TORONTO, ON (Wed, May 21st, 2014)
A Canadian tradition, Miss Universe® Canada is the Canadian representative sent to compete at the annual Miss Universe® pageant. Canada is one of only four countries (along with France, Germany, and the USA) which have competed in each Miss Universe® pageant since its inception in 1952.
The 63rd annual Miss Universe® Canada Pageant will be held at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in Toronto. 65 delegates from across Canada are in Toronto to compete for the title of Miss Universe® Canada 2014 awarded on Saturday, May 24th, 2014.
These are the Official Judges of Miss Universe Canada 2014:
Cory Lee
Cory lee is an accomplished recording artist and actor. She is Juno nominated and you may recognize her from her recurring role in Degrassi. She is putting the finishes touches on a new album to be released later this year. Her first single from the new album is called “shot to my heart” and will burning up radio soon! ‘Life is what you make it’
George De La Rosa, BComm, FCUIC
Mr. De La Rosa currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Luminus Financial and has the distinction of becoming one of the youngest Credit Union CEOs in 2005. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Ryerson University and a Fellow of the Credit Union Institute of Canada (FCUIC) designation from the Credit Union Institute of Canada through Dalhousie University. Luminus Financial, an Ontario credit union headquartered in Toronto, provides a full suite of banking products and services to businesses and individuals, and is the designated credit union for employees of Toronto Star, Metroland, Air Canada, Globe and Mail and Metro.
Gloria Sanders
Gloria is a highly accomplished businesswoman, a well known and respected executive in the Card Payment Industry. While most people’s favourite hobbies may be stamp collecting or gardening, Gloria gets her joy from buying chic properties. In Toronto, she’s a private investor in famous downtown Condominiums like Boutique Condos, District Lofts, Fashion House, Library District, Westlake Condo and the Brant Park.
Jennifer Mancuso
Jennifer A. Mancuso is a model-turned-lawyer. She has over a decade of modeling experience and was a dancer on the live dance music television program Electric Circus, which aired on MuchMusic and Citytv. Jennifer is currently an associate at the law firm of Black Sutherland LLP, located in downtown Toronto. She practices almost exclusively in the area of insurance defence, with a focus on motor vehicle claims, occupiers liability, product liability and personal injury claims.
Karim Kanji
Karim N. Kanji is president and chief executive officer of Sutter Hill Investment Corporation, an international real estate investment, development and property management company. Other business interests include a cosmetics company, gold mining, bio pharmaceuticals, music and theatre production.
Karim is an Officer and Vice President of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Council of Canada, Chairman of The Glenn Gould Foundation Council of Fellows. In addition Mr. Kanji is a noted philanthropist who sits on the boards or has been involved with several arts, political and charitable organizations including The Bayview Glen Foundation, Junior Achievement of Central Ontario, Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, The Royal Conservatory of Music, Santa Claus Parade, Seventh Stage Theatrical Productions, and Sistema Toronto, an after School school music program in disadvantaged areas.
Maestro Fresh Wes Williams
One of Canada’s most successful & influential Hip Hop artists, Co-Star on Mr.D (CBC)
Celebrating his 25th anniversary in the music industry, Maestro Fresh Wes Williams is one of Canadas most successful and influential Hip Hop artists, and premier multi-media personalities. His signature song Let Your Backbone Slide was the first Canadian Hip Hop single to ever go gold. Wes stars as a high school teacher on CBCs hit show, Mr. D. Wes is also the author of the critically-acclaimed book, Stick To Your Vision. An Olympic-inspired version of his hit song Reach for the Sky is included during coverage of Sochi 2014 as the soundtrack of a montage on CBC Olympic Primetime.
Mariana Valente
Mariana Valente is Miss Universe Canada 2009. Her experience as a titleholder allowed her to engage in life-changing experiences, while maintaining her main goal of impacting the lives of others. Mariana was born in Brazil and speaks four languages. She finished her education with an Honours Degree in French studies. Mariana also co-owns 2 businesses in the fitness industry with her husband Michael. The Fit Loft a personal training studio and Fit Food a weight loss and wellness meal service with home delivery.
Natalie Deane
A television Producer/Director for over 9 years, Natalie has worked with and interviewed many celebrities including Riana, Beyonce, Drake, Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber. She has also covered The Grammys, The JUNOs and many other celebrity red carpets. Natalie got her start as an Entertainment Anchor and News Reporter covering local news,
entertainment and sports events. She has worked in the Newsroom, on Lifestyle series as well as for Entertainment news magazine shows. A strong believer in giving back Natalie has been involved in many charities and charity events including, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Hospital for Sick Kids, Starlight Foundation and the Boobyball to name a few.
Saverio Montemarano
Saverio Montemarano is well known home builder and philanthropist around the Greater Golden Horseshoe. He is a founding supporter and director of the Abilities Centre in Whitby which encourages all its members to rise to their ability. In recognition of his good works, he was given the Queens Jubilee award.
The reigning Miss Universe® Canada, Riza Santos will assist in crowning her successor before a live audience. With an established reputation, the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Theatre has been chosen to be the host venue for the 2014 Miss Universe® Canada pageant.
The pageant consists of two separate audience attended events:
MUC 2014 Pageant Presentation Show (Thursday, May 22nd, 2014)
All 65 delegates from across Canada compete before a live audience and a judging panel in the traditional categories (Swimwear and Evening Gown) for the chance to be selected as one of the Judges 15 semi-finalists. In addition, 5 segment winners will be joining the group of semi-finalists for a chance to win the title.
Miss Universe® Canada 2014 Pageant Finale Show (Saturday, May 24th, 2014)
The top 20 semi-finalists will compete for the title of Miss Universe® Canada 2014 in front of the judging panel as well as our live audience in the traditional categories (Swimwear and Evening Gown), plus the addition of a live interview/question and answer segment. However, all 65 delegates will be involved in production numbers throughout the show.
Miss Universe® Canada delegates are selected each year by competing in local and regional casting calls and pageants held in select areas across the country. Beauties of Canada has the exclusive rights to send a Canadian representative to the Miss Universe® Pageant.
For further information visit www.missuniversecanada.ca or for interview/photo requests please contact:
Andrew Lopez
PR for Miss Universe Canada
Be The One Communications
416.677.7739
Andrewlopez@be-the-one.ca