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April 22 '08 - With over 200 pre-registered competitors, Fitness Atlantic promoter Brian Cannone has closed entries to this weekend's show. Presale ticket sales are also nearly sold-out, so there will be many disappointed fans wanting to come watch the show.
April 22 '08 - After giving birth to two children and writing about the women's fitness scene for the past five years, Oxygen magazine writer Diane McCabe Smith will be returning to the competition stage. Look forward to seeing her at the Universe Weekend.
April 21 '08 - Fitness Universe Top 5 Finalist Liana Saadi recently tore her achillies practicing her routine for this years competition. The former Russian gymnast says to expect her to compete at Fitness Canada and America in November.
April 5 '08 - Sponsorships to compete in the Ms. Bikini Mexico International are still available for US and Canadian competitors. FREE airline ticket to/from Mexico City, first class hotel accommodation and meals will be provided. If you will be in shape and ready to compete, you can apply until April 15. You will be contacted with a decision by April 20.
April 5 '08 - Models for the Fitness Fashion Show at Universe Weekend will be selected by a panel of Miami Beach talent agents and fashion photographers. The judges will pick both men and women sports fitness models who register for Model Universe on Friday morning, June 20.
Mar 29 '08 - Former Ms. Bikini Universe Danielle McGlynn will be making a guest appearance at the upcoming Ms. Bikini Mexico International. Joining her will be Ms. Bikini Universe Runner-Up Monica Cariveau at the Mexico City television, magazine and newspaper publicity sessions.
Jan 14 '08 - With the popularity of the Ms. Bikini Classic, the Fitness Universe Tour is pleased to announce the new Fitness Classic Division ! Exclusively for fitness ladies 35 years of age and older, this new competitive division will debut at the Universe Weekend. More news soon.
Jan 02 '08 - As FU.com continues to grow and with new international versions launching soon, we are seeking talented fitness fanatics who want to join our website team. We are looking for experienced website designers and managers, writers, photographers and others. Learn more about being part of Team FU.com
Dec 1 '07 - There are two big fitness camps coming up this winter. Popular sports fitness model and former FUP Champion Katie Uter will host her annual Camp Explosion in Baton Rouge on February 22-24. For more info, click here. And, reknown sports fitness trainer Cathy Savage will host her annual Camp Savage on January 18-20 in Boston. For more info, click here. Both camps will have experienced trainers, choreographers, dancers, cosmetologists, photographers and lots of other experts to help you prepare for the 2008 fitness season.
Nov 23 '07 - With the success of the Classic Division at Ms. Bikini America, next season will feature a new Figure Universe Classic also for ladies 35 years of age plus. All competition requirements will be the same but offer prior group talent on the same stage.
Nov 21 '07 - Back by viewer demand, Live Webcasts will be offered at the 2008 Universe, New York and America shows. Complete coverage will feature on-stage competition, interviews and backstage action to avid fitness, muscle and model fans around the world.
Nov 20 '07 - New veteran promoters will be assuming the Midwest and Delta shows. Stacy Stengel and Nicole Guerreo will be taking the helms and moving the Midwest show from Chicago to Elgin, Illinois. And former OCB promoter Gary Gnann will move the Delta show from its home of 4 years from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. Their expertise and promotion experience will help thrust these two regional shows to new levels of competitor, audience and media response.
Nov 20 '07 - Former Ms. Bikini America and Universe Melissa Hall did a marvelous job hosting the recent shows in Hollywood and has signed on for a repeat performance at the Universe Weekend in Miami in June. The 30 year old commercial spokesperson is an on-camera host for ShopNBC and has temporarily relocated to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career.
Nov 4 '07 - Popular sports fitness model and former FUP Champion Katie Uter just announced that her annual Camp Explosion will be held in Baton Rouge on February 22-24, 2008. She says, "There is a beautiful, new Bally's Total Fitness opening and they have asked me to host it in their 30,000 square foot facility. Posters, flyers and other advertising will be distributed at all Bally's throughout America! For more information click here.
Oct 21 '07 - Popular Ms. Bikini Universe competitor Kelly Taphouse worked the Weider Publishing booth at the Olympia Expo last month. See will be competing at Ms. Bikini America in Hollywood.
Oct 11 '07 - Reigning FAP Champion Dawn Butterfield will pass on her title to the new winner at the show in Hollywood. Then, she and her husband will continue on to Hawaii for a deluxe one-week vacation courtesy of FAP. Last month, Dawn made a guest appearance at Fitness China and toured Beijing, the Forbidden City and Great Wall.
Oct 09 '07 - The Fitness Canada show on October 27 will be webcast live including the Fitness, Ms. Bikini, Model and Figure categories. Backstage interviews with all winners and selected finalists will be included in the show.
Oct 06 '07 - Toneka Peres has returned to the FAP stage and swooped upon the competition at the recent Fitness New York. The telecommunications sales representative is training for an appearance at Fitness America in Hollywood.
Aug 29 '07 - FAP & FUP Champion Dawn Butterfield leaves next week on a one-week appearance to China. She will present a guest performance at Musclemania China, appear on television shows, give magazine interviews and publicity photos at the Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing. However, as excited as she may be, Dawn is not looking forward to the 25 hour flight and travel time!
Jul 30 '07 - FAP stars Lindsay Messina and Megan Hoffman just shot a new national ad campaign for Ladies Footlocker. Beginning in October, it will appear in major publications like Shape, catalogs and in-store promotions.
Jul 23 '07 - Newly crowned Figure Universe Champion Michele Levesque appears this month in Musclemag in a beautiful 10-page swimsuit spread. The 23 year old sports fitness model who hails from Quebec, Canada, also won last year's Figure America in Hollywood.
July 19 '07 - Ms. Bikini Universe Top 5 Finalist Megan Hoffman just got back from vacation with hubby Conan O'Brien. Well, in print form, anyway. The NBC late night television show host used Megan's photos in a television skit about his summer vacation with his wife played by Megan. She also just shot a big workout editorial spread for magazine, Women's Health .
July 14 '07 - Oxygen magazine has a four page spread with reigning Ms. Bikini America Classic and 2001 Fitness America Pageant Champion Stacey Cravens. The "Sculpt A Tight Butt" features her demonstrating "Five steps to great glutes for the busy gal on the go." And, "busy" Stacy is now running two gymnastic gyms, being a dedicated mom to her son Connor and wife to husband Chris.
July 13 '07 - Two more new shows will soon be added to the Fitness Universe Tour including Oktoberfest (Western Pennsylvania) and Copa Classic (Costa Rica).
July 7 '07 - With the success of the Universe Weekend webcast, expect to see the complete Fitness America Fall Tour broadcast worldwide . Popular events like the Canada, New York, Las Vegas, America, World and selected other Fitness, Ms. Bikini, Figure, Model and Musclemania World Tour shows will be webcast to every country of the world. More information will be posted soon.
Jul 7 '07 - This month's Muscle & Fitness has a nice editorial photo spread of FAP Finalist Vanda Handarean . The former Romanian Olympic gymnast now coaches in Ottawa, Canada, and does many magazine photo campaigns.
Recent inquiries from former FAP Championships Valarie Brown-Stephens and Sylvia Tremblay expressed a strong desire to return to the FAP stage. Valarie is just off giving birth to her first child and Sylvia has not compete since her FUP performance in Miami.
June 14 '07 - Spray tanning services will be available at the Universe Weekend. Rockstar Tans of Miami will provide on-site professional spray tanning in portable tan booths located next to the dressing rooms. Reservations are required. Contact Rockstar Tans at
(305) 538-7955.
June 8 '07 - As if twice winning the FUP wasn't enough, Sheri Vuvick has registered to compete again and wants to make history three times sweeter. But, the married mother of two boys will have to contend with reigning FAP Champion Dawn Butterfield who just won Fitness Kumite in Pittsburgh. And, they both will have to compete against a new field of over 30 amazing fitness competitors from around the world.
June 6 '07 - Beginning next month, FU.com will start a new feature called " Fitness Moms ". With so many fitness, bikini and sport model competitors now having children and are still competing, we will update who's got kids, who just gave birth and who's expecting. Recent mommies like fitness veterans Valarie Brown-Stephens , Andi Martin , Stacey Cravens and many others will offer their thoughts on becoming mothers and how it has affected their competitive fitness careers.
May 27 '07 - Camp Universe will offer boot camp by Shades of Monet Cosmetics who will conduct two special seminars about make-up, body tanning, air brushing, hair styling and much more. Complete information will be posted next week at www.universeweekend.com .
May 22 '07 - FUP veteran Andi Martin competed at the recent Atlantic show, her first since giving birth last year, and looked outstanding. She was a Top 5 Finalist despite injury herself in the final seconds of her routine. Andi said this week, "I still want to compete in Miami, but I'm not sure my leg will be healed by then."
May 15 '07 - Top 10 Ms. Bikini America and Universe competitor Megan Hoffman says that it took her 4 years to conquer anorexia and bulimia with weight swings of nearly 100 lbs. Last year, she won the Ms. Bikini Atlantic and is now headed to the Universe.
May 05 '07 - Good news from Oxygen magazine with their announcement that more Fitness America Series shows will be added to their editorial calendar. This season's coverage will include the Atlantic, Capitol, Universe, New York, Canada and America shows.
May 03 '07 - New England fitness favorite Jodie Cohen just announced that she is pregnant with her second child. Last year's Ms. Bikini Atlantic Classic had planned to compete at the Universe but obviously her plans have changed. Jodie says, "I'll be back next year, though, don't you worry!"
Apr 24 '07 - Some competitors at the Universe Weekend will be featured in a 1-hour special on ESPN International, SKY Sports UK, DSF Germany, i Sports Japan, Star Sports Asia and many other networks reaching over 150 countries. The Ms. Bikini Calendar television show will feature all of the competitors while highlighting specific competitors selected by the show producers.
Apr 26 '07 - Fitness America star and pin-up fitness babe Nicole Ferreira just announced that she is pregnant for the first time! She and her Musclemania Pro husband Thomas were surprised when they got the news. Nicole was two months pregnant at the '06 FAP in Hollywood and did not even know it! More news and photos next week.
Mar 28 '07 - Universe Weekend in Miami will be Live Webcast including the Fitness, Ms. Bikini, Figure and Model Universe plus Musclemania Superbody. Three days of shows will feature competitions, behind the scenes, interviews as it happens. Details posted on May 22.
Mar 11 '07 - All competitors at the Universe Weekend will be have a chance to model for the 2008 Fitness America and Model Universe Calendars. Selections for both calendars will be made following the Athlete Meeting and photography will take place on South Beach and Biscayne Bay.
Mar 10 '07 - Because of the growing muscular appearance of some competitors, Figure Universe urinalysis drug testing will the implemented at the Miami show. This will help to insure that Figure competitors are drug free and represent a healthy and natural appearance. Fitness, Ms. Bikini and Model Universe competitors will not be tested because the judging criteria satisfactorily mitigates and dissuades ladies with an excess muscular appearance.
Feb 14 '07 - VPX Sports has hired FAP stars Amber Ameredes, Mandy Stefanczak and Kathy Fehringer to be fitness models at their Arnold Classic Expo exhibit. The ladies were '06 Ms. Bikini Universe or Classic Top 5 Finalists and will return to Miami with a new routine for the Fitness Universe.
Feb 9 '07 - SE Asia is being treated to a special visit by Fitness Canada Pageant Champion Liana Saadi . The former gymnast and cheerleader is on a special tour of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia but promises, "I will be back in time to train for the Universe!"
Feb 06 '07 - New York fitness star Sheri Newton just had arthroscopic surgery on her shoulder and will be out of commission for 3-4 months.
Feb 04 '07 - Fitness Universe Pageant Champion Sheri Vucick will make a guest appearance next weekend at the Natural Food Expo in Mexico City. The gymnastics coach, wife and mother of two boys will represent Mr. Nutrition, one of Mexico's best sports nutrition companies.
Feb 1 '07 - Jennifer Nicole Lee appeared on CBS Morning News and "shared her top secret fitness tips and favorite exercises." The nationally broadcast show was shot in South Beach for the Super Bowl special . The former Ms. Bikini America also introduced her JNL Bikini Bootcamp being held on South Beach in September.
Dec 29 '06 - Columbus, Ohio's, celebrated Touchdown Club will honor FAP Champion Dawn Butterfield at their annual 52nd Annual Sports Banquet on February 10. The reigning winner will join sports legends also honored like football immortals Jim Brown, Bronko Nagurski, Bobby Layne, Coach Woody Hayes, Baseball Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Roger Maris and movie stars like Jimmy Foxx who graced the stage.
Dec 19 '06 - Ms. Bikini Universe (Short) Kim Allen just got a role on the CBC's (Canada) show, "Little Mosque on the Prairie". Also, she will soon appear in a new Oxygen magazine spread. In September, Kim helped launch the first ever Ms. Bikini China.
Dec 19 '06 - Recently crowned Ms. Bikini America Classic Stacey Cravens just shot for Oxygen in a continuation of her "Bootie Workout" special and the magazine's "Glutes Edition". In addition to being a happily married wife and mother, the '01 FAP Champion runs her two gymnastic gyms.
Nov 30 '06 - FAP Champion Dawn Butterfield appeared live on Boston television station NECN's Wired program. The one-hour interview covered all aspects of her 10 years in competitive fitness and the pursuit of realizing her dreams. Check our Dawn's interview .
Nov 30 '06 - FAP television broadcast schedule on ESPN Int'l, TSN, RDS and other networks will be posted by January 15.
Nov 30 '06 - Fitness, Ms. Bikini, Model and Figure America and other new DVD's are now available at the FU.com Store .
Nov 30 '06 - New 2007 events will include MM Orange County, Capitol, Vancouver, Paris and many others. Dates and locations will be posted by December 31.
Nov 30 '06 - New Fitnessuniverse.TV begins on-line March 1. The monthly website show will feature contest highlights, competitor profiles, fitness cuisine, health club tours around the world and much more. And, competitors can send their videos and DVD's to be included.
Oct 29 '06 - Media response to Fitness, Ms. Bikini and Model America in Hollywood has been incredible. So far, over 40 fitness magazines and television producers have requested credentials. Among them Oxygen is sending two editorial staff writers and will be shooting contestants for contestant and model profiles and other editorial coverage. Even WWE talent scouts will attend in search of ladies for their live events and television shows.
Oct 29 '06 -Fitness Hollywood Welcome Party will be held at the Hard Rock Cafe at Universal City Walk and the After Party at the Club Avalon at Hollywood & Vine. Limited space is available, so reserve your group soon. On-line reservations can be made at www.fitnesshollywood.com.
Oct 12 '06 - Live Webcast is coming to Ms. Bikini, Fitness and Model America! For the first time, you can watch all the live action on your computer. This exclusive, two night show of these exciting competitions will feature stage action, backstage and live interviews. More webcast news will be posted soon.
Oct 5 '06 - New shows will become part of the 2007 Fitness Universe Tour including Las Vegas, Panama, Israel, Macedonia, 3 new shows in China and many more. The newest 2007 schedule will be posted on November 15.
Oct 5 '06 - '04 FUP Champion Wendi West is finally taking her prize vacation trip to a Dominican Republic resort with her new beau Tom. After moving to Florida and settling into a new job and life, she is now ready to relax and enjoy the deluxe, beach front accommodations.
Sep 17 '06 - Ms. Bikini Universe Champions Melissa Hall (2005) and Katie Uter (2006) will host the Olympia Weekend live webcast scheduled for Sep 29 & 30. They will go behind the scenes and interview the Ms. and Figure Olympia competitors at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas and talk with fans, exhibitors and audience at the Expo each day.
Sep 17 '06 - 2001 FAP Champion Stacey Cravens recently wrote to say that, " I've been extremely busy trying to be "Super Mom" and keeping my two gyms packed with "little cheerleaders and gymnasts." But that is not stopping her from returning to the contest stage beginning at Ms. Bikini America in Hollywood. Stacey also appears in the November edition of Oxygen feature, "Never Too Busy to be Fit".
Sep 17 '06 - Reigning FAP Champion Dena Weiner says , " I have been busy doing some fun things this year that I have been fortunate enough since my FAP win last November. Just two weeks ago, I did a photo shoot in Jamaica for a local beach resort and two USA bathing suit companies. At 44 years old, I am still trying to live the lifestyle of healthy and fit 12 months a year and keep performing until my body will just not allow me to do so anymore ." Dena will make a guest performance with Model America star Rado at FAP Finals in November.
Sep 17 '06 - Just in from '06 Fitness Atlantic Pageant Champion Tisha Rodriques , "I was just hired as an official Coors Light/Maxim Model and will appear on the Coors Light Silver Bullet Tour. The first stop was in Massachusetts and it was blast with fellow competitor and friend Meghan Dosvais."
Sep 11 '06 - Ms. Bikini Universe (Short) Kim Allen will be making a guest appearance at the Ms. Bikini China show in Zhengzhou. In promoting the new show, she will appear on Chinese national television, make numerous personal appearances and meet Chinese government tourist and sport officials. Kim is also preparing to compete at Ms. Bikini America at Universal Studios.
Sep 11 '06 - Vanda Hadarean has returned from a European performance tour with her team of junior Canadian gymnasts. The Fitness Atlantic Pageant Champion and former Olympia gymnast performed in Paris, Milan and Bucharest, Romania, her homeland before moving to Ottawa.
Aug 18 '06 - Next month, Ms. Bikini China will join Musclemania China in a 3-day fitness extravaganza open to competitors around the country. Based upon inquiries and early entries, over 500 competitors and 3,000 audience are expected with vendors from throughout Asia exhibiting.
Aug 18 '06 - Choreographer applications are being accepted for FAP in Hollywood in November. In the past, the show's legendary opening performances have included MTV music video guru Shane Sparks , hip hop dance diva MaDonna Grimes , movie and commercial choreographer Tony Gonzalez and other acclaimed dancers.
Jul 26 '06 - Next month, Ms. Bikini Universe Melissa Hall becomes a
segment television host for network ShopNBC. She will be helping to
sell what else, fitness equipment and apparel. Says Melissa, "I am so thrilled! Cool stuff."
Jul 13 '06 - Both the Fitness Canada and MM Figure Canada was won by Tamara Vawn. Facing stiff competition, she was competing for the first time and was completely shocked by her double victories.
Jul 3 '06 - Fitness Canada this Saturday will award sponsorships to Fitness America in Hollywood. TSN and Oxygen will highlight show results. Call for entries, tickets and show info (888) 770-9000.
Jun 30 '06 - FUP Champion Sheri Vucick made history by being first Fitness Universe contestant to become a two-time national title winner. The wife and mother of two is a former collegiate gymnastics champion and was supported in Miami by her husband Joe.
Jun 21 '06 - Congratulations to 2004 Fitness South Beach Champion Jennifer Tuba-Zuba just gave birth to baby girl, Annabe. The Massachusetts native hasn't competed for over a year and now we know why.
Jun 12 '06 - Popular FUP contestant Celia Thompson has made the final selection for the NBA Bobcats Dance Team. Say's Celia, "I need you to vote for me. Go on charlottebobcats.com to help me make ther squad."
Jun 7 '06 - Oxygen, Shape, Fitness Rx, XXL, Pageantry and many other fitness magazines have requested press credentials for the Universe. They have confirmed contest coverage and/or in search of new talent for covers, profiles and modeling.
Jun 7 '06 - Hey white girl! Miami VIP Tanning will offer professional spray-on services at Universe Weekend in Miami. Appointments are available by calling (305) 305 2791 or www.miamiviptan.com.
Jun 1 '06 - Just before Memorial Weekend, '06 Atlantic Champion Tisha Rodriques ' house caught fire which will keep her from competing at the Universe. "My head is going in a thousand directions right now," she said.
Jun 1 '06 - '03 FAP Co-Champion Valarie Brown-Stephens is back and already staking her claim to the Universe. "It's great to be home again!", she said. Val is a member of Team Sensation with '04 FUP Champ Wendi West . Jun 1 '06 - At the recent Kumite show in Pittsburgh, Andi Martin competed for the first time since giving birth to her new son just 7 months ago. She says, "I feel great and preparing for a show forced me to get into shape." Jun 1 '06 - Andi's best friend and partner in fitness, '03 FUP Champ Sheri Vusich is returning to Miami to claim the crowning glory twice. She was also at the Kumite show in her hometown looking more beautiful than ever.
Jun 1 '06 - Fitness magazine cover star and '04 Ms. Bikini America Jennifer Nicole Lee has decided to compete for the title she's always wanted but has eluded her. "I live in Miami, so I want my boys to see me win the Universe. It would be a dream!", claims Jennifer.
Jun 1 '06 - '98 FAP Champ Tanya Merryman will be at the Universe competing for the first time in 7 years! But, don't expect to see her fly through the air because, as she puts it, "I'm going to take it easy this time and compete in bikini. I needed a reason to get back into shape."