Body Talk with Krista Kleiner

She stirs controversy even if, she says, she doesn’t mean to.

2010 Bb. Pilipinas-International Krista Kleiner on the hot seat, clearing the issues and her name in this “body talk” before she left yesterday for China to compete with 80 other beauties at the grand finals on Nov. 7 in Chengdu, China (same country where the 2010 Miss World will be picked on Oct. 30, with Czarina Gatbonton as the Philippine bet).

Case No. 1: She showed up at the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas last August wearing a Miss International sash, making eyebrows soar.

“You know, a friend invited me to Vegas. While there, some kababayan wanted to have a picture with me and they wanted me to wear a Miss International sash. So, hayun…”

Case No. 2: When she came back from the States, she offered flowers at the spot at the Quirino Grandstand where eight Chinese tourists were killed in a hostage drama, shedding copious tears as she did so, prompting her detractors to dismiss the whole act as mere “drama,” a publicity stunt.

“I was in the States when I heard about the hostage incident. I really felt for the victims and for our country, too. I was really affected and I wanted to pay my respects so when I came back I went there to offer flowers and to pray. I didn’t know that there were photographers around, so hayun…”

Case No. 3: She squealed on 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Venus Raj and got Venus into trouble about erroneous entries in her application form.

“I wasn’t here when it happened. Somebody wanted to create trouble and tried to put the blame on me. It hurt me. But Venus and I are okay. No problem between us.” (Note: According to the Miss Universe Organization, Venus having finished fourth runner-up in the 2010 Miss U pageant should henceforth be known as Miss Universe Philippines.)

What about the pictures in the Internet showing her kissing another girl?

“Somebody took them from my private collection. I was kissing my friend, who’s like my sister. She said it was her birthday and she didn’t have a boyfriend, kawawa naman siya. So I teased her, ‘I will be your boyfriend and I kissed her.’ Ganoon lang ‘yon. Walang malice.”

A GMA contract star who was launched as the sidekick of Arnell Ignacio in the game show Go Bingo, Krista sings, that’s why she was picked by Julio Iglesias to go with him on a concert tour after his concert in the Philippines a few months ago. Iglesias’ troupe went to Australia, Malaysia, Japan, Hawaii, California, Indiana, Florida, New York, Canada, Las Vegas and the Dominican Republic. In the shows, Krista danced with the back-up dancers and she would be asked by Julio to sing Dahil Sa’yo with him, introducing her as “my special guest from the Philippines.” Julio knew that Krista was representing the Philippines in the Miss International contest and he would remind her, “You have to win it for your country.”

Thus far, the Philippines is the only Asian country that has won Miss International not once but four times: Gemma Cruz in 1964, Aurora Pijuan in 1970, Melanie Marquez in 1979 and Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005.

Is it an advantage or a disadvantage?

“I think it’s an advantage,” said Krista. “It means that the Miss International Organization recognizes the Filipina as smart and beautiful.”

Before she left, Krista (and Czarina) were trained by former Binibinis like 1969 Miss Universe Gloria Diaz and Venus Raj.

“I will bear in mind what Gloria has told me, ‘Don’t be afraid to show other people what you are thinking…Don’t make safe answers, be yourself, don’t think of winning and just enjoy the whole experience’.”

Krista has co-written a song titled Beauty Queen with her boyfriend, singer Jay-R, which she will perform during the contest’s Talent Night.

“I am dedicating it to all the girls in the contest,” said Krista.

A Fil-Am who was born and raised in California (where she’s an undergraduate at the University of California San Diego), Krista has one sibling (a 17-year-old boy). Her father, Brian Kleiner, is part-German and part-British and her mother, Carmencita Arrieta Paderon, has Filipino, Chinese and Spanish blood.

A Gemini (June 12, 1989), Krista stands 5’9”, weighs 128 lbs., measures 36-26-36, and wears medium-sized shirt and size-9 shoes.

How did you prepare for the Miss International contest?

“In every way I could possibly think of…reviewing tapes of pageants, meeting with former Binibinis, learning to speak Chinese, researching not only about Philippine culture but also Chinese culture, training with the Bayanihan dancers on poise and grace, exercising, dieting, everything!”

What sort of diet do you follow?

“I avoided carbs since I won Binibini. I haven’t been eating rice. I eat chicken without the skin and I avoid eating too much desserts.”

What’s usually for breakfast?

“Usually fruits or salad.”

Lunch?

“Chicken without the skin and vegetables.”

Dinner?

“Usually salmon and salad.”

Snacks in-between?

“Usually fruits or Granola bar.”

How much water do you take per day?

“Only six glasses; I should be drinking more. When I’m working out, I take about nine glasses.”

Food that you usually crave for?

“Yogurt and Japanese food.”

What vitamins are you taking?

“Multivitamins, calcium pills and vitamin C.”

How much workout do you do?

“I try to work out everyday, if not every other day. I dance, following steps from DVDs and do kick-boxing. I do it at home where we have a dance area.”

Your body looks perfect. But any part that needs improvement?

“My waistline. Medyo mahirap lang talaga ma-trim because of my bone structure.”

In front of the Hilton in Las Vegas advertising Julio Iglesias’ show. Right: With boyfriend Jay-R.

And the most vulnerable part?

“Ang puso ko.”

Favorite part of your body?

“My eyes. They can’t hide what I feel inside.”

What part of a guy’s body do you notice first?

“Either his smile or his eyes.”

And what turns you off?

“Guys who are mayabang.”

How do you take care of your skin?

“I wear sunblock every day and I get regular facials.”

How much sleep do you get per night?

“I try to get at least eight hours.”

Favorite sleepwear?

“Anything comfortable. Well, it depends on my mood. If I’m feeling sexy, I wear a silk nightdress. But usually, a pair of nice Victoria’s Secret pajamas. I always go to sleep in bright-colored clothes para colorful ang dreams ko. Hehehehe! I never sleep with make-up on. Otherwise, my face will break out. I wash my face and apply moisturizer.”

How many pillows do you sleep with?

“Many! I can’t sleep without a pillow between my legs.”

Do you snore?

“No, I don’t. Oh yes, maybe I do if I am super-super pagod.”

Do you talk in your sleep?

“As far as I know, I don’t.”

Do you sleepwalk?

“I hope not! Baka kung saan ako mapunta!”

 Last thing that you do before you got to sleep?

“Wash my face and pray.”

And the first thing that you do when you wake up?

“Brush my teeth and go to the bathroom and put my make-up kaagad because I don’t want to go out of my room na walang make-up.”

How do you relax…cope with stress?

“I spend time with my family. When I’m with them, I feel relaxed.”

Do you meditate?

“Not so much. I’m a people person, not an introvert. For me, to relax is to be talking to a friend that I trust.”

Favorite hideaway?

“It depends. In the Philippines, I want to go home to my family in the States. When I’m so stressed out, doon lang ako sa kuwarto ko. When I’m there, I want to come to the Philippines. It’s always like that.”

How’s your nightlife?

“Very minimal compared to before. Medyo nagsawa na ako. But I like to go out once in a while, listen to nice music and unwind.”

Love life?

“Masaya po! Parang perfect!”

How long have you and Jay-R been going steady?

“A year and five months.”

You seem to hit it off well. Aside from having been raised in the States, what do you and Jay-R have in common?

“We have the same upbringing, the same work ethic. We balance each other.”

Isn’t Jay-R the jealous type?

“Well, he is. Medyo.”

Didn’t he get jealous of Julio?

“Medyo. Kasi si Julio naman, inaasar talaga niya si Jay-R. When Jay-R said goodbye, Julio would tease him, ‘Don’t blame me if your girlfriend finds another guy in another country.’ It’s understandable. Kahit sinong boyfriend naman ma-i-insecure kung mawawala ng five months ang girlfriend niya, di ba? But it’s really all about communication and being there for each other kahit malayo kayo sa isa’t-isa.”

Name three guys you think have nice bodies.

“Si Jay-R siempre. My younger brother Jendrick. Taylor Lautner.”

And three women whose bodies are as nice as yours.

“Beyonce. J.Lo. Shakira.”

Using only body language, how would you make a guy know that you admire him?

“I look at him straight in the eye and straight into his soul. Then, I blink a bit para may drama. Hehehehehe!”

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