Miss Canada is currently flooring observers with her decision on the best way to stick out from the crowd. That’s because she chose a hockey stick as the appropriate way to prove she’s unique. And the determinedly grinning girl is just one of the 88 contestants competing in the 63rd Annual Miss Universe pageant, which will be aired Sunday at 8 p.m. on NBC, reported Us Weekly .
Meet Chanel Beckenlehner, current holder of the Miss Canada title. She combined not one, not two, but 10 hockey sticks as just part of her costume. Add shoulder pads, elbow pads, a maple leaf, hockey net, shin guards, and complete her costume with a hockey scoreboard. Oh, and don’t forget her Stanley Cup hat.
But Miss Canada was in good company when it came to the Miss Universe pageant’s annual parade of costumes.
Say hello to the red, white, and blue courtesy of Miss USA. That’s Nia Sanchez, who saluted the flag by combining a leotard with feathers (reportedly no birdies were killed).
And if you’re lacking vitamin C, Miss Curacao Laurien Angelista has some extra oranges. But be careful because good balance is essential for a Miss Universe winner.
Get ready to salute for Miss Great Britain, who is Grace Levy. She hoped that her furry hat would keep her warm as she marched across the stage.
But it’s not all fun and feathers at the Miss Universe contest this year. That’s because Miss Lebanon Saly Greige found herself the subject of a backlash when she appeared in a selfie with Miss Israel Doron Matalon, according to the Jerusalem Post .
The controversy began when Matalon posted an Instagram photo that featured her with Miss Lebanon, Miss Japan, and Miss Slovenia.
When the photo made the rounds on Lebanese social media, some attacked Greige for what they felt was a bad decision to pose with Matalon, who in their views represented an enemy state.
But Lebanon Tourism Minister Michel Pharon defended her.
“According to the information we obtained, Miss Lebanon [Saly Greige] did not have bad intentions that necessitates her being stripped of her title or punishment. Miss Lebanon has been the subject of a racist and random campaign.”
In turn, Miss Lebanon said that she did not pose, but instead posted on Facebook her claim that she had been photo-bombed by Miss Israel.
“The truth behind the photo: Since the first day of my arrival to participate to Miss Universe, I was very cautious to avoid being in any photo or communication with Miss Israel (that tried several times to have a photo with me)…I was having a photo with Miss Japan, Miss Slovenia and myself; suddenly Miss Israel jumped in, took a selfie, and put it on her social media…this is what happened and I hope to have your full support in the Miss Universe contest.”
The photo controversy comes at a time when celebrities increasingly are finding themselves forced to defend their own decisions to post revealing photos to Instagram. The latest to be slammed for an inappropriate photo is Willow Smith , as the Inquisitr reported.
The teenage daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith posed in a sweater intended to give the impression that she was topless or wearing only body paint. However, her parents defended her photo.
[Photo By Paula Bronstein/Getty Images]