For other fantastic news updates, visit The Pageant News Bureau and Turn For The Judges. Message us at pageant@geocities.com if you'd like us to include your news, or to tell us of something we've missed.
Diana Hayden, Miss India was crowned Miss World on Mahe Island, Seychelles on November 22, 1997. The first runner-up was Lauralee Martinovich, Miss New Zealand, and the second runner-up was Jessica Motaung, Miss South Africa. The two finalists were Tanya Suesuntisook, Miss Thailand and Cayla Sikel, Miss Turkey. The five remaining semi-finalists were Laura Csortan, Miss Australia; Joelle Bohluk, Miss Lebanon; Arianna Teoh, Miss Malaysia; Vicki-Lee Walberg, Miss United Kingdom, and Sallie Tousaint, Miss United States. The Miss Photogenic and Best in Beachwear awards went to Miss India, Diana Hayden; the Most Spectacular in National Costume prize went to Lauralee Martinovich, Miss New Zealand; and the Miss Personality award went to Tanya Suesuntisook, Miss Thailand. Ms. Hayden was crowned by the outgoing Miss World, Irene Skliva of Greece. This is the second time in four years an Indian has won Miss World, and the third time an Indian has won in the pageant's 47-year history.
Germany's biggest modeling event, Gesicht 97 (Face 97) was held on November 22 in Berlin. The winner of the female category was Sarah Kickhut, 16, and the men's winner was Guido Frauenrath, 20. Our thanks to Michael Knittel for the information.
Daniela Kosan, Miss Venezuela was crowned Nuestra Belleza Internacional in Miami, USA on November 21. She is the first Venezuelan to win the pageant in its four year history. Televised by Univision Television, it was seen by millions of Hispanic and Spanish-speaking Americans as well as all throughout Latin America. The first runner-up was Debbie Castaneda, Miss Colombia, and the second runner-up was Ymak Fagundo, Miss Puerto Rico. The third runner-up was Barbara Fortin, Miss Honduras, and the fourth runner-up was Athala Cordrado, Miss Spain.. Among the noted upsets in the pageant was the fact that Miss Brazil, Miss Panama, and Miss Bolivia were not in the final five. Our thanks to many of our loyal readers who sent us the information. You can view a complete list of Nuestra Belleza Internacional winners and runners-up on Jimmy's Pageant Page by clicking here!
Silvia Fernanda Ortíz Guerra, Miss Santander, 21, was crowned Miss Colombia in Caragena on November 17. She will now represent her country at Miss Universe next May. The first runner-up was Adriana Hurtado, Miss Valle, and will represent Colombia the Miss International Pageant in September, 1998. The other runners-up were Rocio Bernal, Miss Cundinamarca, second runner-up; Rosanna Redondo, Miss Guajira, third; and Karen Guaqueta, Miss Bogota, fourth. Thanks to Richard John Isa and Ed Dominguez for the update.
News from Puerto Rico: Contrary to a previous JPP report, Joyce Giraud, Miss Universe Puerto Rico 1998 has not been dethroned following the discovery of some questiobable photographs she modeled for. Both the Miss Universe and Miss Universe Puerto Rico organizations accepted the photos, and feel they are in good taste. Ms. Giraud will continue to hold the title, and will represent the island commonwealth in Miss Universe 1998.
The Miss World list on Jimmy's Pageant Page has finally been completed to the best of our knowledge, just in time for the pageant, which will be held on November 22. Take a look by clicking here! In addition, The Beauty School, a most superlative site we hope you've visited, has added a Pageant Aptitude Test focused on the Miss World Pageant, an exciting historical gossip column, and soon will include Master Class section on the 1975 pageant. Take a look at http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/9699/beauty1.htm.
From the smallest group of contestants in front of the smallest live audience in 34 years, Natacha Bloem, 21, was crowned Miss Universe Curacao on November 8 in Willemstad. She also was chosen Miss Photogenic and Miss Personality. At the same pageant, Jeamene Colastica, 24, was chosen as Miss World Curacao. Ms. Colastica was also named Miss Elegance. Both women will represent the beautiful island in their respected national pageants in 1998. Daisyree Constancia was chosen as Miss Amity. Natacha Bloem was also second runner-up in the Miss Caribbean Pageant back in the summer, but took over the first runner-up position following the disqualification of the winner. Ms. Bloem is also to represent Curacao at Nuestra Belleza Internacional, as a late-arriving delegate (the remaining delegates arrived on November 3rd). Our thanks to the superlative Richard John Isa for this superlative info! Visit his Web site to learn more about Caribbean, Latin, and international pageants at http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/7810.
Fernanda Rambo Agnes, Miss Rio Grande do Sul was crowned Miss Brazil World on October 18, and will represent her country at Miss World this month. The first runner-up was Ana Carolina Nunes, Miss Mato Grosso, the second runner-up was Ana Carolina Buzzato, Miss Parana, the third runner-up was Cynthia Soares, Miss Minas Gerais, and the fourth runner-up was Ressiane Mercia Duarte, Miss Santa Catarina. The eight other semi-finalists were Maria da Conceicao Cordeiro de Oliveira, Miss Bahia, Carla Cinthia da Silva, Miss Distrito Federal, Janine Sangard de Monet, Miss Espirito Santo, Monique Vivacqua Demanechni, Miss Goias, Marilene de Melo, Miss Paraiba, Ana Carolina Portela, Miss Pernambuco, Angela Pena Vilar Mourao, Miss Piaui, and Etany Betel Sales da Silva, Miss Sao Paulo. Our thanks to Roberto Macedo for this super information.
Katja Glawe, 19, of Berlin was crowned Miss World Germany on October 26. She will now represent her homeland in Miss World in less than a month in the Seychelles. Our thanks as always to Michael Knittel.
Ana Carolina Fonseca, Miss West Palm Beach was crowned Miss Brazil USA on October 25 in the Gusman Center Auditorium in Miami, Florida. The first runner-up was Miss Miami, Priscila Richter, the second runner-up was Miss San Francisco, Carolina Cotovica de Lima, the third runner-up was Miss Coconut Grove, Beatriz Pares, and the fourth runner-up was Miss Boca Raton, Isabel Cristina Santos. The remaining semi-finalists were Miss Boston, Leticia Santos; Miss Coral Gables, Priscilla Costa; Miss Houston, Melissa Perme; Miss Key Biscayne, Patricia Wolfe; Miss Long Island, Adriane da Silva; Miss Newark, Grazielle Andrade; and Miss New Jersey, Christiane Gobi. Miss Photogenic was Miss West Palm Beach, Ana Carolina Fonseca. The Miss Elegance award went to Miss Miami, Priscila Richter, the Miss Press award was awarded to Miss San Francisco, Caroline Cotovicz de Lima, and the Miss Congeniality award went to Miss Albany, Claudia Alves. 52 representatives from different cities competed for the title, in the same theater where Nuestra Belleza Internacional is held each year. Our thanks to Henrique Fontes for these results.
Dagmar Iris Gylfadottir of Iceland was crowned Miss Scandinavia on October 19 in Kuopio, Finland. The first runner-up was Karita Tuomola of Finland, and the second runner-up was Lisbet Dinsen of Denmark. Our thanks to Kaarina "Katie" Hautaniemi for this super info!
Sonja Aldina Silva, Miss Rotterdam, 20, was crowned Miss Netherlands World on October 17. Dunja Muskens, Miss Noord-Brabant was the first runner-up, and the second runner-up was Nadine Ben Moussa, Miss Leeuwarden. Our thanks to Jimmy Harris for this info.
Harpa Lind Hardardottir was chosen Miss Iceland this past May and will represent her country in the Miss World Pageant next month and in the Miss Universe Pageant next year.
Hansel Cristina Caceres, a 17-year old student from Copan, won the title of Miss Honduras World on August 30. She will compete in the fast-approaching Miss World Pageant next month. The first runner-up was Jennifer Parson, the second runner-up was Julissa Espinoza, and the third runner-up was Miriam Vivas. Our thanks to the great Ed Dominguez.
Maria Mercedes Ruiz Orozco of Colombia was crowned Miss Tourism World on September 24 at the Teatro Nacional in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Ms. Orozco also won the Best National Costume award.
Jasmine Wong won the title of Miss Singapore World on October 18. She will now represent her country in the Miss World Pageant in the Seychelles next month. The first runner-up was Nuntheni Sivalingam and the second runner-up was Sharon Wong.
Kisha Alvarado, a 21-year-old architecture student from San Jose, was crowned Miss Costa Rica on October 17. She will represent her country in the 1998 Miss Universe Pageant. The first runner-up was Maria Luisa Ureña, a 21-year-old office manager, who will represent Costa Rica at the Miss World Pageant in November. The second runner-up was Ivannia Cox. Our thanks to Ed Dominguez for this and the following two updates.
Claudia Luque, Miss Amazonas, a 20-year-old model from Lima, was crowned Miss Peru World on September 22, 1997. She will represent her country in the Miss World Pageant next month in the Seychelles. The first runner-up was Maia Larranaga, Miss Huanuco, and the second runner-up was Ana Maria Matallana, Miss Ancash.
Tamara Saponjic, 18, has been crowned Miss Yugoslavia 1997 and will represent her country in Miss World next month in the Seychelles. The first runner-up was Jelena Bajagic and the second runner-up was Jelena Trninic. Our thanks to our pal Donald West for the info.
Sallie Toussaint was crowned Miss United States World in early October. She'll now represent the USA at Miss World in the Seychelles next month. Ms. Toussaint is from New York City.
Natalia Kacinova of the Slovak Republic was crowned Queen of the World on October 4 in Baden-Baden, Germany. The first runner-up was Ali Mutch of Australia, and the second runner-up was Sabrina Paradies of Germany. This smaller international pageant attracts about 40 countries from across the globe. Our thanks, as always, to Michael Knittel.
Gee Hyun Kim has been crowned Miss Korea and will represent her country in Miss Universe next May. Thanks to Steve Yonack and Andy Chun.
Martina Novosel of Zagreb was crowned Miss Croatia World on October 5 in Opatiji. She'll now represent her country at Miss World, which is fast approaching in mid-November. The first runner-up was Tijana Safer of Rijeke, and the second runner-up was Iris Rajcic of Split. Our thanks to Jimmy Harris for this info.
SOMETHING TO WATCH: The Miss Colombia Pageant is happening in November in Cartagena, right around Miss World time, and they too have established a very aestetically-appealing site. Watch for developments at www.misscolombia.com.
Nazarena Gonzalez Almada of Argentina won the title of Miss World Ambar in Puerto Rico in the first week of October. The runners-up, in order, represented Paraguay, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Curacao, Aruba, and the Dominican Republic. Our thanks to Jean Carlos Melendez.
Tanya Suesuntisook won the title of Miss Thailand World on September 29 in Bangkok. She'll represent the Jewel of Asia in the fast-approaching Miss World Pageant in the Seychelles in November.
Benita Sena Golomeke, 21, was crowned Miss Ghana in Accra on September 23. She will now represent her country in the Miss World Pageant in the Seychelles in November. The first runner-up was Rachel Ohui Caeser, 18, and the second runner-up was Paulina Yelibora, 20. The Miss Eloquent Lady award went to Audrey Barbara Essilfie, 22.
Edna Margarita Perez Hernandez won the title of Senorita Nuevo Leon on September 29. She will now represent her state in the Senorita Mexico Pageant on October 29 in Mexico City, competing for the right to represent Mexico in the 1998 Miss International Pageant. Our thanks again to Arturo Garcia.
Elvia Vega was crowned Miss Belize in late September. Ms. Vega, who also won the Miss Internet award from their Internet site at www.belizemall.com/missbelize will now represent her country at Miss Universe 1998.
Katty Fuentes García, Miss Nuevo Leon was crowned Nuestra Belleza Mexico on September 20 in Acapulco. The Monterrey native will now represent Mexico in the Miss Universe Pageant next May. The first runner-up was Blanca Delfina Soto Benavides, Miss Morelos, who won the title of Nuestra Belleza Mexico Mundo (Miss World Mexico) last week, just missing the chance to be the first woman ever to represent Mexico in both the Miss World and Miss Universe Pageants. The second runner-up was Felicidad Aveleyra Talamantes, Miss Distrito Federal, who was the first runner-up in Miss Mexico World last week. The third runner-up was Elizabeth Jimenez Duenas, Miss Estado de Mexico, who was third runner-up in Miss Mexico World last week. The fourth runner-up was Karla Alejandra Corral Salomon, Miss Tabasco, and the fifth runner-up was Maria Patricia Mador Lujan, Miss Aguascalientes. The remaining semi-finalists were Carolina Vanesa Castro Mendoza, Miss Baja California; Barbara Macossa y Arteaga, Miss Campeche; Alejandra Mena Ramírez, Miss Coahuila; Karla Ofeli Cortez, Miss Colima; Karla Pescador de la Pena, Miss Durango; Monica Macias Chavez, Miss Guanajuato; Tatiana Eileen Ruvalcaba de la Roca, Miss Jalisco; Corina Torres Canas, Miss Nayarit; Deyanira Lopez, Miss Sinaloa; and Kelly Nelson Gonzalez, Miss Tamaulipas. The Miss Photogenic and Best Skin awards went to Katty Fuentes García. In other awards, the Best Tan prize went to Blanca Soto Benavides, Miss Morelos, who last week won the title of Miss Mexico World, and the Miss Facial Award went to Maria Patricia Mador Lujan, Miss Aguascalientes. Our thanks to Arturo García and Jose Medel Bello.
Tanja Gutmann of Solothurn was crowned Miss Switzerland on September 20. The 20-year-old, who also won the Miss Photogenic title, will now represent the home of the Matterhorn in Miss World in the Seychelles in November, and in Miss Universe next May. The first runner-up was Tanja Vogt, and the second runner-up was Elena Stadler. Our thanks to Michael Knittel.
Gabriella Petivoky was stripped of her title of Miss Canadian International this past weekend in Surrey, British Columbia. The 20-year-old lost her title after she did some promotional work for the Hooters chain of restaurants, and according to pageant organizer Michelle Jacobson, the restaurant promotes sexism and hurts the image of women, and participating in such activities in the Hooters chain breaches the contract Ms. Petivoky signed after winning Miss Canadian International. Hooters has decided to fund Petivoky's legal battle to be re-instated, and to have the opportunity to represent Canada at the Miss Caribbean Queen International World Pageant in Jamaica this November, which was won last year by another Canadian, Jody Cook. Please note that this is not the same pageant as Miss Canada International, where the 1996 titleholder in that pageant lost her title in August after being found guilty of assault.
Consuelo Adler of Venezuela was named Miss International on September 20 in Kyoto, Japan. The former Miss Miranda who competed with Marena Bencomo and Anna Cepinska for the Miss Venezuela title in 1996, also won the Miss Photogenic award. The first runner-up was Diya Abraham, Miss India, and the second runner-up was Marie Pauline Borg, Miss France. There were 41 delegates in the pageant, now in its 38th year.
Karita Tuomola of Finland was crowned Miss Baltic Sea 1997 on September 12. The first runner-up was Annete Oldenburg of Denmark, and the second runner-up was Kristiina Heinmets of Estonia. All three ladies have represented their countries in the Miss Universe Pageant. Our thanks to Kaarina "Katie" Hautaniemi.
Loredona La Rosa, representing Switzerland, was crowned Miss Italia In The World (Miss Italia Nel Mondo) 1997 in Rome on August 30. The first runner-up was Sonia Boiago of Canada, who was also voted Miss Internet, and the second runner-up was Rossana Tassone, also of Canada. 30 Women of Italian descent came from 26 countries including Ethiopia, Malta, Croatia, Uruguay, Venezuela, Belgium, Tunisia, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and many more to seek the title. Canada, Brazil, and Switzerland were the only countries sending two delegates.
Blanca Delfina Soto Benavides, Miss Morelos, 18, was chosen Miss World Mexico (Nuestra Belleza Mexico Mundo) on September 13 in Acapulco, winning the right to represent the country in the Miss World Pageant in November. Felicidad Aveleyra Talamantes, Miss Distrito Federal was chosen as first runner-up, and Katty Fuentes Garcia, Miss Nuevo Leon was second runner-up. Elizabeth Jimenez Duenas, Miss Estado de Mexico was third runner-up, and Ruby Carina Torres Canas, Miss Nayarit was fourth runner-up. Thanks to Jose Medel Bello!
Katherine Shindle, Miss Illinois was crowned Miss America 1998 in Atlantic City, New Jersey on September 13. The 20-year-old, whose platform is AIDS Prevention, will now travel 20,000 miles a month speaking to tens of thousands of individuals on her platform. The first runner-up was Miss North Carolina, Michelle Warren, and the second runner-up was Miss Mississippi, Myra Barginear. The third runner-up was Miss Arizona, Stacey Momeyer, and the fourth runner-up was Miss California, Rebekah Ann Keller. The other five semi-finalists were Miss North Dakota, Roxana Saberi; Miss Florida, Christy Neuman; Miss Hawaii, Erika Leilani Kaufman; Miss Oregon, Tamara Finch; and Miss Louisiana, Mette Boving. The return of the two-piece bathing suit after a 50-year absence brought the house down in Atlantic City, as five of the ten semi-finalists wore the suits in the preliminary and semi-final competition. More to follow in the days ahead.
Miss Táchira, Verusca Tatiana Ramírez, was crowned Miss Venezuela on September 12 in Caracas. The 18-year-old who studies advertising will be the Venezuelan representative at Miss Universe 1998 next May, and has become the buzz object of the Latin American press, simply since she holds the most coveted national title in the world. Miss World Venezuela went to Miss Nueva Esparta, Christina Dieckmann Jiménez. This is the third year the representative from Nueva Esparta will be representing Venezuela at the Miss World Pageant, this year in the Seychelles in November. Miss Venezuela Internacional, who will represent Venezuela in Miss International 1998 (next year) in Japan, was Miss Aragua, Daniela Kosan. The first runner-up, who will represent Venezuela in Nuestra Belleza Internacional in the USA in November was Patricia Fuenmayor, Miss Zulia. The second runner-up was Miss Distrito Federal, Jairam Navas, and the third runner-up was Miss Municipio Vargas, Yosmely Soto, who was the only black in the pageant. The fourth runner-up was Miss Cojedes, Mailen Noguera, and the fifth runner-up was Miss Dependencias Federales, Catalina García, who is the first delegate from the federal dependancies of Venezuela to place in the pageant. The Miss Internet award, decided by open voting on the Miss Venezuela site at www.missvenezuela.com went to Miss Nueva Esparta, Christina Dieckmann Jiménez. In awards decided at the first televised showing of the contestants in late August, with this following information courtesy of Richard John Isa, Miss Anzoátegui, Annarella Bono, won the Miss Congeniality and Most Beautiful Hair awards. The Miss Elegant award winner was Miss Carabobo, Heidi García, and the Most Beautiful Smile award went to Miss Cojedes, Mailen Noguera. Miss Táchira (and Miss Venezuela), Veruska Ramírez, won the Most Beautiful Eyes award, and the Best Figure prize went to Miss Aragua, Daniela Kosan.
Vicki-Lee Walberg was crowned Miss United Kingdom on September 9, 1997 in London. She will now represent the home of the Miss World Pageant in that pageant, to be held in the Seychelles in November. In addition, Brett Phippen was named Mr. United Kingdom and will represent England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in the Mr. World Pageant in Turkey next month.
The Turn For The Judges Web Site is functioning again after server problems foiled all attempts to update the site. Lots of outstanding information is now available.
Miss Kwa-Zulu Natal, Kerishnie Naicker, a 24-year-old pharmacist, was crowned Miss South Africa in Sun City. She is the first South African of Indian descent to win the title, which is her ticket to the Miss World Pageant in the Seychelles this November. The first runner-up was Miss Gauteng, Jessica Motaung, and the second runner-up was Miss North West, Petra van Zyl. Our gratitude to Jimmy Harris for sending this our way.
Auria Marrero, representing Dorado, was crowned Miss World Puerto Rico on September 6. She will represent the island paradise in the Miss World Pageant this November in the Seychelles. The first runner-up was Jazmin Ortiz of Guaynabo, who two weeks earlier was a finalist in the 1998 Miss Universe Puerto Rico Pageant. Our thanks to Gil "Papiro" Carrasco for the update.
The Miss Italy pageant was held on September 6 in Rome, and after three days of televised semi-final and final rounds, the winner was declared to be Claudia Trieste. She will now represent Italy in the 1998 Miss Universe Pageant next May. The 18-year-old was also named Miss Televoto, for receiving the most votes in the pageant's live telephone poll. Ms. Trieste was crowned by Denny Mendez, Miss Italy 1996, who also won the Miss Televoto prize at last year's pageant, and who was a top 6 finalist in Miss Universe this past May. The first runner-up was Vincenza Cacace; second runner-up was Christiane Filangieri; third runner-up was Roberta Floris; fourth runner-up was Caterina Murino; and fifth runner-up was Mara Carfugna. Of special note is the presence of a deaf woman in the third round of competition, Annalisa Minetti, who apparently was the press favourite. She competed with the aid of a hearing aid and an individual who prompted her when she was called on. She was present in the first round of 100 contestants, made the cut to the top 24 contestants, and also made the top 12, but was eliminated then. Several former Miss Italy winners were acting as judges, including Roberta Capua (first runner-up at Miss Universe 1987) and Arianna David, Miss Italy 1993.
Tanisha Drummond Johnson, a 5'8" professional model from Colon, won the title of Miss Panama on August 30. She will represent the tropical isthmus of Central America in the 1998 Miss Universe Pageant next May. She is also the first black Miss Panama since Gloria Karamanites took the crown in 1980. The first runner-up was Patricia Bremner Hernandez, who will now represent the country in the Miss World Pageant in the Seychelles in November. The second runner-up was Iris Avila Moreno, who will represent Panama in Nuestra Belleza Internacional in the USA, also in November. The third runner-up was Monica Herrador, who also won the title of Miss Photogenic, and the fourth runner-up was Lourdes Priscilla Lewis. The Miss Congeniality title went to Helen Ramirez. Our thanks to Ed Dominguez and Julio Burgos for the information.