Posted on 12/18/2004 12:45:36 PM PST by martin_fierro
Student Wins China Plastic-Surgery Pageant
BEIJING - A 22-year-old student who has had cosmetic surgery on her eyelids and cheeks was crowned the winner Saturday of China's first pageant for such "manmade beauties.
Feng Qian received a $6,000 country club membership after being picked from among 20 finalists, who ranged in age from 18 to 62.
Surging numbers of newly prosperous Chinese are going under the knife after decades of communist austerity, seeking shapelier noses, fuller breasts and other features.
"I think this contest offered a platform for all the girls who have undergone plastic surgery and aren't willing to talk about it," Feng told reporters after the ceremony. "This is recognition of the girls like us."
Wearing a gold, sleeveless gown and a winner's crown of flowers, the student from northeastern Jilin province said she hopes to become a plastic surgeon herself one day.
The event was organized after an 18-year-old woman was disqualified from another Chinese beauty pageant this year on the grounds that she had had cosmetic surgery.
Competitors had to submit proof that they had undergone surgery. Sponsors included Chinese makers of cosmetic surgery products. The contest had a talent show and evening gown and swimsuit competitions.
One contestant, Liu Xiaojin, was a 21-year-old transsexual who was a man until three years ago. She shared a prize for Best Media Image with the retiree, Liu Yulan, who has had a facelift and three other procedures.
Other prizes handed out included Most Intelligent and Best Figure.
Organizers said 90 women from other countries, including the United States and Japan, applied to compete. But they said the non-Chinese applicants were deemed not serious enough about the contest or had language or scheduling problems.
The government says China's cosmetic surgery industry took in $2.4 billion last year.
China also has eagerly embraced the notion of beauty pageants and modeling contests. The southern Chinese beach resort of Sanya has hosted the Miss World (news - web sites) pageant for two straight years and is to be the site of the event again next year.
Feng Qian, 22, from Jilin province celebrates after winning the title of China's top manmade beauty in Beijing Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004. Feng Qian beat 19 other contestants to win China's first beauty pageant for women who have had plastic surgery. (AP Photo/Str)
I wonder how much her surgery costs. Or was that provided free by the communist party. My imagination roams regarding the country club membership...
5.56mm
Hate the cheeks
Yikes!!!!
For that picture, there's a special place in Hell for you!!
(:>
Why, I never realized Michael was so, so, so attraaactive!
No wonder teenage boys seem to like him.
A few months ago I read about a Chinese man who divorced his beautiful wife and sued her for fraud. He became suspicious when they had their first child and it was "ugly." At first he thought she cheated on him with another man, but when pressed she admitted she had plastic surgery.
But let's not forget Liu Xiaojin, who "was a 21-year-old transsexual who was a man until three years ago. She shared a prize for Best Media Image..."
It's hard to deny that he made the correct decision.
Beauty pageant contestant Liu Xiaojin used to be a man
That's Liu Xiaojin on the left in the turquoise dress
Hey! She's flipping us off while waving around a copy of the Little Red Book!
Are you sure that it isn't the one in the maroon dress? Yikes!
Are you sure that it isn't the one in the maroon dress? Yikes!
(laughing) I noticed that, too! Almost said something, but didn't... She's the one who looks as if she used to be a man.
Laughing here, boss!
I still prefer this shot...
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