Special Feature:

 

The 2007 In Review and a Preview of 2008 (part 1 of 4)
by Ric G. Galvez

Two days after Miss World, the last major pageant of 2007, I walked through the cold streets of Dunkirk (Dunkerque in French) with a small glimpse of what will 2008 be like. The town will host the Miss France pageant in 5 days time and Palais des Congrès de Dunkerque will witness the crowning of the delegate that will replace Miss France 2007 Rachel Legrain-Trepani.

The signs all over the town signify somehow that a fresh new year for the world of beauty pageant is dawning. It is true that many countries around the world had selected their delegates already but seeing the northernmost major French town caught in beauty pageant frenzy was for me unthinkable before.

Fast forward and days later, Miss France is on the spotlight at the national level though, not the way the pageant intended. The pageant under the tutelage of Genevieve de Fontenay is fighting to preserve its reputation. The eventual winner was found out to have posed on provocative manners prompting calls for her to give up the crown.

Many beauty pageants like Miss France have indeed long history. Standing the test of time, producing unforgettable queens, producing spectacular shows and gaining loyal followers makes them an institution. Miss France and the stir it caused in Dunkirk remind us of such facts.

Photo credits: perezhilton.com

As part of the world of glamour, beauty pageants are prone to scandals. These include (but not limited to) posing nude for magazines, rigging results, breach of contracts, conduct unbecoming of a queen etc. But year after year, well established pageants have fended off scandals and somehow went on unscathed. The public outcry and the swift reaction of Miss France (the winner will not participate in any major international pageant), highlights the fact that national pageants with long history are regarded as an institution and they are vigilant in protecting its reputation.

Reminding us that beauty pageants like Miss France are institutions sharply emphasize on why Missosology.Org exists and why it was founded in the first place and why it is here to stay. Being an institution requires great amount of respect as well as the need to maintain a reputation – a positive one that is.

And what, one may ask, the year 2007 has so far produced? Did the events of the year eroded or cemented further the reputation of major beauty pageants?

At Miss Universe, Japan, after decades of slumber, finally won its second crown thanks to the bon vivant performance of Riyo Mori. Her victory was a product of dedication, vision and hard work of Miss Japan Universe Inc., under the helm of now famed pageant director Ms. Ines Ligron. Ms. Ligron created innovation, revitalized a dying institution and for years never gave up
despite several failures. The victory of Japan at Miss Universe is but forthcoming. It was endless sacrifices and no-nonsense reforms that cemented the positive reputation of Miss Japan Universe.

However, still reeling from the controversial victory of Miss Puerto Rico Zuleyka Rivera in 2006, Miss Universe found itself criticized again. In 2006, it was the Asians lamented that Latinas were favored. Now, the tables were turned. Was there any damage to Miss Universe reputation? Hardly. Complaints like these happened in many instances in the pageant’s long history.

Another event that greatly politicized the pageant is how the host Mexico treated Miss USA Rachel Smith. I tend to think that the rowdy fans during the finals night that kept on booing are a minority but it is a known fact that majority of Mexicans have political hostile feelings towards their northernly neighbor. It is beyond beauty pageants. A plethora of issues had caused
friction between the two countries for more than a century!

Miss Universe 2007 has seen some of its firsts. It is the first time that Serbia and Montenegro competed as separate entities. It was also Tanzania’s first showing at the pageant which produced good results. The country’s representative Flaviana Tatana made it to the top ten and has everyone thinking for sporting a shaved head. The pageant also witnessed the most disastrous fall. As if the booing audience was not enough, Miss USA Rachel Smith fell – apparently very hard - to the floor during the gown competition.

It is also the first time that Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago did not participate. Although some countries like Ireland, Turkey, United Kingdom etc. failed to show up as well, a Miss Universe contest without Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago is quite alarming. The two countries are holders of more than just one Miss Universe crown. They are consistent participants in the pageant that produced spectacular delegates. Also, the reasons for their withdrawals are worrying. Sweden had questioned the wisdom of participation, just a little short in questioning on why the pageant still exists in modern times anyway. Trinidad and Tobago was dogged with financial problems hinting somehow that public interest on Miss Universe is at its all time low. No business or governmental entity is keen to support the country’s delegate despite high level appeals.

What do we expect in 2008? Superpowers like United States, Venezuela and India were present in 2007 semifinalists’ list. The latter however was heavily criticized due to the not so convincing performance of Puja Gupta. Venezuela, despite its political friction with United States gave a good showing thanks to Ly Jonaitis. Given to the current trend, come 2008, it is likely that India will not be the superpower it used to be while USA and Venezuela will be able to sustain their status.

Japan as the current title holder will probably gain momentum. Before Ines Ligron took over the Miss Japan Universe, one of the problems she faced is the lack of participation of high caliber women in the national pageant. Riyo Mori’s victory will most likely spur interest and more spectacular Japanese women will want to be Miss Universe too!

Korea and Thailand did some good showing but that would be very difficult for them to sustain in the coming years. Tanzania and Angola on the other hand will have a great potential.

In Latin America, Mexico and Brazil can look forward for a good 2008 and it seems a Miss Universe crown is not that far off. In Asia, the mode in the Philippines is that hope springs eternal and unless drastic reforms will be made, it will be left behind. China also needs reform if it wants good showing at the pageant. For African countries, South Africa has a potential to shine but a crown would be still elusive. As mentioned, Tanzania and Angola are now the favorites in the continent although Nigeria and Namibia can make surprises.

Europe may still have to wait for their next Miss Universe. Mona Grundt, Miss Universe 1990, is the last European to win the Miss Universe crown. (Oxana Federova of Russia although a 2002 winner was dethroned making Grundt - by technicality and as of the moment - the last European to be called Miss Universe). Norway, Sweden (if it decides to comeback) and Finland can lead the way. Strong potential of Spain and Italy should also be considered.

part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

---

 

Copyright © 2008. Missosology.org. All Rights Reserved.
Contact the webmaster: mike@missosology.org