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DID YOU KNOW? |
*that throughout the history of the Miss Universe Pageant, only 3 Miss Photogenic awardees went on to win the most coveted crown---1966 Margareta Arvidsson of Sweden, 1973 Margarita Moran of the Philippines and 1977 Janelle Comissiong of Trinidad and Tobago. For 2 decades (80's and 90's), no Miss Photogenic awardee has been proclaimed Miss Universe. Todd
*that 2000 Miss World and Mrs. World came from the same country - India. Then Miss America and Mrs. America came from the same state - Hawaii? In 1973 Miss Universe Pageant, the countries in the semifinalists have already won the Miss Universe title? they were: Philippines-'69, '73; USA-'54, '56, '60, '67, '80, '95, '97; Norway-'90; Spain-'74; Israel-'76; India-'94, '00; Lebanon-'71; Brazil-'63, '68; Japan-'59; Greece-'64; Colombia-'58; Argentina-'62. When Philippines won Miss Universe in '69, Miss International '70, & Miss International '79, their respective 4th runners-up were from Japan. Orlan Michael Yumang
*that when Philippines won Miss International 1964 (Gemma Teresa Cruz), Miss Universe 1973 (Margarita Moran), & Miss International 1979 (Mimilanie Marquez), their respective 1st runners-up were all Miss USA. Glo Ike Tuazon Puyot of New York
*that Margaret Gardiner who was crowned Miss Universe 1978 in Acapulco, Mexico was not Miss South Africa but Miss RSA? She was the first Miss RSA which was a new contest with a multi-racial purpose, as Miss South Africa in those days was restricted to people other than whites. She won the 3 day competition, and five weeks later, was flown to Europe and to Mexico. To this day you will not see her name as a former Miss South Africa in the archives of the contest. I got this information from her book. Kevin Friedman
*that Miss Canada 1989, Juliette Powell competed at Miss Montreal and lost the title? A month later she won Miss Laurentians and went on to win Miss Canada, beating out the woman who beat her at Miss Montreal. She is Canada's only black winner and currently she is the host of Electric Circus, a weekend dance show in Canada, which featues very hip young artists and dance tunes. from a friend in Calgary, Canada
*that Rosemarie Frankland, a resident of Lancaster, England, competed in the 1961 Miss England Pageant and was beaten by Arlette Dobson? Frankland then competed in the 1961 Miss Wales Pageant (She was allowed because her mother was of Welch Ancestry). She won the Miss Wales title and placed 1st runner-up at the Miss Universe competition, beating Miss England who placed 3rd
runner-up. She later won the Miss United Kingdom title in 1961 and won the Miss World 1961 title. The first British lass to do so. Daryl Schabinger
*that when Lu Parker was announced as the last of the six finalists at the 1994 Miss Universe pageant, her score was shown as 9.729, which wasn't really hers?! She had scored a 9.510 in swimsuit, 9.478 in interview, and a 9.697 in evening gown. When these 3 scores were added and then divided by three, the correct answer is 9.561! I think they accidentally put up Minorka
Mercado's score again which was 9.729, because they announced her name right before Lu was recognized as a finalist. Edwin Espiritu
*that Miss Thailand World 1997, Tanya Suesuntisook, was born and raised in Chicago? And Miss Universe 1988 from Thailand, Porntip Nakhirunkanok, is from California? Rahul
*that after competing in the Miss Universe in May 1994, Alexandra Ochoa went to the Miss International Beauty contest held in Tokyo, Japan? She was elected as 1st runner-up, where Miss Greece won. Also during her reign she was elected 2nd best Reina Internacional del Cafe held in Manizales, Colombia. Alexandra won also second best model in the Miss Model International contest. In Aruba Alexandra is one of the top models. She has just graduated as archictect in the Univesity of Aruba. P.R., Star Promotion
*that Laura Martinez-Herring, now starring in the popular soap opera "Sunset Beach", has won two "USA" titles? First in 1985 as Miss USA, and then in 1990 as Miss Latina USA. She went on to win the Miss Latina Internacional title that same year (1990). Anyka Lucciano
*that Daisy Fuentes represented the state of New York at the Miss Latina USA pageant in 1981 and won? She placed 6th at the 1981 Miss Latina Internacional Pageant in Mexico City, Mexico. Anyka Lucciano
*that Puerto Rico used to compete for the title of Miss Latina USA and placed as first runner-up in the 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1989 pageants? 1990 was the last time that Puerto Rico competed in the Miss Latina USA pageant having placed 10th in that year's pageant, complaining that the judges were biased as to Puerto Rico not actually being one of the 50 states. Anyka Lucciano
*that when you reflect on each decade since the beginning of the 1950's, that there has been only 4 countries that has won 3 (if not more) international titles alone in the same decade, not only once but twice? First is Venezuela, winning the Miss Universe and Miss World titles in 1981, (Irene Saez Conde and Pilin Leon respectively), followed by wins with Miss World 1984 (Astrid Herrera Irazabal) and Miss Universe 1986 (Barbara Palacios Teyde). The same winning formula was repeated in the 1990's with wins in 1991 (Ninibeth Beatriz Leal Jiminez) and 1995 Miss World contest (Jacqueline Aguilera Marcano) and 1996 Miss Universe Pageant (Alicia Machado). Then the USA had their winning streak in the 1990's as well, with Miss World 1990 (Gina Marie Tolleson), Miss Universe 1995 (Chelsi Smith) and Miss Universe 1997 (Brook Mahealani Lee). Next is India with wins in the 1990's with the serene elegant and graceful Miss Universe 1994 (Sushmita Sen) and the stunning green-eyed Miss World 1994 (Aishwarya Rai), followed by another win in 1997 with the lovely Miss World 1997 (Diana Hayden). Lastly, Sweden won 3 international titles in the 1950's, first with Miss World 1951 (Kertin "Kiki" Haakonsson from Stockholm), followed by a consecutive win with the next year with Miss World 1952 (May Louise Flodin from Gothenberg), and three years later, won their first Miss Universe crown in 1955 (Hellevi Rombin from Uppsala). Brendon Conway of Australia
*that there was no actual live telecast of the 1979 Miss World contest in London that year (won by Gina Ann Cassandra Swainson of Bermuda, who was incidentally the first runner-up in the July 1979 Miss Universe Pageant in Perth, Western Australia)? The reason for no live telecast was due to a T.V. strike by T.V. studio technicians, camera crews etc. Brendon Conway
*that Sweden and Venezuela are the only countries in the world to have 2 different titleholders in the same year to repeat the same hat - trick 29 years later? With Sweden winning their first Miss Universe crown in 1955 by Hellevi Rombin, a 21 year old blue-eyed blonde national decathlon champion from Uppsala. Venezuela becoming the first Latin American country to win the Miss World contest in London, October 1955, by a petite model from Caracas, 18 year old Carmen Susana Duijm Zubillaga. Then in 1984 in July, Yvonne Ryding, a 21 year old blue-eyed blonde registered Nurse from Eskilstuna won the 1984 Miss Universe Pageant, and a few months later in November 1984, a 22 year old fashionably bony Psychology student by the name of Astrid Herrera Irazabal became the third Venezuelan to win the coveted crown of Miss World. Brendon Conway
*that when looking at the history and number of International beauty pageant wins by the United States of America, the most successful state in the USA to have the largest number of beauty queens is South Carolina (with 3 winners)? First, way back in 1954, with 21 year old blue-eyed blonde Miriam Stevenson, a college student and Sunday school teacher from Winsboro, winning the 1954 Miss Universe Pageant. 26 years later, South Carolina had another winner in 1980 with Shawn Weatherly from Sumter, a blonde, blue-eyed University student who set her goals on becoming a sports commentator after her studies at the University. Then in 1990, South Carolina produced their last winner so far up to date as 07/07/98, in the elegant and graceful form of Gina Marie Tolleson, who incidently was runner-up to Miss USA 1990 (Carole Gist of Michigan). Gina automatically became the USA's representative for the Miss World contest in London, November 1990. Gina ended up having the key to the door and the world at her feet when she took out the coveted crown from Miss Ireland, Siobhan McClafferty, and Miss Venezuela, Sharon Gonzalez respectively. Brendon Conway
*that when you look back in history concerning the very beginning of International beauty contests, Sweden is the only country in the world to have won international beauty pageants every 11 years over 3 decades? First was with Hellevi Rombin in 1955 winning the Miss Universe Pageant, then in 1966, Sweden won their second Miss Unniverse crown by Margareta Arvidsson, an 18 year old blue-eyed blonde photographer's model from Gothenberg, followed by 11 years later with the 1977 Miss World contest won by a striking blue-eyed blonde 20 year old gymnastics student, Mary Ann Catrin Stavin from the town of Orebro, which is almost in the same region of Sweden as where Eskilstuna is situated (the home town of Yvonne Ryding), both being the last Swedes to win the Miss World crown, 21 years ago, and the Miss Universe crown, 14 years ago respectively. Will Sweden have the honour of winning either the Miss Universe or Miss World crowns again? Only time will tell. Brendon Conway
*that Miss Korea in Miss Universe 1983 (Best National Costume awardee) was only 4th runner-up in the Miss Korea Pageant? That year they decided to give the Miss Korea-Universe titleholder one year preparation before she goes out to compete, so the Miss Korea organizers sent the 4th runner-up instead. Grace a mon ami, Andy Chung
*that Miss Australia 1994 Michelle Van Eimeren did not expect to meet her future husband Ogie Alcasid (a.k.a. Manolo of Manila), when she went to the Philippines for the 1994 Miss Universe Pageant? katgal
*that in the 1994 Miss Universe Pageant, Carolina Gomez of Colombia was #1 in the preliminaries, #3 in swimsuit competition, #2 in interview, and #1 in the evening competition with a whopping 9.897? (She got 9.9's and 9.8's, but judge Mona Grudt of Norway and former Miss Universe gave her only 9.3) Did she become Miss Universe? No, the title went to Sushmita Sen of India. katgal
*that Lee Theatre, the venue of Miss Universe 1976 in Hong Kong, was destroyed in 1992? It was built in 1920. The 1973-1985 Miss Hong Kong Pageants were all held there. The site was later rebuilt to be a shopping centre called "Lee Theatre Plaza". Raymond Lo
*that in the 1994 Miss Universe Pageant, Miss Romania almost never made it to the Pageant? When she had her lay over in Bangkok, the immigration officials held her for 4 hours because she did not have the proper documents to enter the country. The officials wanted to send her back, but after hours of scrutiny and grueling questions, they finally let her go and was able to represent her country in the 1994 Miss Universe Pageant in Manila, Philippines. Ben Kramer
*that Miss Asia Pacific 1970, Zeenat Aman, had been taken revenge of by one of the Miss India contestants? While she was touring China and Japan as part of her reign, one of the Miss India contestants' father, who worked in customs, called and reported that Zeenat had been involved in smuggling. On her arrival back to India, she had a nightmarish reception, she says. Rahul Patel
*that in the 1970 Miss International Pageant in Japan, the audience had somewhat of a hint on who was going to win? The pageant in the earlier years, the runners-up normally stand beside the winner, who normally will be in the middle, arranged alternately from the left. In that particular pageant, Japan was named fourth runner-up; New Zealand was third; Australia was 2nd; Argentina, first; and Miss Philippines as the winner. If you arranged the winners on stage alternately as designed, the first letter of each country will spell Japan. Coincidence? Ben Kramer
*that Miss India 1982 surfaced as a researcher for the house of commons in England? The tabloids hounded her for months. On a trip to Bali with a friend, a press jeep bumped into their motorcycle causing them to crash, and their faces badly burnt. Nobody helped them to a hospital. Her friend was a nurse, and boiling a needle, they stitched each other's faces using a bootlace, which injured their faces even more. Three weeks later, she was in a hospital because she was so sick she could have died from septicaemia. It took a year for her skin to grow back. After her surgery in Hong Kong, she used a lavender and rose aromatherapy oils. And later in Africa, the skin just cured itself. Rahul Patel
*that the first time Hong Kong hosted an international pageant was in 1976 (Miss Universe)? The second occasion came in 1985 (Miss Asia Pacific). Interestingly, both pageants were won by Miss Israel. Chris Chow
*that in Miss India 1994, Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen tied for first place after the final round of competition? The judges needed to ask an additional question to determine the winner and first runner-up. Eventually, they picked Sushmita Sen. A very crucial decision indeed. Chris Chow
*that there has never been a year in which both the winner of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA were African Americans? However, it almost happened in 1991 and 1993. In 1991, Charlotte Ray, Miss New Jersey, was first runner-up in the Miss USA Pageant, while the winner of Miss Teen USA was Janelle Bishop of Miss New Hampshire. In 1993, Kenya Summer Moore, Miss Michigan, won the Miss USA title, and Kelly Lloyd, Miss Indiana, was first runner-up to Charlotte Lopez in the Miss Teen USA Pageant of that same year. Billy Peterson
*that Calgary has produced the most successful contestants for Miss Universe contest? Since 1980, Calgary has represented Canada four times. In 1980, Terry Mackay was a semi-finalist; Karen Tilley, in 1985 (who finished third in the preliminaries); and Lana Buchberger, who finished second runner-up to Chelsi Smith in 1995. from a friend in Calgary, Canada
*that from 1982 to 1991, and several times before that period, Miss USA sent first runners-up to Miss World? Then, a separate pageant was created; it was called Miss World America, but it only lasted until 1994. After that, another pageant called Miss United States World was created. Since then, the American delegate to Miss World has been known as Miss United States. Anu Khare
*that India is the only Asian country to have won Miss World? In addition to winning the title three times (1966, 1994, 1997), India has also had Miss Universe (1994) and Miss Intercontinental (1997) winner, making the country a rising star in international pageant. Anu Khare
*that Agathe Neuner, who represented Germany in the 1997 Miss Universe Pageant, never won Miss Germany? Nadine Schmidt was the actual winner, but she didn't want to compete in the pageant. Agatha, who was third runner-up took her place (because the first and second runners-up didn't meet the minimum age requirement). Anu Khare
*that Michelle Yeoh, who starred in the new James Bond movie "Tomorrow Never Dies" represented Malaysia in the 1983 Miss World Pageant? Carter Kwong
*that if the winner of the Miss Mississauga, Ontario World 1989 pageant had not fallen ill, Leanne Caputo of Canada could never have become Miss World Canada and first runner-up to Miss World? The winner of the local pageant, Monica Boersma, became ill the day she was scheduled to leave for the Miss World Canada Pageant and could not attend, so Leanne was sent as a replacement. Not only did she win Miss Congeniality at Miss World Canada, but the national crown as well. In Hong Kong, she was Queen of the Americas and first runner-up to Aneta Kreglicka for the Miss World crown. What a great opportunity! Jimmy's Pageant Page
*that Adriana Alves de Oliveira, Miss Brazil 1981 and Miss Brazil World 1984, lost to a Venezuelan winner and a Canadian first runner-up at both the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants? At Miss Universe, she lost to Irene Saez of Venezuela in first, and Dominique Dufour of Canada in second. At Miss World, she was a finalist in the pageant, where the winner was Astrid Carolina Herrera and first runner-up was Connie Fitzpatrick. Jimmy's Pageant Page
*that Renette Cruz, Miss Vancouver and Miss Canadian Universe 1996, was the first Filipina to represent Canada at the Miss Universe Pageant? She competed against Ailleen Damiles and placed 30th overall. from a friend in Calgary, Canada
*that there was a minor accident at the 1979 Miss Universe Pageant? Shortly after Venezuela's Maritza Sayalero was crowned and the other contestants went to congratulate her, part of the stage collapsed, and several of the contestants received some very minor injuries. The new queen was unharmed in the incident, but at the post-coronation press conference, she cried emotionally when she was asked about the accident. Chris Chow
*that in the Miss World Pageant in 1993, Miss Philippines, Ruffa Gutierrez and Miss Mauritius, Viveka Babajee were roommates? Seven months later in June, both were involved in the Manila Film Fest Scandal that took place in the Philippines. Miss Mauritius fled the country and was later stripped of her title. Rhonda Dean
*that Barbara Palacios Teyde had won Miss South America shortly before
her victory in Miss Universe 1986 in Panama? One year later, Colombia's Patricia Lopez Ruiz was crowned Miss South America in her motherland of Colombia. Then she competed in Miss Universe in Singapore and won Miss Photogenic, but did not make the top-ten. Cecilia Bolocco of Chile took the crown, the first for her country. Chris Chow
*that Texas won Miss USA for 5 consecutive years during 1985-1989? In 1990, Miss Texas Stephanie Kuehne made the semi-finals but failed to reach the top six. She, however, had won an international title before that: she represented the USA and won Miss Wonderland International in April 1989 in Taipei, the Republic of China. Chris Chow
*that Miss Hong Kong (the one from the current organization) has been competing in Miss Universe every year since 1973 but not in 1992? Miss Hong Kong 1991 went to Bangkok that year but was sent back because she is an American citizen. The Miss HK organization did not have time to send another one, so no one participated. To avoid the same incident, in Miss Universe 1996, Miss Hong Kong was represented by the first runner-up in 1995 Miss Hong Kong Pageant. Bastian Tsui
*that Miss USA has had the most number of runners-up and winners than any other country in the Miss Universe Pageant? Miss USA has been first runner up in 1953, 1970, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1986, and 1990. Miss USA has won in 1954, 1956, 1960, 1967, 1980, 1995, and 1997. Ronald Hunt
*that Susan Duijm Zubillaga of Venezuela made the semi-finals in Miss Universe 1955 and became Miss World later that year? In 1983, her daughter, Carolina Cerruti Duijm was first runner-up in Miss Venezuela, but failed to make the top fifteen in Miss World. Chris Chow
*that in Miss Universe 1989, Miss Sweden, Louise Drevenstam, and Miss Finland, Aasa Loewdahl were roommates? Eventually Miss Sweden was first runner-up and Miss Finland finished 9th. Later on, both girls competed in Miss Scandinavia 1989, when Miss Sweden won the title and Miss Finland was first runner-up. Chris Chow
*that Finland made the semi-finals every year between 1962 and 1969? It was the first country to win Miss Universe and its second victory came in 1975. Chris Chow
*that Miss Universes 1976 and 1979 were held in Hong Kong and Perth (Australia) respectively (both being members of the Commonwealth)? Coincidentally both years saw all girls from the three British Isles (England, Scotland, Wales) make the semi-finals. The only other year with all British Isles contestants in the semi-finals was 1961. Chris Chow
*that Ireland's Siobhan McClafferty who was first runner-up to USA's Gina Marie Tolleson in Miss World 1990 won Miss Photogenic in Miss Universe 1991? But she did not make the semi-finals. Chris Chow
*that Angela Visser represented Holland in Miss World in November 1988, but failed to make the top ten? Six months later, she was crowned Miss Universe 1989 in the Mexican resort city of Cancun. Chris Chow
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