Lavinia Abate, an 18-year-old student
in her final year at a Rome high school, is the new Miss Italia.
Abate won the national Miss Elegance prize before getting to the
main final sporting the sash of Miss Lazio.
Abate, who has studied dance for 12 years and who studied
musical composition and enjoys singing and creating music, would
like to become a singer songwriter or a composer.
She had to wear a back brace for five years due to scoliosis, "a
condition that left a deep mark on me, making my teenage years
tough," she said during the pageant.
She was crowned by comic Massimo Boldi, chair of a jury that
comprised actress Fioretta Mari and impressionist Francesca
Manzini, both of whom had lobbied hard for the contest to return
to state broadcaster Rai because "it is an institution on a par
with Sanremo" and "has given many wonderful and talented girls
an opportunity in the entertainment world," such as past divas
including Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida and Lucia Bosè, mother
of singer.Miguel Bosé.
Other famous winners or participants include actresses Anna
Falchi, Cristina Chiabotto, Martna Colombari and Anna Valle, and
presenters Simona Ventura and Roberta Capua.
After the contest, presented by Salvo Sottile, organizer
Patrizia Mirigliani said "this year for the first time all 21
finalists will stay in the Miss Italia family, and we will
follow them all".
Miss Sardinia and Miss Cinema Carolina Vinci came second ahead
of Miss Emilia Romagna Virginia Cavalieri in third.
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