BLOW, GABRIEL, BLOW

Since Saturday's telecast of Nuestra Belleza Mexico 2008 on U.S. Spanish-language network Univision, Dean Harris has been obsessed with Gabriel Soto, one of the judges. Dean Harris has been seen walking around the quad humming the tune "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" from the Broadway hit musical "Anything Goes."

Gabriel was "descubierto" by Lupita Jones and won the title of Modelo México 1996. That title earned him the right to compete in the very first Mr. World contest, where he was first runner-up to Tom Nuyens of Belgium. When Dean Harris noted this fact to Miss Chandni, she of course said Gabriel was robbed at Mr. World and that he should have topped Tom for the title.

After heading a boy band, Gabriel is now one of Mexico's biggest TV stars. Yes, he certainly is big.

Dean Harris is convinced that Gabriel has quite the horn to blow!

1964 "IT WAS A TIME IT WAS..."

In 1964, the "World's Fair" was held in Flushing, New York, just outside of Manhattan. Its iconoclastic "Unisphere" still stands and is looking its age. Dean Di Maggio attended the "World's Fair," where he met Shirley Temple of all people and helped himself to some wicked Belgian waffles at the "Belgian Pavillion." Dean Di Maggio is somewhere in this photo above, can you spot him? What does this have to do with "Beauty School?" Well, as it turns out the Miss World Pageant decided to crown one of its own that year and got revenge for the United States Revolution where the United Kingdom lost its claim to the U.S. of A. None other than Ann Sydney, of Poole, England. nabbed the title at the Miss World Pageant. We suspect she is looking a whole lot better than the tired old "Unisphere."

SWISS MISS - MILK CHOCOLATE

Whitney Toyloy, aged 18, from Yverdon in western Switzerland was elected the new Miss Switzerland on Saturday at a televised gala event in Lugano. The youngest of 16 competitors, Toyloy has a multicultural background, with her ancestors coming from the United States, China, Panama andSwitzerland.

The new Miss, who still attends school, is 177cm tall and has vital statistics of 82-60-90. Twenty-year-old Rekha Datta, a bank employee from Winkel near Zurich, came second, while Lisa Panigada from canton Ticino, who runs a cosmetic salon and is 22, came third. A jury of photographers also chose Toyloy, who wants to become a lawyer after her studies, as the most photogenic candidate.

Twenty-one-year-old Amanda Ammann, who gave up her crown after a year in office, said she was "extremely sad" that her duties as Miss Switzerland were at an end. Over the past year, she is said to have earned a total of SFr500,000 ($458,505).

(Source: www.swissinfo.ch, 28-Sep-2008)

ZEN ON SUNDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 2008

On stage...Miss India 2004

MISS SWITZERLAND 2008

Miss Switzerland 2008 has just been crowned. She is Whitney Toyloy (R), seen here as she reacts to the announcement. First runner-up was Rehka Datta. Second runner-up was Lisa Panigada. The annual beauty pageant was held this year in Lugano.

NUESTRA BELLEZA MEXICO

The name of the new "Nuestra Belleza Mexico" will be announced shortly. While we wait for that result, we'd thought we'd share a photo of Miss Mexico 1991, who would go on to win the title of Miss Universe that year. Lupita Jones, not only won the title, she went on to found the current "Nuestra Belleza Mexico" pageant in 1994. Here is a photo of her moments after winning the title of Srta. Mexico. Is it any wonder that she stormed the Universe? And our biggest question is how did she keep that humongous tiara on her head without injury?

NO CHEESE FOR PARO

Times of India, 26-Sep-2008

Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2008, Parvarthy Omanakuttan says that winning the crown has subdued her a lot.

“I used to be a short-tempered girl. But now I control my temper,” says the lass. Called Paro by her friends, Parvarthy reveals what’s keeping her busy these days. “I’m busy preparing for the Miss World contest that will take place in December. I’m concentrating on my diet and fitness. I have a weakness for chocolates and cheese but sadly enough, I can’t eat them anymore,” she rues.

It is the saree that spells style for her as she says, “Saree is my favourite outfit. For the Miss World contest, I hope I get to wear a saree for one of the rounds.”

MAXIMUM MISS RUSSIA

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia and NEW YORK, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Russian Standard Vodka, the #1 premium vodka in Russia, today announced a multi-channel branded-entertainment program with Maxim Media, the largest men's lifestyle media brand in America. The multimillion dollar program will introduce the beauty of the Miss Russia Pageant to U.S. consumers for the first time and provide an insider's look at Russia's most popular cities, cultural heritage and legendary nightlife.

Officially launched on September 25th, Russian Standard and Maxim will introduce U.S. consumers to past and present contestants of the Miss Russia Pageant through unique content such as photos, behind-the-scenes-videos and one-on-one interviews. The program will also introduce U.S. consumers to the iconic beauty and excitement of St. Petersburg and Moscow through travel blogs and first-hand stories appearing on Maxim.com. The program will culminate with exclusive coverage of the 2008 Miss Russia pageant on December 21, 2008 taking place in St. Petersburg, Russia. Content generated during the course of the five-month program will be leveraged across all Maxim properties targeting core premium vodka consumers, males 21-39. The program will also be leveraged by Russian Standard Vodka throughout its U.S. retail and wholesale distribution channels with in-store POS marketing, on- and off-premise promotions and local events hosted by previous Miss Russia Pageant finalists in major markets across the United States.

At Miss Russia 2007

Roustam Tariko, founder of Russian Standard (which also operates the Miss Russia Pageant) said, "Russian Standard was founded on the mission of bringing the best of Russia to the world and we are proud to share with America the beauty of modern Russia through this innovative entertainment program. This program highlights the vitality of our brand, our people and our country -- no other vodka brand in the world could bring such an authentic Russian experience to U.S. consumers."

Andrew Beaver, Chief Marketing Officer of Russian Standard Vodka, USA said, "This integrated program is a terrific combination of strategic brand development, engaging entertainment content and targeted tactical sales promotions. The Miss Russia Pageant is a perfect match for the Russian Standard Vodka brand, reflecting both Russia's heritage and beauty. This truly unique entertainment program provides strong appeal and brand awareness across our distribution, retail and consumer audience and will be delivered via every marketing channel available to us."

Anthony Flaccavento, Maxim Advertising Director said, "Maxim is the best lifestyle media brand to deliver this type of content to Russian Standard's core target audience and we are excited to partner with Russian Standard to bring this program to the U.S." (Source: www.earthtimes.org)

She's got legs...at Miss Russia 2007

IF IT'S FRIDAY, THIS MUST BE NEW YORK CITY

Ok, lets be clear here, Beauty School is a non-partisan campus. We embrace folks from all walks of life. That being said, we simply had to share this story and photo with you. This story and photo comes from the September 26th edition of the "New York Post." The Republican nominee for Vice President , Sarah Palin, has been in New York City this week and making quite a splash. As we all know she was the first runner-up to the title of Miss Alaska in the Miss America Pageant system. Tonight in New York City there will be a drag show featuring Sarah Palin wannabes where they will appear in hunting gear handing out vodka shots, grizzly bear stir fry, caribou kabobs, and baby seal bites. Only in New York, kids. Hey, we don't make this up, we just report it.

WORST PERSON OF THE DAY?

Cambodian PM renews beauty pageant ban, 26-Sep-2008

PHNOM PENH (AFP) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday renewed his ban on beauty pageants in the Southeast Asian country, calling a previous beauty contest "bad luck."

Hun Sen said the Miss Cambodia pageant in 1993 was "bad luck," pointing to the fact the capital's historic Tonle Bassac theatre burned down the year after it hosted the contest.

"Don't spend (money) on a Miss Beauty contest. Don't hold it," he told officials during the first meeting of his government's new cabinet.

Hun Sen urged people instead to "please go ahead with boat racing."

The premier cancelled plans for a Miss Cambodia pageant in 2006, calling it a waste of funds that were better spent on farming. He also said he would not allow such a contest until poverty in Cambodia was reduced by more than half.

More than 30 percent of Cambodians live in grinding poverty in the tiny country of 13.4 million people.

There has not been a Miss Cambodia contest since the 1990s.

EN VOGUE

Ash is always en vogue...and on the cover of the October issue of Vogue India

MORE RIYO IN MILANO

Here's more of the ravishing Riyo in Milano (Photos: WireImage)

SINGAPORE SLING

Miss Universe 2008, Venezuela's Dayana Mendoza, in Singapore (Photo: Reuters)

VOTE FOR CLORIS!

Beauty School's campus is flooded with posters saying "VOTE FOR CLORIS!". There is of course only one Cloris, 9-time Emmy winner, Oscar winner, and second runner-up to Miss America in 1946 when she competed as Miss Chicago. Cloris Leachman is now strutting her stuff at the amazing age of 82 on 'Dancing With The Stars." So tonight, pick up your phone and place your vote for Cloris. (This message has been approved by Deans Di Maggio and Harris; Miss Chandni; Lorraine, our beloved librarian; Madge, Supervisor of the cafeteria; and Miss Scribner.)

RIYO IN MILANO

Designers Renzo Rosso, Roberto Cavalli and Miss Universe 2007, Japan's Riyo Mori, attend the 'A Glamourous Night In Milano' at Just Cavalli Cafe as part of Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009 on September 22, 2008 in Milan, Italy. (Photos: WireImage)

THEY HAD FACES THEN

There are conflicting reports as to when the first Mrs. World pageant was actually held. We have found references to either 1984 or 1985. In any case, a stunning woman from Sri Lanka was the very first title holder. She is none other than Rosy Senanayake who went on to work with the United Nations and support women's rights in her country. She is still a world class beauty.

THE FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN

Today is the first day of autumn in the USA, and try as we might, we couldn't think of any beauty queens named autumn or fall. So we decided to focus on the season that just ended, that would be summer. And we came up with two ladies of note. Both Miss USAs, who did very well at the Miss Universe pageant. Summer Bartholomew, of California became Miss USA in 1975 and finished as second runner-up at Miss Universe. Kenya Summer Moore of Michigan became Miss USA 1993 and made top six at Miss Universe. Both of these ladies went on to successful careers on television and in film. How cool is that?

NOSELOPIERDA

Don't forget! Nuestra Belleza Mexico 2008 airs in the USA on the Spanish-language network Univision, Saturday, 27 September 2008, 3:00pm to 5:00pm.

ZEN ON SUNDAY

Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997

UNA DONNA ETERNO BELLA

With the recent crowning of a new Miss Italia, Miss Scribner, who happens to be our resident historian pointed out at a recent staff meeting that we should honor a Miss Italia contestant from 1947! Even though the only staff member who was around in 1947,was our beloved librarian Lorraine, (though she'd never admit it), we did take note and took this suggestion to heart. In 1947, Gina Lollabrigida competed for the title of Miss Italia and placed 3rd. She would go on to a major film career and eventually become a celebrated photo journalist. She picked up a "Golden Globe" award along the way and is now still one of Italy's great beauties at the amazing age of 81. "Siete una belleza senza tempo!"

PRODUCT PLACEMENT

From laptops to soft drinks to hair products to cameras to cars...

Oxana Federova, sentimental Miss Universe 2002

John Abraham, 1999's Manhunt India

Artika Sari Devi, Miss Indonesia 2004/2005 and top 15 finisher at Miss Universe 2005

Kurara Chibana, sentimental Miss Universe 2006

Lara Dutta, Miss Universe 2000