Miss Universe Kosovo 2016 - Camila Barraza

A girl from Argentina , Camila Barraza has been elected Miss Universe Kosovo 2016

The beauty from Buenos Aires , managed to snatch the crown of the beauty of Kosovo were competing in the show where 15 lovely from the territories of Kosovo.

The question before the announcement of the winner is " How would represent Kosovo if you are from Argentina ? " , She  said it will lobby its country to recognize Kosovo as a state.

The spectacle of beauty " Miss Kosovo 2016 " , She will represent Kosovo in the upcoming Miss Universe 2016 to be held on January 30, 2017 in Manila, Philippines.

NU Muses - The Search Is On

NU MUSES Modeling Agency is currently holding a poll to choose the Top 20 models.

3 Miss Universe alumnae (all finished in the Top 3) are battling out the other seasoned and amateur models: Dayana Mendoza, Janine Tugonon, Olivia Jordan.

From the founder of treats! Magazine, Steve Shaw, and photographer David Bellemere, comes a global model search to discover the first NU MUSES – 12 of the world’s most modern and inspiring beauties to be photographed for a luxurious and timeless photographic calendar. A millennial take on the classic Pirelli calendar of the 1970’s, NU MUSES will reestablish “the nude” as fine art to grace the walls of art galleries and collectors’ portfolios. The calendar will be launched at a VIP event during Art Basel Miami in December 2016 at an exclusive art gallery exhibition. Showcasing 24 stunning images, NU MUSES will be celebrated and gain worldwide exposure. In addition, the whole process will be shot for an hour & a half documentary to be shown in 2017 on one of the largest TV networks in the USA, and later distributed worldwide. Voting is from Sept. 9 to 17th.

May Thaw - Miss Universe's Best Friend

Who will forget the infamous May Thaw? :) Miss Universe Myanmar 2015, although she didn’t crack the top 16,  she made waves when she was considered by the current Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach as her Bff, (Best Friends Forever) during the 2015 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas.

May Barani Thaw  (born August 19 1990) is a Burmese model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Myanmar 2015 and represented Myanmar at the Miss Universe 2015 Pageant.

Thaw previously competed at the Miss International Myanmar 2014 pageant and placed as the 1st Runner-up. The winner of the contest was replaced by Thaw after the winner withdrew from Miss International 2014 pageant in Tokyo due to personal reasons. In 2015, Thaw was crowned Miss Myanmar 2015 and competed at the Miss Universe 2015 pageant.

On December 20, 2015, she failed to place in the semi-finals. She was also a roommate of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach while in Las Vegas.  But are we going to see Myanmar finally place on this years Miss Universe edition?  i'm so really looking forward into it.

Miss France 2016 a Miss Universe or Miss World Material

The 22 years old beauty, Iris Mittenaere was crowned as Miss France in a recently concluded beauty pageant, making a back to back win for Nord-Pas-de-Calais, succeeding Camille Cerf both as Miss France as well as Miss Nord-Pas-de-Calais. While the organization is yet to confirm Iris’s participation at either Miss World or Miss Universe, Iris perfectly fits in the bill of a Miss World delegate.

Iris Mittenaere was only 3 years old when her parents decided to split their ways! Having seen the rupture of affectionate bonds, Iris is quite altruistic when it comes to contributing to a noble cause. She fights for the right of education of girls, access to health care and dental needs through her aid to many Non-Profitable Organizations. In addition, she is also engaged in several associations like Dent’icap and Welcome-Tongasoa, besides building bush schools alongside serving to an orphanage and a free clinic. Since, Miss World gives high heed to the charity projects, and works to broach a “Beauty with a Purpose” Iris would surely not go unheeded at the pageant.

At present, she is in her fifth year at the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the University of Lille II. After completing her reign as Miss France, Iris aspires to continue her education and become a surgeon dentist. Miss World organization has always loved medical students and doctors. Not far back, Rolene Strauss, who is a medical student in South Africa, was crowned as Miss World 2014.

Miss International Sweden is now Maria Taipaleenmäki

Maria Taipaleenmäki is the new Miss International Sweden. This is after Clara Långsjö the original winner for yet unknown reasons was dethroned.

She is an 18 year old beauty from Halmstad who won the Miss Earth Sweden 2015 title. Maria has represented Sweden in the last edition of Miss Earth 2015 that was held in Vienna, Austria.

Sweden is yet to win their first Miss International crown, will this year be lucky year for Maria?  We’ll find out soon on the pageant night.  Good Luck

Road to Miss Universe Myanmar 2016

Myanmar, once a reclusive nation crippled with US-led sanctions thanks to the former military regime, made a comeback to Miss Universe in 2013 after more than 50 years of absence. It is not an easy return since its neighboring countries are way ahead of establishing themselves as a powerhouse status or successful ones and so Myanmar is really trying to catch up with its neighbors for the achievement in coming years. The Miss Universe Myanmar Org is working hard on that to crown the right girl for the most anticipated pageant in the universe.

This year, in order to give more preparation time for the girl who wins, the national pageant has now started 1 year before competing abroad and hence she will be one of the earliest contestants for the next edition of Miss Universe. MUMO successfully holds 19 city pageants across the country under its directorship which exceeds that of last year. Moreover the final audition took place in the city of Yangon last month choosing 7 more girls thus making 26 girls are vying for the coveted crown. The Miss Universe Myanmar 2017 finals is set to be in October 6. The rightful winner will represent Myanmar in Miss Universe 2016 in Manila while the 1st runner-up will compete in Miss Grand International 2017. 

Miss Universe Guam 2016 and Miss International Guam 2016 Crowned

Miss Universe Guam 2016, Muñeka Taisipic (left) & her first runner up (right) and Miss International Guam 2016 Annalen Buan! Congratulations! You both will definitely represent us well!  Muñeka will represent Guam in Miss Universe 2016 to be held in Manila, Philippines, meanwhile, Buan will try her luck at the Miss International 2016 in Tokyo, Japan later this year. 

NYFW has officially Started for Miss Universe and Miss USA

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach and Miss USA 2016 Deshauna Barber attends E! + ELLE + IMG Party to celebrate the opening of NYFW and Patricia Field Art/Fashion Gallery at Santina on September 7, 2016 in New York City. 

Visit the official Miss Universe account to watch their live streaming starting tomorrow.

Miss Universe Thailand 2016 - Chalita Suansane

In 2005, Thailand hosted Miss universe Pageant again after the year 1992, Chananporn Rosjan, Miss Thailand Universe 2005, won the Best National Costume award in her country. She is the first Miss Thailand Universe that received the special award at Miss universe Pageant.

In Miss Universe Pageant 2006 at Los Angeles, Charm Osathanond was placed in the Top 20. She was the first Thailand's semi-finalist in 18 years after Porntip Nakhirunkanok has done in 1988. Osathanond was also the first Miss Thailand Universe who got a placement at Miss Universe Pageant.

In Mexico City where Miss Universe 2007 was held, Farung Yuthithum was one of the semi-finalists in the Top 15 round, which made Thailand called-in the semi-finalist two years in a row.

In Miss Universe 2015, Aniporn Chalermburanawong placed in the Final 10, making her Thailand's first placement in eight years, and first Top 10 in 27 years.

This year, Chalita "Namtan" Suansane was crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2016 at Siam Paragon, Bangkok. The 21-year-old Samut Prakan native won 1 million baht in cash and will represent Thailand at the international Miss Universe 2016 beauty pageant.

Mall Of Asia Arena - Miss Universe 2016 Venue - Manila, Philippines

The Mall of Asia Arena, the latest and biggest venture to rise at the foremost entertainment and retail destination—the Mall of Asia Complex—is figuratively and quite literally an architectural “eyecon.” Priding itself on exceptional and world-standard amenities unique in all of Southeast Asia, the Mall of Asia Arena shall perfect the integrated shopping and entertainment experience at the Mall of Asia complex—a commitment linked to its vision of “Changing the Game, Elevating Entertainment”.

Owned by SM Investments Corporation and managed by SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc., also the managing arm of SM Cinema, the Mall of Asia Arena began construction in 2010. The distinctive eye-shaped facade symbolizes the Mall of Asia's Arena’s promise of delivering top-notch entertainment to its audience.

According to Mr. Edgar C. Tejerero, President of SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc., the Sy family, headed by SM Group of Companies magnate Henry Sy, Sr., is very much involved in the project. The aesthetics of the Mall of Asia Arena were thoroughly conceptualized and the details of the construction, well studied. Apart from its vision to promote local talents, Mr. Tejerero added that, with the Mall of Asia Arena in the Mall of Asia complex grounds, it is a hope that Manila will soon become a choice promoters and tourist destination for entertainment and sporting events.

The Mall of Asia Arena Houses Cutting-edge Facilities

With a land area of an impressive 64,085 square meters, the Mall of Asia Arena is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and world-class facilities. The Mall of Asia Arena’s eye-shaped exterior seeks to channel the message that every single event to be held in its premises will surely be a “feast for the eye”.

The Mall of Asia Arena, with its massive all-glass facade, can accommodate a seating capacity of 15,000, with a full-house capacity of 20,000. This five-level ultramodern events venue also boasts of Robbins floorings, eight-sided, center-hung scoreboards by Daktroniks, retractable Spalding basketball goals and LED ribbon boards—all of NBA standards. CCTV cameras will be provided by Mobotix, the same company that equips the Vatican Apostolic Library at the Vatican with professional-grade, high-resolution security devices.

The Mall of Asia Arena also employs the leading plug-and-play set-up that can enable live beaming through SM Cinema theatres nationwide.

For its patrons’ maximum convenience, the Mall of Asia Arena is designed with 16 comfortable smoking lounges. For ease-of-access, there are 10 elevators available in the premises. 34 units of escalators are also employed, with 8 units in each of the floors. To add, special access lanes for PWDs are also provided for.

To comply with international standards, the Mall of Asia Arena also has four dug-outs, a mess hall for an event's technical team, a room exclusive for press conferences, and even a special area for meet-and-greet-affairs.

Parking-wise, the Mall of Asia Arena has more than 2,000 parking spaces located on the south side of the mall, with an additional 1,400 more accessible at the neighboring Mall of Asia Arena Annex (MAAX) building.

Miss World Japan 2016 Controversy

Priyanka Yoshikawa, Miss World Japan 2016, whose father is an Indian and mother a Japanese, faces backlash after many complained that Miss Japan has to be "pure" Japanese rather than "half".

A 22-year-old with an Indian father and a Japanese mother was crowned Miss Japan on Monday, furthering racial equality in the country.

Priyanka Yoshikawa's tearful victory comes a year after Ariana Miyamoto faced an ugly backlash for becoming the first black woman to represent Japan.

Social media lit up after Ms. Miyamoto's trailblazing triumph as critics complained that Miss Universe Japan should instead have been won by a "pure" Japanese rather than a "haafu" — the Japanese for "half", a word used to describe mixed race.

"Before Ariana, haafu girls couldn't represent Japan," Ms. Yoshikawa told AFP in an interview.

"That's what I thought too. I didn't doubt it or challenge it until this day. Ariana encouraged me a lot by showing me and showing all mixed girls the way."

“We are Japanese”

Ms. Yoshikawa, born in Tokyo to an Indian father and a Japanese mother, vowed to continue the fight against racial prejudice in homogenous Japan, where multiracial children make up just two per cent of those born annually.

"I think it means we have to let it in," she said when asked what it signified for her and Miyamoto to break down cultural barriers.

"We are Japanese. Yes, I'm half Indian and people are asking me about my 'purity' — yes, my dad is an Indian and I'm proud of it, I'm proud that I have Indian in me. But that does not mean I'm not Japanese."

Ms. Yoshikawa, like Ms. Miyamoto, was bullied because of her skin colour after returning to Japan aged 10 following three years in Sacramento and a further year in India.

Gandhi visit

"I know a lot of people who are haafu and suffer," said Ms. Yoshikawa, an avid kick-boxer whose politician great-grandfather once welcomed Mahatma Gandhi for a two-week stay at their home in Kolkata.

"We have problems, we've been struggling and it hurts. When I came back to Japan, everyone thought I was a germ," she added. "Like, if they touched me they would be touching something bad. But I'm thankful because that made me really strong."

Ms. Yoshikawa, who speaks fluent Japanese and English and towered over her rivals at 5'8", will contest for the Miss World crown in Washington this December.

"When I'm abroad, people never ask me what mix I am," said Ms. Yoshikawa, who earned her elephant trainer's licence recently.

"As Miss Japan, hopefully I can help change perceptions so that it can be the same here too. The number of people with mixed race is only going to increase, so people have to accept it."

Reaction to Ms. Yoshikawa's victory failed initially to trigger any real outrage, although predictably some were unhappy.

"What's the point of holding a pageant like this now? Zero national characteristics," grumbled one Twitter user, while another fumed: "It's like we're saying a pure Japanese face can't be a winner."

As the Japanese government continues to push its "Cool Japan" brand overseas to entice foreign tourists for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Yoshikawa promised to win over any doubters.

"There was a time as a kid when I was confused about my identity," she admitted. "But I've lived in Japan so long now I feel Japanese."

Credits to: Thehindu.com

Miss Universe Australia - surrounded by scandals right after being crowned as MUAU

Another pageant, another crowning and yet another controversy. We are talking about the newly crowned Miss Universe Australia 2016 Caris Tiivel. Caris was crowned on 31st August 2016 but within few days of her crowning Caris’ topless photos started doing rounds on internet.

The picture was published in black and white, wherein the 23 years old model is seen posing in just a spotted sarong tied around her waist. In another picture, her long waves were seen protecting her modesty as she dons a smouldering gaze at the camera. With these two pictures, the newly crowned beauty queen had found herself surrounded by scandals. 

Credits to: angelopedia

Roshmitha Harimurthy is Miss Universe India 2016

At the gala finale of Miss Diva 2016 held on 1st September 2016 at DOME, Mumbai, India, Roshmitha Harimurthy has been crowned as the winner. Roshmitha succeeds the Miss Universe India 2015 Urvashi Rautela, and will now represent India at the Miss Universe 2016 pageant. 

Roshmitha was a contestant at the Femina Miss India 2015 and made it to the Top 5 finalists at the pageant. The finale of Miss Diva 2016 was hosted by Vir Das and former Miss Universe, Lara Dutta. The panel of jury comprised of renowned Bollywood (Indian cinema) celebrities, Gaurav Gupta, Arjun Rampal, Abhay Deol and Aditi Rao Hydari.

At the same pageant, Srinidhi Shetty was adjudged first runner-up, and might represent the country at the Miss Supranational 2016 pageant, and Aradhana Buragohain was titled as the second runner-up. 

What are your thoughts guys?

Just In !!

21 years old - Alena Belova from Vinnytsia is  Miss Earth Ukraine 2016 at Miss Ukraine 2016 contest and will representing Ukraine at Miss Earth 2016 in Manila, Philippines in October.

Steve Harvey No More ?

The Philippine President don’t want Steve Harvey hosting the Miss Universe Pageant in Manila!

MANILA, Philippines – If President Rodrigo Duterte gets his way, Steve Harvey won't be hosting Miss Universe 2016.

According to Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, Duterte expressed disapproval when he was told Harvey would be hosting given his contract with the Miss Universe Organization.

"When I told the President about that, negative agad. Ang sabi niya, 'Hindi puwede!'" said Teo on Thursday, September 1, during a press conference at Malacañang Palace.

(When I told the President about that, he gave a negative response. He said, "That can't be!")

Duterte might even raise the issue with the Miss Universe Organization himself.

"That's what he told me: 'I'm going to talk to Miss Universe because I don't want him to be the host of the Miss Universe,'" related Teo.

The Tourism Secretary, who championed the Philippines' hosting of the pageant, said she would tell the Miss Universe Organization about the President's concerns.

"Yes of course, I will tell them," she told reporters.

But because of Harvey's 5-year contract to host the pageant, it's possible he will still host the event despite Duterte's misgivings. If so, Teo would find a way to appease the President.

"Siguro that is what I'm going to do para hindi talaga magagalit ang president, siguro maglalagay ako ng girl from the Philippines [who] will co-host," she said, adding the co-host might be from the media.

(Maybe that's what I'm going to do so that the President won't get mad, maybe I will choose a girl from the Philippines who will co-host.)

Harvey, when he hosted Miss Universe 2015, infamously misread the name of the first placer, making the audience think it was Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez who won the crown. His mistake, many pageant-watchers said, ruined the moment of the real winner, Miss Philippines and now Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.

Teo said Miss Universe 2016 will take place on January 30, 2017, but candidates will start arriving in the country on January 13.

The Department of Tourism has identified Metro Manila as the venue for the main events while "ancillary" events will be held in Davao City, Cebu City, Iloilo City, and Vigan City.

Source: Rappler.com