GALVESTON - The Miss SL Universe pageant ended with a bang. Actually, a crash.  Gavelston Island host of the over-4 hour pageant, crashed just as the winner was about to be announced to the over 60 spectators and viewers on SLCN.tv.

Coordinated and hosted by Frolic Mills, publisher of The Best of SL Magazine, the pageant, which included a native costume parade, a swimsuit competition, an evening dress showing, and finally a question and answer period for the 5 finalists, culminated in a win for Miss Greece Babyhoney Bailey with Miss Israel Elisne Allen as first runner up.

Mills, who is currently launching a new sim, The Best of SL, said he would be organizing the competition again next year. He will, however, be imposing new rules on the contestants, including asking them to come from sims that represent their nationality.

This year contestants chose their own countries based on some kind of connection, according to Mills. 

To coordinate the pageant, Mills and the contestants had to garner the support of more than fifty designers and developers on SecondLife, doing so through Mills’ own persuasive encouragement and the sort of networking that happens so easily on Second life.

The other contestants—Miss Brazil Willamina Fitzgerald, Miss Canada Cherie Parker, Miss Costa Rica pup Witherspoon, Miss Germany Payton Heron, Miss Hong Kong Mui Mukerji,  Miss Norway Harmonica Aabye, Miss Spain Isabel Brocco, Miss Trinidad and Tobago Pat Young, Miss United Kingdom Chloe Looby, and Miss USA Summer Deadlight—were all provided with some outfits but also had to provide their own accessories, hair, skins, poses, and additional clothing.

Mills personally received offers from over 25 Second Life designers and personalities to contribute to the contest. Patch Thibaud was rousted out of “hermit” status to design the catwalk.

“'I love working with Frolic - it would be a treat to do another project with him. He loves and encourages creativity. He thrives on and encourages creativity…. It was great to do a theatrical build, because it gives you an excuse to go over-the-top, and experiment."

Thibaud also pointed out how the central seating of the lounge was a case in point to Mills’ eclectic style and uncanny ability to encourage the best designers in SL to contribute to a concept.