Miss Universe 2008 - Three Vietnamese to join Miss Universe jury

Rosalina Tran Lydster, a Jury member

VietNamNet Bridge – By July 6, the names of seven members of the jury for the preliminary night (July 8) had been announced, including three Vietnamese or overseas Vietnamese.

They are Nguyen Cong Khe, Editor-in-chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper, Vietnamese-American Rosalina Tran Lydster, the co-designer of the crown for Miss Universe 2008, and Thuy Tran, a Vietnamese-American fashion and art expert.

The five other jury members include hair designer Adel Chabbi, Vice Chairman of NBC channel Dean McFliker, designer Fred Howard, and PR expert Dave Tomberlin.

Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori will host the preliminary night with a Vietnamese host, Nguyen Khac Nguyen.

The event on July 8 is very significant because the jury will choose the top 15 beauties of the Miss Universe pageant. However, the list will not be announced until the final round on July 14.

The preliminary round will be held at 8pm (local time) at the Crown Convention Centre in Diamond Bay Resort, Nha Trang city with two major parts: swimwear and night gown.

In the final round, the jury will select the top ten girls, who will participate in swimwear, night gown and interview competitions to compete for the pageant’s prizes. The top ten beauties will receive $500 and a Rogaska crystal trophy.

According to the organising board of Miss Universe 2008 competition, the jury of the final round on July 14 will see Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins, famous actress of NBC Nadine Velazquez, Donald Trump Jr, billionaire Donald Trump’s son, well-known Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli and hair designer Louis Licari.

Miss Universe 2008 contestants

The jury will number 12 so perhaps some Vietnamese can join the jury. The final round will be aired live in 170 countries and territories.

The Crown Convention Centre in Nha Trang will be equipped with an international light and sound system and LED screen of 125sq.m to serve the final round, the most important event of Miss Universe pageant.

At 4pm on July 9 (Vietnam time), the poll for Best in Traditional Costume of NBC TV channel will be kicked off at http://www.nbc.com/Miss_Universe_2008/. The winner will receive $1,000 and a trophy. The Best in Traditional Costume and Miss Friendly titles will be announced during the final round on July 14. Miss Friendly will be selected based on a poll of the 80 contestants. The prize for Miss Friendly will also be $1,000 and a trophy.