So Close In 2011: Gwendoline Ruais

If you were hot on the trail of the Miss World 2011 pageant you probably already know this - but if you weren't (because you were out drinking for a straight week trying to drown out the sadness you were feeling from losing Gnome Lingerie And Snack Packs #1 The Collector's Edition) - now you know:

Miss Philippines, Gwendoline Ruais was so very very close (and yes, some would say so very very close to an old school misogynistic and barbaric practice - I'm 50/50 myself).

Thuy Vy Victoria: Miss World 2011 Contestant

Sure, you may say that there's no relevance here except - well - possibly none - but I say I'm kind of under the weather and she's Vietnamese American.

And she's representing Vietnam in the 2011 Miss World contest in London this November.

P.S.

Dear Press Contacts,

Please feel free to send me to London for interviews and photo shoots.

Thanks,
Slanty

Mr. Hyphen 2009 Contestants

I'm not saying anything about the past contestants for Mr. Hyphen - but this year - they're looking pretty damn good - like they each have a story you really want to know about. Get your tickets and check more out down at the Mr. Hyphen page.

Alex Thuy Tran: You're Miss Viet Nam Global (And Winner Of $10,000)

Because you really did want to know this:

A 22-year-old Viet Nam-born student, living in Texas, has won the US$10,000 Miss Viet Nam Global contest, in Las Vegas.

Born in Nha Trang city, Alex Thuy Tran also won the Top Viet Model 2007 title in a competition held by an organisation called Modelling Project in La Mirada, California.

Four runners-up titles were handed out to Le My Linh from Atlanta, Tran Thi Huong Giang from Viet Nam’s northern province of Hai Duong, Stephanie Truong Kim Yen from California and Le Hoang Bao Ngoc from Viet Nam’s Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.

Read it in full down at Viet Nam News.

Old School Steps: Beauty Queens

I caught this article down at the NY Times yesterday and what I found almost more interesting than the story itself (which is a good read by Jennfier 8. Lee) was that even though it was on of the first integrated pageants that you still had this:

"Exotic"



And "Creative" (although you also have to read the article on Berkowitz too and how she also broke down stereotypes and prejudice).



You had to start somewhere though right?

Because change doesn't just happen - it takes small steps - and a lot of courage to get on out there and go where POC just didn't get to go before them.

Hmmm...

Those steps that I just referred to as small?

Yeah - I'm with ya - way way bigger than mine.

Savvy.