"Making up her eyes to emphasize her 'Oriental Exoticism' isn't a look that really appeals to Japanese."

Arrogant and dumb: Local celeb hacks slam Miss Universe Riyo Mori

Riyo Mori, the 2007 Miss Universe, is copping a beating from the domestic media, according to Shukan Shincho (7/19).

"There were loads of reporters who saw her who said the first thing that came to mind was 'How the hell did she become Miss Universe?'" an entertainment beat reporter tells Shukan Shincho. "I thought that making up her eyes to emphasize her 'Oriental Exoticism' isn't a look that really appeals to Japanese.

"What really shocked me was the arrogant way she went about things. She used a microphone to point at the reporters asking her questions, and the way she stood with her hands on her hips as she talked created a bad impression. That might be the way they do things in America, but a female Japanese performer would never act that way. She looked down on Japan, too, by saying that she had no idea who her favorite Japanese performer was. And when one reporter asked her what it felt like to have been chosen as the world's most beautiful women, she spat, 'That's a mistake. Miss Universe is not a beauty contest.' That got most of the reporters tittering."

Mori is apparently taking steps to try and gain some popular supportใ

"She's contacting all the biggest talent agencies to find out if they're interested in putting her on their books. Miss Universe has to spend a year traveling around the world and helping out with AIDS charities, so any concrete moves won't be able to come out until the year after next," a TV industry insider says.

Mori can take heart from the success of Kurara Chibana, the runner-up in last year's Miss Universe contest who now works as a reporter for a TV current affairs program called "News Zero."

But the entertainment beat reporter is not too bullish about the 20-year-old beauty queen's chances in Japan's cutthroat entertainment world.

"Considering she won the title, she has fair grounds to think she'll do better (than Chibana). But she's not really the best speaker in the world and hasn't got any of the intellect apparent in Chibana, a graduate of the prestigious Sophia University," the showbiz reporter tells Shukan Shincho. "And with the arrogance that she's got, it makes the average woman working on TV look a lot more attractive." (By Ryann Connell)

mainichi.msn

... she IS incredibly ugly

I didnt think she was that pretty either, but arrogant? Hrmm, i guess the japanese people really dont like that trait in their celebs, so her chances of making it in the industry isnt very high now is it.

me too,i don't think she's pretty......she should pay more respect to other people,she has to respect her home land and she also has to remember that she's Miss Universe not miss pretty.....why the hell did she win if her attitude is like that??........Kurara Chibana is way better

Wow.. she does sound really arrogant... eww. I just hate such people... and when I checked out her photos... she isn't that OH SO GORGEOUS or PRETTY either.

Asian Bite

[font=Trebuchet MS]Riyo Mori may have done her country proud by winning the Miss Universe crown, but it seems her countrymen are not exactly proud of her apparently non-Japanese ways.

One major gripe is that she is not kawaii - cute - enough. Nor is the cosmopolitan-looking woman deemed a good representative of conventional Japanese standards of beauty.

Some quarters were also 'annoyed' that she dressed as a geisha during the National Costume segment, saying that doing so was 'too much like Hollywood glitz'.


Now, the 21-year-old dancer has drawn media flak for being 'arrogant and dumb', Mainichi Daily News reported last week, quoting Shukan Shinco magazine.

An entertainment news scribe told the magazine that 'loads of reporters' were surprised by Ms Mori's win because 'making up her eyes to emphasize her 'oriental exoticism' isn't a look that really appeals to Japanese'.

But the bigger shock was how the beauty queen, who was born in Japan but spent a few of her teenage years learning ballet and attending school in Canada, was clueless about Japanese etiquette and yet was - according to reports - so full of herself.

Returning to her hometown after her win, Ms Mori apparently left a 'bad impression' on the local media by placing her hands on her hips while talking and pointing her microphone at reporters who were asking her questions.

Both acts were deemed impolite.

Said one reporter: 'That might be the way they do things in America, but a female Japanese performer would never act that way.'

And when Ms Mori said she did not have a favorite Japanese performer, it was interpreted as 'looking down' on her own country.

When asked how it felt to be chosen as the most beautiful woman in the world, she apparently cracked everyone up by retorting: 'That's a mistake. Miss Universe is not a beauty contest.'

Her reported 'arrogance' was observed as early as during the Miss Universe competition in Mexico City in May.

Apparently, she was not the most popular or well-liked contestant.

Ms Kirby Ann Basken, who is half-Norwegian and half-Filipino and who represented Norway at the pageant, revealed to Philippine Daily Inquirer that only half the candidates had been happy for Ms Mori after her win.

That did not include runner-up Miss Brazil, whom Ms Basken claimed did not congratulate Ms Mori.

Ms Basken also spoke about how Ms Mori drew criticism for declaring on her online diary that she would definitely win the crown because 'other favorites were losing steam'.

Ms Basken said that Ms Mori 'could have done better', even though 'the way she presented herself during the pageant was outstanding'.

So how did Ms Mori turn out to be so different from most Japanese people, who are commonly deemed to be humble and polite?

Fingers were wagged at Frenchwoman InesLigron, the national director of Miss Universe Japan since 1998.

Shukan Bunshun magazine reported that the assertive woman - everything about her screams The Devil Wears Prada - grooms her charges to be independent, confident, goal-oriented and glamorous, instead of conforming to Japanese traditions of being cute, humble, earnest and mild-mannered.

Ms Mori herself said in an e-mail interview with US-based Centredaily.com that training under Miss Ligron has changed her.

'I learnt how to have confidence, pose, and be myself. The toughest thing is not in Ines' training, but in bringing ability and confidence to yourself. Her teachings help to do that. It worked for me.'

And Miss Ligron, 44, is not a fan of the typical 'cute' Japanese look.

She told The Japan Times that the Japanese notion of kawaii and sekushii (sexy) is 'long mistaken'.

'The kawaii concept is for 12-year-old girls,' she said.

'Real beauty for women comes from the inside. It's a mental thing. It's about sensuality and intelligence.'

Despite lamenting that those who stand out in Japan tend to get punished, Miss Ligron seemed confident that Ms Mori's transformation from 'chubby dancer' to Miss Universe would break Japanese mindsets about beauty.

'Men might become upset that we killed the kawaii trend, but women are going to feel liberated. They can finally look like a woman and not like a 12-year-old girl.'

But maybe not, judging by the flak Ms Mori has been hit with back home, not just from men but also women.

When Tokyo-based English news website Japantoday.com went to the streets last month to gather public feedback about the newly-crowned Miss Universe, it got more criticism than praise.

Some felt that she was too westernized and overtly confident.

Some of the eight respondents felt she was not as attractive or classy as Miss Kurara Chibana, last year's Miss Japan who emerged first runner-up at the Miss Universe contest.

But it seems no amount of bad press will stop Ms Mori from chasing her dream of getting into show business.

She had earlier auditioned for the upcoming second season of the US sci-fi serial 'Heroes', to play the love interest of time-travelling dude Hiro Nakamura.

Now, there is talk she will star as herself in a new US reality show entitled 'Pageant Place'.

According to E! Online, the show follows three beauty queens - Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA - as they engage in promotional activities and charity events during their reign.

Back in Japan, Ms Mori has reportedly been contacting major talent agencies in the hope of emulating the success of her predecessor Ms Chibana, now a broadcast journalist for a TV current affairs program, News Zero.

But industry insiders are not so optimistic about Ms Mori's showbiz prospects.

One of them told Shukan Shincho: 'Considering she won the title, (Ms Mori) has fair grounds to think she'll do better (than Ms Chibana).

'But she's not really the best speaker in the world... And with the arrogance that she's got, it makes the average woman working on TV look a lot more attractive.'

well for me, it isnt surprising that mori became so westernized becoz she spent her teenage life in a western country..(its very expectable)..but for her to act like that is undoubtedly arrogant..i also read the news the she confidently said that she really anticipated that she will won the title...but she's really not have that very stunning beauty, i think so..)

That sucks that Miss Universe is so stuck up and arrogant but the important thing is she's "Miss Universe." She's no longer "Miss Japan" so I don't see the big deal in her being a little westernized. How can you blame her? She spent quite a few years in Canada while in her teens right? How "kawaii" do you expect somebody to be at the age of 21? Like the article said, she's not 12 years old anymore.

So she has a western personality, its the way she is. People blow up the smallest of things.

she is a bit arrogant to me but its really rude to say she doesnt have any favourite Japanese performer,its so rude to the country..

hard to say what is the truth as I have no personal interaction with her. She obviously has some western influences which does not sit well with the traditional Japanese followers. That is just who she is, not her fault. If she is indeed arrogant, then that is a problem but this could just be as another poster stated, blowing things out of proportion. Let's face it, these pageants are not benevolent by nature. I sincerely doubt if 50% of the pageant entries GENUINELY are happy for one another if the other won.

WoW!
uh.... I don't know if shes really arrogant or not but......
just like what almost everyone else said, you can't blame her for being " western". Ppl are obviously gonna change in the way they act after being in a different country for while, e`specialy when your in your teens. And if they don't like her then why did they choose her to be Miss Japan, they all know if she won Miss Japan she would be going for Miss Universe. AND LAST They should be happy that they had someone represented their country and win the title of "Miss Unvierse"
>.< w/e ppl are ppl lol

Well, i don´t see any problems with being a little bit arrogant if she is miss universe. And having confident is the best thing to have, i don´t see the problem the media brought. I am also not a fan of thouse japanese cute looking images, yeah like the frenchwoman said, she is not a 12 years old kid. She is a woman. A woman can be confident and independent IN ASIA.

Why do people associate being "Western" as arrogant or rude? It's a stereotype that needs to be stopped. In so many news or interviews, many stars say "Oh, I act like this b/c I'm Western" For real? You act like this b/c you're an a-hole.

I personally think people should stop criticizing her. She won the title of Miss Universe and people are unhappy with her. If she lost, she would get criticism for being this or that - that's why she didn't win. It's a lose-lose situation for this girl. The nitpicking starts and bashing begins.

oh come on! she won us asian the title, so we should actually be proud of her.. and not criticize her... those comments're harsh! ok well, personally i think miss korea is so much better but then i'm still glad that ms japan won..hmmm, japan has really high standards...

Face it...she is Japanese after all...not having a favorite artist is in my opinion not liking or wanting to have any associations with your own country...after all she was trained by a white person(not trying to be offensive, i apologize) and most people outside of the US(especially in Asia) deem westerners as being rude, no manners, and self centered.

I'm starting to really hate these kind of stories. First of all, I know these reports have a lot of biased either from the reporter's point of view or the newspaper co. But also I hate these stereotypes of Western equates w/ arrogance or rudeness. I know that sharing your opinions and have a point of view is considered "rude" to highly collectivist societies like Japan. Women especially are never looked as being "equals" whether bluntly or in subtle ways (e.g. ignoring them when they do speak). And the "kawaii" thing is so ughh...yeah Mori is not 12 anymore...how can one be still "kawaii" at 21 and beyond when you're like 50?!?

Whatever I do sympathize with her but maybe it's best for her to tone it down a bit for her sake and let the hounding press/detractors find other things to rant about.

I didn't like her very much when I was watching the pageant. She was too over-the-top, too exaggerated. People want class and elegance, and she wasn't giving it. I was really surprised when she won.

oo please the Japanese old ways are getting old! The only thing that counts is she Japanese and she more sexy than the others!!!

This is so lame! It's 2007 people.... will it kill you to be a LITTLE progressive? Sheesh

its so sad that she dont have a favourite singer.what about ayumi hamsaki!??!her songs are soo good!!^^ she liv in different sconuntry and each country have different kind of manners and stuff^^maybe that is why she is so agnorranet and so blunt instead of ho japanese people are like^^

Why is it a problem that she doesn't have a favorite Japanese singer? I don't have a favorite Chinese singer but nobody is going to assume I look down on China/Hong Kong.

And I love everything that Ines is quoted to have said in the article. She has brought some beautiful women to Miss Universe (Miyako and Kirara!) who aren't just "cute," but have presence and confidence. If the media is so agitated by this, they should maybe look to Korea, who has sent years of really cute women to the pageant who have never got much attention, but then they send a bombshell with caucasoid features and a personality and bam, Top 5.

egh people are just trying to make her look bad.
i guess she may not fit to japan's standards, but they must be proud of her no matter what because she did represent japan and won.

I think japan is asking for too much. Like too "traditonal". I don't see how there's a problem with pointing microphone at reporters. But she is really pretty

I think they meant, she represented Japan to win the title but she didn't have anything japanese in her. And if she's that 'western' she should represent another country.

I personally like kawaii and being cute. But I'm not expecting some 40 women bragging on cuteness.

But this is so annoying, just let it be, and if you are jealous go participate in the Miss Universe... and you'll know what it takes.

I like her. There's nothing wrong with having confidence.
I don't think she's arrogant at all. And she's so correct about the whole kawaii concept that Japan favors. She's not a kid anymore!!! A woman should be a woman and not a kid.
Just because she's Japanese, why does she have to have a favorite Japanese star?
I'm American and I don't have any favorite American singers. I used to, but not anymore.

Wow she was BLASTED. I'm really sick of the western sterotype, it's racist, just as much as it would for me a white person to call someone a chink. And I'm really sick of "Women should be seen not heard, and cute!" we aren't dolls! I love the fact this girl is confident in herself, and flaunts that she is confident. And I'm really annoyed by the whole "Ooo she's looking down on her country since she doesn't have a favorite Japanese singer" Big deal, I don't have a favorite American one. Just more proof that women especially Asian women need to be strong. Fighting~

I think sometimes confidence can turn into arrogance so I think she should be careful if not people will definitely hate her and then she will have a tough time doing anything.

Pathetic...looking oriental doesn't "really appeal" to them"? And then they were saying she wasn't Japanese enough.

I don't see why people are making such a big deal out of things. So what if she doesn't have a favorite artist in Japan? Just because you are FROM that country doesn't mean you have to have a favorite artist from that country. I really wonder how many Canadians HAVE a favorite Canadian celebrity. And all that kawaii-ness, politeness, humbleness of Japanese are all just for show. Not ALL Jap girls are kawaii, polite and humble. So why are people pointing fingers are at for the way she is. Lots of celebrities are diva mind you, I don't see they'd complain about Mariah Carey.

I am sorry that's really messed up!
Okay, so because she has oriental eyes and looks, she doesn't look beautiful?
What does that say and what kind of message is Japanese media sending to Japanese women? Everyone should have anime looking eyes, pointy nose, and egg shaped face to look "kawaii"? No wonder asian/Japanese women are prone to plastic surgery to have more western face becuase of this kind of news. Majority of Japanese women don't look like anime characters! Most people in general don't look like anime characters! And they are criticizing her for acting western? and how does "western" equal arrogance? western people are confident, but probably has better manners than most Asians.

This makes me feel sad.

i didn't really like riyo mori in the pageant either because i thought she was kinda snobby and overconfident. and yes, she's not completely japanese as in her personality of being kawaii, but i think that's what made her win, right? to be in that industry of competing with so many other people, you have to be confident or ppl won't vote for you. but i do agree that she seems waay too overconfident and that can be a turn off...someone did mention that overconfidence can lead to arrogance...

but the whole putting her hands on her waist thing does seem a bit rude...after all, a pageant winner should have the basic etiquette and grace of a woman. didn't mean to offend anyone who really likes her, but that's just my opinion

For the most part I honestly don't think there's really anything wrong about her. Just because she isn't a quiet demure stereotypical japanese woman doesn't mean she has a bad personality. I understand how some ppl, especially those is Japan, would feel uncomfortable about a woman acting confident about herself instead of being so overtly modest. I guess just as many japanese (and maybe in other asian countries too) ppl think that having a western ideal and mannerism is unnattractive, it goes vice versa with western countries too. It's just a difference of cultures, neither one is good or bad.
One thing that I might harp about is (if it is true) what Mori said about other favorites losing steam. It does sound kinda catty. But other than that, from her talking with her hands on her hips to emphasizing her 'oriental' eyes there is nothing wrong with that, especially about the latter.
I guess she, and i guess this goes for all of us, just needs to be aware of cultural etiquettes of any country she visits before she goes there to avoid any further criticism.

god ppl stop being so shallow
urgh she just has a confidence and spunk
she ain't ugly
ppl should take a look at themselves before criticising others so much

What's ugly about her isnt just her appearance, from what was reported in this article and in other articles, it seems that her attitude itself has problems; which would reflect in her seeming ugly.

I wouldn't care one bit if she wasnt physically appealing but had a heart of gold.

And besides, shallow? Ms Universe IS a beauty contest; the point is that we judge based on her looks and personality (and ability to answer questions?); call me shallow, but i don't see a wrong in judging her based on appearance.

But her bad attitude to me may be confidence and spunk to you ~ so i respect your opinion although i dont agree.

it's true that everyone has their own personality.. .but if she's like representing her country.. then i guess there could be a problem

^ have you read the comments in this thread
they weren't pointing to her ugly personality, it's quite obvious they are all talking about looks
anyway, this competition is about alot of things, if beauty was the most important aspect of the competition, wouldn't you think japan wouldn't have won?
She may be rude, but hello she's human, at least she hasn't reached to the point where she opening criticises other ppl or disses them
Yes, she's a public figure, and a grown woman, but ppl should evaluate themselves before dissing others

I have no idea what else to call this besides a beauty pageant. Most of it is based on their beauty, and okay - if not, then what? Personality? Well her personality doesnt seem that great either.


Everyone's entitled to their own opinion of her, whether or not the person themself is pretty or not. And she chose to join this beauty pageant, making herself eligible to be analysed by, well, practically, the world. If she didnt want that, dont become a celebrity.

Her behavior definitely won't be classified as arrogant if it was the States or Canada. But I guess Japanese women are supposed to come across as all demure and know when and how to appropriately kiss Japan's ass. Too bad she doesn't know how. I guess she's just not fit for Japan's style. But a big "oh well!" if Japan ain't loving her.

It is known that she is not really a true Japanese as she had been brought up abroad. The media is just trying to make the news more hotter by making it a big issue out of every single wrong movements of her.

OTT from the media - but she does sound a bit arrogant and dumb - "That's a mistake. Miss Universe is not a beauty contest". mmmmm sorry to me its is

why does that make her dumb? she is just "on message" and following what the promoters want her to say, all these contests are trying to pretend they are something more than a glorified meat market.

It is in no way arrogant. And the eyes part, its better to embrace your background by accentuating your asian eyes than trying to do surgery on it to look more western. I see no problem with it. Why is Japan trying to force women to continue to be all shy and submissive?

really dont understand why she been chosen as miss universe 2007 as she not that beautiful at all. she should be humble after won the title. I support Kurara Chibana.

hmm..i think she's ok...but just by lookin at how she stands in those pics..it kinda does make her seem like she's being a bit arrogant...

she's probably not TRYING to show it..but i guess inside..cuz she's like..the first asian to ever win miss universe..right? maybe like...she's quite proud of that..and she's tryin 2 keep it inside..but usually..when u try to keep feelings like that INSIDE..it will show...

*shruggy* w/e goes, i just hope reporters won't attack her....and i hope she doesnt make any ACTUAL arrogant statements...meh, why can't this world be peaceful? lmao

thanks for the news

sorry to correct you but their are so many asian countries that had won Miss Universe

to me i think she is seems arrogant..........Miss Universe is a beauty pageant

She's the one that WON? Man.. She looks.. different? Really different. Anyways I think her act could've been better, stand up straight, have nice posture. But wait, it's not America's Next Top Model. But a Miss. Universe is what so ever 'role model' so she could've placed a fake act on to be more proffesional and such.

Saying that she "doesn't have a favorite Japanese" while she represents Japan is a BIG MISTAKE on her part. I'm in Canada and I found some of her comment are not acceptable

waaa.. I really wonder why she was the one who got the MISS UNIVERSE 2007 title.. I saw the whole Pageant show proper and I think, she's not the best of all.. I mean, she's not good enough to be ranked as the most beautiful women of 2007.. The way I understand what MISS UNIVERSE truly means is that, it is all about the BEAUTY and the BRAIN.. and for a correction, there are LOTS of Asian Women who already won the MISS UNIVERE title and one of them was a Filipina..

wow, she must have really rubbed people the wrong way. There are a few reports which really slam her arrogance and mannerisms.