Miss NZ fails to make the cut

Reuters

BEAUTY SHOW: Miss New Zealand Samantha Powell will take on 79 of the most beautiful women in the world at the Miss Universe pageant later today.

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LATEST: Miss New Zealand Samantha Powell has failed to make the semi-finals of the Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam.

The beauty pageant, which sees 80 of the world's most beautiful women vying for the title of Miss Universe, kicked off with the contestants whittled down to 15 semi-finalists.

Powell, a 20-year-old bank worker from Paraparaumu, failed to make the cut.

The semi-finalists were from Venezuela, Kosovo, Mexico, Vietnam, South Africa, Australia, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Italy, Colombia, Russia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the United States and Spain.

Watching Miss Usa Crystle Stewart trip and fall on stage during the evening gown competition will have lessened the blow for Powell.

Millions of viewers across the globe will tune into the Miss Universe competition.

Powell won her Miss NZ crown in April this year.

Challenges Miss Powell overcame to be crowned New Zealand's most beautiful woman included a round of golf, a trip to Waiheke Island and some gruelling interview questions. 

"They were things like: if you were to choose a country to give humanitarian aid to, which one would it be? And how would you cope if you were competing at Miss Universe?"

The Miss Universe contest is being held in Vietnam's seaside city Nha Trang, next to an American air base used during the Vietnam War.

The show is co-hosted by British pop singer Mel B and American television personality Jerry Springer.

Springer is clearly enjoying his new Miss Universe job.

"Whoa - this is a plum assignment," he told news agency Associated Press.

The 80 contestants have been in Vietnam for nearly four weeks preparing for today's show. 

- © Fairfax NZ News