Miss USA 2011: The "Evening Gown Portraits"...The Best!

Pageant Gowns Me Likey...

Miss New York USA Amber Marie Collins: Gown Proper

In my previous post, I discuss my "Nick Pageant Two Cents" on which gowns made the "Nick Miss Mess" List from looking at the new Miss USA 2011 "Evening Gown Portraits". So, for the sake of having "Positive Pageant Gown Karma", allow me to discuss the Good (yeayyyy!!!) and the ones I did like. Now, remember these may or may not be the gowns these lovely women will wear in the Final Telecast but still, since they are gowns nonetheless, I'll do my "Nick Two Cents" Review.

Here are some of my Faves:

Miss California USA: Already one of the favorites and top contenders (in pageant fan forums) for the Miss USA 2011 crown, Miss California USA Alyssa Campanella is a REAL model by profession (you know how most of these girls say they are "models" but posing for your Local Mall Calendar doesn't give you that title), and therefore, knows how to really work it! She's simply stunning, very Rita Hayworth. For her official "Miss USA Evening Gown Portrait", she wore a black (or dark navy?) jersey gown with sequin accents. It's simple and elegant. I am SURE she'll bust out with a more impacting gown for the Final Night if and when she makes it to the Top 10. But because of its simplicity, modernity and OMG, there's NO SLIT-up-to-THERE, she get's "Nick Happy Points".

Miss District of Columbia USA: Heather Danelle Swann, went elegant, all-over sequined and white for her gown choice in the Official Evening Gown Portrait. I'm happy that she--and her gown-- didn't look as if it came from a pageant in 1991--as opposed to 2011!! Thank you Heather Danelle. I think she looks wonderful and so does the gown. Yes, it's plunging, but Thank God, she didn't do PLUNGING AND a high slit. Well done Miss District of Columbia USA!

Miss Illinois: OK, huney: WORK...that sweet look of yours--in an all-over sequined-and-applique gown! Yes, the gown is a bit on the "heavy" side, in terms of all that embroidered sequin applique, but see, this girl knows. She softened her hair, her make-up, her absence of accessories (just the earrings and a little ol' ring) and Hello: No Slit again! It's not that I dislike SLITS--don't get me wrong--it's just a slit UP TO THERE PLUS an all-over sequined and feathered gown AND Clear Lucite Stripper Heels--well...No. Anyhow, Miss Illinois USA looks FAB and I like the silhouette of the gown. It fits beautifully.

Miss New Jersey USA: Now speaking of slits, this is how you do slits right! Julianna White chose to wear a bubblegum pink crepe strapless gown with crystal sequin detail at the midriff, cascading down to the hips. I LOVE this gown and the COLOR, and see ladies: The Strapless section FITS; it's not 3 inches below her armpit at the sides. I also like how the peep-toe pumps match. Julianna and her gown are SOOOO Miss "Name a South American Country"! And that means one thing: She's got EXCELLENT Pageant Advisers behind her.

Miss North Dakota USA: When I first saw Brandi Lynn Schoenberg, Miss North Dakota USA, and her gown, I must say, I smiled. The strapless gold/nude gown covered in turquoise jeweled sequins was actually really GOOD! THIS is a quality--and probably expensive gown. I love the heavy-to-light cascading effect of the jeweled detail on the dress and I also love the nude horsehair trim at the bust neckline and hem. I just wished she would have "lightened" up on the hair style and make-up department. Again, from the neck up, she falls into the "I look like a 46 year old Real Housewives of Orange County" Miss USA malaise...

Miss Connecticut USA: Last but not least, there was Miss Connecticut USA Regina Turner. Regina TURNED it out with an original stunner of a gown, in what looks like laminated "patent leather"-looking fabric. It's very Armani Prive-esque--in terms of the fabrication (I know it's not since A) It's not in the Runway Photo Look Book and B) An actual Armani Prive custom-made Haute Couture gown can cost about $45,000-$100,000---I doubt Miss Connecticut USA has that kind of budget...). The strapless section fits; there's no overt I-like-dirty-Twitter-photos cleavage, and the silhouette and length are just right! You Go Pageant Girl!

Miss USA 2011 Evening Gown Portrait Photos: The "Miss Messes" And Why...

Too-High Slits, Stripper Heels, Cruella De Vil Hair, Gay Pride Parade Drag Queens and Anchor Tattoos??? Seriously...It's The Miss USA 2011 Evening Gown Portraits!!!!!

Well, kids, it's Beauty Pageant Time once again! And I, for one, am THRILLED! The Miss USA 2011 Pageant will air on June 19th (PM (EST) LIVE from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas Nevada. The 51 contestants have already arrived from all over the country to have their fittings, begin rehearsals, photo-ops and get generally ready for the Final Night. As always, the Miss USA website puts up photos of the contestants in their Swimsuits and Evening Gowns--the "Evening Gown Portraits". Now, these are NOT necessarily the actual FINAL Gowns they will wear on the FINAL night (A LOT, reserve a "very special" gown for that!). But still, it does give a good indication of their "taste level" and well, how "Gown-Savvy" and "Not-So-Gown-Savvy" these women are. So, even though these ARE NOT NECESSARILY the Final Gowns they will wear on the Telecast if they make it to the Top, I still have to give my "Nick Beauty Pageant Gown Two Cents"...

We will begin with "The Miss Messes":

Miss Maine USA: Bless her heart! Miss Maine USA Ashley Lynn-Marble. One question: WHY oh WHY, the Cruella De Vil Hair?? I mean, really. Also, she's so pretty (and only 27 years old) but with this "Mother-of-the-Bride" halter-style sequin-embroidered gown--plus that hair and make-up--she looks like a 42 year old "Real Housewife of Orange County"! And she HAD to add the earrings AND the TWO--not just ONE--crystal bracelet/cuffs. Overkill darlin'
Miss Massachusetts USA: The lovely Alida D'Angona, Miss Massachusetts USA, took the whole "I-Love-Me-A-Slit" thing to an ENTIRE new level! And by that, she actually TOOK her slit to a NEW LEVEL: To the Empire Waist!! Check that out in the above photo. It wasn't enough that the SLIT already goes up to her nether-regions but then, the designer--or her--decide "Nope, let's just take that slit up to my Under-Bust". At least they added a sheer-and-sequined panel to add a little more "Klass". Yes, with a Capital "K". Part of me feels like I would LOVE to have many a Di Saronno "on the rocks" with her!

Miss Delaware USA: Oh HUNEY. At a brief first glance of this photo, I actually thought Katie Hanson, Miss Delaware USA was holding up her dress and her boobie area (sorry for the Kindergarten-speak). But then, I realized, nope, she's just caressing her hair. Um...OK. But let's discuss the gown: Baby Blue, Strapless, Sequins, Shirring, Chiffon, AND FEATHERS!!! Wow. Why do I feel like she's about to take it all off and do a Dita Von Teese "Feathered Fan Dance"? Also, Ladies, Strapless gowns are NOT made for BIG BREASTED ladies. Why do you wear them? When you do, the above happens, it begins to slip down and looks far too low on the torso area. Lesson No. 56: A Strapless gown should really begin about 1"- 1 1/2" below the armpit area (at the side) NOT THREE inches (Note to Miss Massachusetts also).

Miss Arizona USA: Well Well Well. Look what we've got here on Miss Arizona USA Brittany Dawn Brannon. Correct me if I'm wrong but is her TRAIN longer than the one on the former Kate Middleton-now-Catherine Duchess of Cambridge's wedding gown??? There is NO REASON for a gown like this to have a "Cathedral Train". None. There is FAR too much polyester charmeuse up in there. All I wanna do is get some Chardonnay, Artisanal Cheeses, sit down and set up a picnic on top of it!

Miss Michigan USA: One Word: Grrrrrr!!!! The UBER gorgeous (and one of my current faves-just look at that face!) Channing Pierce is not doing herself any favors by wearing this animal-print lingerie-inspired dress to her "Miss USA Evening Gown Portrait". It's very Cavalli-meets-Trashy Lingerie. The one good thing is that at least she kept the hair and make-up soft and not over-done. At least she still looked 24, not 44 (like some of the other lovely contestants).

Miss Rhode Island USA: Kate McCaughey's gown is very "Pageant 101", I've seen this one too many times in Downtown LA at those Pageant-Prom-Quinceañera shops. Nothing against it, "Safe Pageant" you might say. But what I do have a hoot-and-holler time with is...(Look up above, yes at her feet!) Is she showing us her ANCHOR TATTOO??? And why? At first I looked down there because of those over-the-top sequin strappy platforms, but then I was distracted--by THE TATTOO!! Oh Huney. Let me guess, she either:
A) loves sailing
B) her father is a Captain of a boat
C) Her boyfriend is a Marine or
D) Someone went on a Cruise to Cabo and this is what happened.
Either way, not "Miss USA Evening Gown Portrait" appropriate. Save this for your audition at "Scores".

Miss Nevada USA: I've saved the BEST "Miss Mess" for last. And the Winner is...Miss Nevada USA, Sarah Chapman!! Let's just begin with the fact that, just from looking at this photo, I think I would have a GREAT time hanging out with her! She looks so SASSY! In addition, who in their right mind would wear a MESS of a Dress like this one above? She must be crazy-fun. But still, this looks like my fellow Season 2 Project Runway contestant Santino Rice's dress for the Figure Skating Challenge!! It also reminds me of something a Drag Queen would wear atop a Gay Pride Parade float as well! And because of this, she gets my "Miss Mess of The Week" Nick Award.

I Love Me some Pageants..and Pageant Gowns...
Stay Tuned for my "Miss Best Gowns"...

Miss Universe 2010 Final Evening Gowns: Nick Verreos and his "Pageant Red Carpet Wrap"!

AND THE WINNER IS......

Last night was the Miss Universe 2010 Live Telecast Show. And boy, was it a DOOZY! I've been blogging about the National Costumes, as well as the Preliminary Evening Gowns (just because I am a Pageant QUEEN---and a designer)--and since I have designed a gown for the gorgeous outgoing Miss Universe 2009, Stefania Fernandez, in the past--I had to watch! I won't even get into how awkward and teleprompter-deficient Bret Michaels was (You're FIRED!) and how GREAT NBC Today Show host Natalie Morales was (loved her pronunciations!). You can read that stuff HERE. But this posting--and this blog--is ALL ABOUT FASHION, and specifically, what I thought of those evening gowns.

Miss Universe 2010: Jimena Navarrete

First of all: Felicitaciones to Miss Nuestra Belleza Mexico, Jimena Navarrete, who won the Miss Universe 2010 title last night. She was one of the prettiest women of the night.

The Top 5: (Left to Right) Miss Philippines, Miss Ukraine, Miss Jamaica, Miss Australia and Miss Mexico

But it wasn't until the beautiful--but not so bright--Miss Philippines Venus Raj, messed up on her Final Question (Question: What Mistakes Have You Made? Answer: Nothing!" How about the answer to THIS question!), that we knew Jimena was "in contention".

Now, here is my "Nick Verreos' The Good and The Bad" for the Final 10 Contestants in the Miss Universe 2010 Evening Gown Competition:

Lucky in Red: Miss Mexico, Jimena Navarrete

Miss Mexico's (and now, Miss Universe 2010) fire red gown was GORGEOUS. Just perfect. One shoulder: Check. Flowy and Grecian-Goddess: Check. Not cheap-looking and overtly tacky: Check. No Slit to show her you-know-what: Well, close but she still looked great. Last year, Stefania Fernandez Miss Venezuela, won in a red gown and well, now so did Jimena. I guess next year EVERY contestant will be wearing a RED GOWN (hopefully not!).

Lady Sings the Blues: Miss Jamaica, Yendi Phillips

One of my not-so-favorite gowns was the polyester mess Miss Jamaica wore last night. Here's the Good News: I liked the shoulder-covering cap sleeves. The Bad News: I disliked EVERYTHING else. It looked like a $299 dress from "Aunt Martha's Boutique in Kingston" (if there is such a thing). The bust seaming rippled with bad construction and that inset embroidered lace SCREAMED Toddlers & Tiaras. Poor thang. The positive is that the minute Miss Jamaica took to the stage in the Opening Number, I knew she was a contender and she almost became Miss Universe. Was it the dress that did her in?!

Silver Fox: Miss Philippines, Maria Venus Raj

Miss Philippines' silver lame gown was one of the best of the night. I loved the over-sized bow and how flowy and dramatic the entire look was. She carried it really well too (good training Venus!). The color and the small amount of sequins were ideal to make a dramatic statement on stage. If only she could answer questions...

Happy Just To Be Here: Miss Australia, Jesinta Campbell

Miss Australia was a surfer girl who could not be less comfortable in this gown if you put this on a Straight Mechanic! She still somehow worked it out. You just KNOW she'd rather be in flip flops and a bikini. But this was still a good choice: V-neck re-embroidered with a nice delicate color and heck, it hit the floor and was the right length. She got "Nick Verreos Points" for that!

Sophisticated Lady: Miss Ukraine, Anna Poslavskaya

Miss Ukraine's gown was one of the best--for me--when she debuted it during the Preliminaries. It is a very classic gown featuring vanilla/creme caviar beading, an off-the-shoulder neckline and a nice dramatic sweep. She just looked a bit...well...old. Like she already had herself a multi-millionaire Russian arms-dealer husband and all she wanted to do is shop at Louis Vuitton...for an entire YEAR!

See-Through Sister: Miss Albania, Angela Martini

Miss Albania was Sex-On-a-Gown! See-through, sexy and HOT! To wear this type of gown, it's good to balance it with elegant slick hair (she did) and modern metallic pumps (she did) so I'm all for it. This is the Miss Universe Pageant after all! Would I recommend this for the Red Carpet? Never. But having your "Diva Moment" at the MU Pageant is definitely the time for this gown.

Purple Haze: Miss South Africa, Nicole Flint

Oh Miss South Africa. It looks like she went shopping at the same boutique Miss Jamaica went to. Cheap, iridescent, polyester (trust me, I know!) and way too much asymmetry going on. It's a distracting gown. I liked the color though (and she was SO beautiful!).

Golden Goddess: Miss Ireland, Rozanna Purcell

Miss Favorite To Win The Crown, Miss Ireland, went onto the Miss Universe 2010 "Runway" and OWNED IT! Like I always say: "No Should've Would've, Could've!". You only get ONE chance to be in the Miss Universe Pageant..and some of these girls sleep through it. But Miss Ireland did not! I liked her gown: It showed her fabulous curves, and gave her some elegance. I was not a fan of the up-do, or that necklace, but oh well...she still looked fabulous! I honestly think if she were styled in a more modern way she could have possibly won the entire pageant.

Sexy Senorita: Miss Guatemala, Jessica Schell

Miss Guatemala Jessica Schell: Because she was such a "dark horse", she was actually one of my favorites. I liked this gown; the high-neck, the fitted silhouette, the delicate all-over beading. It looked expensive. The fit was a tad bit too tight and her SISTERS were OUT! (and she had a difficult time walking) but other that: Good Job on your Evening Gown Miss Guatemala!

Pretty in Pink: Miss Puerto Rico, Mariana Paola Vicente

I gasped when I saw Miss Puerto Rico's light lilac/pink gown: I LOVED IT! I'm sure that many "pageant fans" might not have liked this, but I did. She gave you DRAMA and it looked very Haute Couture and the fit was just right. It was refreshing to not see ANOTHER cheap polyester rippled-seam re-embroidered lace-and-satin dress. Gracias Mariana: Viva Puerto Rico!

Winner of Miss Photogenic and Best National Costume:
Miss Thailand, Fonthip Watcharatrakul

Finally, an "Honorary Evening Gown" mention to Miss Thailand. I was a fan of this gown when I saw it for the Preliminaries and on stage last night, it looked even more stunning. It was very Versace Atelier and looked well-made, fit her exquisitely, and the styling was on-point. Congrats to her for winning the Best Costume (it was one of my faves!) and Miss Photogenic. How do you say "Go Girl" in Thai?

Miss Mexico attends the After Party

So far so good Miss Universe 2010...loving the silver 'After Party" gown...

Click Below for some fun Miss Universe 2010 Videos:

The Top 10 Evening Gown Competition (Gowns start at 8:44):

Top 5:

Miss Universe 2010 Preliminary Competition Gowns: Nick Verreos Looks at The Good, and the "Girl What Were You Thinking?"

The Competition Is On!!! Who Will Wear The Best Gown: Last year's Miss Universe Venezuela's Stefania Fernandez

This past Thursday night was the 2010 Miss Universe Preliminary Competition, the first official Competition and Judging to see who will make the Top 15 for Miss Universe 2010. It was held at the same Venue the Finals will be held at: The Mandalay Bay Events Center in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada. 83 beauties from all over the world introduced themselves to a rip-roaring crowd, then displayed their well-toned bodies in the Swimsuit Round, and in their Evening Gowns. The latter of which, naturally, is what I'm interested in. Lots of the contestants changed (as expected) from the gowns they wore before--and some, like Miss Greece, Turkey and India, for example, did not, and they stuck to the same dress.

Here are my "Nick Verreos Two Cents"-- Best Gowns:

Miss USA Rima Fakih looked stunning in this fire-red strapless Princess -seamed "Mermaid" gown. It's A LOT of Gown--and I'm not sure if Rima would be the girl to pull it off. But from the photos, she did. Loved her sleeked hair as well as the fact that she didn't wear any necklace but instead opted for a big modern cuff. Another Winner...

Miss Uruguay Stephany Ortega. Love the bubblegum "Barbie" pink and the modern taffeta-stiff ruffle detail. It is very Runway, as well as Fashion Magazine Editorial. The up-swept DIVA hair and simple drop earrings are perfect: 9.95 (if I was scoring).

I also LOVED Miss Colombia Natalia Navarro. This silver iridescent embroidered one-shoulder Mermaid-style gown was perfect; all she needs is a crown. Again: Simple earrings finish it off--no need to hit the Forever 21 accessory bin ladies!

Silver and metallics were popular this year in gowns. Miss Thailand Fonthip Watcharatrakul (who wore an Elie Saab Haute Couture-looking dress in the "official gown photos") wore a one-shoulder silver number that was very sexy, daring and featured an iridescent peek-a-boo back. The big 1975-esque hair-bun is a bit much for me but the gown looks fabulous!

Another silver queen was Miss Philippines Venus Raj. I like this silver lame gown with the side bow detail. One of the best in my opinion.

Speaking of Silver Queens, Miss Puerto Rico Mariana Vicente WORKED IT OUT, looking like Beyonce and Paulina Rubio's "Lovechild" here in this silver sequined "mirrored" high-slit gown. It IS Over-The-Top and stage-fabuloso; you can make sure the kids from the cheap nose-bleed seats could still see her!

I also liked what Miss Ukraine Anna Poslavska wore. The 5'11" beauty looks regal in this gown. It's a simple, elegant off-the-shoulder style and fits her perfectly. The "sisters" are "out there" but I'm actually OK with that! She looks classy and not vulgar in this gown.

Miss Ireland Rozanna Purcell (who all my Pageant-loving friends think will take the crown) also wore a gown that I liked (different form the tacky panty-showing mess she wore before!) but I just didn't like her hair and that necklace. So not necessary. Here's a question: The gown looked A LOT like this one...

That Miss Albania wore. The color looks a bit different in each photo but I SWEAR it's the same dress! Are they roommates? Was Miss Ireland in need of a gown and turned to Miss Albania? Inquiring (fashion) minds want to know!

Finally, I am actually "on the fence" with Miss Venezuela Marelisa Gibson's royal blue satin side draped gown with jeweled neckline.

It was very similar to the gown she wore when she won her country's crown in September 2009 except that gown was a raspberry color (above and below).

I actually liked this one better--both the color and silhouette. I also liked her hair style better back then. That over-sized bun she wore on Thursday night's Preliminaries just makes her look too old. Marelisa seems like a young, "fresh" and sassy contestant, and that royal blue heavy gown doesn't parallel her personality.

Now onto The "Oh No You Didn't":

Miss China Tang Wen. The dress above is what she wore as her competition GOWN. No, it's NOT the National Costume competition. And then she adds those hideous black pumps. Go back and borrow a gown from Miss Albania huney!

For some reason, there were some serious Prom Disasters as well: Miss Sweden Michaela Savic's multi-tiered rose-pink mess was straight out of some cheap pageant-and-Prom boutique. Poor thang!

Miss Hungary Timea Babinyecz also opted for a Prom Disaster, but in black. She's very "mysterious" I guess. The side-swept 1982 hairstyle is KILLING ME!!!

Oh and poor Miss Sri Lanka Ishanka Madurasinghe. Let's just begin with how beautiful she is! Gorgeous. But the gown: I cannot stop looking at that RIPPLED seaming. Trust me, kiddies, that is NOT supposed to look like that...unless it is a cheap dress. I want to go up on stage and pull the thread down the sewing seam--to release all that tension (sorry, too much Fashion Class 101 Terminology).

Also: NEVER, and I mean NEVER, should you wear a "High Water/Flood" gown (like Miss Slovenia Marika Savsek). It needs to hit the floor ladies! It SCREAMS I-just-bought-this-from-the-store and they didn't have anything for a tall girl like me. Get the folks back at home to come up with enough money for a Custom Gown darling!

Finally, in my "Not So Good" list is the gorgeous Miss Canada Elena Semikina. She is 6'1" and only 26 years old. But she looks twice her age and might be a cast member on Real Housewives of Toronto! It's A LOT of leg and wait...are those organza ruffles added to the bottom (like the rest of the gown's details weren't enough!). Elena could win Miss Universe 2010...but not in this gown. We'll see what happens...

I can't wait to watch Miss Universe 2010 this Monday, August 23rd, and see who makes the Top 15 and REALLY see all the gowns---Good and Bad!

Miss USA 2010 tonight! Here are some Best and Worst of the Preliminary Evening Gowns

Pageant Queens!Miss Texas USA, Kelsey Moore, in a feathered golden-beige gown reminiscent of the one Stefania Fernandez won her Miss Universe 2009 title in

Well kiddies, the Miss USA 2010 Pageant is on tonight, LIVE from Las Vegas. I was not commissioned to design any of this year's contestants gowns in case you were wondering (too busy of a schedule right now unfortunately!) but in the past, I have had the pleasure of designing the Final Gowns for... Miss California USA 2007, Meagan Tandy and... Miss Alaska USA 2008, Courtney Carroll, whom won Third Runner Up and Miss Photogenic Titles respectively (in my gowns!). So of course, as a fashion designer (and pageant fan), I will be watching for one thing, well...TWO: 1)What gowns these girls wear? And 2) Which one will not know where Iraq, Afghanistan or who our Vice President is and whether or not President Obama was born in Hawaii or Kenya. Hopefully they also studied up on what Goldman-Sachs is. Here's a hint: It's not a brand of shoes. Hopefully, Olympic Figure Skater Johnny Weir who is one of the judges (yes, he is this year's Perez Hilton I guess!) will ask a "controversial" question--Can't wait! Bring it on Johnny!
As always the Preliminary Swimsuit and Evening Gown Competition already occurred earlier in the week and in lieu of tonight's pageant, here are my "Nick Verreos" Highlights and Low-lights of those gowns:There were several "Color Trends" this year with contestants choosing White, Royal Blue or Red as the most popular colors. In the White Gown Category, Miss California USA, Nicole Johnson featured a strong gown with side lace re-embroidery. Not too "racy" and somewhat elegant (pageant girls LOVE the white, it makes them look "pure" I guess).Miss Ohio USA, Amanda Tempel's was one of my favorite White Gowns. Simple elegant, silk charmeuse cowl draped gown with not-too-bold crystal details. Very "Hollywood Glamour".Miss Oklahoma USA, Morgan Elizabeth Woolard, also chose white, with coral and multi-colored beaded embroidery. She looks like she has a great figure and the sculptural gowns shows it off. I'm just not a fan of that sweetheart neckline and the off-the-shoulder design; very 1986 for my taste.Another "White Gown" girl was Miss Washington USA, Tracy Turnure. She's over 6 feet tall and again, was wise in opting for a fitted and column silhouette. The gown was OK, I just wanted to remove that damn feather! It's like someone went to Michaels and really thought she needed an "accent"!Finally, for the White Gown Section, Miss North Carolina, Nadia Shirin Moffett (love that name, is she part Persian?) just gets "Nick Verreos Points" for giving "Drama" with that back "over-piece". That is so Fashion School 101, and I could just see the designer thinking "Oh, it will be FABULOUS to have that back piece...you will WORK IT, on the stage huney!".In the Royal Blue Color Trend, Miss Delaware stood out as one of my favorite. I like the top with the fanned criss-cross "bow" and crystals; I even like the slit. Not too bad. Go Miss Delaware!Miss Arkansas USA, Adrielle Churchill's royal blue gown was just right. Strapless, elegant, draped beautifully and the crystal brooch was perfect.In the Scarlet Gown Trend Category, Miss Florida USA, was probably the best. Again, fitted, strapless, elegant Duchesse satin and very "red carpet" worthy. I like how the back train looks here (as opposed to on Miss North Carolina USA). It's "organic" to the gown, not something that looks like it could be snapped on and off in a HOT MESS minute!
Speaking of HOT MESS:Oh Miss Mississippi USA, Courtney Breanne Ponder. You are soooo pretty! GIRL, why this gown? Like the high slit wasn't enough, you had to then have half your gown cut off on the side (of course, to reveal that 6-pack ab you've been working so hard for--but that's what the Swimsuit Competition is for!!!). Then I almost fainted when I looked down and saw them heels! Ladies, you are not STRIPPERS or ex-wives of Lorenzo Lamas! leave those to Shauna Sand!
Some of the contestants wear the same gown for the Final Telecast and some do not (they want to "Bust Out" with that "stunner" of a gown if they get picked as a Finalist!). We'll see!
Well, have fun watching--you know I will! Happy Miss USA 2010 Viewing!