Miss
International - A beauty pageant trying to maintain
its World recognition
On October 15th,
a new Miss International will be
crowned. A pageant which back in the 1960's was considered
one of the top 3 beauty contests on the planet, at
the same level of Miss World and Miss Universe, today
struggles to remain in the Grand Slam of Beauty pageants.
Although in terms
of production (the contest is not televised live -it's
edited into a special show for the Japanese TV and broadcast weeks later)
and media attention it already falls behind newcomers
Miss Earth and Miss Tourism Queen International, there
are two factors which keep Miss International in the
Grand Slam: tradition and and undeniable high quality
of its contestants. This year, for instance, at least
8 delegates stand a fair chance to walk away with
the crown.
FAVORITES,
PAGEANT CAFE
In a survey conducted
by Pageant Cafe forum, Miss Spain,
Nerea Arce, appears as the #1 favorite, followed by
India's Easha Gupta and Mexico's
Priscila Perales.
MISS
INTERNATIONAL 2007
SPAIN's
Nerea Arce Alea: The beauty from Bizkaia
is the favorite to win, according to the Pageant
Cafe members. She has also made waves among
photographers in Japan covering the event. |
|
Honorable
Mentions: Indonesia, Belarus, Slovakia,
Philippines, Tanzania & Poland.
Will Spain grab
the Asian judges' attention? Will India finally have
its first Miss International, or will it have to keep
on waiting? Is Priscila Perales a few hours away from
her so anticipated moment of glory or another disappointment?
GLOBAL
BEAUTIES' TAKE ON THIS YEAR'S EVENT
BELARUS - Yuliya Sindzeyeva: it's the first time that Belarus
participates in Miss International, and it could be
a phenomenal kick-off for this European country. Yuliya
is a classical beauty. Against her only the famous
"sash factor".
BRAZIL
- Carol Prates: very sexy and tall, Miss Brazil has
a pleasant personality and does well in the runway.
Many people believe she could be in the top 3.
CHILE
- Marie Ann Salas: blond, tall, beautiful. Isn't that
what the Japanese look for in a winner? Eye on her.
COLOMBIA
- Ana Milena Lemus: Colombia does well in Miss International,
expect Ana Milena to be, the least to say, a semi-finalist.
FRANCE
- Sophie Vouzelaud: her elegance and beauty say much
more than the fact that she has a hearing disability.
She can go far in the competition because of her many
qualities.
GUATEMALA
- Alida Boer Reyes: in Miss Universe she enjoyed some
favoritism, but did not make the cut. Here it's a
whole new game, and she has the looks to pull a great
result.
INDIA
- Esha Gupta: 5 Misses World and 2 Misses Universe,
but yet, no Miss International. Esha is considered
by many "the one to beat". Will India finally
have its first Miss International?
JAPAN
- Hisako Shirata: Japan's victory in Miss Universe
certainly did not help Miss International is its desperate
attempt to return to the spotlight. A first ever Japanese
Miss International victory would be strategic. Hisako
has already won the Miss Photogenic award...
MEXICO
- Priscila Perales: considered to be one of the best
overall contestants in 2006 (she was a Miss Universe
semi-finalist), Priscila certainly expects no less
than winning tomorrow. She is indeed a heavy favorite.
POLAND
- Dorota Gawron: Poland usually does well in this
competition (3 winners so far). Dorota is beautiful
and sexy, she is expected to go far in the competition.
SERBIA
- Teodora Marcic: another Miss Universe favorite who
was virtually ignored by the judges. She is once again
expected to shine. Will she deliver it this time?
SPAIN
- Nerea Arce: Miss Spain looks like a doll and leads
many pageant experts' lists of favorites. The one
thing she lacks is height, but perhaps her flawless
beauty will be enough for the judges. Big time favorite.
TANZANIA
- Jamilla Munisi: Africans generally don't fair well
in Miss International. Is history about to change
with the lovely smile and tender beauty of Tanzania's
Jamilla Munisi?
TURKEY
- Asli Temel: this is the contestant who has grown
the most since they all arrived in Japan. Miss Turkey
exudes beauty and freshness, it would be great to
see her wearing the Miss International crown.
VENEZUELA
- Vanessa Peretti: Another contestant with a hearing
disability, is an example in her country about how
everyone can achieve their dreams. Plus, Venezuela's
record in Miss International is simply unbeatable.
Other possibilities:
Aruba, Australia, Bolivia, China, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic,
Greece, Indonesia, Korea, Philippines, Puerto Rico,
Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine and Vietnam.
Keep in
mind: in recent years some of the runner-ups and semi-finalists
have virtually emerged of nowhere, which means that
tomorrow's competition is anyone's game.
Global Beauties
wishes all 62 candidates the best of luck and Miss
International much success this year and in the years
to come! Once its organizers accept the fact that
it must be urgently revamped, it will sure be right
back where it belongs.
6.
Dom. Rep.
