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QUITO, ECUADOR - Here they were, 80 of the world's most sophisticated, attention-getting women, jetting in from around the globe to "the center of the world." That was the storyline the South American country of Ecuador promoted, based on its geographic position smack dab on the planet's equator separating the northern and southern hemispheres. Although few here would argue with the fact that this small South American country goes largely unnoticed on today's tumultuous world stage, for Ecuador, becoming the sponsoring country of the 52nd edition of the Miss Universe Pageant — the world's premier beauty showcase — proved to be a grand, pleasing, and (thankfully) out-of-the-ordinary diversion from a world facing the daily threats of terrorism.
Ecuador and the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) certainly made for a positive, feel-good partnership, and allowed pageant co-owners MUO and NBC to serve up a major dose of South American and Hispanic culture and hospitality in the live June 1st finals presentation. The show's soundtrack alone, comprising mostly Latin beats, delivered enough energy to light up half of Quito, as the rhythm drove the action during many of the show's segments in the course of the two-hour finals. Also on hand was pop star Gloria Estefan, with a newly released CD out, who appeared twice on-stage as a celebrity entertainer, singing both a medley of her hits and one cut from the new album.All that pageantry was well appreciated... and yet, the award for "the most-valued sites to behold" on this night nonetheless would have to be reserved for the 2004 Miss Universe Pageant delegates themselves. In the weeks leading up to the telecast, all of Ecuador rolled out the red carpet for the lovely women — "the 80 wonders of the world" — who had already been declared winners back home in the nations vying for the Miss Universe 2004 title. Now, all that was left was to determine which one of these crowd-pleasers would conquer the greatest number of competition categories, take the title by the reigns, and handle the responsibilities of the premier world pageant title.
Given the daunting task of paring down 80 contestants to 15, then to 10, then 5, and finally to a single young winner were "the gatekeepers of the crown," a panel of celebrity judges comprised of actress Bo Derek, The Apprentice's Bill Rancic, NBC's newly anointed domestic doyenne Katie Pritz, Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam, Trump Model Management President Jon Tutollo, Proctor & Gamble Cosmetics VP Anne Martin, tennis pro Monique Menniken, Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model Petra Nemcova, Ecuador's speed walking Olympic-gold-medal winner Jefferson Perez, and record producer Emilio Estefan.It would then come time to reveal the results of the preliminaries, wherein a different set of judges delivered Evening Gown, Swimsuit, and Interview scores used to eliminate 65 women from contention. After a procession of all contestants in colorful asymmetric dresses with ruffled, bias-cut skirts, co-hosts Daisy Fuentes and Billy Bush called out the countries of the women who would advance toward the title of Miss Universe: Puerto Rico, Norway, Trinidad & Tobago, Ecuador, India, Australia, Angola, Jamaica, Colombia, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Chile, USA, Paraguay, and Mexico.
Following interviews that showcased the personal views of several delegates, and with anticipation bubbling up from the convention center audience of nearly 8,000, word went out: "Come on down for Evening Gown!" This round provided the judges with a full measure of each woman's confidence, elegance, and sophisticated sense of style, while also proving that, Miss Universe candidates (ranging from 5 ft. 7 in. to 6 ft. tall) are a fashion designer's dream.After judges evaluated the Evening Gown presentations, Billy and Daisy were back to introduce the lucky Top 10, who were the candidates representing Costa Rica, Trinidad & Tobago, USA, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Paraguay, Ecuador, Australia, India, and Colombia. Providing everyone watching with a chance to become better familiar with each Top 10 semifinalist, Miss Universe producer Phil Gurin and MUO President Paula Shugart scheduled pre-taped profiles that would reveal inside tidbits on each woman's personality and lifestyle. We learned, for instance, that horse-lover Miss Trinidad & Tobago believed that "You can't win unless you kick up some dirt," Miss Australia thought of herself as a vivacious beach-lover, Miss Paraguay loved to skydive, and Miss India revered her close family ties.Back live for the next competition category, the Top 10 would raise a perennial rhetorical question: What would a beauty pageant be without Swimsuit competition? As this Miss Universe Swimsuit segment once again demonstrated, reality TV doesn't get much more effective that this at generating wholesome TV heat, with these not-to-be-missed physical-fitness role models promenading in high heels and knockout bikini swimsuit styles. Case closed.With the two hours of air time winding down, award announcements were quickly followed by a Top 5 list.• Best National Costume: Miss Panama Jessica Rodriguez• Miss Congeniality: Miss Italy Laia Manetti• Miss Photogenic: Miss Puerto Rico Alba Giselle Reyes Santos• Top 5: Miss Paraguay Yanina Gonzalez,Miss USA Shandi Finnessey,Miss Trinidad & Tobago Danielle A. Jones,Miss Puerto Rico Alba Giselle Reyes Santos, andMiss Australia Jennifer Hawkins.
With Miss Costa Rica Nancy Soto, Miss Jamaica Christine Straw, Miss Ecuador Susana Rivadeneira, Miss India Tanushree Dutta, and Miss Colombia Catherine Daza Manchola leaving the spotlight, and with excitement around the world rising higher than Ecuador's Andes snowcapped mountains, one final question from a fellow finalist or Amelia Vega and then a judges' inspection preceded their decision on the order of finish: 4th Runner-up, Miss Trinidad & Tobago Danielle A. Jones, 3rd Runner-up Miss Paraguay Yanina Gonzalez, and 2nd Runner-up Miss Puerto Rico Alba Giselle Reyes Santos smiled in accepting the results.That left two survivors. Miss Australia Jennifer Hawkins, the 20-year-old blue-eyed beauty queen, clung to Miss USA 2004 Shandi Finnessey, as both women braced themselves for the fateful announcement at the conclusion of the live NBC telecast. As her name was called by co-host Billy Bush as First Runner-up, Shandi reacted with a warm hug for Jennifer, then Shandi joined the three other finalists stage left.
Going from "the Land Down Under" to the top of the world in pageantry, Australia's Jennifer Hawkins was now Miss Universe 2004, the pageant's 52nd winner in its history. Outgoing Miss Universe 2003 Amelia Vega of the Dominican Republic placed the 800-jewel, $250,000 crown on Jennifer's head, and then the new Miss Universe put her hand on her hip and walked along the runway as she greeted the cheering crowd with smiles and waves. Jennifer paused several times to touch the crown, as if to reassure herself that every girl's dream, of serving an entire year as the universal symbol of female beauty, had indeed become her very own new reality. |
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.
Spring 2014 Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler Russian Reverie: Eighty-six beautiful and incredible young women from around the world met in the heart of Mother Russia for the chance to become the next Miss Universe. Summer 2013Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo Change of Plans: Rhode Island’s Olivia Culpo had barely tapped into her potential as Miss USA before she was elevated to a global icon as the new Miss Universe 2012.
Winter 2011 Miss Universe 2011 Pageant: Leila Lopes Angola’s New Jewel: Leila Lopes became the first woman from her African nation to capture the crown of Miss Universe 2011.
Fall 2011 Pageantry Exit Interview: Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete Pride of a Nation: As only the second woman from Mexico to wear the crown of Miss Universe, Ximena Navarrete has established herself as a global icon.
Winter 2010 Viva Mexico!Ximena Navarrete became the second Miss Mexico ever to win the Miss Universe crown, and it was no easy feat besting this year’s incredible field.
Fall 2010 One for the BooksShe may not have been the first Miss Venezuela to win, but Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez has established a legacy to ensure she won’t be the last.
Spring 2009 Miss Universe 2008: Dayana Mendoza. Victorious in VietnamNearly one billion people watched as Vietnam’s pristine beaches, immense culture and exotic wildlife played host to the 57th Miss Universe Pageant.Fall 2007Miss Universe 2007: Riyo Miro. Beautiful Border Crossing.The view down Mexico way never looked so lovely as during the Miss Universe 2007 TV special.By Fred AbelWinter 2006Miss Universe 2006: Zuleyka Rivera. A Heavenly UniverseThe 55th annual pageant sends spirit's soaring with open arms and cultural diversity.Miss Universe 2005: Natalie Glebova. Putting the BANG in BangkokAn exotic Thai backdrop, richly visualized flying stage sets, and an assemblage of 81 gorgeous young women elevated this 54th annual pageant to stunning new heights of opulence.By J.J. SmithMiss Universe 2004: Jennifer Hawkins. The Aussie RulesJennifer Hawkins, the girl from down under, comes out on top at the 53rd edition of this world-class competition.By Fred AbelMiss Universe 2003: Amelia Vega. The Ultimate Fairytale!18-year-old Amelia Vega, Miss Dominican Republic, wasn't far from her childhood fantasies in early June when she realized her dream.By J.J. SmithMiss Universe 2002: Oxana Fedorova. Congratulations!Russian "Czarina" Oxana Fedorova provides the regal bearing to go with the international beauty title's new crown. On a glorious night in San Juan, the pageant production itself deserved an award for excellence.By J.J. SmithMiss Universe 2001: Denise Quiñones. A Victory For The Home Team!Miss Puerto Rico Denise Quiñones wins the Miss Universe 2001 crown in Puerto Rico as Ricky Martin energizes a festive live pageant broadcast.By Derek MillerMiss USA®
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.
Winter 2015 Pageantry Interview: Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan A Star in the Making: Miss USA Olivia Jordan is full of unparalleled ambition, from her desire to help children to becoming the next Meryl Streep.
Fall 2015 Miss USA 2015 Stands Strong: In the face of controversy and with the eyes of the nation certainly locked on Baton Rouge, the Miss USA 2015 competition went off without a hitch and a new icon was crowned.
Fall 2014 Miss USA 2014 Nia Sanchez Exit Interview Who Needs Sleep?: The first ever Miss Nevada USA to wear the crown of Miss USA, Nia Sanchez has embraced every last second of her whirlwind year of unparalleled royalty.
Fall 2014 This is How She Rolls: The Miss USA pageant may have moved to Baton Rouge this year, but Nevada still found a way to capture the spotlight thanks to Nia Sanchez.
Summer 2014 Exit Interview: Miss USA 2013 Erin Brady More than Meets the Eye: Erin Brady went big at the Miss Universe pageant by invoking the pop cultural awesomeness of the Transformers, and she's only just started wowing the world.
Fall 2013 RISING TEMPERATURES: The 62nd Annual Miss USA Pageant brought its unparalleled heat to the Las Vegas Strip, as Connecticut’s radiant Erin Brady took home the ultimate honor.
Summer 2013 Next in Line: As she watched Olivia Culpo’s crowning moment as Miss Universe, Nana Meriwether realized that it was her time to step up and shine as the next Miss USA.
Fall 2012 Miss USA Pageant: Olivia Culpo The Rhode to Victory: In front of a capacity crowd and her dazzling Miss USA peers, Olivia Culpo became the first ever titleholder from Rhode Island.
Summer 2012 Pageantry Exit Interview: Miss USA Alyssa Campanella Recipe for Success: Ready to take on the world, Alyssa Campanella has paved a career path that allowed her to become a superstar.
Fall 2011 We’re Seeing Red: Twenty-one year old Alyssa Campanella brought the title of Miss USA home to California for a 60th anniversary extravaganza.
Summer 2011 Pageantry Interview: Miss USA Rima Fakih Heart of the Story
Fall 2010 Ready to ReignFormer Miss Michigan Rima Fakih became the 2010 Miss USA and is ready to defy the stereotypes in her crowning year.
Summer 2010 Pageantry Exit Interview: Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton Taking her Bow After a year that she can only describe as dynamic, Kristen Dalton prepares to move ahead beyond Miss USA.
Fall 2009 From Crystle to Kristen North Carolina’s Kristen Dalton is crowned Miss USA 2009 and adds an extra chapter to her family’s storied pageant history Complete Miss USA 2009 Pageant coverage.
Summer 2009 Pageantry Interview - Miss USA A Crystle Clear Year As the Miss USA Pageant crowns its newest queen, Crystle Stewart looks back at the greatest year of her life.
Miss USA 2008, Crystle Stewart: The New Star On The Vegas Strip Crystle Stewart may not have been the lone star at Miss USA but this Texas beauty is on her way to New York as the reigning Miss USA. By JJ Smith
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.
Miss USA ’05 from Baltimore: Charm City, Indeed! Miss USA helps Baltimore deliver on its slogan’s promise, and the region returns the favor, as the competition’s gracious 2005 host. The winner’s ties to Pageantry only gave us more reason to cheer. By Fred Abel
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.
Shandi Finnessey, Miss USA 2004 Shandi Finnessey gets the "thumbs-up" sign in a Hollywood-lavish live TV-reality pageant extravaganza at Miss USA 2004.
History repeatls itself at Miss USA 2003.
Kimberly Pressler: Miss USA 1999 Reflections of Kimberly Pressler: A parting interview. By Carl Dunn
Reminiscing with a queen: Shawnae is open, honest, and straightforward with her fans. By Carl Dunn
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
How To Rock Your World by Caring. Allie LaForce, Miss Teen USA 2005 “There’s no greater personal sense of accomplishment than inspiring, and then delivering, community-service help to others in need.” By Allie LaForce, Miss Teen USA 2005
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
So Many Possibilities- Shelley Hennig, Miss Teen USA 2004 “I feel privileged to have been given the role that will always be my favorite, and hopefully we’ll meet again when I fulfill my next dream.” By Shelley Hennig, Miss Teen USA 2004
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
Vanessa Semrow, Miss Teen USA 2002 Girls in jeans and motorized machines help redefine the pageant for TV's pop-culture youth market. By Fred Abel
Marissa Whitley, Miss Teen USA 2001 Leaving behind the pageant atmosphere that once ruled the planet, the Miss Teen USA telecast leaps light years ahead with a youth-oriented production. By J.J. Smith
Ashley Coleman, Miss Teen USA 1999 The Miss Teen USA pageant has a new look, a new feel, a new attitude and a new queen. By J.J. Smith
Exclusive Universe and USA Interviews
Fall 2008 Shelley Hennig: There's Nothing To It Shelley Hennig’s a daytime TV star, a beauty queen and philanthropist... and she’s only getting started. By Ashley Burns
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
The Pageantry Interview: Miss USA ’05 Chelsea Cooley This 22-year-old beauty queen is living the dream with her eyes wide open. By Fred Abel
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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