Take a look at our new Miss Universe 2014/15, Paulina Vega (yay, congrats!). Now, take a look at the woman who crowned her.
Now, take a look at Miss Universe 2012.
…and 2010,
…and wake me when it’s over.
Pageants
Génesis Dávila Wins Miss Mundo de Puerto Rico 2014!
Congratulations are in order for Miss Génesis Dávila!
Miss Dávila, previously a runner-up at the Miss PR Universe and Miss Intercontinental pageants, represented her family’s hometown of Arroyo. The 6-foot stunner will go on to compete at the Miss World Pageant, tentatively scheduled for December 2014 in London. Over 120 countries compete at the Internationally-renowned pageant, which is now in its 64th edition and boasts a televised audience of over a billion.
“Estoy súper feliz, entusiasmada, de sólo pensar que Dios me ha dado esta oportunidad,” says the 19-year old, who also noted she is single. “Este era el momento, lo dije desde un principio, que estaba viviendo el mejor momento de mi vida.”
You can catch more of her post-crowning interview HERE. I can’t wait to see how her team will present her at Miss World!
Holiday Hope; Get Through the Season Without the Gift of a Double-Chin!
I don’t know about you but my calendar is FULL! Between holiday parties at work, festive events with friends and family obligations the last person that sees me this month is the receptionist at my gym. **hides head in shame**
Luckily I got a great tip from FitSugar & Jeanette Jenkins, The Hollywood Trainer and all-around exercise rockstar! I follow Jeanette on Twitter and she gives all sorts of great tips on how to maintain the body you worked so hard for during the holidays. A great one is this 10-Minute Blaster video!
On days when I know I am not going to see the gym I just wake up 20-minutes earlier (just enough time for a 5-minute warmup & post-stretch) and load this up on my phone. It’s simple (definitely NOT easy, LOL!) and with some handy workout bands can be done anywhere from your bedroom to your hotel room. Along with some smart food choices on non-event days you will fit into all of the cute holiday dresses you bought two months ago (oh, I’m the only one?)! Save some coquito for meeee!!!!!
Miss New York Weekend
Most people who know me know I am deeply involved in the world of pageantry. Not the sparkly, catty dress slinging 5-year-old lipstick wearing kind of pageantry (even though yours truly is a veteran judge on Toddlers & Tiaras’, but another story for another day), but the kind of pageantry that provides young ladies with the chance to grow and improve, such as the Miss America Program. Hairspray and swimsuits aside, the Miss America Program is the largest scholarship provider to women in the US, and its participants not only clock in thousands of volunteer hours per year for causes dear to their heart, but have gone on to fruitful and successful careers (as noted by the likes of Sarah Palin, Gretchen Carlson, Maria Menounous and more) with the skills gleaned from countless hours interviewing, representing sponsors and speaking in public. I was very proud to be a volunteer, and eventually the Executive Director for the Miss Brooklyn Scholarship Organization from 2007-2011, and even prouder to watch my inagural Miss Brooklyn (and TWO-time 1st RU at Miss New York) Mallory Hagan, finally take home the crown of Miss New York this year!!
I really wish I had something eloquent to write about setting and acheiving goals, overcoming adversity, or staying true to yourself (you can read about that here). I would love to muse on the positives of pageantry, and how I have watched my girls grow into lovely young women that would not recognize themselves two years ago. I would even love to be able to toot my own horn as a first-time director with no pr, marketing or event management experience grow an organization into one of the more successful franchises in New York. But honestly, I am still jumping up and down with glee, and will have to get back to you later!!! Yaaaayyyyy!!!!!!!!!
Black, Latina and Fabulous! 