Pageant Minute: Miss Universe 2011--The "Strippers Of The Universe"!!!!

Stripper...OR...Miss Universe 2011 Contestant???



That's a VERY HIGH Slit: Find out why Miss Dominican Republic Universe 2011 made my "Nick V" Stripper Club...



I LOVE discussing Beauty Pageants and especially, Beauty Pageant Gowns. I would LOVE to think that somehow, someone is LISTENING--or reading--my comments and advice. I would love to see pageant girls--especially in International Pageants such as Miss Universe, Miss World, etc., be more like what we see at BIG Red Carpet events such as the Oscars and Cannes. But alas, some gals (and their pageant advisers) somehow feel that looking like a Stripper is more Klassy--yes, Classy with a "K".



And now, the Miss Universe 2011 contestants who went to the Stripper Club for their "Official" Evening Gown Portraits:



Miss Cyprus Universe 2011 Andriani Karantoni: At first glance, I thought this was just-turned-17-years-old Courtney Stodden, the trashy lip-puckering "Child Bride" of that "Lost" actor. Here's a positive: She is SEX on a Stick. But you know, the Miss Universe Pageant may not be the right venue to be so sexy. The bright gold sequined, side cut-out, high center-front slit just adds to it unfortunately.Time of her Stripper Show: She goes on at noon during the Buffet Lunch.



Miss Serbia Universe 2011 Anja Saranovic: Such a beautiful doll-like perfect face! She's blessed with flawless genes that's for sure. So why would she choose this too-short and too-tight Mermaid Dress straight out of Playmates of Hollywood? The come-hither pose is not helping matters. Time of her Show: Begins at 2PM, right after the Buffet Lunch.



Miss Curacao Universe 2011 Eva Van Putten: Again, such a beautiful girl! Halle Berry Who? The gown is actually quite nice and interesting, but...there's something missing? A LINING!!!!! It's more like a negligee as opposed to an evening gown. If an actress wore this on the Red Carpet, she would have been TORN to shreds the following day. Time of her Show: She begins around 5PM--for Happy Hour.



Miss Panama Universe 2011 Sheldry Saez: At first glance, I kinda liked this. But then, my contacts cleared up a little bit, and the whole "I'm a Klassy Stripper" vibe came into full focus: The pouty lips, the would-you-like-a-Bloody Mary stance, that hair! The gold stretch Lycra fabrication of the dress is arguably, a bit cursi (as my Latinos would say). I like the turquoise blue sequined appliques but if only they would have stopped at the top and not continued toward the entire length of her dress. Time of her Show: Sheldry goes on at 7PM, a more "respectable" hour.



Miss Dominican Republic 2011 Dalia Fernandez: I just want to focus on her face--it's absolutely STUNNING! If she doesn't win Miss Universe, she'll be a HIT as Santo Domingo's newest TV Presenter/Hostess and/or Telemundo News Anchor!! But this dress: She is 1/2" away from a "Britney" moment. That, in combination with that "Beyoncé Armpit" pose, it's not elegante. Take that chiffon back overlay/train off, close the slit by five inches and drop the arms huney. There! now, it's much better (in my mind). Time of her Show: Dalia goes on at 9PM, kids--with a three-drink minimum!



Miss Argentina Universe 2011 Natalie Rodriguez: Up Next, Miss Belly Dancing Stripper Natalie!! Is her entire torso exposed save for some crystal straps? And, it looks as if she's getting ready to begin her "show" as she lifts that chiffon back shoulder "fall" piece. I guarantee that entire "fall" plus the bottom of the gown comes off and volia: It's a Midnight Show in Buenos Aires!!! Time of Her Show: Midnight!!! Hello!!! There's Chimichurri sauce with some late-night empanadas included with the Cover Price...



*Up Next: The "Sassy" Miss Universe 2011 Evening Gown Portrait Ladies!!! Stay Tuned!

Pageant Minute: Miss Universe 2011--Preview of the National Costumes!!!

São Paulo...Here We Come!!!

Costume Redux: Mai Phuong Thuy - Miss Vietnam World 2006; Sources say this will be the National Costume for Miss Vietnam Universe 2011 Vu Thi Hoang My

Beauty Pageant Fans...yes, that means YOU (well, me, really!!!), the 60th Annual Miss Universe 2011 Pageant is next month (Final Telecast is Monday September 12th) and 89 contestants (surpassing the previous record of 86 contestants in 2006) from all over the world are arriving in São Paulo Brazil--site of this year's pageant. So what if all the tickets have been all but, given away to the "Elite" of São Paulo and if you're about to spend THOUSANDS of dollars to fly to Brazil, book a hotel and plan to go see the finals (not no mention all that Churrasco you plan on eating!)--well, you might not be able to see the pageant (I hear there might be some seats left in the "nosebleed section" of the theater). But...you can enjoy all my Miss Universe 2011 BLOG postings here!!!



First up: A Preview of what the contestants will be wearing to represent their nations, in terms of their "National Costumes". I've gathered some images from the world wide web which will give the pageant fans a "taste". Enjoy:



ASIA:

Miss Korea Universe 2011 Jung so-ra: Very traditional; it's rich and elegant.

Miss Singapore Universe 2011 Valerie Lim: Asia meets Indian sari meets "Oh-that's a REALLY high Side Slit!"

Miss Thailand Universe 2011 Chanyasorn Sakornchran: FIERCE Thai Goddess with a "nod" to Madonna and Jean Paul Gaultier's "cone bra"!!

Miss Indonesia Universe 2011 Nadine Ames: High-Slit Traditional. She needs some LONG gold finger nails to finish this look!

AFRICA:

Miss South Africa Universe 2011 Bokang Montjane: Multi-colored Fashion School Project-looking Tulle and Prints

EUROPE:

Miss Slovenia Universe 2011 Ema Jagodic: A green gown with a green tulle back overskirt. Very 2001.

Miss France Universe 2011 Laury Thilleman: Oh, how cute is that? She's Marie Antoinette eating cake and powdering herself! The Fleur-de-lis appliqued blue, red and white gown is very over-the-top Drag Queen, but I think c'est pourquoi je l'aime

Miss Romania Universe 2011 Larisa Popa: Dracula cape meets lingerie stripper meets Pocahantas???

Miss Ireland Universe 2011 Aofi Hannon: Wow, very "Clash of The Titans"!! What that has to do with Ireland..we will soon find out I am sure...

Miss Czech Republic Universe 2011 Jitka Novackova: Looks like a variation on the Gateway Arch in St. Louis Missouri and Demi Moore's tacky Academy Award gown from 1989...

The CARIBBEAN:

Miss Dominican Republic Universe 2011 Dalia Fernandez: Mermaid sequined Diva. This should be on a Barbie Doll!

Miss Aruba Universe 2011 Gillain Berry: Welcome to Carnival kids!!! Love anything that opens up to big ol' wings!!!!

Miss Haiti Universe 2011 Anedie Azael: She had me at SEQUINED PAILLETTE PALM TREE. Love!

LATIN AMERICA:

Miss Venezuela Universe 2011 Vanessa Goncalves: Just released!! Yes, kids, this is what the current Venezuelan titleholder for Miss Universe will be bringing--and wearing--to the Miss Universe 2011 Pageant. It is inspired by "Diosa Yara" María Lionza --or Goddess Yara, who guards and protects the jungle; represents religious mysticism and the strained ecology of Planet Earth. Designed by Venezuelan designer from the State of Zulia, Nidal Nouaihed. It features thousands of turquoise, green and silver crystals in degrade' form and a silhouette of a mythological dragon. I wonder if that tail is to "snap" any of the other contestants...if they get too close?

Miss Colombia Universe 2011 Catalina Robayo: This National Costume", titled "Golfo de Morrosquillo" (Gulf of Morrosquillo, a gulf of the Caribbean Sea in Colombia), was designed by Alfredo Barraza and I think it's FAB-u-LOUS!!! It's like the big ol' hat just exploded and created a sassy "Road to Rio Bob Hope Movie" gown!!!

Miss Peru Universe 2011 Natalie Vertiz: Inca Warrior Princess for a National Costume...well, you really cannot go wrong with that! She gets an "A" from me!

Miss Ecuador Universe 2011 Claudia Schiess: Love the gold, love the feathers, very Inca Empire Princess. Interesting for a girl with the last name of SCHIESS--doesn't sound very "Inca" to me...Well, Thank goodness she's not wearing a bunch of BANANAS (as you know, they are one of Ecuador's biggest exports, of course)! I'll give her that.

Miss Paraguay Universe 2011 Alba Riquelme: Looks like someone is REALLY getting ready to go to the Carnival with this ensemble! I just have one question: How the heck do you pack that? And who pays for the extra baggage fees???

Miss Chile Universe 2011 Vanessa Ceruti: OK, this is really one of my faves: She is GIVING you "Sexy Miner"--lest you forget all about those infamous Chilean Miners...FABULUSO!!!!

Turks and Caicos Beauty Pageant

Beauty Pageant > Turks and Caicos


Miss Turks and Caicos is an annual national beauty pageant that selects Turks & Caicos' representative to the Miss Universe pageant.

* Miss Turks and Caicos niverse 2011 - Easher Parker

Cyprus Beauty Pageant , Beauty Contest

Beauty Pageant > Cyprus >

Miss Cyprus, (Greek: Μις Κύπρος), is the annual national Pancyprian beauty competition in Cyprus.

The first modern Cypriot competition took place in 1956. Since 1971 the organization has been financed by the famed brewing company Carlsberg. Since 1988 the competition has taken place st the Carlsberg-festival location. Since 1989 the Miss Cyprus beauty pageant has aired live on television.

The winners receive the titles "Star Kypros", '"Miss Kypros", "Miss Carlsberg" and "Miss Mediterranean". Winners of the event go on to represent Cyprus at the Miss Universe (Star Kypros), Miss World (Miss Kypros), plus two runners-up. The following abbreviations are used for the different titles: Only one person has gone to place in the beauty pagents which is Miss Cyprus 2002 who finished 8th.

* 2011 Miss Cyprus and Star Cyprus - Winners
* Miss Cyprus 2011 - Orthodoxia Panagi
* Star Cyprus 2011 - Andri Karantoni

Tahiti Beauty Pageant , Beauty Contest , National Pageant

Beauty Pageant > Tahiti >

* Miss Tahiti 2011 Winner - Rauata Temauri
* Miss Tahiti 2011 (Winner) - Rauata Temauri photo gallery
* Miss Tahiti 2011 (1st RU) - Emere Bopp du Pont photo gallery
* Miss Tahiti 2011 (2nd RU) - Hitiata Monnier photo gallery
* Miss Tahiti 2010 - Lucie Poehere Hutihuti Wilson
* Miss Tahiti 2009 - Puahinano Bonno / Candidates
* Miss Tahiti 2008 - Hinatea Boosie / Candidates

* Miss Tahiti International 2010 - Tehani Maono

* Miss Tahiti Earth 2009 - Niuriki Teremate

Miss World Cup Beauty Pageant

Beauty Pageant > Miss World Cup >

* Miss World Cup 2011 - Dominique Ela Wisniewski of New Zealand
* Miss World Cup 2010 - Jennifer Scherman of Argentina

Namibia Beauty Pageant , Beauty Contest

Beauty Pageant > Namibia >

Miss Namibia is an annual, national beauty pageant held in Namibia. Winner represents Namibia in Miss World and Miss Universe.

* Miss Namibia 2011 - Finalists
* Miss Namibia 2010 - Odile Gertze
* Miss Namibia 2009 - Happie Ntelamo / Contestants
* Miss Namibia 2008 - Marelize Robberts
* Miss Namibia 2007 - Marichen Luiperth

* Miss Supranation Namibia 2011 - Susan van Zyl

Miss USA 2011: And The Winner Is...And My Recap of the Miss USA 2011 Final Telecast Evening Gowns!!

Cali Cali Cali Wins!!

Poison Ivy: Miss California USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella waives to the audience seconds after being crowned Miss USA 2011

Last night was the Live Telecast of the Miss USA 2011 Pageant. It was held at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Theater for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas. Being that it was the 60th anniversary (yep, SIXTY years kids!) , they invited many past titleholders, including my good friend Brook Lee, who not only was "Miss USA" but also "Miss Universe" (the last Miss USA to win that coveted title).

Brook Lee , Miss Universe 1997, wearing a NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul design

They showed them in the audience sitting down but I really thought they should have been introduced onstage flanking last year's Miss USA Rima Fakih, it seemed like a missed opportunity--but that's neither here nor there, as they say; I just wanted to get that off my fashionable chest! Now, sit down, grab a cup of coffee (or red wine!) and let's get to the actual Winner, the finalists, THE GOWNS:

The Fiercest Four: Miss California USA, Miss Tennessee USA, Miss Texas USA and Miss Alabama USA

After the Introduction of the 51 contestants, the field was narrowed down to the Top 15 plus one voted on by the web-savy public. After Swimsuits, they were narrowed down again to the Top 8 and then the Four Finalists. It was all done very "American Idol"-esque and actually quite nail-biting (Good job producers!).

Miss California USA Alyssa Campanella--who hails from New Jersey originally and was a Miss Teen New Jersey USA 2007 (in THE SAME pageant as Miss Teen South Carolina Caitlin Upton of "World's Dumbest Answer" fame), won the title of Miss USA 2011 and the coveted spot to attend the Miss Universe Pageant in Sao Paulo Brazil. She was one of my Top Picks in terms of being A)Gorgeous and B) One of the best models and runway walkers of the bunch. So I knew she'd go far.

The Gown: Miss California USA (and now Miss USA 2011) gown from Miss Universe Org. Pageant Sponsor and Prom-and-Pageant Gown Brand, Sherri Hill

In one of my previous posts, I was a bit "disappointed" in her gown choice (a Sherri Hill creation, see above) in that I felt it was A LOT of Gown for her and just "typical" to put a red head into a green gown, but....she still won, so tells you how much I know! I do admit that last night, onstage she WORKED it--and the Gown fit her to a "T". Congrats to Alyssa and the Miss California USA team!

Miss Tennessee USA Ashley Elizabeth Durham: Ashley garnered the 1st Runner Up Title. She was so pretty but again I wasn't a fan of the gown. I liked the fabrication but OH THAT SLIT! And how the inner lining-dress stops 1/2 inch below her crotch... Huney! She also misunderstood her Final Question and answered a bit confusingly. But yet again, she almost won!


Miss Alabama USA Madeline Mitchell: Madeline received the 2nd Runner Up Title and (sorry to be a "Gown Grump") but I just wasn't a fan of this dress: The Slit was way too high, then it was also backless and then , she had a PLUNGING Sweetheart neckline...It was like "let's throw EVERY Pageant Gown Trick in the Book!". Here are the positives though: The gown was PAINTED on her; it fit her perfectly!

She looked almost regal and certainly did not look like "Just another Southern Belle from Alabama" but more like some South American Goddess!! Her face, stature and even up-do hair reminded me A LOT of Miss Universe 1979, the GORGEOUS Maritza Sayalero, from Venezuela (above).

Miss Texas Ana Cristina Rodriguez: I really thought Ana was going to win. It seemed as such, the entire time I was watching the show last night. She answered the "Weiner" question very well (or at least I thought so) and it seemed like the crown was hers but then...3rd Runner Up! There was an audible gasp in the audience as even host Giuliana Rancic said uncomfortably "Oh, I guess Texas has a lot of fans here!!!" And BTW: Her strapless-and-asymmetrical ivory crepe gown was sublime--LOVED it! This is how you show "hints" of skin but not so overtly. Big fan of this gown.

The Semi Finalists:

Miss Maryland USA Allyn Rose: Allyn was a Semi-Finialist at the Miss USA 2011 last night. Did not like this red off-the-shoulder gown. It was so "Dynasty" 1987. I was wondering if Alexis Carrington was going to come out from backstage and throw her in a Caesar's Palace Fountain pool!!!

Miss Hawaii USA Angela Byrd: Well, Thank Goodness for SOME diversity Judges! Angela was one of the Semi Finalists and within a SEA of Blonds, it was nice to see someone NOT blond. She was stunning but the gown was not-so-much. She completely LOST me the minute I saw iridescent poly organza fabric: Not a fan. And the bust section was far too big and structured for her. Again it's 2011 not 1956.

Miss Maine USA Ashley-Lynn Marble: This was a surprise to me since I said she looked like Cruella de Vil in her "Miss USA 2011 Official Evening Gown Portrait". But she was STUNNING last night; statuesque, amazonian-like! She did, however, wear the same gown as in her Portrait and Preliminary Competition and the halter side-beaded style just seemed old and dated. She needed to be a head-to-toe silver beaded siren gown. Done and Done. Ice Queen anyone?

Miss South Carolina USA Courtney Hope Turner: Finally, you can read HERE what I originally said about Courtney and her red ruffled "Cha-Cha" gown back in the Preliminary Competition...

Congrats to Alyssa Campanella, the new Miss USA 2011---And now...go find a FABULOUS gown for Miss Universe!!!!

Click Below for the Evening Gown Portion of the Competition:

MISS USA 2011: The Preliminary Evening Gown Competition "Me No Likey" & "On The Fence"...

Oh Ladies Ladies Ladies...The Multi-Slits, The Feathers, The Cheap Polyester! Will They Ever Learn??

As you may have read in my previous post, the Miss USA 2011 Pageant is taking place in Las Vegas and late last week was the very important Preliminary Competition--where a "separate panel of judges" decide on who will make it to the Finals during Sunday Night's Live telecast. I gave my "Nick V. Two Cents" on my Favorite Picks from the Preliminary Evening Gown Competition. Some ladies decided to change the gowns they wore on their "Official Gown Portraits" and some, decided to stay the same--some for the better and some, not-so-much.
Here are my Picks for the "No-So-Likey" bunch:

With Strap...

Without...

Miss Delaware USA: Katie Hanson Miss Delaware USA made my previous list of "Not So Likey" from the "Official Evening Gown Portraits" as you can see above (bottom photo), it was a Hodge-podge of a Dress: It was strapless and didn't fit her well (her "sistahs" were too big for that type of dress), the feathers, the shirring, the cheap poly satin...Well, for the Preliminaries, she ADDED Straps!!! (Points for that!) so at least the gown stayed up and there would be no chance for any "spillage" and it did look better on stage. But it's still the same dress! Not So Likey.

Miss Pennsylvania USA: The GORGEOUS Amber-Joi Watkins looks very "Dancing With The Stars" in this mint-green satin-and-sequins floor-sweeping of a gown. At first glance, I was like "well, it's OK..." but then...

GURL!! TWO SLITS?? It's a "Car Wash Gown"! Not only does she look like a contestant on "Dancing With The Stars" but that dress can also WASH my brand new car as well!! And not to mention the fact that she HAD to take the look even further by wearing not ONE but TWO matching crystal bracelets--on each wrist, plus a big ol' ring, plus those earrings!!! And big stacked nude PUMPS just really didn't go with this kind of a dress. Chalk it up to bad, ill-advised styling.

Miss Tennessee USA: Ashley Elizabeth Durham is sooooo pretty--or shall I say "puurrteee" (in my best Southern accent). Here are the positives: I actually like the jeweled-and-all over sequin fabric. I just think she A) Didn't need the slit and B) She DEFINITELY should have not had the lining stop 1/2 inch below her crotch! The gown should have been covered with no slit and fully lined. And that's that! Then it would have been an actually nice Red Carpet-style gown. But this dress as it is--well, all I can focus on is THAT crotch area.

Miss Wyoming USA: No. No. And No. Kaytlin Davis Miss Wyoming USA wore this lavender sequin and-satin gown to the Preliminary Competition. I like the color (get the positive out of the way!) but...the style is literally straight out of a "Beauty Pageant 101 Catalog" from 1987. Seriously, when is the last time you saw a top actress or celeb on the Red Carpet of an award show, movie premiere, gala, in THIS kind of a dress? Let me answer you: NEVER! Then why would you wear this to the Miss USA 2011 Evening Gown Competition? This is a dress that a "Housewife of New Jersey" finds at her local Consignment Store for a steal of $50 for her cousin's wedding.

Most Disappointing Award Goes To...

Miss California USA Alyssa Campanella is one of the best, if not THE BEST models in the group and she can carry off almost anything she wears. This dress is just so predictable. A red head in a green dress...everything about it is so "Pageant Betty". And part of me thinks that it didn't need the sequined section IN ADDITION to the strong architectural solid fabrication. I would have just let the gown be all the same ONE fabric with maybe "hints" of sequins. With such a strong contestant like Alyssa, I wish they would have given her something a bit more daring and edgy. Go to famed Venezuelan Pageant Designer Gionni Straccia; he would know what to put her in!!

I'm On The Fence About...

Miss Alabama USA Madeline Mitchell: The overall look is very impacting, the pose is FAB, the hair is good, the gown is also good. It's just I wish the style was more, well, up to date with 2011. It's like I've seen this gown back in 1992. The off-the-shoulder, the key-hole "sweetheart" neckline, the slit...

She looks very Michelle McLean Miss Universe 1992 (above pics). That's Nineteen Ninety Two!!!!

Miss Florida USA: Lissette Garcia is WORKING IT overtime...with this gown. This is why I am "on the fence". I'm loving the mirrored jeweled detail at the torso section of the gown but then it goes into "I'm a Basketball Wife-former-Stripper" mode from then on. If only, (here we go again) maybe the slit wasn't so high--or if it wasn't even there! Although Lissette is of Cuban descent (she represented Cuba in "Reina Hispanoamerica 2007"), she still does give me "Miss Dominican Republic"-fierceness and I give her points for that!

Miss South Carolina: Finally, my last "On The Fence" is the lovely Courtney Hope Turner. Lipstick red, princess-seamed fitted satin gown...and THOSE Volants--or Ruffles for the Gringos...It's very Oscar de la Renta, very Cha-Cha. And I like those two things. But is this the right gown for her? I think it might be the cheap satin fabrication that bothers me. I don't know, I'm asking my readers here? What do you think? I do LOVE those earrings though! I think my mommy had earrings like that and I even think they were actual Rubies--must ask her where those are...