Miss USA 2016

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65th Miss Universe Watch | Deshauna Barber of the USA

Posted by Norman on December 29, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .

Deshauna Barber is Miss USA in the 65th Miss Universe

Credentials-wise, Deshauna Barber has a lot of impressive achievements going for her. She is a Commander in the US Army Reserves. She is a former member of the US Armed Forces. She is the only national titleholder crowned while in active military service. And she is Miss USA in the 65th Miss Universe.

This 27 year-old native of the District of Columbia has one very good quality that would make her deserving of the Miss Universe sash – she is quite a good speaker. And we all know how important that qualification is after her NYC roommate Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach has set the bar high for her successor.

Watch Deshauna during her recent TV guesting on the TD Jakes Show

courtesy of TD Jakes

Does she have the big advantage for the crown?

Deshauna on the streets of NYC

Of course, there is more to being articulate than meets the DIC crown (or is it still the DIC crown nowadays?). Deshauna needs to consistently exude the right combination of inner and outer beauty to sustain the big strides Miss Universe has gained the past year. She has the advantage alright, with her regular presence in the Miss Universe Organization offices and sleeping with the reigning Miss Universe under one roof.

But what are your thoughts about Deshauna, dear readers? Do you think that she has already made serious inroads for the title as early as several months back when she won Miss USA 2016?

Watch a video of her Holiday greetings now.

courtesy of Miss USA

Maxine Medina in L.A.

Posted by Norman on June 9, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

Maxine Medina and Janine Tugonon bond in L.A.

Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina flew to Los Angeles last week for a vacation that was somehow a visual assignment as well. When Miss USA 2016 was staged at the T-Mobile Arena last Sunday night, I could already sense that she was also in the audience watching the entire proceedings. And this is a good thing because that would give our bet a pretty good idea of how the pageant works. After all, it will be the same team that will handle Miss Universe come December. So it all makes sense to watch and learn.

Meanwhile, back in L.A., Maxine got the chance to spend some time with Miss Universe 2012 1st Runner-Up Janine Tugonon. The latter must have given her more useful tips on how to handle the inner workings of Miss Universe.

And while she’s still in the City of Angels, Maxine was also feted to a warm get-together with her friends and #Maxinatics supporters alongside Jonas Gaffud, Angela Fernando and sister Ferica (see photo below).

Get-together in L.A. with the Maxinatics and other supporters


So now, I leave you with a photo from the fashion editorial Maxine did for Slice Magazine. It happens to be one of her favorite shoots actually. Good night while I catch up on much-needed sleep. 🙂

Maxine in one of her favorite editorials for Slice Magazine

Pia and Deshauna: The New Housemates

Posted by Norman on June 7, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , .

Miss USA and Miss Universe inside the plane to NYC


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So now that Olivia Jordan has made the beautiful exit as Miss USA 2015, her successor Deshauna Barber started taking over the reins as the country’s next Miss Universe rep. Along with Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach herself, the two departed on a private plane to the Big Apple where they will start living together as housemates in the appointed Manhattan apartment and continue with their respective responsibilities for WME/IMG.

Will Pia and Deshauna hit it off well? I think so. While some people are saying that their strong personalities might not compliment each other, the adjustments shouldn’t be that big considering that they are expected to fulfill important roles in the Miss Universe Organization. They will nicely blend soon enough.

Welcome to a new world – Universe rather – Miss USA 2016! 😀

Congratulations to Miss USA 2016 Deshauna Barber

Posted by Norman on June 6, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , .

DC wins its 2nd Miss USA crown via Deshauna Barber


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Left to right: Miss USA Deshauna Barber, 1st Runner-Up Chelsea Hardin and 2nd Runner-Up Emanii Davis

Congratulations to Deshauna Barber for winning Miss USA 2016 in Las Vegas. She is the third candidate from the District of Columbia (after Bobbie Johnson and Shauntay Hinton) to win the national crown and will represent the US in Miss Universe 2016 which, by all indications, will also be hosted in Las Vegas.

Chelsea Hardin of Hawaii was named 1st Runner-Up, with Emanii Davis of Georgia getting 2nd Runner-Up honors.

Expect Deshauna and our Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach to start bonding in the weeks and months to come. 🙂

Sunday Specials: Finding Miss USA 2016

Posted by Norman on June 5, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .

The search for Olivia Jordan’s successor just got a tad bigger in terms of the number of candidates

courtesy of Miss USA

The search for Olivia Jordan’s successor will come to a close this weekend (Monday morning in Manila) with the crowning of Miss USA 2016 in Las Vegas this Sunday night. And with the Preliminaries over and done with, allow me to share the ladies who did well in my eyes and the ones who just might pull a sweet victory once everything is over.

Collectively, above are my Top 16 during the Preliminaries


My Top 16 (I made it 16 just because there are 52 delegates this year instead of the usual 51) are (in alphabetical order):

1) Colorado – Caley-Rae Pavillard
2) Georgia – Emanii Davis
3) Hawaii – Chelsea Hardin
4) Illinois – Zena Malak
5) Louisiana – Maaliyah Papillion
6) Maine – Marisa Butler
7) Massachusetts – Whitney Sharpe
8) Minnesota – Bridget Jacobs
9) Nevada – Emelina Adams
10) New Jersey – Jessielyn Palumbo
11) Ohio – Megan Wise
12) South Dakota – Madison McKeown
13) Tennessee – Hope Stephens
14) Texas – Daniella Rodriguez
15) Wisconsin – Kate Redeker
16) Miss 52 – Alexandra Miller

Truth be told, it could be a miss for a few of them because their performances got a little underwhelming. But once I factor in other considerations that can contribute to what the owners of Miss USA are looking for, my choices above just got a little more secure.

So without further ado, here are the five candidates who just might have it in them to be the next BFF-roomie of Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach:

I’m going out on a limb with my Top 5 for Miss USA 2016

I really love Miss Wisconsin Kate Redeker. She is young but projects so well and could really be the next face of the pageant brand. Miss Maine Marisa Butler could be a scene-stealer, on the other hand. She presented herself during the Preliminaries in a way that makes the viewers like myself grow even more fond of her overall potentials for the crown. Miss South Dakota Madison McKeown is the standard in my opinion. If she kicks it up during the finals, I wouldn’t be surprised if she outshines everyone provided that she renders a solid Q&A turn. Miss Hawaii Chelsea Hardin is also a safe bet to win, but it could go either way depending on the judges’ preferences. And Miss 52? Alexandra Miller is likely to get a good boost considering the hype that surrounded the addition of one extra contender in this year’s batch.

Good luck to all the ladies and may the most deserving Miss USA 2016 be selected among them! 🙂

#FindingMiss52 for Miss USA 2016: an interesting twist

Posted by Norman on April 22, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .

 

Miss USA 2016 will have a 52nd contestant voted by social media

 
 
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As very clearly explained by Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan in the video above, there will indeed be a search for one additional candidate in Miss USA 2016 and who will be called Miss 52. Social media will be the initial avenue where the eligible joiners – regardless of shape, size, color or background – can participate. A panel will select the ten (10) finalists and from there, online voting will determine who Miss 52 will be!

Here are the details.

This year, The Miss USA competition will go on its first-ever nationwide search on social media for the next Miss USA. In addition to the 51 state contestants, we are looking for a 52nd contestant to take the stage at the 2016 Miss USA competition.

Any and all eligible women from the US are encouraged to apply starting today until May 2nd. Miss USA is not afraid to push the envelope – she is someone who is strong, determined and confident. No matter your shape, size, color, or background, this is YOUR chance to celebrate what makes you beautiful.

If you think YOU have what it takes to become the next Miss USA, use the hashtag #FindingMiss52 and submit three posts on Instagram or Twitter that include a photo or video explaining why you should be the 52nd contestant as well the official form on FindingMiss52.MissUSA.com by May 2nd.

A panel of judges will narrow the applicants down to 10 finalists. The Top 10 women will be announced on May 10th and fans will be able to vote for their favorite finalist who will go on to represent Miss 52.

The winner who receives the highest number of votes will be announced on approximately May 18th and will be flown to the competition destination to compete for the title of Miss USA 2016, broadcasted LIVE on June 5th on FOX.

This is your chance… get out of your comfort zone, take challenges, be yourself – show the world that you are #confidentlybeautiful. #FindingMiss52 is made possible by Sherri Hill.

For a full set of rules and eligibility requirements please visit FindingMiss52.MissUSA.com

  
Your thoughts, dear readers?

One-hit-wonder or a potentially popular practice for future editions of Miss USA? 🙂