MODEL-QUEENS: After a controversial postponement, the 70th Miss World pageant was finally staged on March 17 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Poland’s Karolina Bielawska, 22, who’s a model studying for a master’s degree in management, was declared the winner from a field of Top 40 contenders. Our Tracy Maureen Perez finished in the Top 13.
“I still cannot believe I’ve just become the second Miss World in Polish history. I am more than proud to bring that crown to my country. I have no words to express how extremely grateful I am for this opportunity and the huge amount of support I’ve received from so many people,” says the stunning Pole, who bears a resemblance to Australian actress Margot Robbie [Oscar-nominated for I, Tonya and Bombshell]. “I would have never come so far by myself. I believe that we are all placed here for a purpose and I have never been more excited for fulfilling mine. Thank you, God, I give all my glory to you. Always fight for your dreams, guys—they do come true!”
Karolina follows fellow Pole Aneta Kręglicka, who was Miss World 1989. Our own Kathleen Joy Paton, who bears a resemblance to the English actress director Rebecca Hall (Golden Globe-nominated for Vicky Cristina Barcelona), won the Philippines’ second Miss Eco International crown (after Cynthia Thomalia in 2018) in Cairo, Egypt, also on March 17.
A striking model who wants to pursue a business education, Kathleen, 24, was asked this as her final question: “As a titleholder, you’re a public figure. Do you think it’s important to stay neutral on controversial social issues or to use your title to promote your own belief, and why?”
The Fil-Australian’s winning reply, wearing a Val Taguba gown: “It is a very tough question in all honesty because we are at the forefront of opinions and negativity every single day, especially on social media. I do believe as a leader and as someone who is very influential in society, we sometimes have to use our voice in a very neutral state of mind because we have a very influential position. But in doing so, we also need to use our voice in order to motivate other people to stand up for what is right, and I think that takes a good moral compass.”
LADY OSCAR: This year’s Oscars, happening today, is poised to be a crowning moment for women in film. New Zealand director Jane Campion, the first woman to be nominated for best director twice, could make even more Oscar history if she wins for The Power of the Dog. She would follow Chinese director Chloé Zhao’s win for Nomadland.
Meanwhile, Power of the Dog cinematographer Ari Wegner could become the first woman to win an Oscar in her category.
But the most nail-biting is the best-actress race. It’s so wide open that anyone could pull a surprise—and still satisfying—win. Jessica Chastain for The Eyes of Tammy Faye seems the “Girl to Beat,” having won the Critics Choice and Screen Actors Guild statuettes. Trade rag Variety thinks Penélope Cruz will win for Parallel Mothers.
Olivia Colman, the 2019 winner, is a contender for The Lost Daughter. Could Nicole Kidman, who won for playing real-life Virginia Woolf in The Hours, win again for playing real-life icon Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos? Or is it time for an ingenue/indie darling, Kristen Stewart, for her transformative performance as Diana, Princess of Wales, in Spencer?
And what of their Oscar Night outfits? In 2003, Kidman wore an asymmetrical black gown by Jean Paul Gaultier when she won. Cruz wore a 60-year-old ivory Pierre Balmain vintage gown when she received her Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Vicky Cristina Barcelona at the 2009 Oscars.
Nominated for The Help, Chastain wore a goth Alexander McQueen gown (was it artistry or upholstery?) at the 2012 ceremony. In 2013, Stewart wore a Reem Acra pale ball gown, worn with Fred Leighton jewels, a Jimmy Choo heel, and crutches. In her stunning upset against Glenn Close (The Wife), Colman wore a forest green/emerald Prada gown with slate gray drapery.
ACTIVIST-ACTRESSES: Real-life superheroine Angel Locsin leads an array of actresses for an #AngatBabae and #WomensMonth campaign, with a radical disclaimer: Wala ni isang bayaran dito. Walang kapalit kundi pag-asa.
Wearing rosy rouge, Angel is joined by Angelica Panganiban, Agot Isidro, Iza Calzado, Bianca Gonzalez, Cherry Pie Picache, Mylene Dizon, Maris Racal, Jane de Leon, Julia Barretto, Jolina Magdangal, Yayo Aguila, Pinky Amador, Shamaine Buencamino, some personalities and transwomen such as Mela Franco Habijan and Pipay.
“Alam n’yo sa pink lipstick, dito ko lang masasabi lahat ng gusto. Dahil dito, malaya tayo. Lalo na ang mga babae. Walang magsasabi sa atin, ‘Hanggang d’yan ka lang. You’re weak,’” the PinkLipstickTogetherForLeni message boldly declares.“’Wag n’yong i-undersestimate ang power nitong pink lipstick. Dito, malaya ang mga bibig. Masasabi natin loud and proud, ‘Hindi ako babae lang. Babae ako! Babae ka! Babae tayo! At babae ang iboboto ko: Leni Robredo!”