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Pageant News Bureau
Offstage Archive
People on PNB January 2000 - March, 2000

The Journal of the American Medical Association has published a study showing that Miss Americas have gotten progressively thinner through the decades, with some winners now -- at least technically -- in the undernourished range. The study recalls reports in the 1980s that major beauty queens and the Playboy Playmate of the Year had all gotten progressively thinner over the years. Apparently, Americans have come to idealize thinness even as the country's population has steadily grown heavier.

Harold Grace, who is blind, was a judge of the Miss Alberta and Miss Teen Alberta Pageant in Edmonton on March 19, 2000. He pointed out that the pageant is not primarily a beauty competition, and he said his skill in evaluating interviews was an asset. He said he had learned that his scores were not wildly different from those of the other judges.

John and Patsy Ramsey have settled their lawsuit against the Star, a supermarket tabloid, for suggesting that their son Burke was a suspect in the 1996 slaying of their daughter, 6-year-old beauty queen JonBenet. The terms were not disclosed. The Star had retracted the story previously, but said it stood by its other reportage in the case. Authorities determined early on that Burke, who was 9 at the time of the crime, had no involvement or knowledge. But officials' statements that the parents are under suspicion has led to a 3-year war of words over the case. The Ramseys vehemently deny any role in the killing.

The man who lost his marriage to Monaco's Princess Stephanie after being photographed with a nude beauty queen says he may have been drugged. Daniel Ducruet has told a French court he was lured into the situation and was not romancing Fili Houteman of his own initiative. Ms. Houteman and two other people are on trial in France for allegedly entrapping Ducruet, but she denies any scheme and says the advances seemed real. Photographs of Ducruet and Ms. Houteman caused the princess to obtain a quick divorce. Ms. Houteman was Miss Nude Belgium at the time.

Laura Flinn Baechtel, the reigning Ms. Internet World (over 30), is featured on the Tropi-ties 2000 bikini calendar (http//www.tropi-ties.com/calendar).

Miss America 2000, Heather Renee French, has been chosen to receive the American Legion Auxiliary's Public Spirit Award. She will receive the honor in Washington on March 27, 2000. Ms. French, the daughter of a disabled Vietnam veteran, has made the plight of homeless veterans her cause as Miss America.

Candice Little, who was Miss Georgia 1997, is moving to Columbus, Ga., to take a position with WRBL-TV. She will be a reporter and eventually an anchor at the station. Columbus, coincidentally, is the site of the Miss Georgia Pageant.

Andrea Krahn Martin, who was Miss Georgia 1994 and a finalist at Miss America, will have a lead role in "Grease" at the Springer Opera House in Columbus, Ga., from March 16 to April 8, 2000.

Lori Sikorszky, Ph.D., a psychologist, medical administrator, pageant winner and pageant director, has been named as the National "Outstanding Woman in America 2000." This title was bestowed upon Dr. Sikorszky in recognition of her lifetime achievements in academics, career, leadership and service.

The following programs are upcoming on television. Check local listings: 

• "Behind the Scenes at Miss Teen USA," E!
  March 11, 2000. 
• Miss Fitness America, ESPN2
  March 7, March 8.

The fired head of the Miss America Organization is suing to force the pageant to adopt the more liberal eligibility rules he advocated during his tenure. Robert L. Beck, in his relatively brief time as CEO, pushed to allow competition by women who had been married or had abortions. The changes were heavily resisted, he was dismissed and the old rules were retained. Beck contends that eligibility must be broadened to conform to anti-discrimination laws in New Jersey, where the pageant is based. In its early days in the 1920s and '30s, the pageant was relatively lax about who could participate, but the requirements were tightened after it became a scholarship pageant.

Authorities in Los Angeles are reportedly seeking charges against actress Halle Berry in a Feb. 23, 2000, automobile accident in which she and another woman were injured. The actress allegedly ran a red light and caused the crash. Ms. Berry, who represented the United States in the Miss World Pageant in 1986, has indicated through a spokesman that she feels authorities have misrepresented the facts in the case.

Actress and former beauty queen Halle Berry was hurt in an automobile accident in West Hollywood, Calif., on Feb. 23, 2000. Her injuries were initially reported not to have been serious, but she has since disclosed that she sustained a severe blow causing a large gash in her forehead, which required 15 to 20 stitches. Police have described the accident as a "hit-and-run," but have released few other details. Another person, in a vehicle other than Ms. Berry's, was also hurt. Ms. Berry was Miss Teen All American 1985, Miss Ohio USA 1986 and Miss World USA 1986.

Former casino executive Robert M. Renneisen Jr. has been selected as president and CEO of the Miss America Organization, succeeding Robert L. Beck, who was fired shortly after the pageant in September 1999. Renneisen said he opposes liberalized eligibility rules that were put forward by Beck, and which led to an uproar. The proposed revisions would have opened the pageant system to contestants who had been married or had abortions. The proposal was attacked by traditionalists as contrary to the pageant's values, while some observers speculated that the whole controversy was a publicity stunt to revive public interest in the contest. The changes never were never enacted and are now likely to be forgotten.

Former Miss America co-hosts Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford are splitting up professionally. Ms. Gifford has announced on their daytime talk show, "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee," that she will not remain with the program after July 2000. Ms. Gifford, a former Maryland's Junior Miss, has long been the lively half of the duo, talking frankly about her home life. But in recent months, Philbin has become a TV superstar in his own right, as host of the quiz show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

Suzanne Lawrence-Forsberg, Miss Texas 1990, who turned her previous battle with cancer into a platform in the Miss America system, has been diagnosed with the disease again. She was third runner-up to Miss America 1991 and won the Quality of Life Award for her "Smiles Against Cancer" platform. She and her husband have two very young children. Notes of encouragement and support can be sent to 7812 Park Downs Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Miss Universe 1994, Sushmita Sen, has won the Best Supporting Actress Filmfare award for her role in "Biwi #1." Miss World 1994, Aishwarya Rai won the Best Actress Filmfare award for a Hindi movie called "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam".

Miss Georgia, Osjha Anderson, is the "cover girl" for the February 2000 issue of Georgia magazine, a publication of the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation. The magazine also features an interview with her.

Miss Universe, Mpule Kwelagobe, revisited her native Botswana during the last week of February 2000 for the country's second national conference on HIV/AIDS. Her country has one of the world's highest rates of HIV/AIDS.

Rose Marie Williams, who represented Washington state in the 1958 Miss USA Pageant, was sentenced to 10 days in jail in early February 2000 for running two houses of prostitution disguised as massage parlors in the Seattle area. The case dates to her arrest in late 1998. Ms. Williams, who had a similar conviction in 1971, will also do community service in drug and alcohol counseling. She described herself in court as a recovering alcoholic who has been sober for 24 years.

David Ranns, official photographer for the Mrs. World and Mrs. America pageants, is moderating an online community known as MrsAmerica. Interested parties should check out http://mrsamerica.bizland.com or join by visiting www.onelist.com/subscribe/MrsAmerica.

The pageant-style program "Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire?" airs on FOX television on Feb. 15, 2000. A real-life multimillionaire chooses his new wife from among the contestants. Former Miss America Leanza Cornett is a special guest. Check local listings.

Miss Illinois, Jade Smalls, first runner-up to Miss America 2000, took part in a Valentine's Day extravaganza promoting sexual abstinence and responsibility. The event, in Chicago, was "The Power of Love" Abstinence Fair, staged by Project Reality. Ms. Smalls was one of several beauty queens participating.

Following are upcoming pageant programs on television. Check local listings. "Children's Beauty Pageants," Discovery Channel, Feb 16, 2000; 1999 Fitness America Pageant, ESPN2, Feb. 17; "Behind the Scenes at Miss Universe," E!, Feb. 20; "Behind the Scenes at Miss World," E1, Feb. 19.

Effie Horning, a pageant director and holder of many titles, has been chosen as a member of the Woman's Advisory Board by American Biographers Inc. They are the publishers of books such as "Who's Who Among American High School Students" and "International Who's Who of Professional and Business Women." Those wishing to nominate someone can e-mail Rakssanura@yahoo.com and make it to Ms. Horning's attention.

Latin pop star Jade Esteban Estrada has signed to co-host the Miss Black World National 2001 Pageant in New York on March 5, 2000.

Laura Allen, Universal Royalty National Queen, and Lindsey Walter, Universal Royalty National Petite Queen, appeared recently on German television discussing American pageantry. The two queens, whose system is based in Texas, traveled to Germany to appear on the "The Birte Karalous Show" and "Exclusiv!"

Irene Saez, who was Miss Universe 1981, is stepping down from her duties as governor of Margarita Island in Venezuela because she is pregnant. She said the departure would be temporary, but she may have to win another election to reclaim her seat. Ms. Saez has been active in Venezuelan politics for years. She denied that she stepped aside under pressure from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who is pushing a controversial overhaul of the government. He defeated her overwhelmingly in the 1998 presidential contest, even though she had led in early opinion polls.

Pop star Jack Wagner ("General Hospital," Melrose Place") and Miss America 1998, Kate Shindle, have joined the cast of "Jekyll & Hyde" at Broadway's Plymouth Theatre. Wagner assumed the lead. Ms. Shindle understudies the role of Lucy (made famous by Linda Eder) and is a member of the ensemble.

Heather French, the reigning Miss America, has accepted the proposal of Kentucky Lt. Gov. Steve Henry, and the two will marry a few weeks after she gives up her crown in September 2000. He is 46; she is 25. Several former Miss Americas have married politicians in recent years, but none has had so public a romance while still holding her title. This involvement with an elected official involved in partisan politics reportedly has led to some friction with the Miss America Organization.

Mpule Kwelagobe, the reigning Miss Universe, has become a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Population Fund in her homeland of Botswana. She will focus attention on health care for pregnant women, discouraging teenage pregnancies and preventing the spread of AIDS. Like one of her predecessors, Wendy Fitzwilliam, Ms. Kwelagobe has made the fight against AIDS an important part of her reign. The issue has always been important to American beauty queens, and is now gaining more attention in other nations. Central and southern Africa have some of the world's highest rates of the disease.

Nicole Jensen, Miss Oregon All American 2000, has been selected to be the spokesmodel for the Ending School Violence National Campaign - Ribbon of Promise. She is also a local spokesmodel for the Special Olympics.

A group of rural British women, from their 40s to their 60s, have posed nude for a calendar to raise money for leukemia research. The women, members of the Rylstone and District chapter of the Women's Institute, say this will be a one-time-only event, but they have become celebrities in Britain. This is part of a trend in the country, with men and women from various walks of life posing nude or semi-nude in non-traditional pinup calendars. Advocates say it's a way of helping ordinary people feel comfortable with their bodies.

Former Miss Universe Alicia Machado premiered on Univision in the Mexican television production "Infierno en el Paraiso" on Jan. 24, 2000. Viewers should check local listings for episodes of this continuing drama.

Consuelo Adler Hernández, a model who was Miss International 1997, has married Felipe Aristeguieta Landaeta in her native Caracas, Venezuela. The couple will reside in Paris.

The final showing of the Fitness America Pageant will be Jan. 30, 2000, on ESPN. Check local listings

Heather Whitestone McCallum, Miss America 1995, gave birth to a son on Jan. 15, 2000. She and her husband, John, a businessman and one-time Georgia political candidate, named the baby John Arthur McCallum III. The McCallums met when she was Miss America and he worked on Capitol Hill.

Miss North Carolina, Kelly Trogdon, has joined with the March of Dimes in declaring January 2000 to be National Birth Defects Prevention Month. She has devoted her reign to raising awareness about birth defects. The March of Dimes has worked to fight childhood diseases since the 1930s.

Marie Osmond, co-host of the 2000 Miss America Pageant, has announced an "amicable" separation from her second husband, Brian Blosil. The couple have seven children. Ms. Osmond has acknowledged dealing with postpartum depression after the most recent child's birth. She hosted the Miss America Pageant with her brother and longtime entertainment partner Donny Osmond, and the two veteran performers won favorable reviews.

Marla Maples, a former beauty queen who is divorced from Miss Universe co-owner Donald Trump, has signed to do a book about her life. Her divorce settlement limits what she can say about the marriage, however.

Christina Ellington, 1999 Miss Teen Connecticut Achievement and first runner-up to the national title, has won the role of Maria in a local production of "West Side Story," opening in May 2000.

Donald Trump, co-owner of the Miss Universe Pageant, reportedly has split with girlfriend Melania Knauss, a model. He formerly was married to one-time beauty queen Marla Maples.

Darlene Deeben, the reigning Ms. Virginia Woman and former Mrs. Virginia America, was a runner-up in the "Baywatch Hawaii" Lifeguard Contest. Her photo is on display at www.baywatch.com along with the winners of the competition and other runners-up. She's a model who recently did a commercial with her family for the Washington Post and one with her children for the National Football League.

Heather French, the reigning Miss America, has been chosen Kentuckian of the Year by Kentucky Monthly magazine. She is on the cover of its December 1999 issue. She was the first Kentucky competitor to claim the Miss America crown.

Holly Roehl, a former Miss Georgia Teen USA and a former Miss Indiana USA, is currently working as a reporter at WJXX, the ABC affiliate in Jacksonville. 

Lourdes Rivera, Miss Guam, helped ring in the New Year as 2000 arrived in the United States. Guam is the first piece of U.S. territory where each new day arrives, and thanks to millennium fever, all eyes were on the island, and on Ms. Rivera.

Spotted during the holidays:
A Miss USA contestant visited a college bowl game, and a publicist persuaded the male cheerleading squad from one school to toss the beauty into the air. But when the other school's cheerleaders were asked to do the same, they politely refused, citing legal liability. Though the queen kept smiling throughout, a PNB observer said she actually seemed a bit relieved at the second group's refusal. She'll be in Branson safe and sound.

Professional boxer Oscar De La Hoya is reported to be under investigation in a Los Angeles rape case. He has not been charged. The identity of the alleged victim has not been disclosed. He is married to a former Miss USA, Shanna Moakler.

Fitness consultant and author Mike Fifrick, who has trained many beauty queens, is a featured writer in the Winter 1999 issue of Hooters magazine. The article is titled "Targeting the Abdominals." The magazine is published by the Hooters restaurant chain, which uses the attractiveness of its waitresses as a marketing theme. Hooters also holds its own beach-style beauty contests.

Model and aspiring actress Heather Dunn, younger sister of Miss Georgia USA Patti Dunn, married Jason DeVan on Dec. 26, 1999. He is a fast-rising young actor in Los Angeles, and the couple will reside there.

Movie actress Halle Berry, a former Miss Teen All American and competitor at Miss World, reportedly plans to marry musician Eric Benet in 2000. She is divorced from baseball star David Justice.

Shawnae Jebbia, Miss USA 1998, will be co-hosting, for the second time, the CBS program "Coming Up Roses," to be aired before the Rose Parade. This is an hour-long look at "behind the scenes" events leading up to the parade.

The Miss America Pageant reportedly is considering holding its next finals in October 2000, not in mid-September as has been the custom over the decades. This would supposedly prevent its being overshadowed in TV viewership by the Sydney Olympics, scheduled for September.

DiabetesWell, an online health care delivery service, has announced that Miss America 1999, Nicole Johnson., is joining its advisory board. Ms. Johnson, a diabetic, made diabetes awareness her cause during her reign.

Elizabeth Ward Gracen, Miss America 1982, who in 1992 became the first former Miss America to pose for Playboy magazine, has filed for bankruptcy, blaming debts incurred by a former boyfriend. Ms. Gracen, who has starred on the TV series "Highlander," made headlines in 1998 when she confirmed that she had a sexual liaison with fellow Arkansan Bill Clinton before he became president. She said the initiative was hers, and she denied reports that he had raped her.

Following are some pageants and pageant-related programs to air in December 1999. Check local listings for exact times: 

• Fitness America Pageant - Dec. 20 on ESPN2
• Fitness Universe Pageant - Dec. 13 on ESPN2 
• Mrs. World on the PAX Network on Dec. 18 and Dec. 19.

Maria Beall, Mrs. Virginia America 1999-2000, is shooting a fitness commercial with Denise Austin on Dec. 7, 1999. Dates for the nationwide airing of the commercial will be announced later. Mrs. Beall, a fitness instructor, will also be shooting a commercial for Atlantic Tanning in the month of December.

Aishwarya Rai, Miss World 1994, and Sushmita Sen, Miss Universe 1994, reportedly will co-star in a movie in their homeland of India. The two friendly rivals are affectionately known to Indians as Ash and Sush.

Caroline Parler, homecoming queen at the University of South Carolina, has been selected as a Rhodes scholar. The award for outstanding scholarship allows her to continue her studies at Oxford University in England. Ms. Parler is also a dancer and marathon runner.

Kate Shindle, Miss America 1998, has gained a spate of media attention with the revelation that she is working as a waitress in New York. She is far from being down and out She continues to pursue her career as an actress and singer. She also remains a major spokeswoman in the fight against AIDS.

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