Miss Universe Blog

Miss Universe 2007 Rio Mori visits Mexico City on her first day as Miss Universe.

All images Copyright © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP

The Japanese Revival

I believe it all started in 2003 when Miyako Miyazaki shocked pageant fans with a daring gown choice, a two piece Celine gown flown in from Paris. It was a risk that paid off, she landed in the Top 5 and more importantly put Japan back on the beauty map.

Miyako was a personal favorite not just because of her innate elegance and sophistication, but because she chose to keep it simple (straight hair as opposed to a curled glamour cut) ushering in a whole new trend for beauty pageants.

Of course part of this has to be credited to the Frenchwoman/National Director of the Miss Japan pageant Ines Ligron. 6 years after taking control of the pageant she was already beginning to feel the fruits of her labor.

Last year Miss Japan pageant soared to new heights, a revival of sorts (remember Japan was the first Asian nation to wear the Universe crown in 1959) when the lovely Kurara Chibana came one placement away from the crown.

And finally as if it was planned all along, a Japanese woman is declared Miss Universe 2007. Riyo Mori will be the first Japanese woman to wear the Japanese (Mikimoto) crown and she will surely pave the way for oriental women in pageants to come.

Thoughts on the Decision

I told myself last night that any lady in my Top 6 would make a good Miss Universe. Riyo was sixth on my list because unlike some of the other delegates she wasn’t the loveliest of them all. In fact in some photos and without make up she looks quite plain (unlike last year’s Kurara). But then again as someone in the comments section most bluntly put it, its not just about looks but about personality. Also your overall presence on pageant night is what matters most because you fate lies in the hands of the judges selected to pick the new Miss Universe. Without a doubt Japan was really special tonight. By the way on a side note, Japan answered most of her questions in English during the post pageant press conference, Trump was surprised and had to take the mic to ask, “what’s happening, I didn’t realize you spoke such good English.” I think Riyo is well prepared to begin her duties as Miss Universe.

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THIS IS LIVE WEB COVERAGE OF THE 2007 MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT.

For guaranteed updates keep refreshing the page.

Snapshot from the opening of tonight’s pageant.

It’s showtime! In less than thirty minutes, LIVE coverage of the 2007 Miss Universe pageant will begin.

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The pageant has begun. They pre-taped introductions in National costumes are being shown now. They’re doing a flash back to backstage preparations, then a flash white to the girls on stage.

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They’re now showing delegates running back stage from national costumes and then a transition to LIVE video of the girls entering the multi leveled “hollywood squares” stage. New hosts Vanessa Menillo and Mario Lopez bring a new touch to the pageant.

Commercial Break

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Back to the pageant…

Video of the historic district in Mexico City…

1 Billion Viewers in 170 countries estimated tonight…

A look back at the the reign of Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera…she then is introduced on stage. She appears as gorgeous as ever, probably even more with a few more pounds (which in her case is so much better). She’s glowing in a bright and flowing yellow dress, she looks amazing, and could very well win the pageant all over again.

They are announcing the top fifteen now.

First up Venezuela,

Thailand, Denmark (one of my alternates), Nicaragua, haha I remember a comment back here to watch out for her. I should have listened…

Angola, Slovenia, of my almost all my alternates have made it at this point.

USA (no booing), Brazil…that’s it all my alternates are in, that’s a first time this has happened.

India (ha, the India fans must be cheering now, India got very little attention this year), you wished for it you got it Mexico (i’ve heard that line before).

Japan, Ukraine (some surprises this year), Tanzania, Korea makes it she’s looking stunning tonight. Last but not least is Czech Republic.

My favorites who did not make it…Estonia, Italy, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Spain, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Greece and Philippines. So from my list that makes 7 plus my 4 alternates. Not bad. I can agree with the selection of Nicaragua and Czech Republic too, they were ladies who I also noticed.

Mario Lopez says the fiesta just started so don’t go away!

Commercial Gap

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Semifinalists and their Fadil Berisha fashion shoot.

Judges are introduced…Tony Romo, James Kyson Lee, Nina Garcia, Dave Navarro, Dayanara Torres, Mauricio Islas, Lindsay Clubine, Marc Bouwer, Chritian Martel, and go, go, go Michelle Kwan.

Tourism video on Mexico.

Swimsuits are next after the break.

Commercial Gap

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We’re back and the stage is given an Aztec feel.

Swimsuit competition begins…

Guest performers are Mexico’s very own RBD.

We begin with Venezuela, the rate she is going she’ll win this

Thailand not as smooth a twist but her long legs are amazing. She’ll go far tonight.

Denmark and Nicaragua, just okay. Angola, very nervous.

I’m loving Sloveania’s beauty tonight altough she looked like a giddy teenager walking down the catwalk.

USA has an amazing body. And a sensuous look.

Brazil, just okay for me, doesn’t have the latin flavor.

RBD back in the middle of the stage.

India does know what to do with her shawl, first tried to hold it then flip it over her shoulder didn’t work.

Mexico is doing very well tonight, hometown fans will see er much longer.

Japan is lively, bouncy and full of energy, maybe a bit too much.

Ukraine just okay.

Tanzania, looking like a supermodel.

Korea, still looks like the lady to beat tonight. Fantastic.

Czech Republic, lovely blond, but didn’t feel much about her catwalk.

Interesting to note that the music is no longer uniform per delegate, everything is happening so fast but could that give an unfair advantage to some delegates, maybe, maybe not. I think the favorites did well to move further.

TOP TEN after the break.

Commercial Gap.

Some thoughts, I think we’ll see Thailand and Korea in the Top 10 for sure. I hope to see both of the as Top 1 and 2. Venezuela and USA are competing strong as well. Same for Mexico.

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We’re back, video from Plaza Alameda…

The Top Ten is being announced.

In Random Order.

1.) Brazil
2.) India
3.) Japan
4.) Angola
5.) Venezuela
6.) USA
7.) Korea
8.) Tanzania
9.) Nicaragua
10.) Mexico

A bit disappointed no Thailand but otherwise OK.

Evening gown competition next.

Commercial Gap

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Not getting audio on my feed but its more tourism video from Mexico.

Okay back to evening gown competition.

Brazil is very beautiful. We might just see her in the Top 5. She wore the same pre-pageant gown.

So did India. Still don’t like her long gown.

Japan is wearing the same Gucci gown. This will get her into the Top 5 for sure.

Angola also wearing her red pre-pageant gown, looking sensuous for the camera.

Venezuela looks stunning as ever. Same gown.

USA is first girl to change her gown and man, oh no! she falls flat on her butt, a very ugly slip. Embarrassing, but she gets a thunderous applause after. Hope it does not affect her chances. I like her very much.

Korea changes her gown as well, a peach/salmon number, mixed reaction but I think this color highlights her face more. Although her grey one was also great.

Tanzania changes her gown to something white, much better than her preliminary choice although a bit ill fitting in the breast area.

Nicaragua looks good. Don’t remember her preliminary gown but this one looks different.

Mexico also changes her gown to a red number. Much better, she glitters.

Mario Lopez, “magnifico.”

Commercial Gap

I think we’ll see Korea, Japan and Venezuela in the Top 5, and hopefully Miss USA if her fall did not affect her chances, otherwise we’ll see Brazil or Mexico.

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Back.

Another tour of Mexico.

SPECIAL AWARDS:

Miss Photogenic is PHILIPPINES!!!! Unlike previous winners from the Philippines, this one deserves it.

Miss Congeniality is China.

Vanessa has changed her gown.

TOP 5 is next.

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Okay let’s all take on step closer to Miss Universe 2007…

the TOP 5 are..(in random order)

1.) Venezuela
2.) Korea
3.) Brazil
4.) USA
5.) Japan

The 4 of my Top 6 original pics made it. We move directly onto the questions from the judges.

Crowd is booing because Mexico did not make it.

Dave Navarro asks Miss Venezuela, would you rather have a relationship with a guy who is spontaneous and wild or one that plays it safe. You have to feel its fair, someone that is good for you and someone who will be a companion. I believe in every relationship you need give and take to have the flame of passion.

James Tyson Lee asks Korea..if you could have any superpower, what would it be and why, missionary work is my dream, and if i were to have superpower, i would like to have a superpower that enables me to use my power, authority and money to help me with my missionary work. And actually a wallet that never dries up would be a good superpower to have.

Michelle Kwan asks Brazil is it better to live following your heart of your mind. I think that in life there should be a balance. Both the heart and mind is important. What’s most important is you follow your heart and what’s better for everybody/.

USA is booed. Vanessa Minello reacts and says uno momento po favor.

Tony Romo asks USA if you could relive one moment in your life what would it be. I would go back to January 2007 when she travelled to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership School in South Africa. Being their sparked her interest in education.

What a great sport she greeted everyone in Spanish despite the boos.

Nina Garcia asks Japan, what lesson learned as a child still affects your life today. I’ve been dancing since I was a child, I lived my life growing up among students and teachers. I learned to be happy, patient and positive, and this is what I want to teach to the next generation.

Commercial Gap

Okay time to compose my thoughts, I am very happy with the way the Top 5 played out. Ooops back from commercial.

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Prizes for Miss Universe 2007

Final Look…

Venezuela looks awesome.

So does Korea. Man its going to be a difficult job.

Brazil is stellar.

USA is also great.

Japan, I don’t know what to think at this point.

Commercial Gap

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Hosts thank sponsors, and Donald Trump.

Zuleyka takes her final walks as Miss Universe 2006. She’s wearing a black gown, and has her hair held us slightly. She mouthes a short “gracias” to the crowd.

Official Results…I hope Korea did enough to win it. Although i have a feeling that she came up short.

Fourth Runner Up: USA
Third Runner Up: Korea
Second Runner Up: Venezuela
First Runner Up is Brazil.

Japan takes it this year. Japan is Miss Universe 2007!

True enough the predictions were true, an Asian beauty takes home the crown this year.

Note: My apologies to everyone else who got a forbidden when trying to visit the site as soon as Japan was crowned. My SiteAdmin had to temporarily disable this section of my website as the hits were pounding the servers and supposedly my wordpress database. Will get to the bottom of it so it never happens again. Anyway coverage continues within the day. Stay tuned.