THIS YEAR PERFORMERS WILL ROCK THE STAGE

Flo-Rida, Kelly Rowland (w David Guetta) and Heidi Montag to perform during the Miss Universe telecast on Aug. 23

Heidi Pratt is heading back to NBC.

The “Hills” blonde, who doubles as an aspiring pop star, will perform during the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant telecast next month, Access Hollywood can exclusively reveal.

Heidi treated fans to snippets of her singing while in the Costa Rican jungle earlier this summer on “I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!” and viewers of the Miss Universe Pageant will get to check out what Heidi sounds like on the big stage on August 23.

Heidi will perform the song “Turn Ya Head” off her debut album, “Unleashed,” which came out in July.

Other stars who are set to take the stage at the pageant, which will be co-hosted by Access‘ own Billy Bush and “Celebrity Apprentice” star Claudia Jordan, include Flo Rida, Kelly Rowland and dance kingpin David Guetta.

Flo Rida will perform “Right Round” and “Jump” as a two-song medley during the pageant’s swimsuit competition.

Kelly and David will perform the song, “When Love Takes Over” together during the evening gown portion of competition.

The Miss Universe 2009 Pageant airs August 23 at 9 PM on NBC.

(extracted from Globalbeauties.com) 

Nationalista by Leslie Kee

THE OFFICIAL PICTURES

This is what I just sent to the Miss Universe Organization. All directors have been asked to send a picture for the program and the website this year.
Leslie Kee (lesliekeesuperstar.com) took these pictures and it took 7 designers to execute the costume, including the hair & make up artists. From an initial design idea, It was directed by Yoshiyuki Ogata, the designer of the red samurai costume, which won best national costume with Kurara in 2006.
150 media outlets attended today press conference in Tokyo today. I am now in the South of France with my sons also i wasn’t there.

It has surely created a huge PR buzz around the world which was the concept, also it worked as planned. The conservative and fashion-dinosaurs are critisizing her costume, meanwhile the fashionistas love it. I care only about the movers and shakers in the fashion  industry. My vibe is of Junya Watanabe, Yoji Yamamto, Issey Miyake, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen,  Cavalli and Dolce & Gabanna likes. They have created a new area in fashion and they mind works like mine.  I love fierce versus safe, this is who I am and will always be. I want to bring the image of beauty queens to a level wich matches mine and not stuggle to remain safe and politically correct. I believe that traditional beauty queens are irrelevant in today world, and this is what most of people think. Actually,  this is sadly the real reason why TV ratings around the world are dropping and why pageant houses have to close down their operations, instead they should reinvent themselves. In Japan, our media exposures have exploded since the past 5 years because we deliver a work that fits today entertainment expectation.

Emiri is now packing with her team and will fly tomorrow afternoon to Miami where she has a few TV and magazines interviews. She will also prepare slowly her skin for the heat and dramatic sun of the Bahamas and will not burn. She will stay in Miami for a week and will fly by private helicopter to Nassau with her entourage. She will have a dinner at the Japanese Embassy with the Consul while in Miami.

Special thanks to American Airlines for flying Emiri in first class to Miss Universe!

Love always and to all, ines

THE BAHAMAS!

THE BAHAMAS TO HOST

THE 2009 MISS UNIVERSE® pageant

AUGUST 23rd LIVE ON NBC

NEW YORK, NY – March 4, 2009 — Donald J. Trump, NBC Universal and Paula M. Shugart, President, Miss Universe Organization, announced today that the 58th Annual MISS UNIVERSE® Competition will air live from Paradise Island, Bahamas.  The glamorous live event, featuring some of the world’s most beautiful women, will take place at Atlantis, Paradise Island resort and air live on NBC and Telemundo on Sunday, August 23rd this summer.

ニューヨーク−2009年3月4日 — NBC Universal、ドナルド・J・トランプ氏と、ミスユニバース機構プレジデント、Paula M. Shugart氏は本日、第58回MISS UNIVERSE®世界大会はバハマ、パラダイス島で開催されると発表した。世界最高の美女たちによる、この魅力的な大会は、パラダイス島のリゾート、アトランティスで行われ、NBCとTelemundoで今夏8月23日（日）に生放送される。

“Paradise. There is no better name for the beauty of the Bahamas and this island,” said Paula M. Shugart.  “The worldwide telecast will highlight the warmth, beauty and hospitality of the Islands of the Bahamas as well as the world renowned Atlantis resort.  We have had a wonderful working relationship with the Bahamas and Atlantis for many years and I’m very excited this global event will take that partnership to a whole new level.”
「パラダイス。バハマとこの島の美しさに、これ以上の名前はありません。」とPaula M. Shugart氏は言う。「世界放送によって、世界に名高いアトランティスリゾートとともに、このバハマ諸島の暖かさ、美しさ、おもてなしも注目されることになるでしょう。私たちは何年もの間、バハマ、アトランティスと素晴らしい仕事関係を持ってきました。そしてこの世界的なイベントが私たちの関係を更に上のレベルにすることにとても興奮しています。」

“The people of The Bahamas are very proud and excited at the opportunity to host some of the most beautiful people in the universe in some of the most beautiful islands in the universe,” said The Bahamas’ Minister of Tourism & Aviation, Senator Hon. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace.  “This feels like the perfect match. We look forward to showcasing the hospitality of our people, the clarity of our waters, the vibrancy of our music, dance, food and spirit.”
「バハマの人々は、この全世界の最も美しい島々のひとつで、全世界で最も美しい人々を招くという機会をとても誇りで思い、とても興奮しています。」とバハマ観光庁大臣、Hon. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace議員は言う。「素晴らしい組み合わせだと感じています。私たちは、我々のおもてなし、水のきれいさ、音楽、ダンス、食と精神の響きを紹介するのを楽しみにしています。」

“’Discovery’ and ‘wonder’ describe what we can expect in summer. We look forward to exposing the contestants, and the world, to our amazing Bahamas Islands,” said George Markantonis, President of Kerzner International Bahamas Ltd. “An event showcasing the most beautiful part of the globe to the rest of the planet. Atlantis resort, along with all of Nassau’s exemplary hotels, is proud to be a part of this great event. We can’t wait!”
「この夏私たちが期待しているものは『発見』と『驚き』です。コンテスタント、そして世界に、素晴らしきバハマ諸島をお見せするのを楽しみにしています。」とKerzner International Bahamas Ltd.プレジデントのGeorge Markantonis氏は言う。「この地球のすべての人に、この世界の最も美しい部分をお見せせるイベント。アトランティスリゾートは、ナッソーの立派なホテルを構え、このすばらしいイベントに関われることを誇りに思います！待ちきれません！」

Venezuelan native Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the telecast.  During her reign, she has traveled all over the world as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research, and legislation. The newly crowned Miss Universe will go on to do the same.
Miss Universe 2008、ヴェネズエラのDayana Mendozaは、放送の最後に彼女の後継者に栄誉を与える。在位期間中、彼女はHIV/AIDS教育、研究、法律の支持者として世界中を旅した。新しくMiss Universeに輝いた方も同様に活動する。

Each contestant from more than 80 countries around the world will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vie for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2009. In recent years, worldwide distribution of the popular competition has topped more than 170 countries.
世界80ヶ国以上から集まるそれぞれのコンテスタントは、水着、イブニングガウン、インタビューの３つのカテゴリーでジャッジされ、誰もが欲しがるMiss Universe 2009のタイトルのために戦う。近年では、世界的に人気のあるこの大会が、170ヶ国を超える国々で開催されている。

Donald J. Trump and Phil Gurin will again serve as Executive Producers for MISS UNIVERSE® 2009.
Donald J. Trump氏とPhil Gurin氏がMISS UNIVERSE® 2009のエグゼクティブプロデューサーを務める。

Autistic Girl in Pageant

See the article HERE in The Time Newspaper

MIMA CHAN for MARIA H.

THE MAKING-OFF BACKSTAGE

I LOVE HIROKO WITHOUT ANY MAKE-UP, SHE LOOKS STUNNINGLY-FRESH

FUN RIYO IN HER SHOE (dress partizia pepe, shoes YSL)

Comments for the PICTURES at the bottom of my post:

After the show, I cannot remember what Hiroko was telling me, but we laugh so much for a while. Riyo trying the fruits, we actually came back home around 11;30 pm and we prepared a diner for us at midnight and spoke until almost 2 am! This was the first night we could chat since Riyo is back in Japan. Right after Vietnam, Riyo was so cute, she asked me:

- hot mama, (she calls me like this) can I ask you something?

-Yes of course I replied…

-Can I leave with you for sometimes, the time I find a place I like for me to live in Tokyo?

-As long as you wish Riyo chan

I was so happy because I love spending time with Riyo. I remember before she went to Miss Universe in Mexico, she was staying at my home ( a private mini-studio inside my home) and in the evening after my office hours, i would come back home, remove my shoes, drop my bags and knock on her door..

-Riyo are you up? Do you want to join me for diner?…

-ah! you’here! Of course!

Then we would seat at the dining table and we would talk for hours, about life, career, family, ambition, respect, love, passion, trust, our past experiences, etc.

Riyo is the first winner who lived part-time, at home with my family before the Miss Japan pageant, then full-time after winning. Then Hiroko did as well this year after winning Miss Japan, and returning from Miss Universe, she was a true regal as well.

Riyo and Hiroko by living with me, my family, really helped me to understand young women and mostly young Japanese women, because they are unique, special and mostly I would say they are different from the rest of the world. I have lived in France, Spain, Africa, Japan and Hong Kong, also I met many kind of women, each with a  different cultural and social background, but I keep being amazed by Japanese women, they have a deep soul, they are grounded, respectful, they hold a lot of values in life which I deeply respect and appreciate.

I truly admire Japanese women for their strong identity. This is what foreigners are not able to catch at first glance when they visit Japan, neither when they cross their path outside Japan. This is why I am blessed, I was given the honor and responsibility to train them and to introduce them to the world each year. I am proud with my duty to show the world how amazing the young generation of Japanese women is. They are emerging, growing, glowing and becoming top leaders in many different fields in their own country.

top left:     Aki, our MUJ official make-up artist since years

Behind the Curtain - Stuart Jay Raj

You should check this blog….. to find out about some behind the scenes of Miss Universe pageant.

http://stujay.blogspot.com/

SHARING AN INTERVIEW I DID IN JULY WITH A.P. (AGENCE PRESSE)

• A.P.:  Two years in a row, you’ve led 2 Japanese women, Ms. Kurara Chibana and Ms. Riyo Mori, to the 2nd place and the winner of Miss Universe  competition. How do you think about the achievements of Kurara and Riyo?  

I believe they represent the movement, the evolution that is happening since the past 10 years among Japanese young women. They are becoming much more outgoing, confident and opinioned. They feel free to challenge themselves on a global level, which better it was unheard of. Both Kurara and Riyo’s biggest motivation is to be a good role model for women in Japan and also for Japanese women leaving outside Japan. This is a good thing because Japanese women need to have a role model, it has been lacking in Japanese society I would say, and it is good if they can relate to someone of their own and someone that gives them hope and a high goal to reach.  

• - Do you think that they are representing today’s Japanese beauty? And how do you think so? 

Women in Japan are becoming very self-conscious about health and education issues. Also they are keen to learn different languages in order to travel and communicate with people from different cultures. They are also conscious of the importance to find the right balance between work and life-style; they are keen to archive their career dreams. They want to feel good about themselves, which is what Kurara and Riyo have achieved, mastered and demonstrated, not only on a national scale but on a global level. They are regular Japanese women from Okinawa and Shizuoka and based on their hard work they have been able to prove that anyone can be beautiful. -

• Kurara and Riyo seemed to discover their strengths in beauty which are “global” and at the same time “ethnic.  What do you think is Japanese beauty today? 

Japanese beauty is represented by women who have high goals in life, well educated, humanistic, aware and healthy. They have beautiful faces, healthy hair, slim and fit bodies, and beautiful skin. They are also very sophisticated and humble. But they have the strongest will and would do anything to reach their dream. They are very hard working. All these criteria combine to create the unique characteristics of Japanese beauty today. I could seen it when I came to Japan, I knew that this uniqueness was buried inside of them, and that they just needed to find their own confidence to glow.   -

• Stereotypically, Japanese women are known to be timid, but do you see any change in Japanese women’s mind after the achievements of  Kurara and Riyo? 

In Japan role models in the entertainment field are never making decisions of their own and always have someone, a manager, making decisions for them regarding the way they should project themselves in the media, they have to be reserved, conservative. Women in general tend to imitate this to feel safe. Anyway, why should they take a risk? In Japan you are never rewarded for being different but you are nailed down if something goes wrong. Also young women feel they always should play safe….  Now Kurara and Riyo have both been displaying a totally different attitude/image, they have displayed a great deal of self confidence but they remain humble and polite. People now start to see that you can dress seductively, act confidently and speak out freely without being perceived as impolite or arrogant. And I believe that they are inspiring a lot of young women in Japan. I can see high-changes in different fields already, such as in movies, music and fashion. Also in the office environment, in the fashion districts streets, at business meetings that I attend, and at social events. I live in downtown Tokyo and my world is quite niche I am aware of it, but big trends always start in main cities and then democratize to the rest of the country. There is no doubt in my mind that women today have more confidence, they are laughing freely, they walk more sensually, they dress more fiercely and they are definitely more engaged in conversation,.  It is a question of time, and every ten years there is a social movement in any part of the world. In Japan those movements are faster, they take place within 5 years only. I am so excited to see the outcome within the female society in 2012. I can forecast that many more women will be seated in the President’s seat of big multi-national companies by 2020. And yes, I might be perceived as pretentious, but I do not mind saying honestly that I believe my work has been one of the strong detonators of these positive changes. Confidence is contagious, beauty gives power, happiness brings success, and this is what my coaching is all about. My motto in life is that if you educate one girl, you educate an entire generation. Women are the absolute key to positive changes in any society. I am a passionate person and if I do my work with so much intensity it is because I get so much reward from working with Japanese girls, they are inspiring; they are fighters with a big heart. I hate beauty queens, I would also never consider manufacturing packaged-women to represent their country on a global stage, instead I try to enhance the best of their personality and mind and put invisible wings for them to fly high. I love the women that become finalists and then winners because they understand the meaning of their power among other young girls and they feel the mission to teach the right exempla to them. They are little missionaries with a big goal, and I am very proud of being the architect of this process.     -

• In some past interview, you said that you wanted to liberate  Japanese women, what is your biggest mission as a director of Miss  Universe Japan? 

My biggest mission is to teach women to show their personality, think out of the box and not to try to hide behind a safe-attitude. I teach them to show their uniqueness, which is untaught in Japan. From an early age, student wear an uniform, they walk in a line, 2 by 2. They speak when asked a question and have to answer with over-humbleness. They are not supposed to ask questions or “why?” but instead they have to follow the rules even if they do not understand the reason behind them.  To me they have been conditioned, modeled as clones and never truly encouraged, embrassed and complimented by their family. They are put big pressure on by the society but not given any manual about how to succeed in life. They do not understand the power of their own sensuality; they are not aware of how to display them selves or how to use their feminity.  

• -How do you believe you can liberate Japanese women? Any example? 
  

I teach them by complimenting them, helping them to appreciate their body, their face, their neck, breast, bottom, arms, legs, body muscles and most importantly their curves. A 3 way mirrors tells you everything about yourself, your image, your aura, how people will perceive you. I teach them to judge/see themselves with indulgence, compassion. I teach them to love themselves instead of being self-critical.  I teach them to be independent, to have high goals, to focus on their positive attributes,   -

• Being a French woman, do you think it is influential on your position, the director of Miss Universe Japan? and how does/does not it help? 

It helps a lot! I can get away by not following the rules, The grass is always greener somewhere else, also young women tend to think that if I am French I must know better,,,,,,  and they play more attention and trust in my saying rather than if I was a Japanese person.  -

• Many people tend not to take this kind of beauty pageants and its candidates very seriously, how do you think it influences positively/negatively on the candidates’ self-confidence? 

I was the first one to think this way 10 years ago, that beauty pageants were just a joke, old-fashion and completely empty of any outcome for the girls entering them. (and sometimes trust me I still feel this way! But this is human, who doesn’t sometimes doubt about his product?!).  I worked with fashion models and celebrities since many years, and before, I thought that was the real deal,. But then when I got hired by the Miss Universe Organization, I started understanding the reward of helping young girls to find their inner beauty and to help them develop into a spokesperson and a role model in their own country. Models represent an very small percentage women, they have a body that regular women will never obtain even if they stop eating and pray all day to grow 20 more centimeters. Model purpose is to sell clothes and products. Their photos are retouched in the magazines; they bring false dreams to young women.  Instead, :my “girls”  work hard to deliver a message of confidence, self-esteem, awareness, healthy lifestyle tips, compassion and trust.  What beauty pageant teaches to young girls is exactly this. It teaches hem how to archive their goals in life. It teaches them to believe in themselves, to be independent and aware about world issues.  But….. I am speaking for my own work, and I understand that some part of the world there are maybe pageant-organizers just trying to make money but this is a fact for many businesses, not only for beauty pageants. Each year the Miss Universe Organization gathers all the National Directors together, (we are about 80), so that we can exchange ideas and get to work together and I promise they are all good people with a true respect for women and to their work. But again, there are a lot of beauty competitions around, I am only talking about what I know, which is the Miss Universe competition..    -

• In recent years, Shiseido, a major cosmetic company, keeps appealing that “Japanese women are beautiful” on their shampoo (Tsubaki) campaign which makes many Japanese women discover their own beauty. Do you see it positive or important for Japanese women to have self-confidence about beauty? And why? 

Of course it is very important to feel confident as it is a step toward beauty. Definitely!  -

• What is your prognosis of this year’s Japanese candidate on coming world competition? 

All I can say is that we worked very hard this year again as a team and whatever the results will be we will be happy with it. NHK, the national broadcaster of Japan is doing a one-hour program about the preparations, I am very happy that Japanese young women will be able to see the determination and the focus of their national team! They will feel the power of confidence and the power of Hiroko herself, it is very inspiring and I am very proud of her.  I would like to point out that we represent the winners after Miss Universe and we help them with their career, we help them to archive their professional dream.   

• What happen to your winners after their year is over? 

After their year is over, we give them the option to represent them. We work for them, they are our client, they have a full say about their career moves and deal negotiations.  2006, Miss Universe first runner-up, Kurara Chibana whom my company represents and manages. Kurara has currently 6 major campaigns in place,. (Includes: Maybelline NY worldwide, Narita airport, New Balance, Konami gym, Toyota, Kao toiletries). She is a regular on 2 television programs as a reporter and is the monthly cover of top fashion magazine called DOMANI, with a 12-pages fashion spread monthly. 2007 Miss Universe, Riyo Mori comes back to Japan in a few weeks and she will be also represented and managed by us. We have endorsement deals and a top fashion magazine cover annual deal waiting for her. Also Riyo owns a dance school in Shizuoka which will be opened before the end of the month, where she will teach regularly, this has always been her dream, she actually said when she won that she would like to teach patience to the next generation and teaching ballet can be one great tool..  Riyo is currently ROLEX worldwide image and the campaign now runs in all VOGUE magazines around the world. Riyo would like to start an acting career if she was given a good opportunity.   2008 Miss Universe Japan is also represented by us and will work for the sponsors for a year, be a spokesperson for the organization. Her wish is to be a sport-reporter on television.  Thanks for reading…. 

MEET GABRIELLE WALCOTT

Gabrielle will represent the Islands of Trinidad & Tobago at the Miss World pageant. Strikking!

TALKING TO YOU

XOXO, thanks! Yanina, I will try to get someone in my office translating it for you.   Momoko, I like Raquel Z. very much as well, she is so photogenic. Good choices you have in your list.

Yuka, thank you dear. Yes, you can do it!

Hillary, good for you! Recuerdos from France to you in NYC

Cassio, get ready to start soon with MUJ 2009. I will check your website.

Everyone…. you should check as well at www.cassiophoto.com

Marie, Kenda and Fan, unfortunately my 2 books will not be published fr now in English. I do not have their translation either, Sorry dear.

Moon, I heard it is a real canicule in Miami now, be careful!
Kumiko, you should attend the seminar that we will hold in Osaka and Tokyo together with Riyo and Hiroko in September. Riyo came back and she has a blog: www.moririyo.net
The NHK program of 60 minutes will be aired in September. Cannot tell the date yet. Will do as soon as I can reveal it publicly.

Koyuki, see you at the auditions! Send your application now.

Karen, this is great!!! Omedeto gozaimasu!! Apply to MUJ 2009 then!

Bruce merci beaucoup!!

Ed, hello Mister Global Beauties! wow, you are a real globe-trotter darling! Good seing you in Nha Trang. Big hugs

Avis, definitely you should apply! If you have a Japanese passport then you can aply to Miss Universe Japan. Go for it now!
Kikukoro and Mai, aligato gozaimasu! I am happy to hear that my book is helping you to feel beautiful and happy.Much love, ines

· Kenda, Good questions… yes I would have loved to have a daughter but I had only 3 sons. But, in some ways I feel I have many daughters because I keep close relationship with some past finalists and ; I love Kurara, Riyo and Hiroko as my own child. I always tell them that I love them very much, they know it. My destiny was to have many incredible girls around me. I am their super-nann, making sure that they will have a happy and successful life. I also keep contact with Satomi Ogawa (1999) and with Mayu Endo (2000). I also see often Miyako Miyazaki (2003) as she leaves in Tokyo. But I did not take care of their career after they reign was over and they grew on their own. Yes I travel a lot and I also work long hours during the year, but my son being very sick when he was a baby, has make me very careful and I always give them tons of attention and lots of love. I am very tactile and affectionate and they get millions of hugs and kisses when I am with them.

· Danni, Thank you. And ….boys do cry and I think it is deep-touching for a man to cry for a woman. My son is very special as he loves infinitely and it is beautiful. Good news,,,, they are back together. He is happy again! And me too! Elvira and Ann,Well,,,, I had Ben when I was 21 only! Thanks for the compliment. Ryoko and Oliva, Merci you are both really sweet! Momoko,You will see how beautiful and amazing it is to be a mom. The best feeling in the world indeed! Leesora and Marie,Yes I read as well that Dayana had her nose retouched and her breast plumbed. I think that she looks very natural with the end results also good for her. But I think that small breast can be very cool, like Kate Moss or Carolyn Murphy for exempla. Momoko,Go for it! Read tons of books and newspapers until you start. Make your bran work hard, eat healthy, dance and let your hair grow from now.

· Jude,You are a star making me feel like one as well. Thank you very much.I will not be attending the Miss Korea pageant because I will be in France until the 20th. Osmel and Gabriel did invite me to see their pageant. I cannot be a judge as I am a director. I will try to go there, I would love too. The Miss Venezuela pageant is out of this world, totally incredible I heard; also I would love to attend it. We will see…. Because we will be starting a caravan-audition-tour for Miss Universe Japan 2009 (in Okaka and Tokyo) together with Riyo and Hiroko, something like the American Idol audition that you can see on Fox. This is a first this year. I might as well travel to different cities in Japan if we receive a lot of applications from specific areas like Okinawa or Kiushu.
· Note::: PLEASE SEND YOUR APPLICATION NOW IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO COMPETE THIS YEAR!
Sorry Jude, but I am not interested in other pageant than Miss Universe… only the best always!

· Avis,You are welcome dear!

· Tammy,My secret is that I have the best nanny in the world, her name is Juliet, she is Filipina and she is part of my family, without her I could not be doing what I love and I would not be here writing to you. I owe her so much. WE LOVE JULIET! My advise: you should hire a good nanny. Filipinas are the best as they are very caring and loving and hard workers.

Oye,Miss International took the MW rights again and will send the second winner to Miss World. I have no idea, but believe she has yet to be elected. Good luck to whoever goes. Hiroko did a very good job and I am very proud of her. Miss Panama was beautiful and fun, too bad as you said.

Jay,On my mobile site there are some options to download like when the phone rings and my voice comes up saying: BONJOUR! PLEASE ANSWER THE PHONE… SOMEBODY IS HERE? MOSHI MOSHI? ECT… I will be back in Japan on the 20th , then off to Beijing to see the finals of the Olympics Games with my children and my husband. Then MUJ 2009 starts!

Juliet darling!Luca and Noa are fine, Noa leaves on Monday for a week to attend a school of Circus! It is called The Companie Malabar. He will be leaving in a roulette or a tent and travel around the region with 11 other children of his age. Then on Sunday we will go and see the circus show when Noa will be performing! Sugoi desu ne?! We miss you ate-Jul, very very much desu. We love you, ines and the ninnies

HIROKO Q&A SESSION FOR THE MISS UNIVERSE WEBSITE

Thank you so much Stephen for translating Hiroko’s anwers for me right away!!!!! This is so sweet of you!  

Q&A session for the MUO website

see JAPAN INTERVIEW!

Ans for Q1: My favorite subject is Physical Education. Since I was a kid, I really loved physical activities and right now I am majoring in Physical Education at the University. Through various learnings in physical education, I was able to get involved in athletic events like high jump, so as a result, I aspire even more to have a beautiful body… body that is fit for being a Miss Universe.

Ans for Q2: “I like everything”… I love eating! Eating makes me really happy! Actually, I really love sweets but it makes me kinda fat, considering my body structure. So now, I try my best to control my diet. I eat a lot of fruits or vegetable salad.

Ans for Q3: Gifts in any form makes me really happy whenever I receive them. As for me, the most memorable gift I ever received was the one I received during Christmas. There was one time that during Christmas I woke up on my pillow getting no surprise gift at all, and it made me really sad. I kinda believed that Santa thought I wasn’t a good girl. However when I went to my desk there was a small aquarium with five swimming frogs in it!!! Being a girl, receiving frogs as a gift was really surprising, but since I love animals I did my best to take care of them.

Ans for Q4: Being involved in sports since I was a kid, and being active in high jump events actually gave me reputation for being a bit boyish. So when I took the challenge to join Miss Universe Japan and eventually became “Miss Japan”, it dawned to me that I have to act with elegance and to be more feminine (in terms of gestures). Yet, I still believe that the “boyishness” in me will still remain because it’s part of who I am.

Ans for Q5: Two really important items or accessories for me are these two rings. The golden ring on the lower end was given to me by my father and mother as a present, while the other ring was given to me by my partner in the Miss Universe Japan pageant fashion show. During the pageant, there was a situation when I was called as the winner, my guy partner would give it to me as a gesture of proposal. Actually, I never get rid of these rings wherever I go!