Miss TT reaches beauty semi-final

Twenty-two-year-old Magdalene Walcott, who placed in the top 20 of the Miss World competition two years ago, got as far as the 15 semi-finalists of the Miss Universe 2005 beauty pageant, but was unable to move ahead in the competition after the evening gown category.

The six-foot beauty wore a gown designed by a combination of Peter Elias and Meiling, with the tye-dye on the fabric done by Zadd and Eastman. Her hair for this leg of the show was done by Bali.

Trinidad and Tobago delegates have placed in every semi-final of both the Miss Universe and Miss World competitions for the last three years, and Walcott’s accomplishment made it the 12th occasion that a TT woman has done this country proud.

In the history of both major beauty competitions, Miss TT has taken the coveted titles on three occasions — Janelle Commissiong in 1977, Giselle La Ronde in 1986, and Wendy Fitzwilliam in 1998.

However, it was Russian-born Natalie Glebova of Canada who was crowned Miss Universe 2005, after beating out 81 delegates at the Bangkok, Thailand pageant on Monday.

The five-foot 11-inch beauty was, up to yesterday, a motivational speaker to grade school and high school students.

At a news conference after the show, the 23-year-old blue-eyed brunette from Toronto said she would use her title to raise awareness and money for the battle against AIDS, as she does her globetrotting rounds over the next year of her reign.

Placing second was Miss Puerto Rico Cynthia Olvarria, while Miss Dominican Republic Renata Stone took third place.

The show was co-hosted by Billy Bush and Nancy O’Dell, and was broadcast live to millions around the world.

Walcott, who shared a room with Miss Japan, was partying at the Coronation Ball yesterday and could not be reached at her room.

However, the accounts receivables officer is expected to be back in Trinidad tomorrow at 4.35 pm via BWIA flight 0901.