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☆ ‘Miss AI’ beauty pageant and the complicated quest for the ‘perfect’ woman
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

None of these women are real — everything about them, even the emotion that flickers across their faces, is generated by artificial intelligence (AI), for the world’s first ever AI beauty pageant. Fanvue World AI Creator AwardsEach of the contestants has a unique and distinctive personality, as well as face. But, echoing the reality of most modern Miss USA beauty pageant winners since the competition’s inception in 1921, most are White, thin and have long hair and symmetrical features, detailed Hilary Levey Friedman — a sociologist and author of “Here She Is: The Complicated Reign of the Beauty Pageant in America” — in a phone interview. Fanvue World AI Creator AwardsCreators of these AI models add that the technology itself is not necessarily the problem. Fanvue World AI Creator Awards“Influencers are just behind a screen,” Mohammad Talha Saray, one of Seren Ay’s creators, said.

Persons: ” Dr Kerry McInerney, Lalina, Turkey’s, Kemal Ataturk, Anne Kerdi, Zara Shatavari, Hilary Levey Friedman, Aiyana, McInerney, “ They’re, they’re, they’re compling, ” Aiyla Lou, “ DALL, Furkan Sahin, Seren, ”, Sally, Ann Fawcett, “ there’s, “, ” Fawcett, Asena, Sahin, Sofía, ” Eliza Khan, Levey Friedman, “ There’s, Merriam, Novales, Aitana, Lil Miquela, Calvin Klein, ” Mohammad Talha Saray, there’s, Anne Kerdi’s, Sébastien Keranvran, Anne, ” Anne Kerdi, Anne goodnight, Fanvue, it’s Organizations: CNN, Leverhulme Centre, Intelligence, University of Cambridge, Pageant, America ”, Miss, Prada Locations: French, Kyoto, Japan, Brittany, France, Miss USA, America, Brazil, Morocco

☆ Marissa Teijo, 71, is the oldest person to compete in Miss Texas USA. She says she hopes to inspire others
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Rikki Klaus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Bejeweled and sequined with her hair teased high, Marissa Teijo, 71, made history last weekend when she donned six-inch heels and walked across the stage of the Miss Texas USA competition, to thunderous applause. “My team told me that I got a standing ovation,” Teijo told CNN. She is also married, a mother and previously divorced – all previous disqualifiers until last year, when the Miss Texas USA rules changed, according to the pageant’s website. Aarieanna Ware, who was previously Miss Dallas, took home the title of Miss Texas USA. It’s to be healthy, to be strong and be able to do things as you get older.”Things like Miss Texas USA.

Persons: CNN —, Marissa Teijo, “, ” Teijo, ”, –, Teijo, I’m, she’s, she’d, septuagenarian, Aarieanna Ware, Dallas, She’s Organizations: CNN, Miss, Miss Texas USA, Miss USA, Hilton, Post, Texas USA Locations: Miss Texas, El Paso, Lazbuddie, Northwest Texas, Mexico, Texas, Houston

☆ Trump got the perfect birthday present: complete capitulation by the GOP
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Donald Trump got his 78th birthday present a day early — a handshake from his longtime bitter critic, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, encapsulating the Republican Party’s complete submission to its presumptive presidential nominee. They were provoked by the president.” He said Trump was morally and practically responsible for the assault on his beloved Capitol. “There’s tremendous unity in the Republican Party,” the ex-president said. Vance, was asked how some senior Republicans who had condemned Trump after January 6 could meet and applaud him now. “I think it’s a good thing and the Republican Party is in a good place.”Vance is not wrong.

Persons: Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, encapsulating, Republican Party’s, Mike Pence, Keen, Florida GOP Sen, Marco Rubio, Trump, Texas Sen, Ted Cruz, McConnell, Doug Mills, Elaine Chao, ”, clasped McConnell’s, Nikki Haley, “, Evelyn Hockstein, Ohio Sen J.D, Vance, ” Vance, Utah Sen, Mitt Romney, Liz Cheney, Paul Ryan, Trump’s deportment, Biden, Joe Biden —, —, Donald Trump’s, It’s, Vladimir Putin, we’re, ” Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, Putin, Joe Biden, Antonio Masiello, John Bolton, ” Bolton, Bianna Golodryga, Ronald Reagan, doesn’t Organizations: CNN, Republican, Capitol, Republicans, trouncing Democrats, Florida GOP, The New York Times, Kentucky, Trump, South Carolina Gov, Republican Party, National Republican Senatorial, Reuters, Former Wyoming, Fox News, Lawmakers, GOP, Domenico, Borgo, Former Trump, Zelensky, CNN International Locations: Florida, Texas, adulation, America, Washington, Utah, Italy, Ukraine, Fasano

☆ What Really Happened Inside Miss USA?
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Madison Malone Kircher | Callie Holtermann | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Laylah Rose says she won her first pageant at the age of 2. Ms. Rose didn’t only want to wear a sash, as her mother and grandmother had done before her: She wanted to run Miss USA. Last summer Ms. Rose, 45, whose legal name is Laylah Loiczly, finally achieved that goal. In recent years, Miss USA has weathered allegations of racism and sexual harassment, and has passed from owner to owner — one of them being Donald J. Trump. The 2022 suicide of Miss USA 2019 sent the organization reeling.

Persons: Laylah Rose, Rose didn’t, Rose, Loiczly, —, Donald J, Trump, Rose’s Organizations: Miss, Miss USA Locations: Miss USA

☆ Do You Have a Tip About the Pageant World? We Want to Hear From You.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Madison Malone Kircher | More About Madison Malone Kircher | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When the reigning Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, Noelia Voigt and UmaSofia Srivastava, resigned last month, it rocked the pageant world. Even when the organization has faced allegations of racism, sexual harassment and pageant rigging in the past, no titleholder had ever before stepped down. Some pageant contestants said they were disillusioned with Miss USA and described the environment as toxic. We want to learn more about Miss USA, its parent company Miss Universe and the pageant world more broadly. We’re interested in hearing from contestants past and present, pageant coaches, parents, employees and anyone else who has knowledge of the inner workings of pageants.

Persons: Noelia Voigt, UmaSofia Srivastava, Callie Holtermann Organizations: Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss

☆ The US has a rich drag history. Here’s why the art form will likely outlast attempts to restrict it
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-09 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

Most of those efforts failed, but they have fueled harmful rhetoric around drag performers and the art form itself. Barbara Alper/Getty ImagesDrag has become increasingly visible in recent years through mainstream shows like “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and popular public events such as drag brunches, drag bingo and drag queen story hours, in which drag performers read children’s books to young audiences, often at libraries. Pickle reads from a book during the Drag Queen Story Hour program at a Los Angeles library in 2019. These lawmakers falsely claim that drag performers “groom” or sexualize children, of which there is also no evidence. It’s why Alaska Thunderf**k, the blonde bouffanted winner of the second season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” first got into drag – to make art that wasn’t bound by rules.

Persons: Anderson Cooper, twirling, Madonna’s, Papa Don’t, ”, “, Meatball, George Santos, Mo B, Dick, It’s, Joe E, Jeffreys, Barbara Alper, ” Jeffreys, ’, Larry La Fountain, Stokes, Ann Arbor, von Miramar, you’ve, William Dorsey Swann, Swann, Channing Gerard Joseph, Nino Testa, ” Testa, it’s, ” Julian Eltinge, pansy, weren’t, Joan Jett Blakk, Adam Turner, Blakk, —, ” Blakk, I’m, Testa, Devin Antheus, Harry James Hanson, Hanson, Marsha P, Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, ” Antheus, Esther Newton, impersonators, ” Newton, RuPaul Charles, who’d, Monica Beverly Hillz, Kylie Sonique, RuPaul, Sasha Colby, Santiago Felipe, David McNew, Antheus, aren’t, who’ve, we’ll Organizations: CNN, New York University, University of Michigan, New, Princeton University, Texas Christian University, Police, Queens, San Francisco, Stonewall, “, Guardian, Broadway, Movement Advancement Locations: Florida, Ann, “, Harlem, Washington, America, Fort Worth, New York, San Francisco, Tennessee, Montana, Los Angeles, It’s, Alaska

☆ Donald Trump-Karen McDougal Affair: Was Melania Pregnant?
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-09 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

According to one of the prosecutors in the case, Trump had an affair with Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model, while his wife, Melania Trump, was pregnant. The idea that the affair took place while Melania Trump was expecting a child, however, had never been previously reported. "We were just as surprised as you when Josh Steinglass stated that Melania was pregnant at the time," Carol Heller, a representative for McDougal, told Business Insider. Barron Trump, the sole child of Donald and Melania Trump, was born in March 2006 — before McDougal says the affair took place. Advertisement"Steinglass misspoke about Melania being pregnant during the affair, and Merchan relied on the incorrect impression he gave when he talked about Melania being pregnant," Heller told BI.

Persons: —, Donald, Trump, Karen McDougal, Melania Trump, McDougal, Joshua Steinglass, Steinglass, Josh Steinglass, Melania, Carol Heller, Juan Merchan, Trump's, Barron Trump, Chad Buchanan, Heller, Merchan, McDougal —, Karen, Barron, didn't, Stormy Daniels, Todd Blanche, Blanche, Daniels, Billy Farrell, Patrick McMullan, Joe Palazzolo, Michael Rothfeld, Gina Rodriquez, Dylan Howard, Rodriguez, Donald Trump, McDougal's, Michael Cohen —, fixer —, Cohen, Anderson Cooper, Cooper Organizations: Service, Business, Trump, New, Playboy, Prosecutors, Attorney's Office, National Enquirer, Getty, NBC, Tahoe, Donald Trump . Manhattan, Attorney's, CNN Locations: Manhattan, Los Angeles, Lake Tahoe

☆ 'Miss AI' is the first-ever beauty pageant for AI influencers. See the top 10 finalists.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-08 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewFanvue is holding its first "Miss AI" contest, where its finalists aren't human but artificial intelligence personas from around the world. The company announced in April that it would hold the Fanvue World AI Creator Awards and has now announced the top 10 finalists for the Miss AI title. "The launch of the Fanvue World AI Creator Awards and this first award has thrust the AI Creator space into the mainstream for the first time, and the number of entries has been staggering," Will Monange, the cofounder of Fanvue, said in a press release. The judging panel consists of a pageant historian, a media entrepreneur, and two AI creators. The Fanvue World AI Creator Awards offers a window into a world where AI-generated personas are taken seriously — even if all finalists meet fairly typical beauty standards.

Persons: —, Will Monange Organizations: Service, Business, Miss

☆ Miss Universe Ecuador: 46-year-old competes for crown as pageant’s oldest participant
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-07 | by ( Ana María Cañizares | Abel Alvarado | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Ecuador may have a 46-year-old woman representing the small Andean nation in the Miss Universe beauty pageant later this year. Yajaira Quizhpi – who represents the Sierra region – is vying for the national title of Miss Universe Ecuador. The winner will go on to represent Ecuador at the Miss Universe competition in Mexico in September. Quizhpi is the oldest woman in the country’s history to participate in the contest organized by the Miss Universe franchise. In May, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA resigned within days of one another amid allegations of mismanagement, toxicity and conditions that impacted their mental health.

Persons: Yajaira Quizhpi, Quizhpi, ”, “, Daysi Laman, Carolina Cobo, Cobo, Alejandra Rodriguez Organizations: CNN, Miss, Miss Universe, Quizhpi, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA Locations: Ecuador, Sierra, Miss Universe Ecuador, Machala, El Oro province, Mexico, Azogues, Cañar, Miss, Pichincha, America, Miss Buenos Aires, Argentina

☆ Late Miss USA Cheslie Kryst thought her accomplishments were 'just OK,' mom says: How high-functioning depression presents
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Even the highest of achievers can struggle with feelings of loneliness and unbearable sadness behind closed doors — a state that's commonly referred to as high-functioning depression. High-functioning depression isn't a clinical diagnosis, but the National Alliance on Mental Illness recognizes it as a term that can describe "anyone who is grappling with mental health issues while accomplishing their day-to-day tasks and upholding their responsibilities." Symptoms of high-functioning depression can present differently than the severe signs of major depressive disorder like diet changes, sleep disturbances, fatigue and feelings of hopelessness, says April Simpkins, mother of the late Miss USA winner Cheslie Kryst. "For some people like Cheslie, it can feel like [it's] normal to be in the state of feeling sadness or feeling loneliness. We spoke to Chase Cassine, a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist, about managing symptoms of high-functioning depression.

Persons: Simpkins, Cheslie Kryst, Cheslie, NAMI, Chase Cassine Organizations: National Alliance, Mental, Miss USA, CNBC

☆ Alejandra Rodriguez: 60-year-old Miss Buenos Aires says change is coming as Miss Universe run comes to an end
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-26 | by ( Abel Alvarado | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A 60-year-old Argentine beauty queen’s run for Miss Universe may have come to an end, but she says her remarkable journey is the “first step of a change” in society’s perceptions. Alejandra Rodriguez made headlines across the world in April when she was crowned Miss Buenos Aires, becoming the first sexagenarian to win a contest organized by the Miss Universe franchise. “This is the first step of a change that is coming,” Rodriguez, an attorney and journalist by profession, told CNN en Español after the contest. Rodriguez’s participation was only made possible after the Miss Universe organization changed its rules related to age. The winner on Saturday was Magalí Benejam, who at 29 would have been ruled too old to compete under the previous rules.

Persons: Alejandra Rodriguez, ” Rodriguez, “, ”, Magalí Benejam Organizations: CNN, Miss, Miss Universe, Miss Argentina Locations: Argentine, Miss Buenos Aires

☆ Chelsea Manalo: First Black Filipina crowned as Miss Universe Philippines
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Filipino American Chelsea Manalo became the first Black woman to be crowned Miss Universe Philippines on Wednesday. Chelsea Manalo will be representing the Philippines at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico in September. Over 100 countries will be represented at Miss Universe 2024. The Miss Universe organization has come under scrutiny in recent weeks, as the parent company of the Miss USA organization. Both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA resigned from their roles earlier this May, amid allegations of mismanagement, a toxic work environment, and conditions that impacted their mental health.

Persons: Chelsea Manalo, “, ”, Manalo, Gloria Diaz, Margie Moran, Pia Wurtzbach, Steve Harvey, Catriona Gray Organizations: CNN, Chelsea, Miss, Philippines, Miss Universe Philippines, SM, Asia Arena, Miss Universe, TV, YouTube, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA Locations: Filipino, African American, Bulacan, Manila, Asia, Pasay, Philippines, Mexico, TV Philippines, Miss USA

☆ Trump’s V.P. Pageant Has an Unexpectedly Strong Contender: Tom Cotton
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Michael C. Bender | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas has unexpectedly emerged as a top contender to become Donald J. Trump’s running mate, a signal that the former president is heavily weighing experience and the ability to run a disciplined campaign over other factors. Mr. Cotton’s ascendance comes as Mr. Trump’s leading vice-presidential options have increasingly come into focus, according to three people with direct knowledge of Mr. Trump’s thinking who insisted on anonymity to discuss private meetings. These people said that Mr. Trump’s other current favorites were Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota and three of Mr. Cotton’s Senate colleagues: Marco Rubio of Florida, Tim Scott of South Carolina and J.D. Still, the people close to Mr. Trump cautioned that his vice-presidential preferences might change.

Persons: Tom Cotton of, Donald J, Cotton’s ascendance, Trump’s, Doug Burgum, Cotton’s, Marco Rubio, Tim Scott of, J.D, Vance of Ohio, Biden, Trump Locations: Tom Cotton of Arkansas, North Dakota, Marco Rubio of Florida, Tim Scott of South Carolina

☆ New Miss USA Savannah Gankiewicz said her decision to take the crown was 'not made lightly' after the Miss Teen USA runner-up declined
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Samantha Grindell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

On May 9, the Miss USA organization announced that Gankiewicz would become Miss USA following Voigt's resignation. She also told the outlet she's only had positive experiences with both Miss Hawaii USA and Miss USA. AdvertisementThe Miss Teen USA first runner-up didn't accept her crownTwo days after Voigt gave up her title, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava also resigned. Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava both resigned. Chance Yeh/Getty Images for Supermodels UnlimitedHer crown was offered to Stephanie Skinner, the first runner-up in the Miss Teen USA pageant and Miss Teen New Jersey for 2023.

Persons: —, Gankiewicz, Noelia Voigt, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, Voigt, Josh Green, Miss USA, It's, They've, didn't, Chance Yeh, Stephanie Skinner, Skinner, Claudia Michelle, Colorado Arianna Lemus, BI's Anneta Konstantinides, Srivastava, NDAs, Jackeline Voigt, Barbara Srivastava, Miss USA's, Laylah Rose Organizations: Service, Miss USA, Miss Hawaii, Miss Teen USA, Business, Miss, CNN, Miss Hawaii USA, Teen USA, Miss Teen Locations: Miss USA, Hawaii, Honolulu, Miss Teen New Jersey, Instagram

☆ Mothers of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Speak Out on Resignations
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Anneta Konstantinides | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

A rocky startVoight was the first Miss Utah to win the Miss USA crown since 1960. Miss USARose, a fashion designer, bought the Miss USA license after a turbulent year that included rigging allegations and a sexual harassment cover-up. Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesIn her Miss USA resignation letter, Noelia detailed the "detrimental mental and emotional toll" of her time at Miss USA and how it "greatly impacted" her physical health. Noelia and UmaSofia's reigns as Miss USA and Miss Teen USA would have officially ended in August, but their mothers said it became too much. The network — which signed a three-year deal in April to air both the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA competitions — said on Monday that it's now "evaluating its relationship with both pageants," according to USA Today.

Persons: Noelia Voigt, Jackeline Voigt, Noelia's, Jackeline, Barbara Srivastava —, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, Noelia, UmaSofia, Barbara, Miss USA's, Laylah Rose, aren't, Rose, Voight, We're, we're, Brian Ach, Miss USA, Thom Brodeur, UmaSofia Srivastava, Barbara Srivastava Barbara, didn't, Stephanie Skinner, Skinner, Teen USA — Barbara, Rose hadn't, USA's, Kenya Moore, Olivia Culpo, they're, Voigt, Hector Vivas, —, — Noelia, Rose weaponized, Claudia Michelle —, Michelle, Colorado Arianna Lemus, Laylah, she's, Barbara Srivastava, it's, Brodeur Organizations: Miss USA, Business, Miss Teen USA, Miss, ABC News, New York, Christmas, Teen USA, Miss Universe, El, ., BI, USA, Miss Teen, Noelia, CW Network Locations: Venezuelan American, Miss Utah, Miss USA, Noelia's, USA, El Salvador

☆ Savannah Gankiewicz crowned new Miss USA amid ongoing turmoil at pageant
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Amid a dramatic two weeks of resignations and allegations made against the Miss USA organization, Miss Hawaii USA Savannah Gankiewicz — who had originally placed as the first runner-up at the 2023 Miss USA pageant — has stepped up to be crowned Miss USA. The Miss Universe organization and Rose, through Miss USA, did not respond to CNN’s requests for comment. She welcomed Gankiewicz to the Miss USA family telling her to “embrace this moment of influence and let your words carry the power of positive change,” and thanked her corporate partners and sponsors for their “unwavering support.”Rose said that this year’s Miss Teen USA and Miss USA pageants would take place in Los Angeles and would broadcast on the CW network. The CW announced a multi-year agreement to air the two pageants in April, but in light of recent allegations, USA Today reported Monday that the network was “evaluating” its relationship with the Miss USA organization. Miss USA and Miss Universe Organization, have not returned CNN’s multiple requests for comment.

Persons: USA Savannah Gankiewicz —, —, Miss USA, ”, Hawaii Josh Green, “, Gankiewicz, Noelia Voigt, Voigt, Laylah Rose, UmaSofia Srivastava, Rose, ” Rose, Stephanie Skinner, ” Barbara Srivastava, Arianna Lemus, ” Gankiewicz, ” Lemus, Jackeline Voigt, Noelia, it’s Organizations: CNN, Miss USA, Miss, USA Savannah, USA, Miss Universe, Miss Teen, Teen USA, CW, Miss Teen USA, Miss Universe Organization, Miss Colorado USA Locations: USA, Hawaii, Honolulu , Hawaii, Waikiki, Sarasota , Florida, Miss USA, Los Angeles, Lahaina, Maui

☆ Meet Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz, who will be crowned Miss USA following Noelia Voigt's resignation
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Samantha Grindell | Anneta Konstantinides | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewNoelia Voigt was crowned Miss USA in September 2023 in a moment full of celebratory tears and confetti. On May 9, the organization announced Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz will be taking over as Miss USA for the remainder of Voigt's tenure. AdvertisementGankiewicz was the first runner-up in the 2023 Miss USA pageant, and she won the costume contestGankiewicz competed in the Miss USA pageant after being crowned Miss Hawaii in January 2023. As of Wednesday, Miss USA had yet to announce who will replace Srivastava as Miss Teen USA. AdvertisementHer reign as Miss Hawaii technically ended in April when Breea Yamat was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2024.

Persons: —, Noelia Voigt, Voigt, Gankiewicz, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, Claudia Michelle, Miss Colorado Arianna Lemus, Laylah Rose, Rose, Miss USA, Srivastava, Stephanie Skinner, Lifestyle.Inq's Carl Martin Agustin, Lifestyle.Inq, Breea Yamat Organizations: Service, Miss USA, Miss, Business, Miss Hawaii, Savannah Gankiewicz, Miss Teen USA, Savannah Miss, Miss Teen, Teen New, American, Pacific Islander Heritage, Mutya ng Pilipinas, Miss Overseas Communities Locations: Miss USA, Savannah, Hawaii, USA, Savannah Miss USA, Oahu, Maui, Virginia, Bali, Gankiewicz, Philippines, Miss Hawaii USA

☆ Why the drag looks in ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ are still iconic, 30 years on
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Caitlin Chatterton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

This is the opening scene from “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”, which first screened at Cannes Film Festival 30 years ago this month. In the film, Tick (Hugo Weaving) and Bernadette (Terence Stamp) help Adam (Guy Pearce) realize his dream of climbing King Canyon in full drag. “I think that’s definitely one of the most iconic looks,” drag artist and costumer Philmah Bocks told CNN. Bocks has been designing costumes for 30 years, having broken into the drag scene around the same time “Priscilla” was hitting screens. The film’s legacy can also be seen in Australia’s drag scene today and, since 2021, has been broadcast to new audiences via contestants on “Rupaul’s Drag Race Down Under”.

Persons: CNN —, Belrose, Hugo Weaving, Mitzi Del, Priscilla , Queen, “, Tim Chappel, I’d, Elliott, Bernadette Bassenger, Terence Stamp, Adam Whitley, Felicia Jollygoodfellow, Guy Pearce, Priscilla, Queen, Bernadette, Adam, Chappel, ” Chappel, Susan Barber, Priscilla ”, Lizzy Gardiner, Oscar, Mitzi Del Bra, ”, Gloria Gaynor’s “, costumer Philmah Bocks, Bocks, Tim Chappel's, Priscilla ’, they’ve, couldn’t, I’ve, “ Priscilla ”, she’s, London’s, Katy Perry, they’re, Katy Perry’s, ” Bocks, Felicia Jollygoodfellow's, ” Stephan Elliott Organizations: CNN, Cannes Film, Miss Teen USA, Sydney, Cannes, Chappel, First Nations, Royce Locations: CNN — Sydney, Silicon, Sydney, Australia, Tasmania

☆ Miss USA and Miss Teen USA’s mothers speak out: ‘They were ill-treated, abused, bullied and cornered’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Days after their daughters’ decisions to relinquish their pageant titles, the mothers of former Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava are speaking out — in place of their daughters, who they say are still bound by non-disclosure agreements with the Miss USA organization. It marked the first time a titleholder in Miss USA or Miss Teen USA had resigned, and both happened in quick succession. For now, the mothers are warning prospective pageant contestants about getting involved with Miss USA. On Wednesday, the runner-up for Miss USA, Savannah Gankiewicz from Hawaii, will step up and take the title in a ceremony. But Miss Teen USA remains open, as the runner-up from 2023, New York’s Stephanie Skinner, declined to be crowned in a public statement on Instagram.

Persons: Miss USA Noelia Voigt, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, ” Barbara Srivastava, Jackeline Voigt, “, UmaSofia Srivastava, Noelia Voigt, ”, Jackeline, Laylah Rose, Rose, ” Voigt, Voigt, Noelia, ” Rose, Hector Vivas, Barbara Srivastava, ” Jackeline, Stephanie Skinner, Miss Pennsylvania Teen Maggie Ross, it’s Organizations: CNN, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss, Morning America, Morning, ABC, 72nd Miss Universe, Getty, Miss Universe Organization, JKN Global, Teen, Miss Pennsylvania Teen Locations: Miss USA, Miss, Sarasota , Florida, Sarasota, San Salvador, Savannah Gankiewicz, Hawaii

The best in show competition, essentially a doggie beauty pageant, is the culmination of a multiday canine extravaganza here at Westminster. The winner, with a blink-and-you’d-miss-it time of 28.76 seconds, was an All-American dog named Nimble. Nimble was the first All-American dog — the dog show word for mutt — to take the top spot in the 11 years that agility has been part of Westminster, and he was also the first dog from the 12-inch division to win the competition. Perhaps the best example is Kratu, a rescue dog who has appeared several times at the Crufts dog show in England. Miles, an All-American rescue dog from Erie, Pa., who defeated the odds to become an agility champion and whose unlikely road to Westminster was described in The Times, competed on Saturday in the 20-inch division.

Persons: mutt —, Lark, Hogan, Miles, Christine Longnecker, “ Organizations: The Times Locations: Westminster, England, Erie, Pa

☆ OpenAI may have finally cracked the code on voice interactions with AI
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In today's big story, everyone's talking — literally — about the big update for OpenAI's ChatGPT that could make your job a lot easier . AdvertisementOpenAI may have finally cracked the code on voice interactions with AI, though. OpenAI says GPT-4o's average response to audio inputs is 320 milliseconds, which is on par with a typical human-to-human conversation. "They've essentially made text input almost be the barbaric form of communicating with ChatGPT (or any AI) now," the developer said. ChatGPT, Tyler Le/BIOpenAI's big reveal shows the shockwaves the startup keeps sending through the tech world.

Persons: —, Here's, ChatGPT Holger Scheibe, Tyler Le, OpenAI, Alex Bitter, They've, ChatGPT, Katie Notopoulos, Siri, it's, Apple that's, Andrew Burton, Justin Sullivan, Rebecca Zisser, Tim Cook's, Tesla, Mark Zuckerberg, he's, Nathan Congleton, Melinda, Gates, French Gates, she'd, Melinda Gates, Bill Gates, Doug McMillon, It's, Dan DeFrancesco, Jordan Parker Erb, Hallam Bullock, George Glover Organizations: Service, Teen, Business, HAL, Hollywood, Apple, Apple's Worldwide, Conference, GPT, Google, Microsoft, Washington, Getty, Tesla, Melinda Gates Foundation, University of Arkansas, Depot, Sony, Disney, Cannes Locations: NBCU, New York, London

☆ The Miss Teen USA first runner-up declined to take over the title, saying she'd 'never give up' her integrity
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Samantha Grindell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewThe Miss Teen USA first runner-up won't be taking over as queen. On Wednesday, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava announced she was resigning from her position just two days after Miss USA Noelia Voigt gave up her crown. Stephanie Skinner declined the title of Miss Teen USASkinner, who represented New York in the Miss Teen USA pageant, announced on Instagram that she "decided to decline the title of Miss Teen USA 2023." AdvertisementSkinner told BI she still hopes to hold a national pageant title someday, but it won't be Miss Teen USA. Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava resigned their titles.

Persons: —, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, Miss USA Noelia Voigt, Miss Teen USA's, Stephanie Skinner, wouldn't, Skinner, I've, Srivastava, Voigt, Noelia Voigt, Chance Yeh, Claudia Michelle, Miss Colorado Arianna Lemus, Lemus, Miss Hawaii USA Savannah Gankiewicz Organizations: Service, Teen USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss USA, Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz, Business, Miss, Miss Teen, University of Pennsylvania, Miss Hawaii Locations: New York, Thailand, I'm, USA, Instagram, Miss USA, Miss Hawaii USA Savannah

☆ Shock Miss USA resignations are just the tip of the iceberg, insiders say
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

“We respect and support Noelia’s decision to step down from her duties,” the Miss USA pageant said in a statement following Voigt’s announcement. “No woman has ever resigned as Miss USA or as Miss Teen USA, and she’s lost both of them in 48 hours,” he said. And according to Engelhardt, they were far from the only members of the Miss USA organization to depart. Savannah Gankiewicz, who as Miss Hawaii placed as first runner-up during the 2023 Miss USA pageant, will take over as Miss USA following Voigt's resignation. Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports/ReutersOn May 9, the Miss USA pageant announced that Savannah Gankiewicz, Miss Hawaii USA 2023 and first-runner up to Voigt at the 2023 Miss USA pageant, would be taking over the national title and its responsibilities.

Persons: Noelia Voigt, UmaSofia Srivastava, Srivastava, Voigt, “, ”, Ashlee McKey, Alexis Loomans, Rachelle di Stasio —, ” Srivastava, Denise White, Craig Barritt, Laylah Rose, slandering, ” Rose, Tom Williams, Rose, ’ Voigt, White, I’ve, ” White, “ It’s, It’s, Chance Yeh, Thom Brodeur, she’s, Brodeur, Miss, Claudia Engelhardt, Engelhardt, ” Engelhardt, Crystle Stewart, Rob Kim, Weeks, Savannah Gankiewicz, Kyle Terada, Gankiewicz, Shanna Moakler, Cindy Provost, Debbie Miller, — Engelhardt Organizations: CNN, Miss USA, Miss Teen, Miss Teen USA, Utah, Miss North Carolina USA, Miss New York, USA, ”, Inc, Miss, Miss Universe Organization, Miss Hawaii, Sports, Reuters, Savannah Miss, Voigt’s, Miss Utah USA, Srivastava’s, Miss New Jersey Teen USA Locations: New Jersey, Miss Wisconsin, New York, Sarasota , Florida, Miss Utah, Miss USA, Los Angeles, Utah, ”, USA, Savannah, Miss Hawaii USA, Savannah Miss USA

☆ Miss Colorado didn't want to enable the Miss USA organization's 'abusive power' so she's giving up her title in support
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Anneta Konstantinides | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Their announcements marked the first time a Miss USA or Miss Teen USA had given up their title in the pageant's 72-year history. "I think so many women forget their power, and organizations like Miss USA remind women how powerful you can become," Lemus told Business Insider. Taking a stand against Miss USA leadershipTo walk away from a title — whether state or national — is unprecedented in the Miss USA organization. "But if I didn't, it would almost enable the abusive power that is happening with the current Miss USA management." Both Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava and Miss USA Noelia Voigt resigned this week.

Persons: —, Miss Colorado Arianna Lemus, Miss USA Noelia Voigt, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, Lemus, Voigt, Srivastava, Instagram, Claudia Michelle —, Michelle, Former Miss Montana Dani Walker, Laylah Rose hasn't, Lemus —, Miss USA, she's, Miss Kansas Haley Berger, Berger, Laylah Rose, Voight, Craig Barritt, Max Sebrechts, Crystle Stewart, Rose, Dakota Amber Hulse, wasn't, Arianna Lemus, Arianna, Hulse, …, it's Organizations: Service, USA, Miss, Miss Teen USA, Business, Miss USA, BI, Miss Hawaii, Former Miss, Miss Colorado Locations: Miss USA, Miss Hawaii Savannah, Miss Colorado

☆ 7 of the most controversial moments in Miss USA history
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Anneta Konstantinides | Samantha Grindell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Miss Pennsylvania alleged the 2012 Miss USA pageant was rigged. Isaac Brekken/Getty ImagesOlivia Culpo won the Miss USA pageant in 2012, but Sheena Monnin, who competed as Miss Pennsylvania that year, alleged that the pageant was rigged and the top five contestants were selected before the show started, Business Insider previously reported. Two days after the pageant, Monnin called out the organization in a Facebook post and announced she was resigning as Miss Pennsylvania, according to The Guardian. "We cannot allow a disgruntled contestant to make false and reckless statements which are damaging to the many people who have devoted their hearts and souls to the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageant systems," Trump said. Though the details of the settlement are not public, The Guardian reported that she used the money to pay Miss Universe.

Persons: Isaac Brekken, Olivia Culpo, Sheena Monnin, Monnin, Donald Trump, Trump, Sheena Organizations: Miss Pennsylvania, Miss USA, Miss, Business, Guardian, Miss Universe Organization, TMZ, Miss Teen USA Locations: Miss Pennsylvania

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