PAGEANT UPDATES: Miss Gabon 2012 crowned!

LIBREVILLE, Gabon - 21-year-old Marie-Noelle Ada Meyo (center) was crowned Miss Gabon 2012 during the event held at the Méridien Re-Ndama Hotel in Libreville. The 1.70 m. beauty from Ngounié will represent her country at the Miss Universe 2012 pageant - Gabon's debut participation on the said pageant.

First runner-up was Divouvi Channa while Nyangue Cherolle Boubéya named second runner-up. 

Present in the said event is Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes, who was part of the jury.

ENTERTAINMENT PARADISE: Brazilian beauty queen Debora Lyra injured in a serious car accident!

Debora Lyra (Photo by Christyam de Lima)

RIO DE JANEIRO (Globo News) – Miss Brazil 2010 Debora Lyra was seriously injured in a traffic accident, Brazilian media reported Wednesday. 

The 22-year-old Lyra is being treated at a hospital in Vitoria, the capital of the southeastern state of Espirito Santo, for a fractured vertebra. 

Doctors had to remove the beauty queen’s spleen after Tuesday’s accident. 

The head-on crash killed the mother of Lyra’s boyfriend and injured five other people. The crash happened on federal highway BR-101 in the city of Guarapari during a heavy downpour, eyewitnesses said.

The remains of the car  after the accident. (Photo by Concurs D Belleza)

ENTERTAINMENT PARADISE: Filipino actor Tyron Perez found dead!

Tyron Perez

MANILA, Philippines (Inquirer) – Actor Tyron Perez may have committed suicide, police said Friday, a day after his body was found inside his car in Valenzuela City.

Senior Police Officer 1 Alex Manalo said that Perez may have killed himself after he was found with a gunshot wound on the right side of his head.

He was seated inside a black Toyota Altis (ZSP 875) parked along Service Road C5 Lamesa Ugong, Valenzuela City around 7 p.m. Thursday.

Investigation revealed that Perez and his wife were having arguments lately, which may have prompted him to commit suicide, he said. But rumors tell that Perez committed suicide because of unpaid gambling

Manalo, however, said that the incident may have transpired earlier as some witnesses claimed that the car was seen parked even before 7 p.m. Recovered from the scene were one spent shell and one live ammunition loaded in a caliber .22 mini gun, Manalo said.

Tyron Perez, 26,  was best known for being one of the finalists of the first season of GMA-7′s reality based artista search “StarStruck.” He is now the second StarStruck alumnus who died in the month of December after Marky Cielo.  

EXCLUSIVE: Nicaragua's Adriana Dorn named World's Prettiest Woman Alive 2011!

Miss Nicaragua 2011 Adriana Dorn was named World's Prettiest Woman Alive 2011 by the resident beauty experts of BeautyMania.Biz. From more than 500 women (celebrities and pageant contestants) considered for the title, our experts finally decide to award the title to Dorn for her beautiful, magnetic face and inevitable charm.

With Dorn, nine other women were also considered in the final round. They were: 2nd Place -  Maria Fernanda Cornejo (Miss International 2011 from Ecuador); 3rd Place - Nina Dobrev (star of American TV series 'The Vampire Diaries'); 4th Place - Olesya Stefanko (Miss Universe 2011 first runner-up from Ukraine); and 5th Place - Gillain Berry (Miss Aruba Universe 2011).

Completing the Top 10 were: 6th - Shamcey Supsup (Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner-up from Philippines); 7th - Kelly Weekers (Miss Universe 2011 semi-finalist from Netherlands); 8th - Jessica Barboza (Miss International 2011 1st runner-up from Venezuela); 9th - Ana Rodriguez (Miss USA 2011 3rd runner-up); and 10th - Phoebe Tonkin (star of American TV series 'The Secret Circle').

Read the main article here.

Congratulations!

PAGEANT UPDATES: Thai beauty wins Miss Tourism Queen International 2011!

Thailand (center) wins Miss Tourism Queen International 2011.

XI'AN, China - A Thai beauty bested over 91 other beautiful candidates after winning the Miss Tourism Queen International 2011 held at Qujiang International Exhibition Center, Yanzhan Road, in Xi'an China Tuesday evening, December 27.

Kantapat Peeradachainarin is the first Thai to win the title. She also held the title Miss Friendship International way back in 2009, and was a finalist in Miss International 2011.

First runner-up was Miss Fernando de Noronha, Jeannine Castro. Belarusian beauty Maria Ovechkina, Wang Lu of China North, and Nelly Kamwelu of Tanzania placed second, third, and fourth runners-up respectively.

Misses from India (6th), Canada (7th), Namibia (8th), Bolivia (9th) and Portugal (10th) completed the Top 10 while Misses from Brazil (11th), Russia (12th), Sri Lanka (13th), Guadeloupe (14th), Vietnam (15th), Venezuela (16th), Australia (17th), South Africa (18th), Czech Republic (19th) and China South (20th) completed the remaining Top 20.

Surprisingly, Miss Philippines, Isabella Manjon, failed tomake the cut despite of being one of the favorites for the crown. Meanwhile, just like the controversial, bogus Miss Asia Pacific World 2011 pageant, the host country China has two delegates - very unusual for an international "grand slam" pageant. Both Chinese delegates made the cut.

Miss Thailand wins its first MTQI title.

Beauty Mania recently degraded Miss Tourism Queen International its grand slam status earlier this year due to: 1) lack of social relevance and purpose; 2) being a money-making pageant through online voting; 3) lack of credibility as a grand slam pageant; and 4) lack of international awareness. Aside from Beauty Mania, other giant pageant sites like Missosology, Times of Beauty, and Critical Beauty do not recognize Miss Tourism Queen International as a grand slam for the same reasons.

Although one pageant site named Miss Tourism Queen International as the third most important pageant right behind Miss World and Miss Universe, majority of the pageant fans still do not agree with this statement.

PAGEANT UPDATES: Benedict Hickl wins Austria's Next Male Model 2011!

Dominik Wirland (2nd), Benedict Hickl (winner, Austria's Next Male Model 2011) and Andre Jost (3rd)

VIENNA - 20-year-old Benedict Hickl from Vienna has been named "Österreichs Nächstes Malemodel 2011" or Austria's Next Male Model 2011 - the only all-male model contest in Austria -  in the grand finale held at The Box 2.0 Club in Vienna in cooperation with Event Channel, December 26.

Hickl, who stands 1.90 m. tall, succeeded Kurt Kase, last year's winner. He will received prizes which includes a 3-year professional male model contract at Jade Models International Modeling Agency and HM Models.

Second place was Dominik Wirlend from Attersee, Upper Austria, while 21-year-old Andre Jost finished third place. Wirlend stands 1.90 m. tall while Jost stands 1.89 m. tall. Manuel Brunner and Christian Jandl completed the Top 5.

From left: Manuela Dorn, Aleksandra Zdero, Conchita Wurst, Christian Humer, Francesco Cardeloni, Marina Djordjevic, Cyril Radlher, Jessica Böhmann

The members of the jury include Conchita Wurst , fashion editor Manuela Dorn, female supermodels Marina Djordjevic, Jessica Böhmann, and Aleksandra Zdero (winner of Austria's Next Top Model 2010). Also included in the panel were male model Cyril Radlher, HM Models chairman Christian Humer and famous choreographer and star Francesco Cardeloni.

Photo credit: Peter Hickersberger; Special thanks to Dominik Wachta of Leiter Model Management and JadeModels Int. Management

Hickl, with Austria's Next Top Model 2011 Aleksandra Zdero

PAGEANT UPDATES: Miss Malawi 2012 is Suzan Mtegha!

LILONGWE (Maravi Post)– Contestant number 14 Suzan Mtegha, 24, is the new Miss Malawi 2012. 

The Mzuzu-based Suzan won the title with a landslide on Friday in Lilongwe before a full house and in a colourful event that had a mixture of suspense and anxiety.  

Her victory was greeted with sounds of approval of ululation and ovation from the audience.

Five judges, including former Big Brother Africa (BBA) representative Hazel Warren, poet and artist Quabaniso Malewezi, gave Suzan the thumbs up on unquestionable integrity, intelligence, beauty, fitness, character, morals and talent. 

Mayamiko Msosa, 22 who works for Parliament in Lilongwe, scooped the first princess title, while second Princes was Jacqueline , 19, from Mzuzu, a Biomedical Science third year student at Mzuzu University who emerged second Princess.

PAGEANT UPDATES: Miss Nationale 2012 is Alicia Sylvera Santos!

PARIS - The Miss Nationale 2012 pageant was held on Sunday, December 18th at Pau Brasil in Paris. Alicia Sylvera Santos emerged as the winner, defeating 39 other contestants who competed in swimsuits and evening gowns. 

Santos will now represent her country in Miss Earth 2012 pageant to be held in Vietnam. 

This pageant is different from Geneviève de Fontenay's Miss Nationale pageant which is now under a different name for legal purpose, 'Miss Prestige Nationale'.

PAGEANT UPDATES: Miss Swaziland 2012 is Ayanda Dube!

ZULWINI, Swaziland - 23-year-old Ayanda Dube of Luyengo (center) was crowned Miss Swaziland 2011 during the coronation held at Woodlands Hall in Ezulwini on October 21. She might represent her country in Miss World 2012 in Ordos, Inner Mongolia to be held on July 4.

Nosipho Mkhwanazi and Telamsile Zubuko finished second and third, respectively. 

PAGEANT UPDATES: Mister Nicaragua 2011 is Sergio Garcia!

MANAGUA - Sergio Garcia, a 20-year-old civil engineering student from Matagalpa was named Mister Nicaragua 2011 at the pageant finale held at Hilton Hotel on December 6th. He will represent his country in next year's editions of Mister World, Mister Universe Model, Mister Earth and Mister Tourism International.

Eleven handsome candidates competed for the title.

More photos courtesy of Mister Nicaragua Organization:

ENTERTAINMENT PARADISE: NBA Star Al Horford marries Miss Universe 2003 Amelia Vega!

Miss Universe 2003 Amelia Vega marries Atlanta Hawks
star Al Horford. (Photo by Imagenes Dominicanas)

SANTO DOMINGO (Fox News) – Al Horford, a Dominican basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks, and his girlfriend, the singer and ex-Miss Universe Amelia Vega, were married on Christmas Eve in an intimate ceremony with their families, media reports said.

The ceremony was held at the home of the singer's uncle and aunt, the famous Dominican singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra, and his wife, Nora Vega de Guerra.

The report said the marriage came as something of a surprise because the newlyweds had not previously confirmed their engagement, and because few among the guests even knew they were going to a wedding.

Local media said the ceremony was simple but emotional, attended only by the couple's parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents and other close relatives.

The two tied the knot on Christmas Eve because the NBA's 2011-2012 season began on Sunday after being shortened due to a lengthy lockout.

In 2003 the model Amelia Vega became the first Dominican to win the Miss Universe crown, which she did months before turning 19. 

After passing the title on to her successor, the Dominican living in Miami opened two exclusive clothing stores there, hosted television programs and this year launched her first album, "Agua Dulce" (Fresh Water). 

"The model and television host wore a white wedding gown that highlighted her natural beauty that undoubtedly won Horford's heart - the groom continually showed his feelings throughout a ceremony in which the happiness of the newlyweds and the love they share was never hidden," the press said. 

Horford, 25, has played his three NBA seasons with the Hawks, where he averaged 12 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Before turning professional, the Dominican player led the University of Florida to two NCAA titles in 2006 y 2007. 

The couple did announce that "soon" they will celebrate a more public ceremony, which they will share with their friends, the press and their fans. 

ENTERTAINMENT PARADISE: Mel Gibson now officially divorced!

Mel Gibson is now legally single after his divorce was finalized Friday in a Los Angeles courtroom, but bachelorhood came at a heavy price. 

Robyn, his ex-wife of nearly 30 years and the mother of their seven children, is walking away with half his fortune, once estimated to be as high as $850 million (according to the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2006) in what is considered the biggest divorce payout in Hollywood history. 

Because the couple didn't have a prenuptial agreement, Robyn, 55, was legally entitled to half of everything he earned during their marriage. Among Gibson's estimated assets: more than $600 million grossed by The Passion of the Christ alone; $100-plus million in real estate investments worldwide (he bought an island in Fiji for $15 million in 2005); and $75 million for film and TV projects for which Gibson, 55, executive produced. 

It appears some of his wealth has already been transferred to Robyn, in particular two Malibu homes worth a combined $22.5 million. 

As for film residuals, Robyn is entitled to half of every future check Gibson receives for the rest of his life. "I left my wife because we had no spiritual common ground," Gibson told his then-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva in secretly recorded tapes she made of the actor in February 2010. 

During his custody battle with Grigorieva, in which the Russian musician accused Gibson of domestic violence, Robyn filed a sworn statement in July 2010 stating that "Mel was a wonderful and loving father" and never abused Robyn or their kids. 

Gibson met Robyn, at the time a dental nurse, in the late 1970s after the American-born actor, who moved to Australia when he was 12, had filmed his breakout role in Mad Max.

Ken Lee / PEOPLE

ENTERTAINMENT PARADISE: Former Miss Venezuela Eva Ekvall dies of cancer!

Eva Ekvall

VENEZUELA - Former Miss Venezuela 2000 and Miss Universe 2001 Eva Ekvall has passed away at the age 28 due to cancer yesterday, December 17th.

Ekvall, who was third runner-up at Miss Universe 2011, was diagnosed with cancer last year after giving birth to her only child. While battling on cancer, she wrote a book entitled "Out of Focus", telling all her life experiences.

May her soul rest in peace.

Former Miss Venezuela Eva Ekvall during her battle against cancer.

PAGEANT UPDATES: American beauty wins World Miss University 2011!

KOREA - 18-year-old Siria Yasabel Bojorguez of the United States was crowned World Miss University 2011 on December 15th in Korea. She is from Texas Tech University. 

First runner-up was Miss Poland, Monika Plochocka, while the second runner-up was Miss India, Swetha Sridhar.

ROYALS UPDATE: Brazilian hunk Cesar Curti wins Mister International 2011!

Cesar Curti (center) wins Mister International 2011.

BANGKOK, Thailand - 24-year-old Cesar Curti, Mister Brazil, bested more than 30 candidates upon winning the coveted title Mister International 2011 during the pageant finale held at Patravadi Theatre, Theatre in the Garden, in Bangkok Saturday evening.

Curti, who stands 1.87 m. tall, was born in Ribeirao, Brazil. This Brazilian-Japanese model appeared in various TV commercials, print ads, magazines, runway, and theatre plays. He's the second Brazilian to win the Mister International title.

First runner-up was Czech Republic's Martin Gardavsky. People's choice winner Steven Yoswara of Indonesia ranked second runner-up. Vietnam's Le Khoi Nguyen landed surprisingly as third runner-up, while Sweden's "Taylor Lautner", Marco Djelevic Virriat named fourth runner-up.

Completing the Top 10 were delegates from Mexico, Venezuela, Slovenia, Korea, and Slovak Republic. Contestants from Nigeria, Denmark, Norway, Sri Lanka, Colombia, and Philippines completed the remaining Top 16.

However, favorites from Portugal, Spain, Belgium failed to make the cut.

Mister Congeniality went to Mister Portugal, Fabio Duarte while Best Body and Mister Photogenic went to Mister Sweden.

ENTERTAINMENT PARADISE: Mister Mexico International 2011 at the midst of controversy!

Mister Mexico, Sergio Felipe Melendez is considered to be the front runner in the Mister International 2011 competition. He's currently enjoying the fame of being chosen to succeed Mister International 2010 Ryan Terry. But with fame comes the controversy.

A pageant fan site has published a private photo of Felipe Melendez with other man. The two were kissing when the photo was shot. According to their source, the photo was taken prior to Mister International 2011 competition.

The photo was spread like a wildfire. Some accused Felipe Melendez a gay. Some conservatives on the other hand, want him to be disqualified from the competition. But Melendez, until now, remained silent about the issue.

Felipe Melendez's mystery man?

Beauty Mania conducted a research about Felipe Melendez's mystery man. According to our research, the man was identified as Joshua Wayde, 31, an Observer Controller/Trainer at United States Army and lives in El Paso, Texas.

Felipe Melendez's reactions about this controversy can be read here.

Beauty Mania thoughts: Whether gay or not, Felipe Melendez has the right to represent his country at Mister International 2011. First, the said accusations were not yet proven. Second, Mister International 2011 terms and conditions indicates no rules that a candidate should be straight. Still, Mister Mexico is considered as one of the front runners in the competition.

PAGEANT UPDATES: Mister Germany 2012 is Almondy Rose!

LINSTOW, Germany - 26-year-old Almondy Rose of Niedersachsen (center) has been elected as Mister Germany 2012 during the pageant gala held in Linstow Saturday evening,December 10.

Rose, who stands 1.85 m. tall, is a manager of a medical technology company.

Winning the pageant runs in his genes. His sister Gianna was elected Miss Niedersachsen while his brother Sunny placed third in Mister Germany 2011.

Meanwhile, first runner-up is Mister Westdeutschland, Gary Moug (right) while Mister Sachsen, Enrico Reuter, named second runner-up.

Almondy Rose, Mister Germany 2012

PAGEANT UPDATES: Melinda Bam is Miss South Africa 2012!

SUN CITY, South Africa (Channel 24) - Melinda Bam, a 22-year-old Pretoria University B Comm marketing student has been crowned the new Miss SA in a glamorous event at Sun City. Her first princess is Remona Moodley, 22, and second princess Thuli Sangwini, 21. 

Melinda will represent SA in the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants and believes she will be the perfect ambassador as she is ambitious and motivated. 

Her prize package includes a car, a designer diamond watch and a luxury trip to Paris.

PAGEANT UPDATES: Miss Polonia 2011 is Marcelina Zawadzka!

WARSAW, Poland - 22 year-old Marcelina Zawadzka has been crowned as Miss Polonia 2011 in a pageant finale held on December 9. The 1.80 m. tall beauty will represent Poland at Miss Universe 2012.

First runner-up was Anna Krupa while Marcela Chmielowska was named second runner-up.

PAGEANT UPDATES: Miss Kazakhstan 2011-2012 has been chosen!

ALMATY, Kazakhstan - 19-year-old Ainur Toleuova has been named Miss Kazakhstan 2011-2012 during the pageant finale held in Almaty, December 6th. The beauty from Taldykorgan stands 1.78 m tall, will represent Kazakhstan at the Miss World 2012 pageant to be held in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China, next July.

Maria Gorbulko (Miss Astana), Arna Abdrakhmanov (Miss Shymkent), and Asem Mamaev (Miss Ust-Kamenogork) named first, second, and third runners-up respectively.

PAGEANT UPDATES: Mister Austria 2012 is Kurt Kases

LINZ, Austria - 24-year-old Kurt Kases (center) has been named as Mister Austria 2012 in a small pageant ceremony held at Empire Club in Linz.

Kases, who stands 1.86 m. tall, is a firefighter from Vienna and a member of national basketball team.

Runner-ups were Thomas Hollinger, 19, from Ried, while the second runner-up was Daniel Wartner, 18, from Grammastetten. ompleting the top five were Alexander Krakolnig, 26, and Ferencz Bordas, 18.

ENTERTAINMENT PARADISE: Former Miss USA Rima Fakih arrested for drunk driving!

HIGHLAND PARK, Michigan (WXYZ.com) - Police arrested former Miss USA and Michigan’s own Rima Fakih for driving under the influence of alcohol in Highland Park. It happened early Saturday morning, December 3, on Woodward Avenue. 

Fakih's attorney confirmed the incident with Action News. 

Sources say she blew a .20, which is more than twice Michigan’s legal limit. She spent most of Saturday in jail.  

On her Twitter and Facebook accounts, Fakih claimed throughout most of the day that she was out of state and that it was a different Fakih. Those posts have since disappeared. 

 Fakih’s attorney says Rima was pulled over and had been driving with a friend to another friend’s house. Fakih is said to be very upset and wants to apologize to her fans.

PAGEANT UPDATES:Miss Angola 2012 is Marcelina Vahekeni!

LUANDA, Angola - 21-year-old Marcelina Vahekeni has been crowned as Miss Angola 2012 at the Belas Conference Center in Luanda Saturday. She will represent Angola in Miss Universe 2012. 

Vahekeni, who stands 1.70 m. tall, succeeded Leila Lopes, Miss Universe 2011.

Completing the Top 5 were Isilda Silva, Rossana Silva, Manuela Agostinho and Catarina Furtado.

PAGEANT UPDATES: Miss France 2012 is Delphine Wespiser!

BREST, France - Miss Alsace, Delphine Wespiser, of Kingersheim, has been crowned Miss France 2012 tonight. 

Wespiser, 19, at 1·75 m, is a management student with interests in eastern and flamenco dancing, and enjoys painting. The redhead was crowned at the parc des expositions de Penfeld in Brest, ultimately chosen by a live television audience on TF1. She was chosen after the final five were identified by a panel of judges, led by veteran actor Alain Delon. 

Wespiser succeeds Laury Thilleman and is the 65th Miss France.

Miss Réunion, Marie Payet, and Miss Pays de Loire, Mathilde Couly, were second and first runners-up respectively. Miss France 2012.