Venezuela reigns triumphant once again for the 7th time in history and proved to the world this pageant powerhouse remains on top of the pageant game and in control. Long-legged and well-spoken Gabriela Isler takes the coveted Miss Universe crown this year. So how did I do with my predictions? Well, I correctly predicted 10 of the 16 semifinalists and got 2 honorable mentions (India and Nicaragua). The 4 ladies that missed my list were: Ecuador, China, Costa Rica, and Indonesia (all of whom were mentioned in the next tier below my honorable mentions). 3 of these 4 were eliminated in the first round but Ecuador got all the way up to 2nd runner up which surprised me because we all know Ecuador was my winner last year and when she didn't place, that made me think that Ecuador wouldn't get noticed this year but she was noticed in a big way! Philippines won the Internet vote and Nicaragua won the Best in National Costume award. My full commentary on Miss Universe 2013 will be posted on November 18.
There are lot of interesting parallels coming out of this year in comparison to pageants past. During the 1989 Miss Universe pageant, there was a special feature showing the crowning of the first Miss Soviet Union, Julia Sukhanova who wasn't at the pageant that year but there was a videoclip showing her crowning set to creepy music that literally sounded like someone was banging on an iron curtain. This was deemed a groundbreaking moment in the Communist Soviet Union and Julia conveyed a message in the spirit of fellowship, she said that she looked forward to the day when the Miss Universe pageant would be held in the Soviet Union. Well, fast-forward to 2013 and technically that day has come but the Soviet Union, of course, no longer exists and as a perhaps unintentionally defiant Miss USSR 1991, Yulia Lemigova declared, she comes from Moscow, Russia (instead of saying she was from the USSR). In 1992, there was a Miss Commonwealth of Independent States and then since 1994, the official country of Russia has competed at the Miss Universe pageant.
Even, Andy Cohen who co-hosted the last two Miss Universe pageants and is openly gay declined to host the pageant this year so Andy will be sorely missed this year as he does bring a higher level of enthusiasm that many hosts seem to lack. Interestingly enough, Thomas Roberts who will be co-hosting this year's pageant is also openly gay and wants to take that brave step. In a blog post, Thomas Roberts wrote, "I am not going to boycott. Boycotting and vilifying from the outside is too easy. Rather, I choose to offer my support of the LGBT community in Russia by going to Moscow and hosting this event as a journalist, an anchor and a man who happens to be gay. Let people see I am no different than anyone else." Now, the world's eyes will be on Russia as it hosts two major international events. The Miss Universe pageant will be held on November 9 and this will be a good test to see how things will go as Sochi, Russia will host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games a few months later in February. Like the Olympics, Miss Universe has a large following in the LGBT community but a lot of fans that usually consider attending this event will not be participating this year for safety reasons. The pageant being brought to Russia seems to have been spearheaded by billionaire Aras Agalarov who is the man behind Crocus International and his son Emin. Emin is also a singer and will perform during the pageant and he also featured Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo in the music video for his song 'Amor'. The Agalarovs were born in Azerbaijan so a lot of people are expecting Azerbaijan's representative to place among the semifinalists this year and possibly Russia's representative as well. But of course, Miss Universe makes no qualms about being a business first so if the money was coming in, they probably wouldn't have considered hosting the pageant elsewhere. It looks like in recent years, the pageant has struggled to get other countries to pay the hosting fee like in years such as 2009 when it was held in the Bahamas (the same venue as the Miss Teen USA pageant since 2008) as well as 2010 and 2012 being held in Las Vegas (the same venue as the Miss USA pageant since 2008). The Miss USA pageant however in slated to leave Las Vegas next year as it is scheduled to be held in Miami, Florida for the next few years. There is also talk about Kosovo not participating this year as Russia does not recognize Kosovo as an actual country. Kosovo has been doing very well in recent years placing among the semifinalists in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012. Albania may also not be participating due to this as the pageants to select the Miss Universe representatives for Albania and Kosovo have the same director, noted pageant photographer Fadil Berisha.
In last year's commentary, you will remember that I noted that I wanted the land where Asia wears a smile, the Philippines to host the 2014 Miss Universe pageant to continue the 20 year chain since Philippines hosted Miss Universe in 1974 and 1994 so it seemed only natural that they would host next year but recently it was announced that it looks like the Miss Universe 2014 pageant will be held once again in Brazil but this time in the city of Fortaleza. (Brazil hosted in 2011 in the city Sao Paulo). However, one can never be too certain about a venue as we have learned from pageants past. Due to this, Brazil could very well be continuing its great recent track record placing in the top 5 in 2011 and 2012 so can Brazil's representative for this year, Jakelyne Oliveira, keep it going? The whole news of the venue for 2014 threw a wrench into my plans of Philippines hosting Miss Universe 2014. And we all know, the Filipinos are very loyal pageant fans. And what about this year's representative for the Philippines, Ariella Arida? Well, the pressure is certainly on Ariella but she seems to be feeding on the pressure and is using it to fuel her determination to get the crown. Will she be able to continue Philippines' excellent track record in recent years, placing in the top 5 at Miss Universe for 3 years in a row now? The Philippines also just crowned its first Miss world this year thanks to Megan Young, adding to the pressure on Ariella. Philippines has also been doing well in other pageants recently as Mutya Datul won Miss Supranational earlier this year and even last year, Jun Macasaet won the Manhunt International title for the Philippines. Further adding to the pressure on Ariella, it is very rare for Miss Universe and Miss World to come from the same country in the same year but it has happened before. India has done it twice (1994 and 2000), Venezuela did it in 1981, Australia did it in 1972 and France did it in 1953 so will the Philippines be able to do it in 2013? All eyes will be on Ariella.
England was 1st runner up in 1964. Scotland was 1st runner up in 1980 and Wales was 1st runner up twice (in 1961 and 1974) and both of those winners (Rosemarie Frankland and Helen Morgan) would win the Miss World crown later that year. Amy Willerton could finally bring that long awaited placement for Great Britain as she is an established model and also won another competition 'Signed by Katie Price' which is a British reality show where models compete for a modelling contract with the company owned by UK Glamour model Katie Price. So, in the royal year of 2013 which is the birth year of future King George, is it time for the Miss Universe pageant to finally reciprocate and crown a British winner?
And while we're talking about Denny Mendez (who was born in the Dominican Republic and later moved to Italy), let's talk about those countries who are also sending outstanding delegates this year. The Dominican Republic is being represented by Yaritza Reyes who is not only a stunner with gorgeous hair but she is also a talented singer and guitarist and had a very applauded win in her home country. It is rare that a black woman gets crowned in the Dominican Republic even though there is a large black population in the Dominican Republic so Yaritza's win is also considered groundbreaking. The Dominican Republic has been doing well in recent years, winning the crown in 2003 thanks to Amelia Vega as well as having 2 2nd runner ups in 2005 and 2008 and placing as 1st runner up in 2009 but they haven't placed since then so is it time for a big comeback for the land where your heart flames to the rhythms of merengue? And what of Italy's representative? The stunning Luna Voce! Well, she is the latest hope for Italy to capture the crown. The reigning Miss Universe, USA's Olivia Culpo has Italian roots but the land of culture, pasta and fashion is another country that yet to capture the crown. In fact, Italy is the highest ranking country in the list of Who Has the Most Miss Universes? without a winner. Italy does have 2 1st runner ups: Bond girl Daniela Bianchi in 1960 and Roberta Capua in 1987. Italy hasn't placed since 2008 and Luna Voce is experienced as she has competed representing Italy at Miss International 2008 and Miss Earth 2009 and while she didn't place at either pageant, she would go on to win the Top Model of the World contest in 2012 so Luna's experience is paying off and one can only wonder if she can go all the way at Miss Universe this year. It may also help that Yamamay, A Touch of Italy is this year's swimsuit sponsor.
During the 1999 Miss USA pageant, 1st runner up, Tennessee's Morgan Tandy High was one of the few contestants competing that year with very short hair. When asked what the deal was with that, she replied, 'The deal is I don't like to do it! So that's the reason why I have short hair!' Having short hair didn't stop Morgan High from going all the way to 1st runner up and if anything, short hair seems to help certain delegates stand out. Two delegates sporting short hairstyles include two other favorites this year: Switzerland's Dominique Rinderknecht and Czech Republic's Gabriela Kratochvilova. Both of these countries have never won the crown but have had sporadic successes. Switzerland's highest placement was in 2006 when Lauriane Gillieron placed as 2nd runner up but they haven't placed since 2009. Enter fresh-faced Dominique Rinderknecht who is sporting that popular sleek, short hair so one can only wonder if it will help Dominique in a big way. The Czech Republic did have a 4-year streak in the semifinals placing from 2007 to 2010 and the Czech Republic has managed to capture other major International titles such as Miss World in 2006 and Miss Earth in 2012 but the fight for a Miss Universe crown seems to be an uphill battle for the Czech Republic so can Gabriela do it?
