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Miss Puerto Rico Denise Quiñones wins the Miss Universe 2001 crown as Ricky Martin energizes a festive live pageant broadcast.Miss Puerto Ricos SupportersA worldwide throng of TV viewers in 130 countries tuned in to see the 50th Miss Universe competition held this past May in Puerto Rico. The show promised the usual fare. Seventy-seven of the worlds most beautiful women. The glamour of the evening gowns. The sex appeal of slim bodies in swimwear competition. The mounting tension as these beautiful young women would be subjected to difficult, thought-provoking interrogation from a panel of wizened judges.But on this night, the anticipation was unusually thick. A month-long series of controversial stories had broken over the French delegates gender, Miss Israels fling with wearing a flak-jacket, and Miss Brazils alleged fondness for plastic surgeries. Reports flew that the governor of Puerto Rico was dissing the show despite millions of dollars her country had invested as the host country.As 9 p.m. EST approached, the atmosphere in Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum was electric. Then the broadcast unfolded on TV screens around the world, and one thing was crystal clear: This Miss Universe pageant had voltage to spare.
Energy was its middle name. Wattage was built into literally every aspect of the show. Banks of computerized lighting effects and video screens were vying for audience attention. Faux flames lit up silver-screen backdrops. Floodlights swept across the rafters. Twin black cylindrical towers filled with round colored lights flanked a pretzel-shaped catwalk projecting from the stage. Strobe lights mimicked the flash photography of a runway fashion show. And when the shows celebrity star rose up from a smoke-filled lower level, he was wearing a see-through top, a thousand-watt smile and went by the name of Ricky Martin.Many veteran Miss Universe pageant enthusiasts continue to yearn for bygone days when the shows consisted of richly dressed and coifed women gliding effortlessly before a black-tie crowd and a couple of CBS camera crews. But more recent productions have arrived packaged by hip-hop producers paying homage to thoroughly-modern MTV. And, by the standards that make latter-daybroadcasting the undisputed bastion of public spectacle, this 2001 Miss Universe production by the Trump Organization and CBS was an undisputed success. Were talking a major PR coup here as in public relations as well as Puerto Rico. First, whoever engineered the low-brow-rumor buzz leading up to the show is a media-manipulating genius. Then, of course, Puerto Rico was the hostess with the mostest: a gloriously appreciative country with luscious beaches, a celebration-rich culture, and a desire to spend money attracting attention and new business. And finally, the topping on the cake was hiring Ricky Martin, a native of Puerto Rico and pop-music phenomenon, who made headlines merely by appearing to entice the curious younger viewers not pre-sold on the pageant itself. The results? Somewhat better ratings than the Miss USA competition in February.
Co-host super models Elle MacPherson and Naomi Campbell added to the visual sizzle, greeting the audience with Bienvenidos, everybody... Of course, no one expected these two gorgeous women to equal Diane Sawyers on-camera skills, and neither co-host said anything to dispel those expectations. Two of the better announcers on the set were backstage. Doing transitional announcing duties behind the audience was Brook Lee, the very appealing former Miss Universe 1997, who made the job look easy. Lending the proceedings a lighthearted male viewpoint was the affable Todd Newton, whose quick quips came off as campy and unpretentious. This may be the most talked-about Miss Universe in history, Newton said to lead off the show, and he was right.All that was left, then, was a happy ending. No, not Ricky Martin cashing his paycheck. The crowning of Miss Universe 2001!To get to the heart of this pageant, though, you had to wade through more on-screen sideshows than puddles on San Juan back streets after a rainstorm among them, videotaped segments pulling back the curtain on the shows choreographer, director, security police, and wardrobe supervisor. (Was anyone with a teen-age daughter surprised to learn that these girls throw their clothes in a heap on the floor?) When you added in the promotional segments for Puerto Rico itself (picturesque scenes of delegates snorkeling, kayaking, jet-skiing and generally cavorting in tropical splendor), the competitions continuity was compromised somewhat during the two-hour broadcast.
Despite the commercial interruptions, the shows pace rarely dropped. Thats to the credit of the producers, who found ways to inject energy and anticipation into both live and taped segments. Compared to the recent past, this pageant was much better focused on traditional aspects of pageantry. All of the delegates paraded on-stage in their costume of origin, for example, as well as in their evening gowns. Both segments went briskly, with only about eight minutes taken up by the evening gown competition. The second stage appearance by Ricky Martin also included cultural enrichment, as the singer joined traditional Puerto Rican bomba and plena musicians on the conga drums, while masked dancers on stilts strutted behind them. This was, by todays standards, truly memorable live television.In two respects, though, the show stumbled like a girl whose gown is too tight at the ankles. It moved too quickly into announcing the 10 finalists and then didnt announce their names, just their country, losing much of the warmth and personality of past years telecasts. They were: Miss Greece, 22-year-old Evelina Papantoniou; Miss USA, 24-year-old Kandace Krueger; Miss Venezuela, 18-year-old Eva Ekvall; Miss India, 22-year-old Celina Jaitly; Miss Spain, 21-year-old Eva Siso Casals; Miss Nigeria, 18-year-old Agbani Darego; Miss Israel, 18-year-old Ilanit Levi; Miss Russia, 20-year-old Oxana Kalandyrets; Miss France, 20-year-old Elodie Gossuin; and Miss Puerto Rico, 24-year-old Denise Quiñones.
Then came the swimsuit segments. Each delegates time was apportioned between videotaped strolls on Puerto Ricos white-sand beaches (in Bluepoints blue swimsuits) and live struts on the coliseums catwalk (the sponsors red swimwear). Sandwiched in between a couple of Todd Newton interviews, these distracting video clips engaged in too much gratuitous MTV-like effects, threatening to created enough waves to jostle the girls out paddling on their surfboards.In both the swimwear and evening gown competitions, a list of the judges scores for the top-10 finalists was briefly superimposed on the screen, but you had to be quick with your math to see by the tally that Miss Greece, Miss USA, and Miss Puerto Rico were leading the pack.The swimwear and evening gown competition results led to the judges final five selection: Misses India (Jaitly), Venezuela (Ekvall), Puerto Rico (Quiñones), Greece (Papantoniou) and USA (Krueger).Next up, it should have been off to the interviews, but instead the show veered into a series of detours: a too-brief gathering of Miss Universe alumnae, Todd Newton confirming that Miss France was 100 percent natural woman, a final round of Puerto Rican promotional video, a bumbling piece with Newton, Campbell, a globe and some common pins, and then Ricky Martins richly scenic second performance.Finally, back to the competitions final round: the Interview. The judges threw the finalists questions that were worded so that they can be unambiguously translated into any one of the international delegates native languages. Next time, we look forward to more probing questions that translators are given time to review for claritys sake.After her final walk on-stage along with a recorded statement by the outgoing Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta, the entire week of competition came down to a single question: Would the home team win? The envelope, please: fourth runner-up is... Miss India (Jaitly); third runner-up is... Miss Venezuela (Ekvall); second runner-up is... Miss USA (Krueger); first runner-up is... Miss Greece (Papantoniou).
A countrywide cheer went up with that announcement, for it meant that the hometown girl and daughter of Puerto Rico, 20-year-old Denise Quiñones, had won the Miss Universe 2001 crown. Without a doubt, it was a popular decision. Obviously feeling quite comfortable in the lush tropical environs of her homeland, the 5-foot-10-inch Quiñones swept virtually everyone off their feet with a vivacious smile, victories in the evening gown and swimsuit competitions, and heartfelt appreciation for her gifts during the judges final questioning. She even took home the Clairol Herbal Essences Style award!I always dreamed about it and visualized [winning], Quiñones said afterward during press interviews. Thank God it happened. I was very confident in myself. As Miss Universe 2001, Quiñones receives a prize package totaling about $250,000, as well as modeling and other promotional opportunities.Pageant co-owner Donald Trump obviously felt a sense of triumph after the show, for he declared Puerto Ricos handling of the pageant an amazing feat, and invited the country to host the competition next year.What did this broadcast prove? For one thing, the 2001 Miss Universe shows TV ratings proved that the MTV-style production has not attracted viewers, and that more tradition and style should be considered in the future to revitalize this event. Yes, Trump/CBS appeared to have pulled out all the stops to make this a most memorable event. Yes, the headlined controversies helped build interest with pre-broadcast buzz. But you didnt have to look very far to realize what a high price is being paid to attract world attention. From the big-name pop star and on-stage barrage of lights and video manipulation to the injection of media-mill rumors into the show itself viewers might rightly complain that much of the pageants former beauty and grandeur that once held them in thrall has become obscured behind a blaze of televised MTV showboating.Pageantry caught up with Jim Gibson, who was appointed as director of pageant affairs for Miss Universe Organization earlier this year. We asked him for his assessment of this years show, and he acknowledged the need to add more elegance into the broadcast. Weve turned the corner in bringing back a more glamorous pageant with a twenty-first century sizzle, and this is only the beginning, he said.And so, if you were to listen closely to Ricky Martins opening number, you would have heard a lyric that asks, Do you remember how it was? The lyric offers a hint of what to expect the next time this pageant comes around. Yes, indeed many Miss Universe lovers remember how it was. So for them, heres hoping next years entertainment offerings include not only the high-energy ingredients but also more of the class and grace that earmarked the pageants earlier years. After all, as Huey Lewis once sang, it can be Hip To Be Square. |
Additional Universe Articles
Miss Universe®Summer 2016Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach Pia’s Appeal: After what could be considered a stormy introduction to the world, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach is ready to take the world by storm. Spring 2016Miss Universe 2014 Exit Interview: Paulina Vega Don't Stop the Party: Colombia’s Paulina Vega might be ready to crown her successor, but that doesn’t mean that she and her fans need to stop celebrating her success. Summer 2015Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega Colombia's Carnival: South Florida was the perfect setting for the lights and passion of the Miss Universe pageant, and no one represented the energy more than Colombia’s Paulina Vega. Spring 2015Miss Universe Gabriela Isler 2013 Exit Interview The Pride of Every Nation: As her reign as Miss Universe comes to an end, Venezuela’s Gabriela Isler reflects on the impact that she has had—and will continue to make—on the entire world.
Summer 2014Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler Interview Something in the Water: Gabriela Isler is the seventh woman from Venezuela to wear the crown of Miss Universe, and just like all of them before her, she’s going to use her crown to foster change and spread awareness.
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Summer 2015 Pageantry Exit Interview: Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan Enjoying Every Moment : Miss USA Olivia Jordan speaks with Pageantry about her responsibilities, rewards, authenticity, and outperforming expectations as Miss USA.
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Miss USA 2007, Rachel Smith: An Amazing Example. By retelling Tara Conner’s story of recovery, the Miss USA telecast brought the competitive pressures of a national beauty title into sharper focus, which only raised the dramatic stakes as the competition sought its 56th winner.
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Miss Teen USA®
Winter 2015 Pageantry Interview: Miss Teen USA 2015 Katherine Haik Sweet Fifteen: Katherine Haik might be the youngest girl to hold the title of Miss Teen USA, but she is ready to handle her responsibilities like a pro.
Fall 2015 Pageantry Exit Interview: Miss Teen USA 2014 K. Lee Graham Nothing She Can’t Handle: Miss Teen USA K. Lee Graham proves that the crown represents character and takes her message on the road through her Live Beautifully platform.
Winter 2014 Living Proof: Miss Teen USA K. Lee Graham proves that the crown represents character and takes her message on the road through her Live Beautifully platform.
Fall 2014 Miss Teen USA 2013 exit Interview: Cassidy Wolf The Leader of the Pack: Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf is preparing for her next step, but between her amazing year in New York City and the serious circumstances she dealt with before, there’s nothing in her future that she can’t handle.
Winter 2013 Miss Teen USA 2014 Pageant and Interview with winner Cassidy Wolf A Real Culture Shock: Cassidy Wolf gave up the laid back California teenage lifestyle for the hustle and bustle of New York City’s red carpets and Fashion Week, and her star has only just begun to rise.
Fall 2013 Pageantry Exit Interview: Miss Teen USA 2013 Logan West LOGAN'S RUN: With her run as Miss Teen USA coming to an end, Connecticut’s Logan West is still focused on taking down bullies in America’s schools one state at a time.
Winter 2012 COMING OUT OF HER SHELL: Logan West is the first girl from Connecticut to win the title of Miss Teen USA, and she’s going to use it to fulfill her ultimate dreams.
Fall 2012 Pageantry Exit Interview: Miss Teen USA 2011 Danielle Doty Going Home Again: As her year as Miss Teen USA comes to an end, Danielle Doty is heading back to Texas for college, but the sky is the limit for her future beyond the title.
Fall 2011 Pageantry Interview: Miss Teen USA Staying the course: Kamie Crawford’s year as Miss Teen USA has come to a close, but that’s not stopping her from working to change the world one day at a time.
Winter 2010 She’s Kamie, She Saw, She ConqueredOn the insistance of a friend, Kamie Crawford got involved with local pageants and eventually became Miss Teen USA 2010.
Winter 2007 AT THE MISS TEEN USA PAGEANT: The pressure-packed finals puts the spotlight once again on the difficulty of scoring points in front of millions of worldwide viewers. By Fred Abel
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A Positive Leap Forward. Allie LaForce, Miss Teen USA 2005 “The more I serve as titleholder, the more I realize our crowning achievements are expressions of inner beauty.” By Allie LaForce, Miss Teen USA 2005
Just Being Me... Would it Be Enough? Allie LaForce, Miss Teen USA 2005 “The days went by so fast for my roommate, Miss Michigan Teen USA 2005 Catherine Laurion, and me. We would hold hands each night and say the same prayer: ‘If it be God’s will, let us be the last two standing.’” By Allie LaForce, Miss Teen USA 2005
Miss Teen USA 2005 Allie LaForce - Ohio’s Night to Shine Fifty other teens and their wealth of beauty, brains, and talent stood between any single contestant and the 2005 Teen USA title. The odds of winning seemed daunting, but come to find out, pageant success runs in the winner’s veins. By Fred Abel
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Fulfilling My Destiny - Shelley Hennig, Miss Teen USA 2004 My anti-drinking-and-driving message is dedicated to my brother Brad, who inspires me to face life’s realities every day. By Shelley Hennig, Miss Teen USA 2004
My First Day as a Titleholder - Shelley Hennig, Miss Teen USA 2004 “I loved being in New York, doing my first official photo shoot with Fadil Berisha. That was my favorite part of my time there” By Shelley Hennig, Miss Teen USA 2004
Parting Thoughts On a Year Gone By - Tami Farrell, Miss Teen USA 2003 “I now move ahead in life knowing one person really can make a difference — that ‘impossible’ is really only something ‘possible’ that hasn’t been done yet.” By Tami Farrell, Miss Teen USA 2003
Discovering the New Tami Farrell, Miss Teen USA 2003 A trip home puts the process of growing up into perspective. By Tami Farrell, Miss Teen USA 2003
Home Sweet Homecoming - Tammi Farrell, Miss Teen USA 2003 Tami's whirlwind travels bring her back to Phoenix, Oregon, to share hugs with family and friends, collect the keys to the city, and reconnect with her roots. By Tami Farrell, Miss Teen USA 2003
Tami Farrell, Miss Teen USA 2003 Tami Farrell proves that a shining personality is pretty special, as Oregon takes its third Miss Teen USA title in the pageant's 21-year history. By Fred Abel
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Exclusive Universe and USA Interviews
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The Pageantry Interview: Miss Universe ’06 Natalie Glebova Natalie Glebova and her family demonstrated bravery trading the security of their Russian homeland for opportunity halfway around the world. It proved to be one of Natalie's most valuable lessons. By Fred Abel
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Miss USA 2003 Susie Castillo: MTV’s New Wonder Woman Parlaying her natural assets and her mother’s magic words of wisdom, Susie Castillo has made a giant leap from a Boston barrio into show business prime time as a video deejay.
The Pageantry Interview: Shandi Finnessey - Miss USA 2004 Winning pageants brings all the glory, but as a personal-caring role model she achieves the ultimate fulfillment as a smart and sexy winner.
Donald Trump: An Exclusive Chat With the Crown Prince of Pageant TV With 3 top-rated pageant telecasts and now “The Apprentice” a TV hit, we invited the man himself to comment on his good fortune.
Paula Shugart: President, Miss Universe Organization The president of the Miss Universe Organization talks about a new network, boosting the telecast's glamour, and her early personal experiences with pageants . By Carl Dunn |
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