Khanh Hoa determined to host Miss Universe 2008

With support from related quarters, Khanh Hoa will surely host next year’s Miss Universe successfully, said Nguyen Chien Thang, acting Vice Chairman of the province People’s Committee, in a recent interview.

Mr. Chien said though the estimated total cost of VND240billion for hosting the beauty pageant was quite a high price, it would all pay off in the end. Businesses directly in charge of hosting the event, CIAT and Viet CEO, will cover all costs, while provincial authorities will help to ensure such things as traffic safety, diplomacy and reception issues.

He also said construction works necessary to turn Cam Ranh Airport into an international airport would soon be carried out, and this would contribute greatly to meeting the Miss Universe organisation’s infrastructure requirements. Khanh Hoa province has also requested that CIAT and Viet CEO prove their financial and other relevant capacities before the submission of the final plan to the PM.

Sources: Vietnam Net Bridge and Nong Thon Ngay Nay

Miss Herts to represent UK in Japan

An Aldenham teenager has been chosen to represent the UK in the Miss International beauty pageant in Japan.

Samantha Freedman was crowned Miss Hertfordshire earlier in the year and came fifth in the 2007 Miss England competition.

The 18-year-old, who is currently studying an art foundation course at Kingston University, said: "I am very honoured to be chosen because it is such a massive event."

Miss Freedman will travel to Japan and tour China.

Source: Newsquest Media Group

It's not Bollywood but Hollywood for me: Miss India World

New Delhi, Sept. 13 (PTI): Unlike most of the former beauty queens who end up straight in Bollywood after winning the crown, Sarah Jane Dias, Femina Miss India-World, 2007 wants to make it big in Hollywood.

"I am not really interested in Bollywood. What attracts me is Hollywood," she says while speaking on the sidelines of a golf championship in the capital.

Former Channel V jockey and a golf enthusiast, Sarah says that she is looking forward to a career similar to Persis Khambatta, 1965 Miss India winner who entered Hollywood and did some good movies, the most famous being the Star Trek series.

Talking about the Miss world pageant to be held in China this November, she adds, "I am really looking forward to the event. I would be there for a month and my birthday which is on December 3 makes it all the more interesting since the final results would be announced on December 1. Winning the crown is what I would like to gift myself."

While other beauty queens might just maintain a strict diet, Sarah gorges on chocolates. "I love chocolate and hence I can't say no when it comes to them. But I make sure I work out more the day I eat them," she says.

"Besides the regular weights, I also do cardio, yoga and even kick-boxing which keeps me fit," she says with a tinge of childishness bursting out as she explains how fit she is.

Source: Hindu News Update Service

She's hot property, thanks to her COOL CURVES

By Avis Wong

A GROWING, young woman undergoes many transformations, so goes a Chinese saying.

For television host Andrea Fonseka, her transformation is not just striking, it is jaw-dropping and life-changing.

The Miss Malaysia Universe 2004 has gone from a pudgy 66kg to a svelte 57.5kg.

And her new figure has helped her gain a foothold in the local showbiz scene.

She said: 'It's a lot harder to break into the industry if you don't conform to the standards of beauty, and I'm able to do that now because I've lost weight.'

Andrea's weight loss is thanks to Marie France Bodyline, which unveiled her as its new spokesman in a press conference yesterday.

Since last year, the 23-year-old has also been the celebrity spokesman for Marie France Bodyline in Malaysia.

The 1.76m-tall beauty queen was 77kg at her heaviest when she was 17. She weighed 66kg when she won the Miss Malaysia Universe crown three years ago, which drew flak from her countrymen.

'When I was growing up, I was always very big, I was big-boned.

'Ever since puberty, I've always been really heavy... 66kg was the lightest I've ever been in my adult life and when you lose 11kg, you think you look really hot. So I joined the pageant and I won,' she said.

After that, Andrea came to Singapore to do her law degree at the National University of Singapore and is currently in her final year.

'I had hosting gigs (during my time here) but I could never model, and I could never hit the big time like I've always dreamed of doing,' she admitted.

But now, offers are flooding in.

Andrea is currently hosting Channel 5's reality singing contest Live The Dream alongside MTV VJ Utt and actress-host Michelle Chia.

She is also best known as the spontaneous briefcase babe No 10 on popular local game show Deal Or No Deal.

Since July, she has been signed on to talent management agency Tinsel Entertainment.

While Andrea is grateful for the opportunities knocking at her door, she is facing problems of a different kind - dating difficulties.

'When I was 77kg, I had a small problem (getting a date). At 66kg, I had no problems. Now I only have the problem of (meeting) sincere guys.

'Maybe it's because I'm coming out to the world, but now I see more (guys with) ulterior motives,' she said.

SUPERFICIAL WORLD

It's inevitable though, as Andrea acknowledged that 'we do live in a superficial world'.

Andrea had her first boyfriend at 18. She admitted that she has been through 'four and a half' relationships and that her last relationship ended last year.

'Half (a relationship) because I thought he was my boyfriend but I wasn't his girlfriend,' she joked.

None of her boyfriends then had minded her weight.

'They thought I was attractive. I think it had to do with the fact that I have always been a really confident girl,' she said.

In return, Andrea doesn't mind big guys either.

'My first boyfriend was fat. He was 1.92m and weighed 120kg... I think girls are a lot less superficial than guys.'

She likes guys with 'a sense of humour, nice eyes, charm, good breath, no body odour and someone who gets along with me.'

And strangely, Andrea has a weakness for bald guys. 'I'm hosting a gig with Chris Daughtry, I'm so excited. I have a thing for bald guys. I'm a rocker chick,' she said, her eyes brightening up at the mention of the rocker from American Idol 5.

Meanwhile, Andrea is just happy to embrace every project that comes her way - but don't expect her to be easily defeated.

'I have been through a lot worse when I was Miss Malaysia, it's going to take a hell of a lot to bring me down here,' she said.

Source: The Electric New Paper

Beauty queen turns down Miss World offer

VietNamNet Bridge – Miss Vietnam Global said she had turned down Elite Beauty Vietnam’s offer to give her a ticket to the upcoming Miss World contest due to academic reasons.

“I was privileged to receive the offer and know that taking part in Miss World is a great opportunity. But on September 17, I will start school in Switzerland and have a very busy study schedule,” explained Ngo Phuong Lan, who has one more year to go before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Geneva.

Lan said she had had to ask the organisation committee of the recent Miss Vietnam Global to allow her to fulfill her beauty queen obligations after graduating from college. Her mother Le Thi Hoa said she supported her daughter’s decision. Lan always prioritises her studies over other things, said the mother.

After her victory at Miss Vietnam Global 2007, Ngo Phuong Lan was widely considered one of the most eligible candidates to represent Vietnam at Miss World 2007 to be held from November 2 to December 1 in China.

Other beauties ranking high on the list are first and second runners-up from the same contest, Teressa Sam and Dang Minh Thu, respectively. Elite Beauty Vietnam, the exclusive owner of Miss World copyrights in the country, is yet to announce its candidates.

Sources: Vietnam Net Bridge and VNE

Fashion Week: Tadashi Goes Environment, While Anne Klein Celebrates Spring

One celebrity fashion designer devotes his collection to the environment while another celebrates the rites of spring. NY1 Cheryl Wills bring us the latest designs of Tadashi and Anne Klein.

Jacques Cousteau would be proud. Tadashi Shoji's spring 2008 collection is all about the deep blue sea and the wonderment of the natural environment.

The Los Angeles-based designer revealed a tidal wave of flowing dresses and gowns that he says reflects the fluidity of water.

Shoji is the official fashion designer for the Miss Universe Organization and beauty queens at his show said his spring collection is one of his best yet.

"It's always fresh,” said Miss USA Rachel Smith. “I really enjoy his brilliant colors that he uses.”

"I love Tadashi's clothes because regardless it fits me perfect,” said former Miss USA Tara Conner. “Tadashi is such a sweet person, anyway, that there's good vibes that come from it."

When is the last time you've seen bamboo on a dress? Only Shoji could pull that off.

"It's a hand-woven bamboo corset bustier and – look at this – seaming, maybe a hundred different seams,” said designer Tadashi Shoji. “Feathery, real chiffon. Feather-like leaves.”

From a nod to the environment to a burst of spring, we check out Anne Klein.

Spring is most definitely in the air, as Anne Klein's spring 2008 line comes into full bloom. The venerable designer makes a comeback of sorts with playful prints and sensual suits that are impressive by day and sensual by night.

Klein says it her inspiration came quite by accident.

"There's blooming dresses – actually it all happened because my husband was painting in his workroom, in his studio and he got some of the paint on some of the dresses and I said, ‘Oh my God! That's so beautiful,” said Anne Klein creative director Isabel Toledo. “It came alive."

Anne Klein’s 2008 collection is very much alive and well for the sophisticated woman who knows how to transform a power suit into anything she wants.

– Cheryl Wills

Source: New York 1 News

Natalie shares details of her love match exclusively with HELLO!

The 28-year-old Thai sports ace proved especially romantic when it came to plighting his troth, presenting Natalie not only with a three-carat diamond ring, but also a pair of matching earrings and a necklace. He and the former Miss Universe Canada are to wed in November in Thailand, where they will be based Photo: © HELLO! Thailand

Former Miss Universe Canada Natalie Glebova and her Thai tennis champ fiancé, Paradorn 'Ball' Srichaphan, have invited HELLO! inside their spectacular Thai home as they speak to the magazine about their engagement and upcoming autumn nuptials.
After a whirlwind romance the 25-year-old beauty accepted her hunky beau's marriage proposal on April 13 during a romantic vacation to Bali. And when it came to plighting his troth the 28-year-old sports ace proved especially romantic, presented his love not only with a three-carat diamond ring, but also a pair of matching earrings and a necklace.

"He has a great heart," says Russian-born Natalie, whose life changed forever when she was crowned Miss Universe in 2005. The glamorous pair are to tie the knot this November in Bangkok, and both are keen to start a family together in their new Thailand home.

For exclusive photos and a revealing report on the high-profile couple's romance, pick up a copy of Issue 51 of HELLO! magazine, on sale Thursday, September 13. The issue also includes 25 photo-packed pages on the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival, so be sure not to miss it!

Source: Hello Magazine