Sunday, September 18, 2011

Blogger's Choice: Miss Universe 2011 The Best Latina Award

I have been doing the coverage of Miss Universe in this blog for 3 consecutive years, Miss Universe Pageant is the best for me, beauty, suspense and excitement we can see in this pageant! Since this blog is mainly focusing on the latinas in the pageant, in Miss Universe 2009, the Best Latina for me was Lourdes Figueroa from Guatemala, in 2010, I gave this award to Miss Uruguay, Stephany Ortega!

This year, the Best Latina Award 2011 goes to

MISS COSTA RICA, JOHANNA SOLANO

In terms of facial beauty, no doubt, Johanna is the best among the latinas, she has typical latin aura on her face, very sweet smile. She is one of the most charismatic Costa Rican Queens I have ever seen. After Costa Rica sent the goddess Leonora Jimemez to Miss World 2005, I personally think Johanna is the second best representative from this country.

Johanna also has good figure and performed very well during the swimsuit competition. In Global Beauties website, she always stayed in the top 15 in all their categoriees and prediction lists. She's eloquent and speaks fluent English which is another bonus for latinas.




















Saturday, September 17, 2011

Miss Venezuela, Vanessa Goncalves, exclusive interview with El Universal

El Universal

ENTREVISTA VANESSA GONCALVES, MISS VENEZUELA 2010


Vanessa Goncalves: "Yo hice un trabajo perfecto"

"Fui a un automercado y en lo que me bajé del carro, la gente me comenzó a aplaudir, sentí ganas de llorar " VANESSA GONCALVES

"El miércoles fui a un automercado y en lo que me bajé del carro, la gente me comenzó a aplaudir, sentí ganas de llorar, pero respiré y sonreí hasta que una señora de 70 años me dijo: 'Mija, usted es la reina de nosotros, no se preocupe' y me dio un abrazo. Esas son cosas que te llegan al alma. Le agradezco a Dios por darme la oportunidad de vivir esta experiencia", cuenta Vanessa Goncalves cuando habla acerca del recibimiento que le ha dado la gente después de su participación en el Miss Universo.

-¿Cómo se siente con respecto a su desempeño en el Miss Universo?
-Me siento tranquila y sin ningún cargo de conciencia, porque yo fui allá a hacer un trabajo y lo hice perfecto porque di todo lo que tenía que dar y usé todas las herramientas que me dieron en el Miss Venezuela. Y para muestra un botón: cuando me bajé de la tarima me encontré a Osmel (Sousa) y lo primero que hizo fue abrazarme y felicitarme. Él tenía que evaluar mi trabajo y, si para él estuvo perfecto, yo no tengo por qué sentirme mal.

-¿Es cierto que la presionaban con el tiempo más que a las otras participantes?
-Eran súper estrictos con el tiempo y yo trataba de ser súper puntual. Ellos me pautaban para las 8:00 y a las 7:40 estaba lista. Siempre trataba de estar lista 15 minutos antes y una de las cosas que me elogiaban era eso, lo impecable que estaba siempre y lo puntual que era.

-¿Esperaba la reacción del público del Credicard Hall de Sao Paulo durante su desfile en traje de baño?
-La sorpresa más grande me la llevé en el desfile preliminar al Miss Universo, porque cuando salí a presentarme, en ese recinto habían muchas banderas de Venezuela, más que de Brasil u otro país. La emoción era grandísima, yo decía: 'Dios mío, ¡qué cantidad de gente está aquí apoyándome! Me sentí como si estuviera en el Poliedro de Caracas.

-¿Por cuánto tiempo cree que el Miss Universo le cobre a Venezuela que Dayana Mendoza haya coronado a Stefanía Fernández?
-Creo que va a pasar mucho tiempo. En mi entrevista con el jurado una de las preguntas que me hicieron fue: '¿Por qué crees tú que deberíamos coronar a una venezolana si en menos de tres años Venezuela tiene dos coronas consecutivas? Paradójicamente, una de las cosas que me decía la Producción del Miss Universo era que debía ganar y yo les decía que era casi imposible porque el concurso perdería credibilidad. Ellos me respondían que era la única manera de demostrarle a los otros países que debían preparar a profundidad a sus concursantes como lo hace el Miss Venezuela.

-Marelisa Gibson publicó en su Twitter que la banda del Miss Venezuela pesa mucho, ¿comparte su opinión?
-Claro que pesa. Con la banda puesta la gente te busca, o sea, representar a Venezuela es una ventaja porque la gente quiere verte y todos los medios de comunicación te caen encima, pero también es una gran desventaja por los dos triunfos consecutivos. Pero nunca pensé que no me iban a dejar continuar, que me iban a seleccionar entre las 16 y ahí me iban a sacar...

-¿Daba por sentado que quedaría entre las cinco finalistas?
-Sí, es que, imagínate, yo salía de los ensayos y me ponía a hacer los cuestionarios del profesor José Rafael Briceño, practicaba con él, tenía cuatro respuestas para cada pregunta, todos estábamos seguros de que iba a entrar a la ronda de preguntas. Yo estaba preparada para eso, ésa era mi meta.

-¿Después de que nombraron a las finalistas conversó con Miss Portugal?
-Ella estaba muy contenta, no se esperaba entrar en el cuadro de las 16 y cuando me eliminaron a mí y ella pasó a las 10, tras bastidores le dije: 'Ahora tienes una responsabilidad doble, porque estas representando a dos países, acuérdate que también eres venezolana'.

-La nueva Miss Universo, Leila Lopes, ha recibido insultos racistas, han dicho que negoció la corona, que tiene barriga, ¿qué le pareció su elección?
-Mira, ¿tú sabes qué es fuerte? Que cuando ganas todo el mundo te critica, ejemplo, a mí ahorita todo el mundo me apoya, pero cuando fui coronada Miss Venezuela me criticaron. Y siempre va a haber críticas. La gente nunca está conforme. Yo pienso que ella es una mujer muy bonita, preparada, de buenos sentimientos y ese día la luz brilló para ella. El destino está escrito y le tocó a ella vivir esa experiencia.

-¿Ya se comió su primera pizza después de un año de dieta?
-Llegando al hotel, después del concurso, Osmel, Gisselle (Reyes), Harry (Levi) y mis padres me estaban esperando con una pizza y me dijeron: 'Aquí está tu regalo, cómete tu pizza y saboréatela'.

-¿Cuándo regresará a la consulta odontológica?
-Ahora que termino el reinado voy a volver a mi profesión, no te sabría decir cuándo y dónde. Tengo muchas propuestas para ir a trabajar a otros lugares diferentes. Ahorita estoy en una situación en la que tengo que tomar decisiones y evaluar las propuestas que me están haciendo.



English Translation:

Written & Translated by Agua Maldita from Missosology Forum:

Days after the coronation of Leila Lopes, Vanessa Goncalves, Miss Universe Venezuela claims that she did her job perfectly. So much so that after failing to make it into the Top 10, Osmel Souza hugged her backstage and by he, congratulating her, Vanessa felt vindicated.

In an interview with El Universal, Vanessa confided quite a few things to Obelmejias Yolima Valdez. Vanessa shared that upon arriving at an Auto place, people applauded her as she stepped out of her car. One of her fine moment was when a 71 year old lady told her "not to worry and she will always be a queen" to all Venezuelans. It is these type of reception that she will cherish.

When asked about her performance at Miss Universe, Vanessa expalined that Osmel evaluated her work and for him it was perfect. Therefore, she didn't have any reason to feel bad. She felt calm and no guilty conscience. "I went there to do a job and I did it perfectly because I gave it my all and utilize all things learned from the Miss Venezuela Organization.

Straight from Vanessa Goncalves' mouth!
1. The MUO was very strict with punctuality so therefore Vanessa shares that she was always 15 minutes ready before the scheduled time.

2. She said that during the preliminaries, she saw far more Venezuelan flags than Brazilian and she didn't realize how much supporters she had. She felt like home in Caracas' Polyhedron.

3. Vanessa revealed that one of the preliminary judges asked her why the MUO should crown another Venezuelan in less than three years? To this question she responded, "It is almost impossible as the MUO would lose credibility (if they crown another Venezuelan). The MUO told her that the crowning of Dayana and Estafania was a message to the world that if they want to win, then their organizations should prepare like the MVO.

4. Vanessa agreed with Marelisa Gibson in that being Venezuela pays a heavy price in that there is an advantage and disadvantage. It is an advantage in that people and the media have a strong interest in you while having won two years in a row was a disadvantage. She felt that the media was on her constantly. And the pressure of making it into the Top 16 was a heavy burden.

5. She expected to be in the Top 5 and her Q & A training with a Professor by the name of Jose Rafael Briceno was streneous having four different responses to a given question. Her goal was at least to make it into the Final 5.

6. After Miss Portugal made it into the Top 10, Vanessa gave Laura a quick message: "You have the responsibility of representing these two countries (Portugal & Venezuela). Remember, you are also Venezuelan."

7. When asked about the abuse and rumors that Leila Lopes have been experiencing, Vanessa had this to say, "When you win everyone criticizes you, such as me right now everyone supports me, but when I was crowned people criticized me. And there will always be criticism. People are never satisfied. I think she is a very pretty woman, eager, good feelings and the light shone that night for her. The destination is written and now she is experiencing it [as Miss Universe].

8. Upon arriving in the hotel, Osmel, Giselle (Reyes), Harry (Levi) and her family gave her a gift ~ pizza!

9. She has plans to go back to her profession but she is also evaluating various proposals.

SOURCE: http://www.eluniversal.com
(RELEASED ON 16 SEPTEMBER 2011)

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Miss Universe 2011 XIV - Final Results

Miss Universe 2011, the 60th anniversary of the Miss Universe pageant, was held at the Credicard Hall in São Paulo, Brazil on 12 September 2011. Contestants from 89 countries and territories participated in this year's pageant, which broke the record of 86 contestants in 2006. Miss Universe 2010 from Mexico, Ximena Navarrete crowned her successor.

Miss Universe 2011 is Miss Angola, Leila Lopes, 25, 178cm, Hometown: Benguela

Angola is a hot favorite by so many pageant fans and beauty websites, most of them predicted her to make top 16 at least. Alhough some pageant fans criticised her catwalk and walking pace on stage, she won the competition fair and square last night.






1st Runner-up is Miss Ukraine, Olesya Stefanko

Not my cup of tea, but she is very telegenic and even Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005, showed support and voted for her


2nd runner-up is Miss Brazil, Priscila Machado

Many Brazilian people and press did not support her because of her previous nude pics and her dishonesty, but her performance was superb last night


3rd Runner-up is Miss Philippines, Shamcey Supsup

My sentimental favourite Asian delegate this year, SupSup is really beautiful, both photogenic and telegenic, she's the most beautiful Miss Philippines I have ever seen.


The top 5: Ukraine, Philippines, China, Brazil and Angola


The Evening Gown Competition of the top 10 finalists:

Miss Costa Rica


Miss Panama


Miss Portugal

Miss Brazil


Miss Philippines

Miss Ukraine

Miss France

Miss Australia

Miss Angola


Announcement of Top 10 after the swimsuit competition:
(In order): Australia, Costa Rica, France, Ukraine, Portugal, Panama, Pilippines, Angola, China and Brazil


After the top 16 announcement, the semi-finalists were competing in Catalina-Brasil Swimsuit Competition :
Miss Costa Rica



Miss Panama



Miss Venezuela



Miss Brazil

Miss Colombia


Miss Puerto Rico


Miss Philippines

Miss Angola

Miss USA

Miss Australia

Miss Kosovo

Miss France

Miss Ukraine

Miss Netherlands

Miss Portugal


After the parade of nations, Co-Hosts Andy Cohen and Natalie Morales annoounced the top 16 (by the announcement order):
France, Kosovo, Colombia, China, Angola, Australia, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Netherlands, USA, Ukraine, Panama, Costa Rica, Portugal, Philippines and Venezuela

A total of 6 latinas made top 16 this year

Miss Colombia


Miss Puerto Rico


Miss Brazil


Miss Panama


Miss Costa Rica


Miss Venezuela



The Best National Costume was announced during the live telecast, the winner is Miss Panama (as I also chose her as the best latin costume earlier in my blog!)


And the top 10 National Costumes in Order:
2. Mexico
3. Thailand
4. Venezuela
5. Curacao
6. Trinidad/Tobago
7. Tanzania
8. Bolivia
9. Nigeria
10. Japan

Reference:

Miss Universe 2011 Part XIII Preliminary Competition & Blogger's Choice

Miss Universe 2011 Part XII National Costumes & Blogger's Choice

Miss Universe 2011 Part XI (Samba Lessons / Fashion Show at The Week Nightclub)

Miss Universe 2011 Part X Official Swimsuit Pics (Paraguay/Costa Rica/Mexico/Panama/Puerto Rico/Spain/Honduras)

Miss Universe 2011 Part IX Photo Gallery (Mexico/Chile/Panama/Costa Rica/Argentina/Peru/Nicaragua/Paraguay)

Miss Universe 2011 Part IX Photo Gallery (Ven / Esp / Bra / Uru / Ecu / PR / Bol / Hon / Gua / Col / DR / Esa)

Miss Universe 2011 Part VIII (Glamshots & Interview Videos)

Miss Universe 2011 Part VII Photo Gallery

Miss Universe 2011 Part VI Official Headshots / Swimsuit and Gown Pics (The Rankings 1st-10th)

Miss Universe 2011 Part VI Official Headshots / Swimsuit and Gown Pics (The Rankings 11th-20th)

Miss Universe 2011 Part V Photo Gallery

Miss Universe Part IV (Photoshoot at Hilton Såo Paulo Morumbi)

Miss Universe 2011 Part III (Operation Smiles / Club Dequinta / Photo Gallery)

Miss Universe 2011 Registration and Fittings II / Group Pics

Miss Universe 2011 Part II: Registration and Fittings

Miss Universe 2011 Part I (Departure / Arrival Pics)