AT THE world finals of Miss Diva Universe World 2011 at Federal Hotel ballroom recently, 29 beauty queens from 29 nations participated for six titles.
However, as all 29 contestants appeared to be living in Kuala Lumpur on a permanent basis, we could conclude they were locals in masquerade.
Still, most looked the part as Miss South Africa bore a striking resemblance to Michelle Obama and Miss Zimbabwe could pass off as a stunning African.
Miss Vietnam and Miss China could not be faulted and Miss Netherlands was blonde and blue eyed.
Striking a pose: Miss Diva Universe surrounded by other winners namely Miss Diva Globe, Miss Diva Asia-Pacific, Miss Diva International, Miss Diva World, Miss Diva Trans International with main sponsor Becky Leogardo (standing third from left) of BML.Organised by Ika of Ika Fancy Entertainment Group, it was a spoof pageant but impressively presented with enough celebrities and exotic guests to rival any Miss Malaysia contests.
Judges were a formidable cast which included Datuk Shah Rezza, Datuk Dr Jalil, Jovian Mandagie, Michael Ong, Maznah Zuklifi and songstress Ning Baizura, who later sang her latest hit Raksasa accompanied by five beauty contestants.
The pageant opened with the traditional national costume parade with enough feathers, fur, sequins, beads and capes worthy of Moulin Rouge.
The audience, mostly supporters of the contestants, roared as each paraded on the catwalk in magnificent costumes representative of their homelands.
Miss Thailand brought the roof down when she announced, “I am from Thailand, the Land of Cosmetic Surgery!” as she wiggled her assets seductively.
As they changed into evening wear and cocktail wear and finally back into evening wear for the coronation, the audience was entertained by Ika Fancy Dancers.
Like all pageants in Malaysia, there was no swimsuit category but as most finalists appeared to be bursting at the seams, none complained when it came to the visuals.
The 29 whittled to 15 and emcees Azwan Ali and Chef Zam grilled and tortured them exquisitely, making devilishly snide remarks but all in good fun and no offence was taken.
The questions were shockingly merciless and tough. A few stumbled but most rose to the occasion and fired back powerful artillery that were amazingly sharp, witty and for the most part amusing.
By the weirdest coincidence, Miss Egypt picked this question; “If she was the President of Egypt, what would she do to quell the turmoil?” She replied, “Reduce food prices, reduce inflation and increase salary.”
Miss Thailand was asked which Malaysian food had the best chance to go global?
She said, “Six months before coming to this contest, my Government sent me here to learn Bahasa Malaysia and after six months of eating Malaysian food, I can say it is nasi lemak. Every one from every race loves it as it is so delicious.”
There were 11 subsidiary titles with Miss Diva Globe (won by Miss Thailand), Miss Diva Asia Pacific (Miss Netherlands), Miss Diva International (Miss USA), Miss Diva Trans International (Indonesia), Miss Diva World (Miss South Africa) and Miss Diva Universe which was the main title won by Miss Singapore.
She also won RM3,000 and hampers sponsored by BML Skincare.