Miss Russia 2011 Official Candidates

Miss Russia 2011 beauty pageant will be held on March 5 in Moscow. The outgoing Miss Russia 2010, Irina Antonenko (photo above) will crown her successor during the contest.

The winner will represent Russia in Miss Universe 2011 beauty pageant to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil on September 12.

Meet Miss Russia 2011 Contestants:

Anastasia, Khimki (Анастасия, Химки)	Christina Ussuriysk (Кристина, Уссурийск)	Elvin, Republic of Tatarstan (Эльвина, республика Татарстан)
Jeanne, Voronezh (Жанна, Воронеж)	Xenia, Barrow (Ксения, Курган)	Violetta, Yakutsk (Виолетта, Якутск)
Xenia, Sochi (Ксения, Сочи)	Alexander, Orekhovo-Zuevo (Александра, Орехово-Зуево)	Alain, Chita (Алена, Чита)
Alina, the republic of Mari El (Алина, республика Марий Эл)	Alice, Korolev (Алиса, Королев)	Anastasia, the Izhevsk (Анастасия, Ижевск)
Anastasia, Krasnoyarsk (Анастасия, Красноярск)	Anastasia Samara (Анастасия, Самара)	Anna, Ulan-Ude (Анна, Улан-Удэ)
Victoria, Vologda Region (Виктория, Вологодская область)	Victoria, Saint-Petersburg (Виктория, Санкт-Петербург)	Darya Volga (Дарья, Волжский)
Daria, Khabarovsk (Дарья, Хабаровск)	Eugene, Veliky Novgorod (Евгения, Великий Новгород)	Evgeny, Chelyabinsk (Евгения, Челябинск)
Catherine, Volgograd (Екатерина, Волгоград)	Ekaterina, Kazan (Екатерина, Казань)	Catherine Eagle (Екатерина, Орел)
Catherine, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (Екатерина, Южно-Сахалинск)	Catherine, Yaroslavl (Екатерина, Ярославль)	Elizabeth, Irkutsk (Елизавета, Иркутск)
Elizabeth, Tula region (Елизавета, Тульская область)	Irina, Lipetsk (Ирина, Липецк)	Irina Saratov (Ирина, Саратов)
Irina, Tula (Ирина, Тула)	Xenia, Kaliningrad (Ксения, Калининград)	Xenia, Novokuznetsk (Ксения, Новокузнецк)
Xenia, Novorossiysk (Ксения, Новороссийск)	Laura, Tver (Лаура, Тверь)	Margarita, Tambov (Маргарита, Тамбов)
Maria, Nizhny Novgorod (Мария, Нижний Новгород)	Maria, Pyatigorsk (Мария, Пятигорск)	Hope, Cheboksary (Надежда, Чебоксары)
Natalia, Moscow (Наталья, Москва)	Natalia, Republic of Khakassia (Наталья, республика Хакасия)	Olga, Vladivostok (Ольга, Владивосток)
Pauline, Rostov-na-Donu (Полина, Ростов-на-Дону)	Pauline, Togliatti (Полина, Тольятти)	Regina, Petrozavodsk (Регина, Петрозаводск)
Renata, Obninsk (Рената, Обнинск)	Stella, Vladikavkaz (Стэлла, Владикавказ)	Tatiana, Yoshkar-Ola (Татьяна, Йошкар-Ола)
Ella, Tyumen (Элла, Тюмень)	Yan, Novosibirsk (Яна, Новосибирск)

* Natalya Kantemurova wins

Binibining Pilipinas 2011 Talent Competition

The talent competition of Bb. Pilipinas 2011 beauty pageant take place on February 25 at the Ali Mall in Cubao, Quezon City.

Watch videos during the talent competition:

Playlist:
01 - All Candidates, Reigning Queens and Judges
02 - Zephora Mayon aka Zara Aldana singing "Cry" (Mandy Moore)
03 - Angelia Ong singing "Reflection" (Mulan)
04 - Tina Marasigan singing "Stop" (Spice Girls)
05 - Queenie Rehman playing the guitar, singing "Hinahanap hanap kita" (Eraserheads) and beat boxing
06 - Jenette Noguchi singing a Broadway musical song
07 - Luzelle Felipe playing the guitar and singing
08 - Shamcey Supsup drawing
09 - Janine Tuganon ballet dancing
10 - Diane Necio baton twirling
11 - Camille Alexis Baltazar singing "Para sa akin" (Sitti)
12 - Sarah Clenci hip-hop dancing
13 - Ladylyn Riva cultural dancing (Alembong)

* Photo courtesy of Missosology
* Videos courtesy of OPMB

* Bb. Pilipinas 2011 Contestants
* Roxanne Cabanero kicked out of Bb. Pilipinas 2011
* Watch the Primer / Preliminary
* Coronation Night: Special Awards | Top 15 Finalists | Winners
* Watch the Coronation Night Live Stream

Mister France is Jonathan Duforestel, Mr. Picardie

25 year old Mister Picardie, Jonathan Duforestel was named as the new Mister France 2011 in a male beauty pageant held on February 24. He was awarded by Anthony Garcia, Mister France 2010.

Jonathan Duforestel works as a salesman and dreams to become a fashion model and actor.

1st run-up was Mister Alsace, Sebastien Bucher and 2nd run-up was Mister Limousin, Valentin Lucas.

Mister France 2011, Jonathan Duforestel


1st run-up, Sebastien Bucher


2nd run-up, Valentin Lucas

Watch Videos

* Mister France 2011 Contestants

Homeless & Jobless Blair Griffith, Miss Colorado USA 2011

Recently crowned Miss Colorado USA 2011, Blair Griffith has been homeless for several months. Moreover, she is going to be jobless next month. However, she will still represent Colorado in Miss USA 2011 beauty pageant according to Colorado’s 9News reports.

The 23 year old beauty queen together with her mother were evicted from their home last November — a month after winning the pageant. They’re staying with a family friend after a series of setbacks, including her mother’s heart attack and major surgery that caused financial troubles.

What’s more, Blair Griffith, a magna cum laude graduate of the Art Institute of Colorado, will be out of a job next month. She works at Saks Fifth Avenue, and the store is closing. Still, she keeps herself composed.

“I hope people will see this and realize, ‘Wow, she is a real person,’ or ‘Hey, I didn’t think there was someone out there going through something similar to me,” said Griffith.

It was her father who encouraged Griffith to take a shot at beauty pageants when she was younger. His early death from prostate cancer encouraged her to enter the Miss Colorado Teen USA. After much persistence, she paved the road for her future success by winning on her fourth try.

Blair Griffith will compete in the Miss USA competition in June 19.

Watch Video of Blair Griffith story:

* Miss Colorado USA 2011 winner is Blair Griffith

Pia Pakarinen | Miss Suomi 2011 Finalist

Miss Finland 2011 Beauty Pageant
Miss Suomi 2011 Contestants

Pia Pakarinen

Age: 20

Home town: I'm from Juuka, currently live in Joensuu.

Length: 170 cm

Weight: 52 kg

Strategic Dimensions: 88-63-92

Marital status: dating.

Hobbies: Gym, cooking, interior design and outdoor activities.

Best feature: Sirous, classic beauty.

What would you change your looks matter? Length could be set for a few more.

What do you dream? That I would be happy and fulfilled life. That all areas of my life would be in balance. Family, work, hobbies, health.

My motto: Do not dream your life but live your dream

Greetings from the voters: To vote and follow missejä; we have for you! Have a happy spring to all!

* Back to Miss Suomi 2011 Candidates

Helena Riihitupa | Miss Suomi 2011 Finalist

Miss Finland 2011 Beauty Pageant
Miss Suomi 2011 Contestants

Helena Riihitupa

Age: 19

Home town: Nokia

Length: 168 cm

Weight: 55 kg

Strategic Dimensions: 90-65-94

Marital status: dating.

Work / profession: I'll substitute in elementary school, public relations work and occasional model work.

Hobbies: Painting and Sport in its various forms.
Top side: Enthusiasm and openness to new things and challenges.

The worst side: the morning sleepiness.

What are the best of your looks? Blue eyes and long hair, which increase has taken a lot of time.

What would you change your looks matter? I have you to myself, and I enjoy kropassani, but a few cents, although I could move the thigh length.

Worst met? Big phone bills.

What do you dream? I dream about future training of the corresponding profession. Permitting the life I dream of our own family.

My motto: Today's winners are the ones who decided to try again.

Greetings from the voters: I thank and salute!

* Back to Miss Suomi 2011 Candidates

Ennileena Siitonen | Miss Suomi 2011 Finalist

Miss Finland 2011 Beauty Pageant
Miss Suomi 2011 Contestants

Ennileena Siitonen

Age: 21

Home town: Vantaa

Length: 175 cm

Weight: 57 kg

Strategic Dimensions: 90-66-92

Marital status: Single.

Employment / occupation: barber salon.

Hobbies: Horse riding, aerobics, gym. I also like singing.

Best feature: Sociability, hilarity, and dash.

Worst feature: It is when the stress.

What are the best of your looks? Face, smile and eyes.

Worst habit: Nail biting and sähläys.

What kind of things you'll lose your nerve? Hurry.

What is the Drastic thing you've done in your life? This race, I must admit.

What do you dream? Good job where I can take myself and be happy. Children, family, good man.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? Social, creative and good work, and wonderful children as a mother.

My motto: Live sählää!

Greetings from the voters: Love!

* Back to Miss Suomi 2011 Candidates

Niina Lavonen | Miss Suomi 2011 Finalists

Miss Finland 2011 Beauty Pageant
Miss Suomi 2011 Contestants

Niina Lavonen

Age: 22

Home town: Pori

Length: 175 cm

Weight: 56 kg

Strategic Dimensions: 92-65-92

Job / Occupation: Grocery store, bank.

Hobbies: Jogging, swimming, gym.

Best feature: Cheerfulness, energetic.

Worst feature: volatility.

Worst habit: Swear, sometimes accidentally.

What kind of things you'll lose your nerve? Ilkeistä people.

What are the best of your looks? Bum, smile.

What would you change your looks matter? I want to be shapely, so I'm skinny.

What is the Drastic thing you've done in your life? Took a tattoo.

What do you dream? The big house and family. Meaningful work.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? Progressing through their careers.

* Back to Miss Suomi 2011 Candidates

Rita Aaltolahti | Miss Suomi 2011 Finalist

Miss Finland 2011 Beauty Pageant
Miss Suomi 2011 Contestants

Rita Aaltolahti

Age: 23

Place of residence: Turku

Length: 170 cm

Weight: 50 kg

Strategic Dimensions: 85-65-92

Marital status: dating

Employment / occupation: hairdresser

Interests: Clothing design, sewing, cooking, reading and sports.

Best feature: Social my nature. I am also a vivacious and energetic pack.

What are the best of your looks? Long blond hair, which are entirely their own. Entity.

What is the Drastic thing you've done in your life? I took the Plan through a two-year-old goddaughter in the Philippines.

What do you dream? I dream that someday I get to visit the goddaughter visiting the Philippines. I dream of the title of Miss Finland and happy life.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? I hope that was a hairdresser, a teacher. I also hope that the stage was a successful model and beauty queen. Perhekin probably be found.

My motto: Always full!

* Back to Miss Suomi 2011 Candidates

Sara Sieppi | Miss Suomi 2011 Finalist

Miss Finland 2011 Beauty Pageant
Miss Suomi 2011 Contestants

Sara Sieppi

Age: 19

Place of residence: Oulu

Length: 173 cm

Weight: 58 kg

Strategic Dimensions: 91-65-94

Marital status: Single.

Work / Profession: Salesperson.

Hobbies: Jogging and gym.

Best feature: Positiveness. I try to always think of things positively.

Worst feature: Äkkipikaisuus. Sometimes I might make it too äkkipikaisia decisions.

What are the best of your looks? Blue eyes.

What would you change your looks matter? I'd like a couple of centimeters in length.

Worst habit: delicatessen.

What kind of things you'll lose your nerve? Things that do not happen on time, as well as non-plow roads. : D

What is the Drastic thing you've done in your life? Participation in this competition.

What do you dream? I could live in a healthy and happy throughout my life. I dream to travel, because I want to see the world.

What do streets of the most in your life? I do not now anything. Sure, there are things in my life where I'd be able to do more, such as matriculation.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? I hope that I have a wonderful husband and children. I'm working on, which I enjoy.

My motto: Seize the moment. Cliche but so apt.

* Back to Miss Suomi 2011 Candidates

Iina Pyymaki | Miss Suomi 2011 Finalist

Miss Finland 2011 Beauty Pageant
Miss Suomi 2011 Contestants

Iina Pyymaki

Age: 23

Home town: Lahti, Finland

Length: 175 cm

Weight: 61 kg

Strategic Dimensions: 93-69-94

Job / Occupation: Fitness Club.

Hobbies: Horse, dog, hobby, gym.

Best feature: empathy, sociability and cheerfulness.

Worst feature: Temperamenttisuus.

What are the best of your looks? Long legs, beautiful eyes and face shape.

What would you change your looks matter? The waist should be getting a bit off and the teeth should be straightened.

Worst habit: Leaving the dishes at home lying on the pond. : D

What kind of things you'll lose your nerve? If someone has to ask people to do things many times and nothing still happens.

What do you dream? A happy life and health of their loved ones as well.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? So far it is impossible to say anything.

* Back to Miss Suomi 2011 Candidates

Linnea Aaltonen | Miss Suomi 2011 Finalist

Miss Finland 2011 Beauty Pageant
Miss Suomi 2011 Contestants

Linnea Aaltonen

Age: 23

Home town: Espoo, Finland

Length: 169 cm

Weight: 50 kg

Strategic Dimensions: 89-64-86

Marital status: dating.

Job / Occupation: Student, model pages nights.

Interests: Sports and the arts. In addition, I like to dance in particular.

Best feature: I am a happy and friendly person.

What are the best of your looks? Big and brown eyes.

What would you change your looks matter? Scar on the knee I would miss.

What kind of things you'll lose your nerve? Injustice.

What is the Drastic thing you've done in your life? I left the Miss Tourism International 2010 competition in Malaysia, just one week's notice.

What do you dream? Happy future.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? Own field work, a landscape architect.

My motto: Live the moment.

* Back to Miss Suomi 2011 Candidates

Nina Mikkonen | Miss Suomi 2011 Finalist

Miss Finland 2011 Beauty Pageant
Miss Suomi 2011 Contestants

Nina Mikkonen

Age: 22

Home town: Kuopio, Siilinjärvi

Length: 173 cm

Weight: 58 kg

Strategic Dimensions: 92-66-93

Marital status: Single.

Workplace: Cosmetics Seller and advice. commercial sector student.

Interests: Latinotanssi, running, gym, reading and writing.

Best feature: A positive, cheerful and friendly character. Witted and esiintymistaitoinen, purposeful.

What are the best of your looks? Beautiful smile and feminine, well-proportioned body, exotic appearance.

Worst habit: Small Dimensions.

What kind of things you'll lose your nerve? Dishonesty and disrespectful behavior.

What is the Drastic thing you've done in your life? Participated in the Miss Finland contest.

What do you dream? Healthy, happy life. I hope I can in the future of their own beauty and health-related business.

What do streets of the most in your life? I do not regret anything, because I'm left to take the bold dreams.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? As an entrepreneur, a beauty and health.

My motto: Nothing is impossible if you are willing to work hard enough in front of her dreams.

* Back to Miss Suomi 2011 Candidates

Eva Ekvall recovering from Breast Cancer

Former Miss Venezuela 2000 and 4th run-up at Miss Universe 2001, Eva Ekvall recently battling and now a breast cancer survivor.

Venezuela is a country obsessed by glamour few women here go without makeup, yet the Eva Ekvall who features in a new book of photographs looks, in her own words, "not pretty at all".

Eva launch her own book entitled Fuera de Foco (Out of Focus), chronicles her experience battle with breast cancer, a gruelling eight-month regime of chemotherapy, radiation and mastectomy. It has broken taboos about female beauty and moved breasts from the realm of aesthetics to that of health and disease.

"The pictures were very shocking because nobody had ever seen me that way. Nobody had seen me bald, without makeup," said Ekvall, now recovered and sporting gamine-style short hair. "So I knew they would be shocking."

The beauty queen has become an outspoken advocate for a cancer awareness group, SenosAyuda, and is credited with a reported surge in women seeking breast examinations.

She was diagnosed with advanced cancer last February and completed treatment in October. She had noticed a lump in her breast months earlier but attributed it to her pregnancy. "I was very angry [when diagnosed] because I should have known. My aunt had breast cancer twice and my grandmother died from breast cancer. And I just let time go."

After her pageant years, Eva Ekvall became an established TV news anchor, said Venezuelan women rushed to get cosmetic surgery but needed encouragement to get mammograms.

"There's a huge taboo around breast cancer. But in this country people get their boobs done every day so I don't understand how breast cancer can be a problem when everybody's showing their breasts."

Her blunt and in some places breezy description of the disease, mastectomy and reconstructive surgery has made the book a bestseller in just two months and attracted a media spotlight.

"When I got sick and knew my breasts were sick it's like I didn't want them any more. I wasn't fond of them. I was angry at them. So getting rid of them, even though it was horrible because I had all these scars, meant I felt better.

"Getting a mastectomy is not what I'd planned for my life, it's not what I wanted to happen. But I'm lucky enough to have had reconstruction."

Unlike the character played by Laura Linney in the US TV series The Big C, Ekvall told friends and family about the diagnosis and continued as normal fronting Venevision's daily news bulletin.

Most viewers, however, remained unaware because the former model wore a wig and makeup. "It's painful to look at yourself in the mirror. Your face gets swollen. You lose every single hair in your body – your eyebrows, your eyelashes. You become some weird animal or something, you don't recognise yourself. That was scary. Especially because my job has to do with my looks. I had to look decent and not appear sick."

She accepted a suggestion from a prominent Venezuelan photographer, Roberto Mata, to chronicle the treatment and life at home with her newborn daughter and husband. "In the beginning I wasn't sure if I looked good or not. Then I realised that wasn't the point. I wasn't supposed to look good, I had cancer."

As a teenager Ekvall never considered herself beautiful. The daughter of an American father and Jamaican mother, she was working in a Caracas clothes store when spotted and courted by a modelling agency scout.

"To me that was ridiculous. I thought I was overweight. I just couldn't be a model. But one day I got fired so I took a cab and went to the modelling agency. Once they saw me … they said they had the next Miss Venezuela right there."

Ekvall, a journalism graduate, wrote the book's text, tinged with dark humour, based on emails to friends and family and memories prompted by the photographs. She thought it would "end the story". Instead it started a new chapter and avalanches of interviews, tweets and commentary.

Even so, Ekvall's conviction that things happen for a reason has been shaken. "Now I do think that some things just happen out of nowhere." The disease has gone but may return, she said. "That's the fear you live with for the rest of your life after you get cancer. But I made sure I told my story."

Eva Ekvall in the hospital

* Related Articles: Eva Ekvall dies in Cancer at the age of 28