PAGEANT EXTRA
Please be advised that Pageant Extra is now part of Pageantlovers.com. We appreciate everyone’s support!
Miss USA 2013 Telecast Judges Announced
New York, NY – June 10, 2013 – NBC, Donald J. Trump and Paula M. Shugart, president of the MissUniverse Organization, announced today the judges for the 2013 MISS USA® Competition, which will broadcast live from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday, June 16th at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.
The panel of judges includes:
- Bob Harper, Health and Fitness Expert, Author and Star on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser”
- Betsey Johnson, Legendary Fashion Designer and Star of Style Network’s “XOX Betsey Johnson”
- NeNe Leakes, Actress “Glee,” Bravo star of “Real Housewives Atlanta” and “I Dream of NeNe”
- Wendie Malick, Actress, Star of TV Land’s “Hot in Cleveland”
- Jessica Robertson, Reality TV Personality on A&E’s “Duck Dynasty”
- Larry Fitzgerald, MVP Wide Receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, Seven-time Pro Bowl Selection
- Nikki Bella, Former WWE® Diva Champion and TV Personality on E!’s “Total Divas”
- Mo Rocca, Correspondent, “Sunday Morning” with Charles Osgood, Host of Cooking Channel’s “My Grandmother’s Ravioli”
- Christina Milian, American Actress, Singer-songwriter, Social Media Correspondent on NBC’s “The Voice”
“We have a great show in store for our fans and a diverse lineup of judges to select our next Miss USA,” said Shugart. “We like to bring a mix of talent to the judging panel. It reflects who we are as a country and creates an interesting outcome for the competition.”
Joining the musical lineup for the MISS USA telecast is Paul “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio, one of the world’s most sought after DJs, who will bring the electronic dance music phenomenon to the stage. Currently holding DJ residencies in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, Pauly’s eclectic track selection, incomparable style and charismatic personality continues to captivate crowds around the globe leaving them fist pumping all night. The Jonas Brothers to perform during the Swimsuit Competition.
Additionally, fans are able to vote their favorite contestant into the semifinals at the MISS USA competition. Voting is taking place now through June 15 by logging on to http://www.missusa.com or voting through the vote icon on the official MISS USA Facebook page.
The MISS USA telecast is televised in approximately 90 countries and territories around the world and was one of the top social media trending topics during last year’s show. For more information, visit http://www.missusa.com.
Miss USA 2013 Schedule of Events
Monday, June 3
Event: Catalyst Bar/Recycled Percussion Flair Bartending Event
Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Catalyst Bar at The Quad
Description: Contestants will be entertained while watching Flair Bartenders mix drinks as the Recycled Percussion makes some noise. With the manipulation of bar tools and liquor bottles, drinks will be prepared in tricky ways. Miss New Hampshire USA, a flair bartender herself, will participate.
Tuesday, June 4
Event: Line Dancing and Iconic Country Hairdo Contest with Miss USA Hair Care Sponsor CHI
Time: 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Location: Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill at Harrah’s
Description: Contestants will choose from 5 iconic country singers’ hairstyles and recreate the look before arriving for line dancing at the event location. The contestants will be narrowed down while competing for the “best look” and a CHI professional with the crowd eventually choosing the winner of the contest.
Wednesday, June 5
Event: Meal Package Event Benefiting Haiti and Stop Hunger Now
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: The Venetian
Description: Contestants will participate in packing meals that will directly benefit and go to Stop Hunger Now, an organization dedicated to ending hunger by providing food and life-saving aid to the world’s most vulnerable and creating a global commitment to mobilize the necessary resources.
Thursday, June 6
Event: GO Pool Paddle Board Races with Miss USA Swimsuit Sponsor ViX
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Location: Flamingo
Description: Contestants will take part in a paddle board race hosted by Miss USA 2012 Nana Meriwether. The girls will have to balance while dodging corners, waterfalls and opposing teams that will be soaking them with water guns.
Saturday, June 8
Event: PURE Nightclub Red Carpet Photo Opportunity
Time: 11:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Location: Paris
Description: Contestants and Miss USA Nana Meriwether will walk the red carpet for photos before entering PURE Nightclub at Caesars.
Sunday, June 9
Event: Best Buddies Sock Hop Sponsored by CHI
Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Location: TBD
Description: Best Buddies creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This year’s sock-hop themed event will include musical performances by the Opportunity Village Elvis, dancing and a myriad of games, including volleyball and a parachute activity.
Wednesday, June 12
Event: Press Junket
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Location: Celebrity Ballroom 5 at Planet Hollywood
Description: Miss USA 2012 Nana Meriwether and the 2013 Miss USA contestants will be present for interviews.
Event: 2013 Miss USA® Preliminary Competition
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Description: Get ready as the competition heats up! Join us for the 2013 Miss USA Preliminary Competition, where the world will get their first glimpse at the contestants.
Sunday, June 16
Event: 2013 MISS USA® Competition Red Carpet Media Arrival: 3:00 p.m.
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Mezzanine Level of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Description: The 2013 MISS USA® Competition Red Carpet will feature Miss USA 2012 Nana Meriwether, judges, hosts and celebrity guests.
Event: The 2013 MISS USA® Competition
Time: 6 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Sunset 3 on the mezzanine level of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Description: 51 state titleholders will compete for the coveted title of Miss USA 2013 during the 62nd Annual Miss USA® Competition telecast.
Miss USA 2013 – Fitting and Registration in Photos
The Miss USA 2013 contenders go through registration, fitting and photo shoots.
Miss USA Hopefuls Arrive in Las Vegas
The 2013 Miss USA Pageant hopefuls starts arriving today at Planet Hollywood. They have a busy weekend of wardrobe fittings for swimsuits and gowns and then on Monday start a rigorous schedule of filming and interviews with judges.
The Quad headliners Recycled Percussion will welcome the hopefuls Monday at the hotel’s Catalyst Bar, with Miss New Hampshire taking part in a flair bartender challenge. On Tuesday, they re-create iconic country hairstyles to film at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill in Harrah’s with a line-dancing contest. Reigning 2012 Miss USA Nana Meriwether hosts next Thursday’s paddleboard racing challenge at Go Pool in Flamingo, with contestants in their new ViX swimsuits.
Party time is set for Chateau Nightclub at the Paris next Friday, and then June 12 is the first preliminary competition at PH Live in Planet Hollywood. The live NBC telecast with pageant owner Donald Trump is Sunday, June 16 (Father’s Day), with hosts Giuliana Rancic and Nick Jonas, who will be joined by his brothers Joe and Kevin as entertainment. Jeannie Mai from The Style Network will provide live backstage dressing room mayhem commentaries during the telecast. The judges will be announced next week.
The contestants will fulfill charitable commitments while in Las Vegas for Best Buddies, with a musical performance by our beloved Opportunity Village Elvis and a parachute challenge. The pageant queens will pack meals for Stop Hunger Now and also to benefit the food situation deteriorating in Haiti.
Fans of the pageant can vote for their favorite contestants right up until the night before the broadcast at MissUSA.com or at the Miss USA Facebook page. For the first time, there also will be an Instagram challenge with fans submitting their own “crowning moment” photos. The traditional Miss USA welcome dinner will be at Buca di Beppo just off the Strip next Wednesday.
Courtesy of the Las Vegas Sun
Human Error Blamed for Change in Miss Universe Canada 2013 Results
The 2013 Miss Universe Canada pageant took place on Saturday, May 25 at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in Toronto. During the validation of the computerized scoring results (which occurs the following day), a typo was discovered in the top 5 entries, which significantly impacted the final results of the competition. This is the first instance of this type of error in the 11 years that Beauties of Canada (BOC) has produced the Miss Universe Canada pageant.
This is an unfortunate circumstance where a human error was made, and in such a situation, as difficult as it is, it is only right to correct the error. Therefore, the official results of Miss Universe Canada 2013 are as follows:
Miss Universe Canada 2013 Riza Santos (Calgary, AB)
1st runner-up Siera Bearchell (Moose Jaw, SK)
2nd runner-up Diana Martin (Mississauga, ON)
3rd runner-up Denise Garrido (Bradford, ON)
4th runner-up Michelle McKay (Sarnia, ON)
We would like to offer our sincere apology to Denise Garrido for this human error discovered while validating the results. Miss Garrido’s example and grace represents all we look for at Miss Universe Canada. We have no doubt she will continue to succeed in her endeavours and we wish her well. We truly hope she remains a strong part of the Miss Universe Canada Organization.
Beauties of Canada congratulates Riza Santos as the winner of Miss Universe Canada 2013 competition, and looks forward to working with her as she prepares to represent our country at Miss Universe 2013. BOC would also like to congratulate all the runners-up on their proper placements at the pageant, as well as the other 52 extraordinary young women who competed for the title in Toronto.
Denise Garrido is Miss Universe Canada 2013
25-year-old Denise Garrido was crowned Miss Universe Canada 2013. She stands 5’9″ and hails from Bradford, Ontario.
Denise earned her a 2nd degree black belt in TaeKwon-Do and a graduated Cum Laude at Laurentian University, where she studied Biomedical Sciences.
Her thesis, completed at the Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Center, was the application of her theoretical knowledge to laboratory research, and was focused on Breast Cancer. November 2011 through January 2012, Denise toured throughout India with the children’s’ charity, “Healthy Kids, Happy Kids”. They provided food, clothing and medical treatment to thousands of children in need.
Denise loves playing the piano (level 8 Royal Conservatory), long distance running, ballroom dancing, and attending local Toastmasters meetings.
She fulfilled a dream that she has held since she was a little girl, to represent Canada at the Miss Universe Pageant.
Miss World Pageant in Indonesia to be bikini-free
Nanyang Business Daily reported that the 2013 Miss World pageant, which will be held in Bogor, Indonesia, in September, is likely to be bikini-free following protest and government support to remove that category. Certain Islamic fundamentalist groups are saying that the international event was disrespectful of the traditional customs and values of Indonesia.
A Muslim students representative council from East Java said it had sent an official request to Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, for the pageant to be called off. The council’s counterpart from West Java opined that such pageants were merely excuses to show off women’s physical attributes, which were against religious teachings.
Hanniel Jamin Crowned Miss Universe Ghana 2013
Hanniel Jamin was crowned Miss Universe Ghana 2013 at the end of the pageant held at the La Palm Royal Hotel in Accra on Friday 24th May, 2013. The 18-year-old beauty will represent Ghana at the upcoming Miss Universe 2013 pageant.
The first runner-up was Emerald Ansah and the second runner-up was Helen Dake. 11 young ladies representing each region of the country competed for the tittle. Prizes for this year’s winner include New York Film Academy Scholarship, Management and Public Relations team for the year, Ghc 5,000 worth of wardrobe for appearances and the international competition , a gym membership and several others.
The judges at the Miss Universe Ghana Pageant includes 2011 Miss Universe, Leila Lopes; Model, Veronika Varekova; Actress , Yvonne Nelson; TV Host Benny Blanco and Brian D. Hogan , Founder and Partner of Paradigm Group Capital LLC. The hosts of this event are actress Ama K. Abebreseh and TV Host Nathaniel Attoh. The event’s entertainment will be provided by Ghanaian musician Fritz.
Chris Harrison and Lara Spencer to Host Miss America 2014 on its historic return to Atlantic City
Chris Harrison and Lara Spencer
The Miss America Organization and ABC announced today that Chris Harrison will once again host the “2014 Miss America Competition” live from the historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Sunday, September 15 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on ABC. Harrison has been the host of the live telecast for the last four years, and this year, Lara Spencer, co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America will co- host. The 2013 Miss America broadcast drew ABC’s biggest non-sports audience in the time slot, reaching million of new viewers nationwide. Chris first hosted the iconic broadcast on ABC in 2004, returned in 2010 for Miss America’s 90th anniversary.
“We’re thrilled that Chris will host the 2014 Miss America Competition as we return to Atlantic City with our friend and co-host, Lara Spencer who also served as a national judge for our pageant in 2012”, said Sam Haskell, III, Board Chairman & CEO of the Miss America Organization. “Chris has done a wonderful job for us over the years and we’re excited to have him return for another incredible television event with Lara who understands the significance of our program and the young women who compete each year.”
GIULIANA RANCIC (E! NEWS) AND NICK JONAS (JONAS BROTHERS) TO HOST MISS USA 2013
Giuliana Rancic and Nick Jonas
New York, NY– May 21, 2013 – NBC, Donald J. Trump, and Paula M. Shugart, President of The Miss Universe Organization, announced today that Giuliana Rancic, co-anchor of “E! News,” and Nick Jonas, Grammy-nominated American singer-songwriter, will host the 62nd Annual MISS USA® Competition airing live on NBC Sunday, June 16 (9-11 p.m. ET) from PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. “We are excited to announce a veteran and a newcomer as hosts for this year’s MISS USA Competition,” says Shugart. “The diverse backgrounds of Rancic and Jonas in the entertainment industry will bring a new and exciting energy to the stage.”
Rancic, who will return as host for the third year, is co-anchor of “E! News,” co-hosts E!’s popular “Fashion Police” and is a mainstay on the network’s biggest “Live From the Red Carpet” shows. She is also the executive producer/star of her hit Style Network reality show, “Giuliana & Bill.”
Joining Rancic for the first time as co-host is Nick Jonas, American singer-songwriter, musician and actor. He is best known as one of the Jonas Brothers, the mega-popular pop-rock band formed with brothers Kevin and Joe. In addition to his hosting duties, Jonas will be joined by his brothers to perform during the Miss USA Competition. The band recently returned from a three-year hiatus with the hit single “Pom Poms,” which premiered at #1 on iTunes in 16 countries. The band spent the last year writing and producing their upcoming fifth album, which is scheduled for release under Jonas Enterprises later this year. The band kicks off their upcoming North American tour, presented by Huawei and Huawei W1, this July.
Returning to the MISS USA telecast is Jeannie Mai, best known as the host of Style Network’s two-time Emmy Award-nominated makeover series “How Do I Look?” and can be seen this summer on Style Network’s new series “Style Pop.” Mai will take viewers behind-the-scenes to engage with contestants, talent and fans throughout the telecast. Contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vie for the coveted title of Miss USA 2013. Nana Meriwether, Miss USA 2012, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour telecast.
Fans are now able to vote their favorite contestant into the semifinals at the MISS USA Competition. Voting is taking place now through June 15 by logging on to http://www.missusa.com or voting through the vote icon on the official Miss USA Facebook page.
The MISS USA telecast is televised in approximately 90 countries and territories around the world and was one of the top social media trending topics during last year’s show. For more information, visit www.missusa.com.
Miss Philippines-Earth 2013
Twenty five year old Angelee delos Reyes of Olongapo City is crowned Miss Philippines-Earth 2013. Angelee, bested 46 other candidates during the coronation night held at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, May 19.
Asked what criterion she would add in the usual list of qualities expected of a pageant winner, Angelee said that “a good heart to take care of the environment for ourselves and future generations” is a must.
Joining Angelee in the winners’ circle are Kimverlyn Suiza of Nagcarlan, Laguna (Miss Philippines Air), Nancy Leonard of Zamboanga City (Miss Philippines Water), Alma Cabasal of of Fil. West Coast, USA (Miss Philippines Fire) and Bernadette Mae Aguirre of Sta. Maria, Bulacan (Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism).
This year’s candidates came from across the nation and Filipino communities abroad.
In line with the tradition of adopting a global environment movement, this year’s pageant theme celebrates the United Nation’s declaration of 2013 as International Year of Water Cooperation.
Miss USA Fever Is On!
The 2013 Miss USA Pageant is only a month away and preparations are underway at Sin City. Las Vegas will host the pageant for the 6th year in a row and tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster. It’s one of the best group of contestants in years and many pageant experts think it’s going to be a stiff competition. The current Miss USA is Nana Meriwether of Maryland. She took over the crown from Rhode Island’s Olivia Culpo, who won the Miss Universe title last December.
Early frontrunners includes the representative from the host state of Nevada, Chelsea Caswell. Chelsea moved to Nevada after receiving an offer to work at the Wynn Las Vegas, which proved the perfect opportunity as she was enthusiastically looking to further her career in the hospitality industry. Since her start last spring, Chelsea has been promoted to Restaurant Manager and looks forward to a continued career with the Wynn.
Another early favorite is Alabama’s 3M, Mary Margaret McCord. Mary attended the University of Alabama where she majored in Public Relations with a double minor in Communication Studies and Entrepreneurship. She is currently in graduate school at the University of Alabama where she is pursuing a Master of Science in Marketing. She plans to take a semester off from her studies to focus on her short year as Miss Alabama USA. By just looking at this beautiful young lady, you would never know that she literally has a hole in her heart. She was born with this condition, which she carried on throughout her life.
Another one to watch out for is Connecticut’s Erin Brady. This avid bowling fan is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a degree in Finance and a minor in Criminal Justice. She is a Financial Accountant for Prudential Retirement in Hartford, where she works behind the scenes by running the controls that ensure every member of her team has performed their work correctly and efficiently. Erin plans to pursue an MBA in the near future and hopes to get involved with Pension Risk Transfers.
Another one that’s expected to do well is South Carolina’s Megan Pinckney. She’s a pageant veteran, having represented the Palmetto State at the Miss Teen USA Pageant in 2010. Megan is currently a senior fashion-merchandising student at The University of South Carolina. She has served as an intern to the Sherri Hill team, accompanying them at markets and New York Fashion Week, as well as serving as a member of the National Retail Federation. She has had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy where she studied the food and fashion of the Italian culture. Megan is also a Legislative Aide for a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. In 2011, she was a recipient of the Presidential Service award.
This year, there are 10 previous Miss Teen USA state title holders competing which includes Miss Georgia, Brittany Sharp (Placed 4th runner up at Miss Teen USA 2006); Miss Idaho, Marissa Wickland; Miss Illinois, Stacie Juris; Miss Iowa, Richelle Orr; Miss Maryland, Kasey Staniszewski (Placed 3rd runner up at Miss Teen USA 2009); Miss Mississippi, Paromita Mitra; Miss New Hampshire, Amber Faucher; Miss South Carolina, Megan Pinckney; Miss Tennessee, Brenna Mader (She was Miss Wyoming Teen USA in 2005); and Miss West Virginia, Chelsea Welch (4th runner up at Miss Teen USA 2007).
The finals of Miss USA 2013 will air live from the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on June 16, 2013 at 9pm EST on NBC.
For full coverage of the 2013 Miss USA Pageant, visit our sister site PAGEANTLOVERS.COM.
Miss Ghana Promises to win Miss World 2013!
Miss World Ghana 2012, Naa Okailey Shooter
Miss Ghana 2012, Miss Naa Okailey Shooter has assured Ghanaians that she will win the 2013 Miss World crown.
The Ghanaian beauty queen will be representing the country at the 2013 edition of the beauty pageant which comes off on Saturday, September 28 at the Sentul International Convention Center, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Miss Naa Okailey Shooter, speaking in an interview with Myjoyonline.com after the launch of the 2013 edition of the Miss Ghana pageant at the Mahogany Hotel in Accra Tuesday, expressed confidence that this year’s winner will come from Ghana.
Time for Africa, time for Ghana. “I believe that this is the year for Africa and specifically this is the year for Ghana. When I stand on the stage I am not standing there as ‘Naa Okailey’, I’m standing there because I am representing my country Ghana and I don’t want to just make myself and my family proud, I want to make Ghana and Africa as a whole proud,” the aspiring medical doctor said.
According Naa Okailey, “in the history of Miss World we’ve just had one lady with black skin that was Miss Nigeria 2001 [winning the crown] and I want to be the next.”
She said she is confident of winning the crown because of “the Beauty with a Purpose aspect of Miss World. Miss World has embodied that so it’s not just about beauty but it’s about how you impact the life of society and as Miss Ghana I am impacting the life of the aged and the youth.”
Miss Shooter, who had to defer her medical course at the University of Ghana to be Miss Ghana, said her preparation towards this year’s pageant has been a learning curve for her: “Each day offers me an opportunity to learn more … day in day out I’m learning more and I’m being groomed so I am ready.”
Saskatchewan woman wins Miss World Canada for first time in 50 years
Miss World Canada 2013, Camille Munro
After entering her very first beauty pageant, 22 year-old Camille Munro has become the first Saskatchewan woman to win the Miss World Canada Crown in 50 years.
“I just started crying. It just was the first reaction that happened. But it wasn’t sad tears, it was tears of joy and shock,” said Munro of hearing her name called at the finals in Richmond B.C.
She said she is thrilled at the opportunity the pageant provided to represent the province, and her home city of Regina.
“I feel like I’ve done something really awesome for the province. I’m proud to say I can bring it back, and that Regina and Saskatchewan as a whole can now be on the map in another way that they haven’t been for 50 years,” she said.
The win came after months of preparation, which was often difficult for Munro to fit in alongside her studies in Human Justice at the University of Regina and her work as a dance instructor. She credits friends and family for supporting her along the way, and helping her to manage the dozens of details that went into her win.
Munro said she is especially pleased at the opportunities the title gives her to promote Dress for Success, a charity she’s been involved with for about 4 years. Dress for Success provides business-appropriate clothing and career planning help for women in need.
“It’s really just going to give me a stronger base of people that will be willing to sit down and talk with me who I may not have otherwise had a chance to meet ever, “she said.
Munro will be representing Canada at the Miss World pageant in Jakarta, Indonesia in September.
Courtesy of Bryn Levy
The Miss Universe Organization Appoints Producer In California To Conduct Preliminary Competitions
The Miss Universe Organization announced today it has appointed a producer in California to conduct preliminary competitions for the 2014 MISS USA(R) and MISS TEEN USA(R) pageants. Additionally, new licensees have also been named for New York and New Hampshire.
Pam Wilson and Alex Kuty of Top Ten Productions Inc., in Southern California have been selected to oversee and produce the 2014 MISS CALIFORNIA USA(R) and MISS CALIFORNIA TEEN USA(R) pageants, the winners of which will compete at a National level next year at MISS USA and MISS TEEN USA. Pam Wilson has over thirty years of event, pageant and fashion production experience and has served several years as a local director for the Miss California USA system. Pam has an impressive track record in the pageant industry. Many of her titleholders have won the state crown and gone on to place at Nationals.
Alex Kuty, a special events manager and publicist for SeaWorld, is a former San Diego Chargers Cheerleader and has many years of pageant experience including serving as the producer and choreographer for several USA state pageants in California, New York and New Hampshire.
Debbie Miller and Cindy Provost of D&D Investments Inc., have been tapped to run the MISS NEW YORK USA and MISS NEW YORK TEEN USA pageants and Laurie and Anthony Clemente of Clemente Productions will be taking over the New Hampshire pageants.
Miller and Provost are the current license holders in six states, including Rhode Island, home of reigning Miss Universe, Olivia Culpo and Maryland, home of reigning Miss USA, Nana Meriwether. They have over 27 years of experience in state pageants.
Laurie Clemente and her husband, Anthony have been the directors of Massachusetts since 1997 and have produced two National winners at the Miss USA stage. In addition to taking over the New Hampshire pageants, the Clementes were awarded the Maine franchise earlier this year.
Meet the Candidates for Miss USA 2013
The 2013 MISS USA® Competition will air LIVE from Las Vegas on NBC Sunday, June 16 (9 p.m. ET) from PH Live in Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
Miss Panama Universe 2013 is Carolina Brid Cerrud
(L-R)Maria Gabriella Sealy-2nd Runner Up, Carolina Brid, Miss Panamá Universe 2013 and Sara Bello-1st Runner Up
The 46th Annual Miss Panamá Pageant was held at the Atlapa Convention Center in Panama City on Tuesday, April 30, 2013.
22-year-old Carolina Brid was crowned Miss Panamá Universe 2013 and will represent Panama at the 2013 Miss Universe Pageant in December. Sara Bello, A former queen of the popular “Calle Abajo” of the Las Tablas carnival, she will represent Panama in the Miss Intercontinental 2013 pageant to be held in Egypt in November while the 2nd runner-up winner, Maria Gabrielle Sealy, will travel to Ecuador to compete in the Miss Continente Americano pageant in September.
Oh So Close
(L-R) Maria Venus Raj, Janine Tugonon and Shamcey Supsup (Photo courtesy of Ahleks Fusilero Photography)
Philippine women have time and again proved their worth and shone at International pageants around the world. This country of beautiful women recently rebounded from a long drought at Miss Universe but has not clinched the crown even though Bb. Pilipinas seemed to have found the magic formula.
What was lacking from the last 3 Miss Universe-Philippines winners that prevented them from winning the ultimate title?
2010 – Maria Venus Raj – This stunning and remarkable woman set the stage for both Shamcey and Janine at the Miss Universe stage. Venus brought the excitement back to Philippine pageantry that haven’t been seen in decades. Her reign as Miss Universe-Philippines started on a bad note when a few weeks after her coronation, she was dethroned, citing alleged inconsistencies between her birth certificate and the personal account of her birth. She was briefly replaced by second runner-up, Helen Nicolette Henson since first runner-up, Diane Elaine S. Necio, was only 17 years old and did not meet the age requirement for Miss Universe. But this fighter was not about to waiver. She did everything she could to keep her title. On April 10, 2010, she was allowed to reclaim her title due to humanitarian reasons. On May 19, 2010, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs issued Venus a Philippine passport thereby attesting to her Filipino citizenship.
The last time the Philippines made the semi-finals at Miss Universe was in 1999, with Miriam Quiambao, who ended up as first runner-up. The expectation was very high for all succeeding contestants. But even with rigorous training, coaching and preparations, nothing seemed good enough. But when Venus arrived in Las Vegas in August of 2010, pageant pundits knew she was different. She has an amazing stage presence. Her styling was spot on and she knew how to work the crowd. She became an immediate favorite. She put in a flawless preliminary performance that landed her a spot in the top 15. For the first time in 10 years, the Philippines made top 5. Then the dreaded final question came and Venus lost it. Combined with her elation, the excitement of the moment and her nervousness, she was denied of an eloquent response that would have impressed the judges. She had to settle for fourth runner-up.
Her downfall? It’s pretty obvious that there was lack of interview training. Her evening gown could have been better. But the number one reason why Venus didn’t win the crown is Miss Mexico. Ximena could have tripped and fell on her face the entire competition and she still would have won.
2011 – Shampcey Supsup – This perfect combination of brains and beauty took center stage at the 2011 Bb. Pilipinas Pageant and took the top spot with no hesitation. Her eyes were focused on that Miss Universe crown from day one and she went through rigorous training to ensure she’s got an excellent chance of taking it home. The pageant in Sao Paolo was significant in many ways because it marked the return of Miss Universe to South America after almost 30 years. It is also the year with the most number of contestants ever in the pageant’s history. The pressure was definitely on for Shamcey as she would have to work much harder with more number of contestant competing. She knew she had to make an impact and get noticed. But this hard-working beauty is not new to challenges like this. When she was three years old, she moved with her family to General Santos City, located in southern Philippines, where she was raised primarily by her father while her mother worked overseas. Before studying in Manila, she helped her father on a farm. She obtained her Architecture degree from the University of the Philippines, graduating magna cum laude. So when Shamcey won the Miss Universe-Philippines title, she knew that all she needs is to work really hard and the rest will just happen naturally.
When this absolute stunner came out in a shimmering full-beaded champagne and gold dress during the preliminary competition, she effortlessly took a spot in the top 16. Her confidence was very evident throughout the finals night and she captured everyone’s attention by doing her signature walk on stage. As the evening progressed, Shamcey continued to gain more and more momentum. She made the top 5 pretty easily. Then, the final question came and she managed to give an impressive answer. Somehow, that wasn’t good enough and she had to settle for third runner-up.
Her downfall? Nothing. She did everything perfectly the way she was supposed to do it. Why didn’t she win the crown? There were just too mny other good candidates. The eventual winner, Miss Angola, Leila Lopes, had everything going for her. She had the crowd behind her and she just outshined the rest.
2012 – Janine Tugonon – When this remarkable young lady won the Miss Universe-Philippines title, a lot of pageant experts were underwhelmed with her performance. Her beauty seemed to have been swallowed by her extremely unflattering and dowdy evening gown that night, which gave this beauty no justice. Needless to say, the judges managed to overlook the hideous gown and saw the potential in Janine. She definitely exemplifies a woman who never gives up on her dreams as this is her second attempt on the crown. The previous year, Janine competed and ended up as first runner-up. This beauty and brains finished her Pharmacy degree and graduated Cum Laude at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and became a licensed Pharmacist in June 2010.
When the Miss Universe Organization decided to postponed the pageant due to the Summer Olympics in London, no one expected that the pageant will end up in December and Christmas-themed. Needless to say, this change made a big impact with the competing countries and their representatives. Some countries like Mexico and Venezuela had to crown their new winners even before their predecessor have competed at Miss Universe. Some countries ended up not sending candidates at all. Some countries like the Philippines took advantage and trained their delegate to death. When Janine was presented to the press before her departure for Las Vegas, everyone was shocked with her remarkable transformation. She became this 24-karat diamond that no one expected. From that moment, everyone knew she had a good chance of capturing the crown.
When the evening gown competition started during the presentation show held on December 13, everyone’s heart sank when Janine came out wearing this hideous sky blue, electric-pleated, sheer gown. In everyone’s mind, they are asking “what the heck?” The only saving grace for Janine was how she presented herself in it and managed to make this god-awful looking gown look like a Valentino original. Needless to say, the confidence of her supporters hit a low as they kept questioning the choices made for Janine. But come finals night, everyone felt an overwhelming sense of relief when Janine ended up making the top 16. And when her name was called in the top 5, everyone knew this is it. Janine ended up with a Twitter question in the final round, which she answered with conviction, substance and confidence. She brought the Filipino fans at Planet Hollywood on their feet.
But, as everyone already knows, she had to settle for first runner-up, behind USA’s Oliva Culpo. Incidentally, if Janine would have won that evening, it would have been a deja vu of Margarita Moran’s win in Greece in 1973, as the final two that evening were also the USA and the Philippines.
Her downfall? The gown didn’t help…everything else was prefect.
If the Philippines wants a winner, it will have to come up with a complete package. You just can’t wing it with something ok or something good enough. You have to look at past winners and study what made these women different. What made them get the judges’ attention? These questions must have come up at the Bb. Pilipinas office in Manila once or twice prior to 2010. They’ve figured it out. All they need now is be consistent and focus on styling. They have to stay away from cheap looking evening gowns and take more risks. The Philippines is teeming with talented designers that would give their blood to be able to design a Miss Universe competition gown. Why not take advantage of these resources? Why go to Colombia and settle for left-over gowns worn by non-winning Miss Colombia contestants? There are so many spectacular Philippine ternos that are being showcased at the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant but none of them are being used as National Costumes in any international competition.
As Ariella Arida starts her journey to the Miss Universe crown, the Bb. Pilipinas Charities need to reconsider a lot of their past decisions and learn from their mistakes. The Philippines is almost there…oh so close!
Miss America Pageant Will Get $7.3M to Return to Atlantic City
Bringing Miss America back to Atlantic City will cost nearly $7.3 million — an investment officials are confident will be returned to the city in the form of direct visitor spending in the resort.
The funding approved in part by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority on Monday will be nearly equally spread over the three years during which the Miss America Organization has committed to production in Atlantic City. Action taken Monday authorizes officials to execute a formal contract with the Miss America Organization.
Breakdowns show that the Sept. 15 pageant will see more than $2.5 million in aid. That’s more than three times the amount
of assistance the pageant had during its last run in Atlantic City in 2005. At that time, officials said it cost more than $1 million to put on the show, with the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority subsidizing $720,000.
That wasn’t enough to keep the Miss America Organization at Boardwalk Hall, an aging venue that’s remained plagued by high labor costs.
On Monday, officials said there is no question that the pageant is worth the investment. A draft economic impact analysis estimates that the pageant and its parade will draw 129,200 people to the resort. Those people are expected to spend more than $32 million in Atlantic City between gambling, shopping, food and beverage, entertainment, lodging and travel. The analysis was completed by NW Financial Group, of Corvallis, Ore., for the authority.
CRDA Executive Director John Palmieri characterized the CRDA’s contribution as a “small investment” and noted that he’s been told the estimates used in the analysis were conservative. The financing approved Monday was for nearly $5 million in CRDA financing over three years. The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, which last week received final approvals to merge into the CRDA, will provide another $2.3 million.
“So for $5 million we expect to create an economic impact that might be valued at as much as $120 million,” Palmieri said. “There’s a strong economic case to make, not to mention the psychological benefit that is achieved in having a pageant return to the city where it belongs.”
Funding will be disbursed to the Miss America Organization each year and will offset total production costs, according to CRDA documents. Between $100,000 and $275,000 in each year’s agreement will be used by the CRDA to provide for related expenses, including banners, signage, lighting, landscaping and minor Tourism District improvements.
The Atlantic City Alliance, a casino-funded marketing coalition, will contribute as well in the form of travel expenses, meals and lodging for all contestants.
Representatives of the Miss America Organization could not be reached Monday night. The total cost for producing the pageant has not been released.
New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Director Dave Rebuck questioned whether the funding commitment might be lowered over time as capital improvements expected to result in savings are made to Boardwalk Hall. The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority has operated Boardwalk Hall, but the venue’s management will now be transferred to the CRDA with the merger of the organizations.
Palmieri said the funding commitments are not expected to change significantly regardless of improvements, but he noted that the Miss America Organization has said if costs come in lower than expected, the costs could be reduced.
The CRDA on Monday also approved a $1 million fund reservation for a new Tourism District and Community Development Fund intended to finance as-needed maintenance in the Tourism District. That fund could become especially pertinent as the authority looks to improve the city’s appearance in the months leading up to the pageant, officials said.
Courtesy of Jennifer Bogdan
Binibining Pilipinas 2013 Winners Crowned!
(L-R) Pia Wurtzbach – 1st Runner Up; Joanna Cindy Miranda – Bb. Pilipinas Tourism International; Ariella Arida – Miss Universe Philippines; Bea Rose Santiago – Bb. Pilipinas International; Mutya Datul – Bb. Pilipinas Supranational
The Philippines’ representatives to 4 major international pageants were crowned at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines, Sunday night, April 14. The top winners include Ariella Arida (41), Miss Universe-Philippines; Bea Rose Santiago (20), Bb. Pilipinas-International; Joanna Cindy Miranda (16), Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism; Mutya Joahanna Datul (39) Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational and Pia Wurtzbach (15), 1st Runner Up.
The rest of the top 15 include Imelda Schweighart (45), Grace Yann Apuad (34), Charmaine Elima (13), Rhea Nakpil (43), Amanda Noelle Navasero (46), Ellore Noelle Punzalan (22), Camille Carla Nazar (12), Maria Angelica de Leon (31), Merry Joice Respicio (25) and Parul Shah (33).
Several special awards were also given to the following recipients:
Miss Friendship, Lourenz Grace Remetillo (21)
Miss Talent, Anna Carmela Aquino (10)
Best in National Costume, Alaine Baccay (37)
Manila Bulletin Readers’ Choice Award, Ellore Noelle Punzalan (22)
Bb Petron, Joanna Cindy Miranda (16)
Miss Photogenic, Mutya Johanna Datul (39)
Best in Evening Gown, Mutya Johanna Datul (39)
Best in Swimsuit, Ariella Arida (41)
Bb Pilipinas-PAGCOR, Imelda Schweighart (45)
Bb Philippine Airlines, Nicole Kim Donesa (4)
Bb Avon, Bea Rose Santiago (20)
Bb San Miguel Zero Fit and Sexy Body, Pia Wurtzbach (15)
Cream Silk Beyond Beautiful Woman Award, Joanna Cindy Miranda (16)
PAGEANT EXTRA 