Miss Japan, Riyo Mori, was crowned Miss Universe 2007 on Monday in Mexico City in a contest marked by protests, a banned dress and the withdrawal of one beauty queen on the ground the pageant degrades women.
Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Universe 2006 crowns Miss Japan, Riyo Mori as Miss Universe 2007
Miss Japan, Riyo Mori (right) with first runner-up, Miss Brazil, Natalia Guimaraes (left) (left photo); Zuleyka Rivera, almost dropped the crown! (right photo)
Miss Universe, Riyo Mori with Donald Trump & pageant host, Mario Lopez
Riyo Mori in a bikini
During the evening gown parade, Miss USA, Rachel Smith, slipped on the runway and landed on her bottom, although the slip didn’t stop her earning fifth place.
This year’s contest was marked by controversy, with a handful of Mexicans booing Smith in the run-up to the finals because of what they saw as U.S. unfriendliness toward illegal immigrants.
Miss Sweden, Isabel Lestapier Winqvist, unexpectedly pulled out of the event because of complaints in her country that it degrades women. Sweden has won the Miss Universe crown three times in the past.
In another hitch, Miss Mexico was made to change her outfit for the regional dress contest after her original dress, decorated with brutal images of rebels in a 1920s religious uprising being hanged or shot, drew accusations of poor taste.
I think people link too many darn things to a beauty pageant! Just leave it alone, it’s a beauty pageant not politics, hopefully.
One Response to “Miss Japan, Riyo Mori was crowned Miss Universe”
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Miss Japan is so adorable. I thought Brazil was surely going to win though! It’s all good. The Miss Universe pageant needs another Asian winner :)