Presenting the most beautiful, successful, and inspiring women in beauty pageants in the year 2014.
1. María Gabriela Isler (Miss Universe 2013)
Country: Venezuela
No beauty queen could match her in the past year. Not only for her numerous trips as the ambassador for her country and Miss Universe Organization (MUO), but also because she was an important figure for several non-profit organizations that chose her as a spokesperson, with main areas of women, children and HIV/AIDS awareness. Of this, she said, "I believe it is not only about women's looks, but rather about their internal beauty and virtues. People see Miss Universe as an example to the world of humanity and a role model for the girls," as quoted from gbtimes.com. Only now a Miss Universe made the best dressed list in various international magazines and fashion websites! Her natural beauty combined with intelligence and charisma completed the reasons to make her as my Woman of the Year. Diva Gabriela has brought the old soul of beauty pageants back into the world!
2. Lexi Atkins (Miss Illinois USA 2014)
Country: USA
Coming from a reputable family doesn't necessarily make it any easier to achieve her dream of becoming an actress. She has gone through a lot of training and auditions until finally bagged roles in 'Zombeavers', 'The Boy Next Door' (with Jennifer Lopez), 'Ted 2' (with Mark Wahlberg and Amanda Seyfried) and TV series 'The Messengers'. The last three will be out soon in 2015. She said that hard work and dedication are very much needed for anyone who dreams of success. The oldest child of four who idolized her late grandfather's living a healthy lifestyle (organic foods, workout and meditation are some clues). Suzanne Aldridge, her former teacher at Centennial High School praised, "People sometimes think she's all beauty and no substance - there's a lot to that young lady," as quoted from news-gazette.com. You better watch out. There's much more to come from Lexi Atkins!
3. Megan Young (Miss World 2013)
Country: Philippines
World people were in joy after Megan Young being crowned as the new Miss World in September 2013. Her physical beauty was touted as very 'Miss World' prototype according to pageant fanatics, then she was also regarded as one of the best Miss World title-holders of all time. During her reign, she has traveled around the world to help her organization implementing their program, Beauty with a Purpose (BWAP). What has she been achieved while holding the prestigious title? "From a BWAP perspective, it would have to be helping out with the Typhoon relief in the Philippines. I was able to help out my countrymen in ways I never thought possible, because of my Miss World title. I could connect to so many people and inspire and encourage help on such a wide scale and that was a true highlight of my year. On the lighter side, being invited to host the Miss World pageant this year in London is also one of the year’s biggest highlights. Hosting is such a passion of mine and for Mrs. Morley to have so much faith and trust in me and my abilities to host the pageant is an overwhelming feeling. I am so incredibly touched and humbled," said her at missworld.com.
4. Rolene Strauss (Miss World 2014)
Country: South Africa
"When someone says 'South Africa' I get goosebumps. I have this fire of passion burning inside of me for our country. The opportunities I have received have made me who I am today and I've realised that there is so much to give; to our country and our people. Miss South Africa is all about giving. One of the greatest gifts anyone can receive is the gift of a healthy life. With my passion for giving, people and health, I will be able to contribute to one of the most important things any country desires: health for all," said the reigning Miss World at misssa.co.za. Rolene was aware of the situations of the country in which she lives and do something about it. This sort of thing is sometimes overlooked by a pageant contestant. Miss World Organization is greatly benefited by crowning this medical student!
5. Nia Sanchez (Miss USA 2014)
Country: USA
Grew up as an independent girl, at the age of 6 lived in a women's shelter with her mother. Nia has proved that a child of divorce is not a trouble maker like the stereotype that given by society. Failed to be the state winner of California in three consecutive years, but got the biggest title, Miss USA, after representing Nevada. What's the secret? She said, "I just feel like whatever pageant you’re doing you just have to be 100 percent yourself. It’s not really all the training, as long as the judges see your personality. I think some girls -and I have before myself- just get so nervous and want to say the exact right thing, but it’s just best when you’re yourself," as quoted from lasvegasweekly.com.
6. Tomii Culmer (Miss Universe Bahamas 2014)
Country: Bahamas
The introspective Tomii has decided to withdraw from the competition of Miss Bahamas 2011 since she felt a lot required to be a 'Miss' and at that time she wasn't ready yet. Brownie beauty who's been popular as a top model and a band's lead singer in her country takes a beauty pageant into heart. She's realised that as a title-holder, it also means being an 'ambassador', thus she needed the support of everyone. Not only for herself, but also for the organization. She admitted, "I travel a lot and when I meet people I'm automatically an ambassador, but I wanted the support of everything that comes with Miss Universe Bahamas - the national support of being the ambassador. I got it and now I'm ready to work with it," as quoted from thenassauguardian.com. As a warm-up before Miss Universe, she just won Miss Coco International 2014 recently held in Colombia.
7. Mary Jean Lastimosa (Miss Universe Philippines 2014)
Country: Philippines
The computer engineer and entrepreneur who earned victory after three tries at the Binibining Pilipinas. There's something major in her, it's been her determination that made this all possible. That she didn't give up after experiencing rejection and failure. Ms Lastimosa holds a great deal as Asia's big hope for the next Miss Universe title. Btw, wanna know the secret behind her va-va-voom figure? Be a vegetarian like her!
8. Dilan Çiçek Deniz (Miss Universe Turkey 2014)
Country: Turkey
Turkey was never in my radar. But when I see Dilan, I was blown away. Her natural beauty riveted me! Noble, classic and sometimes vulnerable. Something you will only see in the royal palace! What makes me even more amazed is when I learned her resume. She is a pro in dancing and acting. She has been taking Ballet, Salsa, and modern dance since her childhood. And she wasn't a newbie in the world of theater in her country. This girl really won't deserve to be ignored in the next Miss Universe coming in January!
9. Arielle Saige (Miss USA 2014 Top 20)
Country: USA
The super photogenic Arielle loves sharing her knowledge and experiences in modeling and pageantry through her social media accounts. A successful pageant coach in the making! What's her tips for pageant-girls like her? "Research and ask questions. There are several different pageant systems such as Miss USA, Miss America, Miss International, Miss United States and so many more. Each system provides different learning experiences and not every girl is made for every system," she said, as quoted from ladycodeblog.com.
10. Valerie Gatto (Miss USA 2014 Top 20)
Country: USA
Not everybody is willing to open up about his past. Valerie became a concrete example that we shouldn't be ashamed of our past. She even made it as the foundation to turn negative things into positive ones. From the child of a rape to a Miss USA Top 20, she is now somebody to look up to. "Not knowing who my father is, not knowing if he's ever been found, most people would think it's such a negative situation. Being a voice is life-changing, and I just want to keep going," said her, as quoted from cosmopolitan.com.
