Despite economic crisis, Venezuela’s beauty pageants remain popular

Americas Now

Beauty competitions may be going out of fashion in many parts of the world, but not in Venezuela. The country has won a record seven Miss Universe and six Miss World titles.

Many young Venezuelan women see the competitions as a path to future careers in acting, journalism, even politics.

The nation’s on-going economic crisis has not diminished the appeal of the events. Contestants dream that becoming a beauty queen may lead them out of poverty. And some are prepared to make major sacrifices in difficult times, to participate.

Correspondent Stephen Gibbs has this report from Caracas.