Established 1961 Lifestyle

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019

Thalia Olvino representative of the Delta Amacuro reacts during the Miss in Caracas, Venezuela. 2019 Thalia Olvino speaks during a press conference in Caracas.

19-year-old student has been crowned asked to highlight her main qualities. In another Miss Venezuela, becoming the first win- round, fellow candidate Melissa Jimenez said Aner of the annual pageant since it opted that “Miss Venezuela has evolved and serves to not to publish contestants’ waist, hip and bust empower women.” measurements. Thalia Olvino prevailed in “A woman can inspire others to follow their Caracas on Thursday after organizers-facing dreams,” she added. Miss Venezuela, which has criticism for the contest’s primary focus on been running since 1952, is normally big busi- physical appearance-said they wanted to push ness in the crisis-wracked Latin American coun- back against stereotypes about what an ideal try, but it is suffering from the same difficulties woman looks like. “I did this with all my heart as the rest of the population. One of those is and total dedication,” Olvino said after the pag- frequent blackouts and a spokeswoman for the eant-during which contestants paraded on stage pageant last week revealed that the contest did in swimsuits nevertheless. In the past presenters not have enough money to put in place contin- would tell the audience the exact size of each gency measures in case of a power outage. contestant, many of whom underwent cosmetic Several beauty queens sent messages of solidar- surgery and followed strict diets to achieve the ity to the Venezuelan people. “I wanted to share supposedly ideal physique: a 90-centimeter with you how much love and support I have for (36- inch) bust, 60-centimeter waist and 90- all of you in Venezuela right now who are going centimeter hips. through a very difficult time,” former Miss But this year organizers tried to shift the Universe said.—AFP Thalia Olvino representative of the Delta focus, quizzing the contestants about their char- Amacuro state poses in a gala dress during acter. “Determination”, “excellence” and “initia- Thalia Olvino (left) representative of the Delta Amacuro state is crowned as the new Miss the Miss Venezuela beauty pageant. tive,” marketing student Olvino replied when Venezuela during the Miss Venezuela beauty pageant.

Contestants perform during the Miss Venezuela beauty pageant. Miss Venezuela 2019 Thalia Olvino (left) and Miss International Venezuela Contestants perform during the Miss Venezuela beauty pageant. Melissa Jimenez attend a press conference in Caracas.

Contestants pose in a gala dress during the Miss Venezuela beauty pageant.— AFP photos