A year in review (a GB special)

The year that is about to end has presented pageant fans with 6 beautiful and unquestionable Grand Slam winners, however, in most cases, the greatest pageants in the world lacked in excitement, originality and glamour. Let’s see the ups and downs of a very intensive year:

January/February

- As usual, the first international beauty queen to be crowned in the year was the International Queen of Coffee, and the winner was Sofinel Baez of the Dominican Republic. Baez would later compete in Miss Supranational 2011, placing among the top 20 semi-finalists.
- After a few years relegated to cable tv stations, Miss America returned to ABC and made it the #1 non-sports network in the time period it was broadcast. The winner was 17-year-old Teresa Scanlan of Nebraska.
- Miss World Alexandria Mills visited Malaysia and Philippines to launch new national pageants for MW finals. For the first time the Philippines was to have an exclusive event for Miss World.
- When visiting India, Miss Universe 2010 Jimena Navarrete did not have many good things to say about her experience. A video published on the MU Official Website stirred some controversy and complains, mostly from Indian fans.
- Miss Universe 1974, Amparo Muñoz of Spain, died in the end of February. Considered one of the most beautiful winners ever, Muñoz was an actress and was the focus of controversies several times.

March/April

- An earthquake and tsunami struck Japan on March 12th and had a profound impact all over the world. Former Miss Universe Riyo Mori worked restlessly to help the victims.
- Miss and Mister World visited Korea to launch the all new Miss World Korea pageant. The new Miss World Singapore pageant was also launched in March, with the presence of Miss World Alexandria Mills and her runner-ups.

May/June

- Mariana Notarangelo of Brazil was crowned Miss Global Beauty 2011 in Seoul, Korea. Notarangelo had already conquered another important beauty title one year earlier: International Queen of Coffee 2010.
- Ximena Navarrete participated in the draw of the U-17 men’s Soccer World Cup in Mexico City. Mexico hosted the event later in the year.
- When Nelly Kamwelu was crowned Miss Universe Tanzania 2011, probably not even she knew the marathon she had ahead: the Tanzanian beauty queen participated in Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Earth, and Miss Tourism Queen International. In the last one, she got her best result: 4th runner-up.
- Stunning Alyssa Campanella from California confirmed her favoritism and was the winner of Miss USA 2011 pageant. The event was the best national pageant of the year, and perhaps, the best pageant of the year. It was innovative, modern, exciting. Unfortunately such great changes were not carried to Miss Universe, frustrating the pageant world.

July/August

- Brazil’s Silvia Novais, a former Miss Universe São Paulo, was the winner of Miss Italy in the World 2011 contest. The pageant happened in Reggio di Calabria, Italy, and was telecast in over 140 countries by RAI International.
- Miss Universe Brazil 2011, Priscila Machado, was crowned under thunderous booing because of nude photos and allegations that the pageant had been rigged. It was the beginning of a long controversy.
- Monika Lewczuk of Poland was crowned the 3rd Miss Supranational 2011. Although competing at home, Monika had been a favorite since the very beginning. Once again, Miss Supranational showed one of the best pageant television productions of the year, with a stunning stage and strong group of candidates. On the other hand, its must improve its scrip, one of the cheesiest of the year: “Oh, let’s take a shower together to preserve our planet?” – Nahhh.
- Global Beauties promoted the election of the Most Beautiful Miss Universe (1951-2010), showing photos and details of the pageant’s history, year after year. The winner was Russia’s Oxana Fedorova, ironically, the only Miss Universe winner to have been dethroned (2002).

September/October

- Leila Lopes of Angola was crowned Miss Universe 2011 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She was the first black African to win the title in 12 years. If Lopes’ election was unquestionable, there were many complains about Miss Brazil placing 3rd, especially after her topless photos scandal, and an overall lousy production, which resulted in the lowest tv audience in the US in all history. Deborah Henry of Malaysia, a top favorite for the crown, failed to make the cut, shocking fans everywhere. Miss Great Britain, a former Miss International 2nd runner-up, and Miss Trinidad & Tobago, a former Miss World 2nd runner-up, also failed to make the cut. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, MUO did not invite most former titleholders for the final event, as expected by fans. On a brighter note, hosts Natalie Morales and Andy Cohen delivered it perfectly, and the pageant had consistent media coverage and high tv ratings in the host country.
- Agnieszka Miszkiewicz of Poland was crowned Miss Bikini International 2011. The pageant was held in Sanya, China.
- South Sudan crowned Atong Demach as its first national beauty queen after becoming the world’s newest independent nation. Demach was expected to compete in Miss World 2011, however, the British government did not issue her an entrance visa, a problem which also affected other 8 Miss World candidates this year.
- Orihuela, Spain, hosted the Miss Intercontinental 2011 contest, and the winner came from the United States: Jessica Hartman, a former Miss USA Colorado and Miss USA runner-up.
- Mofya Chisenga of Zambia, 4th runner-up in Miss Tourism Queen 2005, died when giving birth to her first child at the age of 28.
- Miss Asia Pacific World got world headlines after a shameful first, and hopefully last edition. GB uncovered it all, while another website appeared as its sponsor, promoted it and tried to hide the whole truth from the pageant community. Read the whole story.
- Two 2011 Miss Universe candidates succeeded in the America’s most prestigious beauty contests: Eva van Putten of Curaçao won the Hispanic-American Queen2011 title, in Bolivia, while Ecuador’s Claudia Schiess was crowned Miss American Continent, competing at home.
- Tamara Almeida, Miss World Brazil 2008, nearly died when competing in the Hispanic-American Queen contest, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, due to her diabetes complication. Although she was not able to compete, Almeida returned to her home country and has fully recovered.
- Thailand stepped back from hosting Miss Earth 2011, blaming the flooding affecting the country for the decision. However, not long after, Thailand announced it would host Mister International 2011, as it did successfully. Miss Earth had to return to the Philippines.
- China’s John Chen was the winner of Manhunt International 2011, which this year was hosted by Korea.

November/December

- Miss International 2011 is Ecuador’s Maria Fernanda Cornejo Alfaro, who won the first ever Grand Slam title for her country in Chengdu. Having moved from Japan to China, Miss International recovered some of its glamour, with much more elaborated productions and extensive press coverage. Miss International’s stage was one of the most original of the year.
- After 16 years, a Venezuelan was crowned Miss World again. Ivian Sarcos confirmed her favoritism and bagged the crown in London, England. It was Venezuela’s 6th title. Miss World innovated with a new formula, presenting 30 quarter-finalists, 15 semi-finalists and seven finalists, and an exciting leader board. However, fans still miss some actual runway competition on stage, as in the old good times. Jason Cook, Angela Chow, Steve Douglas were brilliant hosting the event, by far the one watched live in most countries last year (around 150).
- 21-year-old Sevcan Yasar, Model of Turkey, was crowned Miss Model of the World during the 23rd anniversary of the event held November 26th at the Shenzhen Splendid China Folk Culture Village, in China.
- Miss Ecuador, 23-year old Olga Alava, was crowned Miss Earth 2011 on December 3rd, during an event held at the University of the Philippines Theatre. In less than one month, Ecuador won 2 Grand Slam titles, its two first in history. Miss Taiwan, the big favorite, stopped in the Top 16, while Miss Philippines, the hometown girl who many doubted would be a semi-finalist, finished in an unbelievable 3rd place, causing protests even from the fanatic Filipino fans. Miss Earth started out really well a decade ago, with some unique elements and very original portions, like the way the semi-finalists were interviewed. However, in the last few years it became a cheap copy of Miss Universe, losing identity. We hope it will get it together again from next year on.
- Sixty-three international beauties competed to be the I Miss Yacht Model International, in Haikou, China. The winner was Miss Belarus, Inna Hrabouskaya, 19, 1.80 m-tall. The event was a success, and will return in 2012.
- Fiji’s Alisi Rabukawaqa was the winner of Miss South Pacific 2011, which happened in Samoa.
- Cesar Curti won the 2nd Mister International title for Brazil, in Bangkok, Thailand.
- American beauties won two international titles in December: April Lufriu was crowned Mrs. World 2011, and Siria Yasabel Bojorguez won the World Miss University 2011 title, in Korea.
- Eva Ekvall, Miss Venezuela and 3rd runner-up at Miss Universe 2001, died after a long battle against cancer. Her death shocked and shook the pageant world.
- Kantapat Peeradachainarin of Thailand won the last Grand Slam title of the year: Miss Tourism Queen 2011. Xi’an, China, was the perfect host city for the event, which in 2010 did not happen due to natural disasters. The pageant returned with full strength, with great pre-pageant activities and a beautifully produced final event, watched by millions of people in mainland China.
- Venezuela was proclaimed “Country of the Year” by Global Beauties for the 5th consecutive year. Philippines was 2nd, and Brazil 3rd.
- The last pageant of the year will happen on the evening of the 31st, Miss Tourism International 2011.

He he, chửi xéo pà Tanzania kìa : cuối cùng cũng cán đích ở vị trí thứ 4 ở MTGI. Chửi xéo ME nữa : copy MU nên GB hok thèm đưa tin như trước, ngay cái banner cũng hem có.