Miss Nicaragua Wins Best National Costume Prize @ Miss Universe

During the 2013 MISS UNIVERSE Preliminary Competition, Nastassja Bolivar – Miss Universe Nicaragua took home the prize for the best National Costume and a credit of $5,000 USD from Russian Standard Bank. The National Costume show was held on Sunday, November 3 at Vegas Mall in Moscow Russia. Congrats!

Miss Universe 2013: Bikini beauties strut their stuff ahead of pageant

Miss USA 2013, Erin Brady

The Miss Universe 2013 pageant is airing on Saturday, Nov. 9 from Crocus City Hall in Moscow. The preliminary swimsuit competition aired on November 5. Miss USA Erin Brady is 26 and hails from East Hampton, Connecticut. She used to work as a financial accountant and is training for her first marathon next year. 

Check out the rest of these gorgeous ladies from around the globe ...

Source: NY Daily News - Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/universe-2013-preliminaries-gallery-1.1508957#ixzz2jyX09Vsp

Myanmar takes part in Miss Universe for first time in 52 years

MOSCOW: The Miss Universe pageant is being held in the Russian capital, Moscow, for the first time in the pageant's history. And for the first time in 52 years, Miss Myanmar is taking part -- a sign of the changes in the country once ruled by the army. The pageant, which will crown the Miss Universe 2013 in its final show on Saturday, is not all about individual glamour.

For the participants, Miss Universe is a good chance to showcase their countries to the world, and for one woman from Myanmar, it has been a chance for her to finally join the club. It was 1961 when Myanmar's military rule stopped competitors from coming to Miss Universe. But now, 25-year-old Moe Set Wine is back flying the flag.

Moe Set Wine, Miss Myanmar, said: “I feel that because 50 years is a very long time, so I feel that this is like a new story, a new history and this is the first time after the changes in Myanmar started, so I feel very proud and honoured.” With 86 contestants this year, Miss Universe just got a little more competition.

That is fine, said the current Miss Universe, and crucially it is a good sign at home in Myanmar too. Olivia Culpo, Miss Universe 2012, said: “I'm sure that it wasn't easy for them to accept this, and for her to come and make it okay, is a step forward and hopefully can lead to other things becoming okay in the country.”

However, things are not so easy yet. In one part of the contest, competitors wear swimsuits. That was a test for Myanmar's conservative society, but those present at selection competitions did not mind. Ms Moe Set Wine said: “The people who came to the show actually love it. They accept it because the announcer also explained that this is to see how healthy a body is.” The pageant is not only great exposure for Myanmar, it is also a chance for Ms Moe Set Wine herself.

Doing her country proud, she is s already one of the favorites to be the next Miss Universe. 

- CNA/nd

Miss Universe Costumes Make The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Look Tame

The Huffington Post

The Miss Universe pageant has a lot to live up to, given its lofty name. But the international contest went above and beyond this weekend at the National Costume Show, a preliminary runway event leading up to the big Miss Universe 2013 show this Saturday.

Held this year in Moscow, the annual National Costume Show is intended to showcase each contestant's home country through an authentic costume... which is where it gets a little strange. Erin Brady of the United States represented us in a plastic "Transformers" costume (Michael Bay would be proud?), while Alexandra Fribourg of Sweden honored her country's Viking past in a metallic bustier and a sword. Miss Belgium Noémie Happart looked like she was dressed as the Devil complete a spiky red spear, and Miss Great Britain Amy Willerton wore royal robes so sexy we bet even Prince Philip would have a thing or two to say.

Not that all the national ensembles didn't make sense. But costumes this elaborately oversized and feather-covered (and sequin-covered and fringe-covered...) make the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show outfits look like they were picked up at J. Crew. Even your best Halloween costume wouldn't stand a chance.

2013 Miss Universe: Beauties Wow in National Costumes; Miss Philippines Criticized For ‘Boring’ Terno Dress

By Lou Ramon Aguila | November 4, 2013 9:02 AM EST

2013 Miss Universe - The pre-pageant night shows continue on Sunday as 86 gorgeous ladies flaunted their authentic national costumes at the Miss Universe National Costume Show at Vegas Mall in Moscow,Russia.

Two days before the preliminary round of competition begins, the contestants were given the green light to show off their colorful and imaginative national costumes as they try to build momentum before the coronation night. As expected, the Latina beauties showcased their peacock like dresses while the others contestants took everybody to Carnival with their grandiose and finely detailed costumes.

Head Turner

Miss USA Erin Brady emerged as the head turner of the event after she showed up wearing a futuristic dress, trying to mimic one of the characters in the Transformers.

The costume received positive feedback from pageant followers with JHB online's John Baker calling it Powerful, impressive and original.

"Erin Brady #MissUSA in National Costume at #MissUniverse A female #Transformer! Powerful , impressive & original!," Baker stated on his Twitter account. "OMG @MissUSA 's costume for miss universe is so effing amazing," Menn Chan posted on her Twitter account.

Brady also took it on Twitter to convey the message of her national costume. "Nothing screams national costume like the first Miss USA transformer. Embracing powerful women in a [photo]," Brady tweeted right after the event.

Disappointing for a Contender?

Fresh from bagging the title as the Ice Princess after his glam shot was picked as the best among the contestants, Miss Philippines Ariella Arida showed off the traditional 'terno' dress in the show [photo].

Arida, who is one of the frontrunners heading into the pageant night on Sunday, is expected to come up with a more imaginative costume following recent survey that pageant judges now wants more stylistic and bold dresses than the 'traditional and boring' national costumes worn almost every year.

Yet, Miss Philippines decided to be true to herself and pay homage to her home country by wearing the simple but elegant dress reportedly designed by Stella Araneta, the pageant Director and Organizer of Binibining Pilipinas. As usual, Arida's costume received mixed reviews from her followers on different social media platform, specifically on Twitter and Facebook. Here are some of comments and suggestion about Miss Philippines' Nat-Cos.

"BPCI as headed by Madame Stella Araneta can't get it, although we know that Nat-Cos competition does not have any bearing in the final outcome of the contest, but her group are missing the whole point. A national costume is a form of national pride, it symbolizes the country's rich history, cultural background, its colorful past and its aspirations. More than anything else it symbolizes our ingenuity and creativity as people," said Raynold Tiu on Facebook.

"Its ok.. ms. Philippines is just following the rules of the exposure.. she wore our national costume not like other countries they wore cossplay attire and fantasy costumes... good job Philippines," said one of Facebook followers of Ms. Universe page.

The 2013 Miss Universe coronation night is on November 10, 2013 at Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia.

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Miss Universe 2013 contestants gather in Moscow

by Solar News

Moscow, Russia (Reuters) Eighty-six contests of the 62nd Miss Universe Pageant toured Moscow's historic centre on Saturday (October 26), posing for cameras in front of the Kremlin and St. Basil's Cathedral.

Warmly dressed contestants, many wearing fur hats and coats, braved cool wind and walked through the Red Square where they posed for cameras and chanted "Welcome to Moscow!". Later they travelled to the Moscow's Theatre square and went on a tour of Russia's famous Bolshoi Theatre.

Most of the pageant participants arrived in Moscow by Oct. 24, and on Friday, the contestants gathered for the first time for dinner at an exclusive Italian restaurant in Moscow. The famous beauty pageant, which runs next month, is being broadcast from the Russian capital for the first time.

"This is actually a dream come true, this is the first time Miss Universe has ever been in Russia and actually or in this part of the world, so this is a very very big opportunity and very very exciting and I thank everyone involved who has made it possible and I know Mr.Trump when he arrives next week or in two weeks he is very excited about it," said President of Miss Universe pageant Paula Shugart.

U.S. businessman Donald Trump is co-owner of Miss Universe Pageant. US media reported that he invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the show. The contestants will compete for the Miss Universe Diamond Nexus crown in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. The winner will be announced at the final show on Nov. 9 at the Moscow's Crocus City Hall.

Miss Universe bets tour Moscow

MISS UNIVERSE BETS TOUR MOSCOW (EPA) – Miss Philippines 2013 Ariella Arida (second from left) joins other Miss Universe bets as they pose in front of the Spasskaya Tower in Moscow during a tour event on Oct. 25, 2013. With Arida are (from left) Miss Indonesia Whulandary, Miss Canada Riza Santos, and Miss Lithuania Simona Burbaite, who is seen taking a selfie. The Miss Universe Pageant will take place at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow on Nov. 9, 2013.

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Miss Colorado USA and Miss Colorado Teen USA crowned in Greeley

By Whitney Phillips
The Greeley Tribune

For the winners of the Miss Colorado USA and Miss Colorado Teen USA pageants in Greeley on Sunday evening, their focus wasn't on winning; it was on exuding confidence.

"It's about being confident and comfortable with who you are," said Eleanna Livaditis, who was crowned Miss Colorado USA at the Union Colony Civic Center.

Dozens of girls and women, ages 13 to 26, from across the state competed for the titles. Livaditis, of Centennial, and Cindy Yan, an Englewood resident who was crowned Miss Colorado Teen USA, will represent the state in the national pageants next year.

Read more: Miss Colorado USA and Miss Colorado Teen USA crowned in Greeley - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24

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Steven Tyler To Judge Miss Universe 2013 Pageant

by RTT Staff Writer

Steven Tyler has been named the head judge at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant. The ceremony goes down at Moscow's Crocus City Hall on November 9. Ninety women from all over the world are competing to take the crown fromOlivia Culpo, who was crowned Miss Universe last year.

Tyler is not expected to perform at the event, although Panic! at the Disco, currently on a European tour in support of their album Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!, will perform. Melanie Brown, formerly of the Spice Girls, hosts the proceedings along with MSNBC host Thomas Roberts. Andy Cohen, who hosted last year, has boycotted the event in protest of Russia's anti-homosexuality laws. The event will be broadcast in America on NBC. Producers predict that it will be seen by over one billion viewers the world over.

Miss Universe 2013 contestants sizzle in bikinis ahead of pageant

It may be a few weeks before Miss Universe 2013 starts, but these beauties are already hot-to-trot! Contestants from all corners of the world gathered at the Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Center for one white hot bikini shoot on Oct. 22, 2013. These ladies definitely caught our attention ahead of the biggest pageant in the world, taking place on Nov. 9, 2013. From left to right, Miss Finland, Miss Lithuania and Miss Indonesia definitely know how to strike a pose -- getting in some practice before they take to center stage. Check out all the hot competition at this year's Miss Universe ...

Thomas Roberts, Mel B to Host 2013 Miss Universe Pageant

AJ Marechal

TV Reporter@Variety_AJM

Thomas Roberts and Mel B will host the 2013 Miss Universe beauty pageant, NBC announced today. Both hosts hail from the Peacock family, as Roberts hosts “MSNBC Live” and Mel B serves as judge on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.”

This year’s Miss Universe pageant will be held in Crocus City Hall in Moscow, and the location for the 2013 iteration of the venerable pageant franchise sparked controversy, as Russia had recently unveiled a slate of laws that banned “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations around minors” and discouraged the public discussion of homosexuality. The Miss Universe pageant issued a statement in August, noting that the instated Russian laws are “diametrically opposed to the core values” of the org. Andy Cohen announced in August that he would not return to host the pageant due to these laws, noting that, as a gay man, he “didn’t feel right stepping foot in Russia.” He had previously hosted Miss Universe’s 2011 and 2012 pageants.

Roberts, who is openly gay, took to MSNBC’s website to pen a blog postabout his decision to host the pageant in spite of Russia’s anti-gay laws. In it, he writes: “This November, I will co-host Miss Universe in Moscow partly because it is a huge, visible opportunity for LGBT people. Everywhere…I am just like millions of LGBT people around the world. We are good, regular, hard-working people who come from solid families. So when I heard there was a chance at this assignment I aggressively went after it.”

He continues, “I too am diametrically opposed to these laws and share in the president’s outrage. I am unafraid to say I am proud of my husband and my family—I’m proud of their love for me. I’m proud of the incredible steps forward equality has taken this year… So people may wonder: “Thomas, how can you accept this assignment? Shouldn’t you boycott Russia?” I am not going to boycott. Boycotting and vilifying from the outside is too easy. Rather, I choose to offer my support of the LGBT community in Russia by going to Moscow and hosting this event as a journalist, an anchor and a man who happens to be gay. Let people see I am no different than anyone else.”

The 62nd annual Miss Universe Pageant will be broadcast on Nov. 9 on NBC, with a Spanish simulcast on Telemundo.

Daniela Álvarez Crowned Miss World Mexico 2014

Daniela Álvarez was crowned Miss World Mexico 2014 on October 17th, 2013 during an event held at the Toluca International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional de Toluca). The beauty representing Morelos is 19 years old and stands 1.74 m. She will represent Mexico in the Miss World 2014 pageant, scheduled for October 1014 in London. Earlier, Daniela won the Miss Talent Award.

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