Miss Florida USA Faces

"I think Japanese girls are (among) the world's most special, unique, beautiful fast learners," says Ines Ligron, who has been coaching this country's Miss Universe contestants for the past decade as director of the Miss Universe Japan organization (MUJ). "Japanese women are almost perfect. It's just (necessary) to bring some color to them, some spice, and suddenly they look so much better."

Ligron, from France, trained Mori and Chibana in how to walk, stand, talk and behave - going beyond how they look to address how they think. "I'm a guest of Japan, and I'm very honored and respectful about that," she said.

Ligron says she believes any woman can have a special power over men, or even people in general, but says that most Japanese women aren't aware of their advantages. However, Mori and Chibana understood the concept, and employed what they learned in their training "200 percent," she said.

"There're two definitions of beauty. One is perfect symmetry. That means that your face is completely symmetrical. Everything is perfect, like a doll. And the second definition of beauty is `aura.' It's that you're not perfect, you are almost perfect, but aura brings you perfection that you don't have at birth," she said.

She says the aura comes with intelligence and seduction. "Imagine if you enter a room, if you know how to seduce by body language, facial movement, eye contact, everybody is going to meet you. And if they meet you and if you keep seducing by your intelligence, by sense of humor, by your natural elegance, then you can ask people anything you want. That's the seduction. That's the power of women," she said.

Each Miss Universe Japan - Mori and Chibana in the past two years - receives one-on-one training from Ligron before leaving for the host country about a month before the final. Ligron told the two to meet as many people as possible when they got to the host country, and to make as many appearances as possible in the local media so that people there would come to know them.

And her strategy worked, with the audiences at the contests cheering both Chibana and Mori, Ligron said. Ligron's imported training philosophy may be one of the factors that made Japanese finalists look so cosmopolitan. However, the finalists chosen for the Japan contests - including Mori and Chibana - already had a strong will and an ability to express themselves, as demonstrated by their ability to win the Japan selection over 4,000 other candidates. They looked strong and confident to begin with, and just needed polishing.

"I learned how to have confidence, pose, and be myself. The toughest thing is not in Ines' training, but in bringing ability and confidence to yourself. Her teachings help to do that. It worked for me," Mori says.

That tallies with what organizers say. "I think the biggest trends we are seeing is not only are the contestants beautiful, they exude self-confidence and feel very comfortable in showing their true personality. By being so real and so genuine, they consistently win over the crowd during the competition," says Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization in New York.

Even though it's a global competition, however, Hamada says Japanese virtues should not be forgotten, but rather be presented in a balanced manner. "I think we should know how to convey our inner fortitude - an admirable characteristic of Japanese women that shouldn't be overlooked," Hamada said.

"I think Japanese girls are (among) the world's most special, unique beautiful fast lerners," says Ines Ligron, wo has been coaching Japan's Miss Universe contestants for the past decade as director of the Miss Universe Japan orgamization (MUJ).

What a great year it has been with our reigning Miss Florida USA Jenna Edwards. From the moment Ms. Edwards was awarded the title she dedicated herself to helping those within our state. She traveled from The Panhandle to The Florida Keys in her efforts to support worthy causes and charities. Along the way pictures were taken and memories made. So in salute to our Ms. Edwards here is the first of a two part salute!

8.01.06 - Taking a helicopter tour of the Everglades with Miss New Mexico USA Onawa Lacy.

8.6.06 - Ms. Edwards has such a way with children. Seen here at Joe Robbie Stadium

- Kudos to Noelle Johnson, Miss North Central Florida USA 2008 who made an appearance at Camp Boggy Creek. The only medical camp in the state of Florida and it caters to seriously ill children. Ms. Johnson toured the camp, ate lunch with the children, and crowned Dorkus Tamasek, the camp director, Queen of Hearts. What a great way to help children in need Noelle!

- Kudos to Team Naples USA on their participation in last nights Sway/Zucchero Charity Fashion Show in Collier County! Pageant Director Sandra Silva and her dedicated group of titleholders and contestants hit the runway in benefit of local charities. The paparazzi took some great pictures and way to get involved in your local community ladies!

» PICTURES & STORIES WANTED!

If you enjoy reading the stories of our Miss Florida USA Family and want us to know what great things are happening either during or after you reign please email us at telair@aol.com. We love touting our sorority of outstanding Florida women. Please send us a paragraph (or two) on your appearances, awards or community service and include pictures. We want you to have all of the support of this great lifestyle we call Miss Florida USA!

» Alumni News Wanted!

If you know of any Miss Florida USA alumni in the news please drop us an email to feature them in future articles. Email all info to info@missfloridausa.com! Until next week here to good pageantry!

PICTURE OF THE WEEK!

This edition of Picture of The Week has a very royal theme. Any picture with the first lady of pageantry, Miss USA Rachel Smith and President Bush goes to the head of the class. In this picture we see Ms. Smith and President Bush before the start of a celebration of Black Music Month in the East Room of the White House. It’s a presidential Picture of The Week!