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Announcing the MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Competition Judges!

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LAS VEGAS (FNN NEWS) | MISS UNIVERSE | – We’re so excited to announce the official MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Competition judges for this year. The judges will be choosing the top contestants that will later be announced on the live televised final show the will be aired LIVE November 26 at 7PM on FOX.

This year’s Preliminary Competition judges include Morgan Deane, Isabelle Lindblom, Cecilio Asuncion, Bill Pereira, Megan Olivi, Wendy Fitzwilliam.

Get to know who will be choosing the contestants that will be one step closer to taking home the Miss Universe crown below.


Morgan Deane
As Director of Marketing for TAO Group in New York City, Morgan focuses on nightlife and celebrity activations while producing events for star performers such as Dave Chappelle, ZEDD, Post Malone, Conor McGregor, and DJ Khaled for the hospitality behemoth. Morgan also managed the opening of Marquee Las Vegas and has handled all talent and creative messaging for TAO Group’s mega club including the relaunch of the New York City outpost in 2013.

Morgan has experienced many levels and facets of the entertainment industry, beginning in 2002 as a club kid handing out fliers and running guest lists for legendary New York nightclub Arc/Vinyl. When the venue closed in 2004, the owners founded Made Event, a production and promotion company and took Morgan with them. Morgan worked her way up the ranks to produce events for Made Event, including Tiësto in Central Park, the renowned Sunday School for Degenerates party in Miami, as well as events for Armin van Buuren and Above & Beyond at Madison Square Garden. She was also instrumental in launching the Electric Zoo festival in New York and led the festival’s expansion to Mexico and Japan.

Morgan brings her passion and energy to several non-profit and charitable initiatives. She is an outspoken advocate for women, as well as victims of domestic violence, breast and pancreatic cancer, and AIDS, which have all directly affected her life. Morgan recently helped resettle refugees from Burma to upstate New York while working with USCRI.

Isabelle Lindblom

Isabelle Lindblom is a NYC based model scout for international modeling agency IMG with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Milan and Sydney. Working for the renowned modeling agency that proudly represents models such as Gigi Hadid, Ashley Graham, Ajak Deng, Karlie Kloss, Stephanie Seymour, Halima Aden, Taylor Hill and Hari Nef to only mention a few – Isabelle is a part of the powerhouse’s global scouting team that’s looking to find the next big talent and the new generation of supermodels worldwide.

Originating from the south of Sweden where she lived and grew up before buying a one-way ticket to Australia straight out of high school where she ended up living for six years, Isabelle joined IMG Models at the beginning of 2015 in Paris as the company’s first ever digital scout worldwide. In October 2016 she moved on to take on her role as an international model scout in New York.

Since then – she’s constantly on the lookout for unique and interesting individuals that does not only necessarily exude beauty, but she’s also continuously pursuing to discover extraordinary boys and girls as well as men and women with radiating personalities and a fascinating life-story. Isabelle has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to bringing on new models that reflects IMG’s spirit of “diversity, inclusion, revolution”.


Cecilio Asuncion

Cecilio Asuncion is an out and proud gay Filipino American producer, based in Los Angeles, CA. His journey in the entertainment industry began when he directed and produced the documentary, What’s The T?, which followed the lives of five Transgender women from New York and San Francisco. He is also the Founder and Director of the world’s first all-Transgender model agency, Slay Model Management.

Cece’s accolades include prestigious awards for exceptional achievement, LGBT advocacy, outstanding leadership and dedication to improving the quality of life for the LGBT community, such as:

2017 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Series for STRUT and the 2013 Outstanding Filipino American Award for LGBT Advocacy.

Cece has spoken at several Universities and public events regarding the importance of Transgender equality and how to serve as an ally for the community. His collegiate speaking engagements have included – NYU, Stanford, PACE University, SFSU and University of Colorado – Boulder. In addition to ongoing film work and management of Slay Model Management, he is currently working on a book under the Carol Mann Agency.


Bill Pereira

Bill Pereira has served as a member of IDT Corp’s Board of Directors and as the Chief Executive Officer, President and Co-Chairman of IDT Telecom since 2011. Bill served as Chief Financial Officer of IDT Corp from 2009 until 2011, and served as the Treasurer from 2009 to 2010. Prior to joining IDT in 2002, Bill was a managing partner at a software start-up purchased by IDT and worked for a number of companies in the financial sector, including Prudential Financial, and UBS in London. Bill received a B.S. from Rutgers University and an M.B.A. from the Stern School of Business at New York University. Bill currently lives in New Jersey and enjoys travelling with his wife and two children.

Megan Olivi

Megan Olivi was born in New Jersey the youngest of the 3 Olivi children. The family soon relocated a few miles across the border to Pennsylvania where Megan spent her youth, excelling at both athletics and academics. After weighing her options for her college education she decided to study Political Science at Seton Hall University. While a student at Seton Hall, Olivi interned with a variety of programs at The Fox News Channel – at Fox her biggest role came in the form of assistant to Megyn Kelly during the 2008 presidential election. After 4 years of study Olivi graduated Magna Cum Laude and decided to further her education and explore on camera broadcasting as a future occupation. She pursued a Masters Degree in Public Communications and Mass Media Studies from Fordham University. During this time Olivi continued to work at Fox, shaping her skills on camera with a variety of online assignments and opportunities. In nine months her Master’s Degree was completed and Olivi graduated Cum Laude. She then was offered an opportunity to cover the sport of Mixed Martial Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada and decided to take a chance across the country. Once there, she studied and fell in love with the sport while polishing her on-air skills. Most notably at that time she co-hosted the live UFC Preshow “Fight Day”. Olivi then worked for Fox Sports covering UFC events and hosting lifestyle segments for FoxSports.com. In February of 2013 she accepted a role as a correspondent for Fox News San Diego covering the San Diego Padres as a Social Media Reporter while also hosting and producing a weekly magazine show called “Padres POV”. After her time at the Padres she returned to Las Vegas and the UFC where she currently travels the world covering UFC events. She also hosts “The Ultimate Insider” on Fox Sports 1. In her free time Megan enjoys spending time with her dog, hiking, running, doing yoga and cooking.


Wendy Fitzwilliam

A multitalented entrepreneur, lawyer, philanthropist, mother, author and Miss Universe 1998, Wendy Fitzwilliam has forged an exceptional – and eclectic – career that spans television production, entertainment, social activism, fashion, radio broadcasting, government and the law.

A native of Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago, Wendy Fitzwilliam was born to Juditha and Noel Fitzwilliam. Juditha, a teacher, and Noel, a fire officer, raised her and her younger sister, Dionyse, with strong values, a tireless work ethic and a positive outlook – all key factors to which Ms. Fitzwilliam attributes her success.

In 1998, Ms. Fitzwilliam made history when she became the third woman of colour and the second Trinidadian woman ever to capture the Miss Universe Crown. This victory, which came just two months prior to her final examinations at law school, set her on a path to become one of the world’s most celebrated and well-known media personalities from the Caribbean. She was admitted to the Trinidad and Tobago Bar in 2000.

Ms. Fitzwilliam currently serves as host and co-executive producer of Caribbean’s Next Top Model (CaribeNTM), the latest incarnation of the global reality television phenomenon, America’s Next Top model (ANTM). Adapted in more than 170 countries, the franchise, created by model Tyra Banks, offers contestants the opportunity to compete for lucrative modeling contracts. In her dual roles, Ms. Fitzwilliam seeks to create compelling entertainment, by using her professional experience and insights to challenge, mentor and advise contestants.

Recognizing the powerful ability of radio and the World Wide Web to educate and connect people, Fitzwilliam embarked on a project in 2009 to enrich the lives of her fans and listeners with “The Wendy Fitzwilliam Show”. Co-produced by Heartbeat Radio for Women, the one-hour weekly radio show explores how – and what it means – to achieve your dreams. The show is currently in its tenth season.

Airing Sundays from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST, this fun, inspiring and interactive program transcends culture and geographic boundaries, offering fresh and provocative conversation and insight from high-profile individuals from around the globe. The interviews reveal the unique challenges, entrepreneurial spirit and transformative moments of success of a star-studded guest roster that includes Recording Artist Gladys Knight, Author Barbara Taylor Bradford, Star Chef Marcus Samuelsson, Supermodel and entrepreneur Beverly Johnson, Television Journalist Soledad O’Brian and former Prime Ministers of Jamaica Edward Seaga and P.J. Patterson, among others.

With its far-reaching online and mobile presence, the program enjoys increasing popularity with a global audience that exceeds 300,000 listeners per week.

On Facebook, Ms. Fitzwilliam’s fan following has passed 128,000 and continues to grow daily.

Ms. Fitzwilliam’s impressive achievements in the entertainment industry are matched by a passion for social activism that has moved her to champion a variety of charitable causes.

In 1998 she was named United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS where she renewed her commitment to fighting AIDS and the stereotypes associated with it. Her dedication to this cause also led her to found The Hibiscus Foundation (THF), which seeks to heighten AIDS awareness in Trinidad and Tobago, while offering assistance, financially and otherwise, to children impacted by the disease.

In light of her accomplishments, Ms. Fitzwilliam was also appointed the first-ever Red Cross Ambassador of Youth for the Caribbean. In this role, she has been privileged to address the world’s youth in various forums including the Summit of the Americas V.

When not working, Ms. Fitzwilliam engages in her most rewarding role of all: mother to her son, Ailan. Her compelling memoir, “Letters to Ailan” was first written as an extended love letter to her then unborn son. She was persuaded by her Manager to publish the frank and touching story, which went on to enjoy both critical and commercial success.

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Ananda Lewis: A Legacy of Empowerment and Advocacy

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Source: People.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) –Ananda Lewis, the charismatic MTV VJ and talk show host, passed away on June 11, 2025, at the age of 52, after a courageous battle with stage 4 breast cancer. Her sister, Lakshmi Emory, confirmed the news, sharing that Ananda passed away peacefully in her Los Angeles home.

Born on March 21, 1973, in San Diego, California, Lewis rose to prominence in the late 1990s as a VJ on MTV, hosting shows like Total Request Live and Hot Zone. Her engaging personality and insightful interviews made her a beloved figure among viewers, and she earned accolades such as an NAACP Image Award for her work on BET’s Teen Summit.

Beyond her television career, Lewis was a passionate advocate for social issues. She launched The Ananda Lewis Show in 2001, addressing topics like domestic violence and breast cancer, aiming to provide a platform for meaningful conversations. Her commitment to authenticity and social impact resonated with many, and she continued to use her platform to inspire and educate.

In 2020, Lewis publicly disclosed her diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer and later revealed that it had progressed to stage 4. Despite medical advice recommending a double mastectomy, she chose alternative treatments, later expressing some regret about that decision. Throughout her illness, Lewis remained vocal about cancer awareness, encouraging women to prioritize their health and live authentically.

Ananda Lewis leaves behind a legacy of empowerment, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to her values. Her influence extended beyond the entertainment industry, inspiring countless individuals to embrace authenticity and advocate for positive change.

Her passing marks the loss of a significant figure in entertainment who also became a voice for health advocacy. Her legacy includes a strong commitment to authenticity and social impact, and her estimated financial worth was around $8 million.

Ananda Lewis’s impact on television and her dedication to social causes have left an indelible mark on the industry and the hearts of many.

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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com

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Val Kilmer, Iconic ‘Top Gun’ Star, Dies at 65

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) –Val Kilmer, one of Hollywood’s most memorable actors, has passed away at the age of 65. Known for his dynamic range and unmistakable voice, Kilmer captivated audiences with his standout performances in a career that spanned over four decades.

A Career Full of Iconic Roles

Kilmer’s breakout role came in the 1980s with Top Gun (1986), where he portrayed the cocky and charming fighter pilot, Iceman. The film catapulted him into stardom alongside Tom Cruise, and it remains one of the most iconic films in Hollywood history. Kilmer’s portrayal of Iceman left an indelible mark on pop culture, with his line “I am dangerous” becoming an enduring catchphrase.

Beyond Top Gun, Kilmer’s career featured a diverse range of roles, from playing the suave rock star in The Doors (1991) to the legendary Batman in Batman Forever (1995). He brought depth to each of his characters, making them memorable even in smaller roles, such as his comedic turn in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005). His performances were often praised for their intensity, wit, and ability to disappear into his roles.

A Life Beyond the Screen

Kilmer’s life was marked by both triumph and personal struggles. Despite his fame, he was known for his private nature and his journey battling throat cancer. In recent years, Kilmer’s health struggles became widely known, as he had to undergo a series of surgeries that left him with a diminished ability to speak. However, he continued to embrace his craft and the fans who loved him, most recently appearing in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), a sequel to the film that first made him a star.

The documentary Val (2021) offered fans a rare, candid look into his life, showcasing not only his successes but also his personal battles and the deep affection he had for his craft. Through this film, Kilmer shared never-before-seen footage from his personal archive, allowing fans to see the man behind the roles.

A Legacy That Will Live On

Kilmer’s death marks the end of an era for Hollywood. He leaves behind a legacy of timeless performances that will continue to resonate with generations of fans. From the depths of his dramatic portrayals to the highs of his action-packed roles, Val Kilmer’s impact on cinema is undeniable. His unforgettable presence and voice, once a hallmark of his performances, will be greatly missed by fans and colleagues alike.

Val Kilmer is survived by his children and countless fans who cherished him throughout his illustrious career. His contributions to film will continue to inspire new audiences for years to come, reminding us of the power of storytelling and the ability of one man to shape the very fabric of cinema.

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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com

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LPGA Pros Shutout Celebs at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions “Break The Glass” Challenge

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Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fla. (Florida National News) – Some big names in sports, entertainment, and music can be found with golf clubs in hand at The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, this weekend. About 50 celebrities will compete for a $500,000 purse, while LPGA Tour players try to grab their share of $2 million in prize money.

Today, LPGA pros Megan Khang, Alexa Pano, and Bailey Tardy took on celebrities Landon Donovan, Major League Soccer legend, Michael Peña, award-winning actor, and Kira Dixon, Reporter and Miss America 2015 in the annual “Break The Glass” challenge. The LPGA pros shutout the celebs 3-0. You can watch the action here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFYsQKbyiAi/?igsh=YzZlNG9rNXhvbnRy. (And be sure to follow Florida National News on Instagram and Facebook.)

Lydia Ko returns to defend her title, after adding an Olympic gold medal and membership in the LPGA Hall of Fame to her resume since last year’s tournament. Actors Don Cheadle and Larry The Cable Guy, NBA stars Blake Griffin and Ray Allen, and Pro Football Hall of Famers Marcus Allen and Charles Woodson are just some of the celebs hitting the links Thursday, 1/30 through Sunday, 2/2. Tickets and more information are available online at http://www.HGVLPGA.com.

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