HOUSTON, TEXAS August 5, 2011: The Hilton Post Oak in Houston played host to the international search for the most outstanding teenager in the world.  Nearly 30 contestants from all over the globe vied for the opportunity to be the winner of our international competition!

After a week of rehearsals, social functions and making friends from all over the world, young ladies competed on Wednesday August 3, 2011 at the Hilton Post Oak Grand Ballroom for a preliminary round of competition in swimsuit and evening gown. The ladies competed in official swimsuits and shoes provided by Crown Couture and evening gowns were of their own choice reflecting each young lady’s individual style.

The following day, the distinguished group of international judges spent some time getting to know each of the ladies in a panel-style interview where fashion forward business-style dresses or suits were worn.  

On Friday August 5, 2011 we held the spectacular final show – replete with gorgeous staging, high energy dance moves and a packed house.  The top 10 semi-finalists were announced and they were Brazil – Gabriele Marinho, India – Emily Shah, United States – Devin Gant, Canada – Lauren Howe, England -  Shauna Mallon, South Africa – Roxanne Zeller, Guatemala – Maria Jose Ramirez, Sweden – Johanna Thuringer, Namibia – Drey-Andra Otto and Jamaica – Jheanell Lindo.

The top 10 competed in swimsuit and evening gown again for the final show.  After the last round of competition the special awards were announced.  

Brazil, Gabriele Marinho won the most photogenic award.  Award for non-finalist best in swimsuit went to Romania – Monica Andrea Rogot.  The non-finalist with the best evening gown was Mexico Ana Victoria Villa. And one of the most spectacular events of the evening was the National Costume parade, and the winner of best in costume was Bahamas - Ashlee Bain.

The 10 were narrowed down to five and each of them was asked an on-stage question.  The final results were as follows:  the 4th runner up was Canada – Lauren Howe, 3rd runner up Guatemala – Maria Jose Ramirez, 2nd runner up was USA – Devin Gant and 1st runner up was India – Emily Shah.

Crowned by the outgoing 2011 winner, Anastasia Sidiropoulou from Athens Greece, the winner of our international competition was Brazil, Gabriele Marinho.

Gabriele is a 17-year-old high school senior from the town of Maceio – the capital and largest city of Alagoas, Brazil.  She enjoys reading biographies, shopping, modeling running and spending time at the beach.

One of the guests of the pageant this week was the recently crowned Miss United States Intercontinental, Jessica Hartman, who will be competing for the title of Miss Intercontinental in Alicante, Spain this fall.  Miss United States Intercontinental is also produced by Gaspar Cruz and will be held in the summer of 2012.  

The winner, Gabriele Marinho, will spend her year promoting the pageant and their motto “Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful”.

The winner won a prize package valued over $30,000 including a $5,000 educational scholarship. The crown, cash, wardrobe, jewelry, media training and travel opportunities are just some of the luxuries she will experience during her year. She receives several photo shoots from official photographer See What Develops in Houston.  The participating sponsors include Crown Couture, XOXO clothing company, Frederico Leone Shoes and Gaspar Cruz Cosmetics.  But most importantly, she receives a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a representative of teenagers all over the world.

The creator and Executive Director of the competition, gown designer and make-up artist, Gaspar Cruz believes in the saying “Be Your own Kind of Beautiful.”  With over 25 years in the pageant industry and involvement in all of the major pageant programs, he established his own pageant family with the pageant, which has become the fastest-growing network of directors and participants, redefining pageants for teenagers.  A highly sought-after stylist and pageant coach for hundreds of young ladies, Mr. Cruz combines his expertise at perfecting the outward presentation with teaching the ladies about the importance of also being beautiful inside.