MISS HONG KONG 2012

Miss Hong Kong 2012 is set for 26-Aug-2012. The pageant marks its 40th anniversary this year. Nine women have been selected for the final. They are Christy Chan, Carat Cheung, Tracy Chu, Wingto Lam, Melanie McAndrew, Jennifer Sum, Roxanne Tong, Cynthia Tsang and Jacqueline Wong. TVB, which broadcasts Miss Hong Kong, is holding an online vote to select the 10th finalist. Winners at Miss Hong Kong move on to Miss World and Miss International. 

MISS UNIVERSE CHINA BEIJING 2012

Better late than never! The Miss Universe China Beijing final ended on 20-Jul-2012 with three women advancing to the final national on 01-Sep-2012. The Beijing delegates are Du Yang (middle), Tang Qinyi (left) and Li Miao. (Photo: China Daily）

MISTER SEVILLA 2012

The Sevilla edition of Spanish newspaper ABC reports that the new Mister Sevilla 2012 is Adrián García Parejo, 25 and 1m93. He was elected this weekend.  Runners-up were Sergio Carlos Barrera Hurtado (awarded Mister Elegancia) and Daniel Pozo Vázquez. Mister Simpatía was Alberto Macías Rodríguez.

The sensational Mister Sevilla 2012

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Primero Londres/Televisa

NUTMEG STATE WINS MISS TEEN USA 2012

Connecticut's Logan West is the new Miss Teen USA 2012. She won the 30th anniversary title last night during a ceremony in the Bahamas. Miss West Virginia Elizabeth Sabatino was first runner-up. With Connecticut's win, New England has cornered the MUO franchise this year. BS geography and US history scholars will know that the following Wikipedia facts about Connecticut are correct. The name "Connecticut" originates from the Mohegan word "quonehtacut," meaning "place of long tidal river". Unofficially (but popularly), Connecticut is  known as "The Nutmeg State". The origins of the nutmeg connection to Connecticut are unknown. It may have come from its sailors returning from voyages with nutmeg (which in the 18th and 19th centuries was a very valuable spice). It may have originated in the early machined sheet tin nutmeg grinders sold by early Connecticut peddlers. (Photos: Miss Universe L.P., LLLP)

ZEN ON SUNDAY

Marc New York is featuring Miss Universe 2008 Venezuela's Dayana Mendoza  in their Fall 2012 ad campaign. A sneak-peek photo from the ad campaign shows Dayana with Scottish rugby player Thom Evans. As Global Grind says, "The photo shows both in what seems to be a public restroom, about to get into something naughty. Dayana Mendoza is walking towards Thom with her dress open while he stares at her wearing nothing but a towel. Honestly, if this is not the beginning of a sexual escapade about to go down then something is drastically wrong."

MISS AND MISTER SAGUNTO 2012

Last night saw the crowning of Miss and Mister Sagunto 2012, a preliminary to Miss and Mister Valencia (Spain). Miss Sagunto 2012 is Miriam Esteve, 19 and 1m75. Runners-up were Sandra Aparicio, 19 and 1m74, and Nuria Ortola, 18 and 1m76. Mister Sagunto 2012 is Emilio Ayala, 18 and 1m91. Runners-up for the Mister Sagunto 2012 title were Héctor García, 23 and 1m83, and Sergio Aucejo, 20 and 1m80.

MISTER ALTO ADRIATICO 2012

Alesandro Pregnolato, Mister Alto Adriatico 2012, and winner of the sub-title Il Modello d'Italia

Viva Italia! Local preliminaries and contests are in full swing as Mister Italia 2012 approaches. This past weekend, 19-year old stud(ent) Alessandro Pregnolato beat off 12 other men for the top title of Mister Alto Adriatico 2012. Winners of sub-titles were Alex Magaton, Bello per il Cinema; Nicola Tiozzo, Mister Talento; Giuseppe Rossi, Volto più Bello; and Simone Tosi, Uomo Ideale. All of these hunks move on to Mister Veneto 2012.

MISS UNIVERSE SRI LANKA 2012

Sabrina Herft is the new Siyatha Lux Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2012. She won the coveted title yesterday during a gala event at the Hilton Colombo. She will now be her country's delegate to Miss Universe 2012. Runners-up for the Siyatha Lux Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2012 were Aushani Samarasinghe; Nicola Dabrera; and Luckme Perera. During the same contest, the Miss International Sri Lanka 2012 title was awarded to Madusha Mayadunne. (Photo: M.A. Pushpa Kumara for Timesonline)

GUAPO DE ESPAÑA 2012

This past Saturday saw the election of Guapo de España 2012 at the Hotel Alay in Benalmádena, located in Málaga. The winner was Guapo Andalucía, Carlos Maturana (he was Mister Granada in Mister Spain 2010). Runners-up for the title were Richard Arrese, Guapo Euskadi; and Manuel Garrido, Guapo Extremadura.

Carlos Maturana

MISS UNIVERSE T&T SET FOR SEPTEMBER

Dean Ackin, the new owner of the Miss Universe Trinidad and Tobago franchise, and
Anya Ayoung-Chee, Miss Universe Trinidad and Tobago 2008 and Project Runway Season 9 winner

Guardian, 22-Jul-2012: Dean Ackin, chief executive officer of mas band Tribe is the new queen maker in town. On Thursday, he received and accepted documents from Miss Universe Inc, certifying the band as the new local franchise holder, and he immediately issued a call to the beautiful women of T&T interested in becoming a Miss T&T to prepare for the screening. “The plan so far is to have both the casting and the finals in September this year. It may be the first week in September to host the casting and maybe the last week in September to host the final,” he said. MORE

ZEN ON SUNDAY

Priyanka Chopra, Miss World 2000, with studly co-star Shahid Kapoor, in a publicity shot for their movie "Teri Meri Kahaani."

MISS AND MISTER BESKIDOW 2012

Better later than never! On 22 May, Miss and Mister  Beskidów 2012 was held. It is one of the best organized, directed, produced, and cast student body contests around. The winners of this year's edition were Katarzyna Berdychowska, 20 and 1m76, and Mateusz Wykręt, 21 and 1m87. Runners-up for the Miss were Joanna Grzybowska, Patrycja Skawska, and Agnieszka Zniszczoł. Runners-up for the Mister Beskidów title were Piotr Motak, Jarosław Sawicki, and Kamil Biel.

POLAND'S MH 2012

Krzysztof Trzeciak, 24, 1m80, and a mechanic, is this year's winner of the Polish edition of Men's Health cover contest. 

HAPPY B-DAY, MADIBA!

GETTY IMAGES: Miss South Africa 2011 Melinda Bam poses with schoolchildren preparing to sing happy birthday to former South African President Nelson Mandela, on his 94th birthday, at Batsogile Primary School in Soweto today. The nation's 12 million schoolchildren began their day with a special birthday song, ringing with the line: 'We love you father'. For the fourth year, at the request of his charitable foundation, July 18 is observed as Mandela Day, recognized by the United Nations as a global call to volunteer for good causes for 67 minutes -- representing each year of Mandela's life in active politics.

WORLD POWER

From left, former Olympic volleyball player Zhao Ruirui, Miss World 2007 Zhang Zilin, Chinese actress Yao Chen,  Adidas managing director of Greater China, Colin Currie, Chinese actress Fan Bingbing and former Olympic diver Tian Liang pose with red wrist bands to show support for Chinese athletes ahead of the London Olympic Games in Beijing, Tuesday, July 17, 2012. (Photo: AP)

KEEPING UP APPEARANCES

Miss Europe 2005 Germany's Shermine Sharivar sits in the front row at the catwalk during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Preview Show by Grazia on July 3, 2012 in Berlin, Germany.

MISS DEAF WORLD 2012

Blonde Miss Germany Karin Keuter won the Miss Deaf World 2012 title last night during a contest in Prague. First runner-up was Miss Georgia Maria Sakvarelashvili; second runner-up was Miss Ukraine Mariana Laceviuková.  Over 40 women from all over the world participated in the contest, taking place in the Czech capital for the 12th time.

ZEN ON SUNDAY

Miss Universe 1980, Shawn Weatherly of the USA, and her court of honor

MR. GAY PRIDE ESPAÑA 2012

Better late than never! Gay Pride Madrid (Orgullo de Madrid) was celebrated on June 29. As part of Gay Pride Madrid, Mister Gay Pride España  2012 was elected during a outdoor contest in the Plaza de Callao. Mister Gay Huelva, Miguel Ortiz, 19, won the coveted title. de 19 años,  Runners-up were Mister Gay Mallorca Xisco Reus and Mister Gay Sitges Rubén Espinar.