Miss Intercontinental 2009 is...VENEZUELA

OFFICIAL RESULT

1 Venezuela Hannelys Zulay Quintero Ledezma (SF World 08)
2 Belarus Mariya Yesman
3 Puerto Rico Rosana Padro Melendez
4 Poland Anna Tarnowska (2nd RU International 08)
5 Curacao McKeyla Antoinette Magdalena Richards (World 07)

SEMI-FINALISTS

Bahamas Dashanique Latoya Poitier
Canada Nelly Abdel-Hadi
Ethiopia Hiwot Assefa Tesfaye
Georgia Lika Orjonikidze (Universe 09)
Honduras Leslie Gabriela Molina Kristoff (Earth 06)
Korea Cha Ye-lin (Earth 09)
Martinique Andy Gaelle Govindin
Peru Lourdes Massiel Vidal Rosado (International 08)
Swaziland Thembakazi Kamelu Hlophe
USA Stephanie Pagan

iFELICIDADES!

¡feliz cumpleaños, Osmel Sousa!

Osmel Ricardo Sousa Mancilla (born 26 September 1946) is a Venezuelan-Cuban impresario and the president of the Miss Venezuela Organization. Formerly an advertising draftsman, Osmel Sousa joined the Venezuelan Committee of Beauty in 1969. Sousa continued working with that committee when, in 1970, Ignacio Font Coll reconstituted it as the OPPA Advertising Agency, which in turn was the predecessor of the actual Miss Venezuela Organization.

In the 1970's, Osmel Sousa undertook advising selected contestants, many of whom went on to win the Miss Venezuela crown, at the same time he started designing nightgowns for most of the contestants.

In October 1981 Ignacio Font Coll died and Osmel Sousa became the president of the Miss Venezuela Organization. During his 25 year career he has been considered to be the driving force behind the large number of Miss Venezuelas who go on to become Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth. He has been called a Pygmalion, an artist who turns out talented and beautiful young women. To date, Venezuela has six Miss Universe titleholders, five Miss World winners, five Miss International crowns, and one win in Miss Earth, becoming the most successful pageant powerhouse in history.

Watch Miss Venezuela 2009 LIVE

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/miss-venezuela-2009-live

iHola! This is the first time I watch Miss Venezuela live via Ustream. First, I really love the Bollywood inspired opening with Jai Ho, very colourful and extremely cool. The producer is very clever: mixed Killing Me Softly, the official background song of this year Miss Venezuela with Indian style and in Spanish language. But one thing that I don't like is the new Miss Venezuela theme song Himno Miss Venezuela. Although the original lyric is not change so much but I still prefer the melody of On A Wonderful Day Like Today. Miss Zulia won Miss Internet.

Among the judges, I could recognize Moisés Kaswan - official dental surgeon of Miss Venezuela organization and Luis Trujillo from the Dominican Republic. I hope they will choose right girls. The musical performances make me exhausted (Oh dear!). The Internet is not so smooth but not too bad, standouts in the swimsuit competition: Aragua, Distrito Capital, Mérida, Miranda, Táchira, Trujillo and Zulia (I personally think she is the best this round). Miss Photogenic is Mérida and Miss Congeniality is Vargas.

The heat is up with appearance of Tito El Bambino from Puerto Rico. The Evening Gown competition is always my most favorite part in any beauty pageant. And the standouts in their evenining gowns included: Aragua, Distrito Capital, Miranda (very elegant, Stefania Fernandez 2.0?), Nueva Esparta, Táchira (When she smiles, she looks different; she is a perfect mixture of both Veruska Ramirez and Ly Jonaitis), Trujillo (Yes! Her gown is my #1 favorite. Love it!) and Zulia. Both Dayana and Stefania are gorgeous; but the reigning Miss Universe 2009 looks like a clown in that blue costume.

SEMI-FINALISTS:

1/Distrito Capital

2/ Mérida

3/ Trujillo

4/ Miranda

5/ Anzoátegui

6/ Aragua

7/ Amazonas

8/ Táchira

9/ Zulia

10/ Bolívar

FINALISTS:

1/ Táchira

2/ Trujillo

3/ Miranda

4/ Zulia

5/ Amazonas

RESULT:

Miss Venezuela 2009: Miranda

Miss Venezuela Mundo 2009: Zulia

Miss Venezuela Internacional 2009: Trujillo

Primera Finalista: Táchira

Segunda Finalista: Amazonas

The final result makes me extremly happy. My recent prediction has been improving (Miss Universe 2009: 73.33%; Nuestra Belleza México 2009: 80% and now Miss Venezuela: 87.5%). Especially, I have chosen right girls for Miss Universe (Miranda), Miss World (Zulia) and Miss International (Trujillo). Congratulations to all! Buenas noches!

Miss Venezuela 2009 of Mundial Beauties

First, let's compare MB's prediction for Nuestra Belleza México 2009 with the real result of said pageant. MB's prediction is 80% correct (12/15) and the number one bet, Miss Jalisco 1 - Jimena Navarrete is also eventually new Nuestra Belleza México 2009. It's a bit better than last month prediction for Miss Universe 2009 (11/15 or 73.33%)

MUNDIAL BEAUTIES - MISS VENEZUELA 2009

Remark: In the alphabetical order.

FINALISTAS

MUO President Paula Shugart responds to FAQs

... and much more!
by Rafa Delfin



Every year, I receive inquiries from fans about Miss Universe, how the pageant is produced, how the judges are screened and briefed, how the entertainers are selected, how much the franchise fees are, etc. And I always tell them that I really don't know and advise them to write directly to the Miss Universe Organization to find out for themselves. What better way to get answers than by asking MUO President Paula Shugart herself!

Two weeks ago, President Shugart responded to questions revolving around the 2009 results. This time, she extends her graciousness to respond to questions frequently asked by pageant fans, her reaction to the Mexicans who booed Rachel Smith, her take on Zuleyka Rivera and Scott Grossman, what the judges are looking for in Miss Universe, the story behind Dayana's topless pics, and much more. My follow-up phone interview with President Shugart was conducted on Wednesday evening, September 16th, and it lasted nearly an hour. Below is the transcript of our conversation.



RAFA: During the final Q & A segment, the top 5 used to respond to the same question, but in the last few years, each of the finalist is asked a different question? Why's that?
PMS: I'm a big proponent of the same question. It used to be the final three and they all answered the same question. And when our producers and the network opted to make the cut from 5 to 3, they felt that the same question and their response would be redundant by the time the third person answered it. They thought it wouldn't be good for television, so they opted for variety of questions. The idea behind this is that, whoever the winner would be - should be able to handle all kinds of questions, so she should really be able to take whatever comes your way.

RAFA: That makes sense. Though we all know that the judges focus more on the delivery of the response and not so much on the content or substance. That was the case with Oxana when she was asked, "What makes you blush?" Like that's pretty superficial! Her response certainly did not solve world peace! Is there any intention for MUO to increase the number of participating countries to get more international exposure? They always talk about not having enough airtime for too many delegates, but it seems to me that more nations means more exposure which would mean more revenue for you.
PMS: Actually, it doesn't. When I first started, we had a great audience - we were distributed to 90 countries. This year, we're in 192 countries and territories. That's unbelievable. I just got a note from a group in China that said that the show was spectacular and just beautiful. Comparing it to other pageants, they were amazed by its high definition and the quality of the production. Not more countries participating does not necessarily translate to large distribution. It's the quality of the show and the production value of the show that really counts.

RAFA: Speaking of China, when is the pageant going to be held there? (laughs)

PMS: I wouldn't be surprised to have the pageant there in the next couple of years.

RAFA: I think it's the only major pageant in the world that hasn't been held in China. I know that China is primarily Miss World territory, and another big pageant Miss Tourism Queen International is held there. What about Miss Universe?
PMS: Hey, when they're ready for the best- we'll be there! (laughs)

RAFA: There you go! Now in terms of the judges, how are they briefed exactly? I know you have a talent department that's responsible for screening the judges, but what do the judges do exactly during the briefing?
PMS: During the briefing, they're told a lot of things. Basically, they're told that we're looking for somebody that can represent the company. We talk about what Miss Universe does through the course of the years. It's really important to have somebody that can represent the company, somebody that has the demeanor and the stamina to be able to travel all the time and enjoy it at the same time. Obviously, we need somebody beautiful, but you can be beautiful and still not be able to fulfill your duties. We had that situation a few years ago when someone was not able to fulfill her duties.

RAFA: Even though she's considered by many pageant fans as the most beautiful Miss Universe ever? (laughs)

PMS: I'd say she's extremely beautiful, but it's a disservice not only to the company but also to the fans if you're not willing to go out and meet fans and be seen by the people that make the pageants what they are.

RAFA: Maybe nobody explained the contract to her! (laughs)

PMS: Ooooo-kay! (laughs) People! Please have plenty of time to read the contract! (laughs) But going back to the judges' briefing, we don't tell the judges that we're looking for a particular hair color or anything. We're just looking for someone who has that "it" factor, who is beautiful. One of the things that my mother used to say is that the eyes are the windows to the soul. I tell the judges that it's not a modeling competition, that the girls are not selling clothes but themselves. The girls have a really short time to meet with the judges and I ask the judges to take that moment to connect with and to get a sense of that person. Is she real? Is she too pageanty? Is she a genuine person? Is she somebody you want to talk to? Is she captivating? Everyone goes to the pageant with a certain vision of a Miss Universe. Does this person you see on stage, is she somebody that sets your image of what you think should be Miss Universe?

RAFA: Are the girls sequestered from the judges? Are the judges not allowed to mingle with them?
PMS: Before my time, they switched to the two-panel judging system, and the preliminary judges had the chance to meet with the contestants, so yeah, in a way the judges did mingle with the contestants.

RAFA: Are the judges also allowed the check the website for any information about the contestants?
PMS: Obviously, there's really no way to police that. We do advise the judges to be fair and even, and we certainly caution them to stay away from that and through the different television shows - it's almost impossible now to monitor the judges. Though I have to say that I have never met a judge who hasn't taken his job 100% seriously, so whether they've seen a contestant or not, they feel comfortable that it would in no way interfere with the judging of the contest.

RAFA: So in other words, you never had a judge who gave you a hard time or who didn't comply with the judging policies?
PMS: No, I think honestly the only time that we really had an issue - and I think you remember - was when Kwame came down to Ecuador. (***Kwame Jackson was one of the two final candidates in the first season of The Apprentice.)

RAFA: Of course, I remember that.
PMS: And even then, it was the first time he was at the hotel accidentally and we told him, "You need to stay away" and return to your hotel and then he came back later when the contestants got off the bus and we warned him that he was disregarding the rule: "You were here earlier and we understood that it was an accident, and now you came back."

RAFA: I read somewhere that Kwame was supposed to return the following year but he never did.
PMS: I think it was discussed, but honestly I can't even remember.

RAFA: Let's move on to entertainment. Can you fire the people who select the entertainers? (laughs). How many more rap artists are we going to see in the next years as entertainers? I mean, honestly Paula, I love rap music but I don't think it's compatible with the evening gown segment. Maybe swimsuit, but definitely not evening gown.
PMS: (laughs) We had rap music during evening gown this year.

RAFA: Yes, I know and I didn't like it! (laughs)

PMS: It was Kelly Rowland who performed.

RAFA: She's not even rap. She's hip-hop! (laughs)

PMS: I said she's not rap. (laughs) Uhhh... I mean...

RAFA: Bring back Lady Gaga! (laughs)

PMS: Nobody knew who Lady Gaga was when we booked her. (Photo of Lady Gaga)

RAFA: I was watching the Video Music Awards the other night and she had three wardrobe changes!
PMS: She's amazing! And we're glad we had her first. The hard thing is that there are so many masters here that we need to satisfy and it's great that we have our core fan base and you want to make sure that the network is happy and that they have their criteria that they're going for. I've got e-mails from people who said they really liked Flo Rida, some who didn't like him, but the songs he performed were obviously very hip songs, very popular songs that were easy to promote through the network. I mean, I'm sure that there are fans out there who want us to bring acts from the 70s, but it's hard because everybody has a different opinion on it. The Veronicas proved to be very popular this year in Miss USA, and what was good about that was that "60 Minutes Australia" followed them and included their performance on our telecast.

RAFA: That's terrific! Moving on... as you know, Miss Russia 2009 and Miss Australia 2006 made headlines for having taken nude photos before their respective pageats. Despite that, MUO allowed their participation. Why? Did they have a disadvantage of making the semifinals because of their photos?
PMS: I don't think they have a disadvantage. One of them, I really hesitate to talk about because it's a big issue. She was underage and there's a lot of issues that I cannot talk about. Though it seems that she was a victim of some sleazy photographer and agent. If she ever cares to tell her story, that's her prerogative but I don't feel comfortable talking about that. Internal decisions within MUO were made, but that did not play into a decision whether someone should go into the semis or not.

RAFA: On that note, Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza went topless for Maxim magazine. Just for the sake of argument, what if Miss India became Miss Universe and refused to do such a thing? Would MUO punish or fire her?
PMS: Actually, we would never be in the position to tell someone to take off their clothes. I don't know if you know the whole story about Dayana. That was a photoshoot she was doing in the Bahamas. She actually asked if she could have new photos for her portfolio. It was just one of those shoots that went really, really well and she was very happy with the photos. And that was just a request - to have her photos taken for a portfolio. It was a closed shoot - it was just her, the photographer and the makeup artist. When she got the photos, she was just thrilled and excited and they were pretty spectacular photos. She asked us a couple of times if she could use them. She wanted to be able to publish them, and Fadil gave her permission as long as they come out after Miss Universe. They were published in the September issue, so in theory she would have given up her crown but I think they released them ten days before the pageant. In the grand scheme of things it was probably good for the show and people talked about it, but that was definitely Dayana's request and it was strictly her decision and it wasn't us in anyway suggesting it. Stefania probably would not want to do that and we wouldn't even suggest it.

RAFA: So it depends on the girl.
PMS: Absolutely. We shot some Miss USAs who had asked us to take their photos, and even a couple of Miss Universes who had asked us to shoot them for their portfolios. You've got a very high end, $10,000 a day photographer (laughs), and they wonder when are they going to get that opportunity again. If they ask and if they feel comfortable and it's through the end of their reign... but this is the first time that somebody really asked us if they could have their topless photos taken.

RAFA: Well, that's good to know. Now, are you ready to talk about Zuleyka Rivera and what exactly happened? (laughs) Why did she look like she was ready to wage war during her final walk as Miss Universe? (laughs)

PMS: (laughs) You really have to talk to Zuleyka. Uhhh...

RAFA: She's one of my Facebook "friends" and I sent her an e-mail but she never replied.
PMS: Well, she's doing really, really well right now and I'm really proud of her. (Photo of Zuleyka Rivera)

RAFA: She's in Mexico!
PMS: Yeah, she's in Mexico. Before we went down there to do the show, I think during the last weeks of your reign there is a natural panic of what to expect. I mean I can't even imagine what it's like to be Miss Universe or Miss USA... One moment you're Miss Universe, and then it's over.

RAFA: During her final speech, Zuleyka gave thanks to everybody except Roston! (laughs) Come on, you have all the dirt! Tell me! (laughs)

PMS: (laughs) I'm not gonna give dirt... though I will say this. I did receive a couple of nice notes from Zuleyka and so did Roston and so everybody recently.

RAFA: So everybody kissed and made up?
PMS: Everybody kissed and made up. Honestly, it's tough when you're so geared... Zuleyka was 18...

RAFA: So is Stefania. So was Amelia Vega!
PMS: I'm only talking about Zuleyka right now... it's really tough. She was extremely skinny when she won, and she started gaining weight. She was traveling so much and it was really hard to get her into a schedule, and that's what is hard because everybody is so geared towards the pageant and winning the pageant. You don't realize that you will have 12-hour or 18-hour days and that the job could be very, very stressful. Honestly, I think Zuleyka was absolutely amazing and beautiful and I am proud of her. I had to her during that pageant (2007) that Mexico could be her new home. Zuleyka is a perfectionist and she would be the first one to criticize herself.

RAFA: I heard it was Magali Febles' fault. It was Magali who forced Zuleyka to swallow all those diet pills! (laughs)

PMS: You know what, I really have not heard of that! (laughs)

RAFA: Moving on!
PMS: Yeah, let's move on! I have never heard of that one! (laughs)

RAFA: By the way, what was your reaction to the Mexicans who constantly booed Miss USA Rachel Smith in 2007?
PMS: She did handle it very well. You know, we received so many letters from Mexico, some from people who said, "This is not a true reflection of our country." The booing came from a small vocal group, and I don't think you should say, "Oh, this is Mexico."

RAFA: Yeah, but they were very loud!
PMS: They definitely got the most attention in the auditorium, but everyone I talked to said that it was terrible.

RAFA: I think it's a natural inclination for the majority of Latino fans. It's funny because on the message boards, Filipino fans could be very diabolical, really catty and bitchy, but when they actually physically attend the pageant, they become the most behaved pageant fans in the world. And you compare them with the Latino fans who are very, very loud, very rowdy, on the message boards and in the actual pageant.
PMS: The best way for me to relate to this is through soccer. In the Latino community, you'll find a lot of passion in just about everything. That's why pageants do so well because everybody is so passionate about their queen. They're passionate about their soccer team. I don't know if you knew that Rachel had gone to Chicago to attend the Gold Cup final between Mexico and USA. All the press from Mexico recognized her and she said, "I'm here to root for the U.S. team because I know what they went through." Sure enough, the U.S. team won. The next day - I think it was in La Reforma - the front page had a picture of Rachel with the caption, "The U.S. men's national soccer team restored Miss USA's honor."

RAFA: That's so sweet!
PMS: Yeah, it had a happy ending!

RAFA: Let's talk about the franchise fees. I get this question over and over again. How are Miss Universe franchise fees calculated per country? Who decides how much is enough? Honestly, do higher paying nations have a higher chance of placing?
PMS : I'm not gonna go how the license fees are calculated but I will say there's no way a franchise fee is a factor in determining who's going to place. And one of the things that I say to the judges is that there's no sash factor. "Don't let the audience affect your decision. Don't listen to any noise in the crowd. Don't listen to pageant fans or family members of the contestants looking at you."

RAFA: Okay, so if someone has any questions about franchise, tell them to contact Annette? (laughs) (***Annette Cammer is the Director of International Licensing)

PMS: Exactly! Yeah, I saw this thing if we take PayPal! (laughs)

RAFA: (laughs) I have a good friend who's very interested in the Egypt franchise. Egypt hasn't placed in Miss Universe in the 56-year history of the pageant, and he wants to take over the franchise. How much is it? (laughs)

PMS: (laughs) It's kinda like the Delaware Curse... did you see (Miss) Delaware's video? I thought that was hysterical!

RAFA: Yeah, that was hilarious! Oh, by the way, why was choreographer Scott Grossman let go?
PMS: It's sort of a network decision. Scott and I are very good friends. I love Scott. We share the same birthday. The network wanted to get away from dance. Most people in the audience that they were going for thought that the older dance numbers were never quite they should be or they should be eliminated and try to make it more like a fashion show feel. So that was just really more like a creative change and nothing personal about Scott. (Photo of Scott Grossman)

RAFA: Has NBC shown interest in extending their contract with MUO to continue broadcasting Miss USA and Miss Universe past 2010?
PMS: Oh, gosh yes! In fact, one of my phone calls tonight was that we were actually talking about our future host site.

RAFA: What's gonna happen with Miss Teen USA?
PMS: The webcast was very successul and we're trying different ways now to maximize it. Did you see the stream?

RAFA: Yeah, I saw it.
PMS: We received a lot of great feedback and that might be something we would have to exploit further for the teen market since more and more advertisers are looking to really do things on the web. So we're definitely looking into this option and doing a bigger show on the web.

RAFA: Okay, so just because the teen pageant is not shown on TV doesn't mean that the pageant is kaput, dead.
PMS: No, not at all. The pageant was very successful this year. As a matter of fact, Stormi (Henley) was in my office earlier today and she's about to start school a the New York Film Academy.

RAFA: Wonderful! Now... do Albania and Kosovo's placement in the Top 15 had something to do with Fadil Berisha as being the national director for both countries? (laughs)

PMS: (laughs) Fadil is not the national director for either country.

RAFA: That's what I thought!
PMS: It's a modeling agency/magazine in Albania. You know, obviously Fadil knows them well. Fadil is considered a hero in Kosovo; he's really well-known there. He was very big in helping the country during the war. He's such a great, great guy and he gets excited about things. Albania first competed in 2002, I believe...

RAFA: Yes, with Anisa Kospiri.
PMS: Wow! You're very good with names! I remember she placed in the top 10 that year. And then Albania placed again in 2008, so we're talking about 6 years without placement. So I would say that the Fadil factor is not that great ! (laughs)

RAFA: Is there one question that you want people to ask you and that no one has, and what would you respond?
PMS: Hmmm... that's really good. You know - I think the one thing I want people to know - the one common denominator for everybody here is that everyone really cares and they really care about each young woman that comes through here. It's so easy to be on the other side and criticizing and cooking up conspiracies and asking many things such as "Why do we do this?" or whatever... I just hope that someday people will know that all the intentions are good, and sometimes you don't know the back story. I think I'm trying to be more public so that people will know what goes on. Actually, some of the questions you e-mailed me a couple of years ago that I would've never been able to type the answers to - there were a couple of questions there that I could easily answer. You had mentioned how we were able to do the interviews at the beginning of the show. With a two-hour telecast, we used to be able to the interviews in previous years, and you asked why we can't do them now. During the 2000 telecast, CBS at that time cut 4 minutes from the telecast, then we were told we were to cut 4 minutes of program time. Then at that point that was when the interviews first went away. Then when we went with NBC, we probably have 6 minutes less, maybe 7 minutes, which is a lot. That's how network television is now. Now, do people want us to go back to a top 10 and take 5 girls out?

RAFA: No! Keep the top 15, or better yet a top 20! (laughs)

PMS: (laughs) Well, you sort of have to weigh that and say, okay because... when NBC first bought us, I pushed for a top 15 after the first show and then you kinda have to weigh that because there are so many things in the show, where wherever location we had video we had to show, and there's a lot of different things in less time.

RAFA:If you have like 95 countries next year, it would be great if you could have a top 20.
PMS: Right. But what do I do about timing if I have a minute less than I had this year?

RAFA: Uh, well... cut down all those entertainment! (laughs) Just kidding!
PMS: (laughs) Well, I think you have to have music...

RAFA: Well, let the girls themselves perform, for Pete's sake, like in the olden days! They would sing and dance and memorize a new song written for them. Like in the olden days when Bob Barker used to host it.
PMS: Bob Baker was a great host. But based on our research on pageant viewers, that's one of the biggest things that they didn't like. And that was the biggest turn off for them.

RAFA: Bob Barker?
PMS: No, not Bob Barker, but the song and dance number. They thought it was little hokey.

RAFA: The olden days!
PMS: Those were your words, not mine! (laughs) .. Let me just see while I have you, uh, I wanna make sure if there are any more questions on your original list because I felt really bad not answering them...

RAFA: Yeah, somebody sent me pics of the girls who were not called in the top 20. Someone had taken pictures of the remaining girls backstage and they were seen lying on the floor and eating next to trash bins.

PMS: I remember that! That was in 2006 at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A.

RAFA: Yeah, some of the girls were on the floor munching on donuts...
PMS: They were sitting on the floor and watching the monitors. I used to work at Shrine Auditorium for years and it's one of the oldest and largest theaters in the United States. That's where they do the American Music Awards, and the Grammys and everything, and that whole basement area was always where the talent hang out during the show and I think that was not the best possible photo, but it's obviously an old theater. It wasn't like we kept people locked in a cage. I remember when I used to work there before... Stevie Wonder was down there... actually I even saw Michael Jackson in his heyday! We work with the facilities we have; it was clean and there were a lot of chairs because that was the makeup area, so all of the contestants had chairs. The fact that they decided to gather in front of the monitor and they didn't pull up chairs... but that was the makeup area downstairs.

RAFA: It's just so funny to see the table filled with donuts and other junk food! (laughs)

PMS: I know. We had someone take a picture of Zuleyka eating a Snickers bar just before she went on the air.

RAFA: Are you in good terms with Alicia Machado? She's been dissing Miss Universe lately.
PMS: Really?

RAFA: Well, yeah! She also dissed Lupita Jones because she thinks Lupita is not doing a good job as the director of Mexico.
PMS: I think Lupita is doing a great job.

RAFA: I think so, too.
PMS: I know Lupita well and I don't take anybody takes a job more seriously than Lupita and nobody is more disappointed when her titleholder did not place. (Photo of Lupita Jones)

RAFA: Why has the pageant not been held in Venezuela?
PMS: Honestly, I really don't think that the government is looking to bring the pageant there. Maybe someday. Certainly, when I first came here, I had meetings; I went down there with Maureen Reidy... which is one of the things that I find so odd is that when people say that we have business dealings with Venezuela...

RAFA: (laughs) Maybe because of oil!
PMS: I don't necessarily think that the relationship between the U.S. and the Chavez government has improved. When the timing is right... but I just don't think it's right right now.

RAFA: It would be great to hold the pageant in Brazil.
PMS: Oh, I love Brazil! There are a lot of good things happening in Brazil right now.

RAFA: Or even in Europe! Sweden, Denmark, Norway!
PMS: (laughs) I know what you're doing! You're tying to get information from me! (laughs)... I can't find your old e-mail!

RAFA: That's fine. No big deal. That was like three years ago.
PMS: I know, but I understand... I think it was Roston that came in one day. I don't know if he saw your site or something, and he said, "You know, they're mad that you've never e-mailed them!" (laughs)

RAFA: Oh, actually, talk about mad... let's talk about your security people. I remember when William (Prendiz de Jurado) covered the pageant in 2007, he mentioned that your security people were so strict and so rude.
PMS: Actually, the one in 2007 was a different group. We've had a new security personnel in the last two years and I think they've been very good. I think that's a thankless job because security - nobody cares what you're doing until something goes wrong. My father being an admiral and my uncle being in CIA, I tend to fee sorry for those who are stuck in detecting others.

RAFA: In other words, the new security staff is more lenient?
PMS: I wouldn't say lenient, I mean it's hard, and you have to walk a fine line.

RAFA: So if you're a national director, can you approach your girl and help her with something?
PMS: Well, it depends on what time... because if we allow people to just come whenever, it would be crazy.

RAFA: So when are you going to retire?
PMS: When am I going to retire? You know, I love what I'm doing. There are still many things I'd like to accomplish in the next few years. I really feel that I have the greatest job in the world. I'm really, really blessed. Long hours and lots of traveling, but I'm loving it. I really like where the company is going, we have a lot of support from the network and a lot of support from Mr. Trump. So...

RAFA: Do you have your own private jet? (laughs) Or do you take commercial flights?

PMS: Yeah, like I need to renegotiate my salary! (laughs) No, I don't have a private jet, but I'd like to have one!

RAFA: I mean, come on, do you take economy?
PMS: Actually, most of the time when I go to L.A. I'm the JetBlue queen now. JetBlue was great going to the Bahamas.

RAFA: Wonderful.
PMS: Well, is there anything else you want to ask me? Did I set the record straight? Is there something else that pageant fans want to know?

RAFA: Nope, but when I think of something else, I'll probably ask you in person when I go there.
PMS: I appreciate your asking the questions. You're great to talk to.

RAFA: Well, thank you!
PMS: We're nothing without the pageant fans.

RAFA: Well in that case, you should acknowledge the pageant fans in your programme books! I don't think you do. (laughs)

PMS: Gosh, if you're going to be hypercritical about everything! (laughs) Okay, I'll make a note here... to our programme book people. You will see it in our next programme book.

RAFA: Why thank you! (laughs) Well, thank you so much again...
PMS: Sure. Have a good night and say hi to Bosco.

RAFA: I will! Take care. Goodbye.
PMS: Bye.

End of interview.

***Original date of publication: 9/21/2009

PHOTO CREDITS: Latin Media & Entertainment Commission, People en Español, Lady Gaga Official Site, Dance Big Productions, Jolancephoto.com


SEPTEMBER 2009

Nuestra Belleza México 2009 of Mundial Beauties

Miss Unibarse 2009 - Batch 8

Miss Unibarse 2009 (or Miss Universe Barbie) will be held in the Dominican Republic. Over 100 countries and territories will compete for the most prestigious title of doll pageant. 50 semi-finalists had been chosen (See them here). Right now, vote for your favorites in the batch 8. Meet the last group fighting for the last 5 spots for the TOP 51 chosen by the public!

In the batch 7; 4 favorites of Mundial Beauties included Costa Rica, Greece, New Zealand and Nigeria are eventually go to the next round. A shocking news, heavy favorite Miss Spain failed to make the cut. Miss Spain put on a good fight in the voting polls till the very last hour just to be upstaged by Miss Costa Rica by a very narrow margin! The official result for batch7: Greece (5275 votes), Indonesia (3275 votes), Nigeria (2577 votes), New Zealand (2017 votes) and Costa Rica (1557 votes). Congratulations to all!

There would be 50 dollegates that will be allowed to enter the preliminary competition. The 40 dollegates will be based on the highest vote getters from each batch (8 batches), the remaining 10 dollegates will be chosen by the Miss Unibarse Organization. You can only vote every 5 minutes. So please use your vote wisely.

Official website

Mundial Beauties' top 5 favorites of this batch in random order:

VENEZUELA (Vote for her)

iHola! Veruska Ramirez y Martina Thorogood!

FRANCE (Vote for her)

Who are you? Chloé Mortaud or Veronique De La Cruz?

INDIA (Vote for her)

Very exotic Miss India!

SOUTH AFRICA (Vote for her)

She reminds me of Claudia Henkel!

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (Vote for her)

Is that you, Iman? (Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid)

CAST YOUR VOTE NOW. THANK YOU!

The poll will be closed on September 22, 2009 (US Time)

Controversial Miss Universe 2009 continues...

• NO CHANGE : MUO owner Donald Trump declared that he will not change the rules regarding the selection of Miss Universe in the light of allegations claiming that this year's six semifinalists had been preselected by him. "I am not going to change anything!" the magnate said via a press release as a response to questions asked by many people including Ada Aimée de la Cruz, Miss Dominican Republic who is first runner-up. Trump also said, "When I purchased Miss Universe twelve years ago, it was a sick puppy. Now the pageant is seen in more than 180 countries around the world and the rating has skyrocketed." (People en Español, 9/11/2009)

• A RACIST PAGEANT : An unconventional Miss India with short hair and six tattoos, Ekta Chaudhary (photo) wonders if Bollywood is ready to accept her atypical looks and personality in case she decides to follow in the footsteps of many of her famous predecessors. She also sees an element of “racism” in no Asian girl making it to the final 15 of the Miss Universe pageant in the Bahamas last month. “I am not like other models who have long hair. I have six tattoos and I am not planning to grow my hair in the near future. This makes me very different from my contemporaries and even if I wish to work in Bollywood some day, I’m wondering whether there would be a role to suit my unconventional looks,” Ekta told IANS in an interview.

While she was sad at not making it to the top, Ekta said that representing India at the international level was an honour in itself. “Well, I felt sad but not really disappointed. I was there to represent India and it was an honour for me to do so. What was disheartening was that none of the Asian girls made it to the final 15. It was a shock for all of us,” the 22-year-old beauty said. “There were definitely many beautiful girls around. But aren’t Asian girls beautiful? There should have been at least one Asian girl in the final list. It is ridiculous! If such things happen in an international pageant then we have every right to call them racist,” she added.

According to Ekta, the women who were eliminated from the list of the finalists were not given a fair chance. “We didn’t get the opportunity to walk the ramp in front of millions of people... be it the audience or the people back home glued to their television screens. The decision was made and people didn’t even get to see us. It was not at all fair because at least one should have got the opportunity to watch us on the ramp,” the Miss India rued. (Thaindian, 9/13/2009)

• WHAT'S FADIL GOT TO DO WITH IT? The press continues to impose its allegations that this year's Miss Universe officials results had been rigged. Now, they're saying that MUO photographer Fadil Berisha might have influenced Trump and the judges to select two of his girls, Miss Albania Hasna Xhukici and Miss Kosovo Gona Dragusha, as semifinalists. Both women were in New York City for several weeks preparing for the pageant in the Bahamas and were receiving instructions from the famous photographer, who is of Albanian descent. It was also reported that Berisha is the national director for both countries.(People en Español, 9/9/2009)

(Courtesy of Critical Beauty)

Gala de la Belleza del Miss Venezuela 2009

MISS VENEZUELA

MISS VENEZUELA MUNDO

MISS VENEZUELA INTERNACIONAL

Special awards

Best Face - Marelisa Gibson (Miranda)

Best Body - Patricia de Andrade (Distrito Capital)

Most Beautiful Hair - Esmeralda Yaniche (Barinas)

Best Catwalk - Mariángela Bonanni (Táchira)

Miss Personality - María de Luz Da Silva (Mérida)

Miss Diva - Adriana Vasini (Zulia)

Best Skin - Flory Diez (Anzoátegui)