Pageant News Bureau

Karen Nicholas, Mrs. Florida America 2001, was involved in an automobile accident on June 24, 2001, and her young son Ryan was in the car. She sustained severe whiplash and he was hit on the head while the vehicle was spun around several times. Though both are likely to be examined further for neurological problems, she feels they were lucky not to have been seriously injured. Her son, she says, was actually excited to be able to ride in an ambulance. Police attributed this happy outcome to the fact that Ryan was in a properly secured car seat. Without it, they said, he would have been killed.

TV alert

The 2001 America's Junior Miss Scholarship Program will be televised live from Mobile, Ala., on June 27, 2001, on The Nashville Network (TNN). The two-hour 44th annual show will be hosted by a former Georgia Junior Miss, "Inside Edition" anchor Deborah Norville. Country singer Toby Keith will entertain the audience. There will be a repeat airing on June 30. Check local listings.

O n t h e N e w s s t a n d

Miss America, Angela Perez Baraquio, appears in an ad for Tyson Foods in the June 23-29, 2001, issue of TV Guide.

Cindy Vela, Miss Latina Look of the USA, was a presenter for the city of Brownsville, Texas, on June 23, 2001, as it vied to be one of 10 winners of the All-America City award. Her appearance, in Mexican-American attire, apparently helped. Brownsville was one of the 10 winners from among 30 nominees at the event. The competition was held in Atlanta by the National Civic League and Allstate Insurance Company.

Alexandra Freund, 34, the only daughter of Miss World 1956 Petra Schürmann, was killed in an auto accident in Germany on June 21, 2001. Ms. Freund, like her mother, was a TV journalist, and was only weeks away from her wedding day.

Angela Perez Baraquio, the reigning Miss America, became engaged on June 15, 2001. Her boyfriend, Tinifuloa Grey of the musical group Reign, proposed to her onstage during the Miss Hawaii Pageant, and she accepted. Ms. Baraquio is a former Miss Hawaii. She is the second Miss America in a row to become publicly engaged during her reign. The high-profile betrothal was somewhat unusual for Ms. Baraquio, who has been among the least visible Miss Americas in recent years. One pageant veteran has joked that the toughest question at preliminary pageants around the country would be "What is the name of the current Miss America?"

Whitney Fuller, former Miss Georgia Teen USA and first runner-up at Miss Teen USA in 1994, married professional basketball player Thomas Rutledge Wideman on June 16, 2001, in Atlanta. Among the bridesmaids were Sarah Elizabeth Polk, Miss Idaho Teen USA 1994, and Wendy Roberts Roache, 1996 Miss South Carolina Teen USA. Following a Jamaican honeymoon, the Widemans will make their home in Atlanta.

Erika Howe, Mrs. Texas United States 2000, is currently appearing in the principal role in the film "Force Five" for the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The film, about natural weather disasters, is also scheduled to be shown at the Carnegie Museum in the near future. Ms. Howe herself is something of a force of nature. She continues to work as a print and TV model as well as serving as a local pageant director in the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA systems.

TV alert

The "Behind Closed Doors" episode in which host Joan Lunden visits Miss America will air on A&E on June 14 and June 16, 2001. Check local listings.
Monica Palumbo of North Carolina, who was voted Miss Congeniality at the 2001 Miss USA Pageant, will be Regis Philbin's "College Co-host" on June 15, 2001, during College Co-Host Week on the syndicated program "Live! With Regis and Kelly." Check local listings.

Heather French Henry, who was Miss America 2000 and is married to Kentucky Lt. Gov. Steve Henry, received a master's degree from the University of Cincinnati on June 9, 2001.

Andrea Krahn Martin, a former Miss Georgia and runner-up at Miss America, is appearing in the musical production "Ted Swindley's Honky-Tonk Angels," a salute to a unique form of American music. The production is making its debut at the Springer Opera House in Columbus, Ga. It will then go on the road.

Lacey Waldrep, a former Miss San Antonio USA and Miss Lubbock USA, became engaged on June 8, 2001, to Christopher Wright of Austin, Texas. They plan a spring 2002 wedding. Ms. Waldrep is now a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines.

Former Miss Universe host Bob Barker has reportedly received a five-year contract extension from CBS for his popular game show "The Price Is Right." Former beauty queens have been among the show's models over the years.

Sabrina Plaisance, Miss Crescent City New Orleans 2001, has graduated summa cum laude from Northwestern State University of Louisiana with a bachelor of arts degree in theater. She also was honored as NSU's top theater graduate and received a special award from the school's president, Randy Webb, for outstanding musical contributions to the university.

Latin pop star Jade Esteban Estrada has been signed to perform at the Miss Connecticut Teen USA Pageant on June 24, 2001 in Bristol. He is in the midst of his 56-city "Angelika Tour," promoting his debut CD, "ANGEL."

Former Argentine President Carlos Menem married Cecilia Bolocco, Miss Universe 1987, on May 26, 2001, in a civil ceremony in Argentina. The bride, who now takes the name Cecilia Carolina de Menem, is a newscaster in her homeland of Chile. She is 36; her husband is 70. It is the second marriage for both.

With Democrats coming to power in the U.S. Senate, the husband of a former beauty queen is being thrust into the international spotlight. Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota, who leads the chamber's Democrats, is married to Linda Hall Daschle, who was Miss Kansas (America) 1976. She is also a former aviation official and now works as a lobbyist. The senator's new prominence means his disputes with Republican President George W. Bush will be widely publicized. There is speculation that he may run against Bush in 2004.

Hartzell Spence, who founded Yank magazine during World War II and helped bring spread movie star pinups everywhere U.S. troops were stationed, died May 9, 2001, at age 93. He was a novelist and journalist from an early age. Yank's pinups helped boost the careers of many American movie stars, including Betty Grable.

TV alert

Gretchen Carlson Close, Miss America 1989, is anchoring the "Up To The Minute" news program on CBS the week of May 21, 2001, filling in for regular anchor Melissa McDermott each morning. Ms. Carlson Close left a Cleveland station to do correspondent work for CBS in New York City. This is her first on-air national anchoring position. It's an early morning show. Check local listings, and set your alarm clock.
The 2000 Miss Venezuela (Universe) Pageant will be shown on Univision on the morning of May 28, 2001. Check local listings for further details.

Cara Lisa Fareri, Mrs. Florida of the Year 2001, has been featured on the cover of Beach Magazine, a publication covering the counties of South Florida. She was also featured in a story inside.

Melissa Blades, Ms United Nation 2000, has been selected as the new national spokesperson for The Dream Factory, Inc. The Dream Factory is a non-profit organization dedicated to granting wishes for critically ill children across America. The Mrs. United Nation Organization has agreed to promote the Dream Factory as its national charitable organization through volunteerism and fund-raising.

Almost on the eve of her marriage to former Argentine President Carlos Menem, former Miss Universe Cecilia Bolocco apologized for a provocative magazine pose in a costume resembling the Argentine flag. Ms. Bolocco, of Chile, was Miss Universe 1987.

The failure of any Ugandan aspirants to qualify for the 2001 Face of Africa contest has prompted soul-searching throughout the nation. Some Ugandans say the problem is that Ugandan women are, in general, too short and heavy to fit the "Western" model of beauty. Others feel that foreign standards of beauty are being imposed on them.

Former Argentine President Carlos Menem reportedly will marry Cecilia Bolocco, Miss Universe 1987, on May 26, 2001. They confirmed months ago that they were engaged.

The U.S. entertainment media focused with surprising zeal on the May 17, 2001, "showdown" between talk show host David Letterman and Miss Colombia, Andrea Noceti. Their fabricated feud, based on his frequent comic jabs at her country, was settled amicably when she appeared as his guest in New York on CBS's "The Late Show." But the whole thing gave her remarkable exposure outside the pageant world. Letterman's NBC rival, Jay Leno of "The Tonight Show," even countered with a peek at the recent Miss Hawaiian Tropic International Pageant. Meanwhile, some members of New York's large Puerto Rican community were complaining that the newly crowned Miss Universe, Denise Quinones of Puerto Rico, was not getting enough attention from the New York press. Ms. Quinones will be based in the Big Apple for the next year.

The America's Junior Miss Pageant will feature country singer Toby Keith as entertainment during the competition on June 27, 2001, on Mobile, Ala. The pageant will be shown on TNN (The Nashville Network), which began as mainly an outlet for country music, though it has recently diversified its programming.

Fresh from the Miss Universe Pageant, Miss Germany, Claudia Bechstein, is heading to Greece for a swimsuit catalog photo shoot. Ms. Bechstein is preparing to compete at Miss Intercontinental in June.

Former Texas beauty queen Shawne Fielding, wife of the Swiss ambassador to Germany, has created controversy by posing provocatively in the German magazine Max. The pictures, sexy but not nude, have been denounced by some Swiss. Others, however, have ralled to the defense of her and her husband, Ambassador Thomas Borer.

TV alert

Andrea Noceti, Miss Colombia, will appear on the CBS program "The Late Show With David Letterman" on May 17, 2001. Check local listings.

On May 11, 2001, the date of the Miss Universe Pageant, the syndicated tabloid program "Extra" will look at rumors that have dogged this year's pageant, including the "man" question. In some areas, the program may air in the early morning hours of May 12, after the pageant has been telecast. Check local listings.
On May 11, 2001, on the ABC program "Politically Incorrect," the guest list will include FOX News analyst Angela McGlowan, who was Miss District of Columbia USA 1994. Check local listings.
The newly crowned Miss Universe 2001 will be a guest on the CBS program "The Early Show" on May 14, 2001. Check local listings.
On May 14, the program "LIVE With Regis and Kelly" will feature an appearance by the new Miss Universe, who will have been crowned three days earlier. Check local listings.
During the week of April 14-18, 2001, former Miss USA and Miss Universe winners will compete on the "Celebrity Family Feud" on the Game Show Network. The show airs twice nightly throughout the week. Check local listings.

O n t h e N e w s s t a n d

The May 14, 2001, issue of People magazine contains several items of pageant interest. Miss USA, Kandace Krueger, is interviewed. The "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" are listed, including at least one former pageant star. And check out the very timely ad on Page 55.

The June 2001 issue of Marie Claire magazine has an article on India's training program for its beauty queens. A separate article features interviews with Miss Angola, Miss Cayman Islands, Miss Honduras and Miss Korea, talking about their paths to the Miss Universe Pageant.

Philadelphia radio host Howard Eskin, who joked on the air in 2000 that the Miss America Pageant was rigged, has agreed to make a public apology after the pageant sued for slander. The Miss America Organization, which sets rigid standards for its judges, has always been sensitive about its public image.

TV alert

Miss USA 1996, Ali Landry, will be a guest on the ESPN program EXPN 2Day "Behind the Action Sports and Music Awards" on May 5 and May 10, 2001. Check local listings.
Former Miss USA Brandi Sherwood is featured as Barker's Beauty of the Week through May 11, 2001, on the CBS game show "The Price is Right." Former Miss Rhode Island USA Claudia Jordan, who competed against Ms. Sherwood at the 1997 Miss USA Pageant, is a regular Barker's Beauty. The show's host, Bob Barker, is a former Miss Universe master of ceremonies.
On the classic sitcom "Get Smart," the episode "The Girls From KAOS" will air on May 5, 2001, on TVLAND. The episode concerns an attempt to kidnap "Miss U.S.A." Check local listings.
On the sitcom "Nikki," the episode "And the Winner Is . . ." will air on May 6, 2001, on The WB. It concerns a plot to rig a pageant. Check local listings.

It has been confirmed that Emily Weeks Stark, Miss Colorado USA 1995, is the woman who gave birth to conjoined twin girls in Colorado in March 2001. Mrs. Stark and husband James Stark live in Denver, and the girls, Alexandra and Sydney (Lexi and Syd) are living at home. No decision has been announced about whether they will be surgically separated. In English-speaking countries, conjoined twins are more commonly known as Siamese twins, because two conjoined brothers who gained fame in the 19th century were from what is now Thailand. But this term is becoming obsolete.

Charlene Gonzales, Miss Philippines Universe 1994, is scheduled to marry Philippine actor Aga Mulach in May 2001. Mulach at one time was said to be romantically linked to Miss Universe 1993, Dayanara Torres.

Actress Halle Berry and husband Eric Benet have sued the Star tabloid, disputing its story that their 3-month-old marriage is in trouble. Ms. Berry was Miss Teen All American 1985, Miss Ohio USA 1986 and a former U.S. contestant at Miss World. Benet is a musician.

Miss Russia, Oksana Fyodorova, has denied rumors that her victory was rigged as a gesture to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ms. Fyodorova, 23, is from St. Petersburg, the president's home city, and that fact was a prime factor in the speculation. She described herself as an admirer of the popular Putin, but said she had no connection with him.

On April 29, 2001, on CNN's "Larry King Live," there will be an encore showing of King's interview with Jon and Patsy Ramsey about the death of JonBenet. The following day, there will be a profile of Miss America co-host Marie Osmond. Check local listings.

Malaysia's Sultan of Perak has awarded the honorary title of "datuk" to martial artist and film star Michelle Yeoh, a former Miss Malaysia. It is one of the country's highest honors. Ms. Yeoh now lives in Hong Kong.

Michael Ritchie, who in 1975 directed the satirical pageant film "Smile," died on April 16, 2001, at age 62. "Smile" is still the most critically acclaimed pageant spoof ever put on film. The Wisconsin-born Ritchie also directed such diverse motion pictures as "Downhill Racer," "The Candidate" and "Semi-Tough."

Julia Morley, who became the director of the Miss World Pageant when her husband died in November 2000, criticizes the contest's traditions in the London (Observer Review) of April 15, 2001. She is particularly critical of the pageant's swimsuit event. Her husband, Eric Morley, founded the pageant in 1951 and controlled it until his death. Mrs. Morley, who has been very much involved with it for years, clearly plans to put her own stamp on the venerable event.

Miss America, Angela Perez Baraquio, arrived in her ancestral homeland of the Philippines on April 11, 2001, for a two-day visit. Ms. Baraquio, of Hawaii, is the first Miss America of Asian extraction. Her overseas trip during her reign is a rarity for holders of the title.

TV alert

"Entertainment Tonight" will interview Miss France on April 26, 2001, touching on the uproar over false reports that she was once a man.
The April 13, 2001, episode of the ABC reality series "Making the Band," featuring O-Town, will show highlights of the season's episodes. This will include the band's October 2000 performance at the Miss America Pageant. Check local listings.
Chelsea Zedar, Ms. Florida United States 2000, is appearing in several episodes of "Making the Band," a reality TV show featuring the band O-Town.
The program "Trackers" will look at Texas beauty pageants, among other subjects, on an episode to be aired on April 3, 2001. on the OXYGEN network. Check local listings.
During the first week of April 2001, the Game Show Network is airing "Family Feud" classic competitions between former Miss Americas and former Mrs. Americas. Check local listings.

Kandy Schendel has been chosen the Washington state director for the Miss Teen America Pageant. Ms. Schendel has a public relations background, working with such clients as Microsoft and Disney.

Mrs. Iowa America 1998, Treva Graves, has become co-director of the Miss South Dakota United States Teen Pageant. Her partner in the enterprise is pageant coach and choreographer Shannon Wright-Barnes. The pageant will be in May 2001 in Sioux Falls.

Lisa Costantino, Miss Vermont USA 1997, has moved to West Palm Beach as a reporter/anchor for NBC affiliate WPTV-TV. She has worked as a journalist since the late 1990s, and has covered stories up and down the East Coast of the United States, including at the White House. She is a graduate of NYU.

It was announced on April 1, 2001, that veteran pageant emcee Jim Gibson has been hired as an executive vice president by Miss Universe Inc. The announcement was made by pageant impresario Carmine Verno, founder of Carvern Productions, at the Georgia's Perfect Teen Pageant. Verno is the founder of the Perfect Teen organization. Gibson, who was at the pageant in his usual role as master of ceremonies, said his duties at Miss Universe will include the promotion of "family values" in the pageant system. Gibson is married to Dr. Chiann Fan, a former beauty queen who is now a dentist with many pageant celebrities in her clientele.

Contestant and pageant director Connie Bigelow (of Connie Lynn Productions/Worldwide Pageant) is recovering from a double mastectomy. She expects to be ready to direct her pageant again in August 2001.

O n t h e N e w s s t a n d

Two women from the Hawaiian Tropic pageant system are featured in the May 2001 issue of Playboy magazine. Crista Nicole, the current Las Vegas titleholder, is Playmate of the Month. Hawaiian Tropic alumna Lola Corwin, recently of "Temptation Island," is in a separate feature.

The April 2001 issue of Ebony magazine contains a large section on "Black College Queens 2001."

The April 2001 issue of Maxim magazine profiles former beauty queen Amy Hayes, now a ring announcer for professional boxing.

Miss New York Teen USA, Gloria Sophia Almonte, will be featured in the April 2001 issue of Latingirl Magazine.

Miss Latina 2000, Cindy Vela, is featured on the cover of the "RioSun Swimwear Spectacular" magazine for 2001. She has previously appeared on the TV show "Walker, Texas Ranger."

PNB offstage archive