Momma Always Said

I thought I would try something different this go round with the recap of last night's Miss Universe pageant.  I asked one of my favorite "Pageant Moms" to write the recap from her perspective.   Today's author is Jennifer Horvath of Northern Virginia.  Her beautiful daughter, Kailee is a pageant queen, dancer and actress who has held titles in the National American Miss, Virginia International Pageants and most recently International Junior Miss! 

 
So it's safe to say that when it comes to pageant watching, Jennifer has a pretty good eye.   Here's what she had to say about the pageant.

As Miss Angola, Leila Lopes, was crowned Miss Universe 2012 in Sao Paolo, Brazil, two words came to my mind – genuine and stunning.  In her fitted evening gown covered with gold sequins and feathers she looked elegant and graceful and when she opened her mouth she showed an intelligence and inner beauty that wowed over the judges and me.  Miss Angola spoke of being “happy with the way God had created her” when the judges question asked her if there was physical trait she would change.  Any pageant girl knows you can look great, have the right dress, or make-up or swimsuit, but when it comes right down to it the interview or on-stage question is where the crown meets the head.  This was Leila’s time to show just how beautiful she was inside and her sweet smile and gentle laugh as she spoke of family principles and loving herself “as she was created “spoke volumes of her inner character.

During the swimsuit competition Miss Angola strutted across the stage in a bright yellow bikini that was pure perfection.  While evening gown is the favorite competition of many, the swimsuit competition is the one competition where true comparisons can be made.  Leila looked like a beautiful, poised gazelle.  And as to those bikinis – apparently the bottoms had to be sent back to have more fabric added.  

This 60^th Anniversary of Miss Universe was a fun evening with play by play by two commentators and fan voting shown on screen.  That fan voting was quite often in line with the judges, with the exception of fan favorites Venezuela, Columbia and USA not making the Top 10.  The contestants voted Montenegro as Miss Congeniality and Sweden captured the Photogenic title.  

 Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella, made it to the top 16

All in all, while the runners up could have been juggled and the contestants chosen for the Top 16 or Top 10 could have been different, I believe that given a different set of judges on a different day they still would have chosen Miss Angola.  She stood out and truly exemplifies the diversity of the Miss Universe title.  Personally,  I can’t wait to see what she does with the crown.  

 Thanks again Jennifer!!!  I hope you enjoy reading her recap as much as I did!!