0 Pageant Minute: Miss Venezuela 2011--Favorites for the Crown!

Who. Will. Be. Venezuela's. Next. Top...Beauty Queen?

Ciao Vanessa: Miss Venezuela 2010 Vanessa Goncalves, last year, after getting her crown, sash and bouquet

This upcoming Saturday night, October 15th will be the LIVE Finale Telecast of the 59th Annual Miss Venezuela Beauty Pageant. Up until 2009, the pageant-known for its FANTABULOUS excess and over-the-top production numbers, had been held at the huge Poliedro, an indoor sports arena that can hold up to 13,000 people. But this year it will be held at Estudio 1 in the Venevisión Caracas Studios.

Since, 1981, The pageant has been owned by the Cisneros Group with multi-billionaire Gustavo Cisneros as its president. The charismatic Osmel Sousa has been the pageant's director since 1979, and has become known as the "Beauty Pageant Guru" and "Creator of Beautiful Women". Under Sousa's iron-hand/direction, it has accumulated more international beauty pageant titles than any other country in the world: six Miss Universe winners, five Miss World winners, six Miss International winners and one Miss Earth, among many many others. On a personal note, my sister, Rita was a Miss Venezuela contestant back in 1988, representing "Municipio Vargas". Sousa sent her to Ecuador where she also became the "Vireina del Banano" and did quite well representing Venezuela internationally.

Osmel Sousa and the Miss Venezuela 2011 Contestants

On the Final Live Telecast night, there are "official judges"--usually comprised of celebs, actors, former Misses, as well as top Caracas "society" Doyennes. It is pretty widely rumored, however, among pageant circles, that the Miss Venezuela Organization already "pre-picks" who the Top Winners are--meaning the ones who go on to Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International--MONTHS ahead of the final pageant. It makes sense. They know who really is prepared to take the crown since they have been with them for well--a year of training...

Bella Alicia: Miss Venezuela 1995 and Miss Universe 1996, Alicia Machado, being crowned by Miss Universe 1995, USA's Chelsi Smith

Sometimes, however, there are "surprises", like when Alicia Machado won Miss Venezuela 1995. Beauty Pageant "chisme" has it that she wasn't supposed to win but rather another contestant. But the night of the pageant, she won the crowd--and the Miss Venezuela title-- with her natural charisma and non "Pageant Betty" personality. Machado went on to win the Miss Universe 1996 title in Las Vegas and, bring Donald Trump lots of press with her love of chocolate chip cookies and weight gain. But now, back to this year's contest...

Miss Venezuela 2011 Contestants: So...who are the Favorites this year? Twenty-four contestants are vying for the title...so who has Osmel's "eye":

The Favorite and Most-Likely To Win: Irene Sofia Esser Quintero, Miss Sucre. She's only 19 (a baby!) in pageant years, and stands 178 cm (5' 10"). Irene is the clear favorite for the title of Miss Venezuela 2011 to then go on and represent the South American nation in next year's Miss Universe pageant. Interestingly enough, she's the ONLY ONE with a Wikipedia page (are pageant organizers already preparing for her win?).

Future Miss Venezuela for Miss Universe 2012? Irene Esser, Miss Sucre 2011

Irene (pronounced Eee-rainay in Español) is a gorgeous brunette with brown eyes, a great body and an "international" non-Latina surname. I guarantee that she'll have a very nice gown by one of the top Venezuelan designers the night of the final competition. We will see Saturday night.

Second Favorita: Gabriela Ferrari Peirano, Miss Distrito Capital (The Capital City, Caracas) 20 years old and stands 176 cm (about 5' 9"). Dark blond hair and brown eyes. And yes, she's part Italian, darlings. She has that quintessential "Miss Venezuela" look to her. Lots of blond beauties have won internationally for Venezuela (Irene Saez, Miss Universe 1981, Pilin Leon Miss World 1981, etc.). the chisme is that she'll get the First Runner Up or Miss World Venezuela title, and go on to represent her country in the Miss World 2012 Pageant--which occurs in OVER a YEAR from now (lots of time to prepare!).

More Favorites: Miss Yaracuy Osmariel Maholi Villalobos Atencio. Osmariel is a model from Maracaibo (not in the State she is representing) and stands 5' 7". Short for "Miss Venezuela" standards...

But she makes up for it in her rather stunning natural beauty, as seen from her model photos above. I like her sooooo much better in these photos as opposed to the "Official Miss Venezuela" one.

Another Blond: Yes, kids, there are plenty more blonds that might make the Finalista cut on Saturday. According to some of my Missosologist (pageant expert) friends, Miss Carabobo, Isabela Ramos Cano, 21 is a favorite for the Top 5. Not the Winner, not the First Runner Up, but maybe for Miss International, Miss Earth, etc. She's tall--almost 6 feet (5' 11"). She has an AMAZING "Victoria's Secret" Swimsuit Model body (a year of training baby!). And oh, she's gorgeous!

We Need Some Color: Finally, we have Ivany Nayexy Guzmán Herrera, Miss Delta Amacuro. She's another favorite but again, not to take home the Top Crown but one of the "We'll send her abroad to represent Venezuela in some other international pageant". Ivany is ethnic (LOVE that!) and has that mestiza/bi-racial look to her, that is actually very indicative and representative of the fabulous Euro-Black-Indian mix of a lot of the Venezuelan population. She's 22, from Caracas and stands 5' 10".

We'll see who will be the next Miss Venezuela! Stay tuned here on my BLOG because you KNOW I'll be doing my "What Was She Wearing?" Gown Recap!!!!

0 Pageant Minute: Miss Universe 2011--What the Contestants Are Wearing...

Too Many Events...Too Many Outfit Choices...

TV Impression: Miss Universe 2011 Contestants visiting Rede Bandeirantes/Rede Band, a Brazilian television station, based in São Paulo-The "winner" here--in the "daywear" category-- is Miss Paraguay for sure!

The Miss Universe 2011 Pageant has been in full force down in São Paulo, Brazil. As we know (or at least, us the "Pageant Fans" know) the final telecast is two Mondays from now, on September 12th. For the last couple of weeks, the 89 contestants have been attending a very packed itinerary of scheduled events the Miss Universe Organization set up for them. In my BLOG here, I always discuss their Evening Gown choices--for the Official Evening Gown Portraits, Preliminaries and Final Night--since that's what I LOVE to do.

Buddha Dresses: Miss Universe 2011 contestants at Buddha Bar São Paulo--Miss Lebanon and Miss Estonia are my two favorites here

But I thought, why not do a little "discussing" on what they are wearing when they are not in Evening Gown or Swimsuit Competition Mode, during Rehearsals, media junkets, museum visits, sightseeing, nightclubbing...It's always very interesting to see if the contestants who chose proper FAB evening gowns all of a sudden look a TACKY HOT MESS off the evening gown "runway". Or maybe girls who wore very tacky stripper gowns look, well, really directional and chic in their "daywear" choices. So, let's see what some of these Fashionista--and sometimes not-so Fashionista Girls have been wearing...



Let's Begin with "The Five Looks of Vanessa" (and a cute Alyssa for good measure):



Vanessa #1:



"Real Housewives of Miami" Vanessa: Miss Venezuela Vanessa Goncalves, kind of scared me a little bit, with that green Cheetah-print dress featuring tulle/mesh at the neck. I think she is gorgeous, but this outfit makes her look very "Real Housewives of Miami". I also think the "feathered" hair isn't helping things but I know her hairstyle is VERY "Miss Venezuela Organization". Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella (right), on the other hand, wore a simple black jacket, white stretch top and black-and-white skirt to the same event. Her hair and make-up were clean and "fresh". Just from looking at the photos of them above side-by-side, Alyssa looks 21 (she is) yet Vanessa, looks as if she's 38 (she's only 25!).



Vanessa #2:



Daisy Dukes Vanessa: Miss Venezuela Vanessa Goncalves, during one of the rehearsals, wore a knotted red shirt, matching red pumps (of course) and hot denim shorts. One word: DAAANG!!!! And of course, she HAD to accessorize it with big ol' hoop earrings and several necklaces. Let me remind you: This is just the REHEARSALS!!! But she's been taught well: You need to be ON All the Time! J.Lo. would approve (especially the hoop earrings!).



Vanessa #3:



Golden Girl Vanessa: Here is Vanessa during another day of rehearsals, and once again she is "GIVING YOU!". Gold skinny jeans (GOLD!), gold shirt, lots of gold bracelets...It's certainly A LOT OF LOOK! I feel so bad for whoever the poor girl is on the right (next to the choreographer assistant)--the contestant wearing a jacket and printed skirt/dress--NO ONE knows who she is--or cares--when Vanessa is 3 feet away looking like THAT!



Vanessa #4:



Vanessa, Budweiser Girl: In the above photo, Miss Venezuela Vanessa Goncalves (second from the right) is wearing, what's best described as a black bustier and acid-washed jeans with crystals. WITH CRYSTALS...and acid washed!!! Who. Is. Choosing. Her. Outfits??? Dear Lord! Is she a Budweiser Poster Girl from 1998 or the next Miss Universe??? But then...



Vanessa #5:



Vanessa, The Fashion Editor: Vanessa redeems herself and transforms into a chic Upper Class São Paulo Fashion Editor in the look she wore above. How do you go from tacky jeans-and-a-bustier Vegas outfit to...modern drop-crotch pants, great white shirt, FAB peep-toe heels and a Chanel bag?? This look--to me--looks TEN times sexier--and certainly more up-to-date fashion-wise.

Who is the REAL Vanessa Goncalves? I hope #5!! (with a dash of No. 3! He he!)



Let's discuss some of the Contestants in their "Rehearsal Wear":



Sassy Japan: Miss Japan Universe 2011 Maria Kamiyama, seen here during rehearsals. She knows what's up! No sweat pants, no "comfy flats", if she has to compete with the likes of "Daisy Dukes Vanessa" then, it's time to bring out the batwing geometric-printed tunic top, shorty-shorts and stacked heels!! This is how you say "Good Morning Ladies! I'm HERE!!".



Dress Perfect: Miss Paraguay Universe 2011 Alba Riquelme looks perfect in this beige draped dress accented by the black waist tie. Her hair is perfect, she's accessorized just right. This girl knows her style! This may not be a typical "Rehearsals at 6AM" look, but she knows that EVERY minute of the day, these contestants are ON SHOW!



The Pumps Girls: Miss Ghana Universe 2011 Erica Nego (right) looks young and sassy in her jersey romper and nude peep-toes. This is an ideal "rehearsal" look: Stylish but comfy (well maybe not the heels). She just needs some bracelets--maybe Miss Venezuela can lend her some! Also looking good is Miss Germany Valeria Bystritskaia (she sounds like a Figure Skater from Russia!!). Her outfit of red jeggings, black top, black "boyfriend" jacket and black pumps looks contemporary and sexy. I just wished she would have done something with that hair; it looks, well, limp.



Sporty Spice: (Clockwise from top) Netherlands, Belgium, France and Honduras--Some choose cocktail dresses for Rehearsals (Netherlands and Belgium); the shorty-shorts are very popular (Miss France needs to look more "Venezuela-esque", less "I'm-going-to-the-mall") and Honduras, who needs to just go back to her room and change from that brown ensemble!



Best Skirt Award:



Miss Panama Universe Sheldry Saez: I absolutely LOVE this skirt--and the entire way Sheldry put this look together. While visiting the Alianca de Misericordia, a charity that helps children from poor backgrounds and from the streets/favelas, she wore a Mola-inspired skirt showing the wonderful print-work of the Kuna Indian San Blas Islands of Panama,



The "Pretty in Daywear" Award:



Miss Finland Universe 2011 Pia Pakarinen: Here's Pia, looking quite pretty in a lace applique' "baby-doll" dress with poufy cap sleeves and simple hoop earrings at one of the events. She's so stunning that she pretty much could put a Garbage Bag on and still look PRETTY. But just in case: Don't put a garbage bag on Pia!!



Best in Cocktail Hour:



Dominican Republic, Poland, Sweden and USA--Some of their "scheduled events" takes them out to nightclubs around São Paulo and these four ladies look FAB!!



Best at Soccer Museum/Museo de Futebol:



Miss Honduras Universe 2011 Keylin Gomez: Keylin has been a bit of hit-or-miss (like Venezuela) in terms of her outfits but I thought this colorful ensemble she wore to the Visit to the Soccer/Football Museum was all good!!! Love the blue pants, the flora-and-fauna printed top, the brown pumps and the matching clutch. It's Brazil and she is giving you "Fashionista Amazonian Forest Fierce". She could kick a futebol and go out for drinks with one the players in this!



Finally...

Best at Museum Tour:



Bubblegum Caribbean Queen: Miss Bahamas Universe 2011 Anastagia Pierre caught my Fashion Eye when I saw this photo of her in a fuchsia tunic mini dress with white neckline applique' detail, high wedge heels, white clutch and earrings. Even her hair was perfect! Well done Miss Anastagia! Now go back to the hotel and rehearse!!! And make sure you wear a very cute rehearsal outfit! I may be watching...

0 Miss Venezuela 2010: The Evening Gown Wrap-Up: Nick Verreos Picks the "Muy Bueno" and "Oh No!"

Venezuela's Queen of Beauty Is...

Vanessa Goncalves, "Miss Miranda". 5'9", 24 year old Vanessa was crowned last week in a four hour ceremony that for the first time was held in oil-rich Maracaibo, Venezuela. The Miss Venezuela Pageant is famous for being "The International Beauty Factory" since they have had so many Miss Universes (TWO back to back in 2008 and 2009 with Dayana Mendoza and Stefania Fernandez), Miss Worlds, Miss Internationals, and so on.

Pre-Blond: Brunette Vanessa Goncalves, the new Miss Venezuela 2010

I grew up in Caracas, Venezuela and my sister Rita,was a contestant in Miss Venezuela 1988 so I have been a fan of the pageant, well, since "back in the day"! I know all the in's and out's of the pageant (my sis gave me all the dish!) . But many people already know that the pageant is ruled with a firm hand by "Beauty Pageant Czar" Osmel Sousa.

Pre-tan: The new Miss Venezuela 2010, Vanessa Goncalves

He chooses the women to compete each year via castings and then "gives" them the State they will represent so most of the time, the girls do not even hail from the state/region they are representing (there are one or two state contests that then send their winner to the Miss Venezuela). They go through an intense one year training program; there's an in-house Plastic Surgeon, a Dentist, as well as runway and voice coaches. It's SERIOUS!!! It is widely rumored that Sousa also chooses months ahead--if not one year --who the winner will be. He also chooses the gowns that each of "his girls" will wear.

In Their Thrones: Miss Venezuela for Miss Universe 2011 (left) and Miss Venezuela for Miss World 2011 (right)

The Miss Venezuela Pageant has always been famous for its gowns--be it over-the-Haute Couture to over-the-top tacky. But no "Happy Medium", just over the top. And this year, there was no shortage of both. It's a safe bet that whichever girl is wearing the "best gown" will probably win; it's not an accident. I just feel bad for the girls that get the "Oh what the heck is that?" gowns! They MUST know that, well, this ain't their year darling...

Now onto the Miss Venezuela 2010 Evening Gowns:

Blue Queen: One of the best gowns was worn was by The Winner (of course), Vanessa Goncalves, a baby blue silk Habotai multi-layered gown with coral sequin detail and high side slit (of course!) by Designer Gionni Straccia, who has designed the winning gowns for various Miss Venezuela's at the Miss Universe.

The jeweled detail is his "thing" and can also be seen on the gown Stefania Fernandez wore when she won Miss Universe 2009 as well as...

Miss Oklahoma USA 2010 Morgan Elizabeth Woolard, who was First Runner to Miss USA 2010 earlier this year, in this gown by Gionni Straccia.

1984 Overskirt: Miss Amazonas Ivian Sarcos was crowned Miss World Venezuela (First Runner Up) in this silver-gray strapless fitted gown with attached over-skirt by Rex Fabrics Miami (?). The base gown was fine by itself and didn't need that over-skirt but after all, it is the Miss Venezuela, and we must always take it, FIVE steps further. It's a little 1984 for me, but I still somehow liked it! (1984 was a good "Gown Year" I hear!).

It also reminded me of this fuchsia gown worn by Jacqueline Aguilera (from Venezuela of course!), when she was crowned Miss World 1995, which also featured this similar over-skirt silhouette. But again, this was 1995. That's FIFTEEN years ago!

Here's My Leg: My favorite of the entire night--gown and girl--was Miss Monagas--the exotically beautiful Angela Ruiz. She is SO Mestiza Filipina GORGEOUS!!! Pageant fans on the world-wide web argued that maybe she was "too exotic" to win the Miss Venezuela title.

Her blue-green one shoulder gown by Rafael Cennamo was Red Carpet Ready--I could totally see an A-List actress wear this at the Academy Awards--and I could still see her wear it at Miss Universe. Alas, she isn't going. She did make it to the Top 5 at least. How she didn't win is beyond me. Another favorite (gown) of mine was...

Miss Nueva Esparta Melanie Reza Feliz (who was a semi-finalist of course: Hello, pretty gown=Finalist!) in this bubblegum pink column gown with silver details. I'm a sucker for Bubblegum Pink...but NOT this Bubblegum Pink:

Now the Not-So-Bueno: Oh Dear! Miss Sucre Ariana Kuper Osorio sauntered onto the Miss Venezuela 2010 stage in this dress and it was just all about a mess! Needless to say, poor thang didn't even make the Semi-Finals. This silk gazar gown features a lot of Couture-worthy draping, folding and pleating...but maybe TOO MUCH! It was overwhelming and yes, she should have known when she got this dress that possibly she wasn't going to "make the cut".

Red Carpet Not: Another beauty who was "Gown-ill-advised" was Miss Cojedes Eliana Calicchia Arcila. Although in this photo, it doesn't look so bad but trust me kids, it wasn't good! She could barely walk in it (not a good sign) and looked like Big Bird after she got caught in a wind storm. In case you're wondering, yeah, she didn't make the top ten. I bet she doesn't even get to keep the gown (why would you want it?). But there was worse:

It's a Jumpsuit...No, It's A Gown: Miss Dependencias Federales Axel Lopez Aldana takes the "Miss Drag Queen Venezuela Gown Prize", for this concoction that I'm sure every Gay in the room was SCREAMING for (and not in a good way!). I give the designer and her "Nick V. Points" for being SO Camp--and the audacity of her to actually wear it--but seriously: What was she thinking? This is Miss Venezuela for the Miss Universe, not Miss Hot Stripper in Vegas.

See, this is why I LOVE the Miss Venezuela and the gowns! Until next year!