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.
Jean Pierre Vismara was chosen as the first Mr. Peru on August 30 from among 17 contestants. He will now represent his country at the Mr. World pageant in Portugal on September 18. The first runner-up was Richard Chikhani, who will represent Peru at the Mr. International contest in India, and the second runner-up was Javier Mongrut, who will represent Peru at the Hombre Internaciónal (International Man) contest in Puerto Rico. Among those on the judging panel were Jessica Tapia, Miss Asia Pacific 1994; Mónica Chacón, Miss Peru World 1996; Mariana Larrabure, Miss Peru World 1998; and Grace Sánchez, third runner-up in Miss Peru World 1998 and first runner-up at Miss Ambar del Mundo 1998. Jessica Newton, Miss Peru 1987, the organizer of the contest, in an interview before the pageant said that she wanted to continue organizing the pageant, and hopes to expand the contestant base across the country, and outside of the capital city of Lima, where 14 of the 17 contestants came from this year. Our thanks to Marco Fernandez for the update!
Sabrina Orthman, 13, from Santa Catarina state, won the Dakota Elite Model Look 1998 contest on Ausust 29. She competed against 31 other finalists, and has become eligible to represent Brazil in the 1998 Elite Model Look contest, to be held in the French Riviera later this month. Our thanks to Peracio for the update!
Rudialva Vigolo, Miss Brazil won the title of Miss Italia nel Mondo (Miss Italy In The World) in Salsamaggiore, Italy on August 29. The first runner-up was Mariangela Leto, representing Canada, the second runner-up was Laura Flores, Miss Dominican Republic, the third runner-up was Elena Ventrella, Miss United States, of Chicago, and the fourth runner-up was Claudia Calleja, Miss Malta. The remaining semi-finalists were:
Carlos Roldán, Mr. Andalucia was elected Mr. Spain on August 29. The 6'4"-tall university student from Córdoba will represent Spain in the Mr. World Pageant in September. This is the second time in a row that the contestant from Andalucia has won the pageant. Our thanks to Arturo Garcia for the update!
Denise Carrillo of Venezuela won the title of Miss Blond on August 29 in Millstatt, Austria. The first runner-up was Hanna Vaicova of the Czech Republic, and the second runner-up was Ana Cepinska of Venezuela. This was the second edition of this small pageant. Our thanks to Mike Knittel for the information!
Karla Blancarte Figueroa, 21-years-old and 5'8", won the title of Nuestra Belleza Distrito Federal in late August. She will now represent Mexico City in the 1998 Nuestra Belleza Mexico Pageant in Acapulco on September 19. The first runner-up was Mónica Liliana Dillman, and the second runner-up was Blanca Margarita Rivas Arias. Our thanks to Jorge Estrada for the great information!
Claudia Virginia La Gatta Quintana, 18, from Caracas, won the title of Miss Italia nel Mondo-Venezuela in late August. The first runner-up was Rosalia Sardella Martorano, and the second runner-up was Carol Landry Gaspari. The winner earlier competed in last year's Miss Venezuela as Miss Barinas. Our thanks to Peracio for this great update!
Aurymir Vincent, Miss Venezuela, won the title of Reina Internaciónal de la Atlantida in the Canary Islands on August 21. Contestants from the Azores, Cape Verde, the Canary Islands, Madeira, and Venezuela competed. Aurymir Vincent was the first runner-up in the 1995 Miss Venezuela Pageant as Miss Vargas, which was won by Alicia Machado (with Jacqueline Aguilera and Carla Steinkopf holding the other important titles). She was also a finalist in the 1997 Miss Intercontinental Pageant. Our thans to Julio Rodríguez for this super information again!
Miss World update: This year's pageant will again take place at the Lake Berjaya Mahé Beach Resort on Mahé Island in the Seychelles. The final pageant will take place Thursday, November 26 at 6:00 PM GMT, (9 PM Seychelles local, and 1 PM EST for those living in the Americas). Over 90 contestants are expected from every corner of the world, all of whom will first arrive on November 3 in Paris. In France, all the girls will be interviewed and filmed, then will depart together on November 6 for the Seychelles. A few changes in the show will be made, with the prize for the Most Spectacular National Dress having been eliminated, and replaced by the Best Day Dress Award. Another award for the Best Evening Gown will be awarded. Our thanks to Julio Rodríguez for the information!
The Miss Switzerland pageant will take place in Zurich at DRS TV Studio 1 on September 19 this year, and you can visit the brand new Miss Switzerland web site located at www.miss-schweiz.com. The site, which is only in German, features all 16 contestants for this year's title in swimsuit and headshot photographs. Our thanks to Mike Knittel for this tidbit, and here is the list of contestants for the title of Miss Switzerland 1998:
Vivienne Doyle, a 21-year-old blonde air hostess from Galway, was crowned Miss Ireland on August 18 at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin. She will now represent her country at Miss World in the Seychelles and at Miss Universe next year. The Miss Photogenic prize went to Lisa Gilman. The pageant attracted 17 contestants from across the isle, some representing counties, others pubs and clubs. Our thanks to Dan Mcevily for this great update.
Stella Tan, 23, won the title of Miss Internet Singapore on August 22. Ms. Tan, who is working towards a Master's degree in Genetic Engineering, won the title against 11 other contestants, who all competed in categories such as web page creation, web trivia, and personality interview. She will now represent Singapore in the 1999 Miss Internet World Pageant in South Africa. The first runner-up was Irene Ang, a sales executive, and the second runner-up was Sylvia Sze, an administrative officer. Our thanks to Benedict for this super update!
Some late but great news! Laeticia Flore Erika N'Cho, Miss Aboisso, 18, won the title of Miss Côte d'Ivoire on May 30 at the Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan. The first runner-up was Valerie Aya, Miss Yammoussoukro, 21, and the second runner-up was Annick Mederer, Miss Abengourou, 17. The pageant, held annually in late May or early June, featured 24 contestants, each representing a city or region of the West African nation. Patricia Spehar, Miss France 1997, was a special guest at the show this year. Our thanks to Jimmy Harris for the wonderful news!
More late but great news! Ernesto Valenzuela Chaires, a 6'4"-tall model from Guadelajara won the title of El Modelo México (Male Model of Mexico) in late June. He will represent Mexico in the Mr. World pageant in September in Portugal. The first runner-up was Juan José Aceves of Mexico City, and the second runner-up was Anibal Aitor, also from Guadajara. The crowd showed its allegiance to their favourite, Carlos Guarro, throughout the show, and also, unfortunately, made it clear that his not making the finals of the contest was not taken well. Our thanks to Arturo Garcia for the update!
Glennis Knowles, a police officer, won the title of Miss Bahamas at the Rain Forrest Theatre in the Crystal Palace Hotel on August 16 in Nassau. The new queen also won the Best Evening Gown award, and will represent her nation in the 1999 Miss Universe Pageant. The first runner-up was Brianna Clarke, a former Miss Teen Bahamas, who also won the Miss Congeniality and Swimsuit awards. The second runner-up was Leslia Miller, who won the Best Costume award. Ms. Miller also represented the Bahamas at the Miss Caribe Hibiscus Pageant in St. Maarten earlier this year and finished as third runner-up. The Miss Photogenic prize went to Pia Glover, who was a finalist in the Miss Model International contest last year. As Miss Bahamas, Ms. Knowles will now work for the Ministry of Tourism as a promotions assistant. The Bahamas has only missed one Miss Universe Pageant since 1963: that of 1984. Our thanks to Neil Craig for the exciting update!
Evija Ruèevska, Miss Riga won the crown and title of Miss Latvia on July 4th in Riga from 19 contestants. She will now represent her nation at the Miss World Pageant in the Seychelles in November. The first runner-up at the pageant was Kristine Skromane, Miss Ogre. The pageant's Miss Photogenic prize was won by Arta Cvetkoa, Miss Jelgava. The same night, Kaspars Pataos won the Mister Latvia title, and he will represent Latvia in the Mr. World and Manhunt International competitions. Our thanks to the super Dan Mcevily!
Some exciting news: Farah Breeveld was crowned Miss Suriname 1998 on June 6, competing against 35 other contestants. She will now represent her country in the Miss World Pageant, for which she is scheduled to leave on November 8. Pageantry runs in Ms. Breeveld's family: her mother was a runner-up in the 1972 Miss Suriname Pageant! Our thanks one more time to Dan Mcevily for this awesome news!
Marcela Andrea Cuartas, Miss Antioquia, 20, won the title of Miss World Colombia in early June. Ms. Cuartas, who also won the Best in Swimsuit prize, will represent her country at the Miss World Pageant in the Seychelles in November. The first runner-up was Natalia Palacios, Miss Choco, who will represent Colombia at Miss Intercontinental next year in Germany. Our thanks to Gio Romero for the information!
Vanessa Joy Minnillo, Miss South Carolina Teen USA won the title of Miss Teen USA 1998 in Shreveport, Louisiana on Monday, August 17. Ms. Minnillo also won the Miss Congeniality award at the pageant. The pageant, pre-empted due to the broadcasting of US president Bill Clinton's statement to the public, aired in its entirety the following evening. The first runner-up was Bridgett Jordan, Miss Tennessee Teen USA, and the second runner-up was Victoria LaShay Franklin, Miss Nevada Teen USA. The two remaining finalists were:
With reports from the Associated Press, "Turn for the Judges", and the Miss Teen USA Press office in Shreveport. Our thanks to our great sources, whom we always credit here at JPP, especially Penny Geiszler at TFTJ.
The contestants for the title of Miss Panama are now on the Internet! Biographies in both English and Spanish, plus wonderful photos of all the contestants are available by visiting the Senorita Panama: Site NO Oficial at http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/4020. Take a good look at the site, and drop a line for the Webmaster, Ed Dominguez! VOTING HAS NOW BEGUN! VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE MISS PANAMA CONTESTANTS AT THIS ADDRESS!
Michelle Selman was crowned Miss Barbados at the Sherbourne Conference Center in Bridgetown on August 15. She will now represent her island nation at the 1999 Miss Universe Pageant. She is the first contestant from her country to compete at Miss Universe since 1987. The first runner-up was Olivia Harding, and the second runner-up was Shelita Thomas. The new queen was crowned by the Caribbean Jewel, Trinidadian Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliam. Our thanks, as always, to Matthew Fischer!
Nicole Broderick, Miss Florida Teen USA won the Miss Photogenic award at the Miss Teen USA Pageant in Shreveport, Louisiana at the Presentation show this weekend. This is the third year in a row that the Floridean delegate has won the coveted honours. Congratulations to the winner!
Here's the scoop on the 1998 Miss Italy Pageant!
Furthermore, Roberta Capua, Miss Italy 1986 and first runner-up to Miss Universe 1987, will be hosting a serious of television specials which will also be broadcasted on RAI! You can enjoy every moment of the Miss Italia Pageant, thanks to our correspondent Matthew Fischer, who was kind enough to pass on the information. Thanks Matthew!
Be sure to take a look at the contestants for the Miss Curacao title by visiting http://www.gxc.net/curacao/miss98/miss98.htm! Our thanks again to Matthew Fischer for passing this along!
Stephanie Lorenzo, Miss Teen Vargas, 15, won the title of Miss Teen Model Venezuela at the La Esmeralda Center in Caracas on August 5. She is the sister of the current Miss Distrito Federal for the Miss Venezuela Pageant, Kuimby Lorenzo. The runners-up in the third annual pageant were: Runner-ups were Miss Teen Amazonas, Amaloha Mendez; Miss Teen Anzoategui, Diluvina Hera; Miss Teen Peninsula Paraguana, Sabrina Cadetto; and Miss Teen Zulia, Morealvis Fuenmayor. Stephanie and the finalists will represent Venezuela next year at the Miss Teen International, Miss Teen Model International, Miss Teenage Panamericana, Miss Ambar Mundial and Miss Model of the World pageants. Our thanks to Julio Rodriguez for the update!
Carissa Blair, Miss Southeast Texas, won the Miss Texas USA crown on August 10 on South Padre Island. The former Miss Texas Teen USA will now represent her state at the 1999 Miss USA Pageant. The first runner-up was Staci Outhouse, Miss Dallas, and the second runner-up was Heidi Miller, Miss Houston. The third runner-up was Mandy Jeffreys, Miss Lubbock (another former Miss Texas Teen USA), and the fourth runner-up was Micki Munson, Miss Woodlands. The semi-finalists consisted of Kristina Martinez, Miss Harris County; Sheila Coleman, Miss Bay Area; Bridget Richard, Miss Hollywood Park; Kimberly Barnes, Miss Metroplex; Lori Jackson, Miss Rio Grande Valley; Vanessa Cedotal, Miss Alamo City; and Kerry Ray, Miss South Houston. Our thanks to Darryl Enabore for this great update!
Vanessa Martins Fernandes, representing Brazil won the title of Miss Teen International in Guatemala City, Guatemala. She also won the award for the most perfect body in the pageant, and was crowned by the 1997 winner, Katherin Gonzalez of Puerto Rico. The first runner-up was Diana Vidal Collazos of Colombia. This is the third time in five years that a Brazilian has won the title. Our thanks to Peracio for this super update!
Jennifer Cardella, 22, of Mississauga, Ontario, won the title of Miss Italia nel Mundo-Canada (Miss Italia In The World-Canada) in late July. She will now represent Canada at the Miss Italia nel Mundo Pageant in Salsomaggiore, Italy on August 29. She was crowned by last year's national winner and second runner-up at the international finals, Rossana Tassone. The first runner-up was Mariangela Leto of Toronto, Ont., and the second runner-up was Stefania Bruno of North York, Ont. The other finalists in the pageant were Lisa Marie Barrera of Pickering, Ont., Lydia Carnevale of Mississauga, Antoinette De Vita of Toronto, Julia Pitelli of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Angie Marie Scandale of Victoria, British Columbia. The Miss Congeniality award went to Simone Iafolla of Edmonton, Alberta. Our thanks to TRG for the update! [Editor's note: We would have been present at the pageant to give you the information, but we were off the continent. Our apologies for the delay, and our thanks again to TRG for passing on the information!]
Some late but great news: Adriana Loya Paez, Srta. Veracruz won the title of Senorita Mexico in late May. She will now represent her country at the Miss International Pageant next month in Japan. The first runner-up was Gloria Suarez Orantes, Srta. Chiapas, and the second runner-up was Valeria Alvarez del Castillo, Srta. Oaxaca. The third runner-up was Clarisa Insunza Gastelum, Srta. Sinaloa, and the fourth runner-up was Rosa Esther Manriquez Castillo, Srta. Chihuahua. Astrid Klee, Srta. Distrito Federal, won the award for best costume. The five remaining semi-finalists in the pageant represented Baja California, Campeche, Jalisco, and Sonora states, and the Distrito Federal. The pageant was originally cancelled for the year but was re-vamped thanks to new corporate sponsorship. The pageant was hosted by Maritza Sayalero and Deborah Carthy-Deu! Our thanks to Jose Medel Bello, Arturo Garcia and Alex for the information and the corrections.
Karin Laasmae, Miss Estonia won the title of Miss Globe in Istanbul, Turkey on July 26. The first runner-up was Ewa Dylecka, Miss Poland, and the second runner-up was Kristan Vendy, Miss Australia. There were 37 contestants in this year's annual contest. Our thanks to Roberto Macedo for the update!
Larissa Carrera Aguilera was crowned Nuestra Belleza Chihuahua 1998 on July 29. The 19-year-old, who is 5-feet 9-inches tall and hails from Ciudad Delicias will now represent her state at the Nuestra Belleza Mexico Pageant in September. The first runner-up was Maria Victoria Aragon, and the second runner-up was Elizabeth Guerra. The third runner-up was Evelyn Pavia, and the fourth runner-up was Maya Aguilar Perez. Our thanks to Jorge Estrada for the update!
Priscila Barrantes of Costa Rica won the title of Miss Belleza Mundial (Miss Worldwide Beauty) in Guatemala the week of July 27. The first runner-up was Alexandra Mena, representing Mexico, and the second runner-up was Elaine DeDenkewski, representing Brazil. The third runner-up was Joseline Burgos of Puerto Rico, and the fourth runner-up was Gabriela Rosales of Guatemala. The prize for the best national costume went to Tamara Munnings of Belize. Our thanks again to Jorge Estrada!
Silvia Salgado Cavazos won the title of Nuestra Belleza Nuevo Leon 1998 in Monterrey on July 29. She will go on to compete representing her state in the 1998 Nuestra Belleza Mexico Pageant to be held in Cabo San Lucas in September. The 21-year-old, 5'10" university student, who is fluent in Spanish, English, and French was crowned by Katty Fuentes, reigning Nuestra Belleza Mexico, who is also from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. The first runner-up was Abigail del Toro Garza, and the second runner-up was Izyeralli Garcia Vidaurri. The third runner-up was Adriana Charles Polo. Our thanks to Arturo Garcia for the update!
Jazmine Panay de Morales, who was Miss Panama in 1974 and a semifinalist at Miss Universe that year, won the title of Mrs. Panama on July 18th. She was awarded a Nissan Pathfinder among other extraordinary prizes. The first runner-up was Marilis de Solis, and Dora de Viejo was the second runner-up. Elizabeth de Juarez was the third runner-up, and Emma de Cabezas was the fourth runner-up. Our thanks to the great Ed Dominguez!
Aline Resende, Miss Brazil, was crowned Miss América Latina at the Treasure Beach Hotel in La Libertad, El Salvador on July 26. The first runner-up was Ana María Serrano, Miss Ecuador, and the second runner-up was Rosa Manríquez, Miss Mexico. The new queen, who was also first runner-up to Miss Brazil 1996, Maria Joana Parizotto, was crowned by outgoing titleholder María Elena Bellido. 20 contestants competed for the title, all of whom were upset over the threat of a hurricane to the Salvadorean coast, which not only interrupted planned events, but also caused problems with the lighting for the final show. Our thanks to Roberto Macedo for bringing this to our attention, and to Marcelo Brando for the location correction!
A small row has erupted over the French entry for this year's Miss World Pageant. Media reports from Canada and Germany say that the Miss France committee wants to send Hinano Teanotoga to the Miss World Pageant in the Seychelles to represent France in this year's festivities. As Miss Tahiti, Ms. Teanotoga was third runner-up in the 1998 Miss France Pageant, won by Sophie Thalmann. Though Tahiti is an overseas territory of France, the island nation, along with several other French territories including Martinique, Guadeloupe, Reunion, and French Guiana, competes for the Miss France title with the chance to represent France at various international pageants. But the Miss World Committee, headed by Eric Morely, will not accept Ms. Teanotoga as the French delegate, citing that, in Miss World, overseas territories of various nations compete seperately, as nations such as Macau, the British Virgin Islands, Guam, the Isle of Man and others have done for several years. Similar problems erupted in 1991 and 1993, when the French delegates were originally from Tahiti and Guadeloupe, respectively, both of whom, however, were allowed to compete. Our thanks to Michael Knittel for the report!
Media watch: Colombia's own Miss Universe, Luz Marina Zuluaga, Miss Universe 1958, is featured on the cover of one of Colombia's foremost magazines, Cromos, which is available throughout North and South America. The cover and reports are tribute to her 40th anniversary as Colombia's Miss Universe, which she celebrated on July 25th. Thanks to Roberto Macedo for the update!