Miss Thailand 2008 is a Communication Arts Student

Gawintra Pothijakra (in picture) just won the beauty pageant of Miss Thailand 2008 title and also had won the Miss Healthy and Slim by Sealect TUNA award last May 21, 2008. Gawintra is a 22 year old Communication arts student at the Bangkok University. She stands 1.76m tall and will travel and represent Thailand at the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant to be held in Vietnam later this year.

Standing at 1.71m tall, the 21 year old Piyaporn Deejing was declared as the 1st runner-up or Miss Thailand Earth 2008. She will be competing in the Philippines for the Miss Earth 2008 title.

Completing the 3 other runners-up were Chavallakorn Wattanavisitkul, Pirada Kajornmalee and Arnanya Chinsangchai, who also won as Miss Photogenic. They will represent Thailand at Miss Intercontinental, Miss Tourism Metropolitan and some other pageant to be defined.

The Miss Thailand Universe 2008 beauty pageant took place at the Pullman Bangkok King Power in Bangkok. The event, which lasted for about 2 hours, was telecast live to the whole country by BBTV Channel 7.

New Miss Hungary 2008

From the Beauty Pageant A Kiralyno (Miss Hungary), they have chosen thier representative both to Miss World and Miss Universe for the very first time in many years.

The new beauty queen is the 24 year-old Szilvia Freire from Budapest. She will Travel to Ukraine and represent her country at the Miss World Beauty Pageant later this year.

Szilvia's 1st runner-up was also 24 year-old and is half-Tunisian, Jazmin Dammak from Budapest. Jazmin will go to Vietnam to compete for the Miss Universe title on July 14.

And declared as the 2nd runner-up is Krisztina Polgar from Torokszentmiklos. The 21 year-old beauty will now compete at the Miss Earth 2008 Beauty Contest to be held in the Philippines.

(Miss Hungary 2008 Beauty Pageant Swimsuit Competition Video)

Carolina Dementiev Justavino is Panama's bet to Miss Universe 2008

Standing at 1.73m tall, a professional model, swimmer, TV host and law student Carolina Dementiev Justavino (in photo) won the reality tv show 'Realmente Bella 2008' that lasted 8 weeks which 10 women competed for the title that gives the winner to travel and compete representing Panama for the Miss Universe 2008 Beauty Pageant to be held Nha Trang, Vietnam, July 13th.

A former a former Elite Model titleholder, Karina Pinilla, 19 years-old was the contest's 1st runner-up. While the 24 years-old Ginelle Saldaña Gonzalez who stands 1.77m tall is the 2nd runner-up and will compete in the Miss Earth 2008 Beauty Contest later this year to be held in the Philippines. And the 3rd-runner and Panama's representative to Miss Tourism Queen International 2009 Beauty Pageant is the 20 years-old Estefania Varela.

'Realmente Bella' was a new name given by the producers of Senorita Panama Beauty Contest to market the pageant in a new direction, after it had been cancelled in 2005 due to low ratings.

The crowning was held behind closed doors with no audience. Only the judges and the production team was allowed inside the studio. A press conference will be held after the show to announce the winner to the media.

Watch the contestants of Realmente Bella 2008 modelling swimwear by Victoria Ruiz:

Pictures & Videos of Mister Switzerland 2008

Click thumbnails to view full-size

The winner of Mister Switzerland Beauty Pageant 2008 (Mister Schweiz) is the 23 year-old and student Stephan Weiler. He will travel and represent his country at Mister World 2008.

Shenise Wong crowned as Miss Singapore Universe 2008

Standing at 1.73m tall, the 26 years-old Shenise Wong (in picture) was crowned as the new Miss Singapore Universe 2008. While Malvina Kang ended up as 1st runner-up and Gayatri Shunmugam is the 2nd runner-up. Completing the beauty contest finalists were Alyssa Kokilah, Mandy Soong, Geraldene Quek, Jade Yip and Valerie Lim.

Shenise will travel and represent her country at the Miss Universe 2008 Beauty Pageant to be held in Vietnam this July.

Miss Universe Slovenia 2008 was Crowned!

The winner of Miss Universe Slovenia 2008 Beauty Pageant was 20 years old beautiful blonde Anamarija Avbelj (in photo) from Likovica, City beating other 31 lovely candidates. Aside from winning a brand new car, Anamarija will also travel and compete in Vietnam for the Miss Universe 2008 Beauty Pageant.

Miss Universe Slovenia 2008 Beauty Contest's 1st runner-up is Vanesa Stefanovski, which is also voted as Miss Photogenic. While Klara Kobe was declared as the 2nd runner-up.

Slovenia just placed at the Miss Universe Beauty Contest's semi-finals last year for the very first time. Will Anamarija Avbelj continue it's good performance at the pageant? Well, congrats and goodluck!

Australia's bet to Miss Universe 2008

Laura Dundovic is a 21-year-old Psychology student from Sydney is this year's representative of Australia for Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant to be held in Vietnam as she was crowned Miss Australia Universe 2008 last night. Michelle McNamee, Miss Queensland and Lauren Gillis, Miss New South Wales was the 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively.

Lauren attributed her victory to her supportive family and boyfriend - who were all in the audience - and hard work, Australia's The Daily Telegraph reported. "I have always worked hard at what I do and that probably paid off tonight" she says.

"It would be great to reach the success of my predecessors, but at the moment I am the over the moon to be here", said the new Australia beauty queen referring to Jennifer Hawkins' success (Jennifer won the Miss Universe title in 2004).

Olympics 2008 Theme by Miss World

Celebrating her 24th birthday, the reigning Miss World 2007 from China Zi Lin Zhang shot a music video for "The World Follows Me", the torch relay song sung by Zhang and other four models for the Beijing Olympics.

"This had been the most special birthday celebration for me. While I was fulfilling my duty as Miss World 2007, I felt myself like an ambassador for the Olympics." Zi Lin said.

During most of her interviews and visits, Zhang says she is always asked questions about the upcoming Games. "There are always gestures of good will when they bring up the topic, and from time to time, there is a strong sense of curiosity. They simply can't associate me with one who has a 12-year experience as an amateur athlete." she says.

Miss Indonesia World 2008 Beauty Pageant

33 candidates competed at the Miss Indonesia World 2008 Beauty Pageant held at the Jakarta Convention Center. Sandra Angelia (in photo) from Jawa Timur won the title and she will travel and represent her country at the Miss World Beauty Pageant 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa this coming December.

Watch Miss Indonesia World 2008 Beauty Pageant Opening Presentation Video:

Philippines' bet to Miss Earth 2008

The Miss Philippines Earth 2008 Beauty Pageant was held last night at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila. A 21-year-old Tourism graduate from Cebu City who also tried her luck and had no successes at the Binibining Pilipinas 2008 beauty pageant (Miss Philippines World, Universe and International) this year was declared the winner. She will be the representative of Philippines in Miss Earth 2008 Beauty Pageant later this year to be held in Pampanga, Philippines.

2008 Miss Philippines-Earth Winners (in photo): Miss Philippines-Eco Tourism - Maria Venus Raj, Miss Philippines-Air - Marie Razel Eguia, Miss Philippines-Earth - Karla Paula Henry, Miss PAGCOR International Tourism Ambassadress - Melanie Felix, Miss Philippines-Water - Marian Michelle Oblea, Miss Philippines-Fire - Ma. Kristelle Lazaro

Watch Miss Philippines-Earth 2008 Beauty Pageant's Opening Number with the 41 Candidates Introduction:

Siara Robertson is Guam's bet to Miss Universe 2008

May 9, 2008. 18 year-old Siara Robertson was crowned as the new Miss Guam Universe 2008 in a beauty pageant held at the Sheraton Hotel of Hagatna, Guam where 14 of the most beautiful girls competed.

After 8 years of absence at the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant, the 1.75 m. tall Siara Robertson will travel and represent Guam again at the pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam, July 14.

Zi Lin Zhang carries the 2008 Olympic Torch!

Amidst the heavy security, speed skating Olympic champion Yang Yang was the first to carry the torch on the southern tropical island of Hainan, with basketball star Yi Jianlian together with the reigning Miss World 2007 from China Zi Lin Zhang (in photo) also made an appearance.

The torch will travel through more than 100 cities and scenic spots in China, including Tibet and Xinjiang where protests have erupted in recent weeks against Chinese rule, heading the Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing on August 8 this year.

Chinese President Hu Jintao voiced confidence that the Games would be a success, "I believe, with the wide participation of the peoples of the world... and support from the international Olympic family, the Beijing Olympics will be an event of high quality"

Zhang, who last year became the first Chinese to win the Miss World event, said she was honoured to have carried the torch. "I wish the distance could have been a bit longer, but I think that if in a lifetime you have the opportunity to have such a short experience, it's enough," the beauty queen said.

Zi lin, who was recently in Ireland, will next travel to New Zealand and then to Cannes, where she will be a special guest at the Cannes Film Festival.

Model - Lisa Lasarus is Miss UK Universe 2008

A professional Welsh fashion model who also participated in several national and international beauty pageants in the past, was crowned Miss UK Universe last night in London, she is Lisa Lasarus. She now be representing her country again in Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant on July 14, in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

Holly Anne Hill and Jamie Williams was the beauty pageant's 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively.

Norway's new pageant exclusive for Miss Universe

Crowned as Miss Norway 2008-2009 and has already participated in the Miss World beauty pageant, Lisa-Mari Moen Junge was not been accepted by the Miss Universe Organization as the Norwegian entry for Miss Universe 2008. The reason is that her successor has already been chosen, Lene Egeli. Click HERE for more info's.

Since Lene must by contract participate in Miss World first, the Froken Norge Organization decided to stage a new and exclusive national pageant for Miss Universe: Norwegian Miss Universe 2008.

As 10 finalists from Froken Norge 2008 beauty pageant were selected to compete, the show will take place on May 31.

Now, Lisa-Mari will travel and represent Norway in Miss International 2008 beauty pageant, in Macao.

New Zealand's bet to Miss World 2008

Kahurangi Taylor is the new representative of New Zealand to Miss World Beauty Pageant 2008 to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa this year. The beauty queen was crowned at Auckland Girls' Grammar School's Dorothy Winstone Centre in Auckland. Kahurangi Taylor is only 16 years old and standing at 1.80m tall.

Miss El Salvador Universe 2008 is Rebeca Moreno!

Crowned Nuestra Belleza El Salvador 2008 (Miss El Salvador Universe) is Rebeca Moreno who stands 5 feet and 2 inches tall as she beat other 14 lovely contestants in a beauty pageant held last May 3, 2008. Rebeca will travel and represent her country at the upcoming Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in Vietnam later this year.

Miss Belarus 2008 was crowned!

In a beauty pageant where 72 beautiful delegates competed, Olga Hizinkova (photo-right), a 21-year old student and model from Vitebsk, was crowned as Miss Belarus 2008 held at the National Palace in Minsk last May 2nd. Olga stands 1.80 m tall and will now travel and represent Belarus at the Miss World 2008 beauty contest next December in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The 18 year old Iakovina Lubova from Minsk was the vice-miss and will travel and represent Belarus in Miss International 2008 Beauty Pageant in Macau, next November.

And if Miss Europe 2008 Beauty Pageant will be held, the 21-year old Anna Shevchenko from Minsk will be representing there as she is Miss Belarus' 2nd run-up.

Karol Stephanie Castillo Pinillos is Miss Peru 2008!

Trujillo, La Libertad's very own Karol Stephanie Castillo Pinillos was crowned last Thursday night in Lima as the new Miss Peru Universe 2008. Karol is an 18 years old student, model and stands 1.82 m tall. She will representing her country at Miss Universe Beauty Pageant 2008, in Vietnam, on July 14.

1st runner-up was Miss Loreto, Giuliana Zevallos, 20 years old and stands 1.81 m tall. The 20 year old Miss Cusco, Claudia Carrasco was declared as the Miss Peru World University. And Miss Peru Continente Americano 2008 is Miss Lima, Jimena Espinoza, 19 years old and stands 1.83 m tall.

Yvette Nsiah is Miss Ghana Universe 2008

Standing at 5 feet, 7 inches tall, the 20 year old Yvette Nsiah has been crowned as Miss Universe Ghana 2008 in Accra, where she stood out the most and was judged the winner after three rounds of keen competition that tested communication skills, intelligence, beauty, elegance and poise.

Daisy Asare Akoto, a student and Joyce Akagbo, a third year student at the Ghana Institute of Journalism, was declared as the 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively.

The beauty pageant was judged by Emma Moisan, Dennis Nii Dodoo Smith, Gerad Boakye, Pearl Amoah (Miss Universe Ghana 1996 & Fashion Designer), and Ronke Nedd. All delegates were dressed in clothing by the Royal Dennis design label and styled by Sleek Cosmetics.

"After weeks of scouting, we are excited to present a remarkable Ghanaian woman, who we are confident, will make a poignant statement for Ghana at the international event. We are looking forward to a strong presence at the Miss Universe Pageant, and commend the judges for selecting a young woman who is indeed the quintessence of Ghanaian femininity" stated by the producers of the Miss Universe Ghana beauty pageant after crowning.

Yvette Nsiah will be representing Ghana at the 2008 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam on July 14. She will join the ranks of other remarkable young women around the globe who have the honour and responsibility of being ambassadors of their respective countries to this international event. Yvette was excited by her victory and has promised to make an impressive showing at the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant.

The Winner of Miss Universe Canada 2008

Standing at 1.77 m. tall, the 25 year old Samantha Tajik was recertly crowned as the new Miss Universe Canada for 2008 title last Monday night in Toronto. Samantha is from Richmond Hill, Ontario, and will now get ready to compete at Miss Universe 2008 Beauty Pageant to be held in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on July 14.

Samantha was originally born in Iran. The new Canadian titleholder moved to Canada when she was 2. Samantha grew up in Vancouver with her parents and younger brother. She then moved to Toronto, where she commenced her modeling career and studied cosmetology.

Sahar Biniaz, who recently represented Canada at the Miss Tourism Queen International 2008 beauty pageant and was the 2nd runner-up, and now, Miss Universe Canada's 1st runner-up.

Rounding out the top 5 were Aleksandra Malkin (2nd runner-up), Lina Lombana (3rd) and Genida Prifti (4th).

Miss Honduras Universe 2008 was Crowned!

21 year old Diana Barrasa was the winner of Miss Honduras Universe 2008 Beauty Pageant which La Prensa, a Honduran newspaper, called "surprising", once the big press favorite, Belgica Arias, had to settle for second place.

A student of Journalism and Communication at Unitec, the new Honduran beauty queen represented Olancho, although she is originally from Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras.

The new Miss Honduras Universe will wear a national costume at the 2008 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant which was designed by Colombian artist Alfredo Rueda and inspired in the Suyapa Virgin.

Hinatea Boosie is Miss Tahiti 2008!

Hinatea Boosie a 20 year old student of Psychology, was crowned Miss Tahiti 2008 last Saturday night, the 26th of April, in the gardens of the Sheraton Hotel Tahiti. She will represent Tahiti at the Miss France 2009 beauty contest in Le Puy du Fou, France, on December 6.

The 19 year old Vaihere Merpaut was declared as the 1st runner-up and she will represent Tahiti at the Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant in the Philippines later this year.

Manavarii Ravetupu, 21 year old is the second runner-up and she will compete at Miss Tourism Queen International 2009 beauty pageant. And it's the first time that Tahiti will compete in the competition next year.

The third runner-up was Vahinetua Flaccadori, 18 year-old, and she is Miss Heiva 2008, she will be representing Tahiti at Miss Asia Pacific 2008 Beauty Pageant.

New Zealand's bet to Miss Universe 2008 Beauty Pageant

Samantha Powell was recently crowned as the new Miss Universe New Zealand 2008 at a beauty pageant held at Auckland. Samantha will represent her country at Miss Universe 2008 Beauty Pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam on July 14.

Miss New Zealand Beauty Pageant 2008's First Runner-Up was Hannah Matthews and Second Runner-Up was Rhonda Grant respectively.

Miss Ukraine 2008 was Crowned!

As twenty six lovely candidates participated at Miss Ukraine 2008 Beauty Pageant, Iryna Zhuravska was declared the new winner. The Beauty Pageant was held at the Ukraine National Palace in Kiev last April 23, 2008.

Iryna will be representing her counrty at the 58th Miss World Beauty Pageant, and will be competing in more than 110 candidates from around the world. Miss World Beauty Pageant will also be held at her country as she will be the host contestant later this October.

The Ukrainian Beauty Queen is only 18 years of age, stands 1.80 m tall and speaks two languages, Ukrainian and perfect English. She was also has been studying choreography for the past 10 years.

Miss Ukraine 2008 Beauty Pageant's 1st runner-up or the "vice miss" is Oksana Ostrovska. The judges of Miss Ukraine 2008 Beauty Pageant includes Olena Franchuk, founder of AntiAIDS Fund, Lilia Kuznetsova, chief of Miss Ukraine national committee, Natasha Korolyova, Russian singer of Ukrainian origin, Miss Ukraine-2007 Ksenia Kuzmenko, Kyiv Mayor’s adviser Kazbek Bektursunov, among others.

Miss Universe 2008 Schedule

Miss Universe Beauty Pageant 2008 in Vietnam to be held on June 15 to July 14, 2008, you have chances to meet more than 80 beautiful contestants all over the world in three main programs, the Final Presentation Show, Dress Reheasal and the Final Coronation Night, yet to mention a series of special events during the campaign in HCMD, Hanoi and Nha Trang.

The Final Coronation Night of Miss Universe Beauty Contest 2008 in Vietnam will be taken place at Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa on July 14, 2008. You can watch the final event to be telecast at NBC as the reigning Miss Universe 2007 titleholder Riyo Mori of Japan relinquish her title.

Beside the Miss Universe title, there are some sub-titles namely: Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality, Best in National Costume and more.

Check out some brief information of special events on June & July:
Events to be held at Ho Chi Minh:
June 16 - Visit HCMC People's Committee & Gala Dinner
June 17 - Shopping Tour, Parade & Gala Dinner
June 18 - Cooking Talent Show, Sight-seeing tour & Welcome dinner
June 19 - Gift Auction
June 20 - Charity Tour & Ao Dai show
June 21 - Sport Talent Show & Fashion Show
June 22 - Miss Universe 2008 National Costume Competition
June 23 - Main Sponsor visit & dinner
June 24 - Music Show

Events to be held at Ha Noi:
June 25 - Parade & Welcome dinner
June 26 - Visit to Vietnam President and Prime Minister & Gift Auction
June 27 - Charity Tour & Embassy dinner
June 28 - Fashion Show
June 29 - Main Sponsor visit & dinner



Events to be held at Nha Trang
June 30 - Visit to Khanh Hoa People's Committee & Welcome dinner
July 01 - Parade & Gala dinner
July 02 - Activities on beach & beach party
July 03 - Main sponsor visit & dinner
July 04 - Gala dinner
July 05 - Gala dinner
July 06 - Gala dinner
July 07 - Gala dinner
July 08 - Judge welcome
July 09 - Miss Universe 2008 Preliminary Presentation Show
July 10 - Gala dinner
July 11 - Gala dinner
July 12 - Gala dinner
July 13 - Pageant dress rehearsal & Gala dinner
July 14 - Miss Universe 2008 Live telecast (Coronation Night) & Coronation Ball

Who will be crowned as the new Miss Universe 2008?

Meet Miss Norway 2008

Lene Egeli (in photo wearing pageant dress), 21 year-old and a professional model from Stavanger, was crowned Froken Norge 2008 (Miss Norway) recently in a beauty pageant televised live on TVNorge. Lene stands 1.78 m tall, was 1st runner-up at the Norwegian Top Model tv show, the country's version of 'America's Next Top Model' created by Tyra Banks. She will be competing in the Miss World 2008 beauty pageant 2008 to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa next December and also in the Miss Universe 2009 beauty contest in a venue and date to be announced soon.

Meanwhile, the representative of Norway to this year's Miss Universe 2008 Beauty Pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam on July 13 is Lisa Mari Moen Junge, who is one of the winners of the Froken Norge 2007 beauty contest. Lisa Marie stands 1.77 m tall and also a professional model from Molde.

The runners-up of this year's Froken Norge 2008 beauty pageant are Marianne Birkedal and Lena Bjornas.

Agustina Quinteros is Miss Argentina 2008

Agustina Quinteros, a 17 year-old, 1.75m tall beauty queen of La Pampa was crowned last Saturday as the new Miss Argentina 2008 at a beauty pageant held at Rio Hondo (Santiago del Estero) where she beated 24 of the most beautiful women of Argentina. Agustina will represent her country at the Miss World 2008 pageant in Kiev, Ukraine, next October.

Runners-up of the Beauty Pageant wearing their exquisite pageant dress were Miss Santiago del Estero, Brenda Gandini (1st), Miss Tucuman, Camila Solorzano (2nd), and Miss Buenos Aires, Yesica Di Vincenzo (3rd).

Completing the 10 finalists were the contestants from La Rioja, Cordoba, Corrientes, San Juan, Salta and Chubut.

The Beauty Pageant was held annualy and organized by Belleza Argentina since 2004, which sends representatives to Miss World, Miss International, Miss Earth, Reina Hispanoamericana, Miss Atlantico International, among others. Delegates of this year's pageant also got the chance to travel Argentina.

* fotos caseras - Winner of Miss Argentina Beauty Pageant 2008

April Jackson: Miss Jamaica Universe 2008

April Jackson, an 18 year-old 6 footer was recently crowned as the new Miss Jamaica Universe 2008.

April was asked by a local news paper on how will she intend to take home the Miss Universe crown for Jamaica? She answered: "I intend to take home the Miss Universe crown by standing out, therefore not only focusing on single aspects of my person based on the judging requirement but focusing on me as a package. The contest carries high requirements which I have begun to familiarize myself and I will therefore need to prepare so that I not only meet these requirements but to exceed them. I plan to bring recognition to our great country by remaining in the spotlight and performing well in all the challenges I would face throughout the month prior to the final day. It would be my duty to show the world why Jamaica is so great and that is because of its people and their ability to make their mark on the world despite being the size of a dot on the map. Most importantly I would be myself and represent our beautiful island with dignity, poise and grace."

The Jamaican Beauty Queen will be representing her country at 2008 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in Vietnam on July 13.

Runners-up of the Miss Jamaica Universe 2008 Beauty Pageant were Doneika Plowright (1st) and Rebecca Silvera (2nd).