MISS USA 2014 CORONATION NIGHT REVIEW

MISS USA 2014 CORONATION NIGHT REVIEW

So what if the pageant moves out of Las Vegas? Nia Sanchez made sure that the pageant remained back home, as she clinched her state’s very first Miss USA crown. The Miss Universe Organization, more often than not, have generously rewarded the dark horses. Therefore, I knew that despite the bookmarked stunners this year, a dark horse would reign triumphant and that turned out to be Nia Sanchez. Nia’s victory came at a right time – at a time when the pageant world is repulsed by the idea of a Miss Latina Universe, where the winner goes to compete at Miss Universe like Miss USA. The argument: why just Latins? And what about Africans or Asians, who are also a considerable part of American culture? Being half-Hispanic, Nia Sanchez’s victory and also the triumphs of Indian-Americans like Nina Davuluri and Emily Shah proves that we don’t need a farce like Miss Latina per se. It would be a sore insult to other cultures.

Now back to the pageant, which was a whopping three hour telecast this year and MUO, which is known for keeping their presentations short and neat, gave considerable air time to the pageant this year, which was good but tended towards annoyance. I am not going to concentrate on small details such as the montage praising America’s beauty and the girls frolicking in the crawfish state and hollering “Laissez les bon temps rouler...”

I loved the opening number, set to the music of Marc Broussard featuring Dirty Dozen Brass Band Horns. Although the lyrics didn’t make any sense to me, I totally enjoyed the exuberant and festive vibe of Mardi Gras, as the contestants arrived in boats and ripped off their masquerades (except for Maryland, that is) and shouted out their names, age, cities and states. I love a festive vibe to any pageant; it makes the viewing all the more exciting. If sport tournaments can be one hell of a party, then why not pageants? Also, I loved the Louisiana crowd, living up to their mark of hospitality. The audience didn’t miss a chance to stand up and tap their feet and get rolling. Not to miss the loud cheer and support. Nobody likes a dead audience, right?

As for the hosts, I am glad that Guiliana Rancic is back (and hope she does so for many more): this lady definitely knows how to wear what she is wearing and talk what she is talking. Guiliana is definitely one of the best hosts we have had in any pageant. As for Thomas Roberts, yeah he is handsome, but definitely he misses the spark and chemistry that Andy Cohen had with his female co-hosts. Guiliana’s gown changes (she did three of them) were impressive. It is right that the judge Ian Ziering commented that this year’s Miss USA contestants will have to live up to the Guilianna scale of perfect poise and symmetry and I guess that said it all. I loved seeing Miss Teen USA 2005 Allie LaForce (she looks so much different now) and Miss Universe 1986, Barbara Palacios from Venezuela, who looked like she could compete even today and walk away with the crown. I was surprised that Gabriela Isler’s presence in the crowd was kept lowkey, except for her minor role in giving the winning sash to Miss USA 2014.

Now on to one of the longest semi-finalists announcement in my memory. Besides having slots for 20 girls (cue Miss Universe 2006 style), each of the semi-finalist announcement was accompanied by a video clip of the contestant’s personality. It was nice but with Erin Brady’s opening walk, numerous commercials, a montage dedicated to the contestant’s families and clips of girls frolicking in Louisiana thrown in between…it tended towards exasperating.

Oh well, first up was Virginia. I had suspected Arielle to be a spoiler as she was inconsistent on my chart. On photos, she could steal your husband with her chiselled bone structure and sexy vibes and on stage, she would seem passable. She has an amazing story of being a pageant queen slash wrestler, so I guess that worked in her favour.

Next was North Dakota and I am not surprised. Audra Mari was a contender from the get go and having placed as 1^st runner-up at Miss Teen USA 2011 in the past. She was bullied in the past. It is no doubt that Audra is an extremely sweet girl and natural, as opposed to the stereotyped pageant betties. Audra also gave North Dakota’s highest ever placement for a state that rarely places here.

Audra is followed by another contender from the get go and that is Tiana Griggs from Georgia. At 27, you would expect her to be one accomplished woman and she truly is. From flying the aeroplane to working the runaway, Tiana’s facial features bear an uncanny resemblance to Michelle Obama.

Up was Indiana. Mekayla was another spoiler that I had suspected in the past. I felt her beauty was more suited for Miss America than Miss USA, so that’s what kept her off my list. I thought she would say something of her story of being a child abuse victim but all she did was talk about her horses and Native-American naming ceremony.

I was glad to see Tennessee up there when I knew her vintage styling and that hair color (which just washed her stunning face out) would do her in. It is interesting to know that she does flying trapeze and circus, no wonder she has a fit body

Florida followed and with her background in Project Runaway, you know why she is there. Brittany lost her dad recently, who was her major support system.

California was up and Cassandra danced ballet in the Nutcracker, which otherwise hides her tomboy personality.

Alabama was next and she loves the outdoors if it can pump her adrenaline rush

Next was the winner herself and Nevada has an amazing personality of being a fourth degree black belt in Taekwondo. It’s amazing how these stunning glammed up girls own such tough personalities.

Arizona was another girl who was on and off my radar but I totally felt that she was very beautiful from close up. She is working towards establishing her own nutrition clinic, having had battled stomach diseases herself.

Maryland was next and Taylor also loves the outdoors and talked about working as a veterinary technician and dogs being her best friends.

Next was Minnesota, whom I had pegged to take the crown, and when you look at her face, you couldn’t deny her thousand-watts smile. A former nerd? That was hard to believe. She is a pre-med student and talked about having science battles with her mom.

So Oklahoma made it. I wasn’t sure about Oklahoma’s dated styling but a lot of people actually liked that. She talked about being home-schooled.

New Jersey’s Emily Shah was next and I correctly suspected her placement, after the Indian-American community made news with the first Indian-American Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri. Ofcourse, Emily talked about Bollywood (her father is a producer) and about the happy melange of Indian and American cultures in her family

Then it was time to call the home state girl – Louisiana, amidst roaring cheer from the crowd. If this pageant was held in any other state, Brittany would have still made it as she just has that magnetic face going on. She talked about fishing and sunbathing next to alligators, a la Louisiana style.

Iowa made it and I regret not putting her in my list as I knew she had that unrestrained beauty but her walk was not growing on me but it is an achievement for Carlyn, as her older sister competed in Miss USA 2010 but couldn’t make the cut. She was initially shy until she was coaxed by her brother to participate in Miss Iowa USA, which she won on her first attempt. Carlyn gave Iowa’s first semi-finalist placement in 44 years and highest ever since Iowa’s Carol Morris became Miss USA in 1956.

Nebraska was next and she is likeable and talked about being a sports player to a cheerleader to a pageant girl

.

Wisconsin was next and I was happy to see her there. She gives her state’s highest placement since 1977 and is a sports commentator back home.

Pennsylvania made it and she is the most inspirational story in the bunch. Her mother was attacked and raped at knifepoint and she is the product and it was really touching because she doesn’t know her father and she lamented whether he knows that she is Miss Pennsylvania USA today. She also said that circumstances shouldn’t define people’s paths and identity.

The list rounded up with South Carolina and I heaved a sigh. She talked about her parents’ divorce and her bonding with her sister that helped her through.

Next the stage scorched up with the much anticipated swimsuit competition, based on which the line-up of the twenty-some will be reduced to a mere ten. The music by Florida Georgia Line featuring Nelly was an okay choice, which made the round forgettable. The tempo was slow and was not suited for a swimsuit parade.

Virginia – Being first up there carries a lot of expectations. Arielle strutted her wrestler’s body (yes it looked wide) and there was less pizazz.

North Dakota – Audra on the other hand, rocked the competition. The best body of this round. At 20, she is so tall and womanly with her bang-on body and her stage chops were just fine to keep her going.

Georgia – She proved that a poster smile is not all that she possess. Armed with an ebony skin tone, those long legs, killer body and a mind-your-own-business walk, Tiana cemented her status as a contender.

Indiana – She worked that sarong and her walk was good but sadly her body was not upto the mark.

Tennessee – Kristen had a nice body with abs but she just lost her momentum. Her walk didn’t create much of an impression and that did her in. What a waste.

Florida – Her background in Project Runaway clearly shone through. With her curvaceous body, Brittany strutted her stuff like a true model should.

California – Cassandra’s body definitely seemed hefty to me, so I was actually surprised to see her advance.

Alabama – It was clear that she took some catwalk lessons from Mary-Margaret McCord and according to me she did fine in this competition. With that face, I am surprised she was cut off from the next round.

Nevada – That training from Shanna Moakler clearly paid off. I loved Nia during this round. Everything she did was neat and clean: that opening twirl, the middle twirl, the walk and the hair toss.

Arizona – She has a pretty face but not the body and the energy.

Maryland – Maryland has a lanky body and I think her facial expressions sailed her through. It could have bordered on being pornish but then she did it well, selling her Hollywood good looks.

Minnesota – I was saddened that she was cut at this point because I really loved her smile, but when it comes to her body, it is decent enough and the walk was also okay.

Oklahoma – Her face is larger than her body (or the styling make her seem so). Her body is actually very tall, lanky and toned, however her walk is timid and she also had a minute trip doing a mid-spin.

New Jersey – Being a Bollywood dancer, sashaying down that stage is a cakewalk, which Emily did.

 Her body was however not what would take her further though.

Louisiana – Her pony reminded me of Janine Tugonon. Her body lacked the curves in the mid-area and her walk was decent. She was totally banking it on her stunning face and being the home turf girl.

Iowa – Body was bang-on and I just loved the confidence on her understated face. Great job for a former shy girl.

Nebraska – Amanda has a very toned body and a likeable face, so it is a shame that her stage chops were poorly executed.

Wisconsin – the best catwalk of this round. Wisconsin worked those twirls and catwalk like she owned the stage. Her chocolate skin tone was to die for. I was very impressed with this girl, who wasn’t my pre-favorites.

Pennsylvania – Her styling was good but the walk was passable and body was decent. I am sentimentally inclined to her due to her story but this was as far she could go.

South Carolina – Who can miss a 6 feet tall blonde bombshell walking in high heels? Christina’s long legs can go on for days and her lanky body and cute smile were irresistible.

The top ten cut was made and Florida, North Dakota, Georgia, Maryland, California, South Carolina, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nevada and Louisiana.

On to the evening gown competition now, which was set to the latina music of Mexican soft rock duo, Camila, who have hit the charts in Mexico and are an internet sensation. This music was definitely more appropriate and with the amazing background of chandeliers and French windows, it was a perfect setting.

Florida – Her gown was a golden number which was bugle-beaded and the way it moved when she walked looked phenomenal.

North Dakota – Audra wore the same green number she wore in the preliminaries which had a bodice with cut out details. On any other girl, the gown would have looked plain but Audra worked it glamorously (as Jeannie Mai commented) and the red lips along with her facial expressions sealed the deal

Georgia – When Tiana is on stage, you better bow down to her. The way she descended the stairs was classy. The fish tail gown with a golden bustier was elegant, sexy and couture at the same time. She definitely pulled this off like no other

Maryland – Taylor went glam with a blush colored gown that had a key-hole and an open back. I liked the details of this gown and the slit was very daring and she made it more so by opening it up generously as she descended the stairs.

California – Cassandra dons Erin Brady’s Miss Universe number in a black version. This one has a slit and I am not impressed, although the gown looked good on her, it was clear that this was as far as she would go.

South Carolina – Christina comes down with a white gown that was fish-tail with more drama. The bottom was never ending and it definitely looked spectacular on a six footer like her as the gown covered most part of the stage. I was surprised she didn’t make it through.

Iowa – I was totally impressed with Iowa’s performance at this stage even though she didn’t try really hard. Her black gown with a heavy neckline detail made her look classic and regal.

Wisconsin – This girl may not be your conventional pretty damsel but boy, does she works the stage like nobody’s business. She sported a yellow gown that looked great on her skin tone and her twirls were massive. Another surprising exclusion.

Nevada – So the winning gown worn by Nia is red with cascades at the bottom and no beadwork. I like the fact that she went simple in accessorizing, as it is her gown had many details in drapery and she did look as classy as Jessica Rabbit.

Louisiana – Finally the home town girl comes in a regal blue gown that looked similar to Iowa’s with a sequined neckline and simple torso, but this was more flowy. It had a keyhole back and it complemented her beauty. The twirl at the end of the stage was in tandem with the music.

Didn’t we all love how the background of chandeliers and French windows just dropped as if it was a curtain, revealing the twilight park-look that would be used later for the final look. Whoever was in charge of it needs a pat on the back.

The top five: Georgia, Nevada, Louisiana, Florida and North Dakota. Iowa wins the #savethequeen twitter votes and joins the final line-up making it a top six.

On the first segment, the hosts decided to break the ice with the finalists. Iowa spoke about her sister’s advice to her for the pageant, having competed on the same stage earlier. North Dakota spoke about her bullies apologizing to her. Florida described her country line dancing escapades every Wednesday. Nevada was asked whether she needed security despite being a fourth degree black belt, to which she said that she felt more confident taking care of herself. Louisiana spoke about her state’s hospitality and learning something in turn. And finally Georgia said her most memorable trip was to New York, where she gave pretzels and biscoffs, which ended in the hosts ranting about the biscoffs (lol, I know they are addictive)

On to the main segment of the question answer round, they showed a montage of the mishaps this round had brought upon some contestants (who were contenders really) like Larissa Meek in Miss USA 2001 and Lauren Upton in Miss Teen USA 2007. I felt it wasn’t a swell idea. As it is, these girls have already gone viral on the internet and elsewhere due to their question and answer failings and commemorating that was like adding salt to the wounds. They also showed some sensational answers like Brook Lee’s in Miss USA1997, Olivia Culpo’s in Miss USA 2012 and Halle Berry’s in Miss USA 1986. It was surprising that they didn’t show Marissa Powell’s clip, who competed last year and was a major contender until she stumbled in this round. Was it because she was too gorgeous? (lol)

First up was Iowa. She was asked whether the American youth were turning narcissist and self-absorbed, to which she agreed, saying that social media has allowed the youth to post pictures and videos of themselves. I felt the answer lacked depth and was rounded up prematurely.

Next was North Dakota and she was asked whether going to college is relevant at this time when it is difficult to get a job even after attaining a degree. North Dakota started her answer saying that her forefathers were extremely successful without degrees but in this age, one doesn’t even get job after four years of attaining a degree. Therefore, it is extremely important to get one’s further education. According to me, she just agreed to the question in a hundred words without adding depth to it.

Florida was asked what would set her apart from the other finalists at Miss USA. She began that being up there was an honour with other fifty phenomenal women but she is bringing something new to the table as her father passed away and she can raise awareness and bring it home for her dad. Genuine answer but using her story of her dad’s demise was definitely not needed her, it made her look like a sympathy seeker.

Nevada was next and she was asked what colleges can do to combat sexual assault on women, an issue which has been pushed under the rug for so long. She answered that colleges might have swept the issue under the rug due to fear of tarnishing their reputation but she believes that more awareness is necessary so women can learn to protect themselves, which she learned from a very young age. It was a well-rounded and neat answer.

The home town girl Louisiana was asked whether the US government was right to release five Guantanamo Bay 

prisoners in exchange for one soldier held captive in Afghanistan and whether it is right for the US to swap lives in order to uphold the policy of leaving no soldier behind. Louisiana replied that she is glad that we got our guy back however she doesn’t feel right that we subject ourselves to this kind of terrorism. Again, the answer lacked depth but it is understandable since it was a politically charged question fresh from the recent headlines.

And finally Georgia was given thirty seconds to say what she wants to her political leaders. She would say that we should lead our country by faith and we should work together rather than setting ourselves apart. A decent answer, nothing spectacular.

Erin looked divine in a green gown during her farewell walk.

 5^th runner-up was Iowa. 4^th runner-up was Florida. 3^rd runner-up was Louisiana. 2^nd runner-up was Georgia (to a much surprised Audra Mari and Nia Sanchez, who must have well touted Tiana Griggs as one to beat). 

And first runner-up was North Dakota, making Nia Sanchez the very first Miss USA from the Vegas state. Will she fare well at Miss Universe? See you’ll there!