Pageant News Bureau - Kim Harlan

P a g e a n t N e w s B u r e a u

Stand tall -- and shine

Photos by Joe Whiteko / PNB

Kim Harlan entering the Canal Room.

In the pageant world, sometimes the facts are stranger than fiction. And more beautiful.

It's a fact that the symbol of modern China is the red star. It's a fact that in 2003, China is hosting the Miss World Pageant for the first time ever. And it's a fact that one of the contestants at Miss World is a red star in her own right.

Kim Harlan

With mom, Teresa Harlan

Kimberly "Kim" Harlan, the tall Georgia model who is Miss World United States, has earned a lot of pageant nicknames, all colorful. She's "the red-haired girl," "Big Red," "the firebird," "the crimson queen." She's sure to inspire some memorable Chinese phrases.

With Kandice Pelletier, the reigning National Sweetheart

With Matthew Taylor, a New York City musician

Just before Ms. Harlan flew off to Asia, friends treated her to a party in New York. The scene was the Canal Room at 285 West Broadway in Manhattan. It was a delightful place, very hospitable, full of beautiful, happy people.

PNB was there. And we wore our sunglasses. We advise the good people of China to do the same.

With Erik Lautier, of Cat Cosmetics

P a g e a n t N e w s B u r e a u