Swimsuit Competition

The contestants of the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant graced Grand Bahama with their presence yesterday for the swimsuit competition, all one step closer to the coveted title.

The 84 beauties, who hailed from various parts of the globe, brought the great lawn at the Our Lucaya Resort to life with a colorful display of designer swimwear, under the theme: “Perfection in Motion”.

A large number of residents turned out to be a part of the historic occasion, as The Bahamas is the smallest country ever to host the world-renowned pageant.

Hosted by musician and radio personality Shelly Carey, and human resources manager Donald Glass, the event opened with remarks from the Director General of Tourism Vernice Walkine, who lauded all Bahamians for their continued support.

“This may be the smallest country to host the event, but we have the biggest heart.” she said.

“The pageant is going exceptionally well and the people of The Bahamas have responded so well to our guests and have welcomed them in grand style.”

Walkine noted that the pageant is a national event not exclusive to Nassau, Paradise Island and the contestants will have an opportunity to visit many islands around The Bahamas to receive a truly Bahamian experience that they will remember for years to come.

Following Walkine’s remarks, president of the Miss Universe Organization Paula Shugart thanked the Grand Bahama community for its hospitality and noted the event was the first time that all of the contestants were together for the pageant.

“I think that there was not a better place to have this swimsuit competition than here in Grand Bahama. The view here is spectacular and I would have a hard time getting the contestants to leave.” Shugart said.

She also revealed that for the first time, the preliminaries of the competition, which begins next week, will be video streamed on the world wide web.

Following her remarks, the first 12 contestants were introduced in alphabetical order by country, to a cheering and excited crowd.

Among the first 12 was Kiara Sherman, the current Miss Bahamas, who ripped the runway in a one-piece, red and white-striped swimsuit. She and the other contestants moved to the beat of Bahamian music played by a live band as crowd members rose to their feet in a frenzy and cheered Sherman on.

Attendee Tanya Cox said that never before has she been so proud of The Bahamas in a beauty competition.

“She really looks good and gives us hope that we can have a fighting chance to win.”

Another crowd member, Derrick Martin, said compared to the other contestants, he was doubtful of Sherman’s ability, but added that after this event, he was confident that she could win.

“There has been a lot of talk about her, but as they say, you have to come to the source,” he said.

“She looks just as good as the rest of the contestants and Bahamians really have to support their own.”

Janice and Debbie Fowler predicated that Miss Bahamas will place in the top 10 at the pageant on August 23. Representatives from The Philippines, Jamaica and the United States also had many supporters at the event.

According to Betty Bethel, general manager of business development in the Ministry of Tourism, The Bahamas will receive international exposure from the competition that will hopefully boost the tourism industry.

“We will receive worldwide exposure as the coverage of Miss Universe reaches many countries and the impact from the fans, staff crew and different families who will follow this pageant will be enormous,” Bethel said.

Before the swimsuit competition, the reigning Miss Universe, Venezuela’s Dayana Mendoza, visited the Garden of the Groves where she shot footage for her final walk that will be aired on NBC during the finals.

Special thanks to Globalbeauties.com for all the snaps of the delegates.

Globalbeauties.com for all the snaps of the delegates.

MISS UNIVERSE 2009, AUGUST 23, 2009

The Miss Universe Pageant, now on its 58th year and as announced by the Miss Universe Organization, it will be held in Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 23, 2009. Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza will be crowning the 58th Miss Universe at the end of this event. About 80 countries, both returning and debuting, are expected to participate in the Miss Universe 2009. Broadcasting of the beauty pageant will be handled by NBC and Telemundo.
All the islands of the Bahamas will receive worldwide exposure this summer when the Bahamas becomes the country with the smallest population to host the annual Miss Universe pageant.
The competition finale will be held against the backdrop of picturesque Paradise Island on August 30. But although Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island is the home of the finale, the Bahamas will give contestants and their cameras every opportunity to explore many of the country’s 700 islands, Minister of Tourism and Aviation Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace guaranteed at a press conference to officially announce the event in the Bahamas.
Minister Vanderpool-Wallace said the plan was never to showcase only Paradise Island and Nassau but to all beauty queens and the entire world to get acquainted with all of the Bahamas. Although Paradise Island is a beautiful island, there are a staggering number of other beautiful islands within the country.

Miss Indonesia for Miss Universe 2009

Miss Indonesia for Miss Universe 2009
Zivanna Letisha Siregar

PROFILES OF THE CONTESTANTS #9

MISS TURKEY UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Begum Kiziltug

Name: Begum Kiziltug
Age: 23
height(cm): 177
Height(ft): 5'9"

MISS TURKS & CAICOS UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Jewel Selver

Name: Jewel Selver
Age:22
Height(cm): 155
Height(ft): 5'1"

MISS UKRAINE UNIVERSE - Miss Christina Kots-Gotlib

Name: Christina Kots-Gotlib
Age: 25
Height(cm): 175
Height(ft): 5'9"

Christina Kots-Gotlib, a 25-year-old model from Donetsk, won the Miss Ukraine Universe 2009 beauty pageant on Feb. 20.

The title of Vice Miss Ukraine Universe went to Anastasia Paperna, the daughter of the famous Ukrainian actress Olga Sumska. The winner, Kots-Gotlib, was the oldest and most experienced contestant, and her self-assured presence on stage conquered the judges.

The judges included Oleksandra Nikolaenko, owner of the pageant and an ex-winner herself, actors Sergey Zhygunov and Svetlana Svetlichnaya, and son of billionaire Donald Trump, Eric Trump.

MISS URUGUAY UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Cintia Dottone

Name: Cintia Dottone
Age: 20
Height(cm): 179
Height(ft): 5'10"

Famous for its beautiful beaches, resorts and casinos, the city of Punta del Este hosted the 2009 Miss Universe Uruguay pageant, which was held at the Salón Montecarlo of the traditional Hotel Corad.

The winner was Cintia Dottone, 20, 1.79 m-tall, from Montevideo. She will represent her country in Miss Universe 2009, later this year.

Her court included Karen Gutiérrez (vice-queen and chosen as Miss Internet), Patricia Callero (first princess), Nadia Teoduloz (second princess), and Rocío Torres (third princess).

MISS USA UNIVERSE 2009 - MISS KRISTEN DALTON

Name: Kristen Dalton
Age: 21
Height(cm): 170
Height(ft): 5'7"

Miss North Carolina USA Kristen Dalton was crowned Miss USA 2009 on Saturday, beating out 50 other beauty queens in the live pageant televised from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

The 21-year-old aspiring motivational speaker from Wilmington edged out first runner-up Miss California USA Carrie Prejean, of San Diego, and second runner-up Miss Arizona USA Alicia-Monique Blanco, of Phoenix.

Contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia competed in the pageant, aired live on NBC. Contestants were judged by their performance in swimsuit and evening gown modeling contests and their responses to a question asked onstage; unlike the rival Miss America pageant, Miss USA contestants do not perform a talent.

The top 15 contestants worked the stage in white string bikinis designed by pop star Jessica Simpson's swimwear line. Rocker Kevin Rudolf performed his song "Let it Rock," followed by The Veronicas, who performed their single "Untouched" as the top 10 beauties showed off their choice of glittering evening gowns.

Dalton's title comes with a year's use of a New York apartment, a public relations team, a two-year scholarship at the New York Film Academy and an undisclosed salary.

She also will go to the Bahamas in August to compete in the Miss Universe pageant, where American beauties haven't been lucky in recent years. Both Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart and her predecessor, Rachel Smith, wiped out on stage during the evening gown competition, becoming accidental YouTube stars.

MISS VIETNAM UNIVERSE 2009 - VO HOANG YEN

Name: Võ Hoàng Yến
Age: 21
Height(cm): 179
Height(ft): 5'10"

Vo Hoang Yen (photo), a 21-year old model and student from Ho Chi Minh City -who stands 1.79 m in height- has been elected by the Hoan Vu Company to represent Vietnam at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant to take place in the Bahamas on August 23rd.

MISS VENEZUELA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Stefania Fernandez

Name: Stefania Fernandez
Age:18
Height(cm): 178
Height(ft): 5'10"

MISS ZAMBIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Andella Chileshe Matthews

Name: Andella Chileshe Matthews
Age: 21
Height(cm): 178
Height(ft): 5'10"

PROFILES OF THE CONTESTANTS #8

MISS SINGAPORE UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Rachel Kum

Name: Rachael Kum
Age: 24
Height(cm): 170
Height(ft): 5' 7"

Rachael Kum, a beautiful 24 year-old, was crowned Miss Singapore 2009 during the pageant held on 9th May 2009, at Shangri-La Hotel's Island Ballroom.

A new beauty queen, who a manager in the medical industry and stands 172 cm tall, will represent this tiny Asian state at the Miss Universe beauty pageant.

Miss Universe 2009, the 58th Miss Universe beauty pageant, will be held at the Atlantis Paradise Island, in Nassau, Bahamas on August 23, 2009. Dayana Mendoza, from Venezuela, winner of Miss Universe 2008, will crown her successor in the event.

MISS SLOVAK REPUBLIC UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Denisa Mendrejova

Name: Denisa Mendrejova
Age: 23
Height(cm): 177
Height(ft):

Denisa Mendrejová (Photo, center), a 23-year old student of Economics, was crowned Miss Universe Slovak Republic 2009 at an event held in Bratislava on March 29th.

Denisa, a model, stands 1.75 m tall and will represent her country at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in Paradise Island, Bahamas, next August.

The 1st runner-up was Lea Sindlerova (L). She will represent Slovakia at the Miss Earth 2009 in Manila, Philippines, in November.

MISS SLOVENIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Mirela Korac

Name: Mirela Korac
Age: 22
Height(cm): 171
Height(ft): 5'7"

Mirela Korac, 22 years old, is the new Miss Universe Slovenia 2009.

She will now represent Slovenia in Miss Universe 2009.

1st RU is Aida Muratovic 2nd RU is Rebeka Pevec.

MISS SOUTH AFRICA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Tatum Keshwar

Name: Tatum Keshwar
Age: 24
Height(cm): 181
Height(ft): 5' 11"

24-year old Tatum Keshwar won the title of Miss South Africa 2008 during an event held in Johannesburg on December 15th.

The 1st runner-up was Anja van Zyl, and the 2nd runner-up was Buyisiwe Shongwe. Completing the Top 5 were Cara Burger and Michelle Gildenhuys.

Tatum, a professional model, was a contestant on the third season of the reality modeling competition Revlon Supermodel, which aired on SABC3 from November to December, 2007.

She stands 1.81 m tall and will represent South Africa at the Miss Universe 2009 and Miss World 2009 pageants.

MISS SPAIN UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Estibaliz Pereira

Name: Estibaliz Pereira
Age: 22
Height(cm): 181 cm
Height(ft): 5' 11.5"

Miss A Coruña, Estibaliz Pereira (23, center) was crowned Miss Spain 2009 during the annual event held this time in Cancun, Mexico, on July 19th. The model and student of Fashion Design stands 1.81 m tall and will represent Spain at the Miss Universe and Miss World 2009 pageants.

The 1st runner-up was Miss Granada (Carmen García), who will represent Spain in Miss Europe 2009; and the 2nd runner-up was Miss Jaen (Alejandra Echevarría) who will compete in Miss International 2009 to take place in Japan and Macau.

Completing the Top 6 were the contestants from Sevilla, Málaga and Córdoba.

MISS ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES - Miss Ronique Dellimore

Name: Ronique Dellimore
Age: 24
Height(cm): 169
Height(ft):

When she was a child, Ronique Dellimore was a “tomboy”. But look at her now, she’s a beauty queen who will represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Miss Universe Contest 2009.

MISS SWEDEN UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Renate Cerljen

Name: Renate Cerljen
Age: 21
Height(cm): 175 cm
Height(ft): 5'9"

21-year-old Renate Cerljen, who stands 175 cm, won the Miss Universe Sweden 2009 title last night.

The 1st RU was Michaela Savic and the 2nd RU was Alexandra Rydeström.

Renate will now represent Sweden in Miss Universe 2009.




MISS SWITZERLAND UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Whitney Toyloy
Name: Whitney Toyloy
Age:18
Height(cm): 178
Heighr(ft):5' 10"

In Lugano, SWITZERLAND. The beauty stand 177 cm-18 year old, Whitney Toyloy of Yverdon, crowned in new Miss Switzerland 2008. (Yverdon is a city located in the French-speaking portion of Switzerland.)

Whitney, who is the daughter of an American father, will represent Switzerland in Miss Universe 2009 Beauty Contest.

MISS THAILAND UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Chutima Durongdej

Name: Chutima Durongdej
Age: 23
Height(cm): 177
Hieht(ft): 5'10"

Chutima Durongdej, a 23-year old student of Business Management in City University, London, was crowned Miss Thailand Universe 2009 on March 28th. The event has held at the Bangkok Convention Center Hall and was telecast live to the whole country.

Chutima stands 177 cm in height. During her studies in the United Kingdom, She participated in the Miss London and Miss Wimberdon pageants, where she won the 2nd runner-up and 1st runner-up positions respectively.

She was also in the top 20 of Britain's Next Top Model, in 2006. She will represent Thailand at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas.

Meanwhile, 19 year-old Rujinand Pansritum finished as first runner-up and will represent Thailand at Miss Earth 2009. Completing the court are runner-ups Ratakorn Sathirabhut, Chonthicha Subpaiboonlerd, and Kedmolee Rojanapradit.

MISS TANZANIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Illuminata James

Name: Illuminata James
Age: 23
Height(cm): 180
Height(ft):5'11"

Illuminata James (photo, center) w as crowned the winner of the Miss Universe Tanzania 2009 beauty contest held at the Milmani Conference Center on Saturday. She will represent the country at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas, August 23rd.

The 1st and 2nd runner-ups were Evelyne Almasi and Hidaya Maheda, respectively.

PROFILES OF THE CONTESTANTS #7

MISS NORTHERN MARIANAS - Miss Sorene A. Maratita

Name: Sorene A. Maratita
Age: 18
Height(cm): 168
Height(ft): 5'6"

A fresh graduate of Saipan Southern High School reaped most of the special awards on her way to winning the crown in the 2008 Miss Marianas Universe pageant, besting four other contestants during coronation night on Saturday at Palms Resort Saipan.

Sorene A. Maratita brought home fabulous prizes including $1,000 cash and $1,000 scholarship from the organizing Stellar Marianas, one year use of a brand new car from Triple J Motors, a cell phone from PTI, gift certificates and one-year supplies of other products.

More importantly, this 18-year-old fan of supermodel Tyra Banks gave herself a once-in-a-lifetime chance to represent the CNMI both in the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant and Miss International Pageant-all-expense paid courtesy of Northwest Airlines.

Maratita won three of the six special awards-Miss Photogenic, Stellar Award and Best in National Costume.

MISS NORWAY UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Eli Landa

Name: Eli Landa
Age: 25
Height(cm): 176
Height(ft): 5'9"


Eli, who stands 1.76 m tall, will compete at the 2009 Miss Universe Beauty Contest next August at the Atlantis Paradise Island, in Nassau, Bahamas.

MISS PANAMA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Diana Patricia Broce

Name: Diana Patricia Broce
Age: 22
Height(cm): 170
Height(ft): 5'7"

Crowned as the Miss Universe representative was 22-year old Diana Patricia Broce , from Los Santos. The 1.70 m former carnival queen holds a degree in finances and will compete at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas, next August.

Miss Perú Universo 2009 - Karen Schwarz Espinoza

Name: Karen Schwarz Espinoza
Age: 24
Height(cm): 178
Height(ft): 5'10"

Karen Schwarz Espinoza is Beauty Queen Miss Perú Universo 2009. She will complete at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant on August 23, 2009 in Atlantis Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas.

MISS PHILIPPINES UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Pamela Bianca MANALO

Name: Pamela Bianca MANALO
Age: 22
Height(cm): 178
Height(ft): 5'10"

Manalo won several other awards – the Best in Swimsuit award, after which she also got a sponsor's honor, the Manila Bulletin Readers' Choice Award.

Manalo, a 22-year-old native of Manila, is an Advertising graduate of the Assumption College who now works as a flight attendant. She will represent the country at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas.

MISS POLAND UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Angelika Jakubowska

Name: Angelika Jakubowska
Age: 19
Height(cm): 176
Height(ft): 5'9"

Angelika Jakubowska (19, 1.76 m.) from Lubania, was crowned Miss Polonia 2008. The beauty Angelika will represent Poland at the Miss Universe 2009 Contest.

MISS PUERTO RICO UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Mayra Matos

Name: Mayra Matos
Age: 20
Height(cm): 180
Height(ft): 5'10"

During a live televised ceremony, SAN JUAN, held October 22nd, 2008. Mayra Matos, a 20-year old student of Literature representing Cabo Rojo, was crowned Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2009.

Matos, who is also a professional model, stands 1.80 m tall and will represent Puerto Rico at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant next summer.

MISS ROMANIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Elena Bianca Constantin

Name: Elena Bianca Contantin

Age: 20

Height(cm): 174

Height(ft): 5'8"

Elena Bianca Constantin (L) is crowned Miss Universe Romania by Dayana Mendoza from Venezuela (R) in Bucharest June 27, 2009. Constantin, 20, will represent Romania at the Miss Universe beauty pageant due to be held in Paradise Island, Bahamas, on August 23, 2009. REUTERS / Radu Sigheti

MISS RUSSIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Sofia Rudyeva

Name: Sofia Rudyeva
Age: 18
Height(cm): 178
Height(ft): 6' 0"

Sofia Rudyeva is expected to represent Russia at the Miss Universe 2009 contest in The Bahamas.

MISS SERBIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Dragana Atlija

Name: Dragana Atlija
Age: 21
Height(cm): 180
Height(ft): 5' 9"

PROFILES OF THE CONTESTANTS #6

MISS LEBANON UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Rosarita Tawil

Name: Rosarita Tawil
Age: 20
Height(cm): 178
Height(ft): 5'7"

Beirut, Lebanon - Miss Lebanon 2008 is Rosarita Tawil. She will represent Lebanon in Miss World 2008, and possibly in Miss Universe 2009.

MISS LUXEMBURG UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Diana Nilles

Name: Diana Nilles
Age: 20
Height(cm):
Height(ft):

Diana is studying English Literature and Drama Studies at the Royal Holloway University in London. She will represent Luxembourg in the Miss Universe 2009 contests.

MISS MALAYSIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Belle Ng Li Vun

Name: Belle Ng Li Vun
Age: 21
Height(cm): 174
Height(ft): 5' 8"

Miss Malaysia Universe 2009 Joanne Belle Ng Li Vun (21, center) poses with first runner-up Cassandra Patrick (L) and second runner-up Claudia Tania Sibert (R) during the Miss Malaysia Universe 2009 contest in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 30 May 2009.

Joanne Belle Ng Li Vun, standing 1.74 m tall, will represent Malaysia at the Miss Universe pageant at the Bahamas on 23 August 2009. EPA/STR

MISS MAURITIUS UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Anais Veerapatren

Name: Anais Veerapatren
Age: 22
Height(cm): 183
Height(ft): 6'0"

Miss Mauritius 2008 will be held on September 26, 2008. The Winner will represent Mauritius in Miss Tourism Queen International 2009, Miss Universe 2009 and Miss World 2009.

MISS MEXICO UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Karla Carrillo

Name: Karla Carrillo
Age: 21
Height(cm): 176
Height(ft): 5'9"

In 2008, the 15th anniversary of Nuestra Belleza Mexico, a beauty contest telecast live from the Monterrey Arena in Nuevo Leon, a beauty stand 1.76 m tall 20 years old, Karla Maria Carrillo Gonzalez was crowned the new Miss Mexico 2008 ( or Nuestra Belleza Mexico 2008). She, a student of graphic design from Guadalajara (Jalisco), will represent her country at Miss Universe 2009.

MISS MONTENEGRO UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Ana Jovanovic

Name: Ana Jovanovic
Age: 19
Height(cm): 183
Height(ft): 5'11"


Ana Jovanovic who stands 1.83 m tall and native of Budva. She will represent the country during the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in August at Bahamas.

MISS NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Katie Taylor

Name: Katie Taylor
Age: 22
Height(cm): 175
Height(ft): 5'9"


Miss Universe New Zealand 2009 beauty pageant was held on Saturday, 25th of April in Levin. A beautiful 22 year-old Katie Taylor, Miss Southern First National, was crowned Miss Universe New Zealand 2009.

The beauty queen 2009 will represent her country in Miss Universe 2009 beauty pageant at the Atlantis Paradise Island, in Nassau, Bahamas on August 23, 2009.

MISS NETHERLANDS UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Avalon-Chanel Weyzig

Name: Avalon-Chanel Weyzig
Age: 20
Height(cm): 169
Heght(ft): 5'8"

Avalon-Chanel Weyzig, a 20-year old model, was crowned Miss Universe Netherlands 2009 during an event held on June 27th.

The 1.69 m beauty will now represent her country at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in Nassau, Bahamas, next August.

The runner-ups were Stephanie Bos and Stevie Hartmann. This year's contest was organized by former Miss Netherlands Kim Kotter.

MISS NICARAGUA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Indiana Sánchez

Name:Indiana Sánchez
Age: 21
Height(cm): 174
Height(ft): 5'10"

Indiana Sánchez was crowned the most beautiful woman in Nicaragua. 16 contestants competed for the title, previously held by Thelma Rodríguez .

She will represent Nicaragua in Miss Universe 2009 contest to be held in Bahamas.

MISS NIGERIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Sandra Otohwo

Name: Sandra Otohwo
Age: 20
Height(cm): 173
Height(ft): 5'8"

Sandra Otohwo was named Miss MBGN Universe 2009 and will represent her coumtry at Miss Universe 2009 beauty contest at the Atlantis Paradise Island, in Nassau, Bahamas on August 23, 2009.