Woah. She says her idol is Frida Kahlo, because she was so passionate about life. I had to laugh, because the truth is, Kahlo was morbidly obsessed with death.

Reading Wikipedia I see:

Despite her life of suffering and pain, Frida Kahlo was a vibrant, extroverted character whose everyday speech was filled with profanities. She had been a tomboy in her youth and carried her fervor throughout her life. She was a heavy smoker, drank liquor (especially tequila) in excess, was openly bisexual, sang off-color songs, and told equally ribald jokes to the guests of the wild parties that she hosted.

Which bits does Ms Chibana agree with? She also seems to have been a Communist, and seems to have been shacked up at one point with Trotsky!

And that’s an … um … interesting costume.

Well Ken, I guess it depends on which version of history you believe in. You can take the Wikipedia version written by amateurs, or the Hollywood version starring Salma Hayek. Or you could look at Frida Kahlo’s actual paintings, such as “The Suicide of Dorothy Hale,” or the self portrait with her body split in two and held together with straps and nails (a reference to when she was impaled in a traffic accident), or maybe her self portrait where she’s lying in a hospital bed, bleeding.
When I studied for my degree in art history, my professors always said to ignore what painters said and did, and to look at what they painted.

For those of you who think Japan should have won ….. R U kidding? She should have been disqualified for grand-standing. She grabbed the mike and proclaimed how happy she was to be there and how she could feel the energy in the auditorium. Her translator (as if she needed one!) didn’t even get a chance to translate her answer to the question she was asked. Come on! Where are the rules when it comes to these matters? WHERE R the judges? She is soooooo lucky to have been named 1st runner up. She should have been OUTTA there!

She is way prettier than Ms. Puerto Rico. Ms. Puerto Rico fainting at the end of the show should’ve allowed for a recount.

To david o: Yeah, the rules… specially in such a farce, where every year USA delegate must be in the top 5. Chibana cheered up that boring ceremony. I was with the delegate of my country, of course…

And that “national costume”… no comment…

To Julian: If the pageant is such a “farce” to you, why do you watch it? Miss USA didn’t make the top 5 last year. I applaud Miss Columbia. Your country consistently chooses a beautiful queen. — david o

I thought Japan should’ve taken it. Knowing 3-4 languages should’ve put her over the top but then again these pagents arent exactly about talent. Looks wise I thought US, Bolvia and Japan were the tops, PR doesnt really do anything for me. In the personality department they were all painful to listen to.

Beauty Pagents are a freaking joke!!!!
but damn am I kicking myself for missing this one…
Miss Japan is HOT!!!!!!!!!!

To david o: I watched it because in my country around 120 beauty pageants are held every year… of course we had to send such a beautiful girl like Valerie… but the fact that Puerto Rico and/or USA must make the top 5 always really bothers anyone.

to julian: Well, i guess if it bothers so many so much, U should probably look at who owns the thing. (but please don’t look at His hairstyle. ha. ha.)

I thought this yr. there were at least 10 finalists who would be worthy titleholders. Another thing about Miss Japan besides the grand-standing …… her quasi-model look. It was so forced and artificial. She definitely isn’t a “look” but she forced it so much everytime she turned her body.

sounds like U R quite a viewer. I went back through the history of the pageants and it brought back many memories. Shawn Weatherly must be my favorite Miss USA. Sorry to say she acted on Bay Watch for two yrs, but i knew she belonged on the screen.

When it comes to Miss Universe, I like Miss Venezuela Alicia Machado Fajardo of ‘96. She was the one that got all the press about gaining weight. What a knock-out. Venezuela and Puerto Rico are consistently in the top five from what I have seen over the past 40 yrs. USA has won Miss Universe title 3 or 4 times. But again …… look at where the pageant is most often held. As a matter of fact, in 1956 Miss Japan was crowned Miss Universe in Long Beach, Calif. No animosity about the WWII thing.

You’ve got to look at the judges and see where they ‘re coming from each yr. This year the panel was overwhelmingly on the TV broadcasting side. (Did The Donald have anything to do with choosing the judges? I believe so!!) So they chose an aspiring “actress” as this year’s queen. It all seems to follow. She’s beautiful. — david o

To: David

I think there are no any rules to judge a beauty. The only factor Miss Japan own is a feeling from heart – - Just non need to decorate from other way, “That’s she!” this is called beauty.

Even she suddently sing a japanese karaoke on stage, i also think she’s the best and hottest that night. She is the one who break the standard from a typical beauty curse we follow over 30-40 years.

You don’t know how cool that she dare to used her langguage in the contest ( Even that i can’t understand it.:>). That’s bring out the spirit of she proud on her culture and country.

Anyway, Miss Japan , I love you!

IF SOMEONE ASKED ME WHO IS MISS UNIVERSE 2006 I WOULD SAID MISS JAPAN KURARA CHIBANA. SHE IS VERY BEAUTIFUL I WILL REMEMBER HER NAME IN THE REST OF MY LIFE. I HOPE SHE CAN SEE MY COMMENT! WISH YOU GOOD LUCK! from starwartwo2@yahoo.com

yeah! Alex!
You’re RIGHT!!!! Cool ha!

I must agree. Ms Japan is friggin hot. Cheesy as it may have been, I bet the judges ate up the samurai costume

KURARA CHIBANA ROCKS!!!!!
Zuleyka SUCKS!!…again another STEREOTYPE of beauty had won….sO sad…
MS.JAPAN should have won in the Ms.Universe! Kurara`s interpreter should be KICKED OUT for good!…During the Q & A Kurara`s answer emphasizes that : Women has good points same as men and men need to “STOP the violence that they`re doing to women..If that happens the world would be better”…but the CRAZY interpreter : emphasized the ” VIOLENCE of men to women ALONE” in the interpretation…that`s why Kurara lost the crown..sO saD!
Aihsiteruyo Kurara! Ganbate na.Omedetoo

Did you notice that no girl from Far-East , SouthAsia was crowned since 1988 ? Only Two were dark-skinned , one came from India ( but she does look like an occidantal girl ) and the others are white ! No racism , of course .

TO david:
YEs i agree to some1 that said even Ms japan sing karaoke on stage, she is “she” thats the beauty of her.
ms pueto rico wasnt giving us the “ohm”
and yes her intepreter suxs!! totally lost wat she wanted to express!
anyway..we got to accept the fact tat ms japan didnt win.. but she is always our miss universe.
Kurara chibana.. Dai ski desu!!
Natural, charismatic and Freaking HOT !!!

TO david:
YEs i agree to some1 that said even Ms japan sing karaoke on stage, she is “she” thats the beauty of her.
ms pueto rico wasnt giving us the “ohm”
and yes her intepreter suxs!! totally lost wat she wanted to express!
anyway..we got to accept the fact tat ms japan didnt win.. but she is always our miss universe.
Kurara chibana.. Dai ski desu!!
Natural, charismatic and Freaking HOT !!!

KURARA CHIBANA is the winner of many people’s hearts in 2006 and still is today…

There are so many people who still can’t get over her loss last year (Just do a Google Blog search on Kurara Chibana and read the comments on related Youtube videos).

Although Miss Japan wins this year, I can’t help but consider this 50% of success was influenced by Kurara Chibana’s near-winning in 2006. If not for the publicity which Kurara had generated (with her personality and great intellect) without any recent major predecessor or influences since 2003’s Miss Japan who also made into the Top 5, I think Riyo Mori wouldn’t have the benefit of having the judges’ and audiences’ predisposed attention this year.

I mean it’s all about karma and sub-conscious factors, which perhaps can be defined along the line of “subliminal influences” and “rippling effects”. Because people are still so charmed by Kurara Chibana’s endearing personality, linguistic and intellectual abilities from last year that they would naturally take a great interest in this year’s Miss Japan, and see if the standard is still there or even better.

Although I am not in a position to comment about who is better, I could probably and boldly concur that Kurara Chibana is an embodiment of what a 21st century Asian female should be – Western and Asian knowledge, Asian women’s strong and independent personality, great sense of style and beauty, and not forgetting a burning passion in one’s life.

After all, how many Miss Universes could we remember for their great personalities and beauty even years after they have won and passed on the crown? I don’t think there’s many to count on fingers.

For a 1st Runner Up like Kurara Chibana who is still unforgotten in some audiences’ minds and still greatly appreciated a year after, I guess this could probably be seen as the next highest level a Miss Universe finalist can go.

Because after the one year Miss Universe reign, what the ladies have got left are their personalities and individual qualities to help them in their future careers and lives, not the 250K crown or sash. More so, if we are more interested in a Miss Universe Runner-up instead of the actual winner, can we still say Kurara Chibana has lost?

From an alternative point of view, perhaps by not winning the title has made Kurara truly and even more unforgettable in the audiences’ hearts. Although it is still early to say, but thoughout the next decade or so, when people mention Miss Japan or Miss Universe 2006, I’m pretty sure Kurara’s name will pop up followed by praises and appreciative comments.

I’m not a Japanese. I’m not speaking for Japan.

I’m just speaking from a human’s point of view.

If years after 2006, we could still recall that charming and passionate Kurara Chibana in our hearts, perhaps that’s the kind of quality a Miss Universe titleholder should have. For Kurara to have embodied that quality, she not only has already surpassed the status of a Miss Universe winner but has also gone the way of truly being a gorgeous legend in people’s hearts.

Yours truly,
C’est Moi.