Miss America Send Off Party

Return to the Capitol.

But this time for something different. This weekend, I went up to Albany with my 2005 Miss NY sister Kandice Pelletier to cheer for Marina Montes (2nd RU Miss NY 2009) in Miss NY USA. Not knowing exactly what the "crown etiquette" was, I emailed Kim Bass, the executive director to ask. She was so excited to have me there, in crown and sash, announced from the VIP section of the audience. The producer introduced me by saying "Who said the Hatfields can't talk to the McCoys? We are honored to have with us Claire Buffie, Miss New York who will compete in Miss America at the Planet Hollywood January, and I think it's on ABC!"  So it was wonderful to have the full pitch about Miss America and to be recognized with such high regard from the USA pageant.

When just one girl stands alone with a sash stating Miss New York or Miss NY USA, the general public doesn't necessarily know the difference, but when you see the two right next to each other, people are able to recognize that there are two representatives in two separate organizations and it really gave me an opportunity to explain some of the differences to interested contestants. I talked with one family whose daughter is an amazing dancer and she just never knew how to get into MAO-did not know about locals, requirements or eligibility, so she did USA. Of course I was delighted to fill her in :)

Kandice Pelletier, Samantha, 2nd RU Miss NY Teen USA, and me

The competition was interesting--definitely different than Miss America! A pageant is a pageant; we all know that it's subjective and unpredictable, but wow! You have to really stand out and shine to make it on the NY USA runway because it goes by in a flash. I can't imagine judging it. Marina looked unbelievable and just the best I've ever seen her. The top 20 in both Miss and Teen were full of surprises, with a fun story that both 1st RU Teen and 1st RU Miss were sisters! Congratulations to Lisa Drouillard, Miss NY Teen USA, and Amber Collins, Miss NY USA! Also congrats to Kandice for the success of her girls competing (pageant consulting) Lisa (Teen winner), Samantha (2nd RU Teen), Christina, Angelina and Jackie (all Top 20 Miss)!

More Photos in my November Photo Gallery

It was a wonderful weekend with Kandice that reminded me of what a sisterhood state titleholders and Miss America contestants have in general. Before Miss NY this year, I had never met Kandice (MNY 2005) or Jessica Lynch Renzi (MNY 2003), yet in the past few months, they have both supported me in such fantastic ways by attending fundraisers, housing me upstate, and setting aside time to give pointers on my performance at Miss NY. Leigh-Taylor Smith (MNY 2008) is not only my best friend, but has led my preparation for Miss America, and along the way girls including Kate Marie Grinold DC 2008, Hannah Kiefer VA 2007, Faith Jenkins LA 2003, Erika Grace Powell SC 2005, Sarah Wiley Goude IN 2004, many from the Class of 2010 and multiple Miss Americas have offered their encouragement, sat in on mock interviews and even taken me away from the preparation to find balance with some fun! The women you meet through this organization just "get" each other in an inexplicable way. Therefore the support system and network of knowledge and experience is expansive. I cannot wait to pay it forward as these amazing women have done for me.

And since about seven people have now sent various articles about Davina Reeves, Miss NY USA 2010, jumping on the Miss USA float, I'll quickly address. I heard it first from her when I got to spend a bit of time with her this weekend as it hit the papers. Per our conversation, her intention was one I can agree with: the importance of recognizing that an organization is not only the ONE girl with the national title, but that there are titleholders from every state. And we don't hate each other as a result of "losing" a pageant. This is a perception I've tried to change by inviting local Miss NY titleholders to do appearances with me. We need to show that Brooklyn and Watertown and Albany and Manhattan are represented by young women as well. Of course, I always encourage the respect of an invitation and if she did not have one, I would have worked to organize that with the higher-ups before showing up if I were her. I'm thankful that Miss America has stressed their open door between state contestants and executive directors and the national office for questions. And that's all I'll say about that :)

Super model Ngoc Oanh in red dress on port

Super model Ngoc Oanh in red dress

Ngoc Oanh born in Hanoi, Vietnam

Super model 19-year-old

"Super round 3" 9x Ngoc Oanh

Photo: Ngoc Oanh

Miss Tourism ASEAN Thao Huong 2005

Miss Tourism ASEAN Thao Huong 2005

in Mermaid Feshion

IMG: Thao Huong

Miss Kieu Khanh in Bikini (represents Vietnam at Miss World 2010)

Nguyen Ngoc Kieu Khanh will go to Hainan Island on October 1 for a month - Photo: Courtesy of the organizers The Department of Performing Arts under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism approved the first runner-up of Miss Vietnam World 2010, Nguyen Ngoc Kieu Khanh, to compete at Miss Word 2010 pageant, which will be held in Sanya, China from October 1 to 30.

Kieu Khanh 1,76 m, weight 53 kg, size 85-63-94

At the final round of Miss Vietnam World 2010, Khanh received great support from the audience who liked her radiant smile. Khanh, who lives in Germany but still with Vietnamese citizenship, is 19 years old. She is 176cm, 53kg and her vital statistics are 85-63-94. Khanh also won the title for Miss Bikini at this year’s Miss Vietnam World.

Kieu Khanh has started to work with well-known designers including Hoang Hai, Elizabeth and Mitchell Ngo to make her costumes including ao dai (Vietnamese long dress), evening gowns, and casual wear. Khanh will also takes part in some training to prepare for the pageant. Then, she will attend the opening ceremony of the competition in Hainan Island and other programs including training courses and filming around China together with other contestants from 100 countries and territories.

It is expected that about 2.5 billion viewers will watch the crowning night of Miss World 2010 competition. This year’s Miss World pageant in its 60th year has attracted the largest number of contestants ever. With the main criterion, the competition aims to find “the most talented beautiful girl in the world” to be the UNESCO’s Peace Messenger for a year. Miss World will contribute her reputation and effort to helping the poor worldwide and consolidating the world peace.

Miss Kieu Khanh - Miss world Vietnam 2010

Photo bikini by Quoc Huy , Make up: Ha My.

Source: en.baomoi.com; Img: Vnexpress

Miss Thien Ly - Vietnamese White Angel - Part 1

The Sexiest in the 7 Seas 2010

(Globalbeauties) The Sexiest in the 7 Seas 2010 via Grand Slam in year 2009 (Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss Earth, Miss International và Miss Tourism Queen International).

Europe - Miss Russia Sofia Rudieva

Sofia Rudieva in Miss World 2009

Asia - Miss Philippines Sandra Seifert

Sandra Seifert in Miss Earth Philippines 2009

America - Miss Mexico Perla Beltran

Miss World 2009 #1

Africa - Miss Guinea Safia Souare

Safia Souare #2 in Miss Tourism Queen 2009.

Mediterranean - Miss Gibraltar Kaiane Aldorino

Kaiane Aldorino is Miss World 2009

Caribbe - Miss Barbados Leah Marville

Paciffic Ocean - Miss Australia Rachael Anne Finch

Rachael Anne Finch # 4 in Miss Universe 2009.

Source: Globalbeauties

Tran Thi Huong Giang-Miss World Vietnam 2009 pictures

Tran Thi Huong Giang is a beauty pageant contestant and fashion model. Huong Giang was born 1987 in Vietnam. She was the 2nd runner-up in Miss Vietnam Global 2009. Huong Giang was the official representative of Vietnam in the Miss World 2009 pageant in South Africa where she placed in the Top 16.

Miss World Vietnam 2009:Tran Thi Huong Giang pictures