Miss Bahamas Universe Anastagia Pierre appeared on the NBC Today show this past week alongside Kathie Lee and Hoda. The Today show spent several days in The Bahamas featuring Bahamian fashions, cuisine, destinations and people. Anastagia’s role was to provide information on The Bahamas in the show’s weekly trivia contest “Who knew?” Here’s a clip from Anastagia’s appearance on the show.
The Miss Bahamas Organization sends out a hearty CONGRATULATIONS to Miss Bahamas 2010 Braneka Bassett on her accomplishment of landing the leading role in the new Anthony Hamilton video! Anthony Hamilton is back in a major way with his latest single “Woo” and here’s a look at this music video featuring our very own beauty queen alumnus! In this new clip directed by Marcus Raboy, he and Braneka are playing a sexy game of cat and mouse. Braneka, an aspiring actress who represented the Bahamas in both the Miss Universe pageant and Miss World – where she placed as a semifinalist – looks simply amazing in the video!
“Woo” is the first single off Hamilton’s highly anticipated fourth studio album, Back To Love. This new project drops on December 13th on RCA Records, and his 19-city “Woo Tour” launches in December. Keep up the good work Braneka! Can’t wait to see you on the big screen!!!
It was an exciting and beautiful ending of the Miss World 2011 final competition last night as Venezuela, Ivian SARCOS, was crowned Miss World 2011. Runner up was Philippines, followed by Puerto Rico. The seven continental beauties included Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Korea, England, Philippines, South Africa and Scotland. This year a new scoreboard was introduced to allow audiences to keep track of scores as contestants progressed through the event. Performing at Miss World 2011, which was also Miss World’s 60th birthday, was Diversity and Blue. The end of the show wasn’t the finish of the evening, as all the contestants were whisked away to a beautiful coronation ball with dinner and dancing. As the evening ended, “We are Family” played, reminding the audience and the contestants of the new friends they acquired from around the world thanks to the Miss World experience.
While Miss World Bahamas Sasha Joyce did not advance to the semifinals, she represented The Bahamas very well. Sasha placed 8th in the Sportswoman Competition, and 20th in the Beauty With a Purpose competition, which was weighted heavier than the other fast track events due to its importance to the Miss World Organization. Her final overall placement was 49th. We wish to congratulate Sasha for a job well done!
It has been decided by the judges to do a top 30 Presentations for Beauty with a Purpose. The top 30 Beauty with a Purpose presentations are: Barbados, Botswana, Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Liberia, Malaysia, Nepal, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, US Virgin Islands, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Bahamas, Bonaire, England, India, Malta, Namibia, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Sri Lanka, Sweden and Thailand. Sasha who is a former athlete, has worked closely with Special Olympics Bahamas since being crowned Miss World Bahamas, raising awareness of the needs of the non profit organization as it works to prepare the country’s Special Olympians year round. She also staged a “souse out” through which she was able to raise over $4000 that was donated to the charity’s expansion programs. Congratulations Sasha for having your philanthropic efforts recognized on the world stage!
The Miss World 2011 Charity Gala, auction, talent show and family party took place October 31st at the Marriott County Hall hotel. It was a night of elegance, entertainment and quality time with family and friends. The Miss World 2011 contestants brought a wide variety of national gifts from their countries to enter into auction, including signed sports memorabilia, dazzling jewellery, traditional crafts, and unique artwork. Beauty with a Purpose presentations, illustrating just a few examples of some of the incredible projects contestants have been involved with, were shown, highlighting the efforts of the Miss World 2011 contestants around the world. The charity dinner was also a time for the inaugural Beauty with a Purpose Humanitarian Award, which was presented to Kieu Hoang. Founder of Rare Antibody Antigen Supply Inc., Mr. Hoang’s pioneering work in plasma-based developments to combat a range of diseases has not only saved so many lives, but his generous donations have built homes for the homeless and taken kids off the streets. Thanks to the efforts of the contestants and the generosity of the guests in attendance, the total raised for Beauty with a Purpose at the Miss World Charity Dinner reached £100,000. The evening of entertainment culminated in an eclectic mix of music, song, and dance provided by the Miss World Talent performers. It was truly a successful event.
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes in the Miss World judging process? Well, for the first time ever in the pageant’s history, the Miss World Organization has released highlights from Miss World 2011 judges interviews! Our very own Sasha Joyce can be seen in this video on the day she faced the all important judging panel and her chance to speak before the judges is in the video that follows.
The beach beauty contestants were so great this year that the judges chose 36 qualifiers instead of 20! Unfortunately, our Miss World Bahamas Sasha Joyce did not make the cut. The the 36 qualifiers for beach beauty are Argentina, Aruba, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, France, England, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea, Belarus, Israel, Kazakhstan , Martinique, Mauritius, Moldova, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Northern Ireland, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, St Barthelemy, Sweden, Uganda, Ukraine, United States, US Virgin Islands, Venezuela, Wales and Zimbabwe.
On the same day, the Top Model competition was held, and this year’s Semi-Finalists are…
Albania, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Bolivia, China PR, England, France, India, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Martinique, Philippines, Sweden, Ukraine, Venezuela and Zimbabwe!
While Miss World Alexandria Mills and Miss World Africa Emma Wareus were invited earlier this year by Cambridge University to discuss their experiences, it was now time for the Miss World 2011 contestants to have their chance. Travelling from London to Cambridge to visit the famous top-ranked university, the national representatives were invited to participate in a debate which covered a wide range of topics concerning the Miss World event and Beauty with a Purpose.
Before the debate the Miss World 2011 contestants were taken on a tour of Cambridge and the university campus. The contestants were shown around the world-renowned colleges and beautiful historic buildings which comprise Cambridge University, including St. John’s, Clare and Trinity. Others took the opportunity for a spot of punting, taking in the sights while travelling along the River Cam in gondola-style boats.
The focus of the evening was the debate itself, held in the Cambridge Union Society, which was established in 1815 and is a prestigious arena of free speech which promotes the art of debating, hosting many prominent figures from the worlds of politics, science, arts and entertainment. This was the place for the Miss World hopefuls to talk about the social responsibility their titles hold in their respective countries. There was particular reference to the work of Beauty with a Purpose, the charitable element at the centre of Miss World.
Leading the debate were Zimbabwe, Botswana, Scotland, and Puerto Rico, who each delivered a speech to open proceedings. Zimbabwe spoke passionately about the importance of Beauty with a Purpose and her work helping the fight against a cholera epidemic in her country through engineering and hygiene projects. Botswana delivered an entertaining yet very thoughtful speech about tolerance and the need to dispel common misconceptions, leading to a rousing round of applause. Scotland’s presentation focused on the inspiring work of the contestants through Beauty with a Purpose, as well as highlighting some of the impressive working and academic backgrounds of her fellow contestants. Last of the principal speakers, Puerto Rico, engaged the audience with her work with children back home, including how much she has already learned from the Miss World experience.
After the speeches, the debate was open to contributions from the floor. Cambridge university students asked challenging questions on various aspects of Miss World and Beauty with a Purpose. When asked about the global reach of Beauty with a Purpose, Sierra Leone explained how bringing so many countries together allowed them to exchange ideas and methods for tackling shared international issues such as guaranteeing education for girls. Responding to the debate regarding inner beauty and outer beauty, Spain remarked how she has to demonstrate to others her inner beauty, and Dominican Republic and New Zealand echoed the need to challenge all prejudices.
Mauritius discussed the nature of beauty, while Russia, Egypt, Ireland and South Africa also had their say. To conclude the evening, Miss World Alexandria Mills spoke about perceptions of Miss World around the world and Miss World Africa Emma Wareus shared her experiences and how all contestants come from different backgrounds.
It was a successful evening. The gathered audience were enthusiastic throughout, the Society helping to create a memorable evening for all. Following the debate, was a reception and a chance to engage with their international special guests further. Here is a video of debate highlights.
As a special final day in Scotland, all 122 of the 2011 Miss World Contestants spent the day in ‘awe’ at one of Scotland’s most important historical buildings, the Edinburgh Castle. A once mighty fortress that housed royalty as it dominated the skyline; Edinburgh Castle is now home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, as well as being the focal point for the Scottish Hogmanay celebrations.
While on their tour of the castle, the girls had the privilege of witnessing the historic firing of the one o’clock gun, which has been fired almost every day since 1861. The gun did not disappoint, and despite covering their ears in anticipation, everyone jumped in shock at the sound and power of this ancient attraction.
The contestants were greeted by a traditional Scottish pipe and drum band. The girl’s joined in with the march through the castle gateway and out onto the esplanade. The castle looked stunning – illuminated by the darkening skyline and flaming torches. The contestants marched in unison. embracing a Scottish tradition. The day was truly a fantastic end to the Scottish leg of the Miss World 2011 UK tour.
On Wednesday, the 122 contestants competing in Miss World 2011 attended a very special Scottish Dinner at Crieff Hydro where they learned more about the local culture, its dances and gastronomy. The beauties spent their last night in Scotland in style as they return to London on Thursday.
