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Date Posted: 23:18:52 10/22/05 Sat
Author: /
Subject: Superbowl indeed

Come pageant night, Chelsea wore a snug jersey gown in nude that highlighted her toned physique.

Did she deserve a Top 10 finish?

Yes, if only to show that a woman need not be tall and skinny to be an achiever in the beauty arena. Chelsea’s presence and performance in the Top 10 was enough affirmation that a healthy woman who does not take herself nor the task at hand too seriously can hold her own amidst girls enculturated with a single purpose: to become Miss Universe.

Had she had a better swimsuit presentation (she looked like the Energizer Bunny on caffeine overdose with the jerky head, hands and hip movements), she might have made the Top 5, as well.


Switzerland’s Fiona Hefti is this year’s sleeper hit. She was beautiful enough to not get bashed by internet trolls, but unassuming enough to stay under most experts’ radars. Come pageant night, however, she proved that she had what it took to belong to such an impossibly beautiful group of women. Her beaded baby blue bustier with slashed chiffon skirt was simple, uncluttered and flattering. Her swimsuit presentation was so refreshingly devoid of the backbreaking poses, calculated catwalk moves and unnatural mugging affected by some delegates to attract attention.

How might the dynamics within the all-star Top 5 change had Fiona been in it?


The Titlists

Billy Bush called it a “South American dogfight.” He was not right about "South American," as the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico are in the Carribean, while Mexico and Canada are in North America. But he was right about "dogfight." Although Canada was the lone non-Latina in the Top 5, she trained, underwent dental surgery, and had some pieces of her wardrobe designed and assembled in Colombia. It was also in Colombia where she finished 2nd runner-up in the newly resuscitated Miss Maja Mundial pageant. Her South American connection is strong.

While the Top 5 might have resembled the finals at a Reina Sudamerica pageant, it would be impossible to argue that the five ladies who ultimately competed for the crown were undeserving; on the contrary, the following ladies represented an unpredictable five-cornered fight that this year’s edition of Miss Universe showcased. Unlike in previous years, there had never been a clear favorite from the beginning.

Any of the five could have taken the crown, but their fates hinged on the Final Interview round, starting with:

Monica Spear, Venezuela. How many beauty contestants can claim to having a moniker even before she won a big one? Only La Mootz, and with good reason. Monica is a departure from the bumper crop of beauties that the Miss Venezuela Organization manufactures each year. She does not solicit the crowd’s adulation; she understands that it will be given to her. She does not try hard; she just does what she has to do—no more, no less. The result is a beauty queen who looks relaxed and dignified. This, despite the pressure of redeeming her country’s glory after Ana Karina Añez’s dismal showing last year.

It was a shame that she buckled when the moment counted the most—the Final Interview. When asked the compound question of what her country’s biggest problem was and what she would do to help solve it, she started off rather well, citing political and economic difficulties. She then proceeded to expound on self-centeredness as a block to people helping each other, and then she froze and never recovered. She bowed her head in frustration and remained in the Interview area a few seconds after her turn had been over.

When the five ladies were asked to walk for the judges’ last look, it was obvious from Monica’s dejected countenance that she had lost heart and was resigned to a runner-up finish.

Her 4th runner-up position was admirable especially in a batch as competitive as this. But it is understandably difficult to swallow if one were made to feel that winning is the only option.

Laura Elizondo, Mexico. As if to punish an incredibly beautiful woman for having stumped a fellow contender (Miss Venezuela) with a confounding question, the judges awarded Laura a 3rd runner-up finish.

Laura has been her country’s best bet for a crown in recent memory. Stunning even without make-up on, Laura is the epitome of a natural beauty.

She is so captivating that the judges kept moving her up in each round, even if her evening gown was not flattering. Her gold number was the same color as the backdrop, making her blend with it; the top was heavy with too much detail, rendering the bottom part unbalanced; it made her legs look short. In the swimsuit round, she had one of the weaker figures in an amazingly buffed group of finalists. Still, her beauty will not be ignored—she moved on to the Top 5, and justifiably so.

During the final interview, she bought time by asking the interpreter to translate the question for her but eventually decided to answer in English—a tactic that would be adapted by the three other Latinas in the Top 5. Laura answered decently, even if a bit stiffly, pronouncing that the story is not over yet; we are the writers of our own story. Luckily, the time was up before the Impact Arena started to reek of burning patty.

Renata Soñe, Dominican Republic. The charming preschool teacher is arguably the most complete Dominican delegate ever sent to Miss Universe. She can maneuver the stage expertly while still conveying warmth and sincerity. She had the best smile among the ladies in the Top 5.

Her evening gown looked suspiciously similar to her national costume minus the seahorse’s head, but no matter: the silhouette was flattering, even if the color was dead. It was still better than the frightful cotton-candy creation that she wore during the preliminary competition.

Still, her national directors should watch it. They are lucky to have had exceptional winners thus far, effectively cushioning the effect of potentially disastrous gowns (e.g. Amelia Vega’s blue little-girl dress during the prelims in 2003 and her nondescript white dress during the finals; Claudia Julissa Cruz’s frumpy orange sheath in Miss World that made her look wide as a house).

Renata was calm and composed during the Final Interview round. What sealed her 2nd runner-up finish was the patchy connection she established between sensitivity as the trait men can learn most from women and staying true to oneself as a measure of being a real man. In another year, Renata might have ran away with the crown. Still, a flawless delivery and a good finish yet again for the Dominican Republic.

Initially packaged as yet another Denise Quiñones clone, Cynthia actually has three over Denise. While Denise’s victory will forever be disputed by those contending that Evelina Papantoniou had a better catwalk, a better body and a better performance during the Final Interview round, Cynthia appeared on the Miss Universe stage with an unparalleled catwalk, a killer body and more-than-adequate communication skills. And unlike Isis Casalduc or Carla Tricoli, Cynthia proved that she can deliver on the pre-pageant hype. She even broke out of the Puerto Rican pageant queen mold by wearing a classic black gown instead of the de riguer white number.

So why did Denise win it all in 2001 and Cynthia placed only as second best in 2005? The answer is not the hometown factor. Neither is it plastic surgery.

One word: connection.

While Denise was not as accomplished a model as Cynthia, she forged better connection with the judges and audiences. Denise’s smile was more genuine, whereas Cynthia would alternate between ramp diva pouts and toothy beauty queen smiles.

During the Top 5 announcement, all the other girls were holding each other’s hands. Except Cynthia. She had her hand on her hip in a pretty pose. If she could not forge connection with her fellow contestants who were right beside her, how will she be able to communicate genuine warmth to the judges and to the thousands of audiences at the Impact Arena?

Cynthia may not be Miss Congeniality, and that is fine. She came to compete, not to win friends. What Cynthia is, is a fine competitor. She knows her job, is highly qualified for it, and performs it exceptionally well. However, to become Miss Universe, one always needs that undefined extra. Mpule Kwelagobe had it. Lara Dutta had it. Jennifer Hawkins had it. Amelia Vega could fake it. Unfortunately, this is the teeny tiny space where Cynthia fell short in a very tight race for the crown, making room for:

Natalie Glebova, Canada. She is a pageant veteran who was primed in Colombia for the Miss Universe competition. Smells suspicious? Luckily for Canucks, Natalie has deflected a poisonous patty affliction and proceeded to take it all. Her placement is neither accident nor surprise, unlike Kim Yee or Neelam Verma. Like most South American representatives, Natalie is the product of intense training and painstaking strategy. She is Canada’s heaviest plate as the country’s beauty machinery flexes its muscle.

How did Natalie perform?

She sported the simplest evening gown of the night. It might have looked plain and like such a predictable choice on a contestant of lesser caliber, but Natalie’s beauty and carriage ensured that she wore the gown and not the other way around.

Of the finalists, she had the figure that screamed “discipline” the most—her body was golden and spanking buff, with nary a trace of fat or blemish. Everybody could see that this was a woman who worked long and hard to get where she is. Did the strain show?

Natalie’s moment of truth came during the Top 15 announcement. While most girls looked like they were going to collapse if their names would not be called and those who did get called looked nothing but relieved, Natalie looked energized the moment “Canada!” was called to come into the Top 15. She pumped both her fists into the air in a joyful celebration of the moment. And this was how she would proceed throughout the night—with an unmatched energy and with a visible joie de vivre. It was such great delight to watch her in action.

During the Final Interview, she resisted hokey parallelisms and winded explanations, pretty much like another great beauty with whom she has been constantly compared—Oxana Federova. Natalie was direct in her reply that staying positive is the biggest challenge for her; she is someone who chooses to see the glass as half full. Simple, sweet and clear.

A well deserved victory for Canada.

It is interesting to note that aside from being compared to two iconic pageant queens (Denise and Oxana), Cynthia and Natalie share something else more personal: they both joined their national pageants more than once before they snagged the title.



Jenny From the Block

And what of the Aussie beach babe with the bright smile? She has grown into a sophisticated woman (that red lace top with the gold ball gown skirt was simply too dreamy), albeit one with the heart of a girl-next-door (she crowned Natalie in a sporty-looking haltered gown sans bra, her hair up in a high ponytail). Her catwalk is still visibly in question, but her heart and her intentions are not. Props to her for keeping her identity amidst an insanely image-conscious environment.

The Skinny

The venue was great; Thailand got to showcase its character, culture and attractions; the production remained streamlined, paced and exciting; even if there was no entertainment number from some celebrity, the beautiful women onstage provided more than enough glitz and glamour. The hosting was tolerable, even if we sometimes wished for someone with more finesse and panache than Billy Bush and Nancy O’Dell. Most of the favorites made the cut and we have a great new Miss Universe. Everybody happy. Right?

What is mildly alarming about this year’s edition is the seeming homogenization of beauty. The Top 5 was noticeably composed only of tall Caucasian brunettes. Apart from Artika Sari Devi, there is no real representation of beauty the world over in the Top 15. It must be remembered that although Chelsea Cooley and Magdalene Walcott do not belong to the tall, skinny, white girl type, Misses Cooley and Walcott are still the products of well-oiled pageant machines. Helene Traasavik represents an interesting mix of features, but she might as well have been the hometown girl. Are they less worthy of a Top 15 slot, then? No; it just affirms that preparation pays. Still, these four girls are the lucky minority this year.

The Miss Universe Organization or the judges can not be faulted for choosing the most polished girls. With franchise fees, product placements and countless media appearances, Miss Universe is big business, after all. In the rare instance that a solid competitor from, oh, Martinique or Kenya or Egypt shows up, what a great Joy to the World! Otherwise, chances are only bestowed upon those who spend enough time, effort and resources to ensure an excellent performance. And the most prepared girls naturally come from a place that values pageantry the most—South America. Call it the process of natural selection.

It is the Superbowl indeed, this—big, noisy, extravagant, extremely competitive and withholding violent undercurrents. Bloody, too, except that you do not see the smashed faces or broken bones of brawny athletes. The outcome of all the gore is steely determination packaged in picture-perfect smiles on perfect faces, perched on perfect bodies, clad in perfect clothes.
Come pageant night, Chelsea wore a snug jersey gown in nude that highlighted her toned physique.

Did she deserve a Top 10 finish?

Yes, if only to show that a woman need not be tall and skinny to be an achiever in the beauty arena. Chelsea’s presence and performance in the Top 10 was enough affirmation that a healthy woman who does not take herself nor the task at hand too seriously can hold her own amidst girls enculturated with a single purpose: to become Miss Universe.

Had she had a better swimsuit presentation (she looked like the Energizer Bunny on caffeine overdose with the jerky head, hands and hip movements), she might have made the Top 5, as well.


Switzerland’s Fiona Hefti is this year’s sleeper hit. She was beautiful enough to not get bashed by internet trolls, but unassuming enough to stay under most experts’ radars. Come pageant night, however, she proved that she had what it took to belong to such an impossibly beautiful group of women. Her beaded baby blue bustier with slashed chiffon skirt was simple, uncluttered and flattering. Her swimsuit presentation was so refreshingly devoid of the backbreaking poses, calculated catwalk moves and unnatural mugging affected by some delegates to attract attention.

How might the dynamics within the all-star Top 5 change had Fiona been in it?


The Titlists

Billy Bush called it a “South American dogfight.” He was not right about "South American," as the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico are in the Carribean, while Mexico and Canada are in North America. But he was right about "dogfight." Although Canada was the lone non-Latina in the Top 5, she trained, underwent dental surgery, and had some pieces of her wardrobe designed and assembled in Colombia. It was also in Colombia where she finished 2nd runner-up in the newly resuscitated Miss Maja Mundial pageant. Her South American connection is strong.

While the Top 5 might have resembled the finals at a Reina Sudamerica pageant, it would be impossible to argue that the five ladies who ultimately competed for the crown were undeserving; on the contrary, the following ladies represented an unpredictable five-cornered fight that this year’s edition of Miss Universe showcased. Unlike in previous years, there had never been a clear favorite from the beginning.

Any of the five could have taken the crown, but their fates hinged on the Final Interview round, starting with:

Monica Spear, Venezuela. How many beauty contestants can claim to having a moniker even before she won a big one? Only La Mootz, and with good reason. Monica is a departure from the bumper crop of beauties that the Miss Venezuela Organization manufactures each year. She does not solicit the crowd’s adulation; she understands that it will be given to her. She does not try hard; she just does what she has to do—no more, no less. The result is a beauty queen who looks relaxed and dignified. This, despite the pressure of redeeming her country’s glory after Ana Karina Añez’s dismal showing last year.

It was a shame that she buckled when the moment counted the most—the Final Interview. When asked the compound question of what her country’s biggest problem was and what she would do to help solve it, she started off rather well, citing political and economic difficulties. She then proceeded to expound on self-centeredness as a block to people helping each other, and then she froze and never recovered. She bowed her head in frustration and remained in the Interview area a few seconds after her turn had been over.

When the five ladies were asked to walk for the judges’ last look, it was obvious from Monica’s dejected countenance that she had lost heart and was resigned to a runner-up finish.

Her 4th runner-up position was admirable especially in a batch as competitive as this. But it is understandably difficult to swallow if one were made to feel that winning is the only option.

Laura Elizondo, Mexico. As if to punish an incredibly beautiful woman for having stumped a fellow contender (Miss Venezuela) with a confounding question, the judges awarded Laura a 3rd runner-up finish.

Laura has been her country’s best bet for a crown in recent memory. Stunning even without make-up on, Laura is the epitome of a natural beauty.

She is so captivating that the judges kept moving her up in each round, even if her evening gown was not flattering. Her gold number was the same color as the backdrop, making her blend with it; the top was heavy with too much detail, rendering the bottom part unbalanced; it made her legs look short. In the swimsuit round, she had one of the weaker figures in an amazingly buffed group of finalists. Still, her beauty will not be ignored—she moved on to the Top 5, and justifiably so.

During the final interview, she bought time by asking the interpreter to translate the question for her but eventually decided to answer in English—a tactic that would be adapted by the three other Latinas in the Top 5. Laura answered decently, even if a bit stiffly, pronouncing that the story is not over yet; we are the writers of our own story. Luckily, the time was up before the Impact Arena started to reek of burning patty.

Renata Soñe, Dominican Republic. The charming preschool teacher is arguably the most complete Dominican delegate ever sent to Miss Universe. She can maneuver the stage expertly while still conveying warmth and sincerity. She had the best smile among the ladies in the Top 5.

Her evening gown looked suspiciously similar to her national costume minus the seahorse’s head, but no matter: the silhouette was flattering, even if the color was dead. It was still better than the frightful cotton-candy creation that she wore during the preliminary competition.

Still, her national directors should watch it. They are lucky to have had exceptional winners thus far, effectively cushioning the effect of potentially disastrous gowns (e.g. Amelia Vega’s blue little-girl dress during the prelims in 2003 and her nondescript white dress during the finals; Claudia Julissa Cruz’s frumpy orange sheath in Miss World that made her look wide as a house).

Renata was calm and composed during the Final Interview round. What sealed her 2nd runner-up finish was the patchy connection she established between sensitivity as the trait men can learn most from women and staying true to oneself as a measure of being a real man. In another year, Renata might have ran away with the crown. Still, a flawless delivery and a good finish yet again for the Dominican Republic.

Initially packaged as yet another Denise Quiñones clone, Cynthia actually has three over Denise. While Denise’s victory will forever be disputed by those contending that Evelina Papantoniou had a better catwalk, a better body and a better performance during the Final Interview round, Cynthia appeared on the Miss Universe stage with an unparalleled catwalk, a killer body and more-than-adequate communication skills. And unlike Isis Casalduc or Carla Tricoli, Cynthia proved that she can deliver on the pre-pageant hype. She even broke out of the Puerto Rican pageant queen mold by wearing a classic black gown instead of the de riguer white number.

So why did Denise win it all in 2001 and Cynthia placed only as second best in 2005? The answer is not the hometown factor. Neither is it plastic surgery.

One word: connection.

While Denise was not as accomplished a model as Cynthia, she forged better connection with the judges and audiences. Denise’s smile was more genuine, whereas Cynthia would alternate between ramp diva pouts and toothy beauty queen smiles.

During the Top 5 announcement, all the other girls were holding each other’s hands. Except Cynthia. She had her hand on her hip in a pretty pose. If she could not forge connection with her fellow contestants who were right beside her, how will she be able to communicate genuine warmth to the judges and to the thousands of audiences at the Impact Arena?

Cynthia may not be Miss Congeniality, and that is fine. She came to compete, not to win friends. What Cynthia is, is a fine competitor. She knows her job, is highly qualified for it, and performs it exceptionally well. However, to become Miss Universe, one always needs that undefined extra. Mpule Kwelagobe had it. Lara Dutta had it. Jennifer Hawkins had it. Amelia Vega could fake it. Unfortunately, this is the teeny tiny space where Cynthia fell short in a very tight race for the crown, making room for:

Natalie Glebova, Canada. She is a pageant veteran who was primed in Colombia for the Miss Universe competition. Smells suspicious? Luckily for Canucks, Natalie has deflected a poisonous patty affliction and proceeded to take it all. Her placement is neither accident nor surprise, unlike Kim Yee or Neelam Verma. Like most South American representatives, Natalie is the product of intense training and painstaking strategy. She is Canada’s heaviest plate as the country’s beauty machinery flexes its muscle.

How did Natalie perform?

She sported the simplest evening gown of the night. It might have looked plain and like such a predictable choice on a contestant of lesser caliber, but Natalie’s beauty and carriage ensured that she wore the gown and not the other way around.

Of the finalists, she had the figure that screamed “discipline” the most—her body was golden and spanking buff, with nary a trace of fat or blemish. Everybody could see that this was a woman who worked long and hard to get where she is. Did the strain show?

Natalie’s moment of truth came during the Top 15 announcement. While most girls looked like they were going to collapse if their names would not be called and those who did get called looked nothing but relieved, Natalie looked energized the moment “Canada!” was called to come into the Top 15. She pumped both her fists into the air in a joyful celebration of the moment. And this was how she would proceed throughout the night—with an unmatched energy and with a visible joie de vivre. It was such great delight to watch her in action.

During the Final Interview, she resisted hokey parallelisms and winded explanations, pretty much like another great beauty with whom she has been constantly compared—Oxana Federova. Natalie was direct in her reply that staying positive is the biggest challenge for her; she is someone who chooses to see the glass as half full. Simple, sweet and clear.

A well deserved victory for Canada.

It is interesting to note that aside from being compared to two iconic pageant queens (Denise and Oxana), Cynthia and Natalie share something else more personal: they both joined their national pageants more than once before they snagged the title.



Jenny From the Block

And what of the Aussie beach babe with the bright smile? She has grown into a sophisticated woman (that red lace top with the gold ball gown skirt was simply too dreamy), albeit one with the heart of a girl-next-door (she crowned Natalie in a sporty-looking haltered gown sans bra, her hair up in a high ponytail). Her catwalk is still visibly in question, but her heart and her intentions are not. Props to her for keeping her identity amidst an insanely image-conscious environment.

The Skinny

The venue was great; Thailand got to showcase its character, culture and attractions; the production remained streamlined, paced and exciting; even if there was no entertainment number from some celebrity, the beautiful women onstage provided more than enough glitz and glamour. The hosting was tolerable, even if we sometimes wished for someone with more finesse and panache than Billy Bush and Nancy O’Dell. Most of the favorites made the cut and we have a great new Miss Universe. Everybody happy. Right?

What is mildly alarming about this year’s edition is the seeming homogenization of beauty. The Top 5 was noticeably composed only of tall Caucasian brunettes. Apart from Artika Sari Devi, there is no real representation of beauty the world over in the Top 15. It must be remembered that although Chelsea Cooley and Magdalene Walcott do not belong to the tall, skinny, white girl type, Misses Cooley and Walcott are still the products of well-oiled pageant machines. Helene Traasavik represents an interesting mix of features, but she might as well have been the hometown girl. Are they less worthy of a Top 15 slot, then? No; it just affirms that preparation pays. Still, these four girls are the lucky minority this year.

The Miss Universe Organization or the judges can not be faulted for choosing the most polished girls. With franchise fees, product placements and countless media appearances, Miss Universe is big business, after all. In the rare instance that a solid competitor from, oh, Martinique or Kenya or Egypt shows up, what a great Joy to the World! Otherwise, chances are only bestowed upon those who spend enough time, effort and resources to ensure an excellent performance. And the most prepared girls naturally come from a place that values pageantry the most—South America. Call it the process of natural selection.

It is the Superbowl indeed, this—big, noisy, extravagant, extremely competitive and withholding violent undercurrents. Bloody, too, except that you do not see the smashed faces or broken bones of brawny athletes. The outcome of all the gore is steely determination packaged in picture-perfect smiles on perfect faces, perched on perfect bodies, clad in perfect clothes.

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