THE MISS VENEZUELA PROCESS-EXPLAINED

[Latination]

A very good article about my country's most-watched event. Credits to thejlublog . com

Miss Venezuela Organization (MVO), and especially Osmel Sousa, have one, and only one goal: to win the international pageants. Osmel doesn’t want to just show up and place as a finalist. He doesn’t cross his fingers hoping to get “lucky.” He wants to win, and for that he does whatever it is necessary to achieve it. It is a goal that satisfies him, the whole country and the Organización Cisneros–the multi million-dollar corporate group that owns the pageant.

So, in Venezuela the traditional idea of “beauty queens” really doesn’t exist. It’s not just about empowering women, or working for the community or wishing world-peace that moves things there. It is more about searching, finding, transforming and becoming the best contender for the international competitions, especially Miss Universe.

So, the question is always, “Who has what’s needed to be a miss?”

It is serious stuff. It’s treated in all ways as if it’s for the Olympics.

In fact, there are several ways for a girl to become a Miss Venezuela contestant. First, let me say, it is not easy and not for everyone. When it comes to the selection of the girls, no matter what method is used, Osmel Sousa is the ending and deciding factor.


Osmel Sousa, President of the Miss Venezuela Organization and National Director

[Latination]

Traditionally, the girls are selected by:
OPEN CASTINGS:


Some years, Osmel and his MVO members travel to the main cities in the country and look at thousands of girls hoping to make it. Numerous times he walks away with NO ONE on his list, after hours of meeting “pretty niñas,” because it takes more than just that to make an impact on his perfectionist eye. But some do get pre-selected here.

LOCAL COMPETITIONS:

In the last couple of years, local pageants have gained some importance for the Miss Venezuela selection process. Tachira, Zulia, Bolivar, Lara and Carabobo states have their own organizations, and they create their own pageants. They know what Osmel wants, so they go for the best in their areas. However, the contestants must be analyzed by Osmel days before the election, and the winner will not necessarily compete if at the end he thinks she’s not ready or up to the standards.

Also, the finalists of these local pageants can be considered and pre-selected as “possibilities.”

**Stefania Fernández was 2nd RU to Miss Tachira 2008.

Photo: Julio Rodriguez

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BROUGHT TO “LA QUINTA”

Many girls who want to be a “miss” try to introduce themselves to Osmel by showing up at “La Quinta Miss Venezuela” (The Headquarters) in Caracas. If he feels like it, he’ll take a look, and if she’s really good she can even enter directly into the competition.

Some girls have been given states right away in this process. But they have to be exceptional, pretty much ready. Other girls can also be brought by a friend (usually a gay one, ha!), an agent from a model agency or a friend of Osmel. Even some members of the Organization can suggest a girl if they consider that she has potential–and by potential, they mean she can compete and win internationally after intensive preparation.



**Rocio Alvarez, Miss Cojedes 1999, was discovered in a club in Margarita, while on the dance-floor Gisselle Reyes (the catwalk coach) saw her and approached her, asking that if she would ever like to be a miss, she should contact her. Rocio later that year accepted, and after Osmel approved her, she competed.

[Latination]

**Dayana Mendoza was brought by her agent, who begged her for years to enter, due to her already-existing succesful international modeling career. Osmel also asked her to join for several years. She finally accepted in 2007.




**Martina Thorogood, Miss Venezuela 1999, was brought by Marena Bencomo, Miss Venezuela 1996. She was living in Chicago, and after Osmel accepted her she moved back to Venezuela just to compete. She won, went to Miss World and placed as 1st RU.



**Vanessa Goncalves, Miss Venezuela 2010, was brought by the pageant’s trainer, Richard Linares, after meeting her at the gym where he works.

Vanessa Goncalves with MVO’s trainer

These are just some of many different cases.

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PUTTING THE GROUP TOGETHER

After a big number of girls are pre-selected, they are given some instructions. It could be to lose weight and sometimes to gain it. They are asked to reach a goal by a certain date, and if they accomplished it by the next meeting with Osmel, they might be re-considered. The ones who don’t are rejected right away. This “rule” can apply even after the girl is “in.”




***In 2000, Josmar Matute, Miss Vargas, was replaced after the first official event took place. Osmel considered that she was not at the “ideal weight.” So, Ana Belen Abreu took over.


Girls who are shorter than 1.70 cm (5’8″) are not accepted, unless they have an amazing personality and breathtaking face. Still, even after making it she won’t have a chance. Osmel has said numeours times that he feels more confident with a tall girl, because she’ll always stand out from the group–any group at any competition in the world.

***Some short girls who got to compete are:





Antonella Baricelli (Carabobo 1999), Felisa Gomez (Lara 2000) and Astrid Lozada (Barinas 2011). They were all 5’8″.

[Latination]

The selection process takes months. The winners of the local pageants stay if they continue to look fabulous representing the state they won. Those brought to and accepted by Osmel usually stay pretty solid, and the rest are chosen by a variety of factors. At the end, the girls get reduced to a group that can range anywhere from 24 to 30 girls who ultimately compete.

There are no rules or limitations for where the girls come from. Again, that’s the last issue to worry about. The goal is to elect the best, that one who will conquer the Universe in the name of Venezuela. The Heroine. Usually the majority of the girls are from Caracas, Valencia and Maracaibo.

Once the final group is selected, the girls must move to Caracas and stop whatever they’re doing in life–whether they’re in school or working. They will be giving their lives to Osmel 24/7.


Group of 2009

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Assigning the states, or BANDAS (Sashes), is not designated by any particular rule but is usually based on:

*Proximity to the state the girl is actually from

*Her physical features (For instance, Delta Amacuro is usually dark or indian looking)

*She won her local pageant

*She picked the name of the state from a hat.

*Based on the height of the girl standing next to her in the group, as they try not to place the shortest girl next to the tallest one. Instead, they try to make the group look pretty balanced when they are all standing together, which is done in alphabetical order based on their states.

*Since the group is divided in 2 for each competition, they sometimes pick a good opener who can lead the rest of the group. These girls are Amazonas for the first one, and Guarico or Lara for the second one, depending on the number of girls competing.

**The girls are coached together. Whether they already have experience as a model or none at all, they all receive the same training. They are individually analyzed for their looks based on what Osmel thinks is better for them. If he thinks she looks better as a blonde, she will be a blonde even if she hates it.

**The intensive gym and massage sessions begin, as well as the restricted and hated diet. That’s what they all talk about every year at every interview, the f*cking diet.

**They are introduced and assigned to well-known Venezuelan fashion designers, who will make a dress especially for the girl they get.

**The misses attend classes in catwalk, photopose, protocol, interviews, makeup, hair and rehearsals for at least 3 months. They also start shooting COLETILLAS (a 20-sec aprox. video of each girl that’s shown on TV within commercials, weeks before the finale, to introduce them to the general public). Photoshoots, TV appearances, press interviews and social media interactions are also part of their routine. At this point the public knows who they are.


Group of 2010

[Latination]

OTHER FACTS:

**There’s no entry fee. Each girl pays $0.00 to enter. All she has to do is be amazingly beautiful and do everything they ask her to do. This allows girls from all different social levels to enter.

**Some are recommended to get surgery in order to “look even better” or closer to perfection, but in the end, the girl makes that decision. The majority agrees for fear they could be kicked out. Others because they trust Osmel and MVO; and many others because it’s free.

**The MVO pays for everything, from the color of their hair to everything they wear.

**For the winner, the Organization brainstorms to come up with concepts for the National Costume and her overall image during her international competition. It’s all based on what pageant she’s going to. For instance, the way the girl who’s going to Miss World is prepared totally different than the one who goes to Miss Universe. One is more formal and traditional, while the other is more model-like and sexy.

They take all of those things under consideration and work on highlighting the best attributes the girl naturally has. International magazines such as VOGUE, W and ELLE are sources of inspiration or reference to see what’s “hot” in the beauty world.

**For those who don’t win, the intense training pays off. Some become TV figures, others who were already models see their careers take off. Many others get offers from other countries to model or host. And many, many others go back to their everyday lives but with a better sense of fashion and style that keeps them beautiful forever.


Ly Jonaitis, Miss Venezuela 2006, Dayra Lambis, Miss Peninsula de Paraguaná 1998, Marjorie De Sousa, Miss Dependencias Federales 1999, Andrea Matthies, Miss Sucre 2007 and Vanessa Goncalves, Miss Venezuela 2010 modeling post-pageant as “Chicas Polar,” one of the biggest (and well-paid) national ad campaigns in the country.

[Latination]

THE DEAL WITH THE EVENING GOWNS…

…is that the girls are used as models. The designer creates the dress based on the girl, she wears it that night, but at the end it belongs to the designer. She or anyone can buy it later if they love it.

Why are they lending their dresses for free? Well, just because Miss Venezuela is the most-watched TV show in that country, and during the Evening Gown competiton, each dress, and every little detail on it, is described carefully. They mention the inspiration of the designer, the materials used, the construction and the type of lines, stones and “hues” utilized. The accessories’ designer also gets mentioned.

It’s a very artistic part of the show where it’s all about the dresses and their designers. They even give awards to the “Best Dress.” For any local fashion designer that is featured in a Miss Venezuela show, it is not only a dream, but a respected endorsment that brings them prestige and business automatically, both inside and outside the country. Just ask Angel Sanchez and Gionni Straccia.

**Miss Venezuela embraces fashion, and that’s also part of its success. Misses and Models are almost the same thing there. They’re references for what’s in and out, what’s hot or not, as well as how and what to wear. Miss Venezuela is the Latin version of Victoria’s Secret in the way the girls become icons in just a few months.

Some Evening Gowns of 2011

[Latination]

So, HOW DO THEY MAKE MONEY?

Since Miss Venezuela is the most-seen TV show there, an ad space is very, very expensive, so the network and actually the Organización Cisneros makes money from sponsors and ad spaces during the 4-hour show (Why did you think it’s that long?).

In order to keep ratings high, people have to be interested, and the interest increases every time a Venezuelan wins an international pageant. That’s what keeps the thing relevant, and it’s why the Organization puts so much effort into producing winners, because they are the ones keeping fans alive, therefore, keeping the show alive, therefore, keeping sponsors coming in and paying big $$$…

That’s the beauty circle in Venezuela where everyone wins. Everyone.

The Miss Venezuela Organization has at least won:

Miss Universe (1979, 1981, 1986, 1996, 2008, 2009)

Miss World (1955, 1981, 1984, 1991, 1995, 2011)

Miss International (1985, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2010)

Miss Earth (2005)

[Chromedome]

Lupita is not far behind. NBM has taken drastic steps year after year in producing and improving the quality of participants in their pageant and the only difference would be is that of the girls in NBM are more on the less-manufactured look unlike with the MVO

[IAN MOONE]

I love reading it! Thank you!

I envy MVO, specially on the gowns part. Now I understand why most of the gowns that they have been presenting are of perfect fit to each candidate. I think they started the trend of having semi-precious stones (specifically stones that have rich colors and that are rather big) as details on the bodice (neck-shoulder area, arm area etc.). And every time I see such gown, the first thing that comes to my mind is it's from Miss Venezuela. LOL!

Definitely one of my favorite threads. Too bad it came from someone else. But what the heck, thanks for sharing.

[Kokin]

Lupita is not far behind. NBM has taken drastic steps year after year in producing and improving the quality of participants in their pageant and the only difference would be is that of the girls in NBM are more on the less-manufactured look unlike with the MVO

WTF?


Anyways, I enjoyed reading this. There's so many things I didn't know. I'm glad y'all actually take this way more seriously, and do things with care and nice rules. I like that the girls don't have to pay anything as well. Good for MVO. I also didn't know Stefania was 2nd RU at Miss Tachira 2008. This is proof that you should never give up.

[ManMeat]

Very nice thread!
I wondered why some states held state pageant, some states are not..

My country televised Miss Venezuela documentary, but KBS TV remove that video from youtube lol
That documentary did not explain everything about Miss Venezuela.
KBS focused on only few spicy things. plastic surgery, casting, model agency's training...

They interviewed Osmel, Jictzad Vina, Miss International 2005, Miss Barinas 1998, Miss Monagas 2007.
And I know how Ly Jonaitis joined Miss Venezuela pageant.

Now I completely understand Miss Venezuela system.
Gracias!!!

[cronista]

VERY GOOD INFO, IT WAS VERY FUN TO READ, I HAVE ALLWAYS ADMIRED HOW MVO PREPARES EACH GIRL AND HOW THEY LOOK PERFECT AND OWN THE STAGE IN MU

[OMA]

Love the article, I learned things I never knew before.

Btw, have any winners of the state pageants been rejected yet?

[Adnan]

I have already read most of the things here but I still love this article. After Miss Universe, it's Miss Venezuela and my country's national pageant that I so love. I am a sucker for anything Venezuela.

[jawwad]

fantastic article very very very goood work thumbs up

[Mariana Erwin]

And that's how hard it is to select Miss Venezuela. And that's why when Venezuelan beauty queens are robbed, everyone cares.

[jessebreceda]

Lupita is not far behind. NBM has taken drastic steps year after year in producing and improving the quality of participants in their pageant and the only difference would be is that of the girls in NBM are more on the less-manufactured look unlike with the MVO

Lupita not far behind?? Are you kidding me?? The MVO is a true organization, trying to win crown not making "mujeres integrales". Lupita has been successful lately but she has a long way to go before she can even compared to Osmel and the MVO. Period.



BTW, loved the reading. I usually skip threads this long becuase they are boring, but not this one. Excellent job!!

[Jess Destiny]

This article is a DELICIOUS DISH to the eyes. I enjoyed reading and yeah, Venezuela will always be Venezuela. Expect the best from this country and especially with Osmel's magic.

[kenhan]

i read it until the very end. . whew! i was tired
but totally worth it. . very informative. .
indeed, beauty pageants are like Olympics for Venezuela. .

[Crisboli]

Love the article, I learned things I never knew before.

Btw, have any winners of the state pageants been rejected yet?

Umm i dont remember, for example, from My State: Bolivar, no.

I just remember Sandrina Bencomo who participated and won Srta Centroccidental (Miss Lara), gave up and didnt want to participate in Miss Venezuela, she is a sucessfull model. Osmel wants her to be Miss Venezuela.

[tepuy]

Love the article, I learned things I never knew before.

Btw, have any winners of the state pageants been rejected yet?

Hi Oma,
More than state winners , a Miss Universe winner. Maritza Salayero was rejected the year prior her competition and well the story changed for her in 1989.

[deltaguy]

it is a very tough job for each Miss venezuela, its hard for them not to place and break Osmel's heart. I wonder how marelisa felt not placing in 2010 after a back to back victory.

[chenouzhi]

Love reading it. Very, very informative.

[PaulEphraim]

Hope that a year would come that Binibining Pilipinas would also be this tough and strict when it comes to choosing the Philippines' representative to International Pageants so in that way their chances of winning an international crown would be at least 80-90%...

No wonder why Venezuela is like on the top when it comes to Pageantry

[MarkIB]

Girl....I'm to lazy to read this; however it does sound like an interesting thread.

[Miss Understood]

perfection thread!

[OMA]

Love the article, I learned things I never knew before.

Btw, have any winners of the state pageants been rejected yet?

Hi Oma,
More than state winners , a Miss Universe winner. Maritza Salayero was rejected the year prior her competition and well the story changed for her in 1989.

Haha, kinda funny.