Laura Chukanov

Laura Kirilova Chukanov (Bulgarian: Лора Чуканова) (born 5 June 1986 in Sofia, Bulgaria) is a pageant titleholder from Sandy, Utah who competed in the Miss USA pageant in 2009.

Biography

Chukanov was born in Sofia, Bulgaria and moved to the United States when she was four years old.^[1] She holds dual U.S.–Bulgarian citizenship and speaks fluent Bulgarian, English, some Russian and studied Spanish. Chukanov graduated from the University of Utah, with a degree in International Studies and minors in Leadership Studies and Art History.^[1]

Pageants

Chukanov competed in the Miss Utah USA 2008 pageant in late 2007 and placed third runner-up to Julia Bachison.^[2] She competed the following year and won the title. She was also first runner up in a prior Miss Sandy pageant.^[3] Chukanov represented Utah at the Miss USA 2009 pageant held in Las Vegas, NV, on April 19, 2009 where she became the third consecutive delegate from Utah to make the semi-finals, and eventually placed third runner-up to winner Kristen Dalton of North Carolina. This was Utah's highest placement in the nationally televised pageant since 1998. Chukanov was directed by the pageant director Britt Boyse and Boyse's company Casting Crowns Productions. The other Casting Crowns titleholder Alicia-Monique Blanco of Arizona placed 2nd runner-up, making Boyse the most successful director for the 2009 pageant.

References

External links

• Miss Utah USA official website
• The first publication of Laura Chukanov
• Laura Chukanov Fan Club - Proud to be Bulgarian
• Interview with Laura Chukanov