MORE PICS & Video – Miss UNIVERSE 2007 – RIYO MORI Japan; Ms Brazil, Natalia Guimaraes;: Ms Venezuela, Ly Jonaitis; Ms Korea, Honey Lee; & Ms USA

Attn: Mamak fans---Raid at Jalan Ampang Holiday Karaoke
ABOVE & BELOW: More details now posted H E RE

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UPDATE: June 04 2007

MORE NEW PICS & Video – Miss Universe 2007 –Riyo Mori Japan - Message to the Next generation – Be Happy, Patient & Positive; More SE Asian Beauties (Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand & Indonesia) in Swimsuits, Evening Gowns & Native National Costumes

ABOVE: Ms Japan at the Intro Filming & BELOW: Rehearsal time

= = == == = == = = = New Miss Japan pics
ABOVE in Evening Dress at contest
ABOVE in her National Costume
ABOVE: In her swim suit at the contest
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ABOVE & BELOW: some recent photos of Riyo Mori
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ABOVE: the excitement & the moment just before crowning by Zueleka, the Miss Universe 2006 from Puerto Rico and BELOW: the satisfaction and the achievement with the US25K Pearl & Diamonds studded Crown on the head

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ABOVE: Posing with the Crown & BELOW: the obligatory shot with the Exec Producer of Miss Universe 2007 -Donald TrumpBELOW: After winning the Miss Universe title, the interview with World Press

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ABOVE: Our local Rep Miss Malaysia-Universe 2007 (Adelaine Chin) ; BELOW: in her evening dress

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ABOVE and BELOW: the Ah Moi in Malaysia traditional native dress; A sarong Kebaya would make her look better


and BELOW: Ms Malaysia revealing her vital statistics in a swim suit


= == == = = =and from down under Singapore, we have Jessica Yap

ABOVE: During rehearsal and BELOW at Intro

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ABOVE: Ms Singapore in her Evening gown & BELOW in her National Costume


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ABOVE: Jessica in swim suit
ABOVE: another rehearsal with Ms Indonesia, Ms India & Ms Israel and BELOW: In Singapore traditional native costume

= = == == = =and from INDONESIA
ABOVE & BELOW: Miss Indonesia, Agnipratistha Kuswardono


ABOVE: Ms Indonesia in evening gown and BELOW in her National Costume
= = == == = == = == =and from Thailand
ABOVE Ms Thailand, Farung Yuthithum and BELOW in her evening dress
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ABOVE: the Hot Ms Thailand and BELOW: in her National Costume

= = == = == = == = == = = = and miscellaneous pics

ABOVE: Miss Zeuleka (Puerto Rico) Winner for Ms Universe 2006 last year, standing in front
ABOVE: Ms Brazil showing off her asset

ABOVE: Ms Indonesia iher traditional costume
ABOVE: Ms Korea at rehearsal

ABOVE: The contestants behind a screen at the start and BELOW: how they are viewed
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= = == = == =New Video Clip (2 min 1s) (Miss Universe 2007 - Interviews Before and After Win) - See below video Clip - the Contest Win (1 m 55s)

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= = == = == = == = == = == = == = == = the INTERVIEWS

Mexico City, May 30 (AP): Japan's Riyo Mori has said she will be true to herself in her yearlong reign fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS as Miss Universe
In an interview with The Associated Press hours after she was crowned, the 20-year-old dancer yesterday said she would not change in her new role. "I don't want to be acting," said Mori, wearing a shimmering silver dress. "I just want to be myself, always be natural." Under pageant rules, women crowned Miss Universe become advocates for AIDS/HIV research and education. Mori showed some natural poise on Monday in her first moments as Miss Universe, catching the diamond-and-pearl-studded crown that slipped off her head when Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera crowned her. Mori immediately placed the headpiece -- valued at USD 25,000 - back on her head.

The new Miss Universe also criticised crash dieting. "I had a friend with an eating disorder, but she always looked unhappy. She was never confident with her body, even though she was so thin," she said. "For me, it's so easy and so simple. Just eat right." The only other time Japan had won the pageant was in 1959, when Akiko Kojima became the first Miss Universe from Asia. Since then, several women from the region have worn the crown. "She is an amazing champion an amazing woman, and I hear that they go totally insane in Japan, so that's good," said Donald Trump, who co-owns the pageant with NBC.
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What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?Definitely dancing! I have been dancing since I was 4 years old। I still have my first pair of ballet shoes which I keep as a memory of my many years and passion for dancing. I am a very curious person and I love traveling the world, especially seeing musicals and visiting museums. Discovering different cultures and encountering new people are a constant source of inspiration for me and something I try to apply to my own dancing and teaching back in Japan.
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life। Why?

My amazing national director, Inés Ligron because she has taught me so much and heightened my interest in so many issues I wasn't aware of before. I come from a small town and Inés has transformed my confidence and showed me how to achieve my dreams faster.

What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than representing your country in this pageant)?
Studying abroad and successfully graduating from both high school and ballet school in Canada. My three years abroad taught me how to adapt myself to different environments, the importance of learning foreign languages, and the great need in our world today for intercultural understanding.

What is your career ambition?
To open my own dance school in Tokyo! My mother runs a successful dance school outside of Tokyo and we plan to expand my family's love for the performing arts by opening an international dance school in Tokyo, the capital of Japan and a crossroads for many cultures. My plan is to hire teachers who speak a number of languages so that I can host students from around the world. Opening my own school will allow me to live and teach my passion for dancing while being an independent business woman.

Where is the most interesting place you have been?
The south of France. I went to Montpellier for 10 days of intensive training with my fabulous director, Inés Ligron. Instead of going to tourist areas, we visited remote villages which gave me a glimpse of how French people truly live. I was surrounded by nature and beautiful old buildings. It felt so refreshing to jog through wine vineyards and gorgeous castles. It reminded me of Drew Barrymore's 1998 movie Ever After, a Cinderella story.

What makes you unique and different from the other contestants?
We live in a competitive world that demands high-skills, determination, intelligence, and a global outlook. When I was 16 years old, I decided to leave my comfort zone and challenge myself in a completely different environment abroad where I would have to survive socially, academically and culturally on my own. I think globally but I also know where I come from. I liken myself to a modern-day samurai for women. The traditional samurai spirit in Japan prizes composure, patience, a sense of justice, and fearlessly facing challenges with a strong-will. At the same time, the word samurai literally means "to serve," a reflection of my heritage and commitment to self and to others. I think my diverse life-experiences and cultural heritage will be an invaluable tool in a competition as challenging as Miss Universe.

What is your philosophy of /in life?
Be yourself!

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
In 10 years I will be celebrating my 30th birthday in my own dance school surrounded by lots of my students, and blowing out my candles together with my little daughter in a tutu!

Is there anything you would like to tell us about yourself? Something unique that has happened to you? Some interesting thing about you?
After high school, I moved to New York where I got accepted to a dance school on Broadway। Around the same time, I passed the audition for the Miss Universe Japan title. I had to make a quick question between dance school or possibly being Miss Universe and moved back to Japan to pursue the latter. I am a very determined person and can take actions very quickly when I trust that they are the right ones. I am also extremely patient and focused.
= = == official Interview from Ms Universe 2007
What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
Definitely dancing! I have been dancing since I was 4 years old. I still have my first pair of ballet shoes that I keep as a memory of my many years and passion for dancing. I am a very curious person and I love traveling the world, especially seeing musicals and visiting museums. Discovering different cultures and encountering new people are a constant source of inspiration for me and something I try to apply to my own dancing and teaching back in Japan.

What is your career ambition?
To open my own dance school in Tokyo! My mother runs a successful dance school outside of Tokyo and we plan to expand my family's love for the performing arts by opening an international dance school in Tokyo, the capital of Japan and a crossroads for many cultures. My plan is to hire teachers who speak a number of languages so that I can host students from around the world. Opening my own school will allow me to live and teach my passion for dancing while being an independent businesswoman.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was born and raised with my younger brother in a small town called Shizuoka at the base of Mt. Fuji. Shizuoka enjoys a very mild climate and is also near the sea. As nuclear families have become the norm in Japanese society, I feel very fortunate to have been raised by both my parents and grandparents under the same roof. I grew up in a very supportive and loving family, always surrounded by many energetic people since part of my house served as my mother's dance school. Interestingly enough, my mother entered a local beauty pageant when she was in her twenties and, although I didn't pay much attention to it at the time, my maternal grandmother told me when I was a child that she wanted me to become Miss Japan before I turn 20.

What do you want the judges to know about you?
What you see is what you get. Nothing is rehearsed about me. From the very beginning, I entered this competition with high-hopes and an unswerving determination to make this dream a reality.= = == = == == = == = == = == == =

UPDATE: May 31 2007
Miss Universe 2007 Japan Win One of Biggest Upsets for Online Gambling
With Miss Japan taking home the crown in the Miss Universe 2007 pageant late Monday night, the Japanese weren't the only one's cheering this unlikely beauty's achievement.

The folks behind BetUS.com - one of the largest online gambling websites - were also cheering 20-year old Riyo Mori when favored Miss Brazil was announced as second runner up. "Nobody had money on Miss Japan," said one online gambling analyst. And because BetUS.com was one of the few North American facing online gambling establishments taking bets on the hugely popular beauty pageants, it is widely believed the company had one of its best weekends in months, profit wise.

"The amount of money being placed on each of these girls is nominal," explains Payton O'Brien, Senior Editor of Gambling911.com. "But the sheer volume and fact that bets were being placed from all over the world most certainly made a tremendous impact on BetUS.com's bottom line." And for those betting on events such as the Miss Universe competition and this past weekend's UFC 71 bouts upsets can translate into huge payouts. A $100 bet on Miss Japan to win Miss Universe 2007 would have resulted in a $2200 win. A $200 bet would have paid out $4400 and so on.

"Miss Japan (ABOVE) was not on anybody's radar," insists Gambling911.com's Jenny Woo, who covered the event throughout the night Monday. At 22 to 1 odds, she was practically a 'field' choice." Heading into Monday evening, Miss Brazil had tied Miss Venezuela as the 4 to 1 favorite to win. This year's Miss Universe competition was anything but boring. Miss Greece, who was widely viewed as a top 5 contender for the crown did not make it out of the first round. Miss Philippines, one of the most sought after delegates on the Gambling911.com website, won an honorary award for "Most Photogenic" but also failed to get into the swimsuit competition despite having favorable odds. Big underdogs - Miss Japan, Miss Ukraine, Miss Denmark and a busty beauty Miss Angola - made it deep into the swimsuit round. Miss Japan and Miss Angola moved onto the evening gown competition where things got really interesting.

Miss USA Rachel Smith (ABOVE) fell on stage (ABOVE) then managed to carry out her routine while maintaining her composure. It was widely believed at that point she was toast. But a funny thing happened on the way to the final round. Miss USA was selected among the final five, much to the displeasure of the Mexican audience who booed and chanted throughout. Eventually, Miss USA received applause from the Mexican people after the teary-eyed delegate answered her secret question and explained the type of good she wanted to do in the world. "It was an awkward situation," says Woo. "Smith was there competing with everyone else and she probably should not have been chosen among the finalists but I think the Mexican people realized in the end they should not be taking out their anger on Miss USA." Rachel Smith was already the target of hostility earlier in the week as a result of a heated US policy involving illegal immigrants that mostly targeted Mexicans.

Riyo Mori's big win for Japan really capped things off.

Mori is the first Japanese in history to pass the audition for The Rockette Summer Intensive. She has studied at Quinte Ballet School of Canada and also is a graduate of Centennial Secondary School in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. She usually works as a ballet dancer. Mori became Miss Universe beating out Miss Brazil, Venezuela, Korea, and USA. She's the second Japanese Miss Universe in 48 years. The first Miss Universe winner from Japan was Akiko Kojima in 1959. Her win ranks among the biggest upsets in online gambling this year. ---

Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com

Originally published May 29, 2007 12:28 am ET

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MISS JAPAN, RIYO MORI CROWNED MISS UNIVERSE® 2007

DURING LIVE NBC TELECAST ON MAY 28TH

Mexico City, Mexico May 28, 2007 - This evening, during one of the year's most exciting live international television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Miss Japan, Riyo Mori, as MISS UNIVERSE® 2007.

Ms. Mori is 20 years-old and has been dancing since she was 4. She loves traveling the world and enjoys visiting museums and watching musicals.

ABOVE: The initial Shock BELOW: in her bikini swimsuit

and BELOW: In her Evening "kimono"gown

The judging panel for the 2007 Miss Universe Pageant included NBC's "Heroes" James Kyson Lee, NBC's "Deal or No Deal" briefcase model Lindsay Clubine, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, rocker Dave Navarro, World and Olympic figure skating champion Michelle Kwan, fashion designer Marc Bouwer, Novela Star Mauricio Islas, "Project Runway" judge and Elle magazine fashion director Nina Garcia, and former Miss Universes Dayanara Torres (1993) and Christiane Martel (1953).

Final Results:

First Runner Up: Miss Brazil (ABOVE), Natalia Guimaraes will assume the duties of MISS UNIVERSE 2007 if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities.

Second Runner Up: Miss Venezuela (ABOVE) , Ly Jonaitis

Rest of Top Five: Miss Korea, Honey Lee; and Miss USA, Rachel Smith.

ABOVE Miss Korea -No 4; and BELOW; Miss USA - No 5

Rest of Top Ten: Miss India, Puja Gupta; Miss Angola, Micaela Reis; Miss Tanzania, Flaviana Matata; Miss Nicaragua, Xiomara Blandino; and Miss Mexico, Rosa Maria Ojeda Cuen.

Rest of Top Fifteen: Miss Thailand, Farung Yuthithum; Miss Denmark, Zak lina; Sojic; Miss Slovenia, Tjasa Kokalj; Miss Ukraine, Lyudmyla Bikmullina; and Miss Czech Republic, Lucie Hadasova.
Miss Photogenic Award: Miss Philippines, Anna Theresa Licaros. The general public voted on www.nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera. She received a $1,000 cash prize and a trophy from Rogaska Crystal.

Congeniality Award: Miss China, Ningning Zhang. This award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate's peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant. She also received a $1,000 cash prize and a trophy from Rogaska Crystal.

= = == == = =Watch the Final Moments, Video Clip (1 m 55 s)

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= = == and our local Miss MAlAYSIA-UNIVERSE 2007, (Adelaine Chin Ai Nee, a degree holder) eliminated 1st Round. She would be a good model for some toothpaste (using her white teeth!)

= == = = =for the faces of he 77 participants Go H E R E and roll your mouse over the following faces