7/10 - Miss Universe 2008 Preliminary Competition

7/08 - Celebrity packed panel to judge Miss Universe 2008

The Miss Universe Organization has announced the five-member panel of judges who will choose this year’s winner on July 14 and the names of the jury board of the preliminary competition scheduled for July 8 night.

The July 8 event will see 80 contestants participate in the formal gown and bathing suit competitions, from which only 15 semi-finalists will be chosen.

The esteemed panel of judges for the finale are: Australian Jennifer Hawkins, the winner of the 2004 Miss Universe; Donald John Trump Jr, the Trump Organization’s executive vice president and scion of the famed real estate developer Donald Trump; Roberto Cavalli, the internationally acclaimed Italian fashion designer; Louis Licari, one of the world’s foremost hair experts and Nadine Velasquez, one of the hottest actresses and models in the US.

The celebrity packed jury will decide the ultimate fate of the semi finalists on July 14 in a televised event to be broadcast live on the American TV channel NBC.

Meanwhile, the judging panel for the preliminary event boasts eight members: Rosalina Tran Lydster, Adel Chabbi, Leigh Rossini, Dean Mcfliker, Dave Tomberlin, Fred Howard, Thuy Tran, and Nguyen Cong Khe.

While Lydster is the celebrated Vietnamese expatriate jewellery-designer who co-designed the new Miss Universe Crown, Chabbi is the well known French-born hair-dresser.

Rossini, the board’s third judge, is a New Yorker and the first in-house publicist of Louis Licari Colour Group. Mcfliker is the NBC primetime special project’s vice president. Tomberlin is the senior vice president of media relations at Interscope, A and M and Geffen Records while both Howard and Tran are internationally famed stylists.

Howard is known to have worked with some of the world’s most recognized models like Natalia Vodianova, Adrana Lima and Karolina Kurkova whereas Tran is a representative of the Michele Filomeno agency in New York and Paris.

Nguyen Cong Khe, Thanh Nien newspaper’s editor-in-chief, is last, but certainly not least, on the preliminary judging panel.

The Miss Universe Organisation also announced the prizes for the following categories: Miss Universe 2008 will receive a US $30,000 exquisite tiara created by CAO Fine Jewellery, a year-long salary, casting opportunities and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organisation as well as extensive travel opportunities with a personal travel manager, representing sponsors and charitable partners along with many others.

The first runner-up will be awarded a US$3,000 cash prize, the second runner-up a US$2,000 cash award, and the third and fourth runners-up will both receive a US$1,000 cash award. The remaining 10 semi-finalists will receive a US$500 cash award. All women will receive a crystal trophy from Rogaska.

What is more, all the 80 contestants will vote amongst themselves for the Miss Congeniality Universe Award whose winner will receive a US$ 1,000 cash prize.

Viewers can also participate in the event by voting for their favourite contestant in the National Costume Award by logging on the website www.nbc.com and casting their vote online. The winner for the best national costume will also receive a US$1,000 ash prize and a Rogaska crystal trophy.

To cast your vote for Best in National Costume Award click here

Courtesy of NhanDan Online

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7/02 - Miss Mexico won Best in Swimwear

Elisa Najera, Miss Mexico, has won the special Swimwear Show held at the Vinpearl Resort on Wednesday, July 2nd.

Completing the top 5 were Miss India (Simran Kaur), Miss Spain (Claudia Moro), Miss USA (Crystle Stewart) and Miss Colombia (Taliana Vargas).

Check some photos during the special competition 1 2 3 4

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6/30 - Nha Trang welcomes Miss Universe contestants

80 contestants of Miss Universe 2008 pageant arrived at Cam Ranh Airport in the coastal city of Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province at 3pm June 29 to prepare for official competitions in the city.

Check some photos of the arrivals in Nha Trang click here

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6/28 - Miss Universe contestants visit Ha Long Bay

Eighty contestants of the Miss Universe 2008 on June 27-28 visited northeastern Quang Ninh province where they called at well-known Ha Long Bay and voted for it as one of the world’s seven natural wonders.

On June 28 evening, the beauty queens joined a seashore gala night and an exchange with Vietnamese entrepreneurs.

Many of their souvenirs were auctioned during the event to raise funds for the Thanh Nien daily-initiated Nguyen Thai Binh scholarship programme.

See some photos of the contestants in Ha Long Bay click here

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6/26 - Miss Universe 2008 contestants cause stir in ancient town

The ancient town of Hoi An welcomed the 80 contestants of the Miss Universe 2008 pageant, who paraded around the town in cyclos on June 25th.

Thousands of locals and tourists watched the parade. Though it was not a weekend, thousands of lanterns were lit up to honour the international beauties.

“I’m very surprised to see such a beautiful ancient town like Hoi An,” said Miss USA Crystle Stewart.

Contestants also took lanterns and walked on sedge mats to greet Hoi An people. They released 80 lanterns down the Hoai River.

More photos on the event click here

6/25 - Miss Venezuela won Best in Ao Dai Award

Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela has won best in traditional Vietnamese attire during the Ao Dai Fashion Show held in Hoa Binh Theater on Tuesday, June 24th.

The runners-up were India (Simran Kaur), Vietnam (Nguyen Thuy Lam), Thailand (Gavintra Pothijak) and Kazakhstan (Alfina Nassyrova).

Watch videos of the Ao Dai Fashion Show click here

More photos on the event click here

6/24 - America's Got Talent Host Jerry Springer and Spice Girl Mel B to host the 2008 Miss Universe pageant live from Vietnam on July 13th

Melanie Brown, better known as Mel B, has made her mark as an accomplished singer, actress, producer, designer and TV personality. Mel B became a household name as “Scary Spice,” one of the members of the iconic girl group the Spice Girls. She has appeared in numerous TV specials, shows and films as well as on Broadway in the hugely successful musical “Rent.” Mel B is currently working on her third solo album, slated for release in early 2009. Her newest project, “The Singing Office,” will premiere on TLC later this month, with Mel serving as Executive Producer and Co-Host. Additionally, she was a finalist on the fifth season of “Dancing with the Stars,” where she became a fan favorite with her dance experience and fun disposition on the dance floor. She has since become a special events correspondent for “Access Hollywood.”

“I’m thrilled to be a co-host of the Miss Universe Pageant,” said Mel B. “I believe the diversity and dedication that the pageant brings inspires and empowers young women across the globe.”

Each contestant, representing 80 countries from around the world, will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vie for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2008. The Miss Universe show is an internationally celebrated event with distribution in more than 170 countries.

Japan native, Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007 will crown her successor at the conclusion of the telecast. During her reign, she has traveled the world as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research, and legislation. The newly crowned Miss Universe will go on to do the same.

Donald J. Trump and Phil Gurin of The Gurin Company will again serve as Executive Producers for MISS UNIVERSE® 2008.

To purchase tickets for the telecast visit : www.unicorp.vn/ticket

Miss Universe 2008 contestants were divided into two groups to visit the Tam Binh Orphanage and the Nguyen Dinh Chieu School for visually-impaired children in HCM City. They have talked and played with the children, and brought them gifts during the visit.

Check more photos of the activities during their charity visit click here

6/23 - Miss Universe 2008 10 Finalists for Best in National Costume

Miss Universe 2008 National Costume Competition was held at the Lions Theatre in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday, June 22, 2008. The 10 finalists was selected by a panel of judges.

The 10 finalists are costumes from : Albania, Colombia, Dominican Republic, India, Kosovo, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, Venezuela, & Vietnam.

The event was sponsored by Samsung. Each Top 10 finalists received a Samsung Armani cellular phone, valued at US $1000.

The winner for Best in National Costume award will be chosen by internet votes.

Check some of the national costumes photos click here

6/22 - Miss Universe contestants visit HCM City tourist sites

A group of contestants at Miss Universe 2008 visited some tourist sites in HCM City, including the Great Church, Ben Thanh market, the HCM City People's Committee, the City Post Office. Check out photos of the delegates click here

6/20 - CAO Fine Jewelry create this year's coveted Miss Universe® crown

World Renowned Vietnamese Brand PNJ to Unveil Unique Crown for the 2008 Miss Universe® Competition

The crown, valued at $120 thousand dollars, is made of 18K white and yellow gold. It is comprised of over 1,000 precious stones; including 555 white diamonds (30 carats), 375 cognac diamonds (14 carats), 10 smoky quartz crystals (20 carats) and 19 morganite gemstones (60 carats). The colors of the jewels chosen for the crown have great significance. The yellow luster of the gold represents the prosperous thriving economy in Vietnam. White, light pink and cognac are the main hues in the crown which represent inspiration and feeling

ìThe Miss Universe crown is one of the most revered pieces of jewelry in the world,î said Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization. ìWe are very excited to have partnered with CAO Fine Jewelry and Jewelry by Rosalina to create this yearís crown.î

ìThe curved design creates a natural rhythm and a stable structure for the crown, symbolizing the spirit of unity. The crown combines the beauty and the character of each nation, accomplishing the goal of the pageant, which is international unity,î explained designers Ms. Kim Lien and Rosalina Lydster.

Contestants from more than 80 countries will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vie for the title of Miss Universe 2008 and the opportunity to wear the crown. The winner will receive a tiara by CAO Fine Jewelry valued at $30 thousand dollars.

6/17 - Vietnam ready to welcome Miss Universe 2008 delegates

Contestants of the Miss Universe 2008 pageant will start arriving in Vietnam today, June 16. Up to 40 beauties will arrive at the HCM City-based Tan Son Nhat International Airport on June 17, according to the organizers.

Two delegates arrived early in Vietnam on June 16, they are Siera Robertson from Guam and Karol Castillo from Peru.

On June 17, 40 other contestants with Miss Vietnam, Nguyen Thuy Lam will take their rooms at the New World Hotel, HCM City. Among 40 girls who will come to HCM City will be the delegates from France, Italy, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, USA, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Seventeen more contestants which includes Czech Republic, India, Australia, Venezuela, the UK, Greece, South Africa, Norway, will arrive in HCM City on June 18. On June 19, 17 others will come, they are the delegates China, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Japan.

The names of over 70 delegates have already been announced. The remaining other delegates (around 10) will arrive in Vietnam in the following days.

Miss Universe 2008 contestants will stay in HCM City till June 24, then go to Hoi An Town (June 25), Hanoi (June 26), Ha Long (June 27-28) and Nha Trang (June 29-July 15).

Aside from participating in fashion shows, parades, on-the-beach and charity activities, competitors will go to some famous landscapes in Vietnam to make a 9-minute video advertising the host country’s tourism. The video will be shot on May 5. It will be broadcast on NBC during the 2-hour final telecast on July 14th, Vietnamese time.

Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant will be held in Nha Trang, Vietnam on July 13, 2008 and will be televised live via NBC.

More than 80 stunning women from all over the world will take part on the competition.

See the list of Miss Universe 2008 contestants click here