2000 Miss Universe Pageant - Miss Universe 2000: Lara Dutta, India - Entertainment - http://maxpages.com/beautypageants/miss_universe_pageant

Photo Above Courtesy of Miss Universe Organization

1st Runner Up: Claudia Moreno, Venezuela; Miss Universe 2000, Lara Dutta, India; 2nd Runner Up: Helen Lindes, Spain

Miss Universe Pageant Post News:

View Miss Universe on the Regis & Kathy Lee Show.

Miss Universe Delegate Rankings:

Official Press Release:

11. Czech Republic
12. Netherlands
13. Panama
14. Germany
15. Japan

(Not Confirmed) Aruba: 16; Brazil: 18; Israel: 20; Cyprus: 25; Puerto Rico: 17?.

Miss Universe 2000: Nicosia, Cyprus

This years winner was pretty much decided after she opened her mouth in the top 5 Interview. None the less, Cyprus put on a great show that was filled with entertainment. The stage varied from being dark to bright. I have been watching Miss Universe since 1992, and this years pageant was one of the best. No surprises in top 10 so I was pretty much bored after the semi-finalists were named. Throughout the pageant, the story of the first Miss Universe, "Aphrodite" was told.

Opening Number:

Great Opening Number. I loved the setting. It was all so authentic and well done. The acrobats were ok but added an extra splash to the opening number. The delegates carried little white balls of light. The guy that was introducing the delegates had a very deep voice that matched perfectly with the whole setting. The only problem was that the television audience could barely hear him. The delegates wore beautiful white dresses that looked great on stage. The favorites were Mexico, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, USA, Venezuela and Cyprus. All the delegates looked good but once I saw them on stage, my impressions differed greatly.

Angola: Karinne Manita, 19

Argentina: Andrea Nicastri, 25

Aruba: Tamara Scaroni, 23

Australia: Samantha Frost, 22

Bahamas: Mikala Moss, 24

Belgium: Joke Van de Velde, 20

Belize: Shiemicka Richardson, 26

Bolivia: Yenny Vaca Paz, 18

Botswana: Joyce Molemoeng, 21

Brazil: Josiane Kruliskoski, 19

British Virgin Islands: Tausha Vanterpool, 22

Bulgaria: Magdalina Valtchanova, 22

Canada: Kim Yee, 22

Cayman Islands: Mona Lisa Tatum, 22

Chile: Francesca Sovino, 21

Chinese Taipei: Lei-Ann Chang, 22

Colombia: Catalina Ines Acosta Albarracin, 22

Costa Rica: Laura Mata, 22

Croatia: Renata Lovrincevic, 23

Cyprus: Christy Groutidou, 19

Czech Republic: Jitka Kocurova, 20

Denmark: Heidi Meyer Vallentin, 23

Dominican Republic: Gilda Jovine, 20

Ecuador: Gabriela Cadena, 20

Egypt: Rania Elsayed, 18

El Salvador: Alexandra Maria Riva Cruz, 20

Estonia: Evelyn Mikomagi, 19

Finland: Suvi Marjut Miinala, 19

France: Sonia Rolland, 18

Germany: Sabrina Schepmann, 18

Ghana: Esi Acquah, 19

Great Britain: Louise Lakin, 21

Greece: Eleni Skafida, 21

Guam: Lisamarie Quinata, 22

Guatemala: Evelyn Lopez, 21

Honduras: Flor Garcia, 19

Hong Kong: Sonija Kwok, 25

Hungary: Izabella Kiss, 24

India: Lara Dutta, 21

Ireland: Louise Doheny, 18

Israel: Nirit Bakchi, 18

Italy: Annalisa Guadalupi, 18

Jamaica: Saphire Inderea Longmore, 24

Japan: Mayu Endo, 23

Korea: Youn-Joo Kim, 21

Lebanon: Norma Naoum, 22

Malaysia: Lynette Mei-Ling Ludi, 25

Malta: Jolene Arpa, 18

Mauritius: Jenny Arthemidor, 18

Mexico: Letty Murray, 20

Namibia: Mia de Klerk, 20

Netherlands: Chantal van Roessel, 25

New Zealand: Tonia Peachey, 19

Nigeria: Kerry Matilda, 19

Norway: Tonje Kristin Wollo, 25

Panama: Analia Nunez, 20

Paraguay: Carolina Ramirez Franco, 18

Peru: Veronica Rueckner, 21

Philippines: Nina Ricci Alagao, 22

Poland: Emilia Raszynaka, 21

Portugal: Licinia Macedo, 24

Puerto Rico: Zoraida Fonalledas, 22

Russia: Svetlana Goreva, 18

Singapore: Eunice Elizabeth Olsen, 22

Slovak Republic: Mirka Kysucka, 19

South Africa: Heather Joy Hamilton, 22

Spain: Helen Lindes, 18

St. Martin: Angelique Romou, 25

Sweden: Valerie Aflalo, 23

Switzerland: Anita Buri, 21

Thailand: Kulthida Yenprasert, 21

Trinidad & Tobago: Heidi Rostant, 22

Turks & Caicos: Clintina Gibbs, 20

Ukraine: Natalia Shvachko, 23

Uruguay: Giovanna Piazza Diaz, 23

USA: Lynnette Cole, 22

Venezuela: Claudia Moreno, 22

Yugoslavia: Lana Maric, 18

Zimbabwe: Corrinne Crewe, 18

After all 79 Miss Universe delegates were introduced, they all went to the "rock" that expanded from the floor. Non other than the reigning "Aphrodite" Miss Universe, Muple Kwelagobe sat on top of the rock over seeing the delegates. All the delegates then started passing down the balls. I think the best part of the opening number was the fantastic background. The background was a huge screen that went from daylight to night light in seconds. 1999 still has the best opening number but Cyprus takes a midway second.

Top 10 Semi-Finalists:

The Top 10 delegates were chosen in a Presentation Show, competing in Swimsuit, Interview and Evening Gown competitions. There were a different set of judges from the Cyprus community. The Celebrity Judges are listed below. By this part of the show, I was not as nervous and scared as I was last year. I knew that USA could make top 10 but not win. I was rooting for alot of the European & Asian delegates to make the top 10. My prediction list consisted of Aruba, Ghana, India, Mexico, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, USA, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Colombia, France, Japan, Lebanon and South Africa.

Official Miss Universe Top 10:

(Last time country made top 10, Placement)

Spain: Helen Lindes, 18 (1999, 2nd Runner Up)

Colombia: Catalina Ines Acosta Albarracin, 22 (1998, Finalist)

Zimbabwe: Corrinne Crewe, 18 (NEVER)

Estonia: Evelyn Mikomagi, 19 (1997, Semi-Finalist)

Venezuela: Claudia Moreno, 22 (1999, Finalist)

South Africa: Heather Joy Hamilton, 22 (1999, Finalist)

USA: Lynnette Cole, 22 (1998, Finalist)

Canada: Kim Yee, 22 (1995, 2nd Runner Up)

India: Lara Dutta, 21 (1999, Semi-Finalist)

France: Sonia Rolland, 18 (1991, Semi-Finalist)

I am amazed at how well I did this year. I got 7 out of the 10. I am so happy. Last year I only 3 of the 10. What a great top 10. There were 2 surprises for me. The first was Estonia. I didn't think she could get into top 10 with her gown but I guess anything is possible. Canada was the second surprise, I didn't like Canada before hand. She didn't really shine to me. Otherwise the top 10 were great. I was happy that France and Zimbabwe made it. USA, Venezuela and India were given. Of course there was surprises that didn't make top 10. Puerto Rico, what can I say. She comes from a rich family and from the day she won it was said she would be the next Miss Universe. I guess money doesn't mean power. Philippines was another surprise. I just knew she would make the top 10 but after finishing as 1st in 1999, a repeat victory is very seldom. The crowd favorite, Mexico. I wanted Mexico to make top 10 but oh well. The Europeans did well, getting 3 semi-finalists. Now that the top 10 were announced, it was time for the competition to begin.

Fashion Walk:

This was the first time the Miss Universe Organization did this. They took out the top 10 Interviews and put in this area. This was not a competition it was just to show how the top 10 delegates modeled and what they are doing. Spain just looked average to me. She is a high fashion model in her country but she didn't look that great on stage. Colombia looked beautiful, just the right amount of make up and her hair was nice. Zimbabwe looked nice, young and hip. Venezuela looks 100% times better on TV than in pictures. South Africa had a very big behind. Pretty much all the other girls looked nice. I was kind of upset because I wanted to hear all 10 delegates speak. Overall, I felt that Colombia looked the best.

Swimsuit:

The Swimsuit competition was good. It was like a high fashion swimsuit show. All the delegates wore blue swimsuits. I think they were not very appealing on a good portion of the delegates. Elvis Crespo performed during the competition. I think he was very good. Though the energy was not as high as last year. There was a little fire but overall good competition. This is how the delegates scored.

1. India, 9.44
2. Venezuela, 9.37
3. Canada, 9.31
4. USA, 9.10
5. Spain, 9.07
6. Estonia, 8.90
7. Zimbabwe, 8.74
8. Colombia, 8.66
9. France, 8.60
10. South Africa, 8.54

All I can say is WOW! for India. Very toned, tan, beautiful body. Venezuela definantly has the body. Canada has a huge top, I wonder if she got breast implants? Very big girl but I don't think she deserved to be 3rd. Colombia did not deserve a 8.66. She has the most beautiful legs I have ever seen. The judges were very harsh to her. Zimbabwe was a little too skinny. Like Canada, Estonia also has a big upper body. India well deserved the number 1 spot in this competition. Because India won, she gets a $2500 modeling contract.

Evening Gowns:

Montell Jordan & Dave Koz performed during this competition. Very good duet. I liked it better than last year. The music was soft and mellow. The other 69 delegates did not get to show off their gowns but I know that Japan & Puerto Rico both had different gowns for semi-finals. Unfortunantly they didn't make the cut.

1. Venezuela, 9.55
2. Colombia, 9.52
3. Spain, 9.51
4. India, 9.40
5. USA, 9.24
6. Estonia, 9.04
7. Canada, 8.97
8. Zimbabwe, 8.94
9. France, 8.92
10. South Africa, 8.75

Venezuela, WOW! I loved her beautiful simple white gown. I didn't like the strings at the top but it was nice. Colombia was tops in her beautiful blue gown. Zimbabwe should have worn her preliminary gown. The beaded gown was just a little too much for Miss Universe. Estonia, Yes I hated her dress. But she wore it well and she looked comfortable. South Africa, bad hair day & average gown. USA looked ok. She didn't shine to me like she did at Miss USA. She had her hair back in a pony tail but her dress was nice. India had a beautiful red gown that she wore nicely.

Finalists (Average)

Canada: Kim Yee (9.14)

Venezuela: Claudia Moreno (9.46)

India: Lara Dutta (9.44)

USA: Lynnette Cole (9.17)

Spain: Helen Lindes (9.29)

I would trade Canada with Colombia and we would have a great top 5. I knew that USA was going to be strong in this category. I wasn't sire about the other delegates because I hadn't heard them speak.

Miss Universe Prizes:

Muple Kwelagobe presented the prizes in a safari style. Very nicely done.

National Costumes:

Anna Vissi performed during the National Costume Video. She was very good. I enjoyed her music and it fit very well.

Finalist Interview:

Canada: She is Chinese & Ukrainian. Beautiful delegate but overall not strong when it comes to talking in question and answer format.

Venezuela: I was highly impressed when Claudia began speaking in English. She isn't 100% fluent but she did great. I loved her story about being a dentist and how she has changed little kids lives. The only problem was that she seems very rehearsed on her answer.

India: Very Educated, poised, beautiful. One Word= PERFECT!

USA: Lynnette seemed rehearsed. All her answers were right to the point and not that good. In this competition she ranked last.

Spain: Great answers, spoke in English well and did good.

After this competition, I pretty much knew who Miss Universe 2000 would be. The thing that gets me about Julie and Ali is that they always brag about not cheating, they see the same thing we see and then some.

Awards...

Clairol Herbal Essences Style Award: Letty Murray, Mexico

Congeniality: Tamara Scaroni, Aruba

Final 3:

Spain: Helen Lindes

Venezuela: Claudia Moreno

India: Laura Dutta

What a good top 3. Spain was in the top 3 last year and became 2nd runner up. The last time Venezuela was in top 3 was in 1998 and they were 1st runner up. The last time India was in top 3 was in 1995 and they were 1st runner up. I was not at all upset about USA not being in top 3. She really didn't earn a position and she didn't shine at all.

Final Question:

The final question was "Right now, the people of Cyprus are protesting about the Miss Universe Pageant because they are saying that it is disrespectful of women. What would you tell them about Beauty Pageant?

Spain: Spain answered ok. She didn't grad the attention of the audience. Last year, Spain messed up when she ended her answer with well....

Venezuela: If Claudia wants to become Miss Universe, she really needs to brush up on her English skills. Claudia supported one fact that pageants is more than beauty. I appreciated her English and she was fresh.

India: What can I say.. PERFECT! She took the microphone and ruled the stage by answering that pageants are a positive influence.

This was a very simple question to answer but when you mix nerves and a questions you can mess up. My final results were India, Miss Universe 2000; Venezuela, 1st and Spain 2nd.

Who will be crowned Miss Universe 2000?

Mpule Kwelagobe took her final walk as Miss Universe. She was a great ambassador to her country and is one of the few Miss Universe's that actually fought for a cause during their reign.

Final Results:

2nd Runner Up: Helen Lindes, Spain

1st Runner Up: Claudia Moreno, Venezuela

Miss Universe 2000: Lara Dutta, India

India wins Miss Universe 2000! The last time India won was in 1994 which was also the last time an Asian won the Miss Universe title. The Miss Universe crown was India's from the beginning. She had the spark, energy, talent and education to win it all. I really didn't think that Venezuela would make it so far but Claudia well deserved it.

Beauty Pageants 101 wishes Laura Dutta the best and we will welcome her with open arms to the United States to her New York apartment.

Overall thoughts of Miss Universe 2000:

Sinbad: What can I say. Sinbad did a good job as host for Miss Universe. Jack Wagner is too serious but Sinbad actually had fun. He made a few mistakes but that is ok. GOOD JOB! for this to be your first time. Sinbad made jokes that would fit for Miss USA but not for Miss Universe.

Ali Landry: As the years go by, she gets prettier. Good Job. She always bring a smile to my face when she speaks. She also wore beautiful clothes.

Julie Moran: Thank You for not talking about Toupee Tape, Breasts and Plastic Surgery.

Judges: Tony Robbins, Catherine Bell, Andre Leon Talley, Kim Alexis, Christian De La Fuente, Debbie Allen & Serena Altschul. They scored to low but gave us a great Miss Universe. A little upset that they kept Colombia out of top5 but I understand because they didn't hear her delegates speak.

Undiscovered Cyprus: Lots of maps, history of the legends, etc... Great Job. I really enjoyed hearing about the myths and learning the story of Aphrodite. The producers did a great job. Scott the choreographer.. as always did a good job.

Miss Universe Viewer Comments:

Thank You for sending in your Miss Universe Viewer Comments!. You can read the comments HERE.

Beauty Pageants 101 Viewers FINAL Top Picks:

USA: Lynnette Cole (Finalist)

India: Lara Dutta (Miss Universe)

Philippines: Nina Ricci Alagao

Colombia: Catalina Ines Acosta Albarracin (Semi-Finalist)

Venezuela: Claudia Moreno (1st Runner Up)

Puerto Rico: Zoraida Fonalledas

Mexico: Letty Murray

Spain: Helen Lindes (2nd Runner Up)

Aruba: Tamara Scaroni

Trinidad-Tobago: Heidi Rostant

Possibilities:

Brazil: Josiane Kruliskoski

South Africa: Heather Joy Hamilton (Semi-Finalist)

Japan: Mayu Endo

France: Sonia Rolland (Semi-Finalist)

Lebanon: Norma Naoum

Well gang, over 4000 votes were casted and I am happy to say that you guys picked 7 of the 10 semifinalists.

2000 Miss Universe Pageant on the Web:

Official Site: 2000 Miss Universe Pageant

Questions, Comments, Updates:

beauty_pageant99@hotmail.com

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Page Updated Sun Jan 14, 2001 3:33am EST