s finals in the southern coastal town of Vung Tau. Critics said Yen could
have won the competition had her interpreter not botched her answers in the final round. The events, which were broadcast
live on Star World channel with an estimated viewership of 500 million from over 70 countries, also crowned
Marie Carine Davison from Côte d'Ivoire as Mrs. Ao Dai (traditional Vietnamese tunic). Mrs. Denmark Alexandra
Bach Ternstom won Mrs. Congeniality and Mrs. Hong Kong Chen Jiyuan was named Mrs. Traditional Dress among
the 76 finalists from 75 countries and territories. The annual beauty contest will be held next year in South Korea.
(Thanh Nien News, 11/24/2009)
• ROAD TO MISS USA 2010 : It has been a very busy pageant weekend for several Miss USA-bound states. Here's a roster of
newly crowned Miss and Teen queens:
Katie Whittier (Miss Maine USA).
Norissa Morse (Miss Maine Teen USA).
Taylor Kearns (Miss North Dakota USA).
Arianna Walker (Miss North Dakota Teen USA).
Courtney Basara (Miss Minnesota USA).
Hayley O'Brien (Miss Minnesota Teen USA).
Ashley Bickford (Miss Connecticut USA).
Alyssa Tagila (Miss Connecticut Teen USA).
Gina Cerilli (Miss Pennsylvania USA).
Elena LaQuatra (Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA).
Julie Citro (Miss Delaware USA).
Ashley DiLiberto (Miss Delaware Teen USA).
Davina Reeves (Miss New York USA).
Tatiana Diaz (Miss New York Teen USA).
Kate Paul (Miss Oregon USA).
Cara Nardini (Miss Oregon Teen USA).
Chelsea Morgensen (Miss Texas Teen USA).
• MISS EARTH CORRECTION: Last week, I wrote the following: "There were nine judges, six of whom were Filipinos and three
foreigners that included Miss Vietnam 2004 Bui Thuy Hanh, Miss Kosovo Earth 2003 Teuta Hoxha and former Miss Earth
from Brazil Priscilla Meirelles." This statement was noticed by John Soul, the moderator of Woman of the
Earth message board who informed me of the factual error. This is what John said: "Miss Kosovo Earth 2003 Teuta Hoxha
did not sit as a judge in Miss Earth 2009, it was Agnesa Vuthaj, Miss Kosovo 2003 and Miss Albania 2004 winner
who also participated in Miss World 2004 and Miss Universe 2005 as Miss Albania. The Board of judges comprised of
three Filipinos, two Americans (African-American and White), one American with Filipino heritage, one Vietnamese,
one Kosovar-Albanian, and one Brazilian." Thank you, John, for the correction. Much appreciated!
• EARTHWORTHY TIDBIT : A reliable source informed me that Carousel Productions, the Miss Earth organizers, purposely
included two national directors as part of the panel of judges to avert any backlash from participating countries,
in case the Philippines would have a back-to-back victory. This is aside from the fact that most of the judges were
foreigners. It’s interesting to note that three beauty queens (one each from Asia, Europe, and America) sat on the
panel of judges. Reports reveal that this year the scores of the top eight finalists were not reset to zero during
the Photo/Video Interpretation, meaning that the scores from the swimsuit and evening gown competitions
during the finals were added to the final segment. Miss Philippines Sandra Seifert may have won the swimsuit
and evening gown during the preliminary competitions - which had no bearing in the selection of top 16; however,
in the finals, it was Miss Brazil Larissa Ramos who earned the highest score in her performance on both segments
even though the Philippines and Venezuela arguably topped the last segment of the competition.
• MORE PICS FROM MISS EARTH 2009 : Ever Bilena Cosmetics, one of the major sponsors of Miss Earth 2009, conducted a photo
shoot last Friday featuring the new Miss Earth Larissa Ramos and her court. No media outlet was allowed,
except Critical Beauty, and CB correspondent Jonas Yu was very lucky to take pics of the beauties! Thanks,
Ever Bilena, for this privileged occasion!
• MISS WORLD UPDATES : Mexico's Perla Beltran won the Miss World Top Model. The second place went to Vietnam's
Thi Tran and the third place to Ingrid Ittré. Mexico will now be fast tracked to the Miss World 2009
Semi-Finals. The Miss World Top Model 2009 was held at The Turbine Hall in Johannesburg. All contestants graced the
runway in amazing gold dresses paying homage to Johannesburg, the city of gold and gateway to South Africa.
Also announced was the World Designer Award for best dress design from their home country. Sierra Leone's designer
Dany Tabet took the award for an amazing crystal emblazed design with ornate patterning worn by Miss Sierra Leone
Mariatu Kargbo. And earlier last week, Gibraltar's Kaiane Aldorino was chosen the winner of the Beach Beauty
fast-track competition held in Zimbali. Second place went to Panama's Nadege Herrera while
third place went to Scotland's Katharine Brown. Today, the delegates will attend the Victoria Falls Children’s
Charity Evening. On Saturday, they return to Johannesburg to begin rehearsals for the finals scheduled on December 12th.
(Miss World TV News)
"A woman who had everything lost her life to have a slightly firmer behind," Piazza said.
Grieving fans flooded Magnano's Facebook page with remembrances written in both English and Spanish.
"I pray that god will give your family peace over this TRAGIC incident. SO SAD," read one entry. Magnano's burial Monday
was shown on Argentine television. She was the mother of twins. (NY Daily News, 12/1/2009)
• WILL A MUSLIM GIRL WIN MISS FRANCE? She's 19 years old, 5ft 9in tall, has brown hair with hazel eyes, and lists her
hobbies as dance and handball. And, of course, she adores animals. Nothing that unusual about Juliette, who'll be
representing the department of Picardie in Saturday's Miss France beauty pageant. Nothing unusual that is, except one
thing, her surname. Boubaaya (photo). In recent weeks that name has come to define Juliette much more than her beauty or
the fact that she hopes one day to join the police force. For Boubaaya is an Algerian name and Juliette is a
practising Muslim who prays five times a day.
There have been other Muslim contestants
in the 89 years since the inaugural Miss France pageant but they were more modest than Juliette and refused to parade
in a bikini. No such qualms for Miss Boubaaya, who happily donned a swimsuit on her way to becoming Miss Picardie,
and only last month caused thousands of Frenchmen to choke on their croissants when Le Parisien, the country's
best-selling tabloid, splashed a photo of Juliette lying seductively on the beach in a wet bikini.
The headline to the article was 'Proud of my religion and my beauty' and Miss Picardie described to the paper
how she had "read the Koran and the Bible, and was more attracted by the Koran". Boubaaya then went on to explain
that before entering the Miss Picardie competition, she had consulted her Imam on the matter of the swimsuit.
"Go for it!" was his enthusiastic response.
The prospect of a Muslim Miss France has ruffled the country with Boubaaya
attracting criticism from extreme elements among the Muslim community and the far right. The former disapprove of
any woman wearing a bikini and they have also taken offence at Boubaaya's confession that she doesn't pray when she
is involved in beauty pageants. The far right, meanwhile, simply don't want a Muslim woman as Miss France.
"In Islam alcohol and pork are forbidden," wrote one blogger recently, "therefore it will be impossible for a
Miss Muslim to promote the champagne, wine and sausage. Sorry, but France without those things is not France."
But for the French political class, Mademoiselle Boubaaya is a godsend. Here is a young, attractive French
Muslim eager to join the police force "to help protect the country", who won't wear a veil because "I don't
want to renounce my femininity", and who describes France's strength as being its tolerance of all races
and religions. (The First Post, UK, 12/1/2009)
• NEXT JOURNAL UPDATE : Monday, December 7, 2009.
PHOTO CREDITS: AFP, Miss World TV, Que, Belga, NY Daily News, The First Post
• THE NEW MISS EARTH is Larissa Ramos, a 20-year-old biology student from Manaus, Brazil who was crowned last night in
Boracay Ecovillage Resort Convention Center in Boracay, Philippines. In the photo above, from left to right are Miss Earth-Air (first runner-up)
Sandra Seifert of the Philippines, Miss Earth-Water (second runner-up) Jessica Barboza of Venezuela, and
Miss Earth-Fire Alejandra Echevarría of Spain. The top 8 included the representatives of Poland, Martinique,
Thailand and Colombia. Completing the top 16 were the delegates of Korea, Northern Ireland, France, South Africa,
Paraguay, India, Singapore and Georgia. 80 young women competed in this year's pageant. Among Ramos's prizes include
a new crown made of 100% recycled precious metals and gemstones that came from donations from the participating countries.
There were nine judges, six of whom were Filipinos and three foreigners that
included Miss Vietnam 2004 Bui Thuy Hanh, Miss Kosovo Earth 2003 Teuta Hoxha and former Miss Earth from
Brazil Priscilla Meirelles. I saw the delayed streaming of the pageant on the official Miss Earth website, but
I initially found out about the official results from CB correspondent David Natanawan via Facebook and
Gmail chats. David would also post real time updates on the CB Message Board. Unfortunately, the reception was
not crystal clear and the broadcast was riddled with long, sometimes irritating commercials. The opening number
consisted of the girls - in swimsuit adorned with transparent sarong - sashaying to Whitney Houston's new
single, "Million Dollar Bill." For the Q & A part, each of the top 8 finalists had to comment on a series of
images related to a particular ecological problem. None of the finalists gave a concrete solution to the problem;
instead, they all gave the same generic response that called on the public "to take care of Mother Earth" and
"do your part in saving the planet." When asked my host Marc Nelson if she needed an interpreter, Miss
Venezuela grabbed the microphone and somewhat condescendingly suggested in English that humans are the ones to blame
for environmental problems. See the coronation here.
The production was less grand this year compared to previous ones, though the
entire show was considerably much shorter (just a little over two hours - thank God!). Some of the early favorites
were excluded, like Misses Cuba, Czech Republic, Italy and USA. Just like all pageants, Miss Earth can be full of
surprises, but unlike the other major pageants, Miss Earth tends to have a broader outlook of beauty. Many would
disapprove of the inclusion of Miss Paraguay (a little on the heavy side), Miss Korea (observers noticed her
cellulite), Miss Georgia (funny face) and Miss Singapore (untoned body) - which makes
us assume that the judges do not always bow to public pressure or be allowed to be influenced by so-called
beauty experts. This is what sets Miss Earth apart from the other pageants. Anyhow, I can't complain much because
my favorite Miss France Magalie Thierry made the Top 16. Until next year!
Special thanks to my two correspondents David Natanawan and Jonas Yu
for covering the pageants. You guys did an awesome job!
• BAY STATE QUEENS : The new Miss Massachusetts USA is Lacey Wilson and the new Miss Massachusetts Teen USA is
Brooke Bibeault. Both women were crowned yesterday at the Marriott Quincy Hotel in Quincy. I attended the pageant
and I must say that there were many beautiful girls in both divisions this year. My girl Alida D'Angona placed
fourth runner-up, which is not bad considering it was her first try! Great job, Alida! I hope you come back next year! The
other finalists were first runner-up Amanda Birdsell, second runner-up Cyndal Todd and third runner-up
Aderinsola Okenla. Special thanks to Clemente Productions for providing me a VIP seat (which happens every year! LOL).
It was great to sit next to two former Miss Massachusetts USA Jackie Bruno (2008) and Despina Delios (2007) -
both looking fabulous. Congratulations to both Lacey and Brooke and CB wishes them the best of luck in their respective
pageants.
• THE NEW MISS CALIFORNIA USA is Nicole Johnson, 24, of Sherwood who was crowned yesterday at “The Show” at the
Agua Caliente Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage. Her court includes first runner-up Nana Meriwether of Beverly Hills,
second runner-up Nia Sanchez of Citrus Valley, third runner-up Jessica Morgan of Greater San Diego, and
fourth runner-up Brandi Lea Malloy of Tarzana. Johnson had competed before in 2007 and placed second. The pageant was
shown live via a webcast. Following the Miss pageant was the Miss California Teen USA pageant which was won by Emma Baker, 18,
of Poway.
• THE NEW MISS ARUBA is Priscilla Lee, 21, who was crowned November 17th. She will now represent the One Happy Island in Miss Universe 2010.
Priscilla is the younger sister of Zizi Lee, who was first runner-up in Miss World 2001 and who represented Aruba in
Miss Universe in Quito, Ecuador in 2004. The runner-ups Ivana Werleman and Kimberly Kuiperi will go to
Miss World and Miss International 2010. Thanks to Karl Luxe for this info.
• THE NEW MISS CURACAO is Safira de Wit, 19, who was crowned Saturday. She will represent Curaçao in Miss Universe 2010
pageant. The first runner-ups is Hayley Canword, the second runner-up is Erica Sample, and
the third runner-up is Chanty Lamp. Info courtesy of Michael Knittel.
• ROAD TO MISS FRANCE 2009: New regional queens were crowned in the last month. Laura Faroult, Miss Albigeois Midi-Pyrénées.
Cassandre Roland, Miss Orléanais. Rachel Jeannot, Miss Poitou-Charentes. Céline Callivrousis
replaces Marion Castaing as the new Miss Roussillon when it was discovered that Castaing had competed three times before.
• MISS WORLD UPDATES: In an unprecedented move, the six judges of the 2009 Miss World Talent show held at the Victory Theatre last
Saturday made two ladies joint-winners- securing them each a spot in the finale. Yanbing Ma (Canada), who performed an
Opera piece and Mariatu Kargbo (Sierra Leone) a traditional dance, scored points for the December 12 event to be held
at the Gallagher Convention Centre. The two ladies will again showcase their respective talents in front of an audience of
over a billion during the final evening. (The Times, London, 11/9/2009)
Miss World 2009 Betting Odds have Miss Puerto Rico Jennifer Colon and Miss Mexico
Perla Beltran as the best candidates for victory in Miss World 2009. Miss World takes place in Johannesburg, South Africa
on Saturday December 12th and there are likely to be big changes in the Miss World 2009 Betting between now and then.
Miss Puerto Rico has been favourite for a long time now and her odds continue to get shorter. She was initially a double figure
price when betting began months ago but after plenty of money for Jennifer Colon she is now the 6/4 favourite with Sportingbet
and Ladbrokes. Paddy power go the shortest price on Colon. She faces toughest competition from Miss Mexico who is
rated at 9/2 with Paddy Power to win the beauty pageant next month. (Onling Betting Guide, UK, 11/22/2009)
• HER STORY : She set out to be a role model to young black women. An athlete overcoming a difficult past and aiming
for the Olympics; a modern beauty queen heading for Miss World. Rachel Christie was crowned the first black Miss
England in July. Her runner-up, Katrina Hodge, was a soldier who had served in Iraq. It looked as though the
beauty pageant was finally coming into the 21st century, reflecting the diversity of modern womanhood in this country.
Yet the odds were stacked against Christie. When allegations of violence forced her to hand back the tiara two weeks
ago, the strange thing was that nobody seemed terribly surprised. Hodge automatically became Miss England and
Christie lost her hopes and dreams overnight. Read the full article.
El Salvador's rep to Miss International 2009 is the beautiful Vanessa Hueck. Before leaving for
China for the competition, Vanessa sent us the above thank you note via CB reader Miguel Castro-Rivera.
• MARGIE MORAN FOR GOVERNOR? Miss Universe 1973 Margarita Moran may be running for governorship in her province.
Read all about it here.
• NEXT JOURNAL UPDATE : Monday, November 30, 2009.
PHOTO CREDITS: EFE, Reuters, Reinado de El Salvador
The pageant was without any mishap. During the swimsuit competition, contestant
Ariana Rodriguez had an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction when one of her silicone breast enhancement pads accidentally
popped out. Many fans were not happy with the cheaply staged production and Vicente herself was booed by some
members of the audience. Howls of protest came from the supporters of Aideliz Hidalgo who apparently gave the best answer
during the final Q & A segment.
• HER REACTION : Former Miss Universe Puerto Rico franchise holder Magali Febles shared some of her thoughts concerning
the cheaply staged production of the recently concluded Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2010 pageant. Febles remarked [my translation]:
"If I had known that one could produce a pageant without set design, I could have saved thousands of dollars. And for that,
they took away the franchise from me?" Febles also criticized the new owners [my translation]: "Based on the announcements that
Desirée and Luisito have made about the pageant, in which they claim that they would take it to a higher level and that they
would present a better production, and knowing Luisito's experience and Desirée being my former disciple, I was expecting a
better production and quality of sound. They could have had at least some visual concept... the candidates deserved
something better." (Primera Hora, San Juan, 11/13/2009)
• CARRIE-ING ON AS USUAL : Continuing her sex tape apology-rationalization tour Tuesday night, Carrie Prejean
got snarled in what TMZ.com rightly described as a "most awesomely awkward" moment on Larry King Live. The fired beauty
queen unplugged her microphone and threatened to walk off the show after the CNN host pressed her about her settlement
with Miss California USA. She called his queries "extremely inappropriate." King changed the subject and went to the
phones. But when the caller started off with "I'm a gay man and I love pageants," the clearly perturbed Prejean
disconnected the mike and mouthed something unintelligible to someone off-set, but she remained seated for long moments.
(Dallas News, 11/12/2009) Read more.
This news article reports that Prejean "has eight sex tapes and 30 naked photos to her name." You wonder if she still expects
to go to heaven. LOL!
• BOLIVIA'S BID : Promociones Gloria, the organizer of Miss Bolivia and Reina Hispanoamericana pageants, have solicited
the Miss Universe Organization for the requirements to host the pageant next year in Bolivia. Gloria Limpias,
the owner of Promociones Gloria, stated that among the most important requirements include a hotel lodging for 3,500
people in addition to 200 staff members of MUO who will stay in the country for three months. Bolivian president Evo Morales
wants to have the pageant held in the city of Santa Cruz which is famous for its beautiful women. (El Dia, Santa Cruz de la Sierra,
11/11/2009)
• BUTT...BUTT...SHE'S SO BEAUTIFUL : Diana Salgado was supposed to compete for this year's Miss Colombia pageant representing
the state of Valle, but she was forced to withdraw by the pageant organizers because her derrière was deemed too big. However, a
judge ordered that she be reinstalled, even though her first runner-up from the state pageant, Catalina Robayo, had already been integrated in
the nationals and considered as one of the favorites. Everything was going well, when suddenly Salgado revealed to the press
that her withdrawal from the nationals had been motivated by the Valle state pageant committee. She demanded for her state title back.
Last week, a judge ordered that if Salgado were not reinstated in the nationals, he would then authorize the arrest of Valle's
state director, Andrea Vélez, who happens to be the daughter of Luz Marina Zuluaga, Colombia's only Miss Universe.
(People en Español, 11/13/2009)
• ROAD TO MISS USA 2010 : New state Misses and Teens were crowned last week. Nadia Moffett (Miss North Carolina USA).
Lauren Martz (Miss North Carolina Teen USA). Cassady Lance (Miss Georgia USA). Caroline Wade (Miss Georgia
Teen USA). Renee Mokihana Nobriga (Miss Hawaii USA). Julianne Chu (Miss Hawaii Teen USA).
• MISS INTERNATIONAL 2009 : The pageant kicked off in Beijing, China with a press conference and welcome party last Friday,
November 13th. This year, the pageant will be held entirely in China.
• MISS WORLD 2009 : After convening in London for a week, the more than 90 Miss World Contestants flew to Abu Dhabi for a
fashion show that featured the girls wearing fabulous gowns by various designers. The girls are now in Johannesburg, South
Africa where the finals will be held. Photos from various events can be viewed in the official Miss World website.
• MISS EARTH 2009 UPDATES : The swimsuit competition took place on November 14th at Fontana Leisure Park & Casino in Pampanga
and the winner was Miss Philippines Sandra Seifert. Meanwhile, Miss China Yan Xu was awarded the Miss Earth Fontana
title. Check David's reports and the Galleries for pics from the latest events.
The long gown competition takes place Monday night. The new Miss Earth will be crowned on Sunday, November 22nd.
Have you picked your winner yet? The CB poll puts Miss Philippines as the leader, with
Misses France and Malaysia trailing not too far behind. The winner of the poll will be automatically named Miss Critical Beauty
Earth 2009. If you haven't voted, do it now! The poll
closes on November 20th, at 3:00 PM (Boston time).
• NEXT JOURNAL UPDATE : Monday, November 23, 2009.
PHOTO CREDITS: Associated Press
TMZ Managing Editor Harvey Levin said during a webcast Wednesday that he obtained the Prejean video during
the summer, but found it "too racy" to post on his site. He indicated Prejean was alone in the video. The source
with knowledge of the settlement talks told CNN those details were accurate. Prejean's lawyer, Charles LiMandri,
responded with a short statement issued through an employee at his law office. "It's a confidential settlement,
and he can't discuss it," the statement said. Several calls and e-mail to Prejean's publicist were not returned Wednesday.
(CNN, 11/4/2009)
• HER MOM HAS SEEN IT : TMZ.com reported that Carrie Prejean wasn't the only member of her family who got a peek at
Carrie's solo sex tape - TMZ has learned her mother was in the room when the Miss California USA lawyers pressed play.
Sources tell TMZ Carrie's mom was in shock - instantly turning sheet white as she watched her daughter give herself a hand.
As TMZ first reported, it took all of 15 seconds for Carrie to drop her $1 million demand from the pageant people after
the XXX tape was played.
• REPLACEMENT : The runner-up in this year's Miss England pageant, Lance Cpl. Katrina Hodge, has replaced winner
Rachel Christie after an alleged barroom brawl, organizers say. Christie, 21, gave up her crown following
the alleged run-in with another beauty queen this week at a nightclub in Manchester, England, The Daily Telegraph
reported Friday. The encounter between Christie and Miss Manchester Sara Beverley Jones allegedly resulted in Jones
being punched in the face. Christie was arrested on suspicion of assault. Christie, the first black woman to be
named Miss England, stepped down to focus on clearing her name, pageant organizers said in a release. Stepping down
will also give Christie, a heptathlete, time to prepare for her participation in the 2012 Olympics, organizers said.
"Due to the media attention following the allegations against her, Rachel Christie has now decided to withdraw from
the Miss World competition and relinquish her Miss England crown," the organizers said. The Telegraph said Hodge
will now represent England in the Miss World Final Dec. 12 in South Africa. The British army soldier has been given
leave of her military duties to focus on the pageant. (UPI.com, 11/7/2009)
• MARIO LOPEZ TO HOST MISS AMERICA : Here comes Mario Lopez as the Miss America pageant host.
TLC and the Miss America Organization said Wednesday that the 36-year-old "Extra" host and former "Dancing with the
Stars" contestant will again serve as master of ceremonies for the live Jan. 30 ceremony at the Planet Hollywood Resort
and Casino in Las Vegas. Lopez previously hosted the Miss America pageant in 2007 and 2009.
Next year's pageant will feature 53 contestants, including Miss District of Columbia, Miss Virgin Islands
and Miss Puerto Rico, who returns after a 50-year absence from the event. As always, the women will compete
in interview, swimsuit, evening gown and talent competitions for the title of Miss America. Katie Stam of Indiana
is the current Miss America. (AP, 11/4/2009)
• ROAD TO MISS FRANCE 2009 : New regional queens were crowned last week: Lisa Alberiti is the new Miss
Ile-de-France and Juliette Boubaaya is the new Miss Picardie. Both women will now represent their
respective regions in Miss France 2009 next month.
• ROAD TO MISS USA 2010 : New state Misses and Teens were crowned last week. Jessica Hartman (Miss Colorado USA),
Courtney Carter (Miss Colorado Teen USA), Allison Biehl (Miss Indiana USA), Madeline Jean Plesac (Miss
Indiana Teen USA), Rosanne Aguilar (Miss New Mexico USA. Her sister Raelene Aguilar was Miss New Mexico USA 2008 and
Miss New Mexico Teen USA 2000). Faith Cortez (Miss New Mexico Teen USA). Sara Brooks (Miss Louisiana USA).
Brianna Waguespack (Miss Louisiana Teen USA). Julianna Erdesz (Miss Nevada USA). Audrey Denison (Miss
Nevada Teen USA).
• WHAT'S UP WITH CYNTHIA? Since she became first runner-up in Miss Universe 2005, Cynthia Olavarria has appeared in
soap operas including a starring role in an online telenovela, has hosted and judged several beauty pageants, and
has been coaching the candidates of the last three seasons of "Nuestra Belleza Latina." According to Cynthia, she has been
getting inquiries from women in Puerto Rico asking her advice on how to improve their image, so she decided to offer a series of
intensive workshops on runway and stage projection lessons - under the rubrique "Zona de Reinas" ("Beauty Queens' Zone"). The first workshop
begins on January 31st at Hotel Condado in San Juan. Expected to give Cynthia a helping hand is well-known designer
Carlos Alberto. Cynthia will reward scholarships to deserving young women and will donate $400 to Make A Wish Foundation.
(El Nuevo Dia, San Juan, 11/7/2009)
• A NEW CROWN, PART I : The winner of Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2010 will have a new crown by Puerto Rican designer
Gabriela Rodríguez Rivera. The new crown was manufactured by goldsmith Antonio Colón and it
is made of silver with yellow gold, transparent topazes and pearls. It was Colón who made the original Miss Puerto
Rico crown thirty-eight years ago and which was worn by Beba Franco when she succeeded Miss Universe 1970
Marisol Malaret. From 1971 until 1998, that crown was used by title holders trained by Anna Santisteban
which included Desirée Lowry, who is one of the co-owners of the national pageant. The new crown, which costs
$10,000, reflects Santisteban's concept of glamour and beauty. See what the new crown looks like. (El Nuevo Dia, San Juan, 11/2/2009)
• A NEW CROWN, PART II : The winner of Miss Earth 2009 will also wear a new crown designed by Florida-based jewelry
designer Ramona Haar. The new crown will consist of 100% recycled materials, will have precious stones such as
14-karat gold and silver argentum, and are donated by over 80 countries participating in this year's pageant. The new crown
will have a flower in the center that represents Mother Earth.
• CB's coverage of Miss Earth 2009 continues. CB is delighted to bring you updates from the pageant, thanks to two Philippines-based
correspondents David Natanawan and Jonas Yu. These guys are amazing and I am grateful to both of them for
doing a superb job so far. The most challenging aspect of the coverage is, well, we can't cover other activities that are held in other places since the organizers have split the contestants into three
groups, each of which has its own activities. Thus, we can only bring to you updates from events that David and Jonas can cover.
For their latest pics, check the Galleries section.
Read David's reports.
• NEXT JOURNAL UPDATE : Monday, November 16, 2009. Please check daily for Miss Earth updates.
PHOTO CREDITS: Associated Press
Vasini is also Venezuela's representative to Miss World next year. The pageant was without controversy. Earlier, the
candidates were asked the same questions pertaining to history, culture and geography, and many of them failed to
provide correct answers. When asked what year Christopher Columbus discovered America, Spain's Melody Mir replied "1980."
Some answered that Paraná is the longest river in the Americas and that the Great Wall of China is located in Latin America.
Nicaragua's representative Maritza Rivas commented that a bad response does not make one less intelligent. Mir
defended herself by saying that it is irrelevant to know the date when Columbus discovered America. (Watch Vasini's
crowning moment.)
• MICHELLE OBAMA'S BEAUTY SECRETS : The U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama - who is regularly voted one of the world's most
stylish women - often slicks back her tresses as they can be difficult to tame. She said: "I use headbands. I try not to
do anything additional, because with black folks and perms, that's where your hair's on your pillow. So I tend to just
slick it back." She also revealed she has given up her early morning workouts. She told U.S. Glamour magazine: "I don't do
the 4:30 anymore. I've been going to a trainer because I'm not disciplined enough to work out on my own. A lot of free
weights and cardio, about two hours." She recently revealed she loves junk food and prefers to work out rather than
forbid herself from eating her favourite calorific treats. She said: "I try to have no absolute nos. I love French fries,
I like a good burger, and I like pie. And that's OK. I would be depressed if I felt I could never eat the things that I love.
There are some great bakers here. If you like pie, it will be there always - at every meal. So for me, it's about setting
up new boundaries. I had some challenges with that, but I'm balancing out." (3news.co.nz, 11/1/2009)
• THE NEW MISS INTERNATIONAL QUEEN is Ai Haruna, a 37 year-old TV personality, who was crowned in the Thai resort of Pattaya.
The first runner-up is Kangsadal Wongdusadeekul of Thailand and the second runner-up is Danniela Marques
of Brazil. The highly popular pageant attracts transsexual contestants from all over the world. Haruna was crowned
by last year's queen Tanyarat Jirapatpakon of Thailand. Haruna was among 18 contestants in the last round of the
contest held Saturday night at the cabaret Tiffany’s Show. She was awarded $10,000, a tiara and a trophy. Twenty-one
contestants from around the world, including those from Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, the United States, China and
Brazil, participated in the fifth pageant. (Reuters, 11/1/2009)
• ROAD TO MISS USA 2010 : New state Misses and Teens were crowned last week. Nydelis Ortiz (Miss Vermont USA),
Shelby Gregoire (Miss Vermont Teen USA), Audrey Moore (Miss Alabama USA), Ashlyn Alongi (Miss Alabama
Teen USA), Sara Brooks (Miss Louisiana USA), Brianna Waguespack (Miss Louisiana Teen USA), Simone Feldman
(Miss Maryland USA) and Kamie Crawford (Miss Maryland Teen USA).
• BRUISED BY A WRESTLER : Ex-Miss Universe turned actress Alicia Machado received a blow in her right arm from
Mexican female wrestler Martha Villalobos while shooting a segment for the program "Desmadrugada 2".
Machado agreed to participate as a gladiator in the program, but the corpulent Villalobos made Machado feel the
strength of her grip. Villalobos demonstrated some fighting techniques to Machado who wholeheartedly learned them so
she could put them to practice against men who are behaving badly. (El Informador, Mexico, 10/30/2009)
• UNIVERSAL MOM : Ex-Miss Universe from Puerto Rico Deborah Carthy Deu, 43, gave birth to a baby boy on October 18th at
Pavía Hospital in Santurce. Both mother and child are doing fine. The former beauty queen declined to reveal the identity
of the father. Besides owning a modeling agency, Carthy Deu is also the host of a program called "Noche de Gala."
(Primera Hora, San Juan, 10/29/2009)
• MEET this year's candidates for Miss Universe Aruba. The winner
will be crowned on November 15th.
• NEXT UPDATE : Monday, November 9, 2009.
PHOTO CREDITS: El Deber, Wire Image, Belga Picture
OCTOBER 2009
• IN MEMORIAM : The pageant world is mourning the loss of a queen: Solange Magnano (photo). The former Miss Argentina,
38, died from complications after undergoing a gluteoplasty – a cosmetic surgery on her buttocks. She died of a
pulmonary embolism Sunday after three days in critical condition following the gluteoplasty, the Associated Press reported.
Magnano won her crown in 1994. Close friend Roberto Piazza said the procedure involved injections and the liquid "went
to her lungs and brain." Various online definitions describe a gluteoplasty as a procedure to either lift the buttocks,
or to enlarge the posterior by inserting synthetic implants. 
In the past, the jury has elected girls from Guadeloupe and Tahiti as its Miss France, but the prospect of a
Muslim beauty queen has created a stir in France ahead of the final in Nice. Political correctness may have done
for beauty pageants in the Anglo-Saxon world, but the annual Miss France is still one of the highlights of the
French television year. Broadcast live on TF1, there is even an interactive website, where you can "put yourself
in the jury's place" and weigh up the respective merits of the 37 mademoiselles.
| 11.23.2009 | Monday
• THE NEW MISS COLOMBIA is Natalia Navarro Galvis, (photo) representing the Bolivar department, who was last Monday following
days of parades of the country's most beautiful women in Cartagena. The 22-year-old Navarro was born in Barranquilla and
studies Financial Administration at the International University of Florida in Miami. Her court includes first runner-up
Leidy Viviana Gómez Cortés of Meta who represent Colombia in Miss International 2010, the second runner-up is Carolina Rodríguez Ferrero of Cundinamarca,
the third runner-up is Macri Elena Vélez Sánchez, and the fourth runner-up is Macri Elena Vélez Sánchez of
Antioquia. 
Thanks, Miguel! We wish Vanessa the best of luck!
| 11.16.2009 | Monday
• THE NEW MISS UNIVERSE PUERTO RICO is Mariana Paola Vicente Morales, 20, (photo) who represented the municipality of
Rio Grande. She was crowned Thursday night at the Centro de Bellas Artes in San Juan. Her court includes first runner-up
Ariana Rodriguez of Carolina; second runner-up Aideliz Hidalgo of Cayey; third runner-up Yeidy Bosques
of Mayagüez; and fourth runner-up Coral del Mar Casanova of Hatillo. The show was hosted by the new franchise
owners Desirée Lowry and Luisito Vigoreaux and color-commented by Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera
and Rashel Díaz. 
| 11.09.2009 | Monday
• LAWSUITS DROPPED : The sudden end to a legal battle between dethroned Miss California USA Carrie Prejean (photo) and pageant
officials was prompted by the revelation of a "sex tape," according to a source familiar with the lawsuits' settlement.
Prejean was fired in June after lingerie-modeling photos of her emerged that pageant officials said were a breach of
her contract. Prejean sued the pageant in August, arguing her firing was religious discrimination because of her opposition
to same-sex marriage. Pageant officials countersued last month, demanding their former beauty queen repay $5,200 in
pageant money spent for her breast implants and give them all proceeds from a book she's written. A settlement of both
lawsuits was signed in New York Tuesday, but no details were made public. Lawyers and parties for each side were bound
by a confidentiality pledge, according to the source. The veil of secrecy was partially lifted Wednesday after celebrity
gossip Web site TMZ reported the deal was sealed after pageant lawyers presented an "extremely graphic" home video
involving Prejean.
| 11.02.2009 | Monday
• THE NEW REINA HISPANOAMERICANA is Adriana Vasini, (photo) 22, who was crowned in Santa Cruz, Bolivia last Thursday night.
Her court includes Ecuador's Sandra Vinces who was crowned as Virreina Hispanoamericana("vice-queen"). The first
runner-up is Livia Nepomuceno of Brazil, the second runner-up is Melody Mir of Spain, the third runner-up is
Flavia Foianini of Bolivia, the fourth runner-up is Rocio Castellón of the Dominican Republic, and the fifth
runner-up is Lina Mosquera of Colombia. (El Dia, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 10/30/2009)