Women keen to enter beauty contest

Press, 12 April 1984, Page 19

Women keen to enter beauty contest

The success of Lorraine Downes has persuaded girls who would not normally enter a beauty contest to enter the “Miss Universe” this year, according to the show’s producer, Jeff Bennet. “It’s woken up quite a few,” he says. They think, If she can do it I’ll have a go.’ They realise that winning can set you up for life and they’re looking on it as a business proposition,” he said. As a result, this year’s contestants are more sophisticated — as likely to be already running their own business as contemplating a modelling career. They are also tall this year. “Miss Universe” will be broadcast live from the Christchurch Town Hall on Two at 7.30 tonight. Twice as many girls as usual applied to enter the competition. Usually Mr Bennet interviews about 40 to 50 girls to find the 18 contestants, but this year he interviewed 85. Contestants come from all over New Zealand — five from Auckland, two from Wellington, two from Tauranga, two from Dunedin, two from Christchurch, two from Queenstown and one from Ohakune. “About the only place that isn’t represented is the West Coast,” said Mr Bennet. The pageant will be set against a backdrop of a big

city street scene — with neon lights, people and a New York-type pavement cafe. The proprietor of the cafe will be the show’s host, lan Watkin. Brent Brodie, the show’s guest, will play a waiter, and sing a couple of numbers. In keeping with the city scene, a group of four Auckland break dancers, the Hi Energy Lockers headed by Shane Dawson, will also provide entertainment. Mr Bennet had been considering having the whole show as an underwater event, but because television cameras are affected by high humidity, this was considered too risky for a live show. Instead the watery effects are confined to the swimwear sequence. An elaborate set has been built around the QE II pool with a waterfall and a hydroslide for the contestants to swish down. Mr Bennet described this dunking as the “great equaliser” for the contestants as make-up and hairstyles took the plunge. Last year’s winner, Lorraine Downes, will crown her successor, who will represent New Zealand at the international “Miss Universe” competition as part of her prize. The winner will receive a car, a wardrobe and luggage. The second place-getter will receive a video system with all accessories, worth ?4600. Third prize is a vertical stereo system.