Miss Tahiti 2009 invites voting by phone

The 2009 Miss Tahiti beauty pageant will be awarded later this month in Papeete, Tahiti. Twelve young women from every corner of French Polynesian are vying for the coveted title.

This year the pageant has opened the beauty pageant to include the public in deciding who will be this years Miss Tahiti. Residents may call (36 70 15) in to a special line to vote for their choice (fees apply). The results will be factored in and added to the results of the judges.

This years competitors include:
Mereani Meyrand - Rangiroa, Sage Averii - Punaauia, Heirai AVAEORU - Rapa, Hinerava Ohu - Marquesas/Rapa Nui, Tapeta Purakaueke - Moorea, Niuriki TEREMATE - Punaauia, Poerava VOIRIN - Bora Bora, Heimata LUCAS - Papeete, Maiana MU - Raiatea, Tatiana FAAEVA - Huahine, Puahinano Bonno - Marquesas, Moïne DELIGNY - Paumotu

Last years Miss Tahiti, Hinatea Boosie, will hand the crown over in front of a live audience. The winner will go on to represent French Polynesia in the Miss France competition.

Miss Tahiti "confident" of winning Miss France title

This year's Miss Tahiti prepared to leave Tuesday for Paris, saying she was "confident" of winning the Dec. 6 Miss France 2009 title.

Hinatea Boosie, a 20-year-old psychology student said, "I'm leaving confident," but she added, "I'm still a bit worried because I know there will be stress and pressure."

More at Tahiti Presse

Miss Tahiti 2008 - Hinatea Boosie

(Tahitipresse) - Twenty-year-old Hinatea Boosie, a psychology student who believes Tahiti's women today are "intelligent, active and becoming more and more independent", is the new Miss Tahiti, winner of the largest and most prestigious of the annual beauty contests.

Originally from Tahiti, Ms. Boosie was crowned Miss Tahiti in front of an audience at the Sheraton Hotel Tahiti. The event was also broadcast live throughout French Polynesia. Ms. Boosie, along with 11 other contestants reminded us once again of why Tahiti has always been envisioned as one of the most romantic places in the world.

As the 48th Annual Miss Tahiti, Ms. Boosie "embodies the grace, beauty and values of the Polynesian woman." Not only was she chosen by the competition's judges, but she was also the favorite of voters throughout French Polynesia as well. Twenty percent of the total points were alloted to the open vote. The other 80% was made up from the judges at the event.

Ms. Boosie will next compete in the Miss France competition in Paris. Ms Taoahere Richmond, last year's Miss Tahiti, crowned Ms. Boosie before a hotel audience that also included the very first Miss Tahiti - Teura Bauwens.

Vaihere Merpaut, 19, was elected first runner-up, and Manavarii Ravetupu, 21, was elected second runner-up. Vahinetua Flaccadori, 18, was elected Miss Heiva 2008, the "queen" of Tahiti's annual festival, known as the Heiva, which is held in July.

Miss Tahiti 2007

Twenty-one-year-old Taoahere Richmond, the new Miss Tahiti, is no stranger to beauty contest titles, having won the 2004 Miss Va'a (outrigger canoe) title and the 2006 Miss Papeete title.

Complete story at Tahiti Presse

14 candidates for 47th Miss Tahiti beauty contest

Fourteen young ladies have been chosen for the 47th Miss Tahiti beauty contest that will be held on May 11 in the Papeete City Hall gardens, with a special theme dating back to the 1970s.

More at Tahiti Presse