Kurara Chibana's History & Road to 2006 Miss Universe Paegant

Defying expectations and willfully overturning stereotypes, this year's Miss Universe delegate that wears the sash bearing Japan shall be in bright lights more than ever. The country where Kurara grew up defines her yet she has always been the kind of girl that is extra audacious about stepping outside her comfort zone. She is set to show up as the ultimate glamour girl at the entertainment capital of the world.

Kurara Chibana was born in Naha, the capital city of Okinawa and a popular travel destination for Japanese and foreign tourists. Her parents, Shigeru Chibana & Yukari Chibana are both bankers. Kurara was raised alongside her brother, Kiyomaru Chibana who is currently a high school student. As a child, she enjoyed the tropical weather and the scenic beaches found within the vicinity of their home. She developed a kind of curiosity of discovering new places. Kurara can communicate to people in Japanese, French, English and Spanish. She completed her degree in Psychology at Tokyo's Sophia University.

24-year-old Kurara Chibana was crowned Miss Universe Japan on April 25, 2006 in Tokyo, and since then has found fame as the most notable beauty queen in her nation. Unknown to many, remaining as one of the delegates in this contest was a risk that Kurara had to take. "During the pre-pageant, I got an offer to work as a writer for a major publisher. After a lot of thinking, I rejected the offer, even though only 6 applicants are being chosen among thousands of candidates yearly. Everyone thought I was crazy, but I had started something and this had become my goal. "J'aime aller jusqu'au bout" (meaning: I like to go up to the end)," she confessed. It was a perfect choice for Kurara as she got a more thrilling offer from a top fashion magazine after winning her title.    

Kurara spent most of her life traveling. She traveled Southern Europe for college and fell in love with meeting new people and discovering new cultures. She spent two years in France studying & learning how to speak French- something that she's very passionate about. During her visit to Spain, she realized how much she loved the country so she worked part-time and saved enough money in order to live there. She spent three months in Spain and learned how to dance the Flamenco. "This was the first time that I decided to earn money on my own, without the help of my family and go after a dream," Kurara reveals. Back in Japan, she got hired as a features reporter for a top-fashion magazine with two pages allotted to her monthly. She was flown around the world to interview unique people in the entertainment industry and to write about their personal lifestyles. She also worked as a gym instructress of a special exercise that combines kickboxing and aerobics. 

"Her wardrobe will be sexy-chic-glam and very different from the girls of the previous year... more diva like and, that's for sure," her national director Ines Ligron reveals. Urban Japanese women are characterized by conspicuously displaying their disposable incomes through unique tastes in fashion. As for Kurara, she has an eclectic taste in clothes, but her personality always manages to come through no matter what it is she's wearing. "I would describe my fashion sense as being sexy, cool and elegant all at once! I always try to add in my own flavor to whatever I buy, so that it becomes my own style! I used to be a tomboy when I was younger, running marathons and teaching kickboxing! Until recently, I was always wearing trousers. However, when I entered the Miss Universe Japan competition, my director kept on telling me to dress more 'sexy' which was difficult to understand at first! But now I became a pro at switching from being casual to glamorous in an instant."

Kurara has come far in her short life and finds all her successes as a thrill. "I already have the lifestyle of a Miss Universe, traveling the world to listen and communicate with people," she exclaims. By holding the Miss Universe Japan title, she is also actively involved in several charity works. "Charity is not very big in Japan, and therefore, as Miss Universe Japan, I want to open the eyes of people around me to make them realize how fortunate they are and to convince them to get involved."

The local crowd seemed to favor the Japanese delegates wherever the Miss Universe pageant is being staged. Their stirring personality has a way to win the hearts of an audience. Japan's Akiko Kojima is the first woman from the Far East to capture the coveted Miss Universe title. Akiko measured 37-23-38 inches, which many believed as "incredible dimensions" for an Asian. During the 50s, Japan can be considered as a powerhouse in Miss Universe. They did not only win their first & only crown in 1959, but also placed as 2nd runner-up in 1953 (Kinuko Ito), 4th runner-up in 1955 (Keiko Takahashi) and as one of the semifinalists in 1957 (Kyoko Otani), 1958 (Tomoko Moritake) and in 1960 (Yayoi Foruno). Jun Shimada and Mizuho Sakaguchi placed as 3rd runner-up in 1970 and in 1988 respectively. Keiko Takahashi (1955), Kikuyo Osuka (1969) and Miyako Miyazaki (2003) all finished as 4th runner-up. The following penetrated the Miss Universe semifinals and they are Noriko Ando (1963), Shigeko Taketomi (1971), Harumi Maeda (1972), Miyoko Sometani (1973) and Sachiko Nakayama (1975). Tomoko Moritake, Yasuyo Iino and Yurika Kuroda have proven the Japanese's endearing personality when they were voted as Miss Congeniality in 1958, 1968 and in 1979 respectively.

Japan aims to be on top of the universe yet again and the entire Miss Universe Japan team headed by the sensational Frenchwoman Ines Ligron knows what they need to accomplish. "Miyako Miyazaki is now prepping Kurara for gracious moves on the stage. Do not expect a "Miyako presentation," but a Kurara personal interpretation of her gown in front of the judges. She is also taking make-up lessons from Japanese make-up guru, Chiaki Shimada," says Ines. Meanwhile, Kurara is flirting with the idea of thinking herself as Miss Universe. "I am preparing myself in two ways - mentally and physically. Mentally, I always try to think of myself as Miss Universe, even when at home! Physically, I am doing a lot of exercise such as swimming and dancing Flamenco to keep my body toned and fit."

Kurara doesn't just sit around, she's a livewire and she wants you to expect her to be the next Miss Universe. She has inherent sophistication that not many contestants have. She will step into her moment with the kind of style others have to hone for years before getting right. Watch this larger than life glamour girl- with her natural ease on and off the camera- make a strong statement in L.A!