The Miss America Organization (MAO) had a big day this Saturday, with pageants held in several states. Here are the winners from Mississippi and Virginia (top, left to right) and Louisiana and Connecticut (bottom, left to right).
30 June 2008
THEY HAD FACES THEN
Martha Rocha, was the first runner-up to Miss Universe in 1954. She represented Brazil. Here is a photo of her taken in 1993!!!! 39 years after her reign. Can we talk about aging like a fine wine. She looks gorgeous. Martha, you are still stunning.
WHAT A HAPPY GROUP
Here are the top five at Miss Universe 1958. 50 years ago. What a happy collection of finalists. Miss Colombia, Miss Universe 1958 seems to be enjoying her victory along with her runners-up, Miss Brazil, Hawaii, USA and Poland.
BRIDGE OF THE WORLD, HEART OF THE UNIVERSE
Of the beauty delegates from Central America, Panama's Carolina Dementiev is the clear favorite of Beauty School scholars, based on results from our most recent Quik Poll (she captured 49% of the Quik Poll vote). There is lots of buzz on her...will the heart of the universe capture the crown of the universe this year?PICK OF THE DAY
From the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico/Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico comes the Pick of the Day - Ingrid Marie Rivera, Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2008. She is definitely an enchantress from the Isla del Encanto!29 June 2008
WE LOVE A CORONATION
And who doesn't? Two pics from the archives of crowning moments - Miss Universe 1956, Carol Morris of the USA, and Miss Universe 2000, Lara Dutta of India. Onto the next coronation on July 13th in Viet Nam. 
MANY BOYS ASKED FOR SIGNATURE OF MISS KAZAKHSTAN
"Many boys asked for signature of Miss Kazakhstan" is the caption for this photo posted on VietNam Net Bridge in an article on the beauty delegates' visit to beautiful Halong Bay.MISS SPORTA HRVATSKE 2008
Martina Hamp is the new Miss Sporta Hrvatske 2008 (Miss Sport Croatia). Beauty School loves kitsch, but is not sure if it can give full and proper accreditation to a pageant that allows its beauty delegates to wear soccer shoes and socks on stage during the crowning ceremony. However, the liberal use of hairsray does speak well for the pageant.
PICK OF THE DAY
There are two picks today! They are Miss Universe Germany 2008 Madina Taher and Miss Universe Spain 2008, Claudia Moro. Dean Harris could not resist this photo today of these two beauty delegates, one of whom will soon be from the home of the new Euro 2008 titleholder. They are flanked by Miss Universe Turkey and Miss Universe Russia, whose countries reached the semifinals at Euro 2008. Today, in Vienna, Austria, Germany (GER) or Spain (ESP) will be crowned the champion of Euro 2008. Might we see a similar battle to the finish in Nhatrang on July 13/14?
28 June 2008
THEY HAD FACES THEN
Here is the stunning May Louise Flodin, Miss World 1952. She was the second Miss World and also the second Miss Sweden to win the title. She went on to a major career as a high fashion model and we can see why. The black opera gloves are a smashing touch to this gorgeous photo.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MISS UNIVERSE
On June 28th, 1952 the first Miss Universe Pageant was held in Long Beach, California. Here is the very first winner, Armi Kuusela, 17, of Finland being crowned by Hollywood starlet, Piper Laurie. The sceptor and the robe are cool, but that crown? Oh my. Below is a rare color photo of Armi taken at her coronation.
PICK OF THE DAY
Finally, Ines can breathe a sign of relief! The Pick of the Day is Miss Universe Japan, Hiroko Mima, seen here posing at Vietnam's breathtaking Halong Bay. This photo of Hiroko is breathtaking! But remember, Ines, the Pick of the Day does not in any way reflect a beauty delegate's standing among the legion of fevered pageant fans in the universe, does not necessarily indicate that the beauty delegate is a favorite of Dean Harris', and is not related to any ranking or top 15 list on any pageant blog or website.
LOVE IS THE ESSENCE OF LIFE
Dean Harris' scenes in Sushmita Sen's latest Bollywood song and dance extravangaza ended up on the cutting room floor, so as a consolation prize, Sushmita gave Dean Harris this photo from 1994 and her glorious homecoming to the land where love is the essence of life.
Love Profusion
THE BOYS OF SUMMER
As the Miss i Mister Hrvatske 2008 contest approaches, here are a few delightful photos of last year's Mister Hrvatske boys horsing and posing around a pool - showing off their sizeable assets - somewhere along the beautiful Dalmatian coast. For equal measure, we have thrown in a few photos of the boys horsing around with the girls and vice-versa.
27 June 2008
PICK OF THE DAY
(Photo: Reuters)Dean Harris' Pick of the Day today is Miss Universe Thailand, Gavintra Photijak. Here she is looking fab at SOS village, an orphanage in Hanoi. Please be reminded that the Pick of the Day is based on Dean Harris' impressions of and reactions to photos of the beauty delegates circulating that day in print and electronic media. The Pick of the Day does not necessarily indicate that the beauty delegate is a favorite of Dean Harris' to make top 15 (otherwise, Dean Harris would be picking Miss USA and/or Miss India EVERY day - those of you beauty school scholars from Puerto Rico and the Philippines can surely identify with this tendency). Also, the Pick of the Day in no way reflects any general consensus on the top contenders for the title or who are hot favorites and receiving lots of buzz on other blogs and websites. Thank you for your understanding.
The Great Reclining Buddha of Bangkok asks that you recite the Miss Universe creed 100 times every day in this great time of excitement, fervor, and passion. A REAL OLDIE BUT A GOODIE
Did International Beauty Pageants start as early as 1930? Well maybe. We came across this program for the"Miami National Beauty Pageant, Selecting the Sweehearts of Two Continents." It featured contestants from the 48 United State and 9 ladies from Central and South America. The ladies from south of the border came from Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Equador, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guataemala and we love this...the Canal Zone. The name of the winner has been lost to time.
26 June 2008
PICK OF THE DAY
Norway captured the title in 1990. Will 21 year old Mariann Birkdedal, this years Miss Norway follow in the high heels of Mona Grudt? We'll find out on July 13th. ( Photo: Miss Universe.com)
ANGELA AND HER LITTLE SISTER
Angela Visser, Miss Universe 1989 of Holland, and her little sister pose for the photographers moments after her coronation.
25 June 2008
PICK OF THE DAY
This country can boast about is shores on the beautiful Caspian and Aral Sea's and now can also boast about Alfina Nassyrova, Miss Kazakhstan 2008. She hopes to be a fashion designer and if she had a hand in designing her national costume her future is assured. (Posted by Dean Di Maggio, filling in for Dean Harris, who is on location in Bollywood, filming his cameo role in the next Sushmita Sen epic. He will return Friday with his "Pick of the Day." (Photo's from Miss Universe.com)
GUESS WHO?
Can you guess who this is? Why it is Miss Universe 1983, Lorraine Downes of New Zealand, in a photo printed in the 1991 Miss Universe program. Lovely as ever.
RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES: WHOOPS
Above, the famous photo of President Harry Truman of the U.S. of A. holding up a newspaper which prematurely predicted his loss in the 1948 presidential election. We recently found something similar in the world of pageantry. In the July 21st, 1986 edition of USA Today, in an article by Edna Gundersonm we found this interesting story. Richard Rex, one half of the powerhouse Guy/Rex pageant trainers, crowing the following about Miss USA' Christy Fichtner's chances of storming the title at Miss Universe. "The opportunity is here, and I think it's going to happen." "There's just no competition..." We're glad Barbara Palcios Teyde, Miss Venezuela and winner of the title did not get that memo. Whoops!
24 June 2008
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