Miss New Zealand Avianca Bohm Could Lose Crown Over Citizenship Issue

Miss New Zealand 2012

Miss New Zealand Avianca Bohm may be stripped of her title as she is not a New Zealander.

Bohm, who was born in South Africa, moved to New Zealand when she was 16 years old, only speaking Afrikaans.

The pageant's rules stipulate that entrants must hold New Zealand residency and citizenship. Apparently, Bohm does not have her citizenship yet.

Bohn is reportedly now working for her citizenship to be fast-tracked so that she could still compete in Miss Universe later this year.

Bohm's citizenship issue was not hidden in the competition at all. Pageant director Val Lott said she allowed the 22-year-old to join the competition as it would boost her confidence. But Lott said he told the judges not to let Bohm win the title because of the issue.

"It's not embarrassing for the competition. It's embarrassing for the [chief] judge, who should have taken on board what I said to him," Lott told the New Zealand Herald.

He added: "[Bohm] and I both had a clear understanding that she could not win. I said, you can enter it because it will still be confidence-boosting and great for your area to represent Howick."

Representing Howick, Bohm was crowned in a ceremony on Saturday night in Wellington.

Miss USA 2012: Olivia Culpo of Rhode Island Wins After Answering Transgender Question

Miss USA 2012 Winner

Miss Rhode Island Olivia Culpo was crowned Miss USA 2012 on Sunday, besting 50 other lovely candidates of the prestigious beauty pageant.

During the make-or-break interview round of the final five, the 20-year old Boston University sophomore won over the judges with her answer when asked about whether "it would be fair that a transgender woman wins the Miss USA title over a natural-born woman."

She responded, "I do think that that would be fair, but I can understand that people would be a little apprehensive to take that road because there is a tradition of natural-born women, but today where there are so many surgeries and so many people out there who have a need to change for a happier life, I do accept that because I believe it’s a free country."

Culpo, who describes herself as a "nerd", is set to take a break from her studies for a year to tackle her duties as Miss USA and prepare for the 61st Miss Universe pageant this coming December.

Rounding out the 2012 Miss USA top five contestants were first runner-up Nana Meriwether of Maryland, second runner-up Audrey Bolte of Ohio, third runner-up Jade Kelsall of Nevada and fourth runner-up Jasmyn Wilkins of Georgia.

Miss Dominican Republic Carlina Duran Loses Crown For Being Married

Miss Dominican Republic Carlina Duran (WorldShowbiz)

Carlina Duran, who was named Miss Dominican Republic 2012, was asked to relinquish her crown after the organizers found out that she is married.

It is being stipulated in the pageant's rules that a contestant should be single before she could compete. But Duran hid her civil status because according to her, she had never lived with her husband and that she has begun the annulment proceedings with him.

"In my daily life, I remained like a single woman, without thinking of myself neither materially nor spiritually married," the 25-year-old beauty said in a statement released on Wednesday.

She added that the decision of hiding her 2009 marriage from the contest organizers was the "fruit of my inexperience."

Duran, who won the pageant on April 17, has officially handed the crown to first runner-up, 24-year-old Dulcita Lieggi, on Wednesday. Lieggi will be the one to represent Dominican Republic in Miss Universe 2012.

Sophie Moulds, Kate Middleton Lookalike, To Compete In Miss World

Sophie Moulds (Photo: Revistatango.ro)

Sophie Moulds, who is a striking lookalike of Kate Middleton, is set to compete in the Miss World 2012 pageant to be held in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, in August. Like Middleton, Moulds is 5-foot-10 tall and has a long dark hair, blue eyes and a bright smile.

The 19-year-old Cardiff University student is apparently delighted being compared to the Duchess of Cambridge whose wedding with Britain's Prince William was watched by millions of people all over the world last year.

"I’m amazed to be compared to Kate - she is such a great ambassador for our country," she told Daily Mail. "I will be trying to do the same when I represent Wales in Miss World."

Moulds was crowned Miss Wales earlier this month, beating out 46 other contestants.

"I am so pleased to win and I’m really looking forward to going to Miss World,” she said in a statement posted on the Miss Wales website. "I couldn’t have done it without the support of my friends, family and sponsor. I hope that through my year I can inspire other young girls in the valleys to aim high and chase their dreams."

Binibining Pilipinas 2012 Candidates (Photos)

Binibining Pilipinas, the most prestigious beauty pageant in the country, is once again searching for the loveliest Filipinas to represent the Philippines in international beauty competitions this year.

After an intense selection process, 30 Pinay beauties made the cut and are now vying for the titles (Binibining Pilipinas 2012-Universe, Binibining Pilipinas 2012-International, Binibining Pilipinas 2012-Tourism Queen International and Binibining Pilipinas 2012-Supranational) to be given during Binibining Pilipinas 2012 coronation night on April 15, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Here are the gorgeous Binibining Pilipinas 2012 candidates:

1	2	3	4
Karen Gallman	Romelin Roxane De Castro	Nicole Marable	Jaine Hidalgo
5	6	7	8
Rose Ann Aguilar	Maria Alicia Elena Ariosa	Patricia Lae Ejercitado	Nicole Schmitz
9	10	11	12
Mary Jean Lastimosa	Jillean Camille Orbina	Marie Virgenia Cecilie Peter	Ayelee Marie Dasalla
13	14	15	16
Katrina Jayne Dimaranan	Gina Joy Howell	Elaine Kay Moll	Liezl Alcantara
17	18	19	20
Anna Czarina Buenviaje	Janine Tugonon	Roxane Joy Jesalva	Roxanne Tadique
21	22	23	24
Giselle Angelica Muñoz	Meiji Cruz	Goldy Baroa	Fer Mary Baliquig
25	26	27	28
Chloe Zanardi	Angelee Delos Reyes	Golda Soller	Marie Irisha Arcenas
29	30
Annalie Forbes	Sherlyn Gonzales

Shamcey Supsup among Global Beauties' '25 Sexiest Women Alive'

Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup made it to the list of '25 Sexiest Women Alive' by pageant website GlobalBeauties.com.

The website evaluated over 500 candidates of the major beauty pageants in 2011 in terms of "sexiness" and came up with the list of 25 beauties "worthy of appearing in any swimsuit calendar this year." The candidates were also evaluated "based on their overall participation in their respective contests," the site said.

Joining Shamcey in the list are the following:

Leila Lopez - Miss Angola, Miss Universe
Scherri Lee Biggs - Miss Austral, Miss Universe
Daniela Nunez - Miss Bolivia, Miss International
Drielly Bennettone - Miss Brazil, Miss Earth
Natalia Valenzuela - Miss Colombia, Miss International
Tania Zuluaga - Miss Colombia, Miss Supranational
Johanna Solano - Miss Costa Rica, Miss Universe
Evalina van Putten - Miss Curacao, Miss Universe
Carlina Duran - Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Tourism Queen International
Jeanine Castro - Miss Fernando de Noronha, Miss Tourism Queen International
Illiana Papageorgiou - Miss Greece, Miss Universe
Zhanna zhumaliyeva - Miss Kazakhstan, Miss World
Aferdita dreshaj - Miss Kosovo, Miss World
Daiella Rahme - Miss Lebanon, Miss Supranational
Deborah Henry - Miss Malaysia, Miss Universe
Keity Mendieta - Miss Panama, Miss International
Amanda Warecka - Miss Poland, Miss Tourism Queen International
Amanda Vilanova - Miss Puerto Rico, Miss World
Vivian Ortiz - Miss Puerto Rico, Miss Universe
Dhesha Jeram - Miss South Africa, Miss Supranational
GArcia Barber - Miss Spain, Miss World
Johanna Sansano - Miss St. Barthelemy, Miss World
Ivian Sarcos - Miss Venezuela, Miss World
Daniela Nguyen Thu May - Miss Vietnam, Miss Vietnam

One of them will be named this year's "Sexiest Woman Alive" soon.

Miss America 2012: Laura Kaeppeler of Wisconsin wins title

Miss America 2012 winner crowned

Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler was crowned the winner of Miss America 2012, the 91st Miss America pageant. Kaeppeler won a $50,000 scholarship grant and 1-year title run. She also took home an additional $2,000 in scholarship funds for her victory in the preliminary talent competition.

Kaeppeler was crowned after answering a question about whether or not Miss America should be allowed to declare a political affiliation.

“Miss America represents everyone, so I think the message to political candidates is that they represent everyone as well,” she said. “And so in these economic times, we need to be looking forward to what America needs, and I think Miss America needs to represent all.”

Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson came in second while Miss New York Kaitlyn Monte placed third.

The coronation night was held at the Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on January 14, 2012.

Here are the results of Miss America 2012:

Miss America 2012 - Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler
1st runner-up - Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson
2nd runner-up - Miss New York New York Katilin Monte
3rd runner-up - Miss Arizona Arizona Jennifer Sedler
4th runner-up - Miss California - Noelle Freeman

Top 10

Miss Illinois Hannah Smith
Miss Iowa Jessica Pray
Miss Louisiana Hope Anderson
Miss Tennessee Erin Hatley
Miss Texas Kendall Morris

Top 15

Miss Alabama Courtney Porter
Miss Florida Kristina Janolo
Miss South Carolina Bree Boyce
Miss North Carolina Hailey Best
Miss Virginia Elizabeth Crot

Miss Earth USA's Facebook Comment Explained

Miss Earth USA's Facebook Comment

Miss Earth USA 2011 Nicole Kelley allegedly posted on her Facebook account (Nicole Lynn) negative comments about her stay in Manila, Philippines where the Miss Earth 2011 pageant was held recently.

A screen capture of the said Facebook status is currently making the rounds in the interwebs and receiving both open-minded and violent reactions from Noypi netizens. Here's what it contains:

"I hardly made it to Manila and we already attended a ridiculous tv show. So annoying!!! These people want to touch you and be with you all the time!! I can’t understand a word they say. I can’t wait to go back home. This country is so dirty and noisy. I’m scared to eat!!! What a mess. On a lighter note I don’t see any real competition. Will keep you updated my loves," the status reads.

Nicole Kelley has denied posting the said remarks and said that her Facebook account may had been hacked or accessed by someone else without her permission. In this video posted on Youtube, Nicole Kelley explained the incident.


"...I wanted to address something that occurred earlier... which was brought to my attention. I was very disappointed about what was written as me but it wasn't me. I was out at a community center tour earlier when it was posted. But I want to make it clear that it's never okay to cyberbully anyone and as Miss Earth contestant we should be appreciating each other and making each other happy instead of tearing each other down. And I want to see from now on from everyone, the girls and the public included, a better camaraderie and a more positive outlook..." the Miss Earth 2011 contestant said.

The coronation night of the Miss Earth 2011 pageant was held last December 3, 2011 at the UP Theater in Diliman, Quezon City. Check out the names of the winners here: http://noypistuff.blogspot.com/2011/12/miss-earth-2011-winner-is-olga-alava-of.html

Miss Earth 2011 winner is Olga Alava of Ecuador

Miss Earth 2011 Olga Alava of Ecuador

The Miss Earth 2011 winner has been crowned Saturday evening at the University of the Philippines Theater in Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. She is none other than Miss Ecuador Olga Alava who took home the first Miss Earth and the second major international beauty pageant title for the Latin American country this year - Ecuador also won the Miss International 2011 crown in China, last month.

The 23-year-old model bested 83 other lovely candidates of this year's competition. Miss Brazil Driely Bennettone came in second (Miss Air) while Miss Philippines Athena Mae Imperial and Miss Venezuela Caroline Medina finished third (Miss Water) and fourth (Miss Fire), respectively.

Check out below the complete list of winners of the 2011 Miss Earth pageant:

Miss Earth 2011 Olga Alava of Ecuador
Miss Air 2011 Driely Bennettone of Brazil
Miss Fire 2011 Caroline Medina of Venezuela
Miss Water 2011 Athena Imperial of the Philippines

Finalists
Casandra Becerra of Mexico
Nina Astrakhantseva of Crimea
Aleksandra Kovacevic of Bosnia & Herzegovina
Thandi Muringa of Zimbabwe

Semi-Finalists
Rebecca Kim Lekse of Slovenia
Kristina Oparina of Ukraine
Tomoko Maeda of Japan
Nicole Huber of Paraguay
Susana Nogueira of Portugal
Renate Cerljen of Sweden
Cherry Liu of Chinese Taipei
Niratcha Tungtisanont of Thailand

Special Awardees
Best in National Costume: Tomoko Maeda of Japan
Best in Swimsuit: Sarka Cojocarova of the Czech Republic
Best in Long Gown: Casandra Becerra of Mexico
Miss Photogenic: Cherry Liu of Chinese Taipei
Miss Friendship: Sanober Hussain of Pakistan
Best in Talent: Dominique Mann of South Africa

Miss World 2011 winner is Miss Venezuela Ivian Sarcos

Miss World 2011 winner Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela

Miss Venezuela Ivian Sarcos was crowned the winner of the Miss World 2011 pageant during a glittering final ceremony held at Earls Court Two in London, England on November 6, 2011.

“I believe that the next Miss World should be a woman of responsibility and reason," Sarcos said during the competition.

“I believe the woman should be committed to the organization and help people in need. Beauty with a heart," she added.

Twenty-two-year-old Sarcos is a Human Resources graduate who currently works for a broadcasting company. Coming from a big family with 12 siblings, Sarcos plans to promote and work with children in the future. She loves volleyball, mountaineering and trekking. She believes that "everything arrives when it should."

The 5'10'' beauty was raised by the nuns in a convent in Cojedes after orphaned by her parents at age 8.She had studied to become a nun before but did not pursue it.

There were 113 candidates from all over the world who joined this year's competition. The second place went to Miss Philippines Gwendoline Ruais while Amanda Vilanova of Puerto Rico came third.

Check out the rest of the Miss World 2011 results here: http://noypistuff.blogspot.com/2011/11/miss-world-2011-winners-and-results.html

Miss World 2011 - 3 Filipina beauties vie for the crown

Miss World 2011 is going to be exciting for the pageant-fanatic Filipinos. It is because among the 113 candidates of this year's pageant, three of them have Filipino blood, increasing the chance of a Pinay beauty to finally earn the most elusive international beauty title for the Philippines. They are Miss Philippines Gwendoline Ruais, Miss Canada Riza Santos and Miss Denmark Maya Olesen.

Gwendoline Ruais

In an interview with ABS-CBN, Business Management graduate Ruais, 21, said that it will be a great honor for her to be crowned the first Miss World winner from the Philippines. She added that she is feeling the pressure but she is taking it in a good way.

Riza Santos

Twenty-four-year-old Filipina-Canadian Santos, who was a former "Pinoy Big Brother" housemate, meanwhile, told ABS-CBN that she is "honored to be representing Canada and come from a Filipino background."

Maya Olesen

In her ABS-CBN interview, Filipina Danish Olesen, 20, said she is proud to be representing both her Filipino roots and Denmark.

The Philippines' highest placement in Miss World was Evangeline Pascual’s first runner-up finish in 1973. Actress Ruffa Gutierrez was hailed Second Princess in 1993.

The Miss World 2011 will be held at Earls Court Two on November 6, 2011 (UK Time) in London, England. It will be aired on GMA-7 starting at 10:00 a.m. on November 7.

Photos courtesy of their respective owners.

Nelson Banzuela wins Fashionissimo 2011

Nelson Banzuela, Fashionissimo 2011

Nelson Banzuela was named the winner of the Fashionissimo 2011 which Finals night occurred on Sunday, October 23, 2011, at the Palacio de Manila. The event was hosted by Marc Nelson, Angel Aquino and Mikael Daez.

As winner of  Fashionissimo 2011, 21-year-old Nelson Banzuela received more than half a million pesos worth of prizes.

Check out below the info written on Nelson's profile on the Fashionissimo website:

"Nelson is not unfamiliar to working hard. Born into a family with lesser means, Nelson has already experienced working odd jobs, including busting tables and lifting goods at a restaurant warehouse. All these he did so that he could support her younger sister’s schooling while finishing his highschool. But instead of bringing him down, his experiences has imbibed in him humility balanced with a sense of pride in his work. He wants to win the competition so that he’d be able to help his family further and so that he’d be part of the medical missions of the foundation."

Meanwhile, JB Espiritu and Hamid Hassan went home 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up, respectively.

Now on its second year, Fashionissimo is a male model search organized by Circle of Friends Foundation and CHU Production.

Photo courtesy of Fashionissimo and Ash Reginald Evasco