
Nov 10 - By Ree Hines, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
“Twilight’s” main man, Robert Pattinson, may have finally figured out a way to keep the crowds of teenage girls at bay. Sure, they may be drawn to his good looks, but the actor’s admitted dirty laundry and hygiene habits could send them running the other way.

Nov 10 - By Mike Celizic, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
Former Miss California Carrie Prejean on Tuesday defended a recently surfaced erotic video of her as a youthful indiscretion and questioned whether it could actually be called a “sex tape” since no one else appears in it.

Sep 25 - By Associated Press
A self-proclaimed preacher who was a contestant in the TV beauty pageant "The Sexiest Bachelor in America" pleaded not guilty Tuesday to murdering his girlfriend, a former adult-movie actress.
Sep 25 - By Associated Press
A self-proclaimed preacher who was on the "America's Sexiest Bachelor" pageant will be arraigned next week for allegedly torturing and murdering an ex-porn actress in suburban Los Angeles.

Sep 24 - By Associated Press
Marelisa Gibson, a 20-year-old brunette, has been crowned Miss Venezuela and will represent the beauty-obsessed South American country at next year's Miss Universe pageant.

Aug 26 - By Heather Hollingsworth, Associated Press Writer
Nell Shepherd was past her century mark when she competed in her first beauty pageant with a walker and lively stories that made judges tear up with laughter. She reveled in the shows, so much that she insisted she be buried with her sparkling tiara.

Aug 13 - By Laura T. Coffey, msnbc.com contributing editor
In a first for any U.S.-based pageant organization, the Miss Universe Organization has taken the unusual step of releasing topless photos of outgoing Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza to the media. Just how did pageant officials come to be in the business of releasing sexy photos instead of reacting to them?
Jun 11 - By Mike Celizic, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
She was fired for her stand against same-sex marriage and nothing else, former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean said Friday, adding that allegations that she did not discharge her duties are false.

May 12 - By Mike Celizic, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
Miss USA pageant co-owner Donald Trump announced that despite the controversy over her stand on gay marriage and racy pre-pageant photos that have surfaced, Carrie Prejean will retain the title of Miss California USA. Trump also commended Prejean for speaking her mind about same-sex marriage during the Miss USA Pageant.

May 11 - By The Associated Press, Only on msnbc.com
Officials of the Miss California USA pageant have strongly criticized titleholder Carrie Prejean but say it's not their decision whether she should be stripped of her crown.
May 7 - By Michael Inbar, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
The tiara on top of Miss USA runner-up Carrie Prejean’s head is starting to feel a lot like a millstone around pageant officials’ necks.
May 5 - By Mike Celizic, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
With partially nude photos of her popping up on Web sites questioning her Christian credentials, Miss California USA Carrie Prejean has fired back, claiming the racy pictures are just modeling shots and vowing to continue her battle against same-sex marriage.
Apr 30 - By Mike Celizic, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
As beauty pageant officials and gay-rights advocates increase the pressure on Miss California USA to back off her controversial comments opposing same-sex marriage, Carrie Prejean is not retracting them. Instead, she’s digging in her spike heels and fighting back.
Apr 22 - By Mike Celizic, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
Showing off the deft footwork that carried her to the title of Miss USA 2009, Kristen Dalton lightly tiptoed through the minefield of a question about same-sex marriage that many believe scuttled another contestant’s chances of winning the coveted crown.
Apr 21 - By Michael Inbar, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
Being a straight shooter likely shot down any chance Carrie Prejean had of being crowned Miss USA Sunday night. But the Miss California told TODAY Tuesday she’s proud she offered her honest opinion on gay marriage, even as her questioner says she should have kept her politics to herself.
Jan 27 - By Michael Inbar, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
Two years after “Little Miss Sunshine” made a splash at the Oscars, the spotlight is shining once again on the often cute — and often controversial — world of child beauty pageants. But a panel of parents and their young, competing offspring assembled by TODAY said that putting their children in front of the stage lights builds their confidence rather than distorting their self-image.
Jan 26 - By Michael Inbar, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
The dry, desert air of Las Vegas didn’t agree with Katie Stam, and it nearly foiled her bid to become Miss America.

Jan 23 - By Gina Pace, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
Back in 1988, newly crowned Miss America Kaye Lani Rae Rafko was scheduled to sign autographs at an event in Portland, Ore., when there was a delay in the entertainment program. So Rafko was asked to help fill 15 minutes of time. A registered nurse, Rafko started speaking to the crowd about issues close to her heart — health care and her dream of opening a hospice in her hometown.

Oct 31 - By Donna Abu-Nasr, Associated Press Writer
The contestants scampered down the runway, bleating at their admirers. Poets sang their praises in verse as the male-only audience appraised the competitors' physical beauty, right down to the length of their necks.
Oct 13 - By Associated Press
An ambitious young Chinese politician has withdrawn from a Hong Kong beauty pageant following withering criticism from commentators online, state media reported Monday.

Dec 5 - By Ashok Sharma, Associated Press Writer
A Tibetan woman said Wednesday that she pulled out of a beauty pageant in Malaysia after organizers, reacting to pressure from Beijing, told her halfway through the event that she could only participate if she added "China" to her "Miss Tibet" title.

Nov 25 - By Rebecca Banuchi, Associated Press Writer
Beauty pageant organizers were investigating Sunday who doused a contestant's evening gowns with pepper spray and spiked her makeup, causing her to break out in hives.
Nov 19 - By Felicia Fonseca, Associated Press Writer
When competitors head off for the weeklong Miss Navajo Nation pageant, they bring along their evening gowns, jewelry, high heels, public speaking skills — and butcher knives.

Apr 17 - By Julie Watson, Associated Press Writer
Miss Mexico is toning down her Miss Universe pageant dress — not because it's too slinky or low-cut, but because its bullet-studded belt and images of hangings from a 1920s uprising have outraged Mexicans.

Jan 29 - By Kathleen Hennessey, Associated Press Writer
Is there something in the water in Oklahoma that produces Miss Americas?