| Subject: MISS UNIVERSE 2010: DÉJÀ VU MASH-UP (CONCLUSION) |
Author:
Joseph Vitug
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Date Posted: 01:49:25 09/11/10 Sat
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Now before I discuss the Top Five, I would need to note why I considered the Miss Universe 1991 pageant one of my all-time favorites—the composition of the Final Three was one of the most interesting and diverse mix of personas ever, featuring a likeable ingénue (USSR’s Yulia Lemigova—now better known as tennis legend Martina Navratilova’s girlfriend), a wise-cracking come-from-behind hipster (Netherlands’ Paulien Huizenga), and a completely composed and polished Latina beauty queen (Mexico’s Lupita Jones). Flash-forward 19 years, and we again have such a distinctive mix of personas, this time with the added twist of diversity in terms of regions represented and races. The only constant is the completely composed and polished Latina beauty queen, but this time accompanied by a strikingly exotic Asian diva with regal bearing and graciously down-to-earth demeanor, the polished and competitive Caribbean pageant veteran, the impeccably elegant and graceful Eastern European lady, and the “refreshingly bubbly” Australian ingénue. Another thing that is notable about this year’s Top Five is that in general the questions asked of them were way more challenging, and four out of five of them gave intelligent answers that are clearly leagues ahead of the quality of answers of last year’s Top Five. The lady in this year’s Top Five who gave the weakest answer would probably be given better regard if it would be compared to the quality of answers of last year’s Top Five, but as it is it stood in stark relief to the intelligent and “correct” answers of the other four. Without further ado, let us start with:
FOURTH RUNNER-UP: PHILIPPINES – Maria Venus Raj. So finally she finally broke the country’s decade-long drought. In my opinion, merely making the Top 15 amidst an extremely high-quality group of ladies (despite such low-grade treatment) is already major celebration enough and the higher placements she garnered was all gravy (more on that moment later). She definitely delivered in both rounds of the semifinal. Her 3rd place showing during the swimsuit round was well-justified. Meanwhile I felt the judges way under-scored her during the evening gown round—it didn’t help she was among the first to be called to advance to the Top Ten, along with the eventual Top Two finalists, as they may be hurt by the judges’ tendency to reserve higher scores to those who would appear later. She was only ranked fifth—I thought her fiercely elegant performance in her silver Barraza gown during this round deserved a higher score, perhaps should have been ranked either first or second place (behind Mexico); Miss Jamaica’s gown was actually a fashion miss if it weren’t for the fact that well, the lady carried her frock very well, and clearly Venus’s indelible presence was way more memorable than the presentations by Mz. Australia and Ukraine, who out-scored her in this round.
Now what about the final question-and-answer round? She was called last into the Top Five (they seemed to love playing up the drama for the legions of her fans present in the audience), and after listening to the other finalists nailing the topical questions asked of them, I was hoping she would get a question that she would also be able to nail, even with what I know about her imperfect communication skills. So, she got actor William Baldwin, who asked her about the biggest mistake of her life and how she overcame it. Seems to be a puffball pageant question, right? As Good Morning America anchor Diane Sawyer later reflected, that question is not as easy as it seems, as such a question would actually require extreme reflection and introspection, something you cannot really do in a span of 30 seconds in front of millions of people watching. In fact, it was demonstrated that this type of question would even stump veteran journalists, not to mention former President George W. Bush. How did Venus answer it? She mentioned that she had not caused any “major major” problem and that with the love of her family and friends she is grateful for being here.
Though Venus’s answer was not as horrendous as the notorious “The Iraq” answer by Miss Teen USA 2007 3rd runner-up Caitlin Upton (who later garnered a career in reality TV being featured in a pageant-oriented reality show and as a contestant in the Amazing Race), it turned out to become one of the most talked about pageant answers in the media. Some journalists dissecting her answer wrongly assumed that she was denying she has made any mistakes—she simply stated she had not committed anything grave or serious, but though she didn’t mention it, we can imply that she acknowledges that she is human and has committed minor ones in life—and relished how ironic her answer seemed to be. If that were the case, then we can assume that from this moment on, everything in Venus’s life will now be coming up roses. One columnist even used her answer to write an essay commenting and lamenting about the state of this generation (though I feel it is over-reading the context of her answer).
The answer made me flashback to two prior Miss Universe pageants. First, nine years ago in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, the final question asked to all five finalists was about if there was an event they have regretted. With the exception of India’s Celina Jaitley (who mentioned an illness in childhood), the Top Five generally answered that they had no regrets in their life mainly because the mistakes they made had made them the people they are and they are proud of who they are. I felt Venus’s answer was somewhat in that vein, that if she was able to compose her words properly this would be the approach she would probably have taken to nail the answer. Second, I flashbacked to Las Vegas 1991, where the final question was about the biggest problem in their country and how they are working to resolve it. USSR’s Yulia Lemigova nervously tried to deny any pressing problem in her country (but ironically, a few months later her nation fell apart and the 15 constituent republics became separate independent nations)—this is probably how some members of the media perceived Venus’s answer.
Anyway there are two major fallouts from Venus’s participation in this pageant. First, from her answer there spawned a brand new catchphrase that is spreading in the Philippine shores (and some international shores) like wildfire—“major major”. Everyone is using the term to describe something that is extremely significant. Even Venus herself is game enough to poke fun at herself and repeat the phrase she inadvertently popularized.
The second is the viral video of four pageant fans who went into pandemonium when Venus was called last into the Top 15. Their comic shrieks struck a major chord as most Philippine pageant fans all over waited in suspense to find out if their best hope for breaking the decade-long drought would finally deliver and with the likes of USA and Venezuela not yet being called, some were in the brink of despair that when our country’s name was called at last for the final slot, it was a collective squeal of delight mixed with sigh of relief. And the people in this video were not perfect strangers to me at all—I personally met three of them, and one of them is actually one of my closest friends, the guy I refer to in some of my reviews as my “Miss Venezuela-Loving Friend” or henceforth, MVLF (you’ll hear further inputs from him later).
Did I join in the squealing? Admittedly I did scream loudly by my lonesome in my bedroom when the Philippines was announced, but I was 99.5% confident she would make it—there was that miniscule smidgen of doubt, but I knew how sensational her performance was at the Presentation Show with audience impact and all, and that if she didn’t make it would be a gross injustice. Thank goodness she was not denied, and continued to deliver the goods throughout most of the telecast—looking dazzlingly radiant as she’s obviously fueled by her legion of supporters passionately rooting for her. Sure, some pageant fans and pundits then were disenchanted with her answer during the Q&A round, but I already knew about her limitations with her communication skills and was not totally disappointed at that outcome. Her sweet humble charm and extreme likeability remained intact even with her flawed answer. And I know she won’t really win it all even if she nailed her answer as judging from the prior rounds the judges preferred the ladies who indeed eventually ended up in the Top Two, so the best showing I was anticipating was 2nd runner-up.
One might wonder why I devoted eight lengthy paragraphs to a Miss Universe 4th runner-up. Is it simply because she is my fellow countrywoman? Not really—though it is a matter of debate how the hype by her very vocal legion of fans contributed to her regard and performance, her flawed answer and that very vocal support as represented by that famous viral video had turned her into this pageant’s most memorable contestant, an impact that is not solely felt amongst her countrymen, but worldwide. And there is nothing to be ashamed of with her flawed answer because we all know she did the best she could, and in my reckoning she already accomplished her main mission in the first place with flying colors.
THIRD RUNNER-UP: UKRAINE – Anna Poslavska. Her slender frame garnered her 7th place during the swimsuit round, and if her gown score was combined with her swimsuit score, Miss Ireland would’ve made the Top Five in her place. But she had an ace quality that was in play during the evening gown round and it was a good thing her swimsuit score did not carry over, and that is why she made the final cut: she channels the patrician persona of English actress Kristin Scott-Thomas, and listening to her soft and gentle voice, she vocally reminded me of a heavier-accented Audrey Hepburn (so another Gona Dragusha 2009 déjà vu—while Venus channeled Gona physically during the evening gown round with her styling, Anna channeled Gona’s inspiration when she opened her mouth to speak English in pre-recorded tape sequences). Just like Kristin Scott-Thomas in her “English Patient” prime, Anna exuded almost impeccable elegance in the evening round even if her styling was just simple (with her hair in gentle curls) and she was sporting a simply sleek and relatively unadorned short-sleeved peach-colored gown. Though her score was a tad overrated if you compare hers to Venus’s score, I did not question her Top Five placement. For the final Q&A, she was asked by actress Jane Seymour (“Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman”) about her opinion on airports now conducting full body searches using X-rays that can see through passenger’s clothing. Though we heard her speak English well enough, she chose to answer in her native language, and she said if it is a matter of security and that if it would save or protect lives, she is all for it. It was hard for me to rank the strength of the answers of this lady and the Top Two ladies (the best answer was actually delivered by the eventual 2nd runner-up, in my reckoning), but I supposed based on overall impact this is why she ended up a notch above Venus. Still, it’s nice to see Ukraine generating its best showing thus far.
SECOND RUNNER-UP: AUSTRALIA – Jesinta Campbell. Apparently the celebrity panel was extremely enamored with her mega-bubbly presence that they overlook relative weaknesses in her facial beauty, figure, catwalk, and even gown quality to score her squarely into the Top Five. During the swimsuit round, she reminded me of American Idol Kelly Clarkson when she was still raw and auditioning for the show, though most pageant fans and pundits would cite current pop star Miley Cyrus. Her figure was definitely not all that, and I would score the likes of Albania and South Africa (who were tied for a relatively mediocre 8th place, hard to believe) above her. For the evening gown round, she changed her gown to this multicolored beaded v-necked beige number—an improvement from the green number she wore at the Presentation Show. My MVLF commented that the beads reminded him of candy that he wanted to eat them off her gown. Sure, it was an improvement, but I feel not only did Venus deserved a higher score than her, I would probably also prefer the sexy number sported by Miss Albania. In another déjà vu moment, during the final Q&A round she was asked by judge Niki Taylor about her opinion on some countries imposing bans on wearing religious clothing. Remember that last year, her predecessor Rachael Finch was asked a similar question about swimwear. Though unlike Rachael’s flippant answer, Jesinta eloquently noted that we should have the freedom of choice in what we choose to wear, and she then cited Taala Rassi, the designer for this year’s swimsuit sponsor, Dar be Dar, who stated that “fashion is freedom”. My MVLF felt her answer was incomplete as she could’ve added about the freedom of being able to express their religion but I felt that it sounded eloquent and that it seemed that sentiment is implicit in her answer. Some pageant fans and pundits were fearful that based on her answer, she could’ve brought Australia its third Miss Universe crown, and they wouldn’t be satisfied of that outcome because she’s lacking in looks and that indeed the scores she garnered in swimsuit and evening gown were overrated. I suppose it was good she only got as far as this, and the more gorgeous and glamorous Top Two got the placements they deserved.
Before I continue with the Top Two, I have to note a déjà vu moment from the 1991 Las Vegas edition—during the preliminaries, the Top Two in terms of overall average were Mexico and Jamaica, and unlike during the finals when Lupita dominated all rounds of the competition, she was not as dominant during the preliminaries. It seems that based on this year’s results, this is what might have happened if the Top Two in the preliminary standings continued to stand as is then by the results of this pageant. Then, notice the coincidence between this year's Top Two and last year: one was a Latina beauty queen clad in red, the other was a Caribbean powerhouse who was a semifinalist at Miss World 2007 in Sanya, and was actually in the Top Three of the Beach Beauty competition there--remember that last year's 1st runner-up, Ada Aimee Cruz of the Dominican Republic won the Beach Beauty fast-track. In second? Read on...
FIRST RUNNER-UP: JAMAICA – Yendi Phillips. Sometimes I needed to trust my instincts better, as I was influenced by external inputs to go against my initial instincts about this lady. I originally bet that she would end up in the Top Three of this pageant as she looked glamorous and gorgeous during the coronation of her national pageant. But then, I was influenced by the opinion of my MVLF, who felt she underwhelmed when she arrived in Las Vegas; he noted that it seems she lost too much weight from her Miss World stint that she also lost a bit of sparkle in the process. I was looking at the photos and I half-agreed with him, especially since I was mesmerized by Mz. Ireland and Albania, and was still keeping the faith about Miss Russia, along with the fact that Miss Mexico was already being consistently top-notch even then. Still, I felt that a semifinal slot would remain secure for her as I remained impressed with her close-up interview, and I maintained that she still has that mojo during the Presentation Show (there were a few pageant fans and pundits who thought she might miss the cut entirely).
Then, during the finals, I had a hint that this lady will go very far, to the point of probably giving her country’s best showing ever in this pageant so far (just like, yes, up to this time, 1991’s Kimberly Mais’s 5th place finish in Las Vegas was the best placement by this country). She was on stage front and center during the opening number, and you can’t take your eyes off her—she reminded me of a more glamorous version of American Idol Jordin Sparks, if she had extensive liposuction and had her body re-sculpted to buffness, along with extra dance skills. Like the Kelly Rowland song that was playing as they danced, she was a “Commander”. After being called into the semifinals, she also remained firmly in command. With her lively and radiant persona during the swimsuit round, she got the highest score (only she and the eventual Miss Universe got scores above 9). During the evening gown round, though the short-sleeved purple gown with provocatively sheer lacy side panels (hint, you either wear body stocking or go commando—meaning, no underwear—for this outfit as the panels extend from the mid-torso to mid-thigh) is deemed a miss by some pageant fans and pundits, no one can deny that this lady was able to carry this outfit very well. Did she deserve a 2nd place finish in this round? Well, I still maintain Venus should’ve been given a better score. For the final question, she was asked by MSNBC anchor Tamron Hall about her opinion on the death penalty. Yendi gave a simple but well-composed answer about life being a gift from God and that only God has the right to take away a life. There might be some who would disagree with that answer and some who speculated that her mention of God might have cost her the crown, but I felt her placement is completely justified and there are no demerits to her answer at all. So, in the end, like in 1991, she propelled Jamaica to its best showing thus far. Will it take for another Vegas-held pageant for Jamaica to finally take the crown?
MISS UNIVERSE 2010: MEXICO – Jimena Navarrete. As she was declared the new Miss Universe, I couldn’t help but scream out: “Lupita Jones 2.0!!!” When I mention this to my fellow colleagues, they would consider it an insult as they feel Jimena is way more gorgeous than Lupita Jones. But I didn’t mean it as an insult—back in 1991, I truly loved Lupita Jones and found her gorgeous (though admittedly in terms of prettiness I would’ve preferred Jamaica’s Kimberly Mais or Yugoslavia’s Natasha Pavlovich), and that complete package could never be denied. I have this belief that if Lupita is a 22-year-old girl competing in this pageant this year, she would do exactly like what Jimena did. There are also too many parallelisms between the two that I definitely maintain the moniker is so apt. To wit:
• Lupita’s original ambition when she competed was to run a health club or health facility. Jimena’s main projects are campaigns about children’s and women’s health.
• In the preliminary round, Lupita did not win swimsuit (she was 4th) but was number 1 in evening gown (which propelled her to number 1 overall). In the finals, Jimena was 2nd in swimsuit and 1st in evening gown.
• Both ladies wore bright red gowns in the finals—Lupita wore a heavily fringed and sequined number (which was the pageant style du jour in the late 1980s /early 1990s) while Jimena sported a clean red one-shouldered satin number with train and thigh-high slit (another style du jour, for this era).
• Both ladies have legions of supporters cheering for them in the audience—though in Jimena’s case, they were slightly drowned out by the legion of Venus fans.
• As director of Nuestra Belleza Mexico, some pageant fans and pundits who encountered Lupita Jones personally reported that it typically was a less-than-pleasant experience because she tended to view them and other people with withering contempt. A Filipino-American pageant blogger who also runs a pageant-oriented website had also reported a less-than-pleasant encounter with Jimena and had expressed that he personally didn’t want her to win (or even make the finals).
Facially, I could see a strong resemblance between both Jimena and Lupita—especially if you see photos of Lupita sporting bangs. Yes, the difference is that Jimena’s features has a mix of High School Musical actress (and Zac Efron’s girlfriend) Vanessa Hudgens thrown in. One key difference was on the final question. Though there was a translator on-hand, Lupita answered the questions in English (she hushed the translator one moment by stating “I can handle this.”), while even if we already heard Jimena speaking English in the close-up interview, she chose to answer in Spanish instead (well, probably a savvy move as her English is more thickly accented than Lupita’s). She was asked by Winter Olympics 2010 figure skating gold medalist Evan Lysacek about the impact extensive internet use has on the youth. Jimena answered by stating that even though online access is important, we need to monitor what the youth are seeing online and we should take the effort to instill proper family values to them. Some pageant fans and pundits may quibble that Jimena didn’t directly answer the question, but I felt that even if Jimena didn’t explicitly state it, there is an implication that there are indeed negative effects that we need to be careful and thus the need to monitor their use. But based on overall impact and overall performance, there is no doubt that this lady proves to be one of the worthiest winners for this pageant.
I was expecting complete redemption for the ladies after such sub-par treatment in the pageant activities going into the finals, but it wasn’t fully realized. Still, despite the declining US TV ratings, this turns out to be one of the more satisfying Miss Universe pageants in the Trump era.
JUST ME!
JOSEPH
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- "Major, major" is not Venus' monopoly anymore. During the U. S. open quarter final game last week between Nadal and Martin, commentator, John McEnroe, used it. Today's, Sept 12, NFL game between San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, the sports commentator used the phrase, "major, major mistake." (NT) -- SFgirl, 17:14:20 09/12/10 Sun (76-14-46-254.sf-cable.astound.net/76.14.46.254)
- Venus should have trademarked her 'Major major' term and get royalties everytime someone uses it. She without a doubt is the original major major. (NT) -- Gringo, 20:57:42 09/12/10 Sun (static-libmac62-47.sfsu.edu/130.212.62.47)
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