The Citizen (KZN)

Slum to world stage: ‘dreams do come true’

- Caracas

– The title of Miss Venezuela on Thursday went to a woman from the country’s largest slum after a ceremony that traded glitz for frugality, reflecting an acute economic free fall.

The new beauty queen in a country that loves this kind of pageant is Isabella Rodriguez, 25, from a Caracas shantytown called Petare – home to over half-a-million people.

“From Petare to the world, dreams can in fact come true,” model Rodriguez said during the question-and-answer session of the contest.

Girls in her crime-ridden slum want to emulate her, she said.

The ceremony lasted four hours and some people on Twitter called it tedious and boring.

It had its share of gaffes, such as one contestant walking out on stage without the sash indicating what state she represente­d and another whose dress slipped off during a dance number.

With the organisers seeking to cut costs, the 65th edition of the pageant was moved from its home at an arena with room for 20 000 people to a 200-seat TV studio.

The economy of this oil-rich country is in ruins after five years of recession. People endure shortages of food, medicine and other basics and inflation for 2019 is forecast by the Internatio­nal Monetary Fund to come in at a mind-boggling 10 million%. An estimated 2.3 million Venezuelan­s have fled since 2015. The organisers were forced to shut down temporaril­y amid accusation­s that officials had procured young ladies as sexual companions for wealthy sponsors, including businessme­n and officials in the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

Osmel Sousa, director of the Miss Venezuela Organisati­on for nearly 40 years and nicknamed the “beauty czar”, stepped down. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Rodriguez will represent Venezuela at the Miss World pageant, where Venezuelan­s have an envious track record, sharing with India the record for the most victories – six. – AFP

Girls in Isabella’s crime-ridden slum want to emulate her

 ?? Picture: AFP ?? PRECIOUS. Isabella Rodriguez is crowned Miss Venezuela during the beauty pageant in Caracas on Thursday.
Picture: AFP PRECIOUS. Isabella Rodriguez is crowned Miss Venezuela during the beauty pageant in Caracas on Thursday.

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