Did anybody notice bruises on my arm the night of the pageant? Cuz lemme tell ya, I must have pinched myself about a dozen times to make sure my flying out to Sao Paolo, Brazil as the fashion correspondent for Miss Universe was NOT a dream. Literally, I was packing and dancing at the same time, while reaching out to all my hardcore foodies like StreetFood Gourmet LA to give me the grub lowdown in Sao Paolo. (Look out for my awesome food porn blogs btw.) But my main moment of surreality was being a part of an event I grew up watching ever since I was a little girl- not because of the pretty girls. But to question what our world thought beauty was- and whether or not this pageant would capture that.

Here’s the thing, of course I was excited about the fashion perspective I’d have over the entire event. How could one not, with more glitter and makeup on any ONE contestant than an entire episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race?  There were so many crazy observations I had as I played the fly on the wall every day of rehearsals leading up to the event. Like the fact that every contestant was dressed to the NINES at any given time walking around their hotel to heading to rehearsals, sash, full makeup and all.  Or the fact that, damn…these girls could EAT. Here are a few other things I thought were so interesting:

- A tradition the girls do for one another is to bring a symbolic small gift for ALL one another, to represent their country and wish luck. Miss Switzerland brought boxes of chocolate for everyone, including me!

- Natalie Morales came in to my dressing room to specifically tell me Miss Vietnam was the sweetest girl ever, perfect representation of Vietnam. Love that!

- Miss Panama could completely take Angelina Jolie down with them lips–that yes, WERE natural.

- I noticed many girls taking up to 8 pills before sitting down to eat. Could have been for allergies and such…#just saying.

- These girls bust their BUTTS not only doing press leading up to the pageant, but in the rehearsals themselves. I’m talkin 6 inch heels doing booty shaking dances and poses just to make sure there’s not a glitch for the live event.

- Miss China told me she would totally date men shorter than her 6 foot stature.

- Miss Venezuela said she would not. (Ha! As Vivica A. Fox would say- keepitreal.com babe.)

All in all the girls were super sweet. There were some that were harder to get to know then others, but at the end of the day all were determined to be the winner.  Over the course of just a few days, I could see the different ways each defined what it takes to be Miss Universe.  It’s obvious who relied on looks, and who focused on their achievements and brains. And yet I remember seeing Miss Angola on one of the first days I had arrived. She was in the lunch line, with about 15 girls in front of her. The girls were starving and kind of racing to fill their plate in front of one another. One, who cut in front of her, dropped her napkin and Miss Angola stepped out of line to pick it up. She placed it off to the side, retrieved a new one, and handed it back to the young woman who was now further ahead, and politely waited till their was another break in the line to step back in. This drew me to her to sit down with her later and learn about her childhood, very humble beginnings, and really strong family ethics. She was very humble and shy, actually hesitant to talk too much about herself and asked me alot of questions. I remembered this about her when we saw the final 10 emerge on stage in the evening gown competition. While every other contestant strutted, sashayed, even whirled their dresses down the stairs to their spotlight pose, Miss Angola was the most simple and understated in her calm, slow gait. Like Princess Diana, the new Princess Kate, or Audrey Hepburn, Miss Angola was a Miss Universe of her very own. I’m really, very happy she won. She symbolizes that beauty isn’t an image, but a humble grace you carry within.

Also, so many questions about my signature glips (glittery lips!) inspired by my makeup artist Uzmee Krakovszki. As promised, here’s how you get mai GLIPS!

Here are more pics from the gorgeous event. It was such an amazing experience,  I was so honored to be a part of it. Special thanks to Barry Adelman and Paula Shugart and the Miss Universe Pageant for having me, Chuck LaBella and everyone at WME for making this happen, Andy Cohen, Natalie Morales and Nick for making my co-commentator Shandi Finnessey and I look good, Bory Tan for support in more than style, to Wolfy and Patrick for keeping outta trouble , the team at How Do I Look? for rooting me on back home, and THE STYLE NETWORK for the MOST THOUGHTFUL R &R basket I’ve ever received to help me recoop after a nightmarish flight home straight to set!!

I want to hear from you! Do you have any questions about the event? There’s so much to tell so ask away!

Miss India sends her love to my EP.

Andy is just freakin Adorable.

Me and co-commentator Shandi!

I’m thinking, suck it in suck it in!

And my favorite picture as I cap this blog. Thank you Style. As u can see, I dove straight for what is now, the best PB I have ever tried.