Latest news with #finalists
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Miss Universe Canada faces heat after announcing its 'best body' finalists: 'This category is why people have a problem with pageants'
Some on social media questioned what the category's title meant, wondering if it was judged based on being skinny, muscular or something else. The Miss Universe Canada organization is facing some heat for a category some are saying shouldn't exist in today's world. Ahead of Saturday night's competition, the official Instagram account for the Canadian beauty pageant shared which top three delegates were finalists in its "best body" category. "Celebrating the dedication, discipline and confidence it takes to embody true physical excellence! Congratulations to our top three finalists for the 'Best Body' award," the organization wrote in a post featuring three delegates on the stage wearing swimwear. The caption added the category winner would "advance into the top 26" during the final event on Aug. 9. The three finalists included Malayika Kwizera of Ottawa, Jaime VandenBerg of Lethbridge, Alta., and Valeriia Kalmykova of North York, Ont. However, people on social media weren't too happy to hear that delegates were seemingly being judged on the appearance of their bodies. "These women are beautiful, however 'best body' should absolutely not be a category in 2025," one person commented, to which another replied saying," Biggg time agree. That title felt very '90s." "Best body? WTF does that even mean? Skinniest? Strongest? Healthiest? Bone density? This has nothing to do with women empowerment rn," one person added. "As a former MUC contestant, I have to say this category is why people have a problem with pageants," someone chimed in. "The fact the top three had the smallest frames is so concerning to me. I understand why Siera Bearchell felt let down and 'plus sized' by the organization," one person penned. Some people in the comments showed their support for the category and its finalists. "If these girls work hard to get their physique, then absolutely they should be celebrated. It's not an easy thing to achieve," someone shared. Kalmykova took to her social media account to share her perspective in a video, adding she was happy she was a finalist and understood "it's part of the competition." "But I want to remind you that the best body is the body you feel the best in," she continued. "The body that helps you to enjoy life. All changes happen from inside out. ... Once you learn how to feel your body, what your body needs, you will get your best body and you will feel confident in it." VandenBerg was the eventual winner of the entire Canadian pageant. She was crowned in Windsor, Ont., and will compete in the Miss Universe pageant later on Nov. 21 in Thailand against women from around the world. It's not the first time the Miss Universe Canada pageant has faced backlash regarding a stance that's not entirely body positive. Former Miss Universe Canada Siera Bearchell has been open about being bullied for her weight, especially when she arrived at the Miss Universe pageant in 2017 held in Manila. She recently recalled how "the world called me fat" at the time, expressing how her excitement over being on the world beauty pageant stage was tainted by hurtful comments from people who'd called her things like "Miss Piggy Universe" and "whale." "I was labelled the plus-sized contestant," she wrote in an Instagram post on July 28. "People even accused me of gaining weight on purpose to 'stand out.'" At the time, she said she had "minimal support" from the national team. "I could feel they didn't believe in me, and I started to lose confidence in myself," she added. "Until I remembered that I got to this point because I wasn't afraid to show up as me. I came this far because I knew that beauty and confidence was beyond size. My dream of standing on the Miss Universe stage was achieved because I had more to offer to the world than a number on a scale." Bearchell eventually placed ninth in the global pageant that year. However, she said she spent the days before the event working to repair her confidence so that she could "stand tall" and "proud" on stage. "I quite literally coached myself into having the confidence to step on that stage … even when the world was making memes of me that were making fun of me for not being as thin as the other contestants,' she continued. "I have realized people will doubt you and it's up to you to show up anyways."
RNZ News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Hunt is on for the country's best toastie
The Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover competition now has its 13 finalists. Susie talks to Becs Caughey, who's the co-creator of the competition, which saw the judging panel munching their way around the 208 toasties on offer this year. She'll explain how the humble toastie has gone above and beyond the usual ham and cheese - with some incredibly unusual offerings vying for the top spot. And you, listeners, have a chance to try them out until August the supreme winner is announced. All of the finalists on offer at this year's Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover. Photo: Supplied
CBC
27-07-2025
- Sport
- CBC
2025 World Aquatics Championships: Diving Men 1m Springboard Final
Watch the men's 1m springboard diving final from the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lionesses outlast Italy to reach Euros final but need more than fighting spirit to retain title
Somehow — and no one can quite be sure how — the Lionesses are European Championship finalists again. Their title defence goes on. The resilience England have shown in beating Sweden on penalties in the quarter-final and now Italy after extra time in Tuesday's semi-final can only bode well for them, however unconvincing they were in large parts of both knockout games. Sarina Wiegman's side trailed the unfancied Italy for much of the match after Barbara Bonansea's volley, right up until teenage substitute Michelle Agyemang proved herself nerveless once more. After forcing extra time against Sweden on Thursday, she did so again here, firing through the legs of two Italy players in injury time to ensure this night, too, went on and on for England. The Lionesses won't have minded, and not only because it was they who trailed and who were desperately running out of time to equalise when Agyemang struck. Extra time is as much a test of collective belief as it is about physical endurance, and here England were, playing a semi-final for their sixth consecutive major tournament. They belong at the latter stages of tournaments now; they are into a third straight final. Their winning goal came from ugly means, but this was, indeed, an ugly, fraught, imperfect performance from them — even though it did once again deliver another perfectly happy ending. Once Beth Mead had been fouled in the box by fellow substitute Emma Severini, England were awarded a penalty with four minutes of extra time remaining. Chloe Kelly took, was uncharacteristically denied, but chased down the rebound to stroke England into the final. The Lionesses will rightly celebrate with feeling after reaching the final with another unforgettable win, but their opponents there will be either Germany or Spain, and if that draws a gulp, it should. There were rather anonymous performances from Georgia Stanway and Lauren James against Italy, while full-backs Alex Greenwood and Lucy Bronze did not have their best games either. And manager Wiegman waited too long to bring the eventual matchwinner Kelly on (the 77th minute). The limited nature of their opposition — though Italy deserve huge respect — ensured those shortcomings did not come back to punish England. Against the Germans or the Spanish, there is no saying that things will end so rosy. But England got their eventual reward for the pressure they piled on Italy in the second half after heading to the dressing room a goal down. Even once Agyemang had forced extra time, there was no let-up from the Lionesses. Italy tired, but England also ensured that they tired, playing through them, past them, dominating the ball, making sure they were chasing shadows. Once again, England had enough left in the tank. They are proving themselves to be the masters of getting the job done on these long tournament knockout nights. As the final looms, that can only be a good thing.
RNZ News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Early Sports Chat for 11 July 2025
The women's Wimbledon finalists have been found. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
