Miss Universe UK

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2nd May 2011

Beauty wins Miss Universe GB

Last night Chloe-Beth Morgan from Torfaen was crowned Miss Universe Great Britain 2011 at a glittering ceremony in Birmingham.

See this year's Grand Final in pictures »

The twenty five year old student, took to the stage at the ICC along with 38 other young women in a bid to win the title and will now go on to represent Great Britain at Miss Universe in Brazil in September.

Chloe-Beth said: “This is an incredible opportunity for me and I am extremely excited about going to Brazil and meeting all the other contestants from more than 80 countries worldwide.

“I have heard from past winners that the experience will be an incredible one. Miss Universe is one of the most well respected pageants in the world and being a part of it is a dream come true.”

The competition raised £31,500 for the Miss Universe GB chosen charity, The Joshua Foundation, which provides holidays and experiences for children with cancer.

As well as going to Miss Universe, Chloe-Beth will also spend much of her year acting as an ambassador for the charity.

Today, her first job will be to enjoy a shopping spree, courtesy of Dorothy Perkins in Birmingham, to start choosing her wardrobe of clothes for the Miss Universe finals in Brazil.

One of her other first official engagements will involve a trip to Morocco in June to open the very first Costcutter overseas with the Sunstar Group.

The event, sponsored by The Connaught Hotel, was hosted by Ultimate Big Brother winner, Brian Dowling and Miss Universe GB 2010, Tara Hoyos-Martinez.

The first runner up was Natasha Crook from London while Summer Ghanavati from Cardiff came third.  

The women took part in an interview and then three catwalk rounds in front of a panel of judges. They were England rugby star Olly Barkley; model and TV personality Nicola McLean; Miss England 1987 Tracey Williams; Miss Universe GB 2009 Clair Cooper; Dorothy Perkins press officer Rachel Cornick; Harry Bindra owner of The Connaught Hotel; photographer Andy Lesauvage; CEO and creative director of Sandstorm Boutique Naomi John; barrister and journalist Rehna Azim; and Gayle Harper brand manager of Su-do professional.

Paula Abbandonato of events company Vibe is national director of Miss Universe Great Britain. She said: “We wish Chloe-Beth all the very best on her Miss Universe voyage. It’s going to be a year like no other for her and we hope she enjoys every minute of it. There were a terrific line up of girls in this year’s competition and so she has done well to take the title. I hope she does equally as well at Miss Universe in Brazil in September.”

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL TO HOST THE 2011 MISS UNIVERSE® PAGEANT LIVE ON NBC

NEW YORK, NY (December 16, 2010) -- Donald J. Trump, NBC Universal and Miss Universe Organization President, Paula M. Shugart, announced today the 60th Annual MISS UNIVERSE® Competition will air live from São Paulo, Brazil on September 12, 2011.  The glamorous live event, featuring the most beautiful women in the universe, will air on NBC in the United States, with a Spanish simulcast on Telemundo.

“I am very pleased to announce our partnership with media conglomerate Grupo Bandeirantes de Comunicação and the selection of São Paulo as the host location for Miss Universe 2011,” said the pageant’s owner, Donald J. Trump.  “Brazil is rapidly becoming an economic powerhouse and is a great place to do business.  This decade, Brazil is hosting three of the greatest and most-watched worldwide events: the World Cup, the Summer Olympic Games and now, to kick it all off, Miss Universe.” 

“Grupo Bandeirantes is delighted that we have reached an agreement with the Miss Universe Organization to host the Miss Universe 2011 pageant in São Paulo, Brazil," said the network’s president, João Carlos Saad.  "We believe it is fitting for Brazil to set the stage for this glamorous event, and we look forward to showing the contestants, and the almost 200 countries around the world who watch the pageant every year, the exciting and vibrant culture of our beautiful country.” 

Contestants from more than 80 countries around the world will travel to Brazil for almost a month of activities leading up to the live telecast.  They will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview, as they vie for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2011.  This is first time in its 60-year history the Miss Universe contest will be held in Brazil. 

Mexicana, Ximena Navarrete, Miss Universe 2010, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the telecast.  During her reign, Navarrete has traveled the world as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research, and legislation.  The next Miss Universe will continue this work.

Viva Las Vegas

Miss Universe GB 2010 winner, Tara Hoyos-Martinez, a Latino stunner, is hoping to do Great Britain proud next month when she jets out to Las Vegas to join Donald Trump and the 80 contestants from around the globe to compete for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2010.

Tara, 20, a medical science student from London with Columbian roots, is hoping that her sultry Latino looks and beautiful olive skin will help her stand out from the crowd at the finals this summer.

Tara said, “I am really excited about representing Great Britain in Las Vegas. I have received overwhelming support from the Latin community in London since my win. I think it represents a milestone for the Latin community in terms of being accepted into mainstream British culture. I just hope that I can do them and the rest of Britain proud.”

“Miss Universe is one of the largest and longest standing beauty pageants in the world and to win the title of Miss Universe 2010 would be truly amazing.”

Organiser of Miss Universe Great Britain, Paula Abbandonato of Vibe said, “Tara is a truly fantastic winner. She has the true Latino flair and beauty and with the South Americans having an excellent record at Miss Universe, we are hoping that Tara will do it for Great Britain in 2010.”

Tara will leave Britain for Vegas on Saturday 7 August. She will be staying at the luxurious Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, which will host the contestants and the competition final on Monday 23 August.

The winner of Miss Universe 2010 will spend her reigning year in New York under the wing of Mr Trump and his office with a diary full of international engagements.

Tara won the title of Miss Universe GB at a glittering ceremony at The ICC in Birmingham in May, which was sponsored by Front and Dress Stop.com. The event raised thousands for children’s cancer charity, The Joshua Foundation.

19th May 2010

Franchisees sign up

A number of regional heats for Miss Universe Great Britain have been snapped up around the country by businesses keen to benefit from their association with the Miss Universe brand.

To date they are:

• Miss Universe Leeds, Miss Universe Manchester and Miss Universe Harrogate which will all be run by VE Management.

• Miss Universe Edinburgh and Miss Universe Glasgow will be handled by Stacey Munroe of Mannequin Models

• Miss Universe Cardiff, Miss Universe Newport and Miss Universe Swansea which are all being managed by2getha promotions..

Other pageants which will provide finalists annually to Miss Universe GB are Miss Bollywood UK, Miss University GB and Miss Photogenic UK.

Paula Abbandonato, director of Vibe, said: “It’s great to have partners across the country all doing business courtesy of the Miss Universe brand. We look forward to welcoming even more people on board in future years.”

Anyone interested in running a regional heat should contact Paula Abbandonato at Vibe on 029 20 733 526.

3rd May 2010

Our 2010 winner

THIS BANK HOLIDAY weekend, Latino stunner, Tara Hoyos-Martinez from London was crowned Miss Universe GB 2010 at a glittering ceremony in Birmingham.

Tara, 20, who has never competed in a beauty pageant before, took to the stage last night along with 35 other beautiful girls in a bid to win the title and will now go on to represent Great Britain at Miss Universe this summer. 

Tara said, “I was completely overwhelmed to be crowned Miss Universe GB 2010. Just getting through to the final was enough for me, I never imagined I would win. I have had overwhelming support from the Latin community in London over the three months, while preparing for the competition which has been fantastic. For them my place in the final represented a milestone for the Latin community in terms of being excepted in to mainstream British culture.”

Tara was also crowned Miss Charity after raising £2,400 for The Joshua Foundation - an organisation that provides holidays and life experiences for children with terminal cancer.

As well as going to Miss Universe, Tara will also spend much of her year acting as an ambassador for The Joshua Foundation. 

Tara is currently studying Medicinal & Biological Chemistry at Manchester Metropolitan University. After completing her degree she would like to go on to study medicine with a view to specialising in surgery.

The event, sponsored by Front and Malmaison, which was hosted by Big Brother 2 winner, Brian Dowling and Miss Universe GB 2009, Clair Cooper, saw 36 finalists from across England, Scotland and Wales compete for the crown.  

The women took part in an interview and then three catwalk rounds in front of a panel of judges, included former Manchester United Footballer, Lee Sharpe, Britain’s Next Top Model 2008, Alex Evans, Chief Executive of Malmaison, Robert Cook, Big Brother 2009 winner, Sophie Read, Radio One DJ, Dev Griffin, Miss Universe GB 2008, Lisa Lazarus and Naomi John, CEO and Creative Director of Sandstorm Boutique.

Paula Abbandonato, director of Vibe, which organises Miss Universe GB, said: “Tara is a fantastic winner and we cannot wait to send her to Miss Universe later this year. The South Americans have an excellent record at Miss Universe, so we’re hoping Tara will do it in 2010 for Great Britain.”

Runners up in the competition were Kelly Pesticcio, 26, who came second and Kathryn Lane, 19, who came third. Both women are from Cardiff.

Miss Universe is one of the longest standing beauty pageants in the world and is owned by Donald Trump. The overall winner will spend a year in New York with a diary full of international engagements.

25th May 2009

Vibe announces franchise opportunity

Vibe Models – the organisation behind the Miss Universe Great Britain competition – is franchising out regional heats for Miss Universe 2010 onwards.

Each heat will carry the Miss Universe branding such as Miss Universe Birmingham; Miss Universe Edinburgh and so on. The idea is to give individuals and organisations across the country the opportunity to get involved with one of the world’s most well known beauty pageants.

Director of Vibe, Paula Abbandonato, said: “We expect regional heats for an event such to become hugely popular, particularly with the media. It is a great opportunity for a business or a charity to raise their local profile.”

Anyone interested in running a regional heat for Miss Universe GB 2010 or 2011 should contact Paula Abbandonato at Vibe on 029 20 733 526 or email paula@vibemail.co.uk.

4th March 2009

The Bahamas to host the 2009 Miss Universe® Pageant

Donald J. Trump, NBC Universal and Paula M. Shugart, President, Miss Universe Organization, announced today that the 58th Annual MISS UNIVERSE® Competition will air live from Paradise Island, Bahamas. The glamorous live event, featuring some of the world’s most beautiful women, will take place at Atlantis, Paradise Island resort and air live on NBC and Telemundo on Sunday, August 30th this summer.

“Paradise. There is no better name for the beauty of the Bahamas and this island,” said Paula M. Shugart.

“The worldwide telecast will highlight the warmth, beauty and hospitality of the Islands of the Bahamas as well as the world renowned Atlantis resort. We have had a wonderful working relationship with the Bahamas and Atlantis for many years and I’m very excited this global event will take that partnership to a whole new level.”

“The people of The Bahamas are very proud and excited at the opportunity to host some of the most beautiful people in the universe in some of the most beautiful islands in the universe,” said The Bahamas’ Minister of Tourism & Aviation, Senator Hon. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace. “This feels like the perfect match. We look forward to showcasing the hospitality of our people, the clarity of our waters, the vibrancy of our music, dance, food and spirit."

“’Discovery’ and ‘wonder’ describe what we can expect in summer. We look forward to exposing the contestants, and the world, to our amazing Bahamas Islands,” said George Markantonis, President of Kerzner International Bahamas Ltd. “An event showcasing the most beautiful part of the globe to the rest of the planet. Atlantis resort, along with all of Nassau's exemplary hotels, is proud to be a part of this great event. We can't wait!”

Venezuelan native Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the telecast. During her reign, she has traveled all over the world as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research, and legislation. The newly crowned Miss Universe will go on to do the same.

Each contestant from more than 80 countries around the world will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vie for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2009. In recent years, worldwide distribution of the popular competition has topped more than 170 countries.

Donald J. Trump and Phil Gurin will again serve as Executive Producers for Miss Universe® 2009.

18th January 2008

Lisa stars in Bollywood blockbuster

The Miss Universe GB team would like to congratulate Lisa Lazarus, our current winner, who has landed the lead role in a Bollywood blockbuster.

In December, 21-year-old Lisa Lazarus, jumped on a plane to Mumbai to star in Veer, alongside Indian heartthrob Salman Khan. She was chosen by the producers who had been impressed with her appearance representing Great Britain at Miss Universe in Vietnam.

Here’s the link to Lisa being greeted by the paparazzi in Mumbai:

http://www.desihits.com/blog/article/lisa-lazarus-arrives-in-mumbai-to-shoot-veer-20081203

More pictures coming soon. Well done Lisa – we look forward to the premier!

4th May 2008 Lisa Lazarus crowned Miss Universe GB IN A GLITTERING CEREMONY in London, Lisa Lazarus, has been crowned Miss Universe GB 2008. The sell-out event in Café de Paris in Leicester Square was organised by Vibe Models and sponsored by Dress-Stop.com. Twenty year old Lisa, from Llanelli, will represent Great Britain at Miss Universe in Vietnam this summer.  Finalists from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales took part in three catwalk rounds in front of a panel of judges, which included Arsenal players Bacary Sagna and Justin Hoyte, and Kemal Shahin of Big Brother. This year the Miss Universe GB competition raised more than £35,000 for The Joshua Foundation, an organisation which provides holidays and life experiences for children with terminal cancer. More Miss Universe GB Grand Final pictures here »

3 December 2007

Miss Universe® calls local women

A search is on for the woman who will represent the UK at Miss Universe® in 2008 – and organisers are hoping British beauties will rise to the challenge.

To enter the Miss Universe GB competition, women must be aged between 18-27, should be a native of England, Scotland Wales or Northern Ireland and should never have been married or had children.

A series of quarter finals will take place across Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales in March next year to choose the 50 women who will go on to take part in the grand final in the Midlands in May.

Paula Abbandonato of event organisers Vibe Models said: “This is, without doubt, the opportunity of a lifetime for someone. We want proud, confident, bright and ambitious women who are up for a roller coaster of experiences and a year like no other.”

She added: “Our winner must be a head turner who can stand out on a stage of beauties from across the globe. The UK has never won Miss Universe® – until now!”

The winner of Miss Universe GB will receive an incredible prize package including an all expenses paid three week visit to Vietnam to take part in Miss Universe® 2008.

She will also visit Australia, Mexico, Mongola and Lapland in her capacity as ambassador for The Joshua Foundation – which gives life experiences to children with terminal cancer and their families – which is the chosen charity of Miss Universe UK.

Miss Universe® is one of the longest standing beauty pageants in the world and is owned by Donald Trump. The overall winner will spend a year in New York living in Trump Tower with a diary full of international engagements.

1 December 2007

Vibe pulls out the Trump card

Vibe Models has beaten off competition from across the country to be chosen by Donald Trump’s Miss Universe® Organisation as its UK partner.

As a result, the Cardiff based agency – which currently runs Miss Wales for Miss World – will be responsible for providing Miss Universe GB to Miss Universe® from 2008 onwards.

Vibe directors, Paula Abbandonato and Clare Birt, held talks in New York earlier this month with Mr Trump’s business associates and have since been given the go ahead.

Paula said: “This is wonderful news. We are relative newcomers to the world of beauty so to be granted the responsibility of managing such an event is incredible.”

Clare firmly believes it is the agency’s knowledge in PR and marketing that gave Vibe the advantage.
She said: “Vibe Models grew out of Vibe PR and Marketing and it is this experience that stands us apart from our competitors.

“The PR and marketing agency has attracted some major new clients this year such as George Wimpey and Peter’s Food Services. The new association with Miss Universe® is now a great win for Vibe Models too.
Miss UK 2008 will take place in the Midlands in the spring of next year following quarter-finals in Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The winner of Miss Universe® will live in New York for the year of her reign in an apartment in Trump Tower and will undertake a series of international engagements.

27 November 2007

Vietnam to host the 2008 Miss Universe® pageant live on NBC

Donald J. Trump, NBC Universal and Paula M. Shugart, President, Miss Universe Organisation, announced today that the 57th Annual Miss Universe® Competition will air live from Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam.

The glamorous live event, featuring some of the world’s most beautiful women, will air from the Crown Convention Center, on NBC and Telemundo this summer.

“Vietnam has shown unprecedented growth in recent years, both in the business and tourism sectors,” said Paula M. Shugart. “This worldwide telecast will mark the first event of its kind to be centered in Vietnam which of course will have special significance to the U.S. audience. I am very happy to have the Miss Universe Pageant be the catalyst for such an historic event.”

“UniCorp is delighted that we have reached an agreement with the Miss Universe Organization to host the Miss Universe® 2008 Pageant in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam," says Chairman Tony Toan Nguyen. "We believe that the beauty, culture and hospitality of Vietnam will perfectly complement the pageant. We look forward to showing the contestants and the world our exciting, vibrant and picturesque country.” 

Japan native, Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007 will crown her successor at the conclusion of the telecast. During her reign, she has traveled the world as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research, and legislation. The newly crowned Miss Universe will go on to do the same.

Each contestant from more than 80 countries around the world will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vie for the coveted title of Miss Universe® 2008. In recent years, worldwide distribution of the popular competition has topped more than 170 countries.

Donald J. Trump and Phil Gurin will again serve as Executive Producers for Miss Universe® 2008.

The Miss Universe®, Miss USA® and Miss Teen USA® Pageants are a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal partnership. Utilising its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organisation is committed to increasing HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women's health and reproductive issues. By forging relationships with organisations committed to research and education such as the Latino Commission on AIDS, God’s Love We Deliver, APICHA and Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Miss Universe® is armed to impact women today. For more information, visit www.missuniverse.com.

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