Trained by Frenchwoman, Ines Ligron, who was hired 10 years ago to train Japanese girls for Miss Universe by Donald Trump, the owner of the contest…(hmmm…does anybody suspect anything here)…Riyo Mori possesses and displays characteristics that make her unpopular to the average Japanese… especially the men.

There are reasons

1. She is confident – “When I walked on the runway with the crown, I was so thrilled because I had decided to myself during a rehearsal that I was the one who would walk here,” said Mori.

2. She is not intimidated -  “Normally what happens is when a Japanese delegate arrives at Miss Universe, she just goes down because she sees so many beautiful girls, and she just feels frightened,” says Ligron.

3. She is strong – “Riyo was just going stronger and stronger until the very end.”

4. She has dreams -performing on Broadway (she is a ballerina and a dance teacher), and helping to fight HIV and AIDS.

5. She is independent -she has been “given an apartment in New York for a year, an undisclosed salary, a complete wardrobe including a luxury watch and a scholarship for two years of film study in New York.”

Nope…doesn’t sound like Riyo would be too popular with the Japanese men or Japanese women who in no way can keep up with her. She stands out far too much. And we know what happens to the individual who sticks out in Japan. SMACK!

But, her beauty and charm IS recognized by the rest of the world, and Japan should be proud of her for that.

Other Posts and Pix of Riyo MoriJapan’s Cutest Girls – Numbers 1 – 24

Pictures of Asia’s Miss Universe Contestants – Japan, China, Korea, Thailand…..

Miss Universe Japan – Ballet Dancer, Mori Riyo – Learns Lessons …

Miss Universe Japan – Ballet Dancer, Mori Riyo

Japan’s Hottest Girls – Riyo Mori at Miss Universe 2007 Contest – Cancun, Mexico