Photo:Miss Japan Universe 2009 Emiri Miyasaki obscene kimono photo

Emiri Miyasaka was accused of dressing up in a style inappropriate to Japanese beauty and culture. Nearly 2000 people in Japan described the dress as crass, sleazy and “something a prostitute might wear.”

The outfit, designed by French designer Ines Ligron and Japan’s Yoshiyuki Ogata, is a barely-there kimono in black leather. cut very high, with an obi band, revealing lacy pink underwear and garter belts.

“We are just surprised by the harsh comments from many people,” said a staff member at IBG Japan, the fashion and entertainment company which organizes the

Japanese leg of the beauty competition.

“The conservative and fashion dinosaurs are criticizing her costume, meanwhile the fashionistas love it. I care only about the movers and shakers in the fashion

industry,” wrote the fashion French designer Ligron on her blog.

In the face of massive criticism, IBG Japan will change Miss Japan Universe 2009 Emiri Miyasaka’s look, before the 2009 Miss Universe contest that will be held on August 23, 2009.

“Considering the opinions we got from many supporters and other people concerned, we decided to make the hemline of the costume longer,” said IBG Japan.

Update: Pooja Chopra is Miss India World 2009

The show is being telecast live at Sony Entertainment Television, from 8 PM.

The top five 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contestants are:

1) Deeksha Seth

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contestant Deeksha Seth photo

2) Shreya Kishore
3) Ekta Chaudhry

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India Ekta Chaudhry photo

4) Ragini Dwivedi
5) Faith Pandey

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India Fath Pandey

6) Pooja Chopra

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contestant Pooja Chopra photo

7) Harshita Saxena

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contestant Harshita Saxena photo

Niharika Naganda

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contestant Niharika Naganda photo

9) Ishita Sarkar

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contestant Ishita Sarkar photo

10) Nandini Vaid

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contestant Nandini Vaid photo

Here the list of winners of the sub-contests of the 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contest:

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India Miss fresh face winner: Deeksha Seth

Photo: 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India Fresh Face Deeksha Seth

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India Agile Femina Miss 10 winner: Harshita Saxena

2009 Pantaloons Femina Jealous 21Miss Sexy Legs winner: Sonakshi Sajnani

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss Golden Heart: Ishita Sarkar

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss 58888: Aarohi Kadam

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss Talented: Ekta Chaudhry Pooja Chopra

The finale of the 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contest is being hosted by actor R. Madhavan and Malaika Arora Khan.

Karan Wahi and Swapnil Joshi, not-so-funny stand-up comedians, are working the audience and the judges trying to get a few laughs, that are, sadly, not forthcoming.

The judges for the 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contest include Ajay Devgan and Asin.

The show will have performances by Genelia D’Souza, Kangana Ranaut, and Priyanka Chopra.

The top 20 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contestants are:

• Aarohi Kadam
• Akanksha Yadav
• Aparajita Sharma
• Dimple Patel
• Ekta Chowdhry
• Faith Pandey – 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India South contest winner
• Hanika Paryani
• harshita Saxena
• Ishita Sarkar
• Karishma Karnik
• Nandini Vaid
• Niharika Nag
• Nishtha Khadiwala
• Pooja Chopra – 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India East contest winner
• Pooja Hegde
• Ragini Dwivedi
• Shriya Kishore
• Sonakshi Sajnani
• Tulip Bhattacharya

Of the top 20 contestants, Pantaloons Femina Miss India South 2009 winner Faith Pandey and 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India East contest winner Pooja Chopra have made it to the top ten on account of their regional wins.

Update: Pooja Chopra is Miss India World 2009

Here the list of winners of the first six sub-contests of the 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contest:

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India Miss fresh face winner: Deeksha Seth

Photo: 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India Fresh Face Deeksha Seth

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India Agile Femina Miss 10 winner: Harshita Saxena

2009 Pantaloons Femina Jealous 21Miss Sexy Legs winner: Sonakshi Sajnani

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss Golden Heart: Ishita Sarkar

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss 58888: Aarohi Kadam

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss Talented: Ekta Chaudhry Pooja Chopra

The 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contest will be telecast live on Sony Entertainment Television at 8 PM.

The finale will be hosted by actor R. Madhavan and Malaika Arora Khan. Stand-up comedians Karan Wahi and Swapnil Joshi will interact with the audience and the judges.

The judges for the 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contest include Ajay Devgan and Asin.

Actress Priyanka Chopra, who won the Miss India World and Miss World title in 2000, will perform at the grand finale. The 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India will also have performances by Kangana Ranaut and Genelia Do’Souza.

Twenty 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contestants, whittled down from the original 64, will take part in the show. The list of the top 20 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contestants were announced on March 9, 2009.

The top 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contestants are:

• Deeksha Seth
• Aarohi Kadam, A
  

  2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contestant Aarohi Kadam

• Akanksha Yadav
• Aparajita Sharma
• Dimple Patel
• Ekta Chowdhry
• Faith Pandey – 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India South contest winner
• Hanika Paryani
• harshita Saxena
• Ishita Sarkar
• Karishma Karnik
• Nandini Vaid

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contestant Nandini Vaid

• Niharika Nag
• Nishtha Khadiwala
• Pooja Chopra – 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India East contest winner
• Pooja Hegde
• Ragini Dwivedi
• Shriya Kishore
• Sonakshi Sajnani
• Tulip Bhattacharya

Photo:Faith Pandey (center) 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India South winner with 1st runner-up Ragini Dwivedi (left) and 2nd runner-up Zara Shah (right)

Pantaloons Femina Miss India South 2009 winner Faith Pandey and 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India East contest winner Pooja Chopra have made it to the top ten directly.

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India East Pooja Chopra photo

The top 20 Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2009 contestants have been training hard during the past few weeks at the hands of experts, like Marc Robinson, Alicia Raut, Sabira Merchant, Dr. Dilip Deshpande, Makeover expert Dr. Abhijit Desai, Hair Care experts Dr. Apoorva & Sonal Shah, Fashion Stylist for photoshoot for Ashley Rebello, Prasad Bidapa, and Fashion Photograper Zakia Shakir.

In the grand finale, the top 20 Femina Miss India contestants will wear designs by Rocky S, Pantaloons (designed by Rajesh and Anirban), Prasad Bidappa and Rajan for Arabella, and Ritu Kumar, a report in TOI said.

The 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contestants ramp walk has been choreographed by Marc Robinson, contestant director and fashion director of  Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2009.

The 2008 Pantaloons Femina Miss India winner was Parvathy Omanakuttan, while the 2008 Miss India Universe was Simran Kaur Mundi. The second runner-up was Harshita Saxena.

Update: Pooja Chopra is Miss India World 2009

Femina Miss India World 2009 Pooja Chopra photo

Pooja Chopra is also the 2009 Femina Miss India East contest winner, that gave her a direct entry into the semi-final round of the contest.

Pooja Chopra is the co-winner of the 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India Talented title, and the winner of the 2009 Femina Miss Beautiful Smile title.

She has also won the 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India Beautiful Body title.

The Pantaloons Femina Miss India Universe 2009 is Ekta Chaudhry.

2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India Universe Ekta Chaudhry photo

The Pantaloons Femina Miss India Earth 2009 is Shriya Kishore.

2009 Femina Miss India Earth Shriya Kishore photo

Photo: 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India finalists

The grand finale of the 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contest will take place on April 5, 2009.

The 20 finalists walked the ramp in a show choreographed by Marc Robinson. They wore cocktail dresses designed by Haasya Chandna, cutsomised for each contestant, according to their personality.

The 20 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India finalists are:

• Aarohi Kadam
  

  2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contestant Aarohi Kadam

• Akanksha Yadav
• Aparajita Sharma
• Dimple Patel
• Ekta Chowdhry
• Faith Pandey – 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India South contest winner
• Hanika Paryani
• harshita Saxena
• Ishita Sarkar
• Karishma Karnik
• Nandini Vaid
• Niharika Nag
• Nishtha Khadiwala
• Pooja Chopra – 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India East contest winner
• Pooja Hegde
• Ragini Dwivedi
• Shriya Kishore
• Sonakshi Sajnani
• Tulip Bhattacharya

At the event, the three Collection G crowns designed for the three winners of the 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contest, were unveiled.

Photo: One of the 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India top 20 finalists

The 20 finalists will go through rigorous training in the run-up to the grand finale, devised by experts like Marc Robinson, Fashion Director & Contestant Director, Alicia Raut, Ramp Walk Trainer, Sabira Merchant, Diction Expert, and Dr. Rekha Sheth, Nivea Visage Skin Care Expert.

The other experts will include Smile & Dental expert Dr. Dilip Deshpande, Makeover expert Dr. Abhijit Desai, Hair Care experts Dr. Apoorva & Sonal Shah, Fashion Stylist for photoshoot for Ashley Rebello, Contestand Advisor Prasad Bidapa, and Fashion Photograper Zakia Shakir.

Photo: One 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India finalist

Najeeb Ur Rehman will be the Chief Colour and Styling Consultant from Schwarzkopf Professional, Anuja Katara, the Make up Expert from Make up Forever, Latif Mohammed, the Head Fitness & Training Expert from Talwalkars, Neesha Bukht and Avantika Shah , Diet & Nutrition Experts from Talwalkars, Sandeep Soparkar & Jesse Randhawa, Dance Experts and Anjanna Kuthiala, Art appreciation expert.

Photo: 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India top 20 finalist

In the 2008 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contest, the Pantaloons Femina Miss India South contest was launched. This year too the Pantaloons Femina Miss India South contest was a big hit. Miss Faith Pandey was crowned the final winner for Pantaloons Femina Miss India South 2009.

Photo:Faith Pandey (center) 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India South winner

In 2009, the Pantaloons Femina Miss India East contest has been introduced for the first time. Ms. Pooja Chopra was chosen as the 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India East contest winner.

Photo: Pooja Chopra, 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India East winner

Both Faith Pandey and Pooja Chopra has got a a direct entry into the top 10 finalists of the 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2009 grand finale.

In the 2008 Pantaloons Femina Miss India contest, the winners were Miss World Parvathi Omannakuttan, Miss Universe Simran Kaur Mundi, and Tanvi Vyas Miss India Earth.

Katie Stam Miss America 2009 winner

The Miss America 2009 contest was held at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, on January 24, 2009.

The first runner-up was Miss Georgia America 2009 Chastity Hardman. Chastity was tipped to be the favorite to be the Miss America 2009 winner. Chastity has won a $25,000 scholarship. Her talent performance was the song, “Home” for the musical, The Wiz and her personal platform is Boys and Girls Club of America: DREAMing Through Music.

Katie Stam crowned as Miss America 2009

The second runner-up was Miss Iowa America 2009, Olivia Myers. Olivia took home a $20,000 scholarship. Her talent was a tap dance to “Fever”, and her personal platform is Teaching Tolerance: Fostering a Just and Caring Culture from the Classroom Out.”

Along with the Miss America 2009 title, Katie Stam will take home a $50,000 scholarship.

The new Miss America 2009 title winner, Katie Stam had a good run in the preliminaries of the contest as well. Katie was the winner of the preliminary swimsuit round and the Miss Lifestyle and Fitness winner. The stunning Katie Stam wore a black bikini and later an off-the-shoulder white lace gown, during the Miss America 2009 pageant.

Katie has won a $1000 scholarship along with the Miss America 2009 title.

Katie Stam is the Miss Indiana 2008 winner

For the talent round, Katie sang Via Dolorosa despite having a throat infection, and impressed the audience with her rendition.

Katie did her schooling from Seymour High School and is now studying communications at the University of Indianapolis.

Katie Stam wants to work in the electronic media, and become an television reporter and anchor.

Before being chosen as the Miss America 2009 winner, and the Miss Indiana 2009 winner, Katie Holmes had won the Miss Duneland local title.

Miss Indiana America 2009 Katie Stam has, in the past, secured the following awards:

1. Indiana Association of Broadcasters (IASB) News Anchor contest winner
2. First in IASB News Reporter contest
3. Elisa Bowen Outstanding Student in Television Award
4. National Broadcast Education Association Hard News Story runner-up
5. Winner of Senator Richard Lugar Scholarship
6. Included University of Indianapolis Dean’s List and Academic Honor Roll
7. University of Indianapolis Outstanding Television Performance Award 2007 and 2008.

Katie has worked as Operations Manager, UIndy TV; News Director, UIndy TV; Hostess/Take Out, Buca di Beppo, Greenwood; Intern, WTHR-TV Channel 13 (NBC); Intern, WISH-TV Channel 8 (CBS).

Katie Stam has also won the Community Spirit Award (United Way), the Indianapolis Student Government 2008 “Best Chair” Award, second place in America’s Junior Miss 2005, Miss Central Indiana 2008 People’s Choice Award, Indiana’s Junior Miss 2005, and Jackson County Junior Miss 2005.

Katie Stam at the Miss Indiana 2008 contest

During the pageant, judges has pared down the contestants to 15 finalists. They were Miss Michigan America 2009 Ashlee Baracy, Miss Delaware America 2009 Galen Giaccone, Miss Arkansas America 2009 Ashlen Batson, Miss Hawaii America 2009 Nicole Fox, Miss District of Columbia America 2009 Kate Marie Grinold, Miss Iowa America 2009 Olivia Myers, Miss New York America 2009 Leigh-Taylor Smith, Miss California America 2009 Jackie Geist, Miss Florida America 2009 Sierra Minott, Miss Kentucky America 2009 Emily Cox and Miss Tennessee America 2009 Ellen Carrington.

Katie Stam was also one of the People’s choice participants chosen by viewers of the TLC reality series, Miss America: Countdown to the Crown. The other contestants that were voted were Miss South Dakota America 2009 Alexandra Hoffman, Miss Georgia America 2009 Chastity Hoffman, and Miss Alabama America 2009 Amanda Tapley.

In her role as a National Goodwill Ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network, she will travel to help raise funds for children’s hospitals. She will also promote her platform of Passion for Service: Promoting Community Service and Involvement.

In the 2009 Miss America contest so far the following Miss America 2009 winners have been announced:

Galen Giaccone Miss Talent 2009 preliminary winner

On night one, Miss Indiana America 2009, Katie Stam and Miss Delaware Galen Giaccone were chosen as the Miss America 2009 Lifestyle and Fitness winner and Miss America 2009 Talent winner.

Katie Stam Miss Indiana America 2009 was the Miss Lifestyle and Fitness winner

On night two, Miss Georgia America 2009 Chastity Hardman was named Wednesday night’s Miss America 2009 Talent winner.

Chastity Hardman Miss Georgia America 2009 preliminary talent winner

Miss Mississippi America 2009 Christine Kozlowski, was the preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness winner on night two.

Christine Kozlowski Miss Mississippi America 2009 Miss Lifestyle and Fitness preliminary winner

On night three, Miss New York America 2009, Leigh-Taylor Smith was chosen as the Miss America 2009 Lifestyle and Fitness winner.

Leigh Taylor-Smith, Miss America 2009 preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness winner

Miss Vermont America 2009 Ashley Wheeler was declared the Talent winner.

Ashley Taylor Miss Vermont America 2009 preliminary Talent winner

Here is a complete list of contestants participating in the 2009 Miss America contest,

The 2008 Miss America winner was Miss Michigan, Kirsten Haglund.

1) Miss Alabama America 2009, Amanda Tapley, 20, from Birmingham, Alabama

2) Miss Alaska America 2009, Stephany Jeffers, 23, from Anchorage, Alaska

3) Miss Arizona America 2009, Erin Nurss, 23, from Sierra Vista, Arizona

4) Miss Arkansas America 2009, Ashlen Batson, 21, from Newark, Arkansas

5) Miss California America 2009, Jackie Giest, 22, from Vacaville, California

Jackie Giest is the winner of the Miss Vaca Valley title in 2006,   the third runner up in Miss Teenage California 2004, Miss Teen of the Nation 2004 winner, and the Miss Teen Vacaville 2002 winner.

6) Miss Colorado America 2009, Jamie Dukehart-Conti, 23,  from Arvada, Colorado

7) Miss Connecticut, America 2009, Ashley Glenn, 23,  from Hamden, Connecticut

Miss Wyoming America 2009, Galen Giaccone, 20, from Delaware, Wyoming; Galen is the winner of the Delaware Junior Miss 2006

9) Miss Columbia, America 2009, Kate Grinold, 22, from District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., Ballet

10) Miss Florida, America 2009, Sierra Minott, 20, from Fort Myers, Florida; Sierra is the winner of Miss Florida Outstanding Teen 2005

11) Miss Georgia America 2009, Chastity Hardman, 24, from Columbus, Georgia

12) Miss Idaho America 2009, Elise Davis, 20, from Idaho Falls, Idaho

13) Miss Illinois America 2009, Katie Lorenz, 24, from Plymouth, Illinois

14) Miss Indiana America 2009, Katie Stam, 21, from Indianapolis, Indiana; Katie is the winner of Indiana’s Junior Miss 2005 title and the winner of Miss Kentuckiana Teen 2002.

15) Miss Iowa America 2009, Olivia Myers, 22, from Sperry, Iowa

16) Miss Kansas America 2009, Emily Deaver, 19, from Augusta, Kansas

17) Miss Kentucky America 2009, Emily Cox, 22, from Campbellsville, Kentucky

18) Miss Lousiana America 2009, Blair Abene, 22, from Hammond, Louisiana; Blair Abene was the Miss Teen Louisiana 2002 winner

19) Miss Maine America 2009, Adrienne Watkinson, 23, from Topsham, Maine20) Louise Schlegel, 20, Silver Spring, Maryland, Vocal             Attends the University of Maryland, Baltimore County[5]

21) Miss Massachusetts, America 2009, Alicia Zitka, 22, from West Springfield, Massachusetts

22) Miss Michigan America 2009, Ashlee Baracy, 23, from Westland, Michigan

23) Miss Minesota America 2009, Angela McDermott, 24, from Austin, Minnesota

24) Miss Mississippi America 2009, Christine Kozlowski, 19, from D’Iberville, Mississippi

25) Miss Missouri America 2009, Lacey Fitzgerald, 24, from Kansas City, Missouri

26) Miss Montana America 2009, Jennifer Hepner, 23, from Great Falls, Montana

27) Miss Nebraska America 2009, Gretchen Bergquist, 24, from Alliance, Nebraska

28) Miss Nevada America 2009, Julianna Erdesz, 24, from Reno, Nevada

29) Miss New Hampshire America 2009, Natalie Shaw, 23, from Hooksett, New Hampshire

30) Miss New Jersey America 2009, Ashley Fairfield, 22, from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey

31) Miss New Mexico America 2009, Christina Olmi, 23, from Albuquerque, New Mexico

32) Miss New York America 2009, Leigh-Taylor Smith, 22, from New York City, New York

33) Miss North Carolina America 2009, Amanda Watson, 21, from Raleigh, North Carolina; Amanda was the Miss Garner 2008 winner and the Miss ANTSO 2005 winner

34) Miss North Dakota America 2009, Tessie Jones, 21, from West Fargo, North Dakota

35) Miss Ohio America 2009, Karissa Martin, 21, Woodsfield, Ohio

36) Miss Oklahoma America 2009, Kelsey Cartwright, 20, Collinsville, Oklahoma

37) Miss Oregon America 2009, Danijela Krsti?, 24, from Beaverton, Oregon

38) Miss Pennsylvania America 2009, Kendria Perry, 23, from Nazareth, Pennsylvania

39) Miss Rhode Island America 2009, Francesca Simone, 23, from North Smithfield, Rhode Island

40) Miss South Carolina America 2009, Anna Perry, 23, from Florence, South Carolina

41) Miss South Dakota America 2009, Alexandra Hoffman, 20, from Eureka, South Dakota; Alexandra Hoffman was the Miss South Dakota Teen USA 2006 winner.

42) Miss Tennessee America 2009, Ellen Carrington, 21, from Jackson, Tennessee

43) Miss Texas America 2009, Rebecca Robinson, 24, from Buffalo, Texas

44) Miss Utah America 2009, Kayla Barclay, 18, from Manti, Utah

45) Miss Vermont America 2009, Ashley Wheeler, 21, from Lyndonville, Vermont

46) Miss Virgin Islands America 2009, Shamika K. Thomas, 23, from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

47) Miss Virginia America 2009, Tara Wheeler, 24, from Woodbridge, Virginia

48) Miss Washington America 2009, Janet Harding, 21, from Yelm, Washington

49) Miss West Virginia America 2009, Kayla Lynam, 21, from Short Gap, West Virginia

50) Miss Wisconsin America 2009, Briana Lipor, 22, from Racine, Wisconsin

51) Miss Wyoming America 2009, Courtney Gifford, 19, from Sheridan, Wyoming

Miss World 2008 winner Kseniya Sukhinova bikini photo

Kseniya Sukhinova comes from Nizhnevartovsk in the Tyumen region, found in the north west of Siberia. Kseniya Sukhonova is pursuing a B. Sc (Bachelor of Science) degree in Engineer of Administration from the Tyumen Oil and Gas University. Click here to read more about the new Miss World 2008, Kseniya Sukhinova from Russia

The first runner-up was Parvathy Omanakuttan, Miss India World 2008.

Miss India 2008 Parvathy Omanakuttan is the first runner-up in the Miss World 2008 pageant

The second runner-up was Miss Trinidad & Tobago World 2008, Gabrielle Walcott. 24-year-old Gabrielle belongs to Trinidad and has a degree in Visual and Theatre Arts from the University of the West Indies.
She is pursuing a second degree in Acting and Theatre Arts, in New York.

Gabrielle is currently a youth ambassador to the UN.

Her motto is Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.

Miss Trinidad & Tobago World 2008 Gabrielle Walcott was the second runner-up in the Miss World 2008 pageant

1) Miss India World 2008, Parvathy Omanakuttan

Parvathy Omanakuttan Miss India World 2008

20-year-old Parvathy Omanakuttan is the Miss India 2008 winner. She was born in Changanassery, Kottayam, Kerala, and now lives in Mumbai. Paravathy has completed her Bachelor of Arts in English literature and wants to study Psychology further.

Parvathy’s motto is Dream with your eyes open.

She has been given 15/1 odds by punters to be the Miss World 2008 winner.

2) Miss Ukraine World 2008, Irina Zhuravskaya

Irina Zhuravskaya Miss Ukraine World 2008

Top favorite to be the Miss World 2008 winner, 18-year-old Irina Zhuravskaya is the Miss Ukraine World 2008 winner.

The stunning Irina is studying history, psychology, arts and literature at the Kyiv Pedagogical University. Irina is also a model attached to the KARIN MMG agency, and a TV weather forecast reporter.

Irina’s motto is Step back from evil and create blessings.

Irina has been given 6/1 odds to be the Miss World 2008 winner.

3) Miss Russia World 2008, Kseniya Sukhinova

Kseniya Sukhinova bikini photo

Kseniya Sukhinova is the Miss Russia World 2007. Sukhinova, who can speak both English and Russian, is currently pursuing a B. Sc (Bachelor of Science) degree in Engineer of Administration from the Tyumen Oil and Gas University. Sukhinova is the Miss World Top Model 2008 winner in the Miss World 2008 track events.

Miss Russia has been given 18/1 odds to be the Miss World 2008 winner, though some have given Miss Russia 2/1 odds to be the Miss World 2008 winner.

Her motto is Respect people around you, and people will respect you.

4) Miss Mexico World 2008, Espinoza Ana Gabriela

Espinoza Ana Gabriela Miss World Best Beach Wear 2008 winner

Espinoza Ana Gabriela is the Miss Mexico 2007 winner. Espinoza is the Miss World Beach Beauty 2008 winner, in the Miss World 2008 contest so far. Espinoza is studying International Tourism and wants to work in the Mexico tourism sector.

She has been given 10/1 odds to be the Miss World 2008 winner.

Espinoza’s motto is Go for what you want, always enjoy the journey and love every step you take.

5) Miss Brazil World 2008, Tamara Almeida Silva

Tamar Ziskind bikini photo

Tamara Almeida Silva is the Miss Brazil 2008 winner. Tamara, who wants to be a judge, is studying law and is now in her fifth year. Tamara is also a trained dancer in classical ballet and jazz.

Her motto is Don’t waste your time only dreaming, make it happen! Tamara works with an NGO Amigos da Terra that works for the protection of Brazilian forests.

She has been given 20/1 odds to be the Miss World 2008 winner.

6) Miss South Africa World 2008, Tansey Coetzee

Tansey Coetzee Miss South Africa World 2008 bikini photo

Tansey Coetzee is the Miss South Africa 2007 contest winner. She has completed her BA in Corporate Communications, and is a professional model. She is also a professional dancer, trained in ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, modern, and Spanish dances.

Tansey’s motto is The greatest losses of all, are those from missed opportunities.

She has been given 15/1 odds to be the Miss World 2008 winner.

7) Miss Spain World 2008, Patricia Rodriguez

Patricia Rodriguez Alonso bikini photo

Patricia Rodriguez is the Miss Spain 2008 winner.

Patricia is a professional model, who wants to set up her own business in fashion while modeling simultaneously.

Her motto is All that you work for today, will be for your good tomorrow.

Patricia has been given 8/1 odds to be the Miss World 2008 winner.

Miss Venezuela World 2008, Hannely Quintero

Hanney Quintero bikini photo

Hannely Quintero is Miss Venezuela World 2007. Hannely is a professional model and student. She is studying psychology, and wants to study merchandising and advertising in the future.

Hannely’s motto is If you believe you can, you can, if you don’t, you are right.

Hannely has been given 12/1 odds to be the Miss World 2008 winner.

9) Miss Puerto Rico World 2008, Ivonne Orsini Lopez

Ivonne wants to be an actress and work in the communications field. She has acted in a soap opera series, Decisiones.

She enjoys sports such as volleyball, basketball, track and field, badminton, and has won many awards.

10) Miss Trinidad & Tobago World 2008, Gabrielle Walcott

Gabrielle Walcott Miss Trinidad & Tobago World 2008 winner bikini photo

Gabrielle has completed her first degree in Visual and Theatre Arts from the University of the West Indies. She moved to New York to complete her second degree in Acting and Theatre Arts.

Gabrielle is one of Trinidad & Tobago’s Youth Ambassadors for the UN.

11) Miss Kazakhstan World 2008, Alfina Nassyrova

Alfina Nassyrova is the Miss Kazakhstan World 2008 semi finalist. She is currently studying Textile and light industry manufacturing at the Almaty Technological University.

Her motto: Never step back, never be on the spot, be only forward and always together.

12) Miss Barbados World 2008, Natalie Olivia Griffith

Natalie is pursuing a degree in Psychology with Management and wants to do her master’s degree in International Business.

13) Miss Angola World 2008, Brigite Santos

Brigite Santos Miss Angola World 2008

Miss Angola World 2008, has just finished high school, and aims to qualify as a Petroleum Engineer.

Her motto is: Life is too short, so enjoy every moment.

She enjoys swimming, listening to music like jazz, and traveling.

14) Miss Czech Republic  World 2008, Zuzana Jandova

Zuzana Jandova Miss Czech Republic 2008 winner

Zuzana Jandova is the Miss Czech Republic 2008 contest winner. Zuzana is a model. She went to Business school and now works in Charity Endowment, Help, and Support.

The Czech Republic has won the Miss World title once in 2006, when Tatana Kucharova was declared Miss World 2006. That was the first time a contestant from the Czech Republic won a Miss World title.

Zuzana Zandova has been given 20/1 odds to be the Miss World 2008 winner.

15) Miss Philippines World 2008, Danielle Castano

Danielle Castano bikini photo

Danielle Castano is the Miss Philippines 2008 winner. She won five special awards at the contest. Danielle wants to be a nurse or a dental technician in the Air force.

Danielle’s motto is In dreams begin responsibilities. She has been given 20/1 odds to be the Miss World 2008 winner.

16) Miss USA World 2008, Mercia Lane Lindell

Mercia Lane Lindell Miss USA World 2008 bikini photo

Mercia Lane Lindell is the Miss USA World 2008 contestant. Mercia is studying at the University of Georgia and wants to be a TV journalist. She has been part of an entertainment group for the past 8 years.

Mercia’s role models are her parents, and her  motto is Treat others the way they would like to be treated.

Zuzana Jandova Miss Czech Republic World 2008 bikini photo

Zuzana Jandova is the winner of the Miss Czech Republic 2008 contest, and will represent the Czech Republic at the Miss World 2008 contest that will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on December 13, 2008.

Zuzana Jandova winner of the Miss Eurosport 2005 title

Zuzana was born and brought up in Karvina in West Bohemia.

Zuzana Jandova bikini photo

Zuzana has passed out of Business School and now works in Charity Endowment, Help, and Support.

Zuzana Jandova says that she like traveling, modeling, and recitation. She like running to keep fit. She enjoys Latin American dancing and listening to R&B music.

Miss Czech Republic World 2008 Zuzana Jandova

Her favorite food is fish and salads.

At the Miss Czech Republic 2008contest, Zuzana Putnárová of Ostrava was the first runner-up, and Kristýna Lebedová was the second runner up.

Zuzana Jandova bikini catwalk photo

Zuzana had won the Miss Eurosport title in 2005.

In 2006, Miss Czech Republic World 2006 Ta?ána Kucha?ová won the Miss World 2006 title. She was the first Czech woman to win the Miss World contest.

Danielle Castano bikini photo

Danielle Castano is the Miss Philippines World 2008 contestant. She was the first runner-up in the Binibining Pilipinas 2008 contest, and won five special awards.

Danielle was born and brought up in Marikina City, and now lives in Quezon City.  She has two younger sisters.

Danielle Castano photo

Danielle Castano is into sports and was in the track and field varsity team in Hoover High School in the US where she completed her secondary education. She also enjoys volleyball, boxing, and going to the gym.

Danielle wants to train as a nurse or a dental technician in the Airforce.

Danielle Castano Miss Philippines World 2008 bikini photo

Danielle Castano likes belly dancing, listening to music like hip hop, jazz & R&B, and cooking. She enjoys Filipino cooking, which she says is influenced by Chinese, Malay, Arab, Spanish and American settlers.

Her personal motto is: In dreams begin responsibilities.

Danielle Castano

Danielle says she admires Nelson Mandela the most in the world, her favorite movie is The Passion of Christ, and her favorite band is a Filipino band, Side A.

Danielle has said that she has been training hard for the Miss World 2008 contests, and hopes the bring the Miss World crown to the Philippines for the first time. Danielle was intensively trained in catwalk skills, personal grooming, and personality development by experts.

Danielle Castano was the first runner-up in the Miss Philippines 2008 contest. The original Miss Philippines World 2008 was Janina San Miguel. In September 2008, Janina San Miguel resigned as Philippines representative to the Miss World 2008 contest, due to personal reasons. It was then decided that the first runner-up  Danielle Castano would be sent to Johannesburg as the Miss Philippines World 2008.