What Miss Universe 1992 Shares with Miss Universe 2012

Did you know that 1992 Miss Universe Michelle Mclean of Namibia has another thing in common with 2012 Miss Universe Olivia Culpo of the United States? It’s the significance of the date May 8, 1992. 

1992 Miss Universe & 2012 Miss Universe 

You see, the 2012 Miss Universe was born on the exact date that the 1992 Miss Universe was crowned in Bangkok, Thailand!

For the 63^rd edition of Miss Universe being held in Doral, Miami, USA, Michelle Mclean is one of the judges for the Presentation Show where the 88 beauty delegates from around the world will be competing in swimsuits and evening gowns as they battle it out for the Top 15 semifinal spots. 

Miss Universe 1992 Michelle still looks ravishing 

Olivia Culpo is attending the pageant finals not only to support the girls but to cheer on for her boyfriend Nick Jonas who will be performing in the Evening Gown Competition

Here’s hoping that Michelle & Olivia will indulge us with a photo of them together. That would be awesome.

Watch the 63rd Miss Universe Pageant on Monday, January 25 to be telecast live over ABS CBN Channel 2

Guess Who Will Perform in Miss Universe 2014?

So talks of the Iglesias brothers performing during the Miss Universe Pageant are just plain talk after all. 

Multi-talented, platinum-selling solo artist, Nick Jonas who is also the boyfriend of Olivia Culpo, Miss Universe 2012 will take the Miss Universe stage during the evening gown competition. 

The multi-talented artist will sing a three-song medley from his self-titled album that includes his first smash single and radio hit, “Jealous,” in addition to “Chains” and “Teacher.”

Nick Jonas & Olivia Culpo

Joining Jonas in the musical lineup and performing during the Miss Universe swimsuit competition is twenty-time Latin Billboard Award winner, multi-platinum singer-songwriter Prince Royce. 

Latin music’s most successful young breakout superstar Prince Royce is set to perform his new English-language single entitled “Stuck on a Feeling” as well as Spanish-language hit song “Darte un Beso.”

Royce is releasing his first English-language album on RCA Records this year. Jonas and Royce are the first of the musical acts to be announced for the three-hour telecast. Fans should stay tuned for more exciting performers.'s 

Here is Prince Royce in action with his Darte un Beso hit video

Donald J. Trump and Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, announced today the performers and hosts for “The 63rd Annual Miss Universe Pageant,” The Miss Universe contestants will be hosted in Doral-Miami, Fla., and the pageant will air live from the Florida International University Arena. The pageant will also simulcast in Spanish on Telemundo.

Behind-the-scenes commentator Jeannie Mai returns once again to take viewers backstage to engage with contestants and talent throughout the telecast. Mai is best known as host of Style network’s two-time Emmy Award-nominated makeover series “How Do I Look?” and one of the five dynamic hosts of the nationally syndicated daytime talk show “The Real.”

As previously announced, “TODAY’s” Natalie Morales and MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts will host the pageant. Miss Universe 2013 3^rd Runner Up Ara Arida is this year’s Miss Universe On the Scene Website Presenter for online viewers

Ariella Arida: Miss U Presenter

 “The 63rd Annual Miss Universe Pageant” will feature 88 contestants from across the globe. They will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Gabriela Isler, Miss Universe 2013, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the three-hour telecast.

The Miss Universe beauty pageant is distributed to approximately 190 countries and territories and airs Sunday, Jan. 25 (8-11 p.m. ET) on NBC. Philippine time is 10 am, January 26, Monday, ABS CBN Channel 2

Most Beautiful Miss Universe Winner

THE RUSSIAN GODDESS OF BEAUTY

Since Russia is hosting this year’s Miss Universe Pageant, I will be giving the spotlight to a Russian beauty who conquered the universe in 2002

She wasn’t in any pageant expert’s short list of probable contenders for the 2002 Miss Universe Pageant.

The pageant websites didn’t have her as a frontrunner.

The moment the Top Ten were called on pageant night, the breathtakingly beautiful Oxana Federova of Russia stood out.

She left the rest of the semi- finalists to slug it out for the runners up positions. 

It was all over the moment she stepped forward 

as a Top Ten Semi- Finalist

ALL- TIME HIGHEST MISS UNIVERSE SWIMSUIT SCORE

Such was the impact of Oxana Federova who mesmerized everyone and who earned the all- time highest swimsuit competition score ever since the pageant implemented the onscreen computer scores back in 1978

MOST BEAUTIFUL MISS UNIVERSE OF ALL TIME

In celebration of the 60th edition of the Miss Universe Pageant in 2011, an online poll conducted by a pageant website and voted by an international panel of pageant experts had Oxana declared as “The Most Beautiful Miss Universe of All Time” 

Her victory was received well and accepted by almost everyone around the world. Indeed, one of the few instances when everyone was in near unanimity with the judges' ultimate choice

WAS OXANA DETHRONED OR DID SHE RESIGN?

Ironically, she is also the first and only Miss Universe titleholder to have resigned or has been dethroned by the Miss Universe Org.

Oxana stated that she voluntarily gave up her crown for personal reasons, mainly because she wanted to finish her law degree.

At the time, she stated in an interview that she had declined to perform her duties because she was so insulted by her treatment on The Howard Stern Show.

She blamed the pageant organizers for not warning her of the sexual questions Stern frequently asks.

Her first runner up, Justine Pasek of Panama assumed the crown thus becoming her  country's first Miss Universe. 

DOCTORATE DEGREE HOLDER

A few months after she quit as Miss Universe, Oxana Fedorova successfully defended her doctoral thesis.

She officially obtained a Ph.D. in Civil Law from the Saint Petersburg University of the Ministry of Interior of Russia (MVD University)

After receiving her Ph.D., she continued to teach at the Saint Petersburg University of the Ministry of Interior of Russia. 

She also continued her career as a police officer, being promoted to Captain in September 2002 and Major in 2005.

VERY POPULAR FIGURE IN RUSSIA

Her Miss Universe triumph has made her a highly- revered celebrity. 

Public perception on her has been mainly positive as reflected in a poll conducted by the The All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion in 2012 where respondents named Oxana Fedorova the most beautiful woman in Russia.

Today, she is one of the highly recognized and very successful newsmakers in Russia

WILL SHE OR WON'T SHE?

Considering the circumstances behind Oxana's short reign as Miss Universe, I wonder if she will be attending the 2013 Miss Universe Pageant. 

That is something to look forward to

WHO IS OXANA FEDEROVA OFF THE MISS UNIVERSE STAGE?

Oxana Gennadyevna Fedorova is the embodiment of a multi- faceted and highly- accomplished contemporary woman

Aside from being a former Miss Universe winner, she is also a television presenter, singer, retired police officer, former university lecturer, actress, and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Prior to becoming Miss Universe, she studied and graduated from the police academy with honors and then worked as an inspector in a Russian militia for six months. Immediately after, Fedorova moved to St. Petersburg to study at the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) University, where she worked as an investigator at the Pulkovo Transport Police while studying.

As a police inspector

Fedorova graduated from the MVD University with a gold medal in 2000. After that, she entered a post graduate program at the same university.

While Fedorova wrote her Ph.D. dissertation on "Regulation of Private Detective and Security Activity in the Russian Federation," she taught Civil Law to younger students.

As Miss Universe 2002, she traveled to different countries around the world such as Kenya, Indonesia, Italy, France, Greece, Panama, Canada and Puerto Rico where she spoke and promoted HIV/ AIDS Prevention, the main advocacy project of the Miss Universe Pageant 

Everything came to an abrupt halt when she voluntarily gave up her crown for very personal reasons 

Oxana Federova has moved and as time has revealed, she did make the right decision. 

Well done Oxana! Cheers!

Photo Credits:

Copyright infringement not intended

Controversial Miss Russia 2013: Elmira Abdrazakova

Miss Russia 2013 Elmira Abdrazakova : Controversy is My Middle Name

ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL PAGEANTS

The Miss Russia Pageant is one of the most prestigious national pageants in the world.

The winner gets an amazing prize package including 100 000 US Dollars, a brand- new car, the right to represent the country in both the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants and most importantly, instant fame and a life- changing experience

THE WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE BEAUTY PAGEANT CROWN

The million dollar Miss Russia crown was created by the Yuvelirny Teatr (Jewelry Theater) jewelry house.

It is made of white hallmark 750 gold and features 2,358 diamonds with a total weight of 62 karats and 14 unique pearls, including a massive 19-mm pearl. 

It is reputed to be worth a whooping One Million US Dollars

CONTROVERSIAL MISS RUSSIA WINNER

The crowning of a rather quite simple and not quite sophisticated 18 year old as Miss Russia 2013 was not taken kindly by hardcore Russians who take their beauty contests seriously. 

Too seriously that the Miss Russia 2013 titleholder, Elmira Abdrazakova has been met with a wave of internet hate upon receiving the crown.

Apparently she isn't ‘Slavic’ enough. 

FIRST MISS RUSSIA OF ETHNIC MINORITY ORIGINS

The Kazakhstan-born beauty is having her roots questioned because her father who is Tartar, a Russian ethnic minority, worked in one of Russia's oldest minority professions and some feel it disqualifies her for not being elite enough. 

Elmira Abdrazakova ( born October 7 1994) from Mezhdurechensk was crowned Miss Russia 2013 at the 21st edition of the Miss Russia beauty pageant.

She is a refreshing departure from the usual leggy and buxomy stunners that have won the Miss Russia crown.

She has this pretty and innocent school girl vibes that won over a panel of judges that included the reigning Miss Universe Olivia Culpo and Miss World Wenxia Yu.

Perhaps, it was the hint of vulnerability, the charm and her disarming candor that sealed the deal for her 

ALL SET TO CONQUER THE WORLD & THE UNIVERSE

She is the official representative of Russia at the world's two most prestigious beauty contests, Miss Universe and Miss World.

Elmira Abdrazakova, the winner of the Miss Russia pageant, has become a target of racist abuse as many social media users are accusing her of "not being Russian enough." 

Abdrazakova, 18, was forced to shut down all her social media accounts after the young model began receiving numerous hateful posts criticizing her for being a member of one of the country's ethnic minorities.

Take note of the 100,000 US Dollar Check

Checking out her brand- new luxury car

SHE HAS BEATEN THE ODDS

Her come- from- behind victory has opened an era of equal opportunities for young Russians regardless of ethnicity and socio- economic status but it has also exposed a familiar societal problem that is common in many countries around the world: Ostracism and discrimination for those who do not belong

 INT'L BEAUTY QUEEN-JUDGES:Reigning Miss World Wenxia Yu & Miss Universe Olivia Culpo
A Meeting of the Global Super Powers 

ALL SET TO CONQUER THE WORLD & THE UNIVERSE

Elmira just might have the last laugh.

Right now, her transformation has began in earnest.

A crash course in personality development, a few cosmetic enhancements here and there and a more fabulous and trendier wardrobe that fashionistas would kill for.

The 18-year-old beauty queen surprisingly is made of sterner stuff and is very determined to prove to everyone that she deserved her title. 

A more polished Elmira will be presented to the Russian media a few weeks from now and as sure as the sun rises from the east, Elmira would be more than ready not only to win  the approval and acceptance of her countrymen but also to conquer the world and the universe

Miss Universe & Miss World for 2012 attended the Miss Russia 2013 Pageant

PAST & PRESENT MS RUSSIA TITLEHOLDERS
Elizabeth Golovanova made Top Ten in Miss Universe 2012

PRESSURE OF BEING THE HOST COUNTRY'S CANDIDATE

Now that Moscow, Russia has been confirmed by no less than Donald Trump, the owner of the Miss Universe Organization, as the venue for the Miss Universe pageant, her being the host country's candidate has given her additional pressure to perform at an extraordinary level and to make a splash in the pageant. 

No less than a Top Five placement is expected from her

CHEERS OR JEERS?

Everyone and that includes me await with bated breath how her countrymen would react when she introduces herself during the Parade of Nations in the Miss Universe Pageant

Will there be mixed reactions reminiscent of Miss Brazil Priscilla Machado's entrance and introduction during the 2011 Miss Universe Pageant held in Sao Paolo, Brazil where she was greeted by her countrymen with a mix of applause and boos?

with her very proud mother

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

Abdrazakova will be representing Russia in the two most prestigious international pageants. 

First stop will be the 2013 Miss World pageant which will take place on September 28 in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

If she doesn't make a splash in the Miss World Pageant, then she will be representing the host country in the Miss Universe Pageant on November 9 at Crocus City Hall, Moscow.

If she will get Julia Morley's nod as Miss World 2013, then Russia faces an awkward situation where the host country will be represented by a runner- up

Let's see how this drama will play out in the succeeding months

Read more: http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/04/15/Miss-Russia-Elmira-Abdrazakova-becomes-target-of-racist-abuse-over-her-ethnicity/6341366026552/#ixzz2WmjhaQcb