NEW YORK — Your eyes smolder from behind the black birdcage veil that wraps the brim of your hat. I know it’s you purely by the style and way you hold yourself, if nothing more. You and those damn hats and how they get me every time. I pretend like my heart doesn’t skip when I see a woman walk past with one of your unique style hats on, but I am only lying to myself. A week ago a woman, elegantly dressed with a Parisian accent was walking down the street, a green hat upon her finely groomed tresses. It was green felt, delicately folded together by a single golden button, complimented by a contrast flume of feathers. It reminded me of the hat you have, almost identical in every way. So badly I want those feathers to brush my cheek as I hold pull you closer to me, away from the noisy traffic on the street, which you migrate to, distracted as you look up at me, excitedly telling me a story. A story about a hat. The grey straw one with the three black progressing circles. The one you said you stumbled upon at a small shop in Greenwich, but you swore you’d never buy because you were embarrassed over all the hats you already owned. Your obsession was always so quirky and loveable to me, though maybe to others compulsive and irresponsible. But you love them. And when buying one you are always wearing one, which always creates a beautiful web when you tell me about them. The simple blue sailor piece you wear almost everyday, being a catalyst to all the others you buy. It almost seems maybe too small atop your already small head, making one wonder if it is for comedic effect or fashion. Some would argue both. But while some might call it comedic, or maybe even tragic, I find it all so beautiful. Like the day I first met you…walking slowly towards me, eyes looking right past me, your hair tucked sweetly underneath the beautiful velvet number that made you seem so utterly sexy and demure at the same time. I wasn’t sure how to react. Should I aggressively pull you close and show you the passion that dwelled inside me when seeing you for the first time, proud and confident? Or did I want to softly pull you closer to me, away from the traffic bustling by in a hurry, unlike you, who slowly seeped into my heart and now stood before me with smoldering eyes beneath another beautiful obsession…

Team:
Photographer: Christopher Helmut Grosser
Model: Carley Beck
Stylist: Ximena Garcia De Onrubia
Hair: James P. Moore
Makeup: Nichole Heid

Amanda Ware (WireImage)

BRISBANE, Australia — In what was perhaps one of the most awkward moments of Australian television history, Australia’s Next Top Model host Sarah Murdoch announced the wrong winner at Tuesday night’s grand finale.

To make matters infinitely worse the whole debacle was broadcast live, thanks to an ill-fated decision to allow viewers to vote for their favorite model during the show.

The most cringe-worthy moment came just minutes after Sydney’s Kelsey Martinovich was named winner of the 2010 season.

Hurrah for Kelsey! Cue fireworks, cheering, air kissing and speeches from both contestants.

The only problem: the real winner was Gold Coast model Amanda Ware.

(Silence. Tumble weed rolls past)

Murdoch — former model and daughter-in-law of Fox overlord, Rupert Murdoch, looked visibly ill when she was informed of the mistake, stammering out a few "oh my God’s" before whispering "it’s Amanda, I’m so sorry."

To their credit both Amanda and Kelsey handled the announcement with considerable grace, an amazing feat considering their hyperventilating host and a crowd of stunned onlookers.

Amanda will now receive a modeling contract with Priscilla’s, a $25,000 contract with Levi’s, a trip to New York, a Ford Fiesta Zetec, $20,000 in cash and an eight-page spread in Harpers Bazaar Australia.

It wasn’t all bad for Kelsey either. Thanks to the stuff up (that someone will surely be lynched for) she will also receive $25,000 cash and trip to New York.

As for the producers of Australia’s Next Top Model?

With such amateurish efforts, perhaps they will be forced to recite the mantra "what would Tyra do?" before filming begins on the 2011 season!

Amy Vitale is a busy woman. Best known as a professional wrestling manager, Vitale also models, acts in commercials and music videos, and she appears in this month’s Playboy Magazine.  On top of that, she’s featured as a character in the Red Skye Comics book, "Aurora Stone."  Oh, and she devotes a significant portion of her time working with Patriot Girls for the Troops, a group that raises money for the troops through sexy photos, calendars and fun events like car washes.

After getting involved with the wrestling industry when she was just 16-years-old, Vitale has spent the last 14 years working towards the recognition she is finally receiving now.  A few days ago, the sweet and extremely friendly Vitale took a few minutes out of her day to chat with Blast over the phone.  Turns out the hectic schedule won’t slow Vitale down.  In fact, she’s just gearing up for all the opportunities that lie ahead.

BLAST:  Could you explain what you do with wrestling a little bit for those who don’t know much about it?

AMY VITALE: I come out by ringside with the wrestlers. I play the sidekick. My character is an Italian spoiled princess. It’s a lot of girl power but also a lot of comedy too because I always want my own way and it never goes my way. It’s a lot of fun.  It’s a great, great way to take out your aggression if you’ve had a bad day.

BLAST: I bet. How did you get involved with wrestling?

AV: Basically, I started out as a fan. I grew up watching Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, and Eddie Gilbert.  I really liked it a lot, especially the girls.  The girls were gorgeous, like Miss Elizabeth and Missy Hyatt. They came out like Barbie dolls, dressed up and with make-up and hair and everything, and I said, "That’s something I would like to be." I liked the story lines. It was just like a male soap opera. I first started writing about it for newsletters in high school, giving my opinions and comments. I got to know a lot of people that way, and I started going to local shows around Florida. I started working at some promotions and the rest is history.

BLAST: That sounds pretty awesome.

AV: Yeah, it’s a lot of hard work though.

BLAST: How does it feel to be recognized for your hard work with all this press now?

AV: It’s great. I can’t explain it better than that. I’ve been doing this for quite a while now and it’s a really nice feeling that all my hard work is paying off and that people are getting what I do and people are actually spreading the word about me. I’m really excited because I know everyone is enjoying what I do out there with my modeling and wrestling and acting, and it’s just a wonderful thing.  I hope more opportunities come my way. I’m staying positive, because I have accomplished so much, but there’s just so much more that I can do.  So I’m really excited about the future.

BLAST: Along those lines, do you have a dream job or a particular goal with your career?

AV: I just want to continue being successful with what I’m doing. I know that wrestling has a shelf life. I can only do it for so long. But acting and modeling, I can keep doing forever.  I mean, look at Clint Eastwood and Julia Roberts and everyone like that.  I think I can broaden my horizons to a lot of unique things, so I’m hoping a lot of different opportunities come my way. I just want to continue to grow and continue to get my name and face out there.

BLAST: Can you tell me a little bit about your work with Patriot Girls for the Troops?

AV: I am one of the spokesmodels for Patriot Girls. We’re basically a modeling group that represents pride in America and support for our troops. What we basically do is we help raise awareness and money for the troops … It’s really been catching on, actually. At the wrestling shows I’ve worked at, I’ve had families come up and say, "Thank you for all the work you’ve been doing with the Patriot Girls." We’re not affiliated with any political party or anything. We’re just out there to raise awareness for the troops…I’m kind-of the new kid on the block with the Patriot Girls. I’ve been there about a year.  I’m really, really proud of what we’re doing.

BLAST: What’s next for you? Do you have projects lined up or are you waiting to see what comes your way?

AV: I’m basically waiting to see what comes my way but I do have shows coming up with the wrestling.  I have a couple modeling projects coming up.  I also have a comic book out. I’m really excited about it.  I love comic books. I’m trying to branch out and do all kinds of different things that people normally don’t do. I’m trying to branch out to everything.  I’m a Gemini, so I’m a little crazy.  I like a little bit of everything.  We can’t make up our minds.

BLAST: Well, it seems like it is working out for you, especially after 14 years of different activities.

AV: Yeah, it’s been a lot of hard work.  No matter what anybody says, it takes time, it takes hard work.  Anybody who says "Oh yeah, I was just lucky," they’re lying.   They worked their butt off too. You have to really work hard to get somewhere.

There is a newly crowned royal on the streets of Boston. Winning by a mere two votes in the closest race since the competition started (a whole one year ago), Carly Marciano, 22, was crowned Miss Boston 2009 Saturday night at FELT nightclub.

In Saturday’s final round, hosted by MTV Real World Alum Randy Barry and Miss Boston 2008, Alida D’Angona, five Boston natives competed for the tiara.

Miss Boston was put on by FELT in an effort to find the ultimate local model and the pretty face of Boston for the year. The three-week competition gave some beautiful and talented Bostonians an opportunity for exciting exposure, said FELT Marketing director Shannon Finks. Now in its second year, Finks called it one of the “sexiest events of the summer.”

Marciano beat out about 80 entries into the Miss Boston Contest for the title. Through a pre-screening, 12 participants were selected to compete in three categories: semi-formal wear, bikini wear and personality. Only seven advanced to the second round and five lucky ladies participated in the finals.

It was the semi-formal wear competition on Saturday night and Adelina Keshishian, Alexa O’Hara, Carly Marciano, Cyann Ribeiro and Kristin Phelps graced the stage.

“You have to stunt your stuff the best you got and pray it’s enough” said first-runner-up Alexandra O’Hara. “It sucks that I lost by two votes, but at least I played the game. I’d rather lose by two votes than two hundred. Two votes means I gave Carly a good run for her money.”

When it came to voting, the judges “" various local celebrities and personalities in Boston fashion “" held 50 percent of the vote while crowd participation held the other 50.

“We all had no clue who was going to win” said second-runner-up and Somerville native model/actress Cyann Ribeiro. “The crowd was hootin’ and hollerin’ for everybody so loud I couldn’t think up there. I just kept telling myself to smile. That was all that mattered.”

As the judges deliberated and votes were counted, the crowd kept the party going. DJ Freddy B from Las Vegas spun the latest tracks as everyone on the crowded floor took a break from cheering for their friends, tossed back their drinks and showed off their dance moves.

“You gotta show up and cheer for your girl” said attendee Chantal Keys. Keys had grown up with contestant Kristin Phelps and came to every stage of the competition to support her “homegirl.”

“There’s no way you could get me on stage in a bikini but if anyone’s gonna do it Kristin is the girl for the job. I hate going to the beach with that girl.”

Dean Cleary, a Boston local, also attended. He doesn’t know any of the contestants personally, yet. “Maybe one day one of them will be my lady” he said of the girls on stage. “A guy can dream. And buy the runner-up a drink. We’ll see how far tonight takes me.”

Finally the lights turned down and the Black Eyed Peas blared from the DJ booth: “I gotta feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good good night.” The contestants entered the stage again to hear who had won the title. A few more jokes were told, and the crowd almost quieted for a second as they waited to hear who had won.

“I didn’t think they called my name at first” Marciano remembered. “But then everyone pushed me forward and I was just like “ËœOh. I won’.”

Marciano shed a few tears and shook the hands of her friends as she was on the stage at FELT. “Thank you to everyone” she cried, “you don’t know how much this means to me.”

“The life of Miss Boston is a good life” said D’Angona in the last hour of her title as Miss Boston. “It’s been a crazy year, of photo shoots and appearances, free Red Sox tickets, and free booze.”

As winner, Marciano won an all expenses paid trip to the Caribbean, a magazine spread in Upscale Living, the title “Face of FELT” for all 2009 campaigns and a fashion shoot with Stewart Smith.

“I don’t know which part I’m the most excited about” Marciano said, “but I’m sure as hell going to enjoy the next year living it up in Boston. I wonder if this title will get me any free food.”

Blast’s editor was totally rooting for finalist Kristin Phelps, but says he has “nothing but love” for everyone who competed. You’d say that too.

The following, before the ###, is a statement released by Elle Macpherson through a publicist Monday.

LONDON, /PRNewswire/ –‚ ‚  Miss Macpherson emphatically denies that there is any romantic association between her and Mr Brian Burgess.

Miss Macpherson is disappointed her friendship with Mr Burgess has been so casually misrepresented for commercial sensationalism. Furthermore Miss Macpherson has a reasonable expectation of privacy in relation to her personal life; in the absence of a romantic element, the publication of the photograph and the innuendo created by it is a gross interference of Miss Macpherson’s rights.

Miss Macpherson is aware of Mr Burgess’s past conduct and also that Mr Burgess has and continues to take significant steps towards restoring his life.

Any continued misrepresentation or invasion of privacy is likely to be the subject of legal proceedings.”

Source: Alexander Carter-Silk, Speechly Bircham

###

Burgess, 56, is a British businessman and a reported convicted drug smuggler. European tabloids have been pumping up a possible relationship since a photo emerged of the pair together.

Don’t ask how we know this, but if you take a look at Hustler Video’s Barely Legal #81 DVD, you’ll see a freckle-faced redhead named Faye Reagan in one of the five hardcore sex scenes.

That little redhead was recently hired by American Apparel to be one of their clothing models.

Reagan, who also goes under the name Faye Valentine and is modeling for American Apparel under the name Jillian, also appears to have a MySpace account like the rest of the world.

Apparently, American Apparel, like so many Americans, can’t get enough of the freckles. The clustered beauty marks and the red hair they are often associated with are both something of a rarity both in modeling and in porn, as buxom blondes and brunettes still vastly dominate the scene.

Perhaps that’s what makes Faye/Jillian so popular. Not only does she make no effort to cover her freckles, but it’s obvious that she’s covered in them, and we love it!

The ads are appearing in print as well as online, including Facebook, where it joins a host of other sexy American Apparel ads.

So, yeah, not really a big surprise. American Apparel has a hot porn star working for them. Go about your days.