How Gay Am I?

Well, let’s just say that I spent Saturday evening watching the Miss America Pageant and the free skate portion of the 2008 U.S. Women’s Figure Skating Championships. At one point, my (gay) friend suggested that we watch something else. I almost kicked him out of my apartment.



I’ve never been a huge fan of the Miss America franchise. It always seemed out of touch with the times. Well, things seem to be changing. The pageant was picked up by TLC and there’s even a Miss America reality show. That’s a very smart marketing scheme. The pageant was quite unusual. Some of the women even did push-ups on stage—very weird but kind of entertaining. Anyway, Kirsten Haglund (pictured above), the delegate from Michigan, won the Miss America crown. Good for her.

Now, let’s talk about figure skating. As some of you may know, I love everything about it. And my favorite American figure skater is the one and only Sasha Cohen; I’m sure you already knew that. So, last night, the defending U.S. National champion, Kimmie Meissner, was unable to outperform her younger rivals. In fact, she finished a disappointing 7th. Ashley Wagner, though lacking speed and grace, hit most of her jumps. Rachel Flatt delivered a great performance and finished 2nd. But the night belonged to Mirai Nagasu. This talented young lady beat 20 skaters for the National title—an impressive feat.



The future of U.S. women’s figure skating seems bright. And part of that optimism is due to a young girl named Caroline Zhang. She didn’t win the National title, but she is one to watch. She reminds me of Sasha Cohen. Beautiful!

Gorgeous

Ok, I'm falling in love with Charlize Theron. She looks amazing in this Dior J'Adore commercial. She's just . . . so . . . gorgeous.

Celtic Women Rock

PBS is at it again, dear friends; they’re playing one of the I am Celtic Woman specials. They usually broadcast these specials during a pledge drive. You should consider making a donation to your local PBS station, if at all possible. Anyway, this ensemble of talented Irish women is amazing.



First off, they are lovely. Don’t you think? They’re lovely in a healthy and natural kind of way. Don’t get me started about Hollywood’s obsession with superficial beauty. Anyway, these gals are a breath of fresh air.



I enjoy watching them play the hell out of their instruments, dance around on stage, flirt with the male dancers (young Irish men, I presume), and sing like angels. These women have achieved a level of success that’s quite impressive. But before these Irish ladies dazzled us here in the states, we were captivated by the one and only Enya!



Ah, who doesn’t love Enya? She has a great voice, and she’s also very lovely. Seriously, where do they find these amazing Irish women? Ok, I have nothing against U2. I enjoy some of their songs, but this post is about female musicians. I’m sure Bono will understand. Moving on; one of my favorite Irish bands is The Corrs. Amazingly, this group is made of up 4 siblings—three sisters and a brother.



These women are beautiful. Andrea, the lead singer, is my favorite of the bunch. I actually went through a brief Corrs phase a few years ago. I enjoyed their music and even liked the stuff they did with Mutt Lange, although the song breathless sounded a bit Shania-ish to me.



I hope you enjoy these wonderful music videos. Celtic women rock!

Miss World Beauty: Ada Aimee De La Cruz

Finally! This is my last Miss World post. Actually, I’ll discuss the winner after the 2007 Miss World final, which will take place on Saturday, December 1st. So I guess that makes this my penultimate Miss World post. Whatever. Anyway, it brings me great pleasure to introduce the lovely delegate from the Dominican Republic, Ada Aimee De La Cruz. As you can see, I saved the best for last.



The Dominican Republic has been doing very well in the pageant world for many years, and I think 2007 may be another golden year for this wonderful Caribbean nation. Ada has been receiving a lot of attention from pageant aficionados and bloggers. And for good reason. She’s perfection.



She’s one of the favorites, if not the favorite, to win the Miss World crown. And I think she’ll easily win the “Queen of the Caribbean” title. I usually hate going with the obvious choice, but there’s no denying that Ada is far superior to most of the other delegates.



So, dear friends, I predict that Ada will win the Miss World crown. Of course, anything is possible. There are other lovely ladies, and, as Riyo Mori proved a few months ago, beauty alone doesn’t guarantee success. Stage presence and confidence are also important qualities that separate the winners from the losers.



I’m not sure if Ada has those important qualities. But I think the crown is hers to lose.



She is a stunning woman, and I hope she shines on Saturday.

Miss World Beauties (Part 2)

My goodness, this is the topic that just won’t die. Don’t worry; I’ll kill it soon. I only have one more Miss World post in the works. Anyway, we’re getting close to the Miss World 2007 finale, which will take place on December 1st. You must be so excited.

A few months ago, in the Miss Universe pageant, we witnessed something quite extraordinary—Asian delegates ruled the stage. Korea was one of the judges’ favorites; she made it to the top 5 and represented her country very well. Of course, the night belonged to Japan’s Riyo Mori. She delivered the best performance I’ve seen in a long time and won the Miss Universe crown. Can Asian delegates perform as well in the Miss World pageant. Well, the folks at Global Beauties seem to think so.



According to GB, Deborah Priya Henry, the delegate from Malaysia, has a real shot at winning the Miss World crown. She’s a lovely woman. There’s no question about that. But she’s also college educated.



Yep, brains and beauty are usually a winning combination. She’s one to watch. In some countries, beauty pageants are taken very seriously. And the wonderful nation of the Philippines may be the most passionate nation when it comes to beauty pageants. This year, Margaret Wilson will represent the Philippines in the Miss World pageant.



To be honest, I don’t think she’ll do very well. However, she has a lot of support from her home country. I wish her well.



Lithuania isn’t really a pageant powerhouse, but this year, there’s a lot of interest in Jurgita Jurkute, the delegate from Lithuania. She’s a beautiful woman, but there seems to be more behind that pretty face.



According to GB, Jurgita is one of the favorites. She reminds me a bit of Jennifer Hawkins, a former Miss Universe.



Jurgita is definitely one of the strongest delegates from Northern Europe. The “Queen of Northern Europe” title can be hers if she manages to perform well. She’s already enchanted the folks at GB.



It’ll be interesting to see how things turn out. Again, the European delegates are amazing this year.



However, Europe and Latin America may be in for a rude awakening. Just hours ago, GB declared PR China’s Zi Lin Zhang the frontrunner. This Chinese delegate has a natural beauty that may be hard to beat. She recently won the top model challenge, and that guarantees her are a place in the final.



I think it’s safe to say that Zi has what it takes to win the “Queen of Asia” title, and she certainly has a shot at the Miss World crown. But there’s a Caribbean beauty that may thwart Zi’s dream of being the next Miss World.

Miss World Beauties: From Europe to Latin America

I can’t understand why European women performed miserably at the Miss Universe pageant this year. Miss Sweden, one of the strongest countries, didn’t participate, and the other European women failed to place in the top 10. Well, the Miss World pageant is a different story. It’s a haven for Europeans. This year, there are plenty of European delegates who have what it takes to win the Miss World crown. Christine Reiler, the delegate from Austria, has the face of an angel.



This woman has to be a model. Actually, most of the delegates are probably models. Anyway, Christine may not be as stunning as Miss Russia, but she has a very natural beauty, which has won over several bloggers and pageant aficionados.



I mean, just look at her. She’s a winner. I think she’ll be a serious contender for the “Queen of Northern Europe” title. Look out Lithuania and Russia.



Yendi Phillipps is the delegate from Jamaica. There’s a lot of buzz surrounding Yendi. Some have compared her to Beyonce. Yeah, I can see it.



Does Yendi have what it takes to win the Miss World crown? To be honest, I don’t think she stands a chance. Interestingly, her biggest rival is also from the Caribbean. She’s going to have to give the performance of her life, if she wants to win the title of “Queen of the Caribbean.” The Miss World crown may be too elusive for this lovely Jamaican.



What pageant would be complete without a delegate from Venezuela? Seriously, Venezuelan women have been a force to be reckoned with for decades. Claudia Paola Suarez Fernandez, the Venezuelan delegate, is photogenic, but there’s something about her that just doesn’t sit well with me.



I remember my reaction to a friend’s comment regarding Shandi Ren Finnessey, Miss USA 2004. My friend said that Shandi looked like a porn star. Now, I love Shandi, but I couldn’t completely disagree with my friend. Anyway, let’s get back to Paola. I think she looks like a porn star. I’m sorry, but she is not Miss World material. Better luck next time Venezuela.



Mexico’s current success in the pageant world has been something of a mystery to me. After Lupita Jones won the Miss Universe title in 1991, everything went downhill for Mexico. Of course, a handful of Mexican delegates performed well in both the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants. But Mexico was far from being a pageant powerhouse. Then, something magical happened. Within the past few years, Mexico has consistently placed in the top 15.



This year, Carolina Moran Gordillo will represent Mexico in the Miss World pageant. I can’t say I’m a fan of this Mexican beauty, but I suspect she’ll perform very well on December 1st. She’s a very attractive woman and seems to know how to work it on stage. Can she win the “Queen of the Americas” title? It’s possible, but Carolina has to be flawless.



Puerto Rico’s success in the Miss Universe organization is quite remarkable. This small island has produced some of the most beautiful women in the history of the Miss Universe pageant. Jennifer Guevara Campos will represent Puerto Rico in the Miss World pageant this year.



She’s lovely, but I just don’t see her winning the Miss World crown. I don’t even think she has what it takes to win the “Queen of the Caribbean” title. I know that sounds harsh, but the competition is just too intense. Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago will be her biggest rivals.



When I saw pictures of Abigail McCary, the delegate from the USA, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Finally, an American delegate with some promise! Unfortunately, delegates from the US haven’t been a strong force in the Miss World organization. Well, things may change starting this year.



Abigail is quite photogenic and she has a great body. I really think she has what it takes to win the “Queen of the Americas” title. Or . . . maybe that’s just wishful thinking on my part. Either way, Abigail is a great delegate.

Familiar Faces, Miss World 2007

The 2007 Miss World pageant is just days away. There are various events leading up to the finale, which will take place on Saturday, December 21. Honestly, I don’t know the detailed history of the Miss World pageant. In the states, it’s all about Miss Universe. The Miss World organization is based in the UK, and it differs from Miss Universe in a lot of ways.

Now, let’s discuss the delegates. I’d like to start with some familiar faces. Tatiana Kotova is the delegate from Russia. She competed in the Miss Universe pageant a few months ago.



Unfortunately, Tatiana didn’t do so well; she didn’t even place in the top 15. Still, this woman is drop dead gorgeous.



She wasn’t able to win the Miss Universe crown, but is the Miss World crown within her reach? I’m not entirely sure. However, European women seem to do very well in Miss World pageants. Tatiana is certainly Miss World material.



Natalia Zabala Arroyo also competed in the Miss Universe pageant this year. She represented Spain, and, like Tatiana, she failed to place in the top 15.



I was devastated that she wasn’t even given a chance at winning the crown. She was my favorite delegate. Oh, well. That’s the nature of the competition. She just didn’t impress the judges.



Natalia will always have my support, but other bloggers have noted her less than stellar performance at the Miss Universe pageant.



I think she may have a shot at winning the title of “queen of Southern Europe.” But her chances of winning the Miss World crown are slim.



Miss Angola. Micaela Reis, also participated in the Miss Universe pageant. And of the three women mentioned in this post, she delivered the best performance. She placed in the top 10.



In the 2006 Miss World pageant, Angola managed to win the “Queen of Africa” title, and I think Micaela has what it takes to win that title again for her country.



Before the most recent Miss Universe pageant, I had overlooked Micaela. But after watching her light up the stage a few months ago, I became a believer in the power of Micaela. This woman is a great representative of African beauty. I wish her the very best. If she wins the Miss World crown, I'll be one very happy blogger.

Congratulations, Salma

Ah, Salma Hayek. You and I have had an interesting relationship. There were times when I thought you were a brainless little tease. Women would kill to have your looks and curvaceous body. But then you did something quite unexpected. You produced and starred in the surprisingly good film Frida. It was a labor of love for you and everyone involved, and it showed. Now, you're a successful TV producer. You managed to create a hit comedy, Ugly Betty, against all odds. I mean, who knew Americans would respond so positively to a story you borrowed from a popular Latin American novela.

A few days ago, you gave birth to a lovely girl, Valentina Paloma Pinault. Congratulations! I really love your daughter's first name, and I also love the name Paloma. However, I don't think they go well together, but that's just me. Anyway, I wish you and your significant other, François-Henri Pinault, the very best. It was rumored that he had something to do with Tom Ford's decision to leave Gucci. Someone actually reported that Mr. Pinault refused to renew my beloved Tom's contract. But don't worry, Salma; let's forget about that and move on. Actually, we can discuss that later. Anyway, I've posted a little clip of you in a commercial for Campari. You are gorgeous!

Youtube + Brain Fart + Beauty Queen = Comedic Gold

I’ve made it very clear that I love almost everything about pageants—the beautiful women, the nature of the competition, and the joy of finding that one delegate who can flawlessly recite a few lines from a pageant pattie handbook. Essentially, the crown is reserved for the gorgeous woman who can deliver a few lines without stuttering or sounding like a total ass. However, on rare occasions, you’ll have a woman like Chelsi Smith, a former Miss Universe from Texas, who is beyond amazing. Chelsi is best remembered as a beauty queen with brains.

Well, a few weeks ago, a young South Carolina beauty queen by the name of Lauren Caitlin Upton made headlines when she delivered an unintelligible answer to one of the final questions. Not surprisingly, she didn’t win the Miss Teen USA crown. I feel bad for her. It’s very stressful to be on stage and deliver a performance of a lifetime. She didn't deliver; the poor girl failed miserably.



Again, I am a huge supporter of beauty pageants. I’ve loved them for years. I can understand all the arguments against them—that they are sexist and disgusting to some people. However, from a very objective perspective, these pageants only serve to entertain.

My, how times have changed. Beauty queens have been delivering trite and sometimes incoherent final answers for decades; but now, thanks to the internet, people who don’t normally watch pageants have access to some of these displays of cognitive dysfunction. The following clips were all inspired by Lauren’s . . . what’s the phrase . . . brain fart? Yes, brain fart!

The Simpsons Go To Paris. Finally!

I finally got around to creating my Simpsons avatar. I shall call him mini Marius. You can create your own avatar at the The Simpsons Movie website.



I haven't seen the movie yet, but the reviews so far have been generally positive. For example, veteran critic Roger Ebert gave the film three stars. Not bad. Anyway, Twentieth Century Fox is doing everything in its power to promote its new film. They even enlisted the help of the fashion community to help sell their film. Great idea! Here are a few images of Marge Simpson and family mingling with the fashion elite in a clever little piece for Harper's Bazaar. Of course, Marge needed a fabulous guide to help her navigate the complex world of high fashion in Paris. I'm pleased to announce that my favorite Canadian model Linda Evangelista graciously offered to assist them. Now, let's follow Linda, Marge, and the kids as they travel to Paris.

First stop, the streets of Paris.


Then, it's off to visit Donatella.


Next stop, the house of Chanel.


After chatting a bit with Karl Lagerfeld, they rush to meet with the one and only Jean Paul Gaultier.


Click here to view more pictures of Marge and Linda as they meet other fashion designers. Very cute!

Never Judge A Book By Its Cover (Top Chef 3, Reunion Special)

Bravo’s Watch What Happens special aired a few hours ago. It was nothing spectacular; Andy Cohen interviewed past and present Top Chef contestants. But I enjoyed seeing some past cheftestants talk about their experiences.

Ok, now let’s get down to business. I’m sure other bloggers are going recap the entire thing; so I’m just going to focus on two aspects of the show: tolerance and the importance of not judging a book by its cover! Please let me explain.

In most societies, it’s not easy being a fabulous harlot. Women of ill repute are often shunned by others. In some cultures, even a straight-laced gal who falls from grace one time can end up wearing a scarlet letter for life. It’s not easy being a whore.

I feel for these women. I really do. Out there somewhere is a prostitute with a heart of gold. Or a stripper who dutifully performs for disabled veterans. Or a desperate housewife who pays for her young gardener’s college education. I refuse to judge these women.

Anyway, at one point during the show, Andy read a comment submitted by a Bravo viewer.

How the hell can you cook anything with that Padma parading around. Christ, I’d eat anything off of her; I’d drink her bath water.

First, I was shocked to learn that heterosexual men actually watch Bravo. Interesting. The suits at Bravo sure knew what they were doing when they hired her. Yeah, sex sells. Anyway, at first, I was concerned for our Padma. For a brief moment, it appeared that Padma’s sexuality was on trial. Here’s the evidence.











It’s undeniable; our beloved Padma is asking for trouble. However, just when I had given up hope, an angel appeared on the screen. No, he wasn’t an angel, he was more like a deity—a gay deity with impeccable taste. It was my personal hero Tim Gunn. He said of Padma,

I love Padma’s style! Padma is who she is, and if risqué is the way she wants to be, risqué is how she should be. Padma, keep it up.

Then, fellow judge Tom Colicchio added,

In Padma’s defense, she’s not cooking in that kitchen.

While all this was going on, former cheftestant Sandee was jumping up and down like a teenage boy at a Jessica Simpson concert. She must have heard the news that Padma was leaving her husband. Oh, one can only imagine the types of thoughts that were in her head at that very moment.



Sandee immediately offered the object of her affection the following words,

She’s a pleasure when she comes in the kitchen . . . she comes in and it brightens our day.

How touching. Of course, Padma was allowed to speak in her own defense. She said,

It doesn’t matter; all I have to do on the show is think, speak, and eat; and I’m dressed perfectly for those three tasks . . . people don’t know this, but Gail’s actually much more, uh . . .

I’m the real slut is what she’s trying to say.

Finally, the truth was revealed. So, it turns out that Padma may look like a slut, but she’s really just a misunderstood beauty. Seriously, if she wanted, she could dress that way in Bollywood and still play an innocent virgin who saves herself for the right man. But, instead, she’s a reality star here in the States. And I think she’s doing us a favor. You know, I’d pay to see her dancing in one of those Bollywood dance numbers. Yes, I’d love that. Anyway, now we all know who the real whore is; don’t we, Gail?

This reunion special taught me many valuable lessons. The most obvious lesson is to never judge a book by its cover. But, the most important lesson of all is that we should be tolerant of everyone. Even harlots need a little love.

The Barefoot Contessa (1954)

***This post contains spoilers***



I haven’t seen the film The Barefoot Contessa (1954) in years. The film stars the wonderful Ava Gardner and the legendary Humphrey Bogart. I was discussing this particular movie with a friend the other day because of Bogart. We actually started talking about the film Sabrina (1954) and how Bogart was perfect for the role of Linus Larrabee. Yes, 1954 was a great year for this very talented man.



Joseph Leo Mankiewicz, the writer and director of The Barefoot Contessa, created a film that was by no means original; it was essentially a Cinderella story with a tragic ending. However, I loved that he created a character like Maria Vargas (Ava Gardner), a dancer from Madrid who becomes an international star almost overnight.



I had issues with various elements of the film, including Ava’s performance. However, there is no question that she was perfect as Maria Vargas. She was sensational! The film is unconventional in a lot of ways. For example, it deals with sexual dysfunction and female sexuality, topics that, I’m sure, were rarely addressed on film in the 50s. Maria uses her beauty and star power to full advantage. Sure, the film sexually objectifies Ava’s Maria Vargas. But Maria is always in control of her sexuality, and it’s that freedom that leads to her death at the hands of a jealous husband.



Another great thing about the film was the participation of the Italian actor Rossano Brazzi. He played Maria’s husband, Count Vincenzo Torlato-Favriniin, in the film. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; I love Mediterranean men. I found Brazzi’s performance quite effective.



Ah, Rossano, if only I had a time machine.

60s Pop Icon: Twiggy

I don't remember the 60s, as my mother's dormant egg, which contained part of my genetic soup, hadn't even fused with my father's sperm at that moment in time. My parents were just children in the 60s. Fortunately, thanks to the internet, I have access to tons of pictures and video clips of that wonderful decade.

Without question, Lesley Hornby (aka Twiggy) was one of the most influential pop icons of the 60s. As most of you probably know, she was a supermodel back in the day. To be honest, I can't figure out why she became such a huge success. Consider the following. She wasn't the most beautiful woman in the world; she was too short--violating rule number one of the supermodel bible; and she was just way too skinny. And don't get me started about eating disorders. Bill Maher once joked that men in general just fuck anything they're given by the fashion Gods of print media--even a girl with a boyish body. Of course, Hugh Hefner's Playboy magazine always provides a healthier, though not always real, alternative.

Anyway, I think Twiggy possessed some special quality that just made her stand out--that IT factor that's just hard to put into words. I'm sure luck also played a role in her success. Dr. Zaius, who inspired this post, believes that it's all in the eyes. And I think he may be right. The camera just loved Twiggy.

If you'd like to learn more about Vidal Sassoon and 60s fashion and culture, visit Ms. Place's Dishin' Dat Blog.

Long Live Japanese Beauty

Hey, Marius, I heard you watched the 56th annual Miss Universe Pageant on Monday. Were the ethnic festivities to your liking? Oh, and one more thing, if you wanna make it right? Then when you go to Nationals... bring it.

Yes, Gabrielle Union, I really enjoyed the 2007 Miss Universe pageant. Of course, I love pageants. Thanks for asking. Also, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Nationals? Hm, you must have me confused with Kirsten Dunst.

Anyway, I think what the lovely Ms. Union was trying to say is: it sucked to be a white woman in the Miss Universe Pageant this year. That is, delegates of (mostly) European descent, if you don’t count some of the Hispanic women, didn’t do so well this year. Problems started when Miss Sweden decided to drop out of the competition. This was a big blow for Europe, as Sweden was a pageant powerhouse for many years, winning the MU crown on three occasions. And although Sweden is no longer the pageant powerhouse that it was back in the day, Swedish delegates always seem to perform well at the Miss Universe Pageant.



At the outset, four European women made it to the top 15. The show started with the swimsuit presentation, and Tjasa Kokalj, Miss Slovenia, lead the way. Lucie Hadasova, Miss Czech Republic; Zaklina Sojic, Miss Denmark; and Lyudmilla Bikmullina, Miss Ukraine were the remaining three. Unfortunately, all 4 of these delegates, as well as Farung Yuthithum, Miss Thailand, failed to move on to the next round—the top 10.





This year was full of surprises. In fact, only four Latin delegates made it to the top 15. Fortunately, all of them also placed in the top 10. They were Natalia Guimaraes (Brazil), Ly Jonaitis (Venezuela), Rosa Maria Ojeda (Mexico), and Xiomara Blandino (Nicaragua). Of these four delegates, Brazil and Venezuela were clearly the judges’ favorites. Asia was well represented by Riyo Mori (Japan), Honey Lee (Korea), Puja Gupta (India), and Farung Yuthithum (Thailand), who was the only delegate who didn’t place in the top 10. Rachel Smith (USA) looked amazing and easily advanced to the top 10 group. Africa was represented by two amazing delegates—Flaviana Matata (Tanzania) and Micaela Reis (Angola). The judges loved these African beauties and they made it to the top 10.



Brazil looked sensational in her swimsuit, and the judges awarded her the second highest score. Interestingly, she reminded me a lot of Rafeala Zanella, last year’s Miss Brazil. Rafeala made it to the top 15, but didn’t impress the judges. Although Natalia looked a little like Rafeala, she was clearly a stronger delegate. She’s more sensual and has a body to die for.



However, the judges awarded the highest score to Japan’s Riyo Mori. Riyo isn’t as curvaceous as Natalia, but her thinner body was well proportioned and almost flawless. She narrowly defeated Natalia by delivering a phenomenal catwalk performance. This dancer turned beauty queen sure knows how to work it.



The one thing that really bugged me was that the judges were just all over the place with their scores. They disliked delegates who, on the surface, seemed very similar to other delegates they seemed to like a lot. For example, they weren’t crazy about Thailand, but they sure did love Korea. The judges also had some unusual preferences. They weren’t too crazy about Mexico or India, but they did love Tanzania, who had obvious flaws that the judges seemed to overlook. Mexico performed much better than Tanzania, but the judges consistently gave Mexico lower scores.

The evening gown presentation is my favorite part of the night. Mexico picked a red gown that showed off her fantastic body. She simply had an unconventional beauty that doesn’t sit well with judges. I’m not surprised she didn’t make it to the top 5. Unlike Mexico, Angola had a fighting chance. She looked lovely, and she delivered a solid performance. However, the judges weren’t as impressed as I was.


Miss USA looked radiant in her black gown, a better choice than the gown she wore for the Miss USA pageant. Unfortunately, that special moment was cut short when she slipped and fell on her tush. My heart almost stopped. I was worried that that would decrease her chances of placing in the top 5. It didn’t! She recovered nicely and managed to place in the top 5 by the skin of her teeth.



I wasn’t surprised that Korea and Venezuela made it to the next round (top 5). Interestingly, Korea reminded me of Laura Elizondo, Miss Mexico 2004. Both women seemed unstoppable at first. They could do no wrong. The judges just loved them. To be honest, Korea’s hip-to-waist ratio just seemed off the mark. I thought this flaw would keep her from advancing to the top 5. However, the judges were just hypnotized by her beauty. Yes, much like Laura before her, Honey’s striking beauty was her ticket to the top 5. Venezuela delivered a strong performance; no surprise there. I wasn’t crazy about her gown, but she looked fabulous. The judges also gave her one of the highest scores and she made it to the top 5.



Riyo (Japan) wore a lovely Gucci gown. The judges gave her a somewhat lower score, but she delivered another great performance. Her confidence set her apart from the other delegate. She just has such a commanding presence. She placed in the top 5 and proved, once again, that Japan is slowly but surely becoming a pageant powerhouse.



But the star in evening gown was without a doubt Brazil. Natalia was perfection. She looked gorgeous—just the right amount of sensuality, beauty, and glamour. Although she lacked Japan’s aggression, she delivered a performance that was flirtatious and effective. She earned the highest score in the evening gown competition.



The final five—Venezuela, Korea, Brazil, USA, and Japan—all deserved to be in the top 5. I was disappointed with last year’s top 5. And this year, I think Angola should have been given a shot, but, I guess she just didn’t wow the judges enough. USA was asked a fair question and she delivered a good answer. However, she clearly wasn’t one of the judges’ favorites. She ended the evening as 4th runner-up. I had predicted that she would dominate the pageant, like she did a few months ago in the Miss USA pageant. I was wrong. Korea was asked a silly final question, and I’m sure that hurt her chances of winning the crown. However, I was expecting more from Honey. I was disappointed. The judges awarded her the 3rd runner-up position. Interestingly, Laura Elizondo was also the 3rd-runner up in 04. Venezuela delivered a strong performance throughout. Her final question was reasonable and her answer was good. However, Venezuela usually sends delegates that are well prepared and kind of superficial. Ly had pageant pattie written all over her face, and I’m sure that hurt her chances of winning the crown. She ended the evening as 2nd runner-up. Brazil really did an exceptional job this year. She answered her question without any hesitation. It just didn’t seem possible for any of the other delegates to top her final answer. Well, it was possible and it happened. The moment Riyo opened her mouth it became clear that she wasn’t going down without a fight. Like Natalia, Riyo answered her question without flinching. However, she answered her question with a confidence that impressed the audience and, more importantly, the judges. She was also quite unconventional, a personality trait that earned Kurara Chibana, last year’s Miss Japan, the first runner-up position. Well, Riyo managed to win over the judges and she became the second Japanese woman in history to win the Miss Universe crown.



Some bloggers and pageant aficionados have made some very negative comments about Riyo. They’ve said that she didn’t deserve the crown, while others believe that Kurara was more deserving. And, of course, many were not pleased that Brazil’s textbook performance was not rewarded by the judges. Clearly, Brazil did everything right. She was flawless. However, I think Riyo deserved the crown. She wasn’t my favorite delegate, but her unconventional performance and impressive confidence won me over. There are plenty of pageant patties in the world of beauty pageants. That's for sure. What we need is more women like Riyo who have beauty, brains, and real personality.

Miss Universe 2007: Riyo Mori

Well, the Miss Universe pageant officially ended about an hour ago and I'm still here scratching my head. The judges were all over the place this year, which was a good thing, really. It kept everyone one their toes.



Although I had issues with Riyo Mori, Miss Japan 2007, she made it to the top 5 and impressed the judges (and me, too) enough to win the crown. So, congratulations Riyo. Also, I'll post a recap of the final some time within the next few days.

Meet the 2007 Miss Universe Delegates

Thank goodness for youtube. I managed to find a few Miss Universe videos. Most were pretty useless, but a few are actually worth watching. Below is one such video. It appears that someone filmed the 77 delegates either practicing the opening number for the final or maybe that's just part of the preliminary competition. Anyway, this is a great opportunity to see these lovely ladies before the final on Monday. I think Brazil, Japan, Greece, Spain, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, and the USA really stood out from the rest. These women sure know how to work it. Enjoy!

Miss Universe 2007: You Decide

The Miss Universe 2007 pageant is days away. And I predict Rachel Smith, Miss USA, will win the crown. Click here to find out why I think Rachel will go home victorious. So, who do you think deserves to win the coveted Miss Universe crown?

Do you have a favorite Miss Universe 2007 delegate? Vote for your favorite delegate here!
	Micaela Reis, Miss Angola
	Natalia Guimaraes, Miss Brazil
	Ning Ning Zhang, Miss China
	Eileen Roca Torralvo, Miss Colombia
	Massiel Taveras, Miss Dominican Republic
	Viktoria Azovskaja, Miss Estonia
	Doukissa Nomikou, Miss Greece
	Puja Gupta, Miss India
	Valentina Massi, Miss Italy
	Riyo Mori, Miss Japan
	Honey Lee, Miss Korea
	Rosa Maria Ojeda, Miss Mexico
	Anna Theresa Licaros, Miss Philippines
	Uma Blasini, Miss Puerto Rico
	Tatiana Kotova, Miss Russia
	Megan Coleman, Miss South Africa
	Natalia Zabala Arroyo, Miss Spain
	Rachel Smith, Miss USA
	Ly Jonaitis, Miss Venezuela
	Other
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Thanks for your participation.

CLICK HERE TO MEET THE DELEGATES (VIDEO)!

Miss Universe: True Beauty Queens

Don’t forget to mark your calendars. The 2007 Miss Universe pageant will be televised live from Mexico City (on NBC) on Monday, May 28th—that’s just around the corner. Latin hunk Mario Lopez and the lovely Vanessa Minnillo will host this annual celebration of . . . beauty or whatever it is you want to call it. I love Mario, but I’m a little disappointed that Carson Kressley and Shandy Finnesey won’t be participating. Seriously, they were awesome last year.

So, this is my BIG post—my final predictions for the 2007 Miss Universe pageant. As I mentioned before, my predictions are based on a number of factors, including past delegates and current trends.


Rosa Maria Ojeda, Miss Mexico 2007, is one of the favorites, and for good reason. She’s one of the strongest delegates. She’s not drop dead gorgeous like Russia or Greece. However, she’s very pretty and seems like a sweet, down to Earth person, which should help her win over the judges. Rosa has an amazing body, and she knows how to work it. She has it all. I predict she will make it to the semi-finals (top 10), and she should have no problem placing in the top 5. It’s hard to say whether she really has a shot at winning the crown. She’s not as polished as Venezuela and she lacks USA’s powerful presence, but she’s a strong delegate. As mentioned before, her biggest rivals are going to be Spain and Russia. If she manages to place in the top 5, I think she’ll end up as 3rd or 4th runner-up.


Doukissa Nomikou, Miss Greece 2007, is the woman to beat; well, that’s what many bloggers and pageant aficionados seem to think. I predict she’ll place in the top 5. There are two things working in her favor: she’s gorgeous and sexy. And she has a lovely figure. Yep, I’m sure she’ll place in the top 5. However, I don’t think she’ll win the crown. She certainly has what it takes and her chances are better than Mexico’s, but USA and Venezuela aren’t going down without a fight. I think she’ll end up as 3rd runner-up, but the 1st or 2nd runner-up positions are not out of reach for her.


Honey Lee, Miss Korea 2007, deserves to be on this list. Opinions vary, but it’s safe to say that she’s one of the strongest Asian delegates. Japan has been receiving a lot of attention lately, but my vote is still for Honey. I predict she will make it to the semi-finals (top 10), and I’m cautiously optimistic that she’ll place in the top 5. She has strong communication skills, an understated confidence that’s charming, and a natural beauty. She is the epitome of femininity. Honestly, I think she deserves the Miss Universe crown, and it is within her reach. However, I predict that she will end up as 1st or 2nd runner-up. Let’s face it; Asian delegates aren’t always evaluated fairly. If Honey wins the crown, I will be one happy camper.


Ly Jonaitis, Miss Venezuela 2007, is the queen of the pageant patties. In a world devoid of subjective feeling, Ly could easily win the Miss Universe crown. However, we don’t live in such a world; the real world is very different. Ly is a very impressive delegate—great body, beautiful, and sexy. But she isn’t really unique, which makes sense because pageant patties are all very similar. If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. She can easily win the crown, but I predict that she will be the 1st runner-up. Of course, some pageant aficionados are worried that Ly will fade into obscurity just like some of her predecessors. To be honest, Venezuela hasn’t been doing well these past few years. I think Ly will turn things around for Venezuela. If she falters like Monica Spear in 04, she’ll leave the door wide open for Korea, Greece, and Mexico.


Rachel Smith, Miss USA 2007, has been losing support among bloggers and pageant aficionados these past few days. She’s not as photogenic as some of the other delegates, and some people think she’s just not as attractive as the other women on this list. She does have some qualities that are undeniable. For example, she has the perfect figure—just lovely. And although she lacks maturity, she’s a confident speaker. However, she has a secret weapon that very few delegates have—stage presence. This quality sets her apart from the rest. Alicia Machado had that same quality, and she easily took home the Miss Universe crown in 96. I predict Rachel will dominate this year, much like Alicia did in 96.

I wish I had detailed information about the judges—about their likes and dislikes. That would be very helpful. Now, all we can do is wait for the big night. In one week, 77 delegates will compete for the coveted Miss Universe crown. My personal favorite is Miss Spain; she is amazing. I have a gut feeling she will place in the top 5 by displacing Mexico, Greece, or Korea. Does she have what it takes to win the crown? We’ll have to wait and see. Miss Mexico has a killer body and a lovely face; she’s one the strongest delegates. I don’t think she’ll win the crown but she will surely deliver a strong performance. Korea may surprise everyone and steal the show; she’s one to watch. Greece will probably place in the top 5. She’s just gorgeous. Finally, although I think Miss USA will win the crown, Venezuela will challenge her to the very end. This promises to be an interesting year for the Miss Universe organization.

I’ll post a recap of the final some time after Monday, May 28th. If you enjoyed this post, you may want to check out some of my other MU posts:
Beauties with Great Potential
Magnificent Beauties (Top 10)

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE DELEGATE!

CLICK HERE TO MEET THE DELEGATES (VIDEO)!

Miss Universe 2007: Magnificent Beauties

In the previous post, I listed the delegates I think have a good chance of making it to the finals of the 2007 Miss Universe pageant. This post is all about winners. Yes, the women listed here are simply magnificent for various reasons. I think most should make it to the finals (top 15) without even trying. I predict these women will also make it to the semi-finals (top 10), but it’s not going to be a walk in the park for some of these girls.


I know what you’re thinking; what is Eileen Roca Torralvo, Miss Colombia 2007, doing on this list? Actually, she was on my previous list of delegates with potential, but there’s something about her that screams beauty queen. She is the perfect South American beauty. In fact, she reminds me a lot of past Venezuelan beauties, and that’s why she’s on this list. She’s not a favorite among bloggers or pageant aficionados, but I think she will do very well. Again, she’s a great pageant pattie, and I hope she does well. Unfortunately, she’s not the greatest speaker, and that can be a problem. So, I predict she’ll make it to the finals, and I am cautiously optimistic that she will also be one of the semi-finalists. However, if she fails to impress the judges, she’ll leave the door wide open for South Africa and Brazil. I doubt she’ll win the crown. If she ends up in the top 5, I’ll be surprised. Clearly, Eileen is the weakest delegate on this list.


At first, I thought Teodora Marcic, Miss Serbia 2007, was just like South Africa, Slovenia, and Estonia—just another blond beauty. However, there’s something about her that makes her stand out. She’s confident, that’s one reason, but the thing I love most about her is that, unlike most of the other delegates, she doesn’t feel the need to laugh uncontrollably like a school girl—like Miss Slovenia. I’m not saying she’s the best speaker. I’m just saying that she will easily make it to the finals (top 15), and I predict she will be a semi-finalist (top 10). Although Teodora has a better shot than Miss Colombia, she’s still vulnerable. I doubt she’ll place in the top 5.


Flaviana Matata, Miss Tanzania 2007, has a smile that just lights up any room. She’s a natural (unadulterated) beauty that will win over the judges. I think she’ll make it to the finals (top 15), and, of course, she deserves a spot in the semi-finals (top 10). I can’t say she deserves a spot in the top 5. I think she can do it, but there are a number of things that may work against her. She’s not as polished as some of the other delegates, and she lacks experience. Seriously, she’s no match for women like Venezuela and Dominican Republic. These women know exactly what to say and do to win any crown. Flaviana will probably win over the judges with her exotic beauty at the outset, but her chances of winning the crown are slim.


Tatiana Kotova, Miss Russia 2007, is gorgeous. She’s not just beautiful and photogenic; she’s the type of woman who stops traffic. She looks a little like Michelle Pfeiffer. I predict she will be a semi-finalist (top 10). I’m not sure if she has what it takes to place in the top 5. She looks wonderful in her evening gown, but she doesn’t have a killer body. That’s her biggest weakness. If she ends up in the top 5, which is not beyond her reach, her chances of winning the crown are not very good. Tatiana may be a stunning woman, but she’s not a great speaker.


Natalia Zabala Arroyo, Miss Spain 2007, is my personal favorite. If I ruled the world, I would personally place the tiara on her beautiful head and declare her woman of the year—Miss Universe 2007. Natalia is a great representative of Iberian beauty. She stands out for several reasons. I think she’s very photogenic, as are other girls, of course. But she’s special in other ways. She doesn’t look or act like most of the other women. She’s poised and confident; not the greatest speaker but effective. And her biggest strength is her presence—just looking at her one gets the impression that she’s a cultured woman. That has to count for something. Unfortunately, like Miss Russia, she doesn’t have the best body. I predict she will be a semi-finalist (top 10). She definitely has what it takes to place in the top 5 (and maybe even win the crown), but it won’t be easy. Russia and Mexico will be her biggest rivals.

These are some of my predictions for the upcoming Miss Universe pageant. I’m working on one more post—it’s the big one. My predictions are based on a number of factors, including past finalists and current trends. But the truth of the matter is that everything depends on the judges. Their collective tastes and dislikes will decide who will go home with the crown. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother to post this stuff. Well, I actually enjoy sharing my thoughts with people who love beauty pageants. So, that’s why I’m posting this.

I’ll post a recap of the final some time after Monday, May 28th. If you liked this post, you may want to check out some of my other MU posts:
Beauties with Great Potential
True Beauty Queens (Final Predictions)

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE DELEGATE!

CLICK HERE TO MEET THE DELEGATES (VIDEO)!

Miss Universe 2007: Beauties with Great Potential

This year, the Miss Universe organization has decided to select 15 finalists for the big night. After much deliberation, I’ve managed to generate a list of delegates that I think have a shot at making it to the finals. It wasn’t an easy task, but someone had to do it.


I wish I could tell you that Puja Gupta, Miss India 2007, will be one of the finalists. India always sends impressive women to international pageants. Unfortunately, Puja isn’t one of the favorites. I like Puja because she’s an intelligent woman, and I think delegates should get extra points for being smarter than the average pageant pattie. Of course, that doesn’t usually happen; there’s a reason these contests are called beauty pageants. I’ll be pleasantly surprised if she makes it to the finals.


I must say, Japan has hit a home run again. Ines Ligron deserves a raise. Riyo Mori, Miss Japan 2007, is a lovely delegate. She’s very photogenic, and it’s tempting to say that she will be one of the 15 finalists. However, I can’t say that with much confidence. She’s no Kurara Chibana. Now, if she delivers a killer catwalk performance, I think her chances increase exponentially. I wish her the best.


Let me just start by saying that I am not a fan of Uma Blasini, Miss Puerto Rico 2007. No I am not! She’s not very photogenic. She kind of looks anemic. And there’s nothing really special about her—she doesn’t seem to stand out in any way. Well, that’s not entirely true; she is one of the tallest delegates. At first, I was going to exclude her from this list, but then a little voice in my head kept saying, “never under estimate the power of the boricua!” Yes, the small Island nation of Puerto Rico has become a pageant powerhouse. I should also note that Uma seems to be a very outgoing and secure young woman. She may win over the preliminary judges and secure a spot in the top 15. I doubt that will happen, but it’s possible.


Natalia Guimaraes, Miss Brazil 2007, reminds me of Rafeala Zanella, last year’s Miss Brazil. Rafeala made it to the finals in 06, but she wasn’t able to secure a spot in the top 10. I like Natalia, and I have a strong feeling she will be one of the finalists. The big question is: does she have what it takes to make it to the semi-finals. She clearly has potential, but she’s going to have to deliver a performance of a lifetime to wow the judges.


Massiel Taveras, Miss Dominican Republic 2007, has a lot going for her. She’s an attractive woman who has a very nice figure. But, to be honest, she’s not one of my favorites. However, two things seem to be working in her favor. Dominican women have been doing very well in international pageants for the past few years. Massiel is a confident speaker, and I’m sure the judges will notice that. In fact, I think she is the perfect pageant pattie. Unfortunately, there’s nothing particularly great about her.


Tjasa Kokalj, Miss Slovenia 2007, is a beautiful woman. There’s no doubt about that. I think she deserves to be a finalist. However, there’s one thing that bugs me about this lovely gal. She’s not a very impressive speaker. Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if she ends up annoying half of the judges. She’s not very energetic; she’s just . . . there, taking up space. I really like this girl, but she needs to get with the program.


Viktoria Azovskaja, Miss Estonia 2007, is also a lovely woman. She’s not as stunning as Tjasa. Nor does she have Riyo Mori’s natural beauty. The one thing I love about Viktoria is her understated confidence. And I think that makes her special. Let’s hope the judges agree and give her a spot in the finals.


Megan Coleman, Miss South Africa 2007, is very photogenic and she has an amazing body. This woman has what it takes to make it to the finals. She’s not one of my favorites, but she’s definitely one to watch. I suspect she’ll impress the judges. She may even have a shot at making it to the semi-finals.

I’ll conclude this post by saying that these women are all lovely. However, I don’t think any of them have what it takes to win the coveted Miss Universe crown.

I’ll post a recap of the final some time after Monday, May 28th. If you liked this post, you may want to check out some of my other MU posts:

Magnificent Beauties (Top 10)
True Beauty Queens (Final Predictions)

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE DELEGATE!


CLICK HERE TO MEET THE DELEGATES (VIDEO)!

Miss Universe 2007: Let the Games Begin

In a few weeks, millions of viewers around the world will be watching the 2007 Miss Universe Pageant. It’s not really a big deal here in the states, but in some countries, people go crazy for pageants. Of course, I’ll be commenting on various aspects of the pageant over the next few weeks, and I’d like to start by writing about past, present, and future pageant powerhouses: Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, India, Mexico, Venezuela, and U.S.A.


Uma Blasini, Miss Puerto Rico 2007, has some very large shoes to fill. In fact, Zuleyka Rivera, last’s years Miss Puerto Rico, is the current Miss Universe. And Puerto Rican delegates always do well at international pageants. Well, I’m afraid Uma doesn’t stand a chance. It’s a shame because Puerto Rico usually sends amazing delegates. I guess this just isn’t their year.


Massiel Taveras, the delegate from the Dominican Republic, also comes from a country that has done very well over the years. Dominican Republic won the MU Crown in 2003, and their delegates have been impressing judges for the past few years. To be honest, I’m not that impressed with Massiel. However, some bloggers and pageant aficionados are crazy about this woman. She’s one to watch.


Puja Gupta represents India, and she is one of my favorite delegates. India is without question a pageant powerhouse. It’s interesting that Indian delegates haven’t been that successful these past few years; I’m not sure why. However, it’s never wise to underestimate this Asian powerhouse. I’m still not sure if she has what it takes to win the crown, but I’m cautiously optimistic.


Rosa Maria Ojeda is the delegate from Mexico, and she is a safe bet. She’s very pretty and she has an amazing body. She’s not as assertive as some of the other women, and she seems really inexperienced, which can be problematic. So, I don’t think she’ll win the crown, but anything is possible. Mexico has been doing very well for the past few years. And I think Rosa will go far (top 5, perhaps).


Ly Jonaitis, Miss Venezuela 2007, is the strongest delegate from Latin America. Venezuela is still considered a pageant powerhouse. However, Venezuelan delegates haven’t been doing very well for the past few years. Well, things are about to change. Ly is one of my favorite delegates. The Miss Venezuela organization got it right this time. I think she has what it takes to win.


Rachel Smith is the delegate from the U.S.A. And I’m not going to lie; Rachel is the clear favorite. The crown is hers for the taking. It’s not going to be easy, but if she follows the rules and doesn’t make any mistakes, I think she will be the next Miss Universe.

It’s really too early to be making predictions, but I’m just going with my gut feelings at this point in time. I’ll be writing more about these delegates within the next few days. Also, I’ve got my eye on Spain and Colombia. Let the games begin!

If you enjoyed this post, you may want to check some of my other MU posts:
Beauties with Great Potential
Magnificent Beauties (Top 10)
True Beauty Queens(Final Predictions)

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE DELEGATE!


CLICK HERE TO MEET THE DELEGATES (VIDEO)!

American Super Babes

This (old) post is my contribution to Nat's Action Heroine Blog-A-Thon. Click here to go to Nat's (not so) secret headquarters over at the Film Experience Blog.

If this blog were a living thing, its blood estrogen levels would be dangerously high, which usually occurs around this time of year. That’s right; the Miss Universe Pageant is just around the corner. It will air on Monday, May 28th at 9 PM on NBC. Seventy or so women will be vying for a crown that is both a blessing and a curse. Mark your calendars.

The U.S. has always been a power house in the pageant world. We have the most Miss Universe wins, and the level of competition here is amazing. Although many people may despise the Miss USA pageant system, there’s no denying its contribution to the entertainment industry. For example, desperate housewife Eva Longoria participated in the Miss Texas pageant in 1998; she represented Corpus Christi. Sadly, most beauty queens never achieve Eva’s level of success.

There are two former American beauty queens that have achieved a level of success in the entertainment industry that most can only dream of. Interestingly, these two women have so much in common.



Lynda Carter (Arizona) represented the U.S. in the Miss World pageant in 1972; she was a finalist. Halle Berry (Ohio) also represented the U.S. in the Miss World pageant in 1986; she was a semi-finalist.



The similarities don’t end there; both women were born into nontraditional families. Specifically, Lynda’s father is of Anglo-Saxon descent and her mother is Mexican-American. Halle was born to an African-American father and Anglo-Saxon mother.



Wait, it gets better. As most of you probably know, Lynda went on to portray Wonder Woman on the small screen in the late 70’s. And not to be outdone, Halle portrayed not one, but two superheroes, Storm and Catwoman.



Now, I’m sure Halle would prefer that I not mention Catwoman, but you can’t run from your past. Also, Halle looks really hot in her Catwoman costume. So that’s something to be proud of.



Halle is currently one of the highest paid female actors in Hollywood, and in 2002, she won an Academy Award for her performance in the film Monster’s Ball. Life has been good to the beautiful Miss Berry. However, my favorite of the two will always be Lynda Carter. She just took my breath away the first time I saw her. What a stunning beauty! And she’s more than just a pretty face. She seems like an intelligent and good-natured person.



I think Lynda is one of the greatest American beauty queens in the history of the Miss USA pageant. There’s no question about that. She is amazing!

Workout #6: A Day in the Life of Erika Jacobson

In this episode, Jackie received a phone call from some agency that was interested in Erika, one of the Sky Sport trainers. They heard that she looked a lot like Angelina Jolie, and they wanted to schedule a photo session with Erika to see if she lived up to all the hype. I assume she did.



Let me just say, Erika is hot. There’s no question about that. The Brad Pitt look-alike they hired didn’t look anything like the real Brad. So that was interesting.



Here are some pictures of Erika and Angelina. Sure, they look very similar. They’re both very attractive women. And those lips—wow! But I’m not sure if I’d say that Erika is an Angelina Jolie look-alike. There is, however, a very strong resemblance.






And I'll conclude this post with a picture of Angelina, just because. Beautiful!

Bollywood Goddess: Aishwarya Rai

By now most of you have probably heard that Aishwarya Rai, Miss World 1994, married fellow Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan a few days ago. She is currently a model for Loreal cosmetics. Aishwarya has been called the most beautiful woman in the world. That’s a very bold statement, but I think many people would agree with it. She is admired and adored by millions. India has proven time and again that they are a powerhouse in the pageant world, and Aishwarya is arguably the most successful Indian delegate of all time.

She is one of my favorite beauty queens—intelligent, beautiful, and modest. I wish Aishwarya and her husband the very best.

Fashion Icon: Audrey Hepburn

The TLC special The Greatest Fashion Icons in Film ranked various legendary movie stars and compared them to contemporary actors (see previous post). They gave the title of most fashionable goddess of the silver screen to Audrey Hepburn. They also declared that no contemporary actor can compare to this phenomenal woman. I couldn’t agree more.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Below are a handful of pictures of Audrey Hepburn, one of the silver screen’s greatest beauties. Her unique beauty and sophisticated demeanor are difficult to imitate. I could go on and on about how amazing she is, but I’ll just let these images speak for themselves. My favorite Hepburn films are Funny Face, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Sabrina. I should review these films at some point, and I will if time permits.

Fashion Icons, Past and Present

About a month ago, TLC aired a program called The Greatest Fashion Icons in Film. Apparently, they got a team of experts to rank the most fashionable icons in cinema, and they also listed contemporary actors that resemble these iconic stars. I found some of these comparisons quite accurate. Or, at least, they felt right for some reason or another. For example, they compared Madonna to Marlene Dietrich. Good call!



To give another example, Leonardo DiCaprio was anointed the new James Dean by these folks. Ok, that makes sense.


Here’s Cary Grant and George Clooney. I can see it.


Of course, I didn’t agree with some of their comparisons. I cannot believe they likened Gwyneth Paltrow to Grace Kelly. I can see a few similarities, but these women are on different levels. Grace, of course, is a Hollywood legend, and Gwyneth is, um, a successful American actor. Yeah, she’s an Academy Award winning actor, but that doesn’t make her Grace Kelly.


I also don’t think Catherine Zeta-Jones is the new Elizabeth Taylor. Don’t get me wrong; Catherine is a beautiful woman, but she’s no Elizabeth Taylor.


I was ambivalent about most of their other comparisons. They declared Scarlett Johanssen the new Marilyn Monroe. Well, ScarJo does have some things in common with Norma Jeane (curves and breasts!), but she’s also quite different in a lot of ways.






Here are a few more pictures of other stars—Brigitte Bardot-Halle Barry and Greta Garbo-Hilary Swank.




For a more complete list visit the Cinefille Blog.

What Makes a Winner?

A few weeks ago, Japanese figure skater Miki Ando won Gold at the World Figure Skating Championships. The defending world champion, American Kimmie Meissner, finished a disappointing fourth. The amazing Sasha Cohen was noticeably absent.



Expectations were high for Sasha last year at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. She was the favorite, but she faced some tough competition from Irinia Slutskaya, a very talented Russian skater. I saw Sasha perform for the first time in 2001. She took my breath away. She skated with such elegance and maturity that seemed to belie her young age.



Throughout the years leading up to the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, Sasha blossomed into a phenomenal skater. She started 2006 with a bang by winning gold at the State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships.



Many, including me, thought she was unstoppable. However, she was vulnerable. Commentators kept on referring to Sasha’s inconsistent record. There were times when she just couldn’t deliver.

Sasha, like Michelle Kwan before her, left Torino without the gold medal. It’s not clear whether Sasha will compete in the next Olympic Winter Games (in 2010?). That would make me very happy, but I guess we’ll have to wait to find out.



Most of us have experienced defeat at one time or another; it’s an unavoidable part of life. Usually, a friend or relative will utter the all too common phrase “winning isn’t everything.” Those words are comforting. In our culture, receiving the top prize or a perfect score is highly desirable. And some people are driven by a need to be number one; some will do whatever it takes to achieve this, irrespective of the costs. In a perfect world, the best person comes out on top. At the outset of a competition, we often hear people say, “may the best man win.” That doesn’t always occur. Lady luck was not on Sasha’s side that day in Torino. Her athletic ability betrayed her, and that was her downfall.

Although Sasha didn’t win the gold, she did walk away with silver and a great short program skate. I remember sitting at the edge of my seat during her short program. What a spiral sequence, her signature move. What grace. She was spectacular. At the end of her performance, Dick Button was exuberant. It was such a great feeling watching her deliver a magnificent performance. She may not have won the gold medal, but she did win the respect and admiration of her peers and many viewers. Fortunately, most of us have experienced great moments of success. We may not always win some fancy trophy or pretentious title, but we often take for granted those other days—when we earn someone’s admiration, affection, or respect. And isn’t that really what winning is all about?

Timeless Beauty: Elizabeth Taylor

Thank goodness for TMC and AMC, two cable channels that show commercial-free classic movies. A few days ago, while channel surfing, I stumbled upon the 1951 Oscar-winning film "A Place in the Sun.” I hadn’t seen it in ages. I must say, Elizabeth Taylor is without question a Hollywood icon. What a stunning beauty. And Montgomery Clift is a great leading man.









Montgomery looks a little like Julian McMahon in this picture. Actually, I think it’s the other way around; Julian looks like Montgomery. Hot!

300 Movie Poster

Here's just one of many 300 movie posters. Lena Headey is amazing.

Mr. World 2007 (Update)

It appears that Juan Garcia, Mr. Spain, is no longer a favorite among bloggers and pageant aficionados. He was a favorite at one time, but many are losing interest in this hot Spaniard. I, on the other hand, think he’s great and wish him the best of luck.


Mr. Spain

Judging by comments on message boards and pageant blogs, Lucas Gil, Mr. Brazil, is still a strong contender. His biggest advantage is that he’s Brazilian. Seriously, I’m starting to think that contestants get extra points just for being Brazilian. However, most of his supporters are Latin women. It’ll be interesting to see if he can win over the judges. I have faith that he will.


Mr. Brazil

Some have suggested that Warren Harvey, Mr. England, has a shot at the title. He doesn’t really do it for me, but some people really like him.


Mr. England



Ok, I can see why people like him. Seeing him without a shirt does change one’s perspective. Yes, he has a very nice body, but, then again, so do many others. We’ll see if Warren has what it takes.

Harley Von Moger, Mr. Australia, is another young man who’s been getting a lot of attention lately.


Mr. Australia



Can Harley repeat what Jennifer Hawkins did at the Miss Universe pageant? I have my doubts, but I’m sure he’ll try his very best to win another international title for Australia. Good luck, mate.

Several bloggers and pageant aficionados have been talking about David Camenzuli, Mr Malta. At the outset, this beautiful man (from a small country) didn’t get as much media attention as some of his peers. In fact, I only mentioned him briefly in a previous post.


Mr. Malta



Now, the tables have turned. Mr. Malta won the fitness challenge, and everyone seems to think he has a shot at the title. I think they may be right. He has the looks of a male supermodel and a great (natural) body. He's also very photogenic. Let’s hope he does well on the big night.

I conclude this post with a few pictures of the contestants competing in one of the fitness challenges. These boys sure look like they’re having fun. Ah, to be an attractive man in the fascinating world of pageants.

Visit http://www.jurorno12.blogspot.com/ for more pics and updates.

Miss USA 2007: Rachel Smith

Rachel Smith, the delegate from Tennessee, was crowned Miss USA 2007 a few hours ago. The favorite, Ashley Zais of South Carolina, failed to make it to the top 10. I have mixed feelings about this year’s pageant. For example, Helen Salas, Miss Nevada, did not deserve to be in the top 5. I think Lauren Bernette, Miss Virginia, should have done better; she’s a stunning beauty.



Rachel clearly deserved the title; she dominated the pageant from start to finish. She has a smashing body and the girl knows how to work it.



Tara Conner looked lovely (and sober) in her red gown; she's pictured below. She thanked Donald Trump on more than one occasion, which was kind of irritating. Tara, Donald is an ass. I’m sorry, but I hope Donald sells the Miss Universe Organization some time soon. I can’t stand him.



It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Rachel; the judges also seemed to like Danielle Lacourse, Miss Rhode Island. Both women are pictured below.



Rachel’s final answer was not impressive. She was asked, “if you could be a famous man, who would you be and why?” She replied, “Will Smith.” Ok, that was a lame answer, but the judges still gave her the crown. She was confident and poised—a real beauty queen. I think she will be a hit at the Miss Universe pageant.



By the way, one of the judges was Jonathan Antin. Yeah, that made me very happy.

Miss USA 2007 Top 10 List

The Miss USA Pageant is going to start in a few minutes. So, here’s my top ten. I’ll post my reaction to the final later tonight or tomorrow. Best of luck to all the contestants.

Virginia (beautiful; should end up in the top 3)
South Carolina (the one to beat; she can easily win the crown)
Texas (I'd like to see her in the top 3; could surprise us)
Tennessee (if she makes it to the top 3, she has what it takes to win)
Utah
Rhode Island (I'd like to see her in the top 5)
North Carolina
California (one of my favorites; let's hope lady luck is on her side)
New York
Nevada

Running with Coconuts

Mr. World 2007 is well underway in Sanya, China. It’s similar to Miss World. The men must first compete in various preliminary competitions to win a spot in the final. The first competition is the Sports Challenge. This task will test the men’s strength, stamina and determination. According to the Mr. World website, this challenge is designed to separate the boys from the men. I like the sound of that. Congratulations to David Camenzuli, Mr. Malta, for winning this very difficult challenge.



According to the website, David is a professional footballer. So it comes as no surprise that he is in excellent shape. In addition to being a great individual athlete, he managed to play well with others. The men had to participate in various team events like tug of war. And David was a great team player.



There were other individual and team events, but my favorite one is the Coconut run. Yes, the contestants had to dash from one side of the beach to the other with coconuts. Below is a picture of Mr. Dominican Republic showing us all how it’s done. By the look on his face, running with coconuts is no easy task.

Si Senor, Latin Men are Hot

Lucas Gil, Mr. Brazil, and Juan Garcia Postigo, Mr. Spain, are vying for the title of Mr. World 2007. I wish them both the very best of luck. God, I love Latin men.

Beauty Queens Gone Wild

On Project Runway Season 3,one of the challenges (episode #2) was to design an evening gown for Tara Conner, Miss USA 2006. I remember how excited Kayne was about making a pageant gown for Tara! Very cute! As expected, the judges picked his design. The most entertaining part was watching Vincent and Angela quarrel like children. Anyway, Tara wore Kayne’s gown in the 55th Annual Miss Universe Pageant and ended the evening as 4th runner-up. I had issues with that, but whatever. The judges liked her. Good for her.



After the Miss Universe pageant, Tara’s perfect little world was rocked by scandal. She was almost stripped of her crown, but Donald Trump, being the fair man that he is, decided to give her a second chance. His decision started one of the silliest feuds in Television history. Rosie mocked Donald on The View; Donald fired back by calling her a disgusting slob; and Anderson Cooper was speechless. By the way, I support Rosie on this all the way. Sit and spin, Donald. Sit and Spin.



One would think that Tara is the worst Beauty Queen ever. However, she faces some tough competition for that title from Alicia Machado, Miss Universe 1996. Let’s compare these two lovely ladies and settle this matter once and for all.

Tara Conner, Miss USA 2006

Charges:

• Underage drinking and cocaine use. Yep, Tara was 20 years old when she was busted for drinking alcohol. She admitted to Matt Lauer that she had a substance abuse problem.
• Inappropriate behavior at nightclubs and in bedrooms throughout NYC. She had a lot of sex with a lot of guys. Let’s just say her behavior made Paris Hilton look like an amateur.
• Corruption of a fellow minor. Apparently, Tara was spotted partying with Katie Blair, Miss Teen USA 2006. The girls were apparently spotted making out, drinking, and doing other naughty things.
  
  Alicia Machado, Miss Universe 1996
  
  Charges:
• Pissing off the Donald. Alicia’s problems started after she won the Miss Universe title in 1996. She told reporters that she didn't plan on following any diet after winning the MU crown. So, she started eating and eating and eating. You get the point. Forty pounds later, the Donald threatened to dethrone her. She agreed to workout and lose the weight.
• Arrogant and insensitive. Some have reported that Alicia was one of the least popular Beauty Queens of Venezuela. She’s pissed off a lot of people. For example, she insulted a fellow contestant on a popular reality show in Mexico. She was later forced to issue a public apology.
• Promiscuous. Alicia likes sex even more than Tara. She was filmed having sex with a fellow housemate in the Spanish reality show “La Granja”. I think the show is similar to "Big Brother". She was engaged to a famous Venezuelan baseball player at the time. He broke off their engagement as soon as he found out. Alicia also became the first Miss Universe to pose nude for Playboy, a decision that stirred up some controversy in Latin America.

I've always had issues with Alicia Machado. However, I always try to be as objective as possible. Back in the day, she was a fabulous pageant patty, and I acknowledge that she deserved the title of Miss Universe. I think Tara is a misguided girl who needs to grow up. I feel for her, but I hope she learns from this experience.

Mr. World 2007: Hotness on a global scale

Juan Garcia Postigo, Mr. Spain 2007

The Mr. World competition is just a few days away and pageant sites all over the world wide web are going crazy over the 63 hunks who are vying for the title of Mr. World. My pick is Juan Garcia Postigo. Of course, I love Spanish men; it wasn't a hard decision. My second pick is Lucas Gil from Brazil. He's the prototypical South American hunk.

Lucas Gil, Mr. Brazil 2007

I wish all the contestants the best of luck, and as they say, may the best man win. Below are pictures of some of the other very attractive contestants.

Diego Cedeno, Mr. Panama 2007
Diego is a real class act from Central America. He's apparently doing very well as a model in Europe.

Roman Demchenko, Mr. Russia 2007.
Roman is one of the hottest European contestants. He reminds me of James Dean.

Anthony Hakim, Mr. Lebanon 2007
Anthony gets extra points for being one of the hairiest contestants.

Mark Wilke, Mr. Germany 2007
Mark is a fine representative of the Northern European male!

David Camenzuli, Mr. Malta 2007
I love this picture. David is a beautiful man.

Johaney Albor, Mr. Dominican Republic 2007
Is he Venezuelan or Dominican? That's the question. Well, he was born in Venezuela and lived there for many years, but his parents are originally from DR. You decide.

Carlo Martellini, Mr. Italy 2007
I've always loved Mediterranean men.

Jorge Aceves, Mr. Mexico 2007
Jorge is cute, but I doubt he'll make much of an impression on the judges. Let's hope I'm wrong. He kind of looks like Gabriel Soto, Mr. Mexico 1996.

Gjorgi Filipov, Mr. Macedonia FYRO
This man is hot. He doesn't seem to be one of the favorites, but I hope he does well.

Kurara Chibana: Sexiest woman of 2006

Kurara Chibana, Miss Japan 2006

The fine folks at Global Beauties picked Kurara Chibana as the sexiest woman alive of 2006. Apparently, the judges were “men who REALLY love women.” I assume they were trying to say that the judges were all heterosexual men. Interesting. I wonder how they got “straight” men to participate. I concur with the heterosexual male judges. Although I don’t REALLY love women in that way, I must say that Kurara is a very sexy woman. She’s also intelligent, cute, playful, and, more importantly, she’s not a pageant patty. And she may be a feminist. Kurara rocks!



Since we’re on the topic of sexy Asian women, did you see Lucy Liu on Ugly Betty a few weeks ago? I was never a Lucy Liu fan. In fact, she used to really get under my skin, but now the tables have turned. I thought she looked great on Ugly Betty.



Lucy, I finally see the light.

Where have all the Anglo-Canadians gone?

Inga Skaya, Miss Canada 2007

When it comes to beauty pageants, Canada and Italy seem to be on opposite sides of the spectrum. Please let me explain. Canada loves to send non-Canadian delegates to international beauty pageants, and in 2005, that strategy paid off—Russian born Natalia Glebova was crowned Miss Universe. I saw the pageant and remember being surprised that Natalia spoke English with a Russian accent. In my opinion, she won the MU title for Russia. Anyway, a few days ago, another Russian woman, Inga Skaya, won the Miss Canada crown. Where have all the Anglo-Canadians gone? Actually, it’s great that judges and officials of the “Beauties of Canada” Association welcome immigrants with open arms, especially if those immigrants happen to be gorgeous Russian women.


Natalia Glebova, Miss Universe 2005

Italy is a different story. In 1997, a lovely Black woman named Denny Mendez won the Miss Italy title. Well, some people weren’t too thrilled, and a few judges even protested Denny’s success. “She's not Mediterranean,” said one of the judges. Fortunately, she was allowed to represent Italy at the MU pageant and she did a great job. I should also point out that most Italians supported Denny. Way to go Italia!


Denny Mendez, Miss Italy 1997