2011-07-10
Luo Zilin, from Shanghai, China, with her elegant manners and sophisticated performance, won the 2011 Miss Universe China Pageant. She was also selected as Miss Popularity by millions of netizens from Sina weibo, TuDou, QIYI, PPTV, Netease, YouKu. Luo Zilin said: I am looking forward to competing in the Miss Universe Pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil on September 12, 2011, and I want to thank Yue-Sai Kan, the pageant judges, and all the people of China for their support for this opportunity. Yue-Sai Kan, the National Director of the 2011 Miss Universe China Pageant stated: Luo Zilin is a beautiful top model in China who is well-mannered and has a good command of the English language. We are very proud to have her represent China.
The search for the new Chinese beauty began in March and competitions were held in Changsha, Nanjing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Beijing to select the 32 charming and talented contestants who graced the stage tonight. The winner will compete against 80 other contestants from around the world at Miss Universe 2011 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on September 12. The Miss Universe Pageant, an international contest, has had contestants from Mainland China since 2002.
The China Pageant has seen great changes under the guidance of its new National Director, international celebrity and entrepreneur Ms. Yue-Sai Kan. The pageant this year has been infused with a new spirit of education, charity and promoting a positive image of women. The Pageant has received strong support from the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation which has established a China Beauty Fund, and the appointed Yue-Sai as the Funds official ambassador.
"The establishment of the Beauty Fund will focus on using beauty to increase awareness and enhance efforts charity. By focusing on health, beauty and femininity, the foundation aspires to motivate more Chinese women to promote the virtues of Chinese traditions, to participate in charity work, to raise public awareness of caring for the greater community, and to inspire the entire community to promote the concept of charity, said Qi Ming-Qiu, the vice-chairman of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation.
Yue-Sai added: As our country becomes stronger every day, it is important also to show the softer side of our image. If we can select a woman who can represent the virtue of China and show the world her best, this would be a great way to enhance Chinas image. Charity is the most important mission of a Chinese Miss Universe. If she wins, she will be representing China by bringing this message of caring around the globe.
The organizers of this years pageant held a fundraising drive at the finals for the new fund. Proceeds raised will be managed by the China Beauty Fund and used to promote the China Soong Ching Ling Foundations efforts on mother and baby safety, the Reignwood Charitable Fund, FACE (The Footwear Association Charity Event), and the Happy Hearts Fund founded by supermodel Petra Nmcová.
This years pageant has been the strongest and most international that the country has seen since it started sending representatives to the Miss Universe pageant 10 years ago. Besides performances by Chinese pop diva Jane Zhang, renowned Israeli hip-hop violinist Miri Ben-Ari, and Argentinian singing sensation Diego Garcia and his band. A host of international names also worked behind the scenes to make the pageant one of world-class standards, thanks to the extensive Hollywood connections of Yue-Sai.
The stage design which resembled a pair of angels wings ready to lift the new Miss Universe China to the world stage was designed by Brian Stonestreet, a veteran stage designer who has engineered the sets for the Golden Globe, Grammy Awards and the American Academy of Country Music Awards. Other members of the production team also included Chinas Eric Zho, Hong Kongs Kenneth Kam and veteran concert producer Steve Sybesma, who has worked with artists like Michael Jackson and Black Eyed Peas.
Providing training for Miss Universe was Lu Sierra, the runway coach for Miss USA and Miss Universe for past 5 years trainer, Akiko Shimizu, who is the author of Hello, Elegant and other works, Chief Fashion Stylist Lizzette Kattan who has served as the fashion director and editor-in-chief for Harpers Bazaar France, Make-up artist Yuko Takahashi who has worked with pop divas Lady Gaga and Beyonce, and also world famous celebrity fashion photographer Fadil Berisha, who created photographic masterpieces of all the contestants. The pageants strategic partner Reignwood Group provided the contestants with facilities for their training, which included instructions in nutrition, psychology, equestrian, golf and other high-end courses. Yue-Sai Cosmetics also designed a line of cosmetics that would bring out the natural beauty of Chinese women.
Other sponsors comprised famous fashion brand D:Espina, Italian elegant womens footwear maker AEE, Harman-Kardon, Luk Fook Jewelry, EF Education, Samsung Electronics and Arrial dental.
The nights judges included Fadil Berisha; Miss Universe 2007, Riyo Mori of Japan; renowned modern artist Zhang Huan; Petra Nmcová; celebrity CEO Harry Hui and Reignwood Group president Wang Rui.
Comments