Miss Universe ® Pageant News

And we thought Miss Universe Japan's racy get-up was causing a stir! Now it seems Miss Universe Peru, 25-year-old Karen Schwarz, has a controversy-laden outfit that has neighboring country Bolivia up in arms. The drama, reported by The Wall Street Journal, stems from the ornate horned headpiece Schwarz is planning on donning (along with a heavily embroidered mini-dress, cape and thigh-high boots) for the "National Costume" portion of the August 23 Miss Universe competition.

This headpiece was inspired by the ritual dance "La Diablada" or "Devil's Dance," but Bolivia's Culture Minister Pablo Groux claims that the dance is a Bolivian custom -- not Peruvian -- and that the beauty queen's use of the horns is something akin to cultural copyright infringement.

Groux says the "La Diablada" originated in Oruro, a Bolivian city, while Peru's foreign minister, José Antonio García Belaúnde, says that Peruvians have been celebrating the same ritual forever. "Culture doesn't have borders," he told WSJ.

Schwarz herself told Bolivian newspaper La Razón: "To say it belongs to only one country is impossible. We are brothers, we practically live together, we have almost the same customs, the same cultures and there are more difficult problems to solve. - www.stylelist.com/   Read full article

HEIDI MONTAG, ARTISTS FLO RIDA, DAVID GUETTA AND KELLY ROWLAND TO PERFORM DURING THE 2009 MISS UNIVERSE® PAGEANT

The Miss Universe Organization has announced that Heidi Montag and superstar artists Flo Rida, David Guetta and Kelly Rowland will perform at the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant to air on July 23, 2009. Billy Bush, co-anchor of “Access Hollywood” and Claudia Jordan of “Celebrity Apprentice” and “Deal or No Deal,” will host the competition live from Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 23rd at 9 PM ET on NBC and Telemundo.

International superstar Flo Rida will perform his hugely successful hit, “Right Round” and “Jump” as part of a two song medley during the Swimsuit Competition of the telecast. The rapper burst onto the scene in 2008 with his blockbuster debut album, “Mail on Sunday.” Flo Rida’s single “Right Round,” from his new album “R.O.O.T.S.,” became the fastest million-selling digital song ever, reaching platinum status in just two weeks.

Included in the show will also be a performance by reality star Heidi Montag featuring her single “Turn Ya Head.” The song comes from Montag’s debut album, “Unleashed,” which was released in July. Along with her music career, Montag is a cast member on the hit MTV show “The Hills.”

David Guetta and Kelly Rowland will set the tone for the Evening Gown portion of the pageant. The popular duo will combine their talents as they perform their hit single, “When Love Takes Over.” Guetta, a world-renowned French DJ and producer, will release his fourth studio album in August, “One Love,” with Rowland, an accomplished R & B solo artist and former member of the band Destiny’s Child, providing the vocals for its lead single. “When Love Takes Over” is already number one on the UK Singles Chart and is quickly climbing in the US, having already been downloaded over 120,000 times on iTunes.

Venezuelan native Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the 2009 Miss Universe telecast. During her reign, she has traveled the globe as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research and legislation. The newly crowned Miss Universe will go on to do the same.

Each contestant from more than 80 countries around the world will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vie for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2009. In recent years, the pageant has been viewed before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of approximately 1 billion viewers.

“Access Hollywood” co-anchor Billy Bush and "Celebrity Apprentice" star Claudia Jordan will host the 2009Miss Universe pageant on August 23rd

Billy Bush, co-anchor of “Access Hollywood” and Claudia Jordan of “Celebrity Apprentice” and “Deal or No Deal,” will host the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant live on NBC on Sunday, August 23rd at 9:00 p.m. ET from Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Billy Bush has been the co-anchor of the daily entertainment newsmagazine sensation “Access Hollywood” since 2004 and has worked as a correspondent on the program since 2001. Bush is also host of the nationally syndicated radio program "The Billy Bush Show." Bush is no stranger to the Miss Universe Organization, having hosted the most recent Miss USA competition in April. In addition, Bush previously hosted the Miss USA and Miss Universe competitions in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Model, actress and former Miss Rhode Island USA, Claudia Jordan will serve as co-host. After moving to Los Angeles from Rhode Island, Jordan became a model on “The Price is Right.” She then went on to co-host the TV show “Livin’ Large” with Carmen Electra and worked as a correspondent for "Best Damn Sports Show Period.” Jordan has also been a newspaper reporter and was one of the few female reporters in Washington, D.C. to cover the Million Man March. Jordan was a contestant on Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” and most recently served as a judge at the 2009 Miss USA competition.

Venezuelan native Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008, will crown her successor at the
conclusion of the telecast. Each contestant from more than 80 countries around the world will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vie for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2009. In recent years, worldwide distribution of the popular competition has topped more than 180 countries. Donald J. Trump and Phil Gurin will again serve as Executive Producers for MISS UNIVERSE® 2009.

Dayana Mendoza is One of People En Espanol's '50 Mas Bellos'

Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza, was recently named on of People En Espanol's '50 Mas Bellos' or '50 Most Beautiful People'.

MISS VENEZUELA, DAYANA MENDOZA CROWNED MISS UNIVERSE® 2008 DURING LIVE NBC TELECAST ON JULY 13T

MISS VENEZUELA, DAYANA MENDOZA CROWNED MISS UNIVERSE® 2008 DURING LIVE NBC TELECAST ON JULY 13TH

New York, NY - July 13, 2008 – This evening, during one of the year's most exciting live international television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, as MISS UNIVERSE® 2008 live from the Crown Convention Center in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam.

Ms. Mendoza is 22 years-old and her career ambition is to become an Interior Designer. She also enjoys photography and is interested in advertising.

The judging panel for the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant included: Donald Trump Jr., Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization; fashion designer and entrepreneur Roberto Cavalli; Nadine Velazquez, international cover girl and star of NBC's "My Name Is Earl"; Jennifer Hawkins, television presenter and Miss Universe 2004; Louis Licari, celebrity colorist and "Today Show" ambush makeover expert; Joe Cinque, President of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences; Bollywood film & TV star, dancer, model Eesha Koppikhar; Nguyen Cong Khe, Editor in Chief of Thanh Nien newspaper and international shoe designer Taryn Rose. Jerry Springer and Mel B hosted the telecast of the 57th Annual Miss Universe competition where Lady GaGa performed her hit "Just Dance".

Throughout the two-hour event, contestants from 80 countries and territories around the world competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and personality interview. Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 1 billion viewers.

Final Results:

First Runner Up: Miss Colombia, Taliana Vargas; will assume the duties of MISS UNIVERSE 2008 if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities.

Second Runner Up: Miss Dominican Republic, Marianne Cruz Gonzale.

Rest of Top Five: Miss Mexico, Elisa Najera; and Miss Russia, Vera Krasova.

Rest of Top Ten: Miss Kosovo, Zana Krasniqi; Miss Australia, Laura Dundovic; Miss Spain, Claudia Moro; Miss USA, Crystle Stewart; and Miss Italy, Claudia Ferraris.

Rest of Top Fifteen: Miss Vietnam, Lam Thuy Nguyen; Miss South Africa, Tansey Coetzee; Miss Japan, Hiroko Mima;; Miss Hungary, Jazmin Dammak; and Miss Czech Republic, Eliska Buckova.


National Costume Award: Miss Thailand, Gavintra Photijak. The general public voted on www.nbc.com for the international delegate whose national costume best reflected her country's culture, originality in preparation and the delegate's personal demeanor. She received a $1,000 cash prize and a trophy from Rogaska Crystal.

Miss Congeniality Universe™ Award: Miss El Salvador, Rebeca Moreno. This award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate's peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant. She also received a $1,000 cash prize and a trophy from Rogaska Crystal

The MISS UNIVERSE® 2008 prize package includes: the Miss Universe tiara created by CAO Fine Jewelry (a division of PNJ) designed by Mrs. Dang Thi Kim Lien and Rosalina Lydster valued at more than $30,000 dollars; a 2 year scholarship from the New York Film Academy worth more than $100,000 dollars to its acting or film-making programs; eveningwear gowns from Scala, designed by Sherri Hill; a national and international multi-media advertising campaign and a complete denim wardrobe from YMI Jeanswear; a custom swimsuit wardrobe from BSC Swimwear Thailand; a shoe collection from Nina Footwear; a trophy from Rogaska Crystal; year-long supply of Farouk Systems products, makers of CHI, the original Ceramic Technology tools; membership to Gravity Fitness and pampering at John Barrett Salon; fashion portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha; consultations with nutritionist and creator of The F-Factor Diet™ Tanya Zuckerbrot; dermatology and skincare services by Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher; consultations with personal stylist Billie Causieestko and access to an event wardrobe from leading fashion designers; a New York City apartment for the year of her reign including living expenses and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization to further her personal and professional goals.

NEW YORK, NY – March 4, 2009 -- Donald J. Trump, NBC Universal and Paula M. Shugart, President, Miss Universe Organization, announced today that the 58^th Annual MISS UNIVERSE® Competition will air live from Paradise Island, Bahamas. The glamorous live event, featuring some of the world's most beautiful women, will take place at Atlantis, Paradise Island resort and air live on NBC and Telemundo on Sunday, August 30^th this summer.

"Paradise. There is no better name for the beauty of the Bahamas and this island," said Paula M. Shugart. "The worldwide telecast will highlight the warmth, beauty and hospitality of the Islands of the Bahamas as well as the world renowned Atlantis resort. We have had a wonderful working relationship with the Bahamas and Atlantis for many years and I'm very excited this global event will take that partnership to a whole new level."

"The people of The Bahamas are very proud and excited at the opportunity to host some of the most beautiful people in the universe in some of the most beautiful islands in the universe," said The Bahamas' Minister of Tourism & Aviation, Senator Hon. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace. "This feels like the perfect match. We look forward to showcasing the hospitality of our people, the clarity of our waters, the vibrancy of our music, dance, food and spirit."

"'Discovery' and 'wonder' describe what we can expect in summer. We look forward to exposing the contestants, and the world, to our amazing Bahamas Islands," said George Markantonis, President of Kerzner International Bahamas Ltd. "An event showcasing the most beautiful part of the globe to the rest of the planet. Atlantis resort, along with all of Nassau's exemplary hotels, is proud to be a part of this great event. We can't wait!"

Venezuelan native Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the telecast. Each contestant from more than 80 countries around the world will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vie for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2009. In recent years, worldwide distribution of the popular competition has topped more than 170 countries.

Jennifer Hawkins lights way for future Miss Universe beauty queens