Leila Lopes, Miss Universe 2011 vs Alyssa Campanella, Miss USA 2011

What a surprising end to the Miss Universe 2011 crowning moment. Miss Angola, Leila Lopes, was never a frontrunner with most pageant watchers, including myself. 

She is very pretty and fresh-faced, but there were also a few beauties that didn't make the real Top 16.  I did not put Leila Lopes in my Top 15 predictions as I didn't feel she would put much of a fight. She had a "student" feel about her whenever I saw her photos. Usually, these "student" feel women could never graduate to being a Miss Universe finalist. Also, for Black or African women, it is usually hard for them to stand out amongst the sophistication & fierce competitiveness of the South American contestants like Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Mexico etc. 

But I believe it is written in her destiny that she is meant for greatness and world-wide fame. She just naturally blossomed and sparkled with her sweet smile and elegance, wowing all the judges who saw her up close. When I saw her walk on stage during the Finals, tall, with a slim and strong body, the crown was hers with every smile she gave. 

I was very disappointed that Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella, failed to make the Top 10. She was my pre-Pageant favourite to win the crown. However, she had received much slack during the competition as photos of her being skinnier than usual were published world wide. 

As usual, Miss USA always receives much criticism from Pageant fans who prefer cheering for "underdog" countries or other sentimental favourites. USA, being the home country of the Miss Universe organization, a powerful and rich influence, is always a much-anticipated pageant contestant and one of THE ones to beat, just by wearing the USA sash. 

Here she is competing for Miss California -- awesome.

Alyssa during the recent Miss Universe competition.

She looked like she was just skin and bones, and she lost some "power" there. In this situation, we need to embrace "fat" as being a necessary winning element. My heart fell, and I sensed that she was not going to take the crown. If I was a judge, I would have a hard time giving it to her. But in my heart, I was still cheering for her because I feel she is also destined for the international screen and stage.

Who says beauty pageant judges don't judge on physical beauty? I think it's important, because humans are a visually-appreciative species. Otherwise, makeup, tattoos, jewelry and clothes would never have been invented! Miss Universe will be one of the most viewed, most photographed, most invited, most anticipated celebrity on earth! 

A winner should never ever win just by doing well in the Q&A session. 

Well, the consolation is that, at least she's already got the Miss USA crown, which means, she already has the advantage of being taken care of by the same organizers of Miss Universe.