Miss Universe contestants debut their National Costume which took off on November 18th at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. The National Costume Show is an international tradition where the contestants displayed an authentic costume of choice that best represents her country.
TOP 10 Favorites
1. Canada - Lauren Howe. Miss Canada's national costume in the past was either the mounties or the maple leaf emblem. This time Canada chose to wear true north spirit.
2. Iceland - Arna Yr Jónsdóttir. Miss Iceland represented a Viking Warrior Woman, the costume includes the homage to several Icelandic animals - a ram's head, the raven's feathers and fish scales.
3. Philippines - Rachel Peters. Miss Philippines wore a chicken headpiece, sarimanok in Tagalog, and it is a symbol of good fortune for the Maranao people in her country.
4. Costa Rica - Elena Correa. Miss Costa Rica represents the golden museum in San Jose. Her costume consists of golden peacock feathers and golden crystals.
5. Dominican Republic - Carmen Muñoz. Miss Dominican Republic represents the monarch butterflies in her hometown.
6. Ecuador - Daniela Cepeda. Miss Ecuador represents the continental regions that make up her nation. Her costume weighed 22 pounds!
7. Ireland - Cailín Áine Ní Toibín. Miss Ireland represents a modern superhero. Will the Hollywood costume designers go to pick this up? Will see...
8. Japan - Momoko Abe. Miss Japan's costume was transformed from ninja ensemble into Japanese traditional kimono.
9. Mexico - Denisse Franco. Miss Mexico wears a costume that represents "feminism" because she wanted to promote more of "women's rights" in her country.
10. Peru - Prissila Howard. Miss Peru's costume was inspired by a warrior sun.
By: Joyce Cortez
Disclaimer: some wordings are from Miss Universe organization and photos credited to Patrick Prather.
Miss Globe United States pageant was held in Hyatt Regency Hotel in Herndon, Virginia on September 21st to 24th, where Christina Denny of Washington, D.C. was selected to represent the country and potentially bag the Miss Globe crown for the second time in Beijing, China on November 10 to 18, 2017.
The Highlights
Day 1. The New Crown
The unveiling of the new crown with a matching ring was creatively designed by our very own PageantLIVE CEO Pamela Privette in collaboration with Miss Globe United States National Director, Kyle Ean Haggerty, and created by Elementz by Prerna. The crown's focal point is amethyst which is the Miss Globe symbolic color surrounded by clear stones.
Day 2. Evening Gown photoshoot by AJ Photoz and Vizcaya Swimwear photoshoot
Day 3. A Black-tie affair: The celebration of Life Continues...
We Will Survive Cancer (WWSC) is the official beneficiary of the Miss Globe United States. It is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to assist families affected by cancer, without financial, or other resources to adequately address their needs. WWSC's assistance includes, but not limited to, child care, arranging family transportation for visitation, managing household finances and family counselling. The Celebration of Life Continues honors survivors of cancer and loved ones lost to cancer.
The event was produced by PageantLIVE CEO Pamela Privette in collaboration with the Founder of We Will Survive Cancer, Gayela Bynum. It was attended by Miss Globe United States state winners, Miss Globe President Albert Xhaferri, families of cancer survivors and whose loved ones have passed away from cancer. There was a fun fashion show modelled by empowered women namely Kimberly Wilde Warfield, Jana Sedlakova, Patricia Peple, Josie Valdez, Tyeast Brown, Susan Young, Shersher Matthew, Consuelo Perez and Maria; bringing enlightenment in the atmosphere from this devastating disease. There was also an auction where the items were presented by the Miss Globe United States state winners.
The Influencer Models
The Influencer models with EILiveTV Hung Viet Trinh and Chintana Vann
Honored guests who are the families and friends of those affected with cancer
Franz Orban and Lisa Opie
Joyce Cortez and Pamela Privette
The Director's Ball and Preliminary Award Ceremony
The second part of the Black-tie affair was the celebration of National Director Kyle Ean Haggerty's 50th birthday and awarding of the Preliminary winners.
Kyle Ean Haggerty
Birdy Haggerty
Preliminary Award Winners
The only award that was carried over to advanced in Top 15 was the Interview preliminary winners.
Best Interview
Diamond Group - Washington, D.C., Christina Denny
Emerald Group - North Carolina, Alexis Drury
Sapphire Group - California, Candice Cruz
Best Evening Wear
Diamond Group - Washington, D.C., Christina Denny
Emerald Group - Florida, Jade Richardson
Sapphire Group - California, Candice Cruz
Best Swimwear Diamond Group - Arizona, Deanna Decker
Emerald Group - Florida, Jade Richardson
Sapphire Group - Michigan, Tamika Vantifflin
Best Performance
Diamond Group - Arizona, Deanna Decker
Emerald Group - Florida, Jade Richardson
Sapphire Group - Mississippi, Ahdis Beruk
Finals and Crowning of Miss Globe United States 2017
Top 15 Miss Arkansas got the lucky card when she was picked on a draw by the reigning Miss Globe, Mary Ryelle Espiritu.
Andreia Gibau of Massachusetts took the Miss Earth United States 2017 title on August 6th in Washington D.C., becoming the first African American woman to nab the title. Congratulations Andreia!
Natalie (N): You just got back from Chicago recently to meet with your official dress designer Mac Duggal for Miss Earth, what was that process like?
Andreia (A): I had such a wonderful experience at the Mac Duggal headquarters in Chicago. I got to work with Antoinette, Mac Duggal himself, and his daughter Ieena Duggal. They had picked out a ton of options of wardrobe for me to try on and choose the ones I wanted to bring with me to the Philippines. I will be fully prepared for every occasion at Miss Earth, thanks to Mac Duggal.
N: When do you leave for the Philippines and how long is the competition?
A: I leave for Manila, Philipines on October 6th, 2017 and the competition is 4 weeks long with finals taking place on November 4th.
N: What are you doing to prepare? A: I am doing a lot of media preparation with Candiace Dillard of Candiace Dillard Pageant Consulting. I am also keeping up my healthy eating habits while working out 5-7 days a week. It is also a lot of mental preparation since I will be living in an entirely different country for 4 weeks. I’m getting to know myself more and learning even more about our environment and ways to combat climate change. I am also getting all my wardrobe together and designing my national and heroine costume with Pixton Design Group. I am really excited to have the best team - making sure I am ready to take home the crown.
N: You are the first African American woman to be crowned Miss Earth United States. What is your heritage and what has that experience been like?
A: I am incredibly honored to be the first black Miss Earth United States. I am full Cape Verdean, a group of 10 islands on the west coast of Africa and I also speak Portuguese, Spanish, and Cape Verdean creole. The experience has been so incredible, not will I be representing the USA but I will also be representing Cape Verdeans from around the world on an international stage.
N: What do you plan on doing with your title during your year of service?
A: My advocacy is “Think Global, Act Local” to encourage people to live in a way that does less harm to the environment around them. Educating and encouraging people to make the 5 R’s reduce, reuse, rethink, recycle, and respect as part of their lifestyle. I will be getting my hands dirty by planting trees and picking up trash. Education is really important to me so I will be going on my “Love Our Earth” school tour educating kids on climate change and what they can do to help. I want to create a world where our environment no longer needs protecting so I will support legislations that combat climate change and soak up as much information on more ways we as individuals can help.
N: What is a typical day in the life of Miss Earth United States like?
A: Days that I do not have an appearance I typically wake up at 6 or 7am and go straight to the gym. I have a to-do list for the day, and since I am less than 1 month away from leaving to the Philippines I spend the majority of my day in preparation mode. Throughout the day I am very aware of what I can do to reduce my carbon footprint and minimize my waste. I also log into my social media to interact with my fans throughout the day and answer messages.
N: Do you work or go to school?
A: I just graduated my B.S. in Public Relations. I work as a model full time and I run self-development workshops for kids on the weekends when my schedule permits. I've been signed with NY MMG for the past few months and I am also a Jovani Inhouse model.
N: If you don't take the Miss Earth title, what are your hopes? You could quite possibly make history again if you placed as an Elemental queen by being the first African American and Cape Verdean titleholder to hold those titles? ;)
A: If it's not the Miss Earth title I would still be more than happy to hold an elemental title. At the end of the day, I know that I would come back and there's still a job to be done in my home country. This title and job are a lot bigger than myself and I'll be serving my country no matter what.
N: Any foods or anything about the Filipino culture you are looking forward to trying?
A: I'm really big on fully experiencing someone else's culture. My entire life I have been around diversity and especially now living in NYC. I want to try balut, which is a popular Filipino delicacy. There's a restaurant in New York that has it on the menu but I'm waiting until I get to the Philippines! Balut is a developing bird embryo (usually a duck) that is boiled and eaten from the shell. It originates and is commonly sold as street-food in the Philippines and it is extremely popular.
N: Do you think pageantry has become the catalyst to launching a modeling career?
A: Pageantry has become a catalyst to launch modeling and many other careers, which I think is so wonderful. The opportunity to get your name out there, build your brand, and constantly network with amazing people helps so much. Pageantry also builds character, integrity, and hard work so you're able to succeed in whatever career.
We think Andreia is going to slay Miss Earth finals and make the USA proud! Best wishes competing in the Philippines!
