Miss International 2009 Backstory
The Juiciest Stories From Miss International 2009 (Part II)
1. During the celebration dinner, Honduras, Venezuela, Slovakia, Spain, Macau, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and Poland were the most popular delegates. Many staffs and guests wanted to take photos with them and asked for autographs.
2. Miss China who bagged Miss Friendship was seen to be alone for the entire celebration dinner.
3. Miss Hong Kong was told by many contestants that she's the one they voted for Miss Friendship.
4. Miss Korea wants to go home as soon as possible. She asked the Miss International Organization if she could skip the ambassador tour in china and Japan. The Juiciest Stories From Miss International 2009 Miss International 2009 Is Miss Mexico
Miss Mexico Anagabriela Espinoza won the Miss International 2009 crown in an event held in Chengdu, China. Wearing a white traditional qipao Anagabriela reacted when her name was called as the winner. Miss Korea Seo Eun-Mi is the first runner-up while Miss United Kingdom Chloe Beth Morgan is the second runner-up. Completing the Top 15 are contestants from Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Finland, Japan, Panama, Philippines, Spain and Venezuela. This marks the second time that Mexico won the title. In 2007 Priscila Perales Elizondo was crowned as Miss International as well. The new Miss International is no stranger to international pageants. She represented her country Mexico during the Miss World 2008 contest where she won the Beach Beauty Award. Miss United Kingdom was once also represented the Principality of Wales at Miss World. Sixty-five delegates participated in the event. The delegates stayed in China for weeks visiting museums, the Great Wall, charity projects and a panda sanctuary. It's The Final Countdown! Part 2
1. The contestants will meet a panel of judges while wearing swimsuits. It's The Final Countdown! Miss International 2009 Swimsuit Photos
Miss International 2009 Is Now In Chengdu Plus Photos of National Costumes, Etc., It was a chilly day in Chengdu but thousands of people poured along the main avenue to watch the Miss International contestants as the beauties paraded. They were also treated with a traditional dragon dance that went on till the evening. The delegates were overwhelmed with the warm reception they received and the crowd was fantastic as they wave and smiled to the Miss International beauties.
Miss International 2009 Is Now In Chengdu Plus Photos of National Costumes, Etc.,
It was reported that there are only 66 contestants who made it to Chengdu. Who was out of the pageant is something that yet to be known. The delegates had already fun having been involved in a forum as well as learning Chinese calligraphy and some western delegates got the hang of using chopsticks. Miss Canada Chanel Beckenlehner had been the most visible delegate when it comes to press. She had this good PR vibe. During the forum, she was singled out to be interviewed by a TV station. She is always engaged in the media people! She was further highlighted by the media people after the Miss International 2009 delegates visited a Canadian International School in Beijing.
5. Miss Korea was also said to be very laid back for the entire pageant.
6. Miss United Kingdom is way shorter then 5'7" (her official height) in real person.
7. The organization said next year's pageant may stay in Chengdu. Shanghai is just another possibilty. Nothing has yet been confirmed.
8. Here's the official results of the Miss International 2009 pageant. Just for the record:
Miss International 2009 Mexico - Anagabriela Espinoza
1st Runner-up Korea - Seo Eun-mi
2nd Runner-up United Kingdom - Chloe-Beth Morgan
Semi-finalists
Belarus - Yana Supranovich
Belgium - Cassandra D'Ermilio
Brazil - Rayanne Morais
Canada - Chanel Beckenlehner
Cuba - Patricia Rosales
Dominican Republic - Victoria Fernández
Finland - Linda Wikstedt
Japan - Yuka Nakayama
Panama - Joyce Jacobi
Philippines - Melody Gersbach
Spain - Melanie Santiago
Venezuela - Laksmi Rodriguez
Special awards:
Miss Friendship: Wang Qian (China)
Miss Photogenic: Seo Eun-mi (Korea)
Best National Costume: Kenia Andrade (Honduras)
Miss Mobile Beauty: Aileen Jan Yap (USA)
Miss Internet Beauty: Catalina Stascu (Moldova)
Miss Philanthrophy: Catalina Stascu (Moldova)
Miss Congeniality: Yuka Nakayama (Japan)
Miss Charm: Germaine Li (Hong Kong)
Miss Chengdu Glamor: Anagabriela Espinoza (Mexico)
Miss Vitality: Ksenia Hrabovskaya (Russia)
1. Oh no! The live telecast via web streaming was useless to many fans. The images were kept stopping and freezing.
2. The final Q&A forced many delegates to speak English. There were no interpreters?
3. Japan kept saying sorry in live TV at the pageant's final Q&A as she can't finish her answer.
4. Venezuela didn't finish her answer as she struggled with her basic English.
5. Korea gave up during the Q&A but she finished as first runner-up anyway. No wonder she cried so much when she was crowned.
6. Minutes after the telecast, the National Director of Tanzania sent a message that she will be withdrawing from Miss International. She called the pageant as racist.
7. Miss International rarely had black African semifinalists. The only black representative to win was Miss Colombia Paola Vargas in 2004. No African has ever won in the pageant.
8. Some critics complained that having a black delegate for the sake of not being called racist is racism in itself.
Miss Korea and Miss United Kingdom
2. There will be Top 15 and not Top 12
3. During the final rehearsals many girls are sick and were not able to attend.
4. Some delegates did not show off their evening gown during the dress rehearsals. One of them is Miss Venezenuela.
5. After the national costume, swimsuit and gown, the finalists will wear the traditional qipao
6. Miss Sudan has arrived making the total number of delegates 65.
7. Major beauty pageant-related websites quite agree that the crown is more likely to be won by Miss Venezuela or Miss Philippines.
1. Miss International format will include a National Costume Presentation first followed by Swimsuit and Evening Gown. There will be a Q&A but no speeches.
2. The new Miss International contest's activities are now practically managed by the Chinese. Some big Japanese sponsors are absent.
3. There are now 64 contestants left as Costa Rica and Nigeria are no longer in the list. Earlier, Guam, Guatemala, Kenya, Sudan and Ukraine appeared in the official website but they never arrived in Chengdu.
4. Miss Vietnam is absent among the candidates at the official web poll. The organizers seemed oblivious about the fact.
5. A lot of fans were upset about the raw swimsuit photos of the delegates showing their flaws. Some took pity of the delegates.
6. The Miss International 2009 stage features large logo of the pageant and a giant TV screen.
7. November 27th rehearsals were cancelled due to rain. Organizers are worried as it is an open air arena.
More Photos Will Be Uploaded
Photo: Frederick Ip and Damian Stroinski for Missosology.Org and Offical Website for Miss International 2009
Photo: Frederick Ip for Missosology.Org
The National Costume Presentation
The delegates onboard Sichuan Airlines
Miss Macau holds her Panda Bear during her arrival at Chengdu
Miss International 2009 Dinner Gala
Photo: Frederick Ip for Missosology.Org
More Photos From Miss International 2009
Photo: Damian Stroinski for Missosology.Org/ Miss India Harshita Saxena Photos
The Miss International 2009 Delegates Toured Around Beijing
Photo: Damian Stroinski for Missosology.Org
The Miss International 2009 contestants had a fun time touring around the National Palace Museum as well as the famous landmark of China - the Great Wall! Unfortunately for the contestants, winter came a little bit early in Beijing with temperatures dropping earlier than expected. The frigid climes however, did not dampen the enthusiasm of the beautiful ladies.
Surprise beauties include Miss Poland and Miss Romania although Miss Mexico, Miss Brazil and Miss India continue to be the forefront towards the title. Miss Brazil in particular had been winning hearts from the start and given to the dynamics of the pageant, she is poised to take it all. If that is the case she will be the first Brazilian winner of the Miss International title since 1968 and it will be the second crown for the land of samba and football. Miss Philippines is also being noticed but local girl Miss China had been a hit among the local audience.
The Candidates Are Now In Beijing (Arrival Photos and Welcome Dinner, Updated November 14)
Miss Vietnam Quynh Thi Tran, Miss Canada Chanel Beckenlehner, Miss Netherlands Roline Hund, Miss Slovakia Sona Skoncova, Miss Uganda Pierra Akwero, Miss India Harshita Saxena and Miss Thailand Picha Nampradit pose during the welcome dinner in Beijing. The international contest will move to Chengdu in a few days.
Miss Czech Republic, Miss Finland, Miss Philippines, Miss Poland and Miss USAPhoto: Damian Stroinski
Miss Philippines Melody Gersbach and Miss Poland Angelika Jakubowska/Photo: Damian Stroinski
The Delegates Are Leaving Their Home Countries (Part 2)
Harshita Saxena, Pantaloons Femina Miss India International 2009, all of 5 foot 9 ½ inches tall and just 22, may have her head in the clouds but her feet is firmly planted on the ground. The beauty queen from Goa is all set to participate in the upcoming Miss International 2009 that will take place on November 28 in Chengdu, China. A bundle of positive energy and anxious nerves, she said she was thrilled to be participating with 70 other countries.
“I am leaving today for the 20-day training program in China, which also happens to be my birthday. So, I’m hoping it will be a lucky start,” says Harshita, who’s just completed a two-month training program with the PFMI team. Reaching this point has been a struggle for her as last year she had to give up her Miss India Earth crown due to a breach in her modelling contract. “I believe everything happens for the best and that God has good things in store for me. In fact, I always say a small prayer before I go for any shoot, interview or event… that’s my lucky charm,” she says. “I think the most important factor to feel like a winner, the X factor, is the warmth you portray. The way you carry yourself is very important. It’s essential to remain grounded and humble,” says Harshita, who was an introvert a few years ago. She is visibly excited about visiting China and has even learnt a bit of Chinese in anticipation of her visit.
“China has a very rich culture just like India, so I’m sure I’ll find a lot in common. I feel Indian women have amazing personalities; an unique look and a deep sense of tradition that really make us stand out. We are beautiful inside out,” explains Harshita whose ultimate goal is to become an international model. The lean beauty also wants to make a change by taking up social causes like breast cancer and AIDS awareness. “I have visited the AIDS home in Goa many times and have seen kids lose their lives. It really makes you realise the importance of life,” she adds. Any last minute thoughts? “I have worked really hard to get here and plan to make the most of this opportunity. Though I am under a bit of stress and keep thinking I’ve forgotten something, I know this will be the experience of a lifetime,” she signs off.
Meanwhile Miss Tanzania Illuminata James leaves Dar Es Salaam for Beijing. Miss Czech Republic Darja Jacukevičová shows off her travel documents prior leaving Prague. To all the delegates, good luck!
The Delegates Are Leaving Their Home Countries
Miss Philippines Melody Gersbach had a good send-off ceremony with the members of local press present. She will be flying to Beijing on a 7am flight to Beijing. She said to Missosology.Org that she is mentally, physically and emotionally ready for Miss International 2009. Her favorite Miss International is Melanie Marquez for her beauty and charm. Meanwhile, Miss USA Aileen Jan Yap had a simple dinner with family and friends.
Hong Kong is Leading in the Miss International Chinese Website Poll
With all the flurry of activities that is happening at Miss Earth 2009 and Miss World 2009, the Miss International pageant seems to be a pageant happening in another planet. What makes it worse is the inability of the organizers to tap the potential participation of the international audience. It seems that they are far more interested in the Chinese audience. It perhaps makes some sense since the pageant will be held in Chengdu but it certainly does undermine the popularity of the pageant.
As you might all know, Missosology is doing its own poll to determine which delegate is the most popular among our visitors. The official Miss International website in China is also running a People's Choice Poll. For those who can understand Chinese, you can click here to vote. For those who can't, Click here and you will see a rough translation of the instructions on what are mechanics of the poll. As the website is in Chinese, you just can imagine who will be the target audience. Currently on the lead is Miss HongKong China Germaine Li followed by Miss Korea and Miss Chinese Taipei (Taiwan).
Changes in Tanzania
The Miss International pageant is still making headways on the PR side with the African continent. First and foremost no African country won the Miss International crown. The closest that Africa came towards clinching the title was in 1996 when Miss Tunisia Ibticem Lahmar became first runner-up. Things are changing these days though as countries from Uganda, South Africa and Kenya will be represented this year.
In the case of Tanzania, the Miss Universe Tanzania pageant owns the franchise and it debuted at Miss International in 2005. Margareth Wilson Kiguha Chacha had the honor of representing the East African nation. This year, Hidaya Maheda is supposed to represent Tanzania but due to health problems, Maria Sarungi Tsehai, National Director of Tanzania, decided to send Illuminata James instead.
Illuminata has represented Tanzania at Miss Universe 2009 and although she was unplaced, she matured considerably due to her experience in the Bahamas. Will Illuminata be the first African to win the Miss International crown?
Aruban Swap
In 2008, Aruba crowned Diana Croes and she was tasked to represent the small Caribbean nation to Miss Universe 2009. Unknown to some observers at that time however, is who will represent the country at Miss International 2008 and Miss World 2008. The first rumor to surface was that Nuraisa Lispier will go to Miss World because of her exotic beauty. The National Director of Aruba Rene Lacle however, corrected Missosology by sending an e-mail confirming that Nuraisa will go to Miss International while Christina Trejo will go to Miss World.
The eventual result of Aruban performance was but self-evident. Both Nuraisa and Christina failed to make the cut in their respective pageants. Observers believe that Nuraisa’s beauty is too exotic in a pageant like Miss International although it is evident that she was catching some attention after winning the Best in National Costume Award. Nuraisa’s beauty, observers contend, is best suited for Miss World. Christina, with her superior communication skills is best for Miss International where speeches play a significant role in the finals.
This year, the Miss Aruba pageant is relatively late with finals slated this November 15. New reports show that Nuraisa will go to Miss World 2009 while Christina will go to Miss International 2009. Is this some kind of “swap” after the late realization that these Aruban beauties were sent to wrong beauty pageants last year? Perhaps, but the results of their performance this year will answer this very question.
