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Photos Courtesy Miss Universe L.P., LLLP
The competition has begun.
It begins with Riyo Moring leading the delegates in a quick dance.
Now pre-taped national costume introductions. Australia was gorgeous.
Korea was also gorgeous and so was Mexico. This pre-taped national costume segment is probably the best is probably the best I’ve seen in years.
Top 15 coming up after the gap.
–COMMERCIAL BREAK–
Rice Terraces from Vietnam.
An estimated 1 Billion viewers are watching tonight.
A review of Riyo Mori’s reign as Miss Universe.
Riyo Mori arrives with a a group of Vietnamese kids. She looks awesome in a cream almost pink colored gown.
Riyo says she intends to open up a dance school, she leaves this message: “always be yourself there is nothing you cannot achieve, I did it last year, now can you too.”
Here are the top 15 in random order:
1. Venezuela – doesn’t look as good tonight
2. Kosovo – projecting real well, she’s fighting for this one
3. Mexico – awesome
4. Vietnam – haha yeah, as expected. she is lovely
5. South Africa – so far so good
6. Australia – a stunner
7. Japan – a loud scream from me
8. Dominican Republic – yes, yes
9. Italy – okay my first mistake from the top 15
10. Colombia – 9/10 on predictions so far – she looks stunning as well.
11. Russia
12. Hungary – okay surprise here
13. Czech Republic
14. USA
15. Spain
Top 15 don’t form a straight line instead they stand back to back on the catwalk.
Got 10/15 this year plus one from my alternates list. Not bad. Could have been better. But it was an awesome start, and I’m happy Japan is up there. My predictions are much better than most pageant sites out there (see this summary here) – most sites got 5-8 only.
Shocker favorites Panama, Puerto Rico and India did not make the cut!
From what I’ve seen looks like the Kosovo, Mexico, Australia, Colombia, USA and Spain are exuding the most x-factor so far.
–COMMERCIAL GAP–
Back.
They’re showing the Miss Universe 2008 Fashion shoot with Fadil Berisha, Behind the scenes video and then the photo of each of the Top 15 – the same ones we saw on the Miss Universe website.
Hosts are actually doing a good job. Now the judges.
Donald Trump Jr.
Nadine Velazquez
Robero Cavalli
Jennifer Hawkins
Joseph Cinque
Eesha Koppikhar
Louis Licari
Taryn Rose
Nguyen Cong Kee
Lots of plug for America’s Got Talent.
Video package featuring Vietnam.
Swimsuit competition is next.
–COMMERCIAL GAP–
Back Mel B. changes from a black gown to a blue one.
Swimsuit competition with special guest star Lady Gaga.
Venezuela up first. She tones it down but not good as expected. She is nervous and has too much make up on her eyes. 9.327 (EDIT: To answer a question from the comments, yes it appears the scarf got in the way of her walk, that’s why she looked a bit nervous in swimsuit, but she was still the highest)
Kosovo does ok. 8.120
Mexico is on fire. I love her. 9.071
Vietnam is doing her best. She won’t survive this round. 7.050
South Africa: 7.133
Australia – could do better walking. 7.814
Japan: 7.100
Dominican Republic – looks awesome – 8.983
Italy – 7.671
Colombia – awesome 9.433
Russia – 8.414
Hungary: 7.229
Czech Republic 7.386
scores are very low tonight
USA – also looks awesome, very HOT – 9.207
Spain – 9.150
My favorites after this competition – regardless of the scores are Mexico, Colombia and USA.
–COMMERCIAL GAP–
Top 15 still in swimsuit are on stage.
Top 10 in random order:
1. Kosovo
2. Australia
3. Spain
4. Mexico
5. Colombia
6. USA
7. Dominican Republic
8. Russia
9. Italy
10. Venezuela
No Asians in the Top 10. What a disappointment. But the competition is still on. Based on the swimsuit scores there are only a select few who scored 9s and higher.
Video packages showing the girls profiles.
Evening gowns next.
–COMMERCIAL GAP–
Mel B changes to her 3rd dress.
Video Package on Vietnam, and the delegates travels around the country.
Magic will be music for the evening gown parade.
Kosovo – changes her gown to a body hugging pink number – 8.264
Australia – reminds me more and more of Jennifer Hawkins, laid back but elegant and beautiful – 7.557
Spain – same gold dress from prelims – 8.200
Mexico – changes her gown to a white number – she looks like a goodess. Mixed feelings about this – 9.429
Colombia – same big gold dress – 9.829
USA: is late to the stage as her name is called, trips and falls for the second year in a row, she gets up claps but doesn’t recover well. this will hurt her- 8.050
Dominican Republic – same body suit from preliminaries – 9.036
Russia: This gown attempts to mimic Oxana Federova’s dress in 2002- 8.471
Italy: lousy gown and look – 7.729
Venezuela – uses the same yellow dress from preliminaries – 9.697
Colombia’s scores are way up there. The Top 3 girls are from my predictions Top 4 list. Not bad at all.
–COMMERCIAL GAP–
My apologies. The broadcast I am getting this year is a bit delayed.
Special Awards:
Miss Congeniality: El Salvador
Best in National Costume: By Online Vote: Will it be Philippines? – Nope its Thailand. Didn’t think so, didn’t vote for her either.
–COMMERCIAL GAP–
Top 5 in Random Order
Colombia
Venezuela
Dominican Republic
Mexico
Russia
USA would have been in this Top 5 had she not slipped. Girls are awesome.
Final Question
As usual girls pick a judge and get 30 seconds to answer.
Colombia picks Jennifer Hawkins: If you could go back in time and change a moment in your past, what would that be and why? In my life, I have been in really, its been a wonderful life for me. I come from a big family, huge values so there is nothing i would change in my past life. I have been happy every single day of my entire life because of my family they are always thinking the best for everything. So everything perfect.
Venezuela picks Louis Lecaro: Do you believe men or women have it easier life and why? Actually God made us to share and to have difference. But big difference between women and men doesn’t matter what the kind of life they live is that men think, they think that the faster way to go a point is go straight, women know that the faster way to go to a point is to go to the curve and fix another curves.
Dominican Republic picks Donald Trump Jr. What is the biggest sacrifice you have ever had to make and how did you handle it? IN reality I I have had to work since I was quite young because my parents were divorced so I had to leave my childhood behind. Notwithstanding the fact that I feel all the sacrifices are worth it because I see my mothers up there and she’s crying for me and I have continued, everything has been worth it.
Mexico picks Roberto Cavalli. When is a woman truly satisfied? I think a woman can feel satisfied when she has a balance in her life. When she has a mind so all her feelings in the same level . Its important to have a balance between family, between your job and and between community.
Russia picks Eesha Koppikhar: Is there still discrimination against women and what can be done about it? I think in our time women have become stronger and they have become smarter so I think a women can not only have a successful career but raise wonderful children and I think in our time women will be better.
The winner of Miss Universe 2008 is on the way. Hold on.
I think Venezuela did the best in this round. But I hope Mexico did enough to win.
–COMMERCIAL GAP–
Prize package of Miss Universe 2008. Riyo looks even more stunning than she was last year.
Final Look:
Colombia: looks fresh and amazing. She would make a great miss Universe – and feels like the strongest of this 5.
Venezuela: Sometimes gives you this weird stare. But she is very beautiful.
Dominican Republic: Did awesome I’m glad she made it this far.
Mexico: Looks lovely I really hope she wins it tonight.
Russia: The only girl in the bunch I’m not rooting for. She did a great job as well.
–COMMERCIAL GAP–
Riyo takes her final walk as Miss Universe 2007.
She comes out in a tux instead of a gown. No crown on her. Great, bold fashion statement.
She looks awesome, really breathtaking.
Here we go the final results.
4th Runner Up: Mexico – what a disappointment.
3rd Runner Up: Russia
2nd Runner Up: Dominican Republic
Venezuela and Colombia are left. These 2 are both in my Top 4 Picks. I predicted Venezuela under gut feel winner.
1st Runner is: Colombia
Venezuela is Miss Universe 2008!!!
Crown looks even cheaper than in pictures. Otherwise it was a great pageant nonetheless, hosts were great unlike what I expected (my bad) and did well predicting the results.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but Venezuela stepped on her shawl and almost slipped?
I think Japan did better than Spain and Russia. Scores are weird this year.
Thanks for the blog!!
Here in Oz they aren’t showing it until 10pm tonight-it is around 1pm here in Sydney at the moment.
Go Laura Dundovic!!
Michael, thank you for these updates—I have been following your live blogging.
I think Mexico did it very well. Venezuela also answered great! Colombia got nervous …Nowadays latin are on the top!!!
nos robaron otra vez
Venezuela Wins!!!
I’m very proud about it
Riyo looked more stunning than all the girls on that stage. Great final walk fashion choice!
Was rooting for Colombia. If only she tweaked her answer a bit and said “Life isn’t perfect, but we have to learn from our misfortunes and mistakes, and that’s important so I wouldn’t erase them from my life.”
Throw that tacky gold crown!
the scores are weird. i think that the winner was already chosen before the competition as to what the scores say. 9.6 and 7.0 what a gap!
riyo mori is shines out! yoku dekimashita!
In my opinion, Miss Kosovo shined. She looked like Angeline Jolie. I do agree with your comments on Miss Universe 2007 from Japan – beautiful…more beautiful this year, than last year. Don’t know why she did not wear her crown during final walk.
The 5 contestants that MUO picked…I don’t know…but I find it interesting that they may resemble Donald Trumps current wife: Other than Kosovo, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, and Russia were definite surprises to me. Miss Russia reminded me of Miss Germany 1977 I think in the Miss World Pageant.
I enjoyed it with the audience when Miss Vietnam was announced, and was surprised to see how good the current Miss Japan looked.
It seems like the Latin America girls have a “lock” currently on these pageants. AND I was pleasantly surprised that Jerry Springer and Mel B actually did a GREAT job with this pageant! I know that Jerry Springer was tied in because of the his America’s Got Talent show being aired right before the MU.
Damn I was hoping that mexico or Colombia wins this one… I cant believe Miss Mexico’s placement, she sure shouldve placed higher than 4th ru…
I think Miss Puerto Rico should has won!!
Lets be honest Puerto Rico should have won, but we have to give other countries the chance to win!!!!
OMG! good ms. philippines didnot win…she is one of the ugliest candidate I ever seen in Miss Universe 2008…She is crazy when she said that I will bring home the crown….she is OVER confident! jennifer barientos GO HOMEE! if Philippines will send another deligate like jennifer barientos, philippines should think thousand times…
I thought it was a tough one between Venezuela, Colombia and Mexico. But I kind of knew Venezuela would win. Puerto Rico didn’t get to the semifinalists. That was a shocker!! And so many latinas were in the top 5. Wow.
I have to disagree with you, I think Mexico deserves to be last based on the interview section. She may look GORGEOUS but she answered the question as if she was chewing gum. It was pretty obvious too that she lacked composure and was seriously nervous. I think she should have answered in Spanish instead of muttering incomprehensible English.
Too bad, because I think she was the most stunning in the top 5 (when she came out with that gown I exclaimed: WHOA! and I am a straight girl). Based on the looks alone, she should have been the winner (and Russia didn’t even deserve to be in the top 15, that teeth!!!!).
Honestly, everyone in Top 5 deserves her spot except Russia. It’s unfortunate for USA fall down the stage second in a row. If that incident would have not happened, I believe Crystle would advanced to Top 5 Finalist instead of Russia. Russia is so much lucky for her competition because she advanced due to other contestant’s misfortune. She deserved to be on Top 10 (I love her beauty and she remind me alot of Miss Universe 2002), but not Top 5.
I read some article that the Miss Universe choice based on OVERALL performance on Final Night. If that is true, Mexico then should be placed higher than 4th runner-up. (She should switch her place with Russia.)
Japan didn’t do well because of her body’s propotion. If you look carefully at her body, you will notice that her head is so small to her overall body. At some angle, she looks like an mucsle girl to me.
Riyo looked spectacular! truly deserving winner last year. yay! after “hating” latina contestants last year, this year im back to supporting all of them regarding their nationalities. the top 5 deserves it, though i would like to switch DR with Kosovo. however, they all seemed very well prepared and answers well. Mexico looked stuning. russia looks good too. but it seems through the whole competition (a month) the true battle was always between venezuela and colombia, most websites have them in top 2, and they lived up to the expectation through the prelims and till the final night until the final moment. so congrats to them both. beautiful winner and 1st runner up this year.
i mean regardless (typo)
I have to say I was very disappointed by Riyo not wearing a gown or the crown for her last walk. Perhaps I am out of touch, but I’ve been watching pageants for the last 40 years and those are two of the key elements in any pageant. I was especially mortified she did not wear the old tiara since it is so much nicer than the new one (looks like it can be bought in any tacky , second rate bridal store). The original tiara made a statement. They should have stuck with it.
Mexico was robbed. In my opinion her answer was better than Venezuela’s. I will give Venezuela kudos for her pairing of turquoise earrings with that yellow gown. Also, her shoes were dyed to match (hardly seen these days).
Did anyone notice Crystle’s platform shoes? TACHY!
im sorry to correct you but colombia got igher in swimsuit then venezuela so please change the picture and give some praise to colombia… THANK YOU
yrtytry
predictions
1.colombia
2.spain
3.czech rep
4.egypt
5.kosovo
6.slovak rep.
7.mexico
8.aruba
9.south africa
11.venezuela
12.philippines
13.uk
14.turkey
15.jamica
alt.bahamas,albania,russia,slovenia,china,vietnam,thailand,brazil,israel,serbia,montenegro
I think the only credible international pageants are Miss Universe and Miss Earth. I find Miss International too boring to watch or its delayed telecast sadly unreasonable to look forward to. Watching it feels like being in a JS Prom where every delegate simply sashays in her evening gown (after parading in her national costume). The stage is dull and the production predictable: there’s no element of thrill. Almost always, though, their judging is tasteful. On the other hand, I think Miss World is too conservative, not to mention old school, although their stage is usually splendid. However, watching it live feels like watching a Grammy Awards Night (and I bet you know what I mean). It’s too dragging, much like the Miss International presentation. What’s worse with Miss World is that most of the time their results seem rigged for political purposes. Sometimes I don’t understand why Julia Morley has to sit amongst the judges every year, whilst in Miss Universe Donald Trump couldn’t care less about how his hired judges size up every delegate and come up with the winner at the end of the night. Of course, there are times when a winner seems to have been pre-conceived by both the organizers and the judges, but then again, Miss Universe is still obviously much more credible than the other two. Miss Universe production cum presentation has always been consistent with its sophisticated and glamorous, exciting and thrilling approach to both its audiences and televiewers. In a nutshell, the Miss Universe choreography is indisputably spectacular—from the opening number down to the winner’s crowning moment. Anyhow, as a Filipino, I can’t help taking pride in the fact that despite our economic condition here, we are still able to produce the second best international beauty pageant, the Miss Earth. Wouldn’t you be proud too this also… that despite how poor and pathetic we seem to other so-called first-world countries, we’re able to bring about such a high-end event, a gathering of the world’s most beautiful ladies vying for a title that comes with a responsibility to help make our world a better place to live in? If Miss Universe or Miss World are able to put up with a grand presentation of their official candidates, it’s because they’re being organized by two of the world’s most opulent or powerful countries (the U.S. and the U.K.). Of course, they have all the resources—ways and means— and they have connections with gigantic companies to back them up in the name of presentors, sponsors, benefactors, rah-rah-rah. What a shame on Japan for their lousy Miss International preparation. It didn’t hurt a bit when this year’s Miss World wasn’t seen telecast live in the Philippines. But it will definitely break our hearts if we Filipinos will stop supporting our very own Miss Earth or be deprived of watching Miss Universe pageant live on the boobtube.
– ARIEL ALLERA, laraduttallerariel@yahoo.com