Miss USA Pageant No Longer in Negotiations to be Hosted in Doral

By Willard Shepard, NBC Miami'

Council people in a Miami suburb said they were told by a Donald Trump representative that the 2014 Miss USA Pageant will not be held in their city because of political infighting and disparaging comments by the mayor. Trump owns the Doral Hotel & Country Club,a large resort and golf course in the city. Once Trump bought the resort in 2012, the city entered into negotiations with his team about hosting the pageant, said Councilwoman Ana Maria Rodriguez.

But the recent controversy between City Manager Joe Carollo and Mayor Luigi Boria coupled with unwelcoming comments from Boria about the pageant, have prompted Trump to move the 2014 contest in Las Vegas, according to sources within the council.

So on Thursday, Trump's representative called each council member individually to relay the news. They were told that he will make the announcement from the Miss Universe pageanton Saturday night.

“That decision was made by Donald Trump soon after the motion by the city commission of Doral to support bringing the Miss USA Pageant to Trump Doral and the mayor was very clear that he spoke against it and voted against it,” said Trump spokesman Ed Russo “And we want to avoid awkward situations like this.”

Trump said he would reconsider bringing the Miss USA Pageant to Doral at some future time.

"The announcement for next year's pageant for the Miss USA will no longer be in the Doral resort which is what we were all anticipating," said Ana Maria Rodriguez. "We are now informed that it will be happening in another city in and in another location which is very disappointing. We have been working very hard to get this pageant to our city." She added that an elected official said he doesn't want the pageant in Doral.

"The main reason is they don't want to have a pageant in the resort in a city where they feel the main person doesn't want them there--they are not welcome," she said. Vice Mayor Bettina Rodriguez Aguilera said it was disappointing and that it would've been great to have the pageant in the city.

"We are really taken by that because this would be a very big economic downturn for Doral," Rodriguez Aguilera said. She said it would've meant about $50 million for the city and the surrounding areas. "The situation that Doral is going through right now and we have been in the press for the wrong reasons," she said.

Meanwhile, Boria said he is still hopeful about the situation. "We don't know yet. We have to wait. I think we have be patient. Mr Trump make his ultimate word to us," Boria said.

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Burning Question: Why Do Venezuelan Women Rule Miss Universe?

(from Yahoo News)

Welcome to the Miss Universe-Burning Questions Lightning Round!

Q: Three of the last six Miss Universe pageants have been won by Miss Venezuela — what's in the water there? Are pageants a big part of their culture?

A: No, pageants aren't a big part of their culture. Pageants are amassive, huge, enormous part of their culture. In 2010, professor Belinda Edmondson of Rutgers University published an academic paper that pretty much summed it up: "In the beauty contest-obsessed societies of the Caribbean and Latin America, a contestant’s chances of winning a national pageant are directly related to the perception that she has a shot at winning an international beauty contest such as Miss World or Miss Universe."

In other words, in Latin America, beauty pageants serve much of the same hometown rah-rah function that football does in Texas, or basketball in Indiana.

"In the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, and Asia, the beauty pageant is the quintessential middlebrow cultural product," Edmondson writes, "a mix of cheesecake, social desire, commercial canniness, and Third World nationalist ambition. Its winners are frequently used as spokeswomen to promote state initiatives in farming or commerce.

"The beauty pageant, then, covers roughly the same terrain as the romance novel — social aspiration, nationalism, and pleasure." As for Venezuela in particular, well, a source close to the Miss Universe organization puts it to me this way: "They take their pageants very seriously. It's a big deal, and a ton of girls compete. It's a different level of importance there, and they're fierce competitors."

Maria Gabriel Isler, the contest's new 25-year-old, half-Swiss champion climbed her way to the top of the Venezuelan circuit, while working as an anchor for a national TV network. Isler earned a bachelor's degree in marketing and seems to have specialized in presentation as an art form, having worked as a professional gift wrapper in her early life. She began her rise to Miss Universe winning the Miss Guarico prize — representing her home state — before winning the title of Miss Venuezla and finally the entire Universe.

Q: Which countries have produced the most Miss Universe winners?

A: Well, Isler marks the seventh Miss Universe to come out of Venezuela. But there's one country that has produced eight winners. Say it with me: U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! (FYI: Puerto Rico, which sends its own delegate, has won five times.)

Q: Does every country have a Miss Universe contestant?

A: Nope. Every year, 80 to 100 countries send women to compete. And the planet has more than 200 sovereign states on it. For example, this year's Miss Universe pageant did not contain a Miss Albania, Miss Armenia, Miss North Korea, or Miss Bahrain. There is also an opening for a Miss Bhutan, if you're thinking of maybe launching the franchise there.

Steven Tyler asks Isler about overcoming fears during the 2013 Miss Universe pageant:

Q: How do other countries crown their Misses? In countries where there isn't a democracy, but, say, a king or a sole ruler, can he just crown his girlfriend? Do princesses ever get to rep their country?

A: If you think that Miss Universe and McDonald's have little in common, think again. Both are run like franchises. Local organizations hoping to send a Miss Universe contestant to the big show have to get permission from the Miss Universe Organization.

Most of the time, a local pageant has determined the winner of each participating country, but not always. For a few years, Australia stopped hosting pageants, deeming them archaic, and instead selected its Miss Aussie via a modeling agency. (Oz has since reinstated pageants.) Royals, dictators, and problematic governments can't crown whomever they want ... at least, not without the pretense of a pageant or some other ceremonial contest. The Chinese license holder, for example, finds its Miss Universe China using a combination of regional contests and direct auditions.

Miss Universe 2013 winner is Miss Venezuela, Gabriela Isler

By Jamie Wetherbe, LA Times

And the crown goes to ... Miss Venezuela, Gabriela Isler, who was named Miss Universe 2013 Saturday night at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall. Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo, crowned Isler at the conclusion of the two-hour telecast, viewed by an estimated 1 billion people from 190 countries.

Isler beat out contestants from 85 other countries at the 62nd annual competition to nab the crown for Venezuela, the country's seventh Miss Universe title. The 25-year-old, 5-foot, 10-inch beauty works as an anchor for Venezuela's Venevision television; her experience is likely to come in handy during her one-year stint as Miss Universe.

Soon after her win, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro tweeted his congratulations, calling her victory a "triumph." Isler was selected by a panel of eight judges including celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, gold medal figure skater Tara Lipinski and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, who pulled double duty with a performance during the show.

MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts and “America’s Got Talent” alum and former Spice Girl Melanie Brown served as co-hosts. The pageant took place in Russia for the first time, sparking debate over the country's anti-gay laws. Roberts, who is openly gay, stepped in as pageant co-host after Bravo's Andy Cohen opted out following Russia's enactment of a law banning "homosexual propaganda."

"I certainly think that discriminatory laws are just that, discriminatory and they marginalize the LGBT community," Roberts told Agence France-Press on the red carpet. "I empathize with the LGBT people here." Roberts, however, didn't take the issue to the stage. He dedicated the telecast to victims of the recent typhoon in the Philippines. "We send our very best, our thoughts," he said.

Isler on Sunday preformed her first duty as the new Miss Universe by posing in a ruby and diamond bejeweled swimsuit worth an estimated $1 million.

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.