VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, [5] ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 23:36:55 10/22/05 Sat
Author: Miss oklahoma was
Subject: Miss oklahoma was 18 and in high school. (NT) -- whatever, 13:54:41 10/19/05 Wed

Come pageant night, Chelsea wore a snug jersey gown in nude that highlighted her toned physique.

Did she deserve a Top 10 finish?

Yes, if only to show that a woman need not be tall and skinny to be an achiever in the beauty arena. Chelsea’s presence and performance in the Top 10 was enough affirmation that a healthy woman who does not take herself nor the task at hand too seriously can hold her own amidst girls enculturated with a single purpose: to become Miss Universe.

Had she had a better swimsuit presentation (she looked like the Energizer Bunny on caffeine overdose with the jerky head, hands and hip movements), she might have made the Top 5, as well.


Switzerland’s Fiona Hefti is this year’s sleeper hit. She was beautiful enough to not get bashed by internet trolls, but unassuming enough to stay under most experts’ radars. Come pageant night, however, she proved that she had what it took to belong to such an impossibly beautiful group of women. Her beaded baby blue bustier with slashed chiffon skirt was simple, uncluttered and flattering. Her swimsuit presentation was so refreshingly devoid of the backbreaking poses, calculated catwalk moves and unnatural mugging affected by some delegates to attract attention.

How might the dynamics within the all-star Top 5 change had Fiona been in it?


The Titlists

Billy Bush called it a “South American dogfight.” He was not right about "South American," as the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico are in the Carribean, while Mexico and Canada are in North America. But he was right about "dogfight." Although Canada was the lone non-Latina in the Top 5, she trained, underwent dental surgery, and had some pieces of her wardrobe designed and assembled in Colombia. It was also in Colombia where she finished 2nd runner-up in the newly resuscitated Miss Maja Mundial pageant. Her South American connection is strong.

While the Top 5 might have resembled the finals at a Reina Sudamerica pageant, it would be impossible to argue that the five ladies who ultimately competed for the crown were undeserving; on the contrary, the following ladies represented an unpredictable five-cornered fight that this year’s edition of Miss Universe showcased. Unlike in previous years, there had never been a clear favorite from the beginning.

Any of the five could have taken the crown, but their fates hinged on the Final Interview round, starting with:

Monica Spear, Venezuela. How many beauty contestants can claim to having a moniker even before she won a big one? Only La Mootz, and with good reason. Monica is a departure from the bumper crop of beauties that the Miss Venezuela Organization manufactures each year. She does not solicit the crowd’s adulation; she understands that it will be given to her. She does not try hard; she just does what she has to do—no more, no less. The result is a beauty queen who looks relaxed and dignified. This, despite the pressure of redeeming her country’s glory after Ana Karina Añez’s dismal showing last year.

It was a shame that she buckled when the moment counted the most—the Final Interview. When asked the compound question of what her country’s biggest problem was and what she would do to help solve it, she started off rather well, citing political and economic difficulties. She then proceeded to expound on self-centeredness as a block to people helping each other, and then she froze and never recovered. She bowed her head in frustration and remained in the Interview area a few seconds after her turn had been over.

When the five ladies were asked to walk for the judges’ last look, it was obvious from Monica’s dejected countenance that she had lost heart and was resigned to a runner-up finish.

Her 4th runner-up position was admirable especially in a batch as competitive as this. But it is understandably difficult to swallow if one were made to feel that winning is the only option.

Laura Elizondo, Mexico. As if to punish an incredibly beautiful woman for having stumped a fellow contender (Miss Venezuela) with a confounding question, the judges awarded Laura a 3rd runner-up finish.

Laura has been her country’s best bet for a crown in recent memory. Stunning even without make-up on, Laura is the epitome of a natural beauty.

She is so captivating that the judges kept moving her up in each round, even if her evening gown was not flattering. Her gold number was the same color as the backdrop, making her blend with it; the top was heavy with too much detail, rendering the bottom part unbalanced; it made her legs look short. In the swimsuit round, she had one of the weaker figures in an amazingly buffed group of finalists. Still, her beauty will not be ignored—she moved on to the Top 5, and justifiably so.

During the final interview, she bought time by asking the interpreter to translate the question for her but eventually decided to answer in English—a tactic that would be adapted by the three other Latinas in the Top 5. Laura answered decently, even if a bit stiffly, pronouncing that the story is not over yet; we are the writers of our own story. Luckily, the time was up before the Impact Arena started to reek of burning patty.

Renata Soñe, Dominican Republic. The charming preschool teacher is arguably the most complete Dominican delegate ever sent to Miss Universe. She can maneuver the stage expertly while still conveying warmth and sincerity. She had the best smile among the ladies in the Top 5.

Her evening gown looked suspiciously similar to her national costume minus the seahorse’s head, but no matter: the silhouette was flattering, even if the color was dead. It was still better than the frightful cotton-candy creation that she wore during the preliminary competition.

Still, her national directors should watch it. They are lucky to have had exceptional winners thus far, effectively cushioning the effect of potentially disastrous gowns (e.g. Amelia Vega’s blue little-girl dress during the prelims in 2003 and her nondescript white dress during the finals; Claudia Julissa Cruz’s frumpy orange sheath in Miss World that made her look wide as a house).

Renata was calm and composed during the Final Interview round. What sealed her 2nd runner-up finish was the patchy connection she established between sensitivity as the trait men can learn most from women and staying true to oneself as a measure of being a real man. In another year, Renata might have ran away with the crown. Still, a flawless delivery and a good finish yet again for the Dominican Republic.

Initially packaged as yet another Denise Quiñones clone, Cynthia actually has three over Denise. While Denise’s victory will forever be disputed by those contending that Evelina Papantoniou had a better catwalk, a better body and a better performance during the Final Interview round, Cynthia appeared on the Miss Universe stage with an unparalleled catwalk, a killer body and more-than-adequate communication skills. And unlike Isis Casalduc or Carla Tricoli, Cynthia proved that she can deliver on the pre-pageant hype. She even broke out of the Puerto Rican pageant queen mold by wearing a classic black gown instead of the de riguer white number.

So why did Denise win it all in 2001 and Cynthia placed only as second best in 2005? The answer is not the hometown factor. Neither is it plastic surgery.

One word: connection.

While Denise was not as accomplished a model as Cynthia, she forged better connection with the judges and audiences. Denise’s smile was more genuine, whereas Cynthia would alternate between ramp diva pouts and toothy beauty queen smiles.

During the Top 5 announcement, all the other girls were holding each other’s hands. Except Cynthia. She had her hand on her hip in a pretty pose. If she could not forge connection with her fellow contestants who were right beside her, how will she be able to communicate genuine warmth to the judges and to the thousands of audiences at the Impact Arena?

Cynthia may not be Miss Congeniality, and that is fine. She came to compete, not to win friends. What Cynthia is, is a fine competitor. She knows her job, is highly qualified for it, and performs it exceptionally well. However, to become Miss Universe, one always needs that undefined extra. Mpule Kwelagobe had it. Lara Dutta had it. Jennifer Hawkins had it. Amelia Vega could fake it. Unfortunately, this is the teeny tiny space where Cynthia fell short in a very tight race for the crown, making room for:

Natalie Glebova, Canada. She is a pageant veteran who was primed in Colombia for the Miss Universe competition. Smells suspicious? Luckily for Canucks, Natalie has deflected a poisonous patty affliction and proceeded to take it all. Her placement is neither accident nor surprise, unlike Kim Yee or Neelam Verma. Like most South American representatives, Natalie is the product of intense training and painstaking strategy. She is Canada’s heaviest plate as the country’s beauty machinery flexes its muscle.

How did Natalie perform?

She sported the simplest evening gown of the night. It might have looked plain and like such a predictable choice on a contestant of lesser caliber, but Natalie’s beauty and carriage ensured that she wore the gown and not the other way around.

Of the finalists, she had the figure that screamed “discipline” the most—her body was golden and spanking buff, with nary a trace of fat or blemish. Everybody could see that this was a woman who worked long and hard to get where she is. Did the strain show?

Natalie’s moment of truth came during the Top 15 announcement. While most girls looked like they were going to collapse if their names would not be called and those who did get called looked nothing but relieved, Natalie looked energized the moment “Canada!” was called to come into the Top 15. She pumped both her fists into the air in a joyful celebration of the moment. And this was how she would proceed throughout the night—with an unmatched energy and with a visible joie de vivre. It was such great delight to watch her in action.

During the Final Interview, she resisted hokey parallelisms and winded explanations, pretty much like another great beauty with whom she has been constantly compared—Oxana Federova. Natalie was direct in her reply that staying positive is the biggest challenge for her; she is someone who chooses to see the glass as half full. Simple, sweet and clear.

A well deserved victory for Canada.

It is interesting to note that aside from being compared to two iconic pageant queens (Denise and Oxana), Cynthia and Natalie share something else more personal: they both joined their national pageants more than once before they snagged the title.



Jenny From the Block

And what of the Aussie beach babe with the bright smile? She has grown into a sophisticated woman (that red lace top with the gold ball gown skirt was simply too dreamy), albeit one with the heart of a girl-next-door (she crowned Natalie in a sporty-looking haltered gown sans bra, her hair up in a high ponytail). Her catwalk is still visibly in question, but her heart and her intentions are not. Props to her for keeping her identity amidst an insanely image-conscious environment.

The Skinny

The venue was great; Thailand got to showcase its character, culture and attractions; the production remained streamlined, paced and exciting; even if there was no entertainment number from some celebrity, the beautiful women onstage provided more than enough glitz and glamour. The hosting was tolerable, even if we sometimes wished for someone with more finesse and panache than Billy Bush and Nancy O’Dell. Most of the favorites made the cut and we have a great new Miss Universe. Everybody happy. Right?

What is mildly alarming about this year’s edition is the seeming homogenization of beauty. The Top 5 was noticeably composed only of tall Caucasian brunettes. Apart from Artika Sari Devi, there is no real representation of beauty the world over in the Top 15. It must be remembered that although Chelsea Cooley and Magdalene Walcott do not belong to the tall, skinny, white girl type, Misses Cooley and Walcott are still the products of well-oiled pageant machines. Helene Traasavik represents an interesting mix of features, but she might as well have been the hometown girl. Are they less worthy of a Top 15 slot, then? No; it just affirms that preparation pays. Still, these four girls are the lucky minority this year.

The Miss Universe Organization or the judges can not be faulted for choosing the most polished girls. With franchise fees, product placements and countless media appearances, Miss Universe is big business, after all. In the rare instance that a solid competitor from, oh, Martinique or Kenya or Egypt shows up, what a great Joy to the World! Otherwise, chances are only bestowed upon those who spend enough time, effort and resources to ensure an excellent performance. And the most prepared girls naturally come from a place that values pageantry the most—South America. Call it the process of natural selection.

It is the Superbowl indeed, this—big, noisy, extravagant, extremely competitive and withholding violent undercurrents. Bloody, too, except that you do not see the smashed faces or broken bones of brawny athletes. The outcome of all the gore is steely determination packaged in picture-perfect smiles on perfect faces, perched on perfect bodies, clad in perfect clothes.

BEAUTY SUPERBOWL
A MISS UNIVERSE 2005 REVIEW
@ Rabbi James Gagohan 2005

Billy Bush said it: Welcome to the Superbowl of Beauty. Never before have one billion televiewers been treated to such a stratified level of pageantry. The women onstage shone far brighter than the opulent display of Thai gold onstage.

For three weeks, people the world over marveled at the sheer magnificence of the Thai reception accorded to these ladies—orchid overload, elephant rides, lavish cuisine, bolts of the most exquisite silk. The Thai government pinched no penny in producing a reality show to end all reality shows.

Was it money well spent? Did it show an attractive picture of a post-tsunami Thailand that would help ease the horror of the tectonic disaster, and so entice precious tourist dollars to pour into the local economy once again? On the part of the American producers, did this show surpass last year’s in terms of the quality of its stars and the overall conduct of the production? And for the millions of pageant fans across the seven seas, did the show yield satisfying results? Was it well worth the yearly wait?

In the superbowl of beauty, the world’s loveliest ladies come to battle each other in a competition of beauty, personality and will power—the Miss Universe 2005 beauty pageant. Wearing Tadashi dresses and Nina shoes, the 81 Miss Universe 2005 contestants perform the opening number of the 2005 Miss Universe competition at Impact Arena, Exhibition and Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand on May 31, 2005.

Bangkok’s selection as this year’s venue was lauded by fans who miss the grandeur of past Miss Universe editions held in Asian cities—Singapore, Taipei, Manila, and Bangkok in 1992. Asia’s culture is so rich and colorful, it manifests strongly in the production that is aired to the world.

Bangkok’s Impact Arena was the grandest venue to host the Miss Universe pageant in recent memory. A tuktuk delivered co-host Nancy O’Dell onstage, co-host BillyBush got to make an even grander re-entrance on a live elephant, and the stage’s fly system facilitated the movement of a dizzying array of panels, backdrops and various set pieces that sleeker editions of Miss Universe could not even dream of having. The stage was covered with marble slabs inlaid with gold-leafed Thai patterns.

The program opened with countless strobe lights flashing, revealing the silhouettes of Thai dancers. A golden sun blazed on the backdrop as the lights brightened to reveal the 81 delegates competing for the crown.


Scott Grossman’s choreography consisted of simple jazz footwork combined with traditional Thai hand movements. Simple, clean, and energetic.


Shortly after a video clip of the National Costume parade was shown, the Top 15 was revealed.

Quito Redux?

Can anybody blame the judges for once again picking several women who came from the juggernaut beauty machinery that is Latin America?


Not this year, as credit was given to whom it was due. The placement of Nancy Soto and Gabriela Barros last year oddly felt as though it was payback for all the Misses Costa Rica and Chile who were deserving but sadly did not make the cut in previous years. To a lesser extent, even the Top 10 finish of the vivacious Catherine Manchola was argued by fans because her facial beauty did not suit the taste of many.


Of the Latina Quito finalists, only Susana Rivadeneira, Alba Reyes and Yanina Gonzales were deemed favorites in the entire competition. The stiff Rosalva Luna was booted after the evening gown round.

While the competition concluded with the surprise, but ultimately satisfying, victory of a pageant newbie, fans grumbled long and hard about the exclusion of some pre-pageant favorites from the Top 15.


As if to make up for the glaring Latin overhype in Quito (7 out of 15) last year, this year’s bevy of Top 15 finishers represented a wider demographic, and quite possibly, presented the world with the best ever set of Miss Universe semifinalists.
If
Only she was there....

We now pay tribute to the ladies who have been identified as frontrunners but had been left out in the cold.

Antigua & Barbuda’s Shermain Jeremy is probably the most prepared delegate her country has ever sent. After her impressive showing in Miss World last December, it was predicted that the new, improved Shermain could even take it all in Bangkok. With her combination of beauty, talent, charm, intelligence and style, she was one of the most complete packages this year. It was a big shock not to see her make the cut in this competition. In case rumors come into fruition that she will see action in Manila for Miss Earth, she can rest assured that even if Miss Universe’s Mikimoto crown eluded her, Miss Earth’s Swarovski tiara is within easy reach.

Another lady predicted to finish big this year was Nod Rosjan, the hometown girl. Some pundits even proclaimed that she is the best hometown girl since Denise Quiñones, and with good reason—Nod has gone through a tremendous improvement from the moment she was crowned Miss Thailand. From a Plain Jane with doubtful chances of making the Miss Universe cut, she became a frontrunner with her amazing wardrobe, easy charm and excellent packaging. Sadly, the prediction of some naysayers came true: Nod’s Best in National Costume finish was her proverbial consolation prize for being a good hostess.


To some extent, the exclusion of Misses Chile (hyped as a refreshing departure from traditional Latin American queens; reportedly aced the preliminary competitions), Curacao (who famously beat the accomplished Natascha Borger in Miss Intercontinental), Italy (won her national pageant twice for the chance to represent Italy in Miss Universe) and Ethiopia (stylish, spunky and sunshiny African beauty) was also a mild surprise.
Some favorites inevitably fail to make it each year, more so in a batch as competitive as this one.


The 15 semi-finalists competing for the title of Miss Universe 2005 pose together from left to right are: Laura Elizondo, Miss Mexico 2005; Renata Soñé, Miss Dominican Republic 2005; Claudia Henkel, Miss South Africa 2005; Helene Traasavik, Miss Norway 2005; Chelsea Cooley, Miss USA 2005; Magdalene Walcott, Miss Trinidad & Tobago 2005; Evangelia Aravani, Miss Greece 2005; Cynthia Olavarria, Miss Puerto Rico 2005; Debora Sulca Cravero, Miss Peru 2005; Elena Ralph, Miss Israel 2005; Artika Sari Devi, Miss Indonesia 2005; Fiona Hefti, Miss Switzerland 2005; Monica Spear, Miss Venezuela 2005; Natalie Glebova, Miss Canada 2005, and Ieva Kokorevica, Miss Latvia 2005.

If 2003 had Faye Alibocus vamping down the ramp with a dress that looked like it had roadkill hanging from it and 2004 saw Nancy Soto in an alarmingly sheer number that was too short for the shoes she was wearing, 2005’s Top 15 was thankfully free of any conspicuous fashion missteps.
Indonesia's Artika Sari Devi wore what may be considered the riskiest gown in the Top 15, as it was a busy concoction that called to mind the over-the-top fashion of the 80’s. Fortunately, the petite Southeast Asian stunner carried her dress with enough aplomb to help her finish the first round of competition respectably.

As if to appease the hometown crowd for the absence of Nod Rosjan among the semifinalists, the half-Thai lady from Norway came to represent, and how! Helene Traasavik's enviable copper complexion was swathed in panels of the most delicious peaches-and-mango chiffon gown. Encasing her feet in stilettos with delicate satin straps finished off the look splendidly.



South Africa's Claudia Henkel wore a gown that masterfully integrated a highly structured top with a generous, free-flowing bottom. She moved like a gazelle, the high front slit showcasing her long legs as she galloped across the stage. With better hairdo (her patrician nose and ample cheeks needed to be softened by a more layered hairstyle), she might have progressed into the Top 10. We will see more of this stunner in Miss World.

Evangelia Aravani possessed one of most natural-looking faces in this year’s competition. Her fuchsia gown revealed a tantalizing amount of skin, but Evangelia's graceful carriage kept it from looking cheap and vulgar. Truly a Greek goddess. With a little bit more energy in her walk, she might have made the Top 10.

Magdalene Walcott is a pageant veteran who could be counted on to deliver when the moment matters most. While not having the classically beautiful features of other outstanding black beauties like Shermain Jeremy, Magdalene projects with such commanding ferocity that one can not help but stare at her in awe. A last-minute replacement for the dethroned Trinbagonian titleholder, Magdalene showed the world once again the outstanding vision of Peter Elias’s team. Magdalene’s tie-dyed gown moved fluidly like a citrine river as she glided effortlessly onstage.


Of those who made the cut, the most questionable would be Debora Sulca. There is no doubt that the Peruvian teenager has a lovely face and has been polished to perfection by Peru’s increasingly efficient pageant system (producing such achievers as Marina Mora, Claudia Ortiz de Zevallos, Claudia Hernandez, Maju Mantilla, and now, Debbie Sulca, in less than five years). However, of the Top 15, Debbie was the only one who had a glaringly patty projection: huge 1980’s hairdo, open-mouthed smiles, head thrown back in sexy laughs, mannered hip sways. Alicia Machado patented those nearly 10 years ago, and Jennifer Hawkins made the patty obsolete just last year.

And if Claudia Hernandez can wear a breathtaking coral-pink gown in Miss World 2003 (even winning an award for her sartorial sense) and Maju Mantilla can wear a delicate periwinkle lace number in Miss World 2004, how can Debbie Sulca get stuck with an almost-dowdy gown with a wide, unsightly belt and wrong shoes?

Her facial beauty alone can not be denied, which probably led the judges to usher her into the swimsuit round. But after that, her girlish projection and nervousness showed. She slipped. She tried to compensate with an exaggerated catwalk, but she never recovered. She was a girl amongst women.

In contrast, Israel’s Yelena Ralph was able to hurdle her debacle with the cape beautifully. She could not take it off initially, so she proceeded to use it while posing, pouting playfully for the camera, then triumphantly discarding it to the side as she sashayed down the raked ramp.

By virtue of her crowning video which was published online, Yelena had been instantly embraced by fans as a Miss Universe favorite. She was a great beauty and displayed the kind of unaffected charisma that can never be taught nor learned in months of training.

However, upon arrival in Bangkok, Yelena’s stock steadily dropped. She was not demonstrative in public unlike girls who would preen and pose at the slightest sight of a camera. During the pre-pageant activities, when other girls would pick an outfit from their mind-boggling trousseaus, Yelena would wear ordinary day clothes. Her name disappeared from most Top 15 lists.

Come pageant night and after having been called into the Top 15, Yelena graced the stage with her delicious moves and infectious energy. Her eyes sparkled more than the golden discs and crystal chandeliers in her sexy gown, and her smile invited you to smile back at her.

Yelena showed that even without the trappings of a beauty contestant, she can shine brighter still.

Conversely, Ieva Kokorevica’s stock steadily rose as the competition neared its finale. Virtually out of the experts’ radars before the girls set foot in Bangkok, Ieva slowly proved that natural beauty and a little help from the Venezuelan pageant machine can go a long, long way.

Facially, she resembled Kathrine Sorland, but Ieva had a rawer catwalk. Her edge over the erstwhile Norwegian contestant, however, is a sincere smile that communicates genuine warmth. She could have easily looked like a cold Baltic goddess in her ice blue gown, but her soft and gentle features proved that she was lovable enough to move on to the Top 10. A great finish for a first time participant in Miss Universe!

Chelsea Cooley’s horrifying mint-and-bubblegum gown in the preliminary competition still haunts the memories of pageant fans, and we wondered how a woman with such a gown managed to snag a semifinal slot.

On coronation night, it became clear: She nailed the swimsuit round with her lively vibe and she most probably nailed the interview, as well. The thunderous applause Miss USA received each time she came onstage undoubtedly compensated for a disastrous preliminary evening gown showing, successfully catapulting her to the Top 15.

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]
[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-8
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.