SASHES AND TIARAS.....Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014 Finals, The Winner and Gown Recap!

A new Latina beauty: Aleyda Ortiz is crowned "Nuestra Belleza latina 2014" on Sunday night

This past Sunday night were the Finals of Univision's very popular Reality Competition Show "Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014". Last week on my blog HERE, I discussed the Semi-Finals and Top Five Gowns and gave my prediction on who would probably win the 8th title. And yes, I was right...

 Third Puerto Rican...to win "Nuestra Belleza" crown: Aleyda Ortiz

To no one's surprise, the top crown went to Puerto Rican Aleyda Ortiz. The 1.76 M (5' 9 1/2") tall Aleyda was the front-runner from the beginning, the gorgeous beauty is an experienced pageant contestant, having won the First Runner-Up title of this year's Miss Universe Puerto Rico and also was First Runner-Up at Miss Intercontinental 2014. She now is the third woman of Puerto Rican descent to win the "Nuestra Belleza Latina" crown.

Swimsuit Perfect: Aleyda Ortiz "Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014"

Along with winning the title, she gets a contract with Univision and becomes one of their TV personalities, a cash prize of $200,000 (no word on how she'll get that money--in terms of whether it's a one time check or she has to 'work" for that doing her Univision TV on-air duties), a cover in Cosmopolitan en Español and also gets to be one of the hosts of the popular Univision TV show, Sabado Gigante. Now, let's Recap the show and more importantly, the GOWNS!!!



The Show:

La Reina: Beauty Pageant "Czar" Osmel Sousa holds the "Nuestra Belleza Latina" crown--Intro Production of the "Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014" Finals

Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014 Finals

Outfit Change Hosts: Chiquinquira Delgado (she hosts the Univision Spanish-speaking version of Dancing With The Stars "Mira Quien Baila", and was Miss Venezuela Flowers Queen 1990--she came in third place after Miss Venezuela and Miss World Venezuela at the Miss Venezuela 1990 beauty pageant) and Cuban-born actor/model Pedro Moreno--Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014 Finals

Top Four Fantasy "Swimwear": During Sunday's Finals, the remaining four finalists modeled in a segment inspired by Disney's new film, Maleficent--Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014 Finals

Josephine Ochoa: Josephine--who is of Guatemalan descent--eventually got the First Runner-Up title--here she is in the "Maleficent" catwalk segment--Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014 Finals

Aleyda Ortiz--the winner--during her portion of the "Maleficent" segment--Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014 Finals

Pageant Mentors:

Universal Mentors: These two former "Miss Universe" winners above--from Venezuela and Puerto Rico respectively, mentored and guided the "Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014" contestants through the season of the reality competition beauty pageant show--Miss Universe 1996 from Venezuela, actor, singer, TV personality Alicia Machado (right, above pic), and Miss Universe 2001 from Puerto Rico Denise Quiñones (left, above pic)--Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014 Finals.



The Gowns:

Top Four Gowns: The remaining four finalists showed off their gowns during this Evening Gown Presentation which would then whittle the Top Four to the last two standing...

Aly Villegas representing Mexico: Aly wore a teal satin gown from designer Alejandra Valera.

The Positive: Overall, the dress, hair, styling, is much better than the dated look she gave last week HERE. In case you missed it, this was her look:

Pageant Betty/Quinceañera No: Aly Villegas at last week's "Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014 Semi-Finals

I like her hair down and sleek. The gown--which featured a nude illusion top piece with gold and teal applique, gold belt and full overskirt, was pretty.

The Not-so-Positive: It was still a bit "Pageant Lite" and I wasn't a fan of the too-high center front slit (look how close to her you-know-what that slit is up to!!??) and I AM NOT A FAN of those Stripper/Drag Queen super-high platform pumps; the minute I see those on any woman, I think "Oh, she must be 4' 9" and is trying to overcompensate). I would have rather seen her in modern chic strappy heels with a (much) thinner platform.

Nabila Tapia representing the Dominican Republic: Nabila wore a pink sequined gown from designer Giovanni Scutaro

The Positive: Nabila looked super sexy--even though she was very "covered up" in "Pageant Gown Standards". She is very much like a Latina starlet walking the Premios Juventud red carpet. Pageant "Czar" Osmel Sousa commented during the Finals that Nabila had the most beautiful face of all the finalists, and she really does. Her makeup was great and the hair looked like something that should be in a hair commercial!

The Not-much-Negative: If there was a mini-wish, I would have liked this gown without the long sleeves; it was Too Mucheey pink sequined fabric ALL OVER.

Josephine Ochoa representing Guatemala: Blond-haired Josephine wore a bright orange-colored gown from Venezuelan designer Giovanni Scutaro. The dress featured a nude illusion top section covered in coral-colored sequined applique and a gathered skirt with side-slit.

The Positive: This color was great for Josephine; it was impacting and she looked every bit a "Miss". I loved her hairstyle and not-so-intense makeup.

The Not-much-Negative: If there was any critique, I would say that under the "Nuestra Belleza Latina" spotlight, this was just right. However, if an actress wore this on a big red carpet event, she probably would be slammed for looking a bit too "Figure Skating Costume-y".

Aleyda Ortiz representing Puerto Rico: Aleyda (the Winner) wore a silver sequined and nude-colored organza gown from Eduardo de las Casas.

The Positive: Now this is how you look like a Beauty Queen. This gown was perfect for the stage and had movement and really gave Aleyda a nice silhouette. Notice that there was NOTHING plunging and no too-high slit. And yet, it still looked right.

The Not-much-Negative: Nada. Just right.



Top Two Gowns:

Las Dos: It was finally down to the Final Two-- Aleyda Ortiz (Puerto Rico) (left), and Josephine Ochoa (Guatemala) (right). They both wore ivory and silver-based gowns...

The First Runner Up Is...

Josephine Ochoa: Josephine wore a beautiful ivory, nude and teal sequined gown. The dress looked EXPENSIVE and well-made. I liked the different sections, however, I'm not sure if placing the sheer/nude section at that position helped. But on a good note: her hair and makeup were perfect!



And the Winner...

Aleyda Ortiz: Aleyda wore an ivory shimmy-shaking, all-over sequined gown for her final catwalk. This gown was not "Earth-shaking" in terms of Beauty Pageant gowns but it was right for Aleyda; it really framed her face and created a perfect three-quarter shot (waist-up). I still liked what she wore for the "Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2014" pageant better:

Congratulations and Felicitaciones Aleyda! Finally you got the Top Title and ended your "Forever a First Runner-Up" streak!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Recap of the Gowns of "Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014" Semi Finals!

 Latina Swimsuits Beauties--Nuestra Bella Latina 2014

Last night was the Semi-Final Episode Before the Finals--of this year's Nuestra Bella Latina beauty pageant and Reality TV Show. If you follow beauty pageants, you're well aware of Nuetra Belleza Latina and if not, well, the TV show is a cross between "America's Next Top Model" and "Miss Universe"--but only with Latina contestants. Castings are held across the US to find which women will make the final round to be on the show and contest.

The show is on its EIGHTH SEASON on Univision and consistently one of the highest rated TV programs for not just the Spanish-language network, Univision, but sometimes, it beats out its English-speaking counterparts that air during the same time on Sunday nights. Yes kids, it's that popular. Sunday night was the penultimate episode (next Sunday is the Final Crowning Night). The reality show/beauty contest was down to the Top Five.

Las Top Cinco: Contestants from "Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014" in their evening gowns

As part of the episode, there was an "Evening Gown" fashion show/competition. Six fashion designers--of Latino descent--are commissioned to design the gowns for the contestants throughout the season. But now for this pre-Finals episode, there were only four designers left. I wanted to Recap the Gowns of these contestants--from my Least Favorite to Most Favorite, with my "Gown Scores" (10 being the highest). So...Here we go:

Aly Villegas: Aly from Mexico and for the Semi-Finals, she wore a canary yellow slinky jersey gown from US designer of Peruvian descent designer Eduardo de las Casas. The gown was two seconds from Tacky-licious; the nude illusion panels were very 1997. Between the mock-neck and the long sleeves and too-high stacked nude platforms...I didn't know what I liked least. But then,  I focused on that VERY 1993 Prom/Quinceañera hair:

 1993: Bouffant with a side front fall.

Gown Score: 6.7

Alina Robert: Alina is originally from Cuba and was unfortunately eliminated last night. First off: she's GORGEOUS; beautiful face, great telegenic features. For the gown portion, she wore a blue halter neckline style hi-lo gown with crystal trim and black waistband designed by Colombian-born/raised in Puerto Rico fashion designer Gustavo Arango. I actually liked the dress. There was nothing extraordinary about it and yes, it looked like something one would buy at a department or prom/pageant store.

Alina's Back: With that being said, it fit her well and highlighted her shoulders and very pretty face. In terms of her hair, it was A LOT. But I didn't have a problem with it. 

Gown Score: 8.7

Nabila Tapia: Nabila hails from NY and is of Dominican Republic descent. Last night she wore a silver sequined and ivory organza gown designed by Venezuelan fashion designer Giovanni Scutaro. The style was very Miss Venezuela (no surprise there). It featured "Disco Ball" silver sequined bust cups and a fitted column gown with attached multi-ruffled back train detail.

Disco Nabila: Between her side-swept hairstyle, earrings, crystal cuff and gown...she was the ultimate "Pageant Betty". It was a little tight at the waist and hips (notice the rippling and pulling happening in the photo above), but those pageant girls always love it TOO TIGHT, unfortunately.

Gown Score: 8.9

Josephine Ochoa: Josephine is Guatemalan descent and from Los Angeles, CA. She was "Miss Guatemala U.S. 2013". The blond-haired, brown-eyed beauty wore a gold metallic and crystal gown, also from Venezuela designer Giovanni Scutaro.

Golden Girl: The column shaped gown featured a drop shoulder, high neck and very plunging back. This was one of my favorite gowns of the night. It looked perfect for Josephine. I also loved the fabrication; unusual and luxe. This is definitely not from a Prom-and-Pageant store. If only Josephine was 6 feet tall, this gown would have been an OUT OF CONTROL moment!

Gown Score: 9.0

Aleyda Ortiz: Aleyda wore a royal blue Empire-cut chiffon gown with silver sequined top detail, designed by Eduardo de las Casas. Aleyda worked this gown OVERTIME. In terms of the design, this wasn't anything earth-shaking and in fact, was very "Pageant"-expected. But it was the fact that Aleyda was wearing it...At one point, she was holding on to the chiffon over-layers and then dropped them...in a very dramatic "Pageant Fab" move captured in the one of the photos above. She was VERY "Miss Universe" contestant.

Gown Score: 9.2

Not Her First Time At The Rodeo: I think Aleyda is probably going to be the next "Nuestra Belleza Latina". This is my guess. Aleyda is no stranger to pageants and in fact, was the First Runner-Up to "Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2013" (above) and then...

Got to represent "Puerto Rico" in the "Miss Intercontinental 2013 Pageant" and also got First Runner-Up (left). I think that next Sunday, it will finally be the time she moves from First Runner-Up to being an actual Winner...We'll see!