Rika Diallina
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rika Diallina (Greek: Ρίκα Διαλυνά) also spelled Dialina and Dialyna, born in Heraklion, Crete in 1934, won the Miss Star Hellas title, (Greek: Μις Σταρ Ελλάς) and went on to represent Greece at the Miss Universe 1954 pageant in Long Beach, California.
Rika, along with Miss Korea, Pu Rak Hi, were denied entry into the U.S. because of their alleged Communist affiliations. Diallina was disqualified from obtaining a U.S. visa for allegedly illustrating a book on Communism. In her place went first runner up, Effie Androulakakis, who won the Miss Friendship' award. U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles intervened in Rika's case and she was able to optain a temporary entry permit. She arrived just a few days before the event, making the top 16 finalists. Effie Androulakakis was asked to remain in the competition as Miss Crete but she declined, stating that Rika was "the choice the people of my country to represent them here." While in the States, Rika got married while in the U.S. and remained in the country.
In 2002 her artwork was put on display at the Benedictine Art Awards, her work being one of the 40 to make the Park Avenue Art Gallery out of 2000 that participated in the event.
