Gearing Up for Miss Universe

Contestants from around the globe have all arrived in the Bahamas for the August 23rd pageant.



The Miss Universe website hasn't worked well today because they're constantly adding photos and videos. I'm sure it'll be fixed soon; tons of photos can always be found at this site though.

Miss USA, Kristen Dalton Many have commented that Kristens look is much different in the Bahamas than at Miss USA. I don't mind the natural makeup, but I can not stand her hair straight; her locks aren't thick enough to make it work.

The following are RUMORED to be judging:

Shandi Finnessey

She is an American beauty queen, model and television hostess. She is best known for winning the Miss USA title in 2004 as Miss Missouri USA. At Miss Universe 2004 became the first runner up. Finnessey was also a commentator on the 2006 Miss Universe Pageant and a sideline reporter for the CBS tournament blackjack series Ultimate Blackjack Tour. She has also appeared on the NBC reality show The Apprentice, in the 20 Sexiest Men and 20 Sexiest Women specials on CMT. On March 19, 2007, Finnessey debuted on the fourth season of Dancing with the Stars.

Adel Chabbi
This France-born man has over 23 years of experience as a hair dresser and has worked with the likes of Alicia Silverstone, Lauren Hutton and Jessica Lange. Adel is expert in hair extensions and is also a television celebrity. He has participated in TV shows like ‘Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,’ and ‘Today Show’ of NBC. He has also styled models for a number of major fashion and beauty magazines, including French Vogue, Glamour, Elle, and the like.

Zuleyka Jerrís Rivera Mendoza
She is a Puerto Rican beauty queen who held the titles Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2006 and Miss Universe 2006. She made her debut as a telenovela actress in Telemundo's soap opera Dame Chocolate. She is studying acting in Mexico City to become a successful actress. She is a famous and international model. Well known for an international campaing for a prestigious shoe company.

Dean Mcflicker
Mcflicker, the Vice President of NBC Primetime Special Projects, has many other jobs to do. He also handles production, direction and choreography. So far, he has promoted ‘The Biggest Loser,’ ‘ER,’ ‘Law & Order,’ ‘Grease: You're The One That I Want,’ ‘The Apprentice,’ ‘America's Got Talent, ‘American Dreams,’ ‘American Gladiators,’ ‘Deal or No Deal’ and ‘The Singing Bee’. He has also done choreography for ‘Upfront’ (Radio City Music Hall), ‘Sha Bang’ (Lincoln Center), ‘Gypsy of the Year’ (Virginia Theater), etc. Along with these, he has coordinated with Tina Turner, Kool & the Gang, Ray Charles, etc.

Sol Kerzner
Chairman of the Board of Kerzner International based on Paradise Island, Bahamas.
As a result of the success of the Sun City resort, he got involved in international hotel and gambling resorts; most notable is his role as the innovative developer behind the well-known Atlantis resort in the Bahamas. He is also the owner of a new project called new Atlantis on the Palm in Dubai. Sol Kerzner's luxury management company, One&Only Resorts, also manages eight five-star luxury resorts in Cape Town, The Bahamas, Mexico, Mauritius, Dubai and the Maldives.

María Antonieta Collins
She is a Mexican journalist , TV host and best seller author of six books and winner of four EMMY awards, (two of them National EMMYS) and the Edward Murrow Award. She also write a weekly editorial column for "El Sol de Mexico" network and it sixty newspapers in the country of Mexico.
Maria Antonieta Collins and Maria Celeste Araras are both animal rights activists.

Angel Sanchez
From Venezuela, he is renowned worldwide for both bridal and evening wear designs that reflect his architectural discipline and structure while creating new shapes and proportions that hold true to the timeless perfection of traditional couture dressmaking. He is member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. In 2005, Angel designed Sandra Bullock's wedding gown and Eva Longoria's Emmy Awards dress for which she received a best dressed nod. In 2006 Sandra wore an Angel Sanchez gown to the Oscars and in 2007 Angel designed Eva Longoria's wedding gown.Angel's talent and jovial personality has won over celebrities on the red carpet and socialites on the international party circuit. His devotees also include Salma Hayek, Giselle Bundchen, Beyonce, America Ferrara, Iman, Elizabeth Hurley, Bridget Moynahan, Thalia, and Gayle King.

Ivanka Marie Trump
She is an American businesswoman, socialite, heiress, and fashion model. She is the daughter of Ivana and Donald Trump, and is currently Vice President of Real Estate Development and Acquisitions at the Trump Organization. Before working for her father, she worked for Forest City Enterprises. Trump joined forces with Dynamic Diamond Corp., a diamond trading company sightholder, to design and introduce a line of jewelry at the brand's first flagship retail store called 'Ivanka Trump' on Madison Avenue.

Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace
Minister of Tourism & Aviation of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. He has had a long and distinguished career in tourism in both the public and private sector of The Bahamas and in the Caribbean Region. Highly regarded in tourism circles both at home and abroad, Vincent, last month, completed a three-year stint as Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).