Miss Universe: A Queen to Look Up To
Every Quinceañera knows that sophistication is one of the all-important features that any queen-for-a-day must possess. There are even more aspects needed to be a queen for a year. Yet, what does it take to be the supreme queen – Miss Universe?
On September 12, 2011, all eyes were on Latin America as viewers found out Miss Angola, Leila Lopes, had what it took to answer that question while the reigning Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete crowned her successor in São Paulo, Brazil. Photo credit: © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP.
The 25-year-old beauty won over the judges and the audience inside of Credicard Hall as she answered the Top 5 question and answer portion in Portuguese (Angola is a former Portuguese colony). When asked if she could change any physical attribute about herself, Miss Angola answered, “Thank God I’m very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn’t change a thing,” Lopes said. “I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family, and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life.”
Lopes’ sweet smile and elegant demeanor set her apart from the other contestants as she glided across the stage in a beautiful beige hued dress, complete with feathers on the side and sky-high heels. A business student in London, Lopes said in an interview shown on screen during the competition,
that she hopes to pursue a master’s degree in business. Miss Angola is the first Miss Universe to win from her home country and the fourth winner from Africa. Photo credit: © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP
During the next year, Lopes will be working with the official Miss Universe Organization’s cause to raise HIV/AIDS awareness.
Rounding out on the Top 5 was first runner-up Miss Ukraine, in third place Miss Brazil, fourth place was Miss Philippines and fifth place went to Miss China.
When the contestants presented themselves on stage, Rashel Díaz and Omar Germenos were there to present up-close accounts of the glitter and glamour of the contestants competing to be the next Miss Universe at the 60th annual competition.
Díaz and Germenos, both co-hosts on Spanish television network Telemundo’s “Levántate” morning program, gave a telephone conference last week with members of the press to discuss how they prepared to co-host the pageant world’s biggest night.
*Above copy updated on 9/13/11
The Fairest of Them All
In a recent “Levántate” broadcast, Díaz and Germenos had some of the Latin American contestants as guests on their show. When asked if they could identify any potential front-runners in the competition, Díaz said she thinks Miss Puerto Rico is “very pretty”, while others on her list include Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Venezuela and Miss Colombia. However, she also says that since contestants arrived in Brazil on August 8, a lot can be improved in one month, giving other contestants time to improve as well.
Germenos adds that some of them may surprise viewers as well. While he agrees with Díaz that Miss Puerto Rico is a standout, he states that Miss Philippines also presents fierce competition.
In regard to the structure of the competition, Díaz said her perception of it has changed greatly since learning and researching more about it. The presenters discussed that aside from being physically beautiful, a Miss Universe should also be confident, honest, health conscious, cultured and educated.
“[Miss Universe is] a woman of today, somebody that can do many things at once […] Because that is what a woman represents, that we can do many things at once,” stated Díaz.
Integrating Fashion
What is a beauty pageant without evening gowns? Although Díaz may not have all the 411 yet on which gowns the contestants are wearing, she did give us the inside scoop on what her dresses will look like.
Díaz worked with a Bolivian designer who designed two dresses, a green and an orange one. The designer told Díaz to wear whichever one she felt most comfortable with on the day of the competition. Sounds like some great fashion advice.
Buzzing About Brazil
During the broadcast, the co-hosts will present some behind-the-scenes footage on the contestants as well as comments on the splendor and wonders of São Paulo.
“Camino a La Corona”, a Telemundo special on the contestants from Latin America, precedes the 2-hour Miss Universe broadcast. Television personality Monica Noguera and top model, actress and former Miss Puerto Rico 2005 Cynthia Olavarria both will host “Camino a La Corona”.
