Russian Miss Universe fired

[Cold Warrior]

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 7:22 p.m. ET

NEW YORK (AP) -- For the first time in its 52-year history, the Miss Universe Organization has fired the woman wearing its crown.

Oxana Fedorova, a 24-year-old Russian law student, was ousted four months after she won the pageant, the organization said.

Spokeswoman Mary Hilliard McMillan said the organization would not comment on the reason until Tuesday, when the first runner-up, Miss Panama Justine Pasek, 22, is expected to be crowned.

Fedorova denied she had been fired and said she gave up the title herself.

``The duties of a world beauty are wonderful. However, my prime goal is my studies and career in Russia,'' Fedorova, who is pursuing a graduate degree in civil law, told RTR state television. ``I know I will remain Miss Universe for Russian citizens and for myself.''

Addressing what the network said were rumors that she had secretly married and was pregnant, Fedorova said: ``I want a family, I love family, but it is a dream for me. I was never married. I have not had children. I hope that this dream will come true in the future.''

Miss Universe cannot be married or have children, according to pageant rules.

Fedorova, a police lieutenant, was the first Miss Universe from Russia, and her victory led newscasts across her home country. As the winner, she was eligible for prizes worth about $250,000, in addition to promotional contracts, a scholarship and a salary.

Images of her in a white toga-like gown were shown with shots of her firing weapons with perfectly manicured nails and walking police academy halls, dark hair flowing over her drab green uniform.

Fedorova visited France, Italy, Kenya, Canada and Greece while wearing the Miss Universe crown. She joked with reporters earlier this month that the most beneficial aspect of her title was the opportunity to practice English and visit new countries.

As the new Miss Universe, Pasek will travel extensively and work with AIDS organizations to increase awareness and funding for research.

The next Miss Universe pageant will be held in Panama City in May.

[Pordzhik]

... in response to Russian Miss Universe fired, posted by Cold Warrior on Sep 23, 2002

She's really 28 years old.

[BarryM]

... in response to Russian Miss Universe fired, posted by Cold Warrior on Sep 23, 2002

According to Fox, Oxana Fedorova's longtime boyfriend is a Russian mobster who has paid her bills since she was sixteen. Fox also noted that she gained 15 pounds and is suspected of being pregnant. The official story is that she refused to fulfill her contractual obligations that are required by her title. The Miss Universe job pays $250,000 plus many perks and bonuses. Future modeling and acting jobs could have made her many millions more. The Russian mob has her on a leash and they just jerked her back real hard. Only an idiot or someone in fear of their life would blow a multi-million dollar career.

-blm

[KenC]

... in response to Russian Miss Universe fired, posted by Cold Warrior on Sep 23, 2002

According to Moscow Times-
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2002/09/24/003.html
KenC

[Scaught]

... in response to Russian Miss Universe fired, posted by Cold Warrior on Sep 23, 2002

Here's Russian Miss Universe's reply to the rumors surrounding her leaving, according to today's CNN report:

"As far as the rumors go about me being married and pregnant, those are wonderful rumors. I want a family, I love family life, and it's what's most important in life. But at the moment, that's only my dream, and not at all true," she said.

"I've never been married. I haven't had any kids. Hopefully sometime in the future those dreams will happen for me."

Can you imagine an AM saying this? This aspect of UW/RW is a huge factor stimulating my interest in them. This woman is stunningly beautiful, has a career and is working on her dissertation, AND her priorities are in order: family is number one. To pursue with high intentions such a remarkable FSU woman with the possibility of marriage and family- as many of us on this board are-- in my book, this has to be one of the noblest pursuits a man can follow.

[KenC]

... in response to Her Priorities, posted by Scaught on Sep 23, 2002

Scaught,
Your version of the story is what my wife heard on Russian TV this afternoon.
KenC

[Oscar]

... in response to Russian Miss Universe fired, posted by Cold Warrior on Sep 23, 2002

.

[johnE]

... in response to Dang! Even Miss Russia/Universe is a sca..., posted by Oscar on Sep 23, 2002

http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/Northeast/09/23/miss.universe/index.html

[Oscar]

... in response to A scammer? Not quite. Read this version., posted by johnE on Sep 23, 2002

I certainly don't know why she was "ousted" but being that this is the first time in history that they have taken the crown away from a winner says to me that there is something rotten in Denmark, and it ain't fish..
I am sure the truth will nopt be long in coming out..  Really too bad, she is a gorgeous woman.

[johnE]

... in response to Hey, it says she didn't quit, she was &q..., posted by Oscar on Sep 23, 2002

Yeah, you're right. Something is definately rotten in Denmark. According to the article I read, her education was more important. According to the Miss Universe organization, she was fired. Man, someone is not telling the truth that's for sure. Hmmmmm, what a slap in the face it would be if someone actually found thier education more important than the miss universe title!!!!!

[Oscar]

... in response to Re: Hey, it says she didn't quit, she wa..., posted by johnE on Sep 23, 2002

.

[Oscar]

... in response to Don't worry, someone will come out with ..., posted by Oscar on Sep 23, 2002

"The Miss Universe Organization, however, said the 24-year-old Russian beauty was fired -- the first time in the 52-year history of the pageant that has happened. The organization did not give an explanation as to why Fedorova was ousted, but said a news conference will be held Tuesday in New York."

Guess we will know more tomorrow... Really sad.