Nominees and winners from different categories - from gowns to costumes, and from faces to dresses - are my own personal choices.
These, in my opinion, are the people and events that have defined beauty pageants of 2008 at its best.
Miriam Odemba's second place finished in Miss Earth 2008 surpasses the performances of former Miss Tanzania beauties: Rehema Sudi's semifinals showing in Miss Earth 2005, Nancy Abraham Sumari's Top 6 showing in Miss World 2005 & Flaviana Matata's Top 10 performance in Miss Universe 2007.
On the other hand, Karla Paula Henry of the Philippines made history by winning the first Miss Earth crown for asia and Zana Krasniqi of Kosovo left a great impact as the first Miss Kosovo to participate and made it to the finals of Miss Universe.
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Karla Paula Henry, Philippines (Miss Earth)
Bronze Award: Zana Krasniqi, Kosovo (Miss Universe)
Nominees:
1. Zana Krasniqi, Kosovo (Miss Universe) - first semifinal placement of Kosovo in Miss Universe
2. Nguyễn Thùy Lâm, Vietnam (Miss Universe) - first semifinal placement of Vietnam in Miss Universe
3. Abigail Elizalde, Mexico (Miss Earth) - first semifinal/runner up placement of Mexico in Miss Earth
4. Karla Paula Henry, Philippines (Miss Earth) - first asian winner of Miss Earth
5. Miriam Odemba, Tanzania (Miss Earth) - best placement of Tanzania in any Grandslam Pageants
6. Georgina Cisneros, El Salvador (Miss International) - first time awardee of El Salvador in Miss International
They are the beauty queens who competed from one beauty pageant to another. Some have succeeded on their first pageant and lost the next time, and vice versa.
If Ingrid Rivera failed in Miss Universe after winning 3rd place in Miss World, Tansey Coetzee has a different story. Tansey has won a spot in Miss Universe early last year and won another spot in Miss World before the year ends.
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Tamara Almeida Silva, Brazil (Miss World)
Bronze Award: Alfina Nassyrova, Kazakhstan (Miss Universe)
Nominees:
1. Ingrid Rivera, Puerto Rico (Miss Universe) - 2nd Runner Up in Miss World 2005
2. Aruni Madusha Rajapakse, Sri Lanka (Miss Universe) - Semifinalist in Miss International 2007
3. Alfina Nassyrova, Kazakhstan (Miss Universe) - Semifinalist in Miss World 2008
4. Tansey Coetzee, South Africa (Miss World) - Semifinalist in Miss Universe 2008
5. Nataly Chilet, Chile (Miss World) - Finalists in Miss Earth 2005 & Miss Continente Americano 2007.
6. Gabriela Dennisse Zavala Irias, Honduras (Miss World) - Finalist in Miss Earth 2004
7. Tamara Almeida Silva, Brazil (Miss World) - 1st runner-up in Miss Maja Mundial 2006 & 2nd runner-up in Miss Tourism Queen International 2007 (as Miss Fernando de Noronha)
8. Hannely Quintero, Venezuela (Miss World) - Finalist in Reina Hispanoamericana 2007
The last time Ecuador made it to the finals of Miss International was in 1970, that was 38 years ago. Jennifer Pazmiño Saldaña's Top 12 showing in the Miss International 2008 in Macau is commendable. Ecuador, which failed to send delegates from 1973 to 2001, 2003 & 2005, should consider to continue its participation in the Miss International pageant.
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Barbados (Miss World)
Bronze Award: Italy (Miss Universe)
Nominees:
1. Italy (Miss Universe) - 11 years (Miss Universe 1997)
2. Spain (Miss Universe) - 7 years (Miss Universe 2001)
3. Croatia (Miss World) - 9 years (Miss World 1999)
4. Kazakhstan (Miss World) - 8 years (Miss World 2000)
5. Barbados (Miss World) - 34 years (Miss World 1974)
6. Ecuador (Miss International) - 38 years (Miss International 1970)
7. Lebanon (Miss International) - 6 years (Miss International 2002)
8. Colombia (Miss Earth) - 6 years (Miss Earth 2002)
Japan has been a consistent semifinalist in Miss International. For some pageant observers, it happens because Japan owns the Miss International. It is the same scenario that happens for Miss USA in Miss Universe and Miss Philippines in Miss Earth. But Japan's 16 years straight presence in the Miss International finals is unbeatable.
But for this award, Mexico beats Japan. Mexico has been a finalist in Miss Universe and Miss World for five straight years now. That is something worthy of this award. At this age and time when Miss Universe and Miss World has becoming more competetive year after year, consistency is worthy of an appreciation.
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Japan (Miss International)
Bronze Award: USA (Miss Universe)
Nominees:
1. Mexico (Miss Universe) 5 straight years – 2004 to 2008 / (Miss World) 5 straight years – 2004 to 2008
2. USA (Miss Universe) 6 straight years – 2003 to 2008
3. Japan (Miss Universe) 3 straight years – 2006 to 2008 (tie)
4. Angola (Miss World) 3 straight years – 2006 to 2008 (tie)
5. Puerto Rico (Miss World) 4 straight years – 2005 to 2008
6. Czech Republic (Miss Earth) 4 straight years – 2005 to 2008
7. Venezuela (Miss Earth) 4 straight years – 2005 to 2008
8. Japan (Miss International) 16 straight years – 1993 to 2008
9. Venezuela (Miss International) 4 straight years – 2005 to 2008
It's Spain versus Venezuela: Miss Espana has produces 1 winner (Miss International), 1 finalist (Miss Universe) & 1 semifinalist (Miss World) while Miss Venezuela has produces 1 winner (Miss Universe) & 2 semifinalists (Miss World & Miss International)
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Miss Venezuela (Venezuela)
Bronze Award: Miss Russia (Russia) & Senorita Colombia (Colombia) - tie
Nominees:
1. Miss España (Spain) - 3 Placements
2. Senorita Colombia (Colombia) - 2 Placements
3. Nuestra Belleza México (Mexico) - 2 Placements
4. Miss Russia (Russia) - 2 Placements
5. Ceska Miss (Czech Rep) - 2 Placements
6. Miss Venezuela (Venezuela) - 3 Placements
Spain and Venezuela are the two Best Countries of the year, but Russia has better combinations of winners over the two: Russia (1 winner, 1 runner-up..), Spain (1 winner, 2 finalists..) & Venezuela (1 winner, 1 finalist..)
See Hataw Beauties' The Beauty Standings here.
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Spain
Bronze Award: Venezuela
Nominees:
1. Russia
2. Spain
3. Venezuela
4. Philippines
5. Colombia
6. India
7. Tanzania
8. Poland & Brazil (tie)
The battle over the Best Country of the Year was definitely between Spain and Venezuela only: Both made it to the finals of the Big4 pageants of 2008 and each won a grandslam title.
Spain beats Venezuela in a close fight: Spain (1 winner - Miss International, 2 finalists - Miss Universe & Miss Earth, 1 semifinalist - Miss World) & Venezuela (1 winner - Miss Universe, 1 finalist - Miss Earth, 2 semifinalists - Miss World & Miss International)
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Venezuela
Bronze Award: Russia
Nominees:
1. Russia – 3 Placements
2. Spain – 4 Placements
3. Venezuela – 4 Placements
4. Colombia – 3 Placements
5. Mexico – 3 Placements
6. Czech Rep - 3 Placements
Japan & the Philippines have won 2 spots in the 4 Grandslam finals of 2008: Japan made it to the finals of Miss Universe and Miss International while the Philippines made it to Miss Earth & Miss International.
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Japan
Bronze Award: India
Nominees:
1. Philippines
2. Japan
3. India
4. China
5. Australia
6. Vietnam
Karla Paula Henry of the Philippines won the first Miss Earth crown for asia, India made it to Miss World's Top 3 and China outperformed other asian countries for winning 4th place in Miss International.
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Parvathy Omanakuttan, India
Bronze Award: Changwen Liu, China
Nominees:
1. Karla Paula Henry, Philippines (Winner - Miss Earth)
2. Parvathy Omanakuttan, India (1st Runner Up - Miss World)
3. Changwen Liu, China (3rd Runner Up - Miss International)
4. Laura Dundovic, Australia (Finalist - Miss Universe)
5. Hiroko Mima, Japan (Semifinalist - Miss Universe)
6. Alfina Nassyrova , Kazakhstan (Semifinalist - Miss World)
Dominican Republic and Trinidad & Tobago performed impressively in Miss Universe and Miss World, but Puerto Rico beats them for this award for winning 2 spots in the 4 Grandslam pageants of 2008: Miss World & Miss International.
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Trinidad & Tobago
Bronze Award: Dominican Republic
Nominees:
1. Puerto Rico
2. Dominican Republic
3. Trinidad & Tobago
4. Barbados
Gabrielle Walcott has won the Caribbean's Continental Queen Beauty in Miss World. She also received the Beauty for a Purpose Award and placed 3rd in the finals. But Marianne Cruz of Dominican Republic beats her for the Best Delegate (Caribbean) Award of Hataw Beauties.
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Gabrielle Walcott, Trinidad & Tobago
Bronze Award: Ivonne Orsini, Puerto Rico
Nominees:
1. Marianne Cruz, Dominican Republic (2nd Runner Up - Miss Universe)
2. Gabrielle Walcott, Trinidad & Tobago (2nd Runner Up - Miss World)
3. Miriam Pabón, Puerto Rico (Semifinalist - Miss International)
4. Ivonne Orsini, Puerto Rico (Semifinalist - Miss World)
5. Natalie Griffith, Barbados (Semifinalist - Miss World)
South Africa won 2 spots in 4 Grandslam pageants of 2008. Thanks greatly to Tansey Coetzee.
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Tanzania
Bronze Award: Angola
Nominees:
1. South Africa
2. Tanzania
3. Angola
4. Nigeria
Miriam Odemba beats Tansey Coetzee in a close fight. Tansey's strong performance in 2008 was undeniable but Miriam was more favored by many.
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Tansey Coetzee, South Africa
Bronze Award: Brigith dos Santos, Angola
Nominees:
1. Miriam odemba, Tanzania (1st Runner Up - Miss Earth)
2. Tansey Coetzee, South Africa (Semifinalist - Miss Universe / Finalist - Miss World)
3. Brigith dos Santos, Angola (Finalist - Miss World)
4. Uko Ezinne, Nigeria (Semifinalist - Miss Earth)
Spain, Russia & Czech Republic have impressive performances in 2008. Spain was a grandslam. The only european country of 2008 to made it to the 4 finals of the 4 Big Pageants.
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Russia
Bronze Award: Czech Republic
Nominees:
1. Spain
2. Russia
3. Czech Republic
4. Poland
5. Kosovo
6. Ukraine
A close fight between Miss World's Ksenia Sukhinova and Miss International's Alejandra Andreu. In the end, Ksenia won as europe's best!
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Alejandra Andreu, Spain
Bronze Award: Anna Tarnowska, Poland
Nominees:
1. Ksenia Sukhinova, Russia (Winner - Miss World)
2. Alejandra Andreu, Spain (Winner - Miss International)
3. Anna Tarnowska, Poland (2nd Runner Up - Miss International)
4. Vera Krasova, Russia (3rd Runner Up - Miss Universe)
5. Zuzana Putnářová, Czech Republic (4th Runner Up - Miss International)
6. Zana Krasniqi, Kosovo (Finalist - Miss Universe)
Venezuela easily won this category. Just like Spain, Venezuela was a grandslam too. A powerhouse indeed in beauty pageants!
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Colombia
Bronze Award: Mexico
Nominees:
1. Venezuela
2. Colombia
3. Mexico
4. Brazil
5. USA
6. Ecuador
Dayana Mendoza, 5th Miss Universe winner from Venezuela, was named as the 2008 Best Delegate of America. Two Colombian beauties were runners up.
Runners Up:
Silver Award: Taliana Vargas, Colombia
Bronze Award: María Cristina Díaz-Granados, Colombia
Nominees:
1. Dayana Mendoza, Venezuela (Winner - Miss Universe)
2. Taliana Vargas, Colombia (1st Runner Up - Miss Universe)
3. María Cristina Díaz-Granados, Colombia (1st Runner Up - Miss International)
4. Abigail Elizalde, Mexico (2nd Runner Up - Miss Earth)
5. Tatiane Alves, Brazil (3rd Runner Up - Miss Earth)
6. Elisa Nájera, Mexico (4th Runner Up - Miss Universe)
RECOGNITION AWARDS:
These are my choices in the Grandslam Pageants of 2008. Some were personal favorites, others were chosen based on important factors (sash, politics, history, etc..):
In Miss Universe, my top favorite Taliana Vargas of Colombia finished in second place. Three P's in my list didn't make it: Panama, Philippines & Puerto Rico. Another personal favorite, Alizée Poulicek of Belgium, missed the Top 15. In Miss International, top favorite of mine, María Cristina Díaz-Granados from Colombia, finished in second place in Macau. Belarus, my other favorite, failed to crack the semis.
In Miss Earth, my top pick, Adriana Reverón of Spain, failed to grab a spot in the final four. My sentimental favorite, Ria Antoniou of Greece failed to make the cut. The Miss World in South Africa was the most easiest game to win. Russia's Ksenia Sukhinova was a sure winner from day one. My other top favorite, Danielle Castaño of the Philippines, missed the semifinals.
Recognizing the four beauties who topped Hataw Beauties Top Choices of 2008, here are Taliana, Maria Cristina, Adriana & Ksenia.
Gold Award: Taliana Vargas, Colombia
Silver Award: Dayana Mendoza, Venezuela
Bronze Award: Zana Krasniqi, Kosovo
Nominees:
1. Laura Dundovic, Australia
2. Alizée Poulicek, Belgium
3. Taliana Vargas, Colombia
4. Marianne Cruz, Dominican Republic
5. Hiroko Mima, Japan
6. Zana Krasniqi, Kosovo
7. Elisa Nájera, Mexico
8. Carolina Dementiev, Panama
9. Jennifer Barrientos, Philippines
10. Ingrid Rivera, Puerto Rico
11. Vera Krasova, Russia
12. Tansey Coetzee, South Africa
13. Crystle Stewart, USA
14. Dayana Mendoza, Venezuela
15. Nguyễn Thùy Lâm, Vietnam
Gold Award: María Cristina Díaz-Granados, Colombia
Silver Award: Dayana Colmenares, Venezuela
Bronze Award: Tatiana Ryneiskaya, Belarus
Nominees:
1. Tatiana Ryneiskaya, Belarus
2. Elena Semikina, Canada
3. María Cristina Díaz-Granados, Colombia
4. Chang Wen Liu, China
5. Zuzana Putnářová, Czech Republic
6. Kyoko Sugiyama, Japan
7. Min-jeong Kim, Korea
8. Lorenza Bernot, Mexico
9. Patricia Fernandez, Philippines
10. Miriam Pabón, Puerto Rico
11. Alejandra Andreu, Spain
12. Dayana Colmenares, Venezuela
Gold Award: Adriana Reverón, Spain
Silver Award: Ria Antoniou, Greece
Bronze Award: Karla Paula Henry, Philippines
Nominees:
1. Tatiane Alves, Brazil
2. Tsokye Karchung, Bhutan
3. Hana Svobodová, Czech Republic
4. Sopiko Svimonishvili, Georgia
5. Ria Antoniou, Greece
6. Seo Seol-hee, Korea
7. Abigail Elizalde, Mexico
8. Giuliana Zevallos, Peru
9. Karla Paula Henry, Philippines
10. Ruxandra Popa, Romania
11. Martina Tóthová, Slovak Republic
12. Matapa Maila, South Africa
13. Adriana Reverón, Spain
14. Miriam Odemba, Tanzania
15. Jana Murrell, USA
16. Daniela Torrealba, Venezuela
Gold Award: Ksenia Sukhinova, Russia
Silver Award: Tansey Coetzee, South Africa
Bronze Award: Danielle Castaño, Philippines
Nominees:
1. Brigith dos Santos, Angola
2. Natalie Griffith, Barbados
3. Tamara Almeida Silva, Brazil
4. Zuzana Jandová, Czech Republic
5. Alexandra Ívarsdóttir, Iceland
6. Parvathy Omanakuttan, India
7. Anagabriela Espinoza, Mexico
8. Marelize Robberts, Namibia
9. Danielle Castaño, Philippines
10. Ksenia Sukhinova, Russia
11. Tansey Coetzee, South Africa
12. Patricia Rodríguez, Spain
13. Gabrielle Walcott, Trinidad & Tobago
14. Irina Zhuravskaya, Ukraine
15. Hannelly Quintero, Venezuela
Gold Award: Vera Krasova, Russia
Silver Award: Dayana Mendoza, Venezuela
Bronze Award: Elisa Nájera, Mexico
Nominees:
1. Alizée Poulicek, Belgium (Universe)
2. Taliana Vargas, Colombia (Universe)
3. María Cristina Díaz-Granados, Colombia (International)
4. Ria Antoniou, Greece (Earth)
5. Hiroko Mima, Japan (Universe)
6. Zana Krasniqi, Kosovo (Universe)
7. Elisa Nájera, Mexico (Universe)
8. Danielle Castaño, Philippines (World)
9. Ruxandra Popa, Romania (Earth)
10. Vera Krasova, Russia (Universe)
11. Ksenia Sukhinova, Russia (World)
12. Martina Tothova, Slovak Republic (Earth)
13. Patricia Rodríguez, Spain (World)
14. Irina Zhuravskaya, Ukraine (World)
15. Crystle Stewart, USA (Universe)
16. Dayana Mendoza, Venezuela (Universe)
UP NEXT: Part 3 of 3
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