Category: Miss Pageants

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VIDEO: Interview with Ashley Smith – Miss International 2010

I had the amazing opportunity to interview the current Miss International 2010 - Ashley Smith.  Ashley is quite an accomplished young lady!  Not only has she has won 2 national titles (including Miss International 2010 of course), but she was on the dance team for the NBA's Houston Rockets, and graduated law school this summer.  But don't let her superlatives fool you...she's one SILLY girl šŸ™‚  I was fortunate enough to have Ashley intern for me so I can vouch for her silliness!  Watch the video and take a look for yourself!

Thanks for the interview Intern! šŸ˜› -Will the Pageant Guy  

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USA Titleholders Crowned – KY, MO, and NV

With nearly 20 Miss USA state preliminary pageants (not including Teen pageants), November definitely captures the attention of pageants fans for the USA system. Since my beloved Cowboys are pretty much done for the season (Kudos to Jason Garrett on your first win) I now turn to pageants for some hard hitting competition! This past weekend crowned new Teen and Miss titleholders for Kentucky, Missouri, and Nevada in the USA system. Take a look below:

Miss Kentucky USA 2011 - Kia Hampton with former Miss Kentucky USA's (photo from Pageant Central). No photo available for Miss Kentucky Teen USA 2011 - Stephanie Jones
Miss Missouri Teen USA 2011 - Sydnee Stottlemyre and Miss Missouri USA 2011 - Hope Driskell (photo from missmissouriusa.com)
Miss Nevada Teen USA 2011 - Ashley Brown and Miss Nevada USA 2011 - Sarah Chapman (photo from Pageant Central)

Congratulations to all of the new titleholders and best of luck at Miss USA 2011 and Miss Teen USA 2011!  -Will the Pageant Guy  

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Ana Rodriguez crowned Miss Texas USA 2011

By KGNS News, Sep. 6, 2010

One Laredo beauty is the title holder for Miss Texas 2011. Laredoan Ana Rodriguez was crowned last night in Houston. Three participants represented Laredo and two of them placed in the top three.

According to the Laredo pageant director, Roel Gonzalez, "This is a big deal for Laredo". Lauren Guzman, the first Laredoan to hold the Miss Teen Texas title, was also a runner-up.

  

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Miss Mexico, Jimena Navarrete Crowned MISS UNIVERSEĀ® 2010 During Live NBC Telecast

NEW YORK, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Monday evening, during one of the year's most exciting live international television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Jimena Navarrete, Miss Mexico, as MISS UNIVERSE® 2010 live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Bret Michaels and NBC's "Today" show co-host and correspondent Natalie Morales hosted the international event, which aired on NBC and Telemundo. John Legend & The Roots and Viva ELVIS by Cirque du Soleil performed live during the competition. The pageant was presented by official hair care sponsor Farouk Systems.

Miss Mexico, Jimena Navarrete, is 21 years old and loves nature, boating, riding motorcycles, spending time with her family and traveling.

The judging panel for the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant included: illusionist and mystifier, Criss Angel; actor, producer and writer, William Baldwin; world-renowned percussionist and drummer, Sheila E; anchor of "NBC Live," Tamron Hall; 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist and 2009 World Figure Skating Champion, Evan Lysacek; Oscar nominated actor and director best known for his work in A Bronx Tale, Chazz Palminteri; American singer and actress, Chynna Phillips; winner of multiple Emmys and Golden Globes, Jane Seymour; and international supermodel, Niki Taylor.

Throughout the two-hour event, contestants from over 80 countries and territories around the world competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and personality interview. Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of approximately one billion viewers.

Final Results:

First Runner-Up: Miss Jamaica, Yendi Phillipps; will assume the duties of MISS UNIVERSE 2010 if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities.

Second Runner-Up: Miss Australia, Jesinta Campbell.

Rest of Top Five: Miss Ukraine, Anna Poslavska; and Miss Philippines, Venus Raj.

Rest of Top Ten: Miss Ireland, Rozanna Purcell; Miss Albania, Angela Martini; Miss Puerto Rico, Mariana Paola Vicente; Miss South Africa, Nicole Flint; and Miss Guatemala, Jessica Scheel.

Rest of Top Fifteen: Miss Belgium, Cilou Annys; Miss France, Malika Menard; Miss Russia, Irina Antonenko; Miss Colombia, Natalia Navarro; and Miss Czech Republic, Jitka Valkova.

Miss Photogenic Universe™ Award: Miss Thailand, Fonthip Watcharatrakul. The General public voted on www.nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a gift from pageant sponsor Diamond Nexus Labs.

Miss Congeniality Universe™ Award: Miss Australia, Jesinta Campbell. This award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate's peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a gift from Diamond Nexus Labs.

National Costume Award: Miss Thailand, Fonthip Watcharatrakul. This award was decided by an online vote through Club Universe, a new, exclusive membership club featured on MissUniverse.com.

The MISS UNIVERSE® 2010 prize package includes: a custom diamond tiara and jewelry designed by Diamond Nexus Labs; a shoe wardrobe from Nina Footwear; a one-year scholarship (including housing) from the New York Film Academy; hair care products and tools from Farouk Systems; eveningwear wardrobe by Sherri Hill; a collection of swimwear from Dar Be Dar by Tala Raassi; luxury accommodations in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign, including living expenses; a year-long salary as Miss Universe; personal services including membership to Gravity Fitness and hair services from John Barrett Salon; modeling portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha; dermatology and skincare services provided by Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher; professional health and nutrition consultation by Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD and dental services by Dr. Jan Linhart, D.D.S.; casting opportunities and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization; extensive travel opportunities representing sponsors and charitable partners; access to various New York City events including movie premiers and screenings, Broadway shows and launch parties; year-long consultation with a fashion stylist; and access to a personal appearance wardrobe.

  

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Miss Fort Worth is crowned the 75th Miss Texas

By SUSAN McFARLAND

Special to the Star-Telegram

ARLINGTON -- Miss Fort Worth Ashley Melnick was crowned the 75th Miss Texas late Friday after a nostalgic pageant that featured dozens of former titleholders.  The first runner-up was Miss Irving, Jordan Johanssen. She and Melnick were roommates at TCU.  The other finalists were Miss Arlington, Cristie Kibler; Miss Frisco, DaNae Couch; and Miss White Settlement, Kendall Morris.  Madison Fuller of Frisco was named Miss Teen Texas.

During the pageant at Texas Hall at the University of Texas at Arlington, past Miss Texases re-created snippets of their title-winning talent performances in the show that led up to the naming of the finalists.  Miss Texas 1993, Bo Chandler Boyd, was decked out in the sparkling, fully fringed cocktail dress she wore 17 years ago. She said she wasn't the only one squeezing into a gown from the past.  Almost all the participants wore items from their competition wardrobe, she said. "How many girdles, how many pulls on a zipper, how much duct tape. ... We've sworn each other to secrecy," Boyd said. This will be an extra-special year for the 2010 Miss Texas.  "It's always special every year," she said. "But this year, she is being welcomed into the sisterhood with more than half of our sisters present."  It was also a special night for Jean Magness, the pageant's chairwoman, CEO and executive director, who is retiring.  "This is it," Magness said.  She would have retired last year but waited for the 75th anniversary, she said. "It just seemed like perfect timing," she said.

Magness succeed her late husband, B. Don Magness, at the helm of the state pageant. The next pageant will be the first since the 1960s without the leadership of one of the Magnesses. B. Don Magness died in 2008.  Marvin Blum, 55, a Fort Worth lawyer, is taking over as chairman.  Magness said that during a normal pageant year, Friday's event would have not been the end of her work for the year.  "I would be getting paperwork together first thing in the morning and meeting deadlines for national teen [competition] in August," she said. Instead, Magness said, she has no idea what she will do today.  "As soon as the awards are complete onstage, I'm going home, putting on some comfy clothes and shoes, and finding whatever is the new reality in my life," she said.  "After 38 years, having everything in my life revolve around the pageant in one way or another, I don't have a clue what I'll do."  Magness said the week has been busy and emotional.  "We've laughed until we've cried ... and cried until we've laughed," she said.

Rebecca Robinson, Miss Texas 2008, described the anniversary celebration as "icing on the cake."  Judy Mallett, Miss Texas 1973, said she is grateful for the scholarships, which have grown to about $45 million this year.  "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the educational aspects," Mallett said. "I was the ugly duckling in high school. I was tall, gawky and played the violin. I was terrified to stand up in front of a group."  Mary Lou Butler Blaylock, Miss Texas 1965, said she enjoyed visiting with friends this week and watching the younger women as they start their journey.  The pageant has become much more polished, but its purpose has remained strong, she said.  "One thing it still hasn't lost sight of is the scholarships," Blaylock said. "It's more about what you can truly do with your life."