Krasa Rossii Beauty of Russia 2009
On October 24 in Moscow, a Siberian model won the title of Miss Russian Beauty (Krasa Rossii) 2009 in the annual Beauty of Russia contest. Yevgenia Lapova, a 23-year-old model from Novosibirsk, competed against 68 hot Russian women to take home the title.
After winning her crown of diamonds and a new car, Lapova said that in addition of starring in a movie, she wants to get married and have a big family. She holds an acting degree from the All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography.
Asked during the post pageant press conference if she had a special diet for the contest, Lapova said, “Of course I kept to a diet, but I don’t think a Russian Beauty has to be skinny.”
Currently dating a businessman, Lapova can add this title to previous beauty wins as Miss Russia Junior in 2002, Miss Asia and Miss Oceania 2005. Her winning motto was “…if the best is attainable, then good is not enough."
Russia’s oldest beauty contest, the Beauty of Russia has been held annually since 1995 and has showcased some of the most beautiful women in world. Contestants are the winners of regional competitions and travel to Moscow 20 days prior to the event. Unlike beauty contests held in the West, where contestants stay in hotels, the contestants for the Beauty of Russia are housed in suburban boarding houses.
On the day prior to the competition, contestants donate their own handmade crafts, representing their hometown, to a charity auction. The proceeds from the auction benefit various children’s charities across Russia.
The overall winner and runners up are determined by a combination of celebrity judges and public online voting. All contestants receive prizes from the organizers of the competition, as well as prizes from sponsors.