Ximena Navarrete

All posts tagged Ximena Navarrete

Miss Universe 2010: The night of Ximena Navarrete and the start of a decade of memorable finals for the Philippines

Posted by Norman on April 15, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

LAS VEGAS – AUGUST 23: Miss Mexico 2010, Jimena Navarrete (L), reacts as she is crowned the 2010 Miss Universe by 2009 Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez during the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant at the Mandalay Bay Events Center August 23, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS – AUGUST 23: 2010 Miss Universe Jimena Navarrete of Mexico, arrives at the after party for the 2010 Miss Universe pageant at the LAX Nightclub at the Luxor Resort & Casino August 23, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS – AUGUST 23: The top five finalists (L-R) Miss Philippines 2010, Venus Raj, Miss Ukraine 2010, Anna Poslavska, Miss Jamaica 2010, Yendi Phillipps, Miss Australia 2010, Jesinta Campbell, and Miss Mexico 2010, Jimena Navarrete, appear during the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant at the Mandalay Bay Events Center August 23, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Navarrete went on to be crowned the new Miss Universe. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Photo by Alejandro Godinez/Clasos.com/LatinContent via Getty Images

2010 may have been the year Mexico won its second Miss Universe crown, but it is also an edition worth remembering for all Filipinos worldwide because it started the decade of its two memorable wins and string of top placements. Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010 Venus Raj placed 4th Runner-Up here.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here because the main focus is still on Ximena Navarrete who brought so much pride and joy to her country the way her National Director Lupita Jones did back in 1991.

…” Navarrete was born and raised in Guadalajara, the capital city of Jalisco, Mexico to a middle-class family. She is one of two children, born to Carlos Navarrete a dentist (He is from Sahuayo, Michoacán), and Gabriela Rosette, a house wife. She has one younger sister. She began modeling locally at the age of sixteen, and studied nutrition at the Valle de Atemajac University, prior to taking part in the world pageant…

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

During her reign, Ximena made at least fourteen (14) official foreign trips (excluding her several ones to the US and back to Mexico) and that made her one of the more well-traveled winners of the crown. She also became a spokesperson for L’Oreal and Old Navy, while raising awareness for Children International, a U.S.-based humanitarian organization helping over 12,000 poor children in her hometown of Guadalajara.

But it was in 2013 when Ximena made her debut on the small screen. She starred as the female lead in “La Tempestad” opposite William Levy. This was followed by another lead role in 108 Costuras two years later. It was around this time when she started dating Mexican businessman Juan Carlos Valladares. And on April 1, 2017, the two of them were married in a well-attended ceremony at the Capilla del Colegio de San Ignacio de Loyola in Mexico City. This was followed by a lavish reception at the Ex-convento de San Hipolito.

Ximena and husband JC Valladares
(Photo by Servando Gomez Camarillo/Getty Images)

Our Miss Universe 2010 remains happily married to Juan Carlos. She continues to have a career in Mexican/Latin American showbusiness. She is still a sought-after commercial model and endorser. And she just turned 32 last February 22 – looking just as young and beautiful as the night she won the crown. Just check out the month-old video below.

Will Christmas be Merry for Karina Gonzalez?

Posted by Norman on December 5, 2012
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , .

Miss Universe Mexico 2012 Karina Gonzalez

Miss Universe Mexico 2012 Karina Gonzalez

karinagonzales31 Karina Gonzalez is in Las Vegas for one important reason: do a Ximena Navarrete and claim her country’s third Miss Universe crown. You see, this is the same city where her named compatriot won the title more than two years ago. And would it be too much to ask for another victory after just a one-year skip? Not if you’re Mexican. And since Venezuela has already accomplished the near-impossible with a back-to-back win a few years back, then Mexico is definitely not dreaming too big. Besides, what’s the use of sending your best delegate if the only purpose is to participate?

Karina is definitely a contender. And if luck stays by her side all throughout, then she could be spending the Holidays with a pretty Diamond Nexus Lab crown on top of her head. 😉

P.S. Karina and Janine Tugonon will do separate shoots for the upcoming boxing match of Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. This should be interesting.

Chantal Zaky: Following the footsteps of Yendi Phillips?

Posted by Norman on December 3, 2012
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Miss Universe Jamaica 2012 Chantal Zaky

Miss Universe Jamaica 2012 Chantal Zaky (Photo credit: Ryan Lue-Clarke)

On the cover of Beaute' Book

On the cover of Beaute’

While she may be no Yendi Phillips (Miss Jamaica Universe 2010 and Miss Universe 2010 1st Runner-Up), Chantal Zaky is definitely one more strong contender for the coveted crown of Miss Universe 2012. I won’t be surprised if she traces the footsteps of her compatriot who took Las Vegas by storm more than two years ago, only to be stopped short in her tracks by a more popular Ximena Navarrete.

What’s Chantal’s game plan for the pageant? In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, this is what she had to say:

“…My strategy is to exercise the power of positive thinking. I will do everything to make Jamaica the brightest star in the universe and shine. I want the judges and contestants to get the opportunity to know the real Chantal Zaky and judge me based on that. At least that way I can say I was true to myself.”

Personally, I feel that Chantal poses a serious threat to the main favorites for the crown. I don’t know if following the long reign of black beauty Leila Lopes will count against her favor, but she will definitely be someone to watch. 😉

Cynthia Duque will duke it out for Mexico in MU2013

Posted by Norman on September 5, 2012
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , .

Cynthia Duque after being crowned by last year’s Karina Gonzales

Another early bird for Miss Universe 2013 has joined the club. Originally from Monterrey, the 19 year-old Cynthia Duque represented Nuevo Leon in Nuestra Belleza Mexico 2012 and ended up victorious in the national finals last week. Standing at 1.76m, the youthful lass has the pageant work cut out for her, with a lot of time to spare for preparations. Her predecessor, Karina Gonzales, is raring to represent Mexico in this year’s edition, and if lucky enough to win, could add some shine to Cynthia’s turn middle of next. Can they carry out a 1-2 punch in Miss Universe and do successive Ximena Navarrete’s? I doubt if that will happen. But what’s more likely is that one of them will do very well in either.

For now, let’s wait for the makeover of Cynthia Duque from a winsome teenager to regal beauty waiting in the wings. 😉

Karen Gallman: a Ximena deadringer for Bb. Pilipinas 2012?

Posted by Norman on January 26, 2012
Posted in: 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .


Some people say that this girl has some semblance to Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete. Some people may not agree and reject the comparison outright. But one thing that cannot be denied is the fact that she is one good- looking babe. This Filipina-Australian can definitely make heads turn, aside from her decent height of 5’7″.

The name Karen Gallman doesn’t ring a bell after first hearing. The oddly-spelled surname may even raise the eyebrows of a few biotches who would snap at seeing the Filipino-sounding family name get an extra L to make it foreign to the ear. Regardless, this 19 year-old is one fine specimen who can invade the Bb. Pilipinas 2012 screenings and breeze through the various cuts all the way to being named an Official Candidate. Don’t you think so, dear readers? 😉

Miss Universe 2011 is Leila Lopes of Angola!

Posted by Norman on September 13, 2011
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, Blog Bites: Miss Universe 2011. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Leila Lopes of Angola being crowned Miss Universe 2011 by last year's winner Ximena Navarrete.

The dust has settled a bit after Miss Angola LEILA LULIANA DA COSTA VIEIRA LOPES nailed a glorious achievement by winning the Miss Universe 2011 crown – the 60th in a long line of titleholders from the 1950s to the present. She surpassed the competition from 88 equally stunning ladies during the worldwide telecast of the biggest global pageant from Credicard Hall in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Last two women standing: Olesya Stefanko of Ukraine (L) and Leila Lopes of Angola (Photo credit: Fotoarena)

First Runner-Up is Olesia Stefanko of Ukraine. Second Runner-Up is Priscila Machado of Brazil, with 3rd Runner-Up honors going to Shamcey Supsup of the Philippines. Completing the Top 5 is 4th Runner-Up Zilin Luo of China. Heavy favorites from the USA and Venezuela reached the Top 16, but no further than that. The biggest shock, though, was the non-inclusion of ever-popular Miss Malaysia Deborah Henry in the quarterfinals. It must have come as a shock to her countrymen. And the surprise of the night, on the other hand, is Miss Portugal Laura Goncalvez making it to the Top 10. Hometown bet Priscila Machado made the Brazilians proud when she climbed all the way to 2nd Runner-Up.

Miss Universe 2011 Top 5 (L-R) Leila Lopes of Angola, Priscila Machado of Brazil, Zilin Luo of China, Shamcey Supsup of the Philippines and Olesia Stefanko of Ukraine. (Photo credit: Fotoarena)

Leila Lopes getting sashed as Miss Universe 2011 (Photo credit: Fotoarena)

Complete Set of Winners, Semifinalists and Quarterfinalists:
Miss Universe 2011: Miss Angola LEILA LULIANA DA COSTA VIEIRA LOPES

1st Runner-Up: Miss Ukraine Olesia Stefanko

2nd Runner-Up: Miss Brazil Priscila Machado

3rd Runner-Up: Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup

4th Runner-Up: Miss China Zilin Luo

Miss Universe 2011 Top 10 (Photo credit: Fotoarena)

Rest of Top 10 Semifinalists:
Miss Australia Scherri-Lee Biggs
Miss Costa Rica Johanna Solano
Miss France Laury Thilleman
Miss Panama Sheldry Saez
Miss Portugal Laura Goncalvez

Rest of Top 16 Quarterfinalists:
Miss Colombia Catalina Robayo
Miss Kosovo Aferdita Dreshaj
Miss Netherlands Kelly Weekers
Miss Puerto Rico Viviana Ortiz
Miss USA Alyssa Campanella
Miss Venezuela Vanessa Goncalves

Board of Judges:
Adrienne Maloof / Amelia Vega
Connie Chung / Farouk Shami
Helio Castroneves / Isabelli Fontana
Italo Zanzi / Lea Salonga
Vivica Fox / Ana Paula Junqueira

Miss China Zilin Luo being awarded 4th Runner-Up...she wasn't pleased. (Photo credit: Fotoarena)

Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup after she was called to the Top 5 (Photo credit: Fotoarena)

Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes (back to the camera) being hugged and swarmed by all the delegates (Photo credit: Fotoarena)

Congratulations to all the winners! But most of all, our warm felicitations to my girl Shamcey Supsup for placing 4th and to Leila Lopes, Miss Universe 2011!

Miss Universe 2011 and Operation Smile

Posted by Norman on August 27, 2011
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, Blog Bites: Miss Universe 2011. Tagged: , , , , , , .

The Operation Smile Ladies (L-R) Miss Brazil Priscila Machado, Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete, Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup, Miss Venezuela Vanessa Goncalves, and Miss China Luo Zilin.

According to the Official Website of Operation Smile, the charity organization helps in healing children’s smiles around the world. With a presence in around 60 countries, it endeavors to give a better life for the little ones with facial defornities and whose parents cannot afford to have them removed.

(L-R) Miss China Luo Zilin, Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup, and Miss Venezuela Vanessa Goncalves were handpicked by the Miss Universe Organization to represent the pageant in the Operation Smile event together with host delegate Miss Brazil Priscila Machado (not in picture) and Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete (not in picture).

One special event of Miss Universe 2011 in Sao Paulo, Brazil is Operation Smile. For this, reigning Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete plus four delegates were selected by the organizers to take part in the same. Misses Brazil Priscila Machado, China Luo Zilin, Philippines Shamcey Supsup and Venezuela Vanessa Goncalves. Each one of them were asked to relate their thoughts and/or fondness with the organization.

(L-R) Miss Brazil Priscila Machado, Miss Venezuela Vanessa Goncalves, Sao Paulo rep of Operation Smile, Miss China Luo Zilin and Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup pose during the charity organization's special event.

Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup (L) and Miss China Luo Zilin bonding during the event.

I’m actually quite pleased that our very own Shamcey was chosen to join 3 other ladies to grace the activity. It only goes to show that her natural warmth and friendliness is shining through. In fact, many candidates – such as Misses Brazil and China – are finding her nice enough to tweet their liking. I wouldn’t be surprised if she finds herself effortlessly gunning for the Miss Congeniality award. Of course, we all know that the ultimate target is the Miss Universe crown. But if one can be sincerely affable all throughout, why not? In beauty pageants where intrigues and internal politics abound in the sidelines, it is refreshing to see true friendships bloom in the process. Go, go, go Shamcey! 😉

The ladies who graced the Operation Smile event (L-R) Miss China Luo Zilin, Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup, Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete, Miss Venezuela Vanessa Goncalves and Miss Brazil Priscila Machado.

Miss Universe 2011: The first photoshoot

Posted by Norman on August 26, 2011
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, Blog Bites: Miss Universe 2011. Tagged: , , .

2010 Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete leading the way in the photoshoot


courtesy of Taxi0Taki

These girls are having the time of their lives – glitz and glamour all around. But beneath the make-up, the tassles, the false eyelashes and all, there is a raging competition going on. And to survive the game, each one of them can never allow the next girl to shine better or pose fiercer.

If you watch the video above, this photoshoot is just one of the several the candidates will subject themselves to and wherein Fadil Berisha controls the shots (no pun intended). It’s all fun despite the non-stop activities. All for the Miss Universe 2011 crown! 😉

There’s nothing like being the reigning Miss Universe…

Posted by Norman on August 25, 2011
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, Blog Bites: Miss Universe 2011. Tagged: , , , .

Reigning Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete getting ready for her carnival photoshoot.

Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete conferring with Fadil Berisha (left, face hidden by camera) on the shots taken of her.

Photo credit: Fotoarena

It’s true. There’s nothing like being the reigning Miss Universe, especially in the homestretch of one’s reign. Take Ximena Navarrete, for example. She is having the time of her life in Sao Paulo at the moment. No pressures whatsoever. So she is definitely enjoying every minute of it, while being treated like royalty from sunrise to sundown.

Of course, everything changes the moment she transfers the Diamond Nexus Lab Miss Universe crown on her successor’s head come September 12. She won’t be as mobbed and adulated anymore. But the good thing is that she can start a new life that offers more opportunities, either in Mexico or anywhere else in North and South America. And that is when the reality of a post-reigning Miss Universe’s existence starts to sink in.

For now, enjoy the high life, Ximena! 😉

Most Wanted: Tickets to the 2011 Miss Universe Pageant

Posted by Norman on August 2, 2011
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .

There were talks that tickets to the 2011 Miss Universe Pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil are no longer available after the host country has allegedly pre-booked all seats in the venue. Some camps hollered in dismay, especially the ones who are spending exorbitant amounts of money to travel all the way to Sao Paulo just to see the finals live.

Good thing the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) fixed the situation and the early birds can still get theirs. But the availability remains very limited so it’s better to reserve or pre-pay now than risk going there without tickets in your pockets. Here is the press release (as posted by 2010 Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete herself) from MissUniverse.com:

GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT!
posted by Ximena Navarrete at 02:04pm on 07/29/2011

We finally have the information you have been requesting regarding tickets. The Brazil Host Committee has advised us that you can now get ticket information for the 2011 Miss Universe Pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil by contacting their agency – CVC Eventos – at the following e-mail address: missuniversobrasil@cvc.com.br

How It Will Work:

• The agency CVC Eventos will handle all ticket requests for the Brazil Host Committee. Please send your requests and questions directly to CVC Eventos at, once again, missuniversobrasil@cvc.com.br

• Tickets are very limited. As a result, they will offer two options for those interested in purchasing tickets: Option 1) A full travel package that includes lodging, airfare and tickets, and Option 2) Tickets only.

If you are interested, act quickly as tickets are limited, and we anticipate that they will sell quickly.

Thank you for your patience.

So there!

Not the time to linger around on the matter if you’re dead serious in watching the pageant in Sao Paulo.

Go!!! 😉