Miss International Queen 2012 Candidates

The 8th Miss International Queen pageant will be held on November 2 at the Tiffany's Show Theater in Pattaya, Thailand.

This annual international contest offers great opportunities for transgenders from around the world to present their individual beauty and intelligence in a friendly atmosphere. It is the most prestigious competition for transsexuals.

The winner will receive USD 10,000, trophy, Thai mobile phone and other sponsor's prize package. She will also be accommodated at the apartment in Woodlands Hotel & Resort during her reign with an elite access to Tiffany's Show Pattaya.

MEET THE 22 OFFICIAL CONTESTANTS:

Miss Singapore Marla Vera	Miss Russia Veronika
Miss Philippines Kevin Balot	Miss USA Ruby Bella Cruz
Miss Venezuela Noa Herrera	Miss Turkey Deniz
Miss Thailand Panvilas Mongkol	Miss Angola Imanni Da Silva
Miss Philippines Miriam Jimenez	Miss Nicaragua Berdien Lavyeska Diedrish Blandino
Miss Japan Tukishima Beni	Miss Spain Nikki Normanson Y Mascenon
Miss Guam Matrica Mae Centino	Miss Indonesia Leha Angel Lelga
Miss Brazil Bianca Gold	Miss Japan Yuki Tachibana
Miss Philippines Michelle Montecarlo	Miss Mexico Morgana
Miss Romania Tanja	Miss Philippines Stefania Cruz
Miss USA Sunny Dee-Lite	Miss Brazil Jessika Simoes

* Kevin Balot wins Miss International Queen 2012
* Watch Videos

Japan wins Miss International 2012 in Japan

Another hometown advantage following the crowning of Miss China as Miss World 2012 in China, Miss Japan, Ikumi Yoshimatsu won the very first title for her country as Miss International 2012 during the 5-hour pageant held at the Budokan Martial Arts Hall in Okinawa, Japan last October 21.

Close to the title was the 1st run-up Viivi Suominen from Finland. 2nd run-up position went to Sri Lanka's Madusha Mayadunne. The 3rd run-up was Melody Mir of the Dominican Republic. And finally, Paraguay's Nicole Huber placed as the 4th run-up.

Completing the top 15 finalists were Rafaela Butarelli (Brazil), Melissa Varon (Colombia), Anedie Azael (Haiti), Rochelle Maria Rao (India), Jessica Garcia Formenti (Mexico), Paulina Malulu (Namibia), Nicole Schmitz (Philippines), Alize Lily Mounter (United Kingdom), Amanda Renee Delgado (USA) and Blanca Aljibes (Venezuela).

Ameeksha Dilchand from Mauritius voted by her co-candidates as this year's Miss Friendship. Miss Photogenic was Ikumi Yoshimatsu of Japan. Miss Talent was Miss Russia Ekaterina Meglinskaia. Best in National Costume award was won by Honduras' Nicole Velasquez. Voted by fans online was Nang Khin Zay Yar of Myanmar received the Miss Internet crystal trophy. And Miss Haiti Anedie Azael wins Miss JOICEF award.

The contest was webcast live by Ustream.

* Visit Miss International 2012 Special Coverage

Avionne Mark wins Miss Trinidad & Tobago Universe 2012

The stunning Avionne Mark from San Juan won the title of Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe 2012 during the conclusion of a pageant took place last October 21 at the National Academy for Performing Arts in Port of Spain.

Finished as 1st run-up was Mauricia De Peza. The 2nd run-up was Ria Da Costa. Crowd favorite Sarah Jane Waddell ended as the 3rd run-up. And finally, Jessica Didier finished as 4th run-up.

23 year old Avionne stands 5'9.5" tall. She is currently a student at the University of the West Indies and working as a professional model.

Mark will travel to the USA to compete at the upcoming Miss Universe 2012 on December 19 to be held at the PH Live, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

* Top 10 of Miss Trinidad & Tobago Universe 2012

Anastasia Chernova wins Miss Ukraine Universe 2012

19 year old Anastasia Chernova from Kharkiv won the title of Miss Ukraine Universe 2012 which took place last October 18 in Kiev.

Standing 5'9.5" tall, Anastasia will represent Ukraine in Miss Universe 2012 on December 19 at the PH Live, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Singh as the new Miss Universe India 2012; Rautela Dethroned!

Sushmita Sen together with "I am She", organizers of Miss Universe India, announced last October 17 that the winner of this year’s pageant Urvashi Rautela (crowned Miss Universe India 2012) was dethroned due to conflicts that risk her participation in the Miss Universe contest.

An official press release sent by the organization stated the following:

"We would like to announce Urvashi Rautela’s relinquishment of her title “I am She – Miss Universe India 2012″ to Shilpa Singh, who was crowned “I am She – Miss Globe International 2012″.

Shilpa Singh will now represent India at the Miss Universe Pageant to be held in Las Vegas on December 19 at the PH Live, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The afore stated relinquishment is due to Urvashi’s contradicting contracts as the winner and titleholder of the pageant “Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International”, a fact which she unfortunately overlooked during her participation on I am She 2012.

Urvashi further acknowledges and agrees that she did not confirm the minimum age criteria as required under the I am She pageant as well as the Miss Universe pageant.

Urvashi was born in February 25, 1994. Miss Universe rules state that competitors have to be at least 18 years of age by February 1st.

Panel of Judges - Miss International 2012

The panel of selected judges to pick the winner of Miss International 2012 on October 21 at the Okinawa Prefectural Budokan Arena Building, Naha in Okinawa, Japan.

Hiroko Sho

Public Interest Incorporated Foundation for Okinawa Cultural Promotion
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University councillor
Okinawa Service Prize Winner, The Order of the Saced Treasure Winner

Teruko Kubota

Graduate of Kubota Teruko Charm School
UNESCO Association in Okinawa Vice Chairperson
Judge for beauty pageants in different local municipalities

Yasuyo Kaneko

Chief Executive Officer, C’BON Corporation,Ltd.
Judge

Akiko Santo

The House Councillors member
LDT House of Councillors member
Former Deputy Chairperson

Yuki Ikenobo

The next Head Master, Kado-Ikebnobo
Japan Ikebana Art Association
Vice Chairperson

Yasumine Satake

Chairman of Public Interest Incorporated
Association for Japan Opera Promotion
Judge

Toshihiko Hirosaki

Ask Planning Center Co., Ltd. CEO
Work to stimulate regional economies and urban regeneration

Akio Nishizaki

WAO corporation Co.,Ltd. CEO, Film Director
Engage in educational projects
Promoting Japanese sub-culture to the world.

Junko Koshino

Fashion Designer
Starting off with ’78 the Paris Collection, became leading designer in the fashion field and has won numerous prizes

Akemi Shimomura

Beauty Analyst, Shape Up House Co.,Ltd. CEO
Miss Paris School Chairperson
Japan New Business Conferences Vice Chairperson

Marlene Villela-Talbott

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of The Republic of Honduras to Japan
Competed in Miss International 1977 representing Honduras

Hiroko Sasaki Kumon

Yamano college of Aesthetics Visiting Professor
Beauty Analyst
Top 15 Finalists in Miss International 1967 representing Japan

Maria Fernanda Cornejo

Miss International 2011 from Ecuador
Model, Student of Nutrition

Takashi Tajima

Special Advisor, Kokusai Bunka Kyokai
International Cultural Association
Judge

Hirofumi Hashimoto

President, Miss International Beauty Pageant
International Cultural Association Chairman
Member of “52nd Miss International World Competition in Okinawa” Host Committee

* See Miss International 2012 Special Coverage

Nikolina Bocic resigns as Miss Serbia 2012

Crowned as Miss Srbije 2012 last October 6 and was supposed to represent Serbia in Miss World 2013, 24 year old Nikolina Bocic has given up the crown claiming that she was married to Canadian tennis player Frank Dancevic.

"Miss Yu", organizers of the pageant stated to the public that Nikolina willfully gave up her title and is no longer Miss Serbia. Her reasons for resignation were -as explained in a letter- that she does not meet the requirements and would not be able to fulfill the duties of Miss Serbia.

Organizers did not confirm if her abdication is related to claims about her being married. They also explained that they have an obligation with UK-based Miss World Limited and they have certain regulations to follow. At the moment, they are having meetings with runners-up Alexandra Doknic and Ana Vrcelj, and other girls from the Top 10, to see who is willing and best fit to wear the Miss Serbia 2012 crown

Organizers said that although by rule, the crown should go to the runner-up, there are a lot of things at stake like work, university, family, among other factors.

The new Miss Serbia will be announced during a live TV press conference on Sunday, October 21. The new winner will then travel to Jakarta, Indonesia to enter the Miss World 2013 competition.

Who won Miss Globe International 2012?

The Miss Globe International 2012 pageant took place last October 15 at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Nicosia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus where 40 international beauties competed for the crown.

Stunning Miss Brazil, Jakelyne De Oliveira was held as this year's winner. Followed by the 1st run-up Miss Belarus, and 2nd run-up Anara Temirtasova from Kazakhstan. Delegates from Guinea and Ukraine completed the top 5 finalists.

Miss International 2012 Live Streaming Online

The crowning of the 52nd Miss International will be held on October 21, 2012 live at the Okinawa Prefectural Budokan Arena Building, Naha in Okinawa, Japan where 69 of the most beautiful and intelligent women vie for the coveted title.

Witness as the reigning titleholder, Ecuador's Fernanda Cornejo pass her crown to the new winner. Watch the live streaming online of Miss International 2012 pageant. October 21 at 5:00pm. (Visit Miss International 2012 Special Coverage)

Who won Miss Universe Botswana 2012?

19 year old Sheillah Molelekwa won the title and the crown of Miss Universe Botswana 2012 during a beauty pageant held last October 14 at the Gaborone International Conference Centre.

Ended as the 1st run-up place was Katlego Masilo, while the 2nd run-up position went to Vuyelwa Mngqibisa.

As the new titleholder, Sheillah will travel to Las Vegas, Nevada in United States to compete and represent her country at the upcoming Miss Universe 2012 competition this coming December to be held at the Theatre for the Performing Arts in Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

Miss Universe Ethiopia 2012: Helen Getachew

22 year old Helen Getachew won the title of Miss Universe Ethiopia 2012 during the conclusion of a pageant which took place on October 12 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Addis Ababa.

Helen stands 5'9.5" tall and she will be the official entry of Ethiopia in the upcoming Miss Universe 2012 contest to be held at the Theatre for the Performing Arts, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on December 19.

Gifty Ofori wins Miss Universe Ghana

The Miss Universe Ghana 2012 took place last October 13 at the Accra International Conference Centre. Stunning 24 year old Gifty Ofori eventually crowned as the new winner.

Finished as 1st run-up was Donna Cofie and 2nd run-up was Zakia Kunge.

Standing 5'8" tall, Gifty from Accra will travel to Las Vegas, Nevada USA to represent Ghana in the upcoming Miss Universe 2012 on December 19 to be held at the Theatre for the Performing Arts in Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.