Miss Universe 2014 Contestants (Batch A-D)

The Miss Universe 2014 celebrating it's 63rd edition will be held on January 25 at the U.S. Century Bank Arena at Florida International University in Doral, Miami, Florida, USA. The outgoing Miss Universe 2013, Maria Gabriela Isler will crown her successor at the end of the pageant.

The final telecast will be hosted by Natalie Morales and Thomas Roberts. 88 international candidates will compete for the coveted crown.

MISS UNIVERSE 2014 OFFICIAL DELEGATES (Batch A-D):

Miss Albania Zhaneta Byberi Age: 19 Hometown: Tirana	Miss Angola Zuleica Wilson Age: 21 Hometown: Cabinda
Miss Argentina Valentina Ferrer Age: 23 Hometown: Cordoba	Miss Aruba Digene Zimmerman Age: 23 Hometown: Oranjestad
Miss Australia Tegan Martin Age: 22 Hometown: Newcastle	Miss Austria Julia Furdea Age: 20 Hometown: Linz
Miss Bahamas Tomii Culmer Age: 23 Hometown: Freeport	Miss Belgium Anissa Blondin Age: 23 Hometown: Brussels
Miss Bolivia Claudia Tavel Age: 25 Hometown: Santa Cruz	Miss Brazil Melissa Gurgel Age: 20 Hometown: Maracanau
Miss British Virgin Islands Jaynene Jno Lewis Age: 25 Hometown: Tortola	Miss Bulgaria Kristina Georgieva Age: 22 Hometown: Sofia
Miss Canada Chanel Beckenlehner Age: 26 Hometown: Caledon	Miss Chile Hellen Toncio Age: 20 Hometown: Rancagua
Miss China Karen Hu Yanliang Age: 24 Hometown: Beijing	Miss Colombia Paulina Vega Age: 21 Hometown: Barranquilla
Miss Costa Rica Karina Ramos Age: 21 Hometown: San Jose	Miss Croatia Ivana Mišura Age: 25 Hometown: Zagreb
Miss Curacao Laurien Angelista Age: 27 Hometown: Willemstad	Miss Czech Republic Gabriela Franková Age: 20 Hometown: Brno
Miss Dominican Republic Kimberly Castillo Age: 26 Hometown: Higuey

Miss Universe 2014 Aspirants Batch: A-D | E-I | J-P | R-Z

See Also 63rd Miss Universe Complete Coverage

South Africa's Rolene Strauss crowned Miss World 2014

Early favorite by fans since the candidates arrived in London, Rolene Strauss of South Africa ended to be the winner of Miss World 2014 which took place last December 14 at the Excel Theatre, in London, England. She was crowned by the outgoing winner Megan Young, who also co-hosted the event along with Tim Vincent, Frankie Cena and Steve Douglas.

Completing the top 5, in 2nd place was the delightful surprise from Hungary, Edina Kulcsár, in 3rd place Miss United States, Elizabeth Safrit, followed by Miss England, Carina Tyrrell, who was 4th, and Courtney Thorpe, Miss Australia, in 5th place.

The semi-finalists were India, Koyal Rana, Guyana, Rafieya Husain, Brazil, Julia Gama, Kenya, Idah Nguma, Mexico, Daniela Álvarez, and Thailand, Nonthawan Thongleng.

Quarter-finalists (Top 25) were Bolivia, Andrea Forfori, China PR, Du Yang, Dominican Republic, Dhío Moreno, Indonesia, Maria Sastrayu, Malaysia, Dewi Liana Seriestha, South Sudan, Awien Kuanyin-Agoth, Vietnam, Nguyễn Thị Loan, Finland, Krista Haapalainen, Ghana, Nadia Ntanu, Netherlands, Tatjana Maul, Philippines, Valerie Weigmann, Russia, Anastasia Kostenko, Scotland, Ellie McKeating, Sweden, Olivia Asplund, and Trinidad & Tobago, Sarah Jane Waddell.

Continental Queens of Beauty were:

Africa – South Africa – Rolene Strauss
Americas – United States – Elizabeth Safrit
Asia – India – Koyal Rana
Caribbean – Guyana – Rafieya Husain
Europe – Hungary – Edina Kulcsár
Oceania – Australia – Courtney Thorpe

Special events winners were:

Sports & Fitness – Finland – Krista Haapalainen
Talent – Malaysia – Dewi Liana Seriestha
Top Model – Bosnia & Herzegovina – Isidora Borovčanin
Beach Fashion – Sweden – Olivia Asplund
Multimedia – United States – Elizabeth Safrit

Beauty With a Purpose (5 winners):

Brazil – Julia Gama
Guyana – Rafieya Husain
India – Koyal Rana
Indonesia – Maria Sastrayu
Kenya – Idah Nguma

Rolene is the daughter of a doctor and a nurse. She’s 22 years old and a fourth-year medical student, but put her studies on hold to compete. Interestingly, her childhood dreams were to become Miss South Africa, Miss World and study medicine – apparently all her dreams and goals are coming true! This is South Africa’s third woman to carry the Miss World title.

See Also Miss World 2014 Complete Coverage

Miss World 2014 Panel of Judges

Meet the people who will be responsible for the election of Miss World 2014:

Julia Morley – Chairman and owner of the Miss World Organisation.

Rudy Salles – member of the National Assembly of France.

Jody Reynolds – past president of Variety International and former Red Cross worker during the Vietnam War.

Marsha-Rae Ratcliff – Variety International Board Member who first created the charity’s International Gold Pin Heart Campaign.

Tony Hatch – a legendary English composer for musical theatre and television.

Zhang Zilin – Miss World 2007, from China.

Agbani Darego – Miss World 2001, from Nigeria.

Kaiane Aldorino – Miss World 2009, from Gibraltar (photo).

Azra Akin – Miss World 2002, from Turkey.

* See Also Miss World 2014 Report

Miss World 2014 Christmas Party

The traditional Miss World Christmas party took place at the London Tower Hotel. It was a great time of relaxation and fun for the 121 candidates. Some of them finally met their relatives and national directors. The Top 15 talent finalists performed and then the girls took to the dance floor and danced and sang together.

For Miss Guyana, it was “family night” in Miss World.

Miss Brazil was happy to see their friends and member of the Brazilian organization in London: “My right arm, my team, my friends, ‪MMB family arrived. Very happy, thank you for your support and encouragement always”, she wrote on her Facebook page.

Miss South Africa could not be happier having her mom by her side: “With the woman who taught me how to be a lady. I love you so much Mammie”.

“Merry Christmas from the Miss World Christmas party!”, that’s what Miss England had to tell you all!

Look at what Miss Indonesia had to say: “Had such an amazing time last night at the Christmas dinner with family and friends! So much love for this incredible group of people!”

Miss India was pure joy upon meeting her baby sister: “You know whats really refreshing? Meeting my younger sister after weeks! I had been missing my family so much and I was glad that the Miss World Organization organised a Family & Friends get-together of all contestants!”.

Miss Australia “got adopted” by Miss USA’s mom: “Tonight was the Miss World Christmas Party and all our family and friends were invited. Unfortunately most of the girls, including me, don’t have our families arriving in London until later in the week, so I was very touched and so incredibly grateful to Miss USA’s Mum who gave me a little present tonight… My very own personalised jar of my favourite food in the world, Nutella!”.

This was a great opportunity for the candidates to wear some of their best dresses and have a ball. What a beautiful group of candidates!

Steve Douglas was the host for the night and CEO of MWO Julia Morley was present at the event.

* See Also Miss World 2014 Coverage

Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen wins Miss Vietnam 2014

18 year old Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen from the northern province of Nam Dinh was crowned Miss Vietnam 2014 held last December 6 at the Vinpearl Land in Phu Quoc Island in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang.

Nguyen's is among the youngest contestants in this year's batch and is currently a first-year student of Hanoi Foreign Trade University. It's not yet confirmed if where she will represent Vietnam in an international pageant.

Ariadna Gutiérrez wins Senorita Colombia 2014/2015

20 year old Ariadna Maria Gutierrez Arevalo was crowned Señorita Colombia 2014/2015 at the conclusion of the Concurso Nacional de la Belleza held at the Cartagena de Indias Convention Center on November 17.

Ariadna will represent Colombia in Miss Universe 2015.

The first runner-up was Natalia Ochoa Calle and will compete in Miss International 2015.

Ewa Bozena Mielnicka is Miss Polski 2014

The 25th edition of Miss Polski took place in Krynica-Zdrój, on December 7th, and had as winner contestant number 16, Ewa Bozena Mielnicka, 22, 1.80 m-tall. She is a student of Public Relations from the city of Ostrołęka. Ewa is expected to represent Poland in Miss World 2015.

2nd place went to contestant number 24, Agnieszka Wasilewska, 22, from Torun, and the 3rd position belonged to contestant number 23, Kamila Wasilewska, 19, from Szczecin.

Last year’s winner is currently in London, competing in Miss World, and could not crown her successor.

Several former titleholders were present at a magnificent event held at the city’s Ice Arena. The Miss Polski 2014 was elected at the end of a world-class event produced by Nowa Scena.

Camille Cerf crowned Miss France 2015

Camille Cerf, Miss Nord-Pas-de-Calais is the first woman from her region to be crowned Miss France. She is expected to represent her country in Miss Universe 2014 (which will happen in 2015) and in Miss World 2015.

33 candidates competed in what is one of the best produced national contests on the globe.

The other finalists were Miss Tahiti (1re dauphine), Miss Côte d’Azur (2e dauphine), Miss Aquitaine (3e dauphine) and Miss Alsace (4e dauphine).

Regina Vandysheva crowned Miss Kazakhstan 2014

21 year old Regina Vandysheva was crowned Miss Kazakhstan 2014 at the Palace of the Republic in Almaty on December 2. She will represent Kazakhstan in Miss World 2015 and/or Miss Universe 2015.

Amina Kozhanova and Aidana Kulshymanova finished in second and third place, respectively.

Beauty with a Purpose | Miss World 2014

Miss World 2014 Beauty With a Purpose Gala Dinner took place on the night of November 30 in London. The 10 most outstanding projects for this year were announced, and they are:

* Brazil - Julia Gama

* Guyana - Rafieya Husain

* India - Koyal Rana

* Indonesia - Maria Sastrayu

* Kenya - Idah Nguma

* Bolivia - Andrea Forfori

* England - Carina Tyrrell

* Netherlands - Tatjana Maul

* Philippines - Valerie Weigmann

* South Africa - Rolene Strauss

The auction with gifts taken to London by the 124 candidates also took place, raising over $20 thousand pounds for charities supported by Beauty With a Purpose. In addition to that, Miss World 1953, Denise Perrier of France, donated the trophy she won when elected Miss World, 61 years ago. It was sold for $30 thousand pounds!

The winner of the Beauty with a Purpose will be announced during the final telecast.

See Also: Miss World 2014 Coverage

India's Asha Bhat crowned Miss Supranational 2014

22 year old Asha Bhat from Bhadravathi, India won over 70 stunners from all around the globe with a perfect performance as she was crowned the new Miss Supranational 2014. It was her night, and the title is more than well-deserved. The event took place last December 5 at the Krynica Zdrój’s Ice Arena, in southern Poland. Asha was crowned by the outgoing Miss Supranational 2013, Mutya Johanna Datul from the Philippines.

Close to the title was 1st run-up Miss Thailand, Pla Disramdong. The 2nd run-up was Miss Gabon, Maggaly Nguema. 3rd run-up was Miss USA, Allyn Rose. And finally the 4th run-up position went to Miss Poland, Kasia Krzeszowska.

Continental Queens was also crowned. Miss Supranational Europe was Miss Czech Republic, Jana Zapletalova. Miss Supranational Asia & Oceania was Miss Myanmar, Han Thi. Miss Supranational Africa was Miss Equatorial Guinea, Maria Begona Andeme. and Miss Miss Supranational Americas was Miss Puerto Rico, Barbara Marrero.

The top 10 semi-finalists were Czech Republic, Jana Zapletalova; Myanmar, Han Thi; Puerto Rico, Barbara Marrero; Colombia, Marlyn Mora; and Spain, Celia Garcia.

Completing the top 20 quarter finalists were Miss Argentina, Marisol Arrillaga; Miss Australia, Yvonne Amores; Miss Belarus, Kristina Martsinkevich; Miss Canada, Gabriela Clesca; Miss Chile, Charlotte Molina; Miss Philippines, Yvethe Santiago; Miss Romania, Elena Zama; Miss Sweden, Ida Ovmar; Miss Switzerland, Mylene Clavien, and Miss Trinidad & Tobago, Tinnitia Griffith.

Voted by the candidates as Miss Congeniality was Miss Canada, Gabriella Clesca. Miss Photogenic was Miss Denmark, Angela Lakocevic. Miss Sweden, Ida Ovmar awarded as Miss Bikini. Miss Malaysia, Audrey Loke bagged the Best Smile award. Miss England, Zandra Flores is Miss Elegance. Voted by fans online as Miss Internet was Myanmar's Han Thi. And Miss China, Wei Gu wins Top Model award.

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Krynica Zdroj, Poland to Host Miss Supranational 2014

Top Model & Beach Fashion Challenges | Miss World 2014

The Miss World 2014 pageant's three of the major preliminary events took place in one day at the Royal Fashion Retail Academy: Top Model, in which the girls paraded in cocktail dresses, Beach Fashion, with swimsuits of their own choosing, and Best Evening Gown, in which they walked the runway showing their best gowns.

For Fashion Designer, Miss India, Koyal Rana was the winner, with Dominican Republic, Dhío Moreno in 2nd place and Scotland, Ellie McKeating in 3rd. Miss Paraguay, Myriam Arévalos and Miss France, Flora Coquerel were in the Top 5.

As for Beach Fashion, nothing was announced yet. The finalists and winner will be proclaimed during the live telecast on December 14 at the ExCeL London in London, England.

For the Top Model event, 20 finalists were selected. The winner will also be announced during the live event. Here are the ladies selected as TOP MODEL 20 FINALISTS:

Miss Australia Courtney Thorpe	Miss Bosnia & Herzegovina Isidora Borovčanin
Miss China Du Yang	Miss Croatia Antonija Gogić
Miss Czech Republic Tereza Skoumalová	Miss Dominican Republic Dhio Moreno
Miss France Flora Coquerel	Miss Haiti Carolyn Desert
Miss Hungary Edina Kulcsár	Miss India Koyal Rana
Miss Mexico Daniela Álvarez	Miss Mongolia Battsetseg Turbat
Miss Namibia Brumhilda Ochs	Miss Puerto Rico Génesis Dávila
Miss Russia Anastasia Kostenko	Miss Scotland Ellie McKeating
Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss	Miss South Sudan Awien Kuanyin-Agoth
Miss Turkey Amine Gülşe	Miss Zimbabwe Tendai Hunda

Miss Philippines, Valerie Weigmann talked about her gown’s designer with pride:

“I couldn’t be any prouder of the fact that I wore this magnificent creation for the Miss World Top Model Competition. And what makes it more wonderful is that it was designed by famous Filipino designer, Michael Cinco.”

About placing in 3rd place for Best Gown, Miss Scotland, Ellie McKeating said:

“Placing 3rd out of all of the contestants gowns closely behind Dominican Republic and India in the World Designer Dress award this morning. So proud to walk the catwalk in this beautiful piece by Eleganza Sposa and Siobhan Mackenzie”.

View what's happening at the backstage:

See Also Miss World 2014 Exclusive Coverage