• March 24 - Annie Chang News*translated by AL from Appledaily
  One of the Miss Chinese International 2005 contestants Annie Chang has been invited to film a movie called “yum lan zi nam” along with well known HK actor Simon Yam Tat Wa. According to Annie, she has quit her advertisement job in San Francisco and get ready to enter the entertainment circle. Annie said, “My MCI contract with TVB will terminate in May. This movie is one of the movies that will be showcased in the HK film exhibition, I have great interest in joining the entertainment industry, therefore, I will work hard in learning to speak Cantonese, and my family is really supportive in letting me coming to work in Hong Kong.
  http://www1.appledaily.atnext.com/images/apple-photos/640pix/20050324/Article_ent/24em2p6.jpg
  
  
  
• Priscilla Chi closes furniture shop * translated from Orientaldaily
  Miss HK 2003 2nd RU Priscilla Chik Doi-Doi has regrettably closed down her furniture store “One & Only” in HK’s Causeway Bay area, as business hasn’t been going well. Priscilla started the furniture business with her mother, as they believed the ppl of HK liked furniture. Unfortunately it wasn’t so. Although Priscilla is disappointed with the termination of the business, she’s taking it well. Not one to give up easily, she still has an interest in the business world. Learning from this past experience, Priscilla is thinking of venturing in the food industry, perhaps providing a product that everyone will love & purchase. Orientaldaily adds, after this incident, next time Doi Doi should do some major research before operating any business.
  http://orientaldaily.com.hk/ent/ent_a60cnt.html
• Kenix News * translated by Lisa from The Sun
  Kenix Kwok, Franki Lam, and Wong Yin-Ji were at a Pearl Channel function yesterday with the 3 reigning Miss Hong Kong winners Kate Tsui, Queenie Chu, and Fu Sze Sze. Not only did Kenix wear a beautiful dress, her body was full of jewels (estimated at 3 million), overshadowing the 3 beauties.
  
  Afterwards Kenix replied "Because the company has selected me to come to this function, I feel very happy and special, that's why i put off my time to film the new series just to come here."

  Kenix and her husband Frankie were looking at houses a while ago. When asked if she is going to move, Kenix said "We probably will invest money on the properties, but definitely not moving yet". The couple recently celebrated their first anniversary on March 10th.
  http://the-sun.com.hk/channels/ent/20050324/20050324003324_0003.html

• March 23rd- Gu Difei, Miss Beijing will be competing at the Miss China contest in Kunming, in southwest Yunnan province, on April 23. *courtesy of AP Photo/Greg Baker
• Miss Asia pacific International Pageant
  The 26th Miss Asia pacific International Pageant has officially begun as 29 contestants have already arrived in China yesterday & are all heading to Hainan. Many contestants have already begun attempting to speak in Chinese, winning over the public. Press favourites include those from Asia, as well as Miss Venezuela. Canada's April Mullings has also arrived in China & is in good spirits even after the 15 hr + flight. Check out April's amazing EG's for Miss Asia Pacific! They're made by Bobby & Sally Ackarabli, stylists for MWC.*courtesy of Jimmy
  Contestant List
  ALBANIA
  ARGENTINA - Laura Constanza Romero (MU 03, 5th at Miss Tourism International 03, 4th at Reina Internacional de las Flores 03 that Leanne Cecile won)
  AUSTRALIA - Laura Francis Weston
  BAHAMAS - Leslia Miller (top 10, Miss Intercontinental 04)
  BOLIVIA - Gloria Mariana
  BRAZIL - Natália Araújo
  BULGARIA - Katya Petrova
  CANADA - April Angeline Simone Mullings
  CHILE - Adriana Barrientos
  CHINA - Zhang Li Yu
  COLOMBIA - Vivian Vanessa Gómez
  COSTA RICA - Leonora Jiménez Monge (will compete at MW 05)
  DENMARK - Masja Juel
  ECUADOR - Cristina Reyes Hidalgo (MW 04)
  ENGLAND - Allison Brennan
  GERMANY - Angelina Glass
  GREECE - Anna Dantsenko
  HAITI - Channa Cius
  HONDURAS - Leslie Kristoff
  HUNGARY - Diana Maloveczky
  INDIA - Simran Chandhok
  JAMAICA - Juel Daisi Pollard
  KOREA - Young-ah Choi
  LEBANON - Rita Lahoud
  NEPAL - Sarah Gurung
  NEW CALEDONIA - Aurore Tissot
  NEW ZEALAND - Kylie Anderson
  NICARAGUA - Shantanny Anasha Campbell Lewis
  PANAMA - Giselle Bissot
  PARAGUAY - Paloma Navarro
  PERU - Claudia Ortiz de Zevallos (top 10 at Earth 02, top 15 at MU 03, 3rd at Miss Mesoamérica 03)
  PHILIPPINES - Jedah Hernandez
  POLAND - Urszula Rozniecka
  PUERTO RICO - Wailani Córdova
  SCOTLAND - Megan Elizabeth Johnson
  SINGAPORE - Colleen Francisca Pereira
  SOUTH AFRICA - Jenilee Peters
  SRI LANKA - Kapuruge Tehani Renata Perera
  THAILAND - Suthida Deesri
  U.S.A. - Raquel Beezley
  VENEZUELA - Marilyn Ferreira
  WALES - Laura Livsey

  (unconfirmed)
  RUSSIA - Irina Kosheleva

• This is a bit late...but better late than never ^^
  NEW YORK - March 10, 2005 - NBC, Donald Trump and Paula M. Shugart, President, Miss Universe Organization announced today that six-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps; CoverGirl supermodel and star of NBC's "Las Vegas" Molly Sims; boxing legend and co-star of NBC's "The Contender" Sugar Ray Leonard; and world-renowned beauty expert Frederic Fekkai will headline the celebrity judging panel for the Miss USA® 2005 pageant. Broadcast live on NBC, "Access Hollywood's" Billy Bush and Nancy O'Dell will co-host the pageant from Baltimore's Hippodrome Theatre on April 11, 9-11pm ET.

  Also featured on this year's judging panel are: famed fashion designer Pamela Dennis, notorious ladies-man Raj Bhakta from NBC's "The Apprentice," model Nicola Breytanbach and Brody Hutzler from NBC's "Days of Our Lives."

  These eight judges will survey delegates from all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and evaluate them based upon three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview competition. Shandi Finnessey, Miss USA 2004, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast before a potential worldwide viewing audience of more than 250 million in 100 countries. *courtesy of Miss Universe L.P., LLLP

  For the first time, viewers can officially vote their picks for Miss USA finalists, via the Internet, choosing their top 10 favorites in three categories (evening gown, swimsuit and interview), casting their votes from April 1 to 6.

  Also, the Miss Universe Organization, has inked a two-year contract with CoverGirl, making the beauty-product-giant the official cosmetics sponsor of all three competitions (MU, MUSA, MTUSA).

• March 21st - Officially back from my vacation.....but my watch is still in hk time :) 7 days was too short! However, a lot was accomplished as I was able to visit some amazing places, reminise, did some shopping, & met relatives & old/new friends. I also ended up getting a HK ID (which doesn't need to be renewed every 3 yrs as I asked the officials. Perhaps this only applies to HK born residents? I believe all you need is sufficient proof you were born in HK or have resided in HK for approx. 7 yrs in order to obtain the card...it'll be quite handy esp. when you're travelling to Macau, etc.. as you'll be able to check in faster! ^^).
• Check out Lisa & Charlene's Simply Leanne Website! Amazing !
• Winnie Yeung News *translated by EM
  Six months pregnant, Winnie Young is expecting her first child in June this year and with TVB soon to begin filming on "The Legend of Ah Wong", it was expected that she would not have a part in the follow up to her series, but a special part has been arranged for her in her pregnant state. When asked if she was worried about it being hard work, Winnie says she is not afraid of this and says happily: "Many women do not take maternity leave until they are eight months pregnant, I will only be filming just over ten scenes in two weeks. I play a pregnant woman in the series and it will not be too hard. I have put on about 25 lbs, but I am still quite agile."

  When asked if her husband, who is always very loving towards her, will let her film with their baby, Winnie says: "He has not stopped me, just telling me to employ an assistant to look after me. I will see how it goes. I really wanted to take part in this series and it is fortunate that the producer is giving me this chance. I am very happy about this. (Will you be asking for any special treatment with you being pregnant?) No, I will do what the series needs."

  Winnie says that her bump is getting bigger, but it is getting more and more comfortable. When asked what her secret is, she says: "Eating bird's nest and drinking chicken soup!"

  http://the-sun.com.hk/channels/ent/20050314/20050314003202_0003.html

• Dear all, I will be on vacation from Mar 10-20. No updates till I'm back! Hoping to save a few pageant related clippings while I'm resting in.............HONG KONG ^^
• MU 2004 Jennifer Hawkins was recently in the top 20 of most intriguing ppl of 2004 from Australian magazine, WHO. *courtesy of Angela
  Article
• MWC Inc. will be sending April Mullings to Miss Asia Pacific from Mar 17 - April 9th. April participated in MWC 03 where she finished in 4th & tied in 1st for interviews. She will be wearing at least one outfit from the sensational team of Bobby & Sally Ackbarali.
• Translated by Angela
  March 3rd - Theresa Lee Yi Hung was a guest on a trimming television program. The
  former athlete pigged out during her pregnancy. Because Lee Yi Hung
  had to take care of the baby full time and did not have time to
  exercise, she asked for help. Although Lee Yi Hung was determined to
  lose weight, her husband was afraid that losing too much weight would
  be bad for baby feeding. The trimming expert explained that trimming
  would not affected breast feeding. After six weeks Lee Yi Hung has
  lost 20 pounds. She believed in 5 weeks she would return to her figure
  before the pregnancy. http://www.takungpao.com/news/images/20050309-ul-22.jpg

  March 4th - Alice Chan Wai attended an ATV giant poster unveiling and rose to a
  billboard to place a victory sticker. Chan Wai said that she has
  always enjoyed wire work so she was not afraid at all. "In my eight
  year career I have never had to work on a series and promote at the
  same time. I am so busy I don't even have enough time to sleep."
  http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20050304/ent/0304enew24b1.jpg

  Christy Chung Lai Tai last year went to worked on a teevision series
  KONG WU GAU GAI YUN. For her first Mainland television series Christy
  had to wear a thin costume in the extreme cold but she was used to it
  very quickly.

  Although the environment was average, because the show is her first
  comedy the entire team had a pleasant experience. When her daughter
  visited, the first thing she said to Mommy was, "Why don't we go to a
  five star hotel!"
  Aside from acting, Christy planned to look for a place for a recording
  studio and a restaurant in Beijing.
  http://www.the-sun.com.hk/channels/ent/20050304/img/se07a030403_big.jpg

  March 5th - Sonija Kwok Sin Nei has been working on a television series in
  Beijing. Yesterday she flew to Taiwan to model diamond jewelry.
  
  March 6th - Charmaine Sheh Si Man attended a Mona Lisa wedding fashion show as
  their spokesmodels. Ah Sheh said about rumors that linked her to
  younger man Yeung Ming, "What do you want from me? When I am alone you
  say I am a loner. When I am with someone older than me you say it's a
  relationship without age regard. With someone younger you say you say
  I am the older woman. Don't be like that! My family isn't in Hong
  Kong. Friends are very important to me. Being with friends is very
  ordinary."
  http://www.the-sun.com.hk/channels/ent/20050306/img/se06030610_big.jpg

  Myolie Wu Hung Yi yesterday attended an employer award event. She
  promoted employer employee harmony and presented awards to outstanding
  employers. "My job now is my first job. My relationship with my
  employer is great. TVB has given me a lot of chances to develope and a
  sense of satisfaction at work. Actually that is very important to
  employees."
  http://www.the-sun.com.hk/channels/ent/20050306/img/se04030690_big.jpg

  Christy Chung Lai Tai expressed that she has just completed the
  television series GONG WU GAU GAI YUN in Hengdian and signed a new
  contract with a trimming company. As for whether she will appear in a
  bikini, she said, "Yes, because I have to show off my figure. Later
  they will open new locations in Singapore and Malaysia and I have to
  promote there. Right now I am working hard on slimming down!"
  http://www.the-sun.com.hk/channels/ent/20050307/img/se03030727_big.jpg

• MCI 2004 2nd RU Carlene Aguilar will be even hotter at the 2005 Bb. Pilipinas now that 2 contestants have been eliminated from the competition. Last week, Angelique Gustanski & hot favourite Gwenaelle Ruais (you’ll remember her as the girl who stands at 6’1”) were knocked off the competition. According to an anonymous fan, the two were disqualified due to missing one rehersal, & having “Amelia Vega” attitudes. Gwenaelle will probably reapply for next yr. In the meantime, she may be competing in some MTV pageant in Phil. GOOD LUCK TO CARLENE on March 19th !!

• From Carmie's news. Miss Friendship Ambassador Pageant 2006 application
  Website Chicago Chinatown Org.

For more pictures from the Miss Chinese Melbourne 2003 pageant, visit Angela's website http://www.geocities.com/misschinesemelbourne

March 6 - Metro area extends a bit of hospitality for pageant
Lack of accommodations in city sends Miss USA contestants to Columbia
By Jill Rosen (Baltimore Sun)
On April 11, the 51 coifed and buffed Miss USA contestants will strut their stuff in Baltimore, vying for the pageant title live on the stage of downtown's Hippodrome Theatre.
But in the weeks leading up to the pageant, the contestants will be strutting that stuff about 15 miles south down Interstate 95.

Because there weren't enough downtown hotel rooms available for the pageant, the contestants - who arrive in Maryland three weeks before the show - will have to unpack their mascara and double-stick tape in Columbia.

Baltimore tourism officials, however, like the most poised of pageant contestants, are taking the disappointment with optimism.

"It's a city/state partnership," said Hannah L. Byron, director of Baltimore City's film office. "Frankly, it's OK to spread the wealth around a little bit."

And J. Kirby Fowler Jr., president of the Downtown Partnership said, "We certainly would have loved to have had the contestants staying downtown. But I understand that they will be downtown for many of the various activities."

Last fall, Baltimore was proud at the announcement that it would host the pageant, and thereby enjoy the priceless promotion opportunity of having the city featured as the backdrop for a two-hour NBC program.

The Miss USA organization is also giving Baltimore a fair share of publicity. On the Miss USA Web site, pictures of the harbor and the city skyline get almost as much space as those of the contestants. "This spring, 51 beautiful contestants give a new meaning to the name Charm City," the Web site says.

Yet as enthusiastic as the pageant apparently is for Baltimore, the city just couldn't find room for all of the glamour.

In addition to space for the 51 contestants, the pageant requires hotel rooms for their families and fans, the hundreds of Miss USA staff, the judges - and real estate mogul and reality TV star Donald Trump, the pageant's owner.

Some of the staff will stay downtown, in a variety of hotels. Trump and the judges, for instance, will be at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, according to Mary Hilliard McMillan, Miss USA's marketing director.

McMillan said that because the pageant is just as much a state event as it is the city of Baltimore's, having the contestants in Columbia is like an unexpected boon for them to see a little more of Maryland.

As Mayor Martin O'Malley's spokesman Rick Abbruzzese pointed out, "If the city had room, everyone would be staying in Baltimore."

The situation also seems ripe to become Exhibit A for proponents of a new convention center hotel downtown. They say if Baltimore had a facility to accommodate large events, the contestants wouldn't be staying in Columbia.

"The deficiency in hotel rooms underscores the need," said M.J. "Jay" Brodie, president of the Baltimore Development Corp., one of the leading advocates for building a new convention center hotel.

But Baltimore's loss is Columbia's gain.

John O'Sullivan, general manager for the Sheraton Columbia, the "official Miss USA hotel," said the Sheraton was "thrilled" to have the contestants there, not just for the money they'll bring, but also for the prestige that comes on the side.

Lo, who represented the Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce, was crowned second princess at the national pageant for young Chinese American women. The 23-year-old University of Washington student competed against 14 others — including four veteran participants of the Miss Asia pageant, an international competition.

When her name was called as second princess, Lo “was just in shock,” she said giddily in a phone interview after the pageant. “I was, like, ‘Really? Wow!’”

Her prizes included $3,000 in cash. But what was more important was walking away feeling that she represented her family well in the pageant, she said.

Lo had more than 40 friends and relatives in the audience cheering her on. Many were relatives from the San Jose area. Her brother and sister-in-law came from Michigan, while another brother flew in all the way from Japan, where he works. Her Seattle-based fans included her mom Fan, her pageant coach Suana Chin and a handful of friends.

Earlier this week, Lo’s mom said she was very proud of her daughter. “She did very well,” Fan Lo gushed.

The pageant coach agreed wholeheartedly, saying Lo had a great competitive spirit.

It was mainly because of her unrivaled talent on the zither (a Chinese stringed instrument) that the Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce choseLo to go to the national pageant, Chin said. During the talent competition, some audience members were singing and clapping along as Lo played.

“I thought her zither performance was amazing and very well received by the audience,” George Lo, the brother who came from Japan, said. “I could definitely feel the intensity and eloquence of the piece she performed.”

Lo has been playing the zither for more than a decade, and has even performed at Carnegie Hall and in Singapore and Taiwan. Chin knew Lo’s talent would be enough to win her, at the very least, Miss Talent. The pageant coach said she was optimistic even before the competition started that the Seattle representative would finish in the top three.

Miss Chinatown USA rules state that no contestant can win more than one title, so when Lo’s name wasn’t called as the winner of Miss Talent, Chin was sure that Lo had earned a higher-ranking spot on the royal court, either as one of four princesses or as the queen.

“She had her talent, she was poised and she had her Q-and-A down quite well,” Chin remarked.

Carol Chen, who represented Dallas-Ft. Worth, was crowned Miss Chinatown USA. First runner-up and $5,000 went to Charlene Wang from Hercules, Calif., in the Bay Area.

Nicole Chiu from Los Angeles and Karen Wong from Houston won third and fourth princesses, respectively, while the Miss Talent title was given to Dana-Li Dung, who represented Honolulu.

The competition was broken down into three categories: question-and-answer, talent and swimsuit.

For her Q-and-A, Lo was asked “Who is your role model, and why?” She replied: Maya Lin, the Chinese American artist who created the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. Lo said she would like to meet Lin and ask what her inspiration was for the acclaimed tribute.

Lo will graduate from the UW with a nursing degree this June. She is already working at Children’s Hospital as a nurse technician on the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance floor.

In 2003, she won Miss Talent in the Miss Chinese Seattle pageant. Three years earlier, Lo was crowned the UW’s Miss Asian America.

The Seattle Chinese Chamber did not hold a Miss Chinese Seattle pageant in 2004, so it had to turn to the 2003 royal court for a contestant. Linda Tomko, the queen, was not eligible because her father is not Chinese (the national pageant requires contestants’ fathers be of Chinese ancestry). Kim Choy, the second princess, took Tomko’s place in the Miss Chinatown USA pageant and ended up winning first princess. Because Choy is a title-holder, she could not compete again.

The chamber turned to Lo, and was rewarded with another titleholder.

Winning in 2001, the only Seattle representative to become Miss Chinatown USA is Pamela Woon.

Lo is still in San Francisco for pageant-related duties. She is spending the week visiting various family associations and will take part in the annual Chinese New Year parade on Feb. 19.

Exams await her when she returns to Seattle. She will also have to make up hours and hours of hospital time. But Lo said she is enjoying every moment of the pageant experience.

“With all the girls here, and a pageant, you’d think there’d be cattiness. But no, everyone’s getting along really well. It’s great. Everyone’s really good at public speaking and passionate about their Chinese communities,” Lo said.

George Lo said his sister was “all smiles and laughter” when he spoke to her after the pageant. “I think that the opportunity to meet many new people from around the nation and being able to represent the Seattle Chinese community to the best of her abilities was the highlight of her time in San Francisco,” he said.

The 2005 Miss Chinese Seattle pageant will be held July 16.

Misc News.

• Miss Universe pageant to showcase Thailand's tsunami recovery (Yahoo News)
• Exciting ‘firsts’ in the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant (Philstar.com)

• March 3 - Some pictures of MUC 2005 in Nicaragua
• Miss HK Galleries is back up!
• Miss USA 2005 will be held in Baltimore, Maryland on April 11th. Can't believe another year has come and gone. Included are the headshots from Pageant Gossip's website. My favs so far..Florida, Kentucky, Texas. New Hampshire's Candace Glickman was a former Miss America 2004 contestant where she won the swimsuit preliminaries & finished as a semi-finalist. Candace also who bears a slight resemblance to one of my fav. ppl, Posh Spice (aka Victoria Beckham).
• Leanne Li, featured in March 2005 issue of plem. Who's a bit suprised it wasn't on the cover?

• March 2 - Linda Chung & Ron Ng modelled for some bridal shop in HK.

• March 1 - Miss Universe Canada Natalie Glebova will be a special guest at the 2005 Miss Nicaragua pageant, soon to be held on March 5th. The Canadian beauty spoke with the press while she was on a tour around the city, & confessed it was her first visit to Nicaragua & has much admiration for the country’s tropical beauty.
• Ennis is back from her vacation! Expect Miss HK Gallery to be up and running in the next few days. It is currently down as her plan needs to be renewed. Unfortunately, the server Hostgator isn't helping much by responding so SLOWLYY...HURRY UP! we miss MHKG!
• Courtesy of Press of Atlantic City By REGINA SCHAFFER Staff Writer, (609) 272-7211
  Miss America as reality show may not be unreal, as the pageant hires William Morris Agency to explore the concept of reality TV. An idea is to take the various portions of the competition - including talent, swimsuit and interview - and stretch those over about five weeks with a lead-up concept.

  "I think it's really going to be a 50-50 shot," Cornett said of the possible change to a reality format. "Personally, I think it's a great idea, if it's well executed. Right now, we have to embrace the fact that we're not the same pageant. There was a general feeling that our format has become stale, and certainly the ratings reflected that," Arnhym said. The organization would "certainly consider reinventing ourselves," he said.

  The pageant is still looking for a network to call home after ABC dropped it following years of declining ratings.

  Familiarity is necessary if the pageant is going to survive, said Robert Thompson, director of the Center for the Study of Popular Television at Syracuse University.

  "I have no idea who Miss America is this year, and I'm a popular culture professor," Thompson said. "When they win, they go away. If this were done as an eight-week reality show, I would watch that because I find it interesting," Thompson said. "The 'American Idol' model is so much more dramatic." Thompson said that extending the pageant format, while a potentially risky move, is a good idea, because that format will build celebrity equity in the contestants. Thompson noted that the only connection a viewer has with the pageant's current formula is one of geography - rooting for the contestant from a viewer's home state, for example."The great thing Miss America has is its still got incredible brand recognition," Thompson said. "Miss America means something. That's something they don't want to squander."

  The question is how to keep that brand relevant in changing times, without alienating the pageant's fan base.

• Oscar Fashion
  Fashionista
  BEST 1) Cate Blanchett, 2) Maggie Gyalllehal, 3.Drew Barrymore
  WORST 1) Oprah 2) Renee Zellweger 3) Annette Benning
  MHKB
  BEST 1) Charlize Theron 2) Gwyneth Paltrow 3) Cate Blanchett
  WORST 1) Renee Zellweger 2) Melanie Griffith
  
  Stunners
  Charlize Theron made us go WOW when she came out on stage in the baby blue powder Dior during oscar night. What a drop dead gorgeous item! I hate to admit it, but Penelope Cruz looked stunning with her updo hairstyle & Oscar de la Renta yellow gown (hated the bow at the back however). Her jewels are Chopard's yellow diamond earrings, yellow diamond ring and two yellow emerald-cut diamond bracelets. Nice combo…but I’m still not a fan in terms of acting. Other beauties that night include…. Gwyneth Paltrow in a lovely salmon colored Stella McCartney creation. Wow, if only we can look like that anyday & post-pregnancy. Cate Blanchett in an original one shoulder pale yellow silk taffeta gown with train and satin burgundy bow sash by Valentino Couture, looked like a golden goddess statue herself. Another goddess was Natalie Portman, who looked like a dream.
  Presenter Ziyi Zhang in a black Chantilly lace gown with hand-tufted lace and tulle skirt by Monique Lhuillier, accented with a necklace by Bulgari. The color is a bit boring but looked sensational on her. Maggie Gyllenhaal was ravishing in Prada. Julie Delpy was pure feminine in a cream strapless gathered bodice gown with drape-front waist. Halle Berry wore an iridescent taupe silk chiffon asymmetrical gown with vintage embroidered skirt by Atelier Versace. However, she’s worn a gold version, which looks ultra familiar to the silver at last year’s Oscars. Sandra Oh was radiant in a strapless red Michael Kors
  Wrong Choice
  Catalina Sandino Moreno wore a beautiful white Roberto Cavalli with wide jeweled straps. So why was it poorly suited for her? Probably because it showed off her WIDE flaws.
  What was she thinking?
  Scarlett Johansson with her platinum blonde hair, black dress made her look completely pale & washed out. I didn’t even notice the diamonds in her hair until the camera zoomed in. Renee Zellwegger looked pretentious & didn’t stand out in her horrid raspberry silk strapless Carolina Herrera gown. What’s up w/ the white ruffle-like material on the tail & her obsession with Caroline Herrera
  Did you happen to watch Entertainment Tonight (Mar 1)? designer Allen B. Schwarz will be making replicas for some of these gowns soon! I have my eye set on Gwyneth's gown..."Fashioinista" is going to kill me! ^^ Just for fun, I emailed customer service at ABSstyle.com & asked when the dresses will be sold online? They said approx. July! We'll have to keep waiting....

• Last weekend, Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins crowned 2005 Miss Czech Republic, Katerina Smejkalova
  
• Applications for Melbourne Chinese Miss University 2005 are out. More information soon
  http://www.geocities.com/misschineseuni_melb/Main.html
  
• MCI 2005 - Fairchild Int with Leanne, & article on Jess
  Last week, MCI 2005 Leanne Li sat down for an interview (Leisure Talk) on Fairchild TV. Being a devoted Christian, she spoke of her faith in God, & what her plans are for the future, which does include working for TVB (paperwork in process)! It was also mentioned Leanne worked a bit for her father's company (Her father is an artist). Leanne also mentioned her best friend at MCI is the sweet & friendly Lena Ma (Miss Toronto). The interview was conducted mostly in Cantonese & also a bit of Mandarin.
  So what are the other MCI girls up to? There's been strong speculation Fala Chen will be signing with TVB soon. Annie Chang will be flying back and forth from Hong Kong to do some light projects for the next year, while many of the contestants have resumed their studies....including 2nd RU Jess Young. She will complete her University degree and her music scholarship. On a side note, it is safe to say Jess scored BIG POINTS during her private interview.
  
  The following was translated by Carrie
  When Jess Yeung Man Ki met the Judges -Lau Tak Wah, said that her Chinese is not so good. But YMK said that she can sing in Chinese, English, Danish, French, Spanish, Italian and Latin music.

  At that time, all the judges did not believe her abilty. So Andy Lau asked her if she could sing a song in any language.

  Yeung Man Ki chose to sing a verse in French from a song called "Ka Men " (Bizet's Carmen?), in Which all the judges immediately applaused loudly in approval.

  Afterwards, Yeung Man Ki only realised this performance actually tallied to the total score. It is from this segment where she gained alot of points.

  After returning to to Melbourne, the 18 yo Yeung Man Ki will continue her studies at Melbourne University, a double degree in Literature and Music. She is actively learning Opera and hopes to develop a career in the entertainment industry in the near future, however everything will fall into place.

• LEGEND 2
  Wong Jing's new television series LEGEND 2 taped a beauty pageant and a fund raiser scene. Cherrie Ying Choi Yi, Alvina Kong Yun Yin, Monica Chan Fat Yun, Alice Chan Wai, and Raymond Wong Ho Yin played characters who resembled Maggie Cheung Man Yuk, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Carina Lau Ka Ling, Anita Mui Yim Fong, and Andy Lau Tak Wa.
  Ying Choi Yi wore a Chinese dress for the pageant scene and revealed that when she was 17 she went to compete in Miss Chinatown New York to win a sports car. Unfortunately she only came in second. She expressed that she was lucky she did not win because the pagenat did not give the prizes at the end.

  http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20050221/ent/0221enew04b1.jpg (in a Miss Asia 1993 qi pao!)