Riyo Mori from Japan: Miss Universe 2007!!! (Pictures/Video)
Yes, that’s right. Riyo Mori, who represented Japan at the Miss Universe Contest, has just been named the winner of the pagent:
Mori, 20, the 56th winner of the title, was given her $250,000 (U.S.) diamond-and-pearl crown by last year’s winner, Zuleyka Rivera of Puerto Rico, watched by a live audience of 10,000 and some 600 million television viewers worldwide.
A lifelong ballet dancer from a village near Mount Fuji, Mori wore a striking black gown with coloured lapels for the final. Winning surpassed the ambition of her grandmother, who told her as a child she wanted her to be Miss Japan one day.
“My mind went blank,” she said of the winning moment.
I’ll be following up later today or tomorrow with more information on the Japanese media coverage of her win. You can bet it’s going to be huge news over here!
Congratulations, Riyo!
Update: Some goodies for those of you looking to see more of Riyo Mori:
Whoops, looks like Miss Universe 2006 is horrible at the simple act of placing a crown on the winner’s head:
…and the blunder even made the frontpage of Yahoo!
Update 2: Apparently the odds were not on Miss Japan to win this year, and it was a huge upset for online gambling sites, many of which had given her 22 to 1 odds of winning.
Update 3: Japanese media coverage of Riyo Mori’s win
[Our previous post about Riyo Mori, from March 2007, can be found here.]
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I don’t know but I think last year’s Ms. Japan was prettier than this year’s. I have to see more.
I completely agree with you. Anyway, congratulations to Ms. Mori.
Hiroshima Princess is atom bomb
Riyo Mori – Miss Universe 2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mori_clan
Mori’s ancient capital was Hiroshima
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mori
200７年０６月１３日、
ベトナムで、
本当に、日本のMissWordはとてもきれいな人です。
利世森さんは頭がいいです、ほかに話をとてもいいです。
Very, very beautiful and fascinating. Riyo Mori is my favourite Miss Universe. All the world look at Japan
Congratulation Miss Japan. She reflects confidence and playfulness throughout the show. Her answer was good too so she deserves it.
On the other hand, I felt so bad for Miss USA. She fell and she was booed throughout her question. Miss USA was also booed at the National Costumes that took place before the final competition. Don’t the people know that Miss Universe has nothing to do with PoliticS!!!
Yep, just objectification.
I agree with you! At first, I was wondering if the people were booing or cheering for Miss USA, ’cause it sounded like boos more than cheers. But, I can’t seem to figure out why would they do such thing to her (when this reflects nothing but their pettiness… sorry if I offend anyone…)… I really think that people of Mexico (those who took part in booing Miss USA) should be more matured in handling their emotions. This is an international pageant… and the whole world is looking. Be more gracious and show the better side of your country, please. Duh.
And Miss Japan totally deserves that crown. I really like her from the beginning.. I hope she’ll do great things in the near future. Kampate!
I didn’t see the program.
But I think the booing might be directing at the U.S.A. administration.
Did she do anything else bad beside fall?
yah you desrve it RIO MORi.congratulations!!!!
wow, miss japan is….uh…pretty ugly haha. no offence. i didnt even expect her to be in the top 15.
Ugly??? what are you, blind??? “pretty ugly” seems to be going a bit far.
No offence
LOL. Did I see you wrongly? Miss Japan =ugly? What kind of rubbish is thaT? If Miss Universe is ugly, lol… then the person who said it is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy UGLIER.
yah ryt… the person who said that miss japan is ugly….. I think Imoko is the ugly one….nyahahahah…
hahaha..sour bitter..Riyo is an epitome of a woman filled with grace and beauty. I am a filipina but I appreciate her a lot and very happy that she won the title…asian rocks..goodbyelatinas and whites…
you dont have to say that…….I think she’s the most beautiful girl that i’ve ever seen…..
Hello commentators,
Asian American male here… I found the 2007 Ms. Universe pageant delightful to watch. I totally agree that Ms. Japan deserving the tilted of Ms. Universe. Riyo Mori AKA Ms. Universe was thus far my favorite girl out of the 70-plus delegates representing the world. I also have to say that both the Ms. Universe Organization & the Mexican people paid total homage to the Asian Countries this year to date.
I was also thrilled/extremely proud that 5 Asian country’s Japan, Korea, Thailand, Philippines, and China represented beauty and achievement. I have to say this was an important achievement to the Asian population who were always viewed as not-beautiful, not-sexy and unattractive.
Now Mr. Jay negative comment pertaining to Ms. Japan being “Ugly” FYI: “Jay” I-don’t really think you see Ms. Japan as Ugly! I know, based on this sole comment that it has to do with your up bringing. People that think like your self are conditioned/raised to be closed minded, one dimensional from early childhood.
However, it’s not your fault! I am convinced that it’s the western society feeding there children “I’m the better Race and you have to sound, act, like-me to be notice….
It’s really sad that we live in the year 2000 and people still view the Asian/East Asians/Pacific Islander population as unattractive race of people. Let me take this opportunity to blast all you racist M/F with your one track mind’s…… “What‘s ugly is that we still live in a world where people like your self believe Caucasian is everything-right.
To be honest the Latino’s who won the tile of Ms. Universe always have a more of a European feature vs. someone coming from Puerto Rico … An example PRpeople tend to have common characteristics/features of a combination of African, Native and European mixtures… Which means they would look more ethic… But how ironic that most of pass winner’s from Latin countries glorify “Caucasian persuasion” So what does that tell the world? That looking ethic is” pretty-UGLY”?
FYI: the world is changing more and, more Bi/Multi-racial babies are being born to date… The people of color are going to over & hopefully they will Breed people that will end the self centered and egotistical thinking…… Ms. Japan is Ms. Universe, so-get over it… Those who wish to bring anymore negative comments about Asians bring it on—I’ve much, much more to say!!!!!
Peace & Love
Yours truly, “Kiss My Yellow Asian Azz…
The 3 Asian forums that I visited were not very thrill that Japan won. Most of them prefer Miss Korea. I thought they would be more supportive than that. Miss Korea is really pretty but her answer did not live up to my expectations. Miss USA is very beautiful.
Yeah Miss Korea is beatifull too but asian sites especially Koreans hate loosing to Japan.
Exactly! Anything out of China and Korea, with regard to Japan, will be more based in history and politics, rather than the facts at hand.
Ms USA is just a plain teeny-bopper who can’t walk..how can you be a beauty queen when you’re like that? rubbish…
Annie,
Miss Korea is really beautiful and seems like she is talented as well. But could the judges really select someone that sounds like a character from a James Bond movie…. Honey Lee
I agreed that MIss Korea was very beautiful. If judging by looks alone, she could have win it. On the other hand, her answer to the question was not that good. She doesn’t have the spunk that Miss Japan has. Did you see Miss Japan walked down the runway in the swimwear, she was the only one working it.
i totally agree!…
as a korean-american, i could not hold up head up high enough to watch a korean girl w/a stripper’s name on her descent to loosing path. yes she did have plastic surgery…
these pageants should have surgery-free policy, horrible message to women in all cultures!
Yah,Japan looks like Lucy Liu..Korea is much prettier.
That is huge news indeed… It’s going to do a lot for Japanese women.
Miss USA once again cheated .. shame.
As much as it pains me to say so, this was more a case of “nerves”, than being “cheated” – if her last walk had been more, um, “graceful” she would have won.
Hey Riyo,
Congratulations on your win!Japanese women rock!!!
Andy
Thanks for the pictures and videos!
She is so HOT!
I’m glad she won!
After many years of seeing the same faces, similar personalities and knifed body – this time we saw someone different.
Someone more closer to reality and natural-ness.
I love her!
Mustly East Asia won Miss Universe this year Japan won the title, but China and the Philipines won some awards and Miss Korea was one of the finalist.
But anyway congratz to Miss Mori ^_^.
I felt very happy the moment Miss Mori won the Miss Universe 2007 title. Congratulations. Well done. I am so proud of you. Long live Nippon! Long live Riyo Mori!
As a Puerto Rican, I can tell you, given the fact that our delegate this year was, eh, not that pretty, I cannot be happier that Zuleyka is droppi… I mean, passing her crown on to someone more deserving of it. Riyo is beautiful, and I was smitten by her personality the minute I saw her in her video interview. She’s lovely, sexy and elegant, all rolled in one. Congratulations!
yoohooo!! i’m so happy that she won the ms.universe!! she’s so spunky!! asians rules!!
Congratulations to Riyo! As for Miss Korea, she is very beautiful but remember that Koreans are always trying to out beat Japan and don’t like loosing especially to Japan. They always seem to have something to complain when it comes to Japan.
Congratulations to Riyo! As for Miss Korea, she is very beautiful but remember that Koreans are always trying to out beat Japan and don’t like loosing especially to Japan.
I think miss Mori is beautiful. However, I’m not sure if Japanese would care for her look. Look at how diffferent she looks from the “beauty standard” promoted in most beauty magazines (ex: cancam, Vivi, JJ) Mori’s black hair and tan skin is not celebrated as a beauty standard in Japan at all. All the magazine you see brown/blond dye hair girls and whitening products to ensure their pale pale pale skin to stay as white as possible.
Damn, she’s hot!
To those who wonder why koreans hate japanese so much – learn your history…you’d be mad at a country too if your country was bullied for centuries. Remember that the Japanese occupied Korea and did terrible things to Korean culture leaving permanent damage. Not easily forgiven, that. So, Tomas, your claims as to the general presonality of Korean people seem to be biased and lacking hard data…and it seems like you also have a grudge. Just like the Koreans do. Hmm.
And so that has EVERYTHING to do with a Japanese woman beating a Korean woman in a beauty pageant….riiiiiiight.
They need to pick and choose their battles, I say.
Mori-San,
Omedetoo Gozaimasu! It’s great to see you realize your dream! I bet you are so happy and your family and country are so very proud of you! Ganbatte kudasai, do your best with your time, gifts and talents to inspire and help others during your reign!
Korea–China–Japan has this rivalry going on for years. To be honest, I think they are jealous of Japan but hide it under the name of anti-Japanese. Japanese are bias too of course.
Congratulations to Riyo!
I expect her dream comes true and I can see her in any musical at broadway.
By the way, where is the video that Korean representative become insane?
Did she undergo a plastic operation?
Can such a girl take part in this contest?
Miss Mori is a breath of fresh air. Everyone else looks so stereotypical compared to her. You go girl!!!
I think japan deserved it. Once again, asian rules!
Maybe there is another chance for othr asian country such as Indonesia. his is the third year for Indonesia sent
Hooray for Mori!!
HOOOORAAAAYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!congratz JAPAN!??
by the way can all of you had a friendster! darwinjohn02@yc
hi..im imEL fROm inDOnESia..
i dOnt knOw why..i rEaLy LikE yOU..
dO yOUr bESt..!!!,,i LikE u sOu mUch..
U aRE sO bEaUtifUL anD vERRRy cUtE
Hi.Congrats to the winner Miss Universe 2007.
She is a really telented in answering questions,perhaps that is the advantage for her to claim that crown. She sexiness is all over the physically and mentally.Her face may not pretty for some of us, but she deserved it. She is the winner.
The Korean newspaper writes that the Korean girls should learn from Miss Mori and should have plastic surgery like her.
http://dailynk.dailian.co.kr/view.html?kind=culture&id=68848
I just can not understand why korean girls love to have plastic surgery on their faces even though they are beautiful enough naturally.
I think korea is cute too. But she looks like she had a plastic surgery. I am not anti plastic surgery. But MISS UNIVERSE is beauty competition looks intelligent etc…that is why she couldn’t crowned.This is natural beauty competition all right?
Congratulation to Riyo!
Riyo’s crown was said to be unanimous.
Korean representative seemed degraded with the brag.
Korean media were reporting as if she could win before the final.
But I wonder if she does not think the ugly words after the competition are degrading her further.
Followings are before it and after it.
http://bbs.enjoykorea.jp/tbbs/read.php?board_id=pstar&nid=232709
By the way, I like last year’s 2nd place Kurara better.
That is funny….a Korean newspaper telling Koreans that they need to follow Ms. Mori (who has had no cosmetic surgery done whatsoever…otherwise, she would have looked exactly like that fake plastic Korean mannequin) have plastic surgery done to win a beauty contest? That is like an American newspaper telling it’s citizens that they should strive to be like Koreans and start starting wars in other countries and eat fatty foods to become overweight, just like the Koreans. Or like Paris Hilton saying that she should try to be more like Mother Teresa and lead an empty, responsibility-free, celebrity party limelight life.
Hahaha…it seems as though when cornered and humiliated, Koreans resort to the most ridiculous defenses and actually accuse other nations of the very negative or embarassing aspects for which Koreans and Korean culture are infamously known.
please..just stop.
replicate..huh!!??funny.. but no one can make another RIYO MORI as beautiful as she, she is only THE ONE.. is it hard for me for an long english text.. but i tried!?
Exactly, I AGREE!!!!
I always find it funny that people say this beautiful woman is not hot enough as if they are super models or something. I think she is super hot and all you people that think otherwise need to go look in the mirror to get a little more perspective.
Dude.
“as if they are super models”
It’s a fucking supermodel contest.
big kiss for Miss mori.
Lighting definitely didn’t help that night on television; she looks MUCH, MUCH, MUCH BETTER in brighter lighting. She is a cutie though.
I think Japan deserved it. Miss Korea had many plastic surgeries to look like that.
Does anyone know whether plastic surgery is acceptable or not in this contest?
http://ranobe.com/up/src/up192104.jpg
I think miss Japan rock all the way:) I like the way she walked, talked and keep her composer under control. Giving the fact that she is only 20 year old and have that much confident in herself. Ryio Mori, you rock baby!
congatulation mori, good luck
CONGRATULATIONS TO MS. RIYO MORI. WITH BLACK HAIR AND TANNED SKIN, YOU ARE SO NATURAL…. BEAUTIFUL!!! ATTENTION JAPANESE WOMEN: RETURN TO YOUR NATURAL COLOR PLEASE….
森さまは本当にかわいいと甘い女の方ですよ。
おめでとう。
キスからイタリア。
I didn’t agree with the result.
And Miss Mori also was scary when she knew she was the Miss Universe.
She didn’t deserve it.
In my opinion, should win
#1 Brazil
#2 Venezuela
#3 Korean
#4 Japan
#5 USA (what this girl was doing in the TP5???)
Miss Brazil was much much much more beautiful than Mori. It’s clear when you see it on TV…
I disagree, Miss Japan deserved to win and is much prettier than Miss Brazil. Miss Japan also excudes that confidence and grace. Look at the way she walked and showed her stuff on the swimsuit competetion. She is also very charming. She won the pagent hands down.
As for Miss Brazil, sorry to say that although her answer was beautilful..She did not answer the question directly. She was given a question that required CHOICE, and she chose neither. Miss Japan answered the question directly.
Last years Ms. Japan was much hotter, plus Ms. Mori looks really bad in the dark gown thing.
KURARA CHIBANA(last yr. ms.japan, miss universe 06 1st runner-up) is more beautiful than mori but i think RIYO MORI answers well in the interview so she won ‘remember top 5 is about the answer not in the beauty anymore’ u deserved it RIYO MORI!! GUDLUCK!!
i agree i think miss japan has the face of a transvestite and the body of a child
OMFG look at this pic. now tell me if she’s beautiful. ppl who are gorgeous are so all the time, sick, dolled up, with or without makeup…etc.
here u go…
http://img519.imageshack.us/my.php?image=200705300953015120rd2.jpg
Whiners need to stop whining because your fav. girl didn’t win. Get over it, life goes on. Ms. Japan won because personaliy > beauty .
Because its a freakin beauty contest? Plus, I havent seen a video with the questions anywhere, did you? Moreover, do you want to watch that video? I dont… because its a freakin beauty contest.
Congratulations to the japanese girl. But this is a big title to the little beauty she is. Come on!!! She was considered MISS UNIVERSE because of GUCCI and BULGARI… Not because of her personality and beauty…
In my opinion, she should use stuff from her coutry. She was representing Japan. And Japan is too rick in things to wear.
I continue saying Brazil should be first.
But the judges were from Asia. Maybe that’s why she won!!!
Riyo Mori deserved the crown over any other girl, don’t give a damn about this damn Japan-Korea-China-shit. She kicked ass, and was more charming, beautiful and had more sex appeal then the whole China/Korea/whatever combined… And to you stupid f***s who think she looks like a transvestite, stop scr**in your mothers… Kurara Chibana was also beautiful, to be fair, Japan would have won the two latest Miss Universe… Let’s just face it: the most beautiful women on earth origin from Japan!!
i still don’t think japan was that pretty, especially in comparison to last year’s miss japan kurara who was in fact truly gorgeous but did not win.. what a shame.. i do think that miss korea should have won because not only is she beautiful she is talented beyond belief. she works as a cultural ambassador for korea, she attends inarguably korea’s top university, she is known as a musical prodigy and has released 4 cds, and she does missionary work. i’ve read about miss japan and you just can’t say that much about her.
i do agree that miss korea’s interview kind of sucked but according to different sources, the translator did screw up a bit.. what she said was “i want to use my talents, my abilities, and everything i have to help the world….. it would also be nice to have a wallet that never runs out of money SO THAT i can help the world.” yea.. the translator didn’t translate that last bit which does in fact make a difference… but then again, this sounds like i’m complaining..
all i’m saying is, miss japan should have won last year, this year not so much..
Plastic surgery Biz company suspected Miss. japan with confusing Miss. Korea.
http://www.makemeheal.com/news/?p=190
Then the mistake was pointed out and apologized with closing the comment colum.
http://cosmetic-makeovers.com/2007/05/31/did-miss-japan-have-eyelid-surgery
i am very happy that ms japan won. eventhough i am not a japanese, the mere fact that an Asian bagged the crown makes me feel very delighted. Ms. Universe2006 was very rude and acted very cold..it only proved that latinas are very insecured of our race!!! Cheeers Riyo!
As the saying goes ” beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” , the Miss Universe pageant is a beauty pageant therefore dependent on the SUBJECTIVE decision of the judges. Even the answers of the finalists are
in my opinion subjective since it depends on how well the translators do
their job.
I dont understand all the fuss about Ms Korea and the winner, Miss Korea
is 3RD runner up, 2 more higher ups before reaching the winner. Maybe the
arguement should be all about Ms Brazil and Ms Japan. Ms Korea is a LONG
way down…
Can I just ask dee how she arrived at the conclusion; “Ms. Universe2006 was very rude and acted very cold..it only proved that latinas are very insecured of our race!!! ”
DID I MISS SOMETHING?
for uuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…
uuuuuuuuuu
miss japan.,, her so beautiful..i wish one day she would visit our country here in the philippines … hheheh!? iam inlove with her!!??haiiiiaaaaa tsktsk heh k?!
Youre very beautiful and gorgeous!Im a big fan of yours,you deserve it congratulations!Pls. visit Philippines someday,I Love You!
Congratulation, Ms. Riyo Mori!!!!! You’re really really great on the show. And I want to get know more about you.
I don’t think Miss Korea had plastic surgery. Ever heard of the power of makeup. She has the perfect face shape and features that work well with makeup. And as for Miss Japan, saying she had plastic surgery is absurd. If that’s a result of plastic surgery, girls please reconsider.
For your reference;
http://bbs.enjoykorea.jp/tbbs/read.php?board_id=pstar&nid=232709
http://ranobe.com/up/src/up192104.jpg
Anyway, plastic surgery seems acceptable for the contest as nobody answers.
Congrats to Riyo Mori from Japan. Being mexican i was cheering for Mexico, then Brazil then USA but at the end Japan took my heart. She is beautiful and she worked the show better then the rest. Big congrats!!!
Riyo’s personal blog…
http://myblog.ask.jp/muj_riyo_mori/
Check out Riyo Mori on Live with Regis and Kelly. This was her first pageant and she won!
http://mymissuniverseblog.blogspot.com/
ms. japan really breaks the rules and standard of beauty contest as she walk in the ramp in front of the judges but it was a sure hit since she use a different way of cat walkings! she was love by the judges beacuse even though she breaks the rules, she’s still manage to carry herself with big confidence. Congrat Ms. Riyo Mori. I was dissapoint when my fellow filipino Ms. Phillippines didn’t make it to the top 15, she was very beautiful and intelligent as compare to ms. Tanzania, she was a Summa cum laude, the Highest distinctions for academic perfomance in college studies and she’s talking her law studies today. any way still she proves that asian beauty still rules. She was chosen as Ms. Photogenic, congrat to Fellow Asian Girls. I also want to comment on Ms. USA, she was good even she fell in the long gound competitions, i remember Ms. Phillipiones 99 Miriam quiambao who also fell in the pre pageant competition and still manage to be the forst runner up neat to ms. Botswana who by that that time representing her country for the first time and she won. Ms. USA Deserve to be in TOP five. Shame to mexican who booed her, showing their barbaric manners and being unsporty….
Am I the only one that thinks Miss Japan walked like a duck in the swimsuit competition. It seemed like she really wanted to showcase her small butt.
Riyo Mori looks special in the pageant compared to the others.. she deserves the win.. I like her very much.. WOW SHE’S SO SPECIAL!
I was a bit disappointed of Ms. China.. I hope next time they will have a better representative of their country.. maybe a girl from taiwan would be better.. Asian look is so beautiful
She’s absolutely gorgeous. Very exotic….wtg Riyo!!!!
Miss Japan isn’t ugly, yet she doesn’t compare to probably 90% of the Miss Universe 2007 pageants. I honestly think that she can’t pose; she has the sharpest moves and flicks her small butt out and turns around and walks back. She certainly isn’t elegant. And for those who say that the people who reckon she’s ugly are ‘uglier’ – Puh-lease. Get a life. We’re just being honest people. If u want comments, WE’LL GIVE YOU COMMENTS!
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.
You are an inspiration to all. Hope you visit the Philippines Ms. Mori.
She is proud and gift for Japanies people form God.