Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
David Tingey/DonoghuePhotography.com
2011 Miss Universe Leila Lopes of Angola walks down a catwalk during the official welcome of the 89 contestants in the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Hollywood on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012.
Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 | 11:37 p.m.
2012 Miss Universe fashion show
2012 Miss Universe fashion show
Stunning! Majestic! Leggy! These are 89 of the most gorgeous girls in the world, and they are all wishing their rivals good luck to win Miss Universe. Those megawatt smiles are genuine, and many of them could easily go onto swimsuit supermodel success or become a new James Bond beauty.
Tonight, Las Vegas met them all together for the first time on a fashion runway set up at Planet Hollywood. Reigning Miss Universe Leila Lopes of Angola introduced them one by one as they strutted down the catwalk in gowns and outfits reflecting the countries they represented.
Our thanks to Richard Corey for video posted on YouTube; check back Friday for a photo gallery from the fashion show by David Tingey of Donoghue Photography.
Despite tottering on high heels and walking inches at a time like petite Miss Thailand, not one of the pageant princesses tripped over their floor-length outfits. 2012 Miss Malaysia Kimberley Leggett, 19, and 2012 Miss Indonesia Maria Selena, 22, were modest, but 2012 Miss Colombia Daniella Alvarez, 24, mesmerized with thigh-high slits.
The audience cheered for 2012 Miss Mexico Karina Gonzalez, 21, 2012 Miss France Marie Payet, 20, 2012 Miss Venezuela Irene Sofia Quintero, 21, 2012 Miss South Africa Melinda Bam, 23, and 2012 Miss USA Olivia Culpo, 20, and I gave a shout-out for 2012 Miss Great Britain Holly Hale, 22.
Miss Universe President Paula Shugart, celebrating her birthday today, told me: “It is amazing just how beautiful these girls are. More importantly, they are all genuinely wonderful, and whoever wins will be a great representative for Miss Universe.”
“They have hard work and long days preparing for the pageant, and so far nobody is showing any nerves. I love their confidence and determination.”
In advance of Monday’s full release of glamour photographer Fadil Berisha’s lingerie portraits of the contestants, Vegas DeLuxe has six more in this preview. We posted the first of the lingerie photos with Miss Croatia on Wednesday.
It’s a busy “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” day for the glamour girls. This morning, they were at Bally’s to meet, dance and pose with the “Jubilee!” dancers as part of the NBC telecast Dec. 19.
Our thanks to contributing photographer Tom Donoghue for his gallery; he captured numerous candid shots afterward of contestants’ blogging and tweeting on their cell phones.
The night ended with dinner at Robert Earl’s Buca di Beppo on East Flamingo, where I interviewed several contestants for the first time, and we’ll post those photos over the weekend.
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.
Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.
Catering to the young and modern crowd, Planet Hollywood is a one-stop shop for entertainment with its massive shopping mall, slew of restaurants, spacious casino and clubs.
The ambiance of the casino is retro-chic meets high-tech with black granite floors throughout and colorful LED lights throughout the space. The theme carries into the 100,000 square-foot casino with 250 flat screens topping off slot machines. The casino is also home to 87 tables, a sports book and a poker room.
There's also the Miracle Mile Shops, one Vegas' largest malls, with 140 stores including BCBG Max Azaria, bebe, Urban Outfitters and The Discovery Channel Store.
Following an afternoon of shopping, guests can satisfy their appetites at one of the gourmet restaurants in Planet Hollywood, like the non-traditional approach to steakhouses at Strip House or check out the exotic Far East motif at KOI restaurant and lounge. And if guests are still looking for more, they can spend the after hours at Privé, Triq or Krave nightclubs.
Perhaps one of the resorts biggest attractions came in March with the addition of "Peepshow." The naughty twist on the story of Little Bo Peep is modern-day spin on the run-of-the-mill Vegas topless review. The "Peepshow" stage has seen visiting celebs like Scary Spice Mel B, "Dancing with the Stars" Kelly Monaco and Playboy's Holly Madison.
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.
Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy.
If you would like to submit your comment as a letter to the editor, you may submit it here.