Miss Universe 2000

All posts tagged Miss Universe 2000

Reminiscing Miss World 1997 Diana Hayden

Posted by Norman on May 28, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images


Taking the cue on how you, my dear readers, reacted to the online chat between Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi and Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta, I decided to share another Indian beauty who brought pride to her country back in 1997 after winning Miss World.

The focus is on how this beauty queen-turned-actress handles sit-down interviews taped for a bigger audience. In the throwback video clips below, she guested on the talk show of Riz Khan on Al-Jazeera and discussed an assortment of topics that allow us to see through her personality and inner beauty.

When Zozi met Lara. Online.

Posted by Norman on May 27, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

As all of you know by now, Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi has been making good use of her quarantine time by chatting with either previous recent winners or fellow candidates during last year’s competition.

Below is her online one-on-one with Lara Dutta of India who was Miss Universe 2000 and who is celebrating her 20th Anniversary as the titleholder. Watch now.

From 79 Aphrodites to one Miss Universe 2000 – Lara Dutta

Posted by Norman on April 14, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Latest public photo of Miss Universe 200 Lara Dutta of India when she attended the grand finale of LIVA Miss Diva 2020 on February 22, 2020 in Mumbai, India (Photo by Prodip Guha/Getty Images)

Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta with her husband Mahesh Bhupati during wedding reception of Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma at St Regis Hotel, Lower Parel on December 26, 2017 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Prodip Guha/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

There was something special about Miss Universe 2000 held in Nicosia, Cyprus. The country takes pride in one of its most popular tourist attractions- Petra tou Romiou – the birthplace of Aphrodite, Goddess of Beauty. And it could not have been a more appropriate host for the turn-of-the-millennium edition of the pageant. With 79 modern Aphrodites competing for the crown, it was certainly a memorable event that saw the victorious Lara Dutta gifting India with its second Miss Universe title. And boy, did she do it with style, gift of gab and lots of intelligence (smarts if you will).

2000 was extra significant for India because it was the year when the country won 3-of-3 international titles of Femina Miss India courtesy of Lara Dutta, Priyanka Chopra and Diya Mirza (left photo). It was one of those national pageant editions when the placements were perfect.

Before becoming Miss Universe 2000, Lara was crowned Miss Intercontinental 1997 first. And this makes her just one of a small handful who won two international beauty competitions. After her reign, she has been a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador. As for her Bollywood career, it wasn’t the easiest climb at first. But last 2005, she starred in “No Entry” – the biggest box-office hit then. From there, everything went on an upswing.

Photo by Milind Shelte/The India Today Group via Getty Images

Lara married Indian tennis player Mahesh Bhupati last 2011 and they have one daughter named Saira. She continued her film career after, got active with her Youtube channel – Heal with Lara – that also utilized her love for Yoga and Meditation. Three years ago, she started mentoring for the Miss Diva contest. And just last year, she launched her line of beauty care products called Arias.

Personally, Lara is one beauty queen who could have been just as wonderful as Miss World. Instead, she got the Universe and made full use of all the opportunities to become a powerful spokesperson, a successful Bollywood actress and an inspiring influencer in her home country.

(Photo by Manoj Verma/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

Sunday Senti Specials: The Year was 2000, a memorable time for India in Pageantry

Posted by Norman on July 29, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Looking back, it was the second time that India successfully won in both Miss Universe and Miss World on the same year – a feat that is difficult to achieve twice, let alone once.

Right now, 36 year-old Priyanka Chopra is one highly-established beauty queen who was able to achieve success as Miss World 2000, a Bollywood film star and a Hollywood actress.

And now, she is reportedly engaged to actor Nick Jonas after two months of dating. That is one fast-track that will move her up the ladder of global popularity even more!

My Flight Attendant friend – Jeddahliz Maltezo (she once took part in MWP) – shared that she recently had the chance to be the Cabin Crew on board the Business Class section when Pri flew as a passenger. And she swears to her cool and down-to-earth demeanour.


And then there’s Lara Dutta.

I can still distinctly remember the finals of Miss Universe 2000 held in Nicosia, Cyprus for the very first time. Right from the start, the former Miss Intercontinental (from 1997) was on top of her game and you can tell that she was way ahead of 1st Runner-Up Claudia Moreno of Venezuela when only two women were left standing.

It was Lara’s night alright. And she started another 1-2 punch of sorts for India that year – duplicating the 1994 achievements of Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai.

What baffled me then was the non-inclusion of our bet Nina Alagao who was clearly deserving of making it to the first cut at the very least. Even co-hosts Ali Landry/Julie Moran were surprised that she did not make it that far.

Anyways, the “Golden Lampshade” NatCos (made by Alfredo Barraza) of Nina that year was much-talked about because it was something that we have never seen yet in any of our country’s past MU representatives.

Enjoy the remainder of the weekend, dear readers!