Raeceen Woolford, a former University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball player who was crowned Miss Hawaii during the weekend, said yesterday that sports and pageants are not that far apart.

"They both required discipline, leadership, teamwork and being able to handle responsibility," said Woolford, 24. "It all felt familiar to me. ... I endeavored to get out of my comfort zone and saw another side of myself."

Woolford graduated in 2008 from UH with a bachelor's degree in health studies, and is applying to graduate schools to obtain an advanced degree in public health and plans to become a doctor. Woolford goes on to compete in the Miss America pageant Jan. 30 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

BET AWARDS PAY TRIBUTE TO KING OF POP

LOS ANGELES — The BET Awards became the official Michael Jackson TV celebration yesterday, with joyous tributes to the King of Pop, from a New Edition-Jackson 5 medley to host Jamie Foxx's tender monologue delivered in that classic red leather zipper jacket and white glove.

Joe Jackson, the singer's father, represented the grief-stricken family. "I just wish he could be here to celebrate himself," he said.

While Beyonce and T.I. were the leading award nominees with five apiece, giving out trophies was an afterthought: Honoring Jackson became the show's main focus.

"No need to be sad. We want to celebrate this black man," Foxx said.

U.S. SINGERS SUPPORT IRANIAN PROTESTERS

CAIRO — They wouldn't be allowed to perform in Iran, but singers Joan Baez and Jon Bon Jovi are showing their support for protesters.

In videos carried on YouTube, the artists perform songs — with a few lines in Farsi — that call for peace.

Bon Jovi sings "Stand By Me" alongside Armenian-Iranian pop star Andy Madadian. The New Jersey rocker adds in Farsi: "Hand in hand, with one voice, you and me, countryman, your pain, my pain, be with me."

Folk singer and activist Baez's version of "We Shall Overcome" also includes a portion in Farsi. Strumming an acoustic guitar, the 68-year-old singer trills the song made famous as an anthem of the American civil rights movement.

'TRANSFORMERS' SEQUEL RULES BOX OFFICE

LOS ANGELES — Alien robots have transformed into box-office superstars with $200 million in domestic ticket sales in just five days.

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" took in $112 million in the sequel's first weekend and $201.2 million since opening Wednesday, according to estimates yesterday from Paramount, which is distributing the DreamWorks movie. Despite harsh reviews from critics, it was well on the way to becoming the year's top-grossing movie.

With a $13 million weekend, Disney and Pixar Animation's "Up" became the year's top-grossing film domestically at $250.2 million.