Miss Universe

Miss Universe is an international and annual female beauty pageant and title that seeks comprehensive beauty, leadership, elegance, personality, carriage, pose, communication, security, and social activism in candidates from different countries of the world (independent or autonomous), who are sent by local franchises to represent only that territory. It is said that the winner of the title is «the most beautiful woman in the universe» and she wears it for a period of about a year, being a voice of world leadership carrying out campaigns of the Organization of the pageant and participating in philanthropic events that benefit and raise awareness about different social problems. The current Miss Universe is R'Bonney Gabriel from the United States, who won the 71st edition of the pageant in New Orleans, United States on January 14, 2023.

Miss Universe is a very popular contest with a large following in America and Asia, with the Latin American and Southeast Asian regions having the highest number of followers, also enjoying some popularity in part of the Caribbean, however, in most of from Europe and Africa, it is known but little followed. Anne Jakrajutatip is owned by the multinational conglomerate JKN Global Group, which makes up the Miss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP (MUO). –), whose president is Paula Shugart; This multinational organizes this contest and its two sister pageants, Miss United States and Miss Adolescent United States. This same organization maintains, trades and schedules the activities and needs of the three holders of the titles, its main image being the acting Miss Universe, R'Bonney Gabriel.

Since 2021, Telemundo has carried out the official transmission in Spanish of the beauty pageant.

History

Foundation

The Miss Universe beauty pageant was created in the early 1950s.

It owes its existence, indirectly, to the decision of Miss America 1950, Yolande Betbeze, who refused to pose in one of «Catalina's bathing suits >", causing the breaking of the contract that the textile company Pacific Mills , producer of Catalina's , had with the Miss America pageant to promote the brand. Faced with the news that a Bikini Festival had been organized in the United Kingdom that crowned a world beauty queen (Miss World), Pacific Mills decided to create its own contest to publicize itself, in association with the city of Long Beach, United States; and sponsored by Pan Am airlines and Universal film studios. Thus, in the Municipal Auditorium of Long Beach (California), on June 28, 1952, the Miss Universe pageant saw the light. Thirty representatives from different countries attended that first appointment, and the Finnish Armi Kuusela was the winner.

It should be noted that the current Miss Universe title and contest has no relationship with the International Pageant of Pulchritude (in English: International Pageant of Pulchritude or International Beauty Contest), which was also used to award its winners the title Miss Universe; this contest was held from 1926 to 1935, and was discontinued without ever being resumed.

The 1950s

During the 1950s, Miss Universe was held in Long Beach, where reporters from various countries and a local television network covered the event. It also had the important sponsorship of Pan Am and Universal Studios, as well as the support of the local government and Pacific Mills.

In its beginnings, the contest was conceived as a joint national and international competition. Candidates from various states and cities in the United States competed for the national title that would give one of them the opportunity to represent the American union in the international contest; the international candidates lived with all the American contestants for several days, until Miss United States was elected, and with this, they completed the list of international candidates and led to the election of Miss Universe. They were accompanied by a local queen named Miss Welcome to Long Beach (Miss Welcome to Long Beach), who was not taking part in the pageant.

Thus, every summer the small Californian town received the women considered the most beautiful in their country and in the world, who paraded in floats along the main avenues, and enjoyed their beaches while advertising them together with the brand Catalina's. Being this a contest conceived to promote beaches and swimsuits, the coronation of the winner was, during these years, made while the contestants were wearing swimsuits.

In its beginnings Miss Universe did not consider the ban on contestants being married or mothers, a situation that was regulated until 1957, but it did establish an age limit between 17 and 24 years. In the same way, during this decade, the title was postdated, the contest held in 1952 crowned Miss Universe 1953, doing so until 1958. Historically, the MUO considers the winners as holders of the title of according to the calendar year.

In the 1950s, two North Americans, three Europeans, one Asian, and two South Americans won.

The 1960s

By 1960, CBS television realized the relevance that the contest had and bought it, moving it to Miami Beach; forming the Miss Universe Corporation. This triggered the annoyance of the inhabitants of Long Beach, who had already become accustomed to seeing the presence of the international delegates on their streets every summer. The Long Beach City Council created a new pageant which it named the International Beauty Congress (International Beauty Congress) which was eventually called Miss International. This contest was bought in 1967 by some Japanese businessmen, taking it to Tokyo.

Meanwhile, Miss Universe was gaining more relevance and became a show broadcast on television to several countries through the CBS signal. In 1965 the world contest was separated from Miss United States, being from that moment separate events, although gathered in the same company. In the 1966 edition, the first color transmission of the contest was made. It was at this stage that the presence of Bob Barker came to the contest, who became the iconic master of ceremonies of the contest, since he led the contest for more than 20 years.

Politics did not cease to be present, since during these years candidates from Okinawa, a Japanese island occupied by the Americans after World War II, and from Cuba Libre, representing the Cuban exiles living in Florida, presented themselves to the contest.; without these being true nations. During the 1960s two Asian, two American, three South American and three European women won the title.

The 1970s

The contest maintained its headquarters in Miami Beach at the beginning of this decade, but for its 1972 edition the contest left the United States to begin its journey around the world, Puerto Rico being the first entity to host the contest outside of the continental United States was Puerto Rico, which is a territory of that country. By 1978 computers made their appearance in the contest; As of that year, the judges qualified the contestants by means of an electronic terminal, which added and averaged the qualifications of each judge to obtain the qualification of each contestant in each one of the stages, and thus, speed up the selection process.. These qualifications, the swimsuit preliminary, and the semifinals, were shown on the television screen.

It was during these years that Miss Universe exceeded 80 candidates in a single pageant, and that more nations came to compete in it; It was also during this period of time that the television and stage production of the final became more demanding, showy and spectacular. During these years, its headquarters were distributed in Latin America, Asia and for the first time the southern hemisphere and Europe, and had winners from the Middle East (2), Oceania (1), Europe (2), Asia (1), Africa (1) and South America (1), as well as two from the Caribbean, highlighting the first black Miss Universe.

The 1980s

Despite gaining more popularity worldwide, Miss Universe faced its first crisis in this decade, as its shows became long, boring and very simple given the pace that this decade imposed on everyday life; This is reflected in their audience levels. The solution came in the middle of the decade, since in 1985 work was done to present a more agile and attractive show, re-recording commercial radio hits to serve as the opening number for the final night; the lavishness of the productions have made this stage be considered the «Golden Years» of Miss Universe.

In 1983, the local organization of San Luis had the idea of including little girls from the host city in the show, one for each contestant, who would accompany the semifinalists during the parade in evening dress; They were called "Hermanitas" (Little Sisters) and became a pageant tradition. Also in 1983, the Miss Universe Corporation created the Miss Teen USA pageant.

The decade of the 1980s represented success and fame for the Miss Universe Corporation, several countries competed to be the venue and its popularity was increasing. For 1987 there were calendar changes, since being a summer event (for the northern hemisphere), it began to take place during the spring. It also suffered a drop in terms of the number of contestants, since the 1987 and 1988 editions did not even reach 70 delegates. The relevance of the title and its popularity in Latin America and Asia were evident, since it was these areas that received the contest outside the United States during these years. Two North Americans, one woman from Oceania, two Europeans, one Asian, and four Latin Americans emerged victorious.

The 1990s

This decade represented important changes for the pageant.

First, the Soviet government's Perestroika policy opened up the possibility for female candidates from the Soviet Union and its sympathetic countries to run for an event that was previously considered contrary to communist values. In the same way, the concept of beauty was affected by the values of a new era, therefore, Miss Universe gave greater value to the communication, oratory and intelligence of the contestants, because after the physical beauty tests, the candidates They had to undergo several rounds of interviews to advance stages and gradually get closer to the title. The table of 6 finalists is reduced to 3 and to provide greater certainty to the results, it was also decided to show the complete qualifications of each contestant in the preliminary, semifinal and final stages, except for the last round of votes that defined the winner. Another very important change was that Catalina's stopped sponsoring the title in 1994; Since that contest, different swimwear brands have taken their place. Some rules of the contest changed, likewise, giving the opportunity to compete to women between 18 and 27 years of age.

In 1996, the Miss Universe Corporation was on the verge of going bankrupt, several countries were disinterested in competing, and important sponsorship and headquarters contracts were broken; so the New York tycoon Donald Trump, who was always close to the owners, bought it, thus creating the Miss Universe Organization (Miss Universe L.P. LLLP); This led to a renewal in terms of image, contest concept and competition format, which have not remained stable; the most obvious change to viewers was that the Little Sisters segment was discontinued. It was during these years that the Miss Universe Organization took the fight against HIV and breast cancer as platforms on which their queens would speak and promote.

The contests of these years were held mainly in cities in the United States, but Asian, Latin American, Caribbean cities, and for the first time, the African continent were also used for this purpose. Three North Americans, two from the Caribbean, two from Africa, one from Asia, one from Europe and one from South America won the crown. In 1998 the term Miss was subtracted from them to name the candidates, so that from now on they are mentioned only by the name of their country.

The 2000s

Miss Universe enters the new millennium dragging an image search. The need to move away from the traditional concept of the beauty queen and the "intellectual" conception of it, promotes the conception of a more brash Miss Universe and closer to the Top Model. Likewise, the format of the contest is constantly changing, relegating to second importance the interview phases that were so relevant in the 1990s and returning to a format of 5 finalists and the inclusion of more candidates for a second round. As of 2005 Donald Trump, on behalf of the MUO, chooses several of the quarterfinalists. The only occasion in which a Miss Universe officially leaves the title is in 2002, when the Panamanian Justine Pasek replaced the Russian Oxana Fedorova.

The renewal affects several of the symbols of Miss Universe, thus, the crown is modified three times, and the sash also undergoes changes. Miss Universe 2002 is the last one that the CBS television network produces and broadcasts, and NBC takes the lead in that area; also associating with the Telemundo network to broadcast the contest in a live Spanish version. The contest is held again in the summer and the organizers realize the potential that the internet offers, and they begin to upload photos, interviews and videos of the contestants to the network, and the «Presentation Show (Competition preliminary)” is broadcast live via the internet. With all this, NBC decides to no longer broadcast Miss Universe's younger brother, Miss United States Teen, on television

The MUO begins to collect millions of dollars to transfer its contest to different venues, being the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Central and North America, South America, and Asia who serve as headquarters, including the first communist country to receive the contest. Europe loses one crown, Asia wins two, Oceania one, North America another, and Latin American representatives reach the title six times.

The 2010s

The number of contestants is on the rise in this decade, reaching the record of female candidates in 2018 (94); However, the amounts of money that the MUO requests for the venue of the pageant have affected the holding of the different contests: the dates of the celebration have been unstable and have changed from September to December and for the first time in history a Miss Universo was out of the current year, the 2014 and 2016 editions were made in January of the following year. In this decade, 25 new countries joined the participants and it was also the decade in which the format of the contest underwent the most changes, since the number of quarterfinalists oscillated between 13 and 20; and new phases of competition were introduced, such as the elimination by geographical areas in the preliminaries, the public speaking tests, the return of the thematic questions stage and the number of finalists in the last stage that varied between 3 and 5.

In this decade, Europe, South America and Asia have welcomed the contest without government support; 6 editions were held in the United States, with the City of Las Vegas being the main bastion of the event. Three Africans, one North American, two Asians and one European shared the title with three Latin Americans. The possibility that a transgender woman could compete was opened in these years.

Between 2015 and 2018, Telemundo abandoned the Spanish-language broadcast, and Univisión took its place; However, this television network broke relations with tycoon Donald Trump after the statements he made against Latin American immigrants, and against Mexico.

By the end of June 2015, the NBC network terminated its commercial relationship with Trump, this after the statements that the businessman made against Mexican immigrants. NBC announced that it will not broadcast the annual Miss United States or Miss Universe pageants, so both pageants do not have a defined official transmitter; however, the television network continued to own a large part of the title's assets. the company WME/IMG, on September 14, 2015.

The 2020s

The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic affected the world of beauty pageants and Miss Universe did not escape this reality. The reign of the holder of 2019 became for this reason the longest recorded, with 17 months, in addition, it caused important changes in her agenda.

The 2020 edition was postponed to May 2021 and had a significantly lower participation than its predecessors.

In October 2022, Thai businesswoman Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip purchased the Miss Universe, Miss United States and Miss United States Teen beauty pageants from IMG Models with the desire to expand the cause of empowerment and encourage equity and social inclusion of women among those who are deprived of their rights due to gender discrimination.. Once again the contest is held in January of the following year.

One Latin American, one Asian and one North American have earned the degree to date. For the first time the contest is held in the Middle East.

The current contest

Each year, around 500 million people around the world watch the contest live and direct from the venue. A total of 175 nations and territories have sent a candidate at least once. Some of the countries that have joined this list in the last ten years are: Gabon (2012), Lithuania (2012), Azerbaijan (2013), Sierra Leone (2016), Cambodia (2017), Laos (2017), Nepal (2017), Armenia (2018), Kyrgyzstan (2018), Mongolia (2018), Bangladesh (2019), Equatorial Guinea (2019), Cameroon (2020), Bahrain (2021) and Bhutan (2022).

The list of contestants totals 4,912 women until 2022. Among some of the celebrities who have participated in this contest are: politicians Irene Sáez (Venezuela, 1981), Tanja Karpela -formerly Vienonen- (Finland 1991), Anke van Dermeersch (Belgium 1992) and Jessica Jordan (Bolivia 2007); the supermodels Helena Christensen (Denmark 1986), and Flaviana Matata (Tanzania 2007); designer and reality show star Anya Ayoung-Chee (Trinidad and Tobago 2008); the actresses Alicia Machado (Venezuela 1996), Vera Fischer (Brazil 1969), Maribel Guardia (Costa Rica 1978), Paola Turbay (Colombia 1992), Carolina Gómez (Colombia 1994), Jacqueline Bracamontes (Mexico 2001), Gal Gadot (Israel 2004), Jacqueline Fernandez (Sri Lanka 2006), Mónica Spear (Venezuela 2005), Irene Esser (Venezuela 2012) and the pornographic actress Kelli McCarty (United States 1991); Likewise, the winners of the title have stood out as businesswomen, actresses, singers, models, politicians and even as members of royalty.

Miss Universe has two sister pageants:

• Miss United States: contest that designates the representative of the United States for Miss Universe, created in pairs of this in 1952 — and that they were held almost at the same time: the contestants to Miss United States and Miss Universe lived for several days until they chose the Miss United States, and two days later, they chose Miss Universe—and
• Miss United States Adolescent: version for teens of Miss United States, created in 1983.

The three contests are organized, sold and franchised by the MUO.

The winner immediately begins her activities as universal beauty queen as soon as she takes the title, becoming the main image of the company and establishing her residence in New York City (United States) for the duration of her reign. Any company or organization that wishes to hire Miss Universe for an event (including the winner's visit to her country), must contact and negotiate with the MUO.

Competition system

The election of Miss Universe is a very long process, which year after year moves an enormous amount of people and money throughout the world.

Miss Universe is a license that is renewed annually. In each country interested in sending a candidate, there is a franchisee who, after paying an amount of money, which varies according to the size and economic capacity of each country, has the rights in that country to send a delegate under rules that Miss Universe Organization imposes.

Some of those basic rules are as follows:

• That the delegate is a woman legally (since 2012) - The possibility of a transgender woman agreeing (if her country recognizes her as such) is open.
• Whether it is the winner of the national title or, if not, the substitute; it is also accepted that the delegate is designated in special cases.
• May he have the nationality of the country for which he will contest and a proven residence.
• May you be between 18 and 28 years of age as of 1 January of the year in which you compete.
• Have the willingness to be Miss Universe and fulfill what it entails.

There are other rules and exceptions to these that are particular to each country. Contrary to what is usually thought, there are other issues that do not violate the rules of the contest:

• Miss Universe does not prohibit aesthetic surgery or cosmetic adiments.
• Miss Universe doesn't ask for a minimum stature.
• Miss Universe does not prohibit the matching of a woman who has instituted naked or lingerie.
• Miss Universe does not request a maximum or a minimum of weight for its contestants.
• Miss Universe does not promote racial or ethnic stereotypes for the representation of a country.
• Miss Universe does not prohibit the participation of married, divorced, mothers or pregnant women (from 2023).

In each country, a local contest is organized, ranging from austere and simple events, such as auditions or castings, to lavish shows that go around the world. There are numerous national titles that, historically, have the tradition of choosing the representative of said country in Miss Universe, such as Miss Venezuela, Miss France, Miss South Africa and Miss Nicaragua. There are others that have been born recently as a result of the change of franchisee, such as Miss Universe Colombia, Mexicana Universal, Miss Universe Japan or Miss Diva Universe (Indian representative to Miss Universe).

After this process, which begins more than a year in advance, a group of contestants is brought together, which ranges from 70 to 90 candidates each year (83 in 2022). They meet at the venue two to three weeks before the final night. They carry out various activities, ranging from location recordings that allow the venue to be promoted, to dinners with heads of government and events with sponsors. There is also the National Costume and Fantasy competition, where each delegate wears a representative design of her homeland.

Foreword

About a week before the final night, the official presentation of the contestants is made in an event called Presentation Show, where each candidate parades in a bathing suit (similar for all) and in evening dress (chosen to personal taste by each contestant). They are evaluated by a preliminary panel of judges, with whom they also meet personally. Said panel, together with the MUO, has the task of choosing a number of contestants that they consider could be Miss Universe. The decision of this panel of judges and the organization is not made known until the final night, in direct transmission to more than 150 countries, where after the presentation of each candidate, this selection of the candidates who go to the next round is announced.

Ending

In the history of the contest, various changes have been made in the way of choosing and classifying the contestants on the day of the contest, as a result of the different objectives that have been sought and changed over the years by part of Miss Universe.

Based on the contestants chosen in the preliminary, various changes have been made:

1. The elected contestants are reassessed by a panel other than judges (final court) that renders their opinion numerically through a qualification.
2. From 1952 to 1965, at the time of presenting the semi-finalists, these were simply announced to the public in alphabetical order; in fact the contestants already knew beforehand who had been elected as semi-finalists days before the end. It is from 1966, when the model is adopted in which only the organizers and producers of the contest are those who know the results of the preliminary and so they are to know the names of the semifinalists and they are announced without any specific order on the day of the election.
3. From 1978 to 2002, and from 2007 to 2010, the scores of judges at the different stages of the contest were transmitted immediately and publicly (except for the venue where the event was held).
4. From 1952 to 2002, the qualifications of the judges were averaging between the different areas of the competition so that the contestants could advance to the following rounds. It is since 2003, where it is stated that the qualifications are elimination, they do not average or accumulate, nor do they have to match the final result, since in each round the previous qualifications are deleted. However, in 2018, the qualifications of the 10 semi-finalists who competed both in swimsuit and in evening suit had to be averaged to choose the 5 finalists.
5. From 1952 to 2016 and resumed in 2020, the candidates were chosen without limitation, in terms of the number of semi-finalists per geographical region.
6. From 2017 to 2019 an equitable number of fourthfinalists based on the concept of 4 groups, three by continental regions (Africa, Asia and Oceania, Europe and America) and one by wildcard (in English: Wild Card).

Based on these general points, below is a chronological description of how the mode of selection of contestants has changed from its beginnings to the present:

From 1952 to 1959, during 8 editions:

• Ten again. (1952)Sixteen (1953-54) or fifteen (1955-59) Semi-finalists in swimsuit, evening suit and the same were a particular speech, of which only 5 candidates were elected.
• The remaining five finalists gave one last walkway, and the panel of judges considered the general impression that each of the finalists left to vote and define final positions. the general impression that each of the finalists left to vote and define final positions (by then the winner was crowned in full bathing suit).

From 1960 to 1963, during 4 editions:

• Fifteen again. (1960-63) Semi-finalists in swimsuit, evening suit and the same exhibited a particular speech.
• The remaining five finalists were announced only within the fifteen semi-finalists, at the time of knowing their final position, that is, in the coronation itself.

In 1964, during 1 edition:

• Fifteen semi-finalists competed again in a swimsuit, evening suit, of which only 10 candidates were elected.
• The remaining ten finalists, submitted to a particular question, gave one last walkway, and the panel of judges with the voting audience considered the general impression that each of the finalists left to vote and define final positions.
• The remaining five finalists were announced within the ten semifinalists, only when they knew their final position, that is, in the coronation itself.

From 1965 to 1985, during 21 editions:

• Fifteen again. (1965-70)12 (1971-83) or ten (1984-85) Semi-finalists in swimsuit, suit at night and were subjected to an interview with the jury, of which only 5 candidates were elected.
• The remaining five finalists, submitted to a particular question, gave one last walkway, and the panel of judges considered the general impression that each of the finalists left to vote and define final positions.

From 1986 to 1989, during 4 editions:

• Ten again. (1986-89) Semi-finalists in swimsuit, suit at night and were subjected to an interview with the jury, of which only 5 candidates were elected.
• The remaining five finalists only gave one last walkway, as the final question was deleted at this stage of the contest; the panel of judges considered the general impression that each of the finalists left to vote and define final positions.

From 1990 to 1999, during 10 editions:

• Ten again. (1990-99) Semi-finalists in swimsuit, suit at night and were subjected to an interview with the jury, of which they chose only six (1990-97) or five (1998-99) candidates.
• The remaining six or five were subject to a particular question, where three or two more were eliminated.
• The remaining three finalists submitted to one and the last question, gave one last walkway, and the panel of judges considered the general impression that each of the finalists left to vote and define final positions.

In 2000 and 2022, during 2 editions:

• Sixteen again. (2022) or ten (2000) semi-finalists only in swimsuit and evening suit, of which only 5 candidates were elected (the interview with the jury was eliminated at this stage of the contest).
• The remaining five were subject to a particular question, where two more were eliminated.
• The remaining three finalists submitted to one and the last question, gave one last walkway, and the panel of judges considered the general impression that each of the finalists left to vote and define final positions.

In 2001 and 2002, during 2 editions:

• Ten semi-finalists in swimsuit and evening suit were competing again, of which only 5 candidates were elected.
• The remaining five finalists, submitted to a particular question, gave one last walkway, and the panel of judges considered the general impression that each of the finalists left to vote and define final positions.

From 2003 to 2005, during 3 editions:

• Fifteen quarterfinalists competed again in a evening suit, where 5 of these candidates were removed from the competition.
• The remaining ten continued to a new round of swimsuit, where 5 more were eliminated.
• The remaining five finalists, submitted to a particular question, gave one last walkway, and the panel of judges considered the general impression that each of the finalists left to vote and define final positions.

From 2006 to 2013, during 8 editions:

• Twentieth again. (2006)Sixteen (2011-13) or fifteen (2007-2010) of which only ten candidates were elected.
• The remaining ten continued to a new round of evening suit, where 5 more were eliminated.
• The remaining five finalists submitted to a particular question, gave one last walkway and the panel of judges considered the general impression that each of the finalists left to vote and define final positions.

In 2014 and 2020, during 2 editions:

• They competed again at twenty-one. (2020) or fifteen (2014) of which only ten candidates were elected.
• The remaining ten continued to a round in the evening suit, 5 others were eliminated.
• The five finalists submitted themselves to a particular question and another equally for all (a brief speech on a random issue in 2020), gave a final walkway and the panel of judges considered the general impression each one left to vote and define final positions.

From 2015 to 2017 and in 2021, during 4 editions:

• Sixteen again. (2017; 2021)15 (2015) or thirteen (2016) ensuite, of which they chose only 10 (2015; 2017; 2021) or 9 (2016) candidates.
• The remaining ten or nine continued to a new round of evening suit, where 5 or 3 more were eliminated, respectively.
• The remaining five or six were subject to a particular question, where two or three more were eliminated, respectively.
• The three finalists submitted themselves to one and the last question, gave one last walkway and the panel of judges considered the general impression that each one of them left to vote and define final positions.

In 2018 and 2019, during 2 editions:

• The twenty quarterfinalists present a special speech of fifteen seconds, after which the jury elects only 10 candidates.
• The remaining ten continue to a new round in swimsuit and evening suit, where they are removed from competition 5 more.
• The remaining five submit to a particular question, where two more are eliminated.
• The three finalists submit to one and the last question, give one last walkway (along with a last speech in 2019) and the panel of judges together with the voting audience consider the general impression each one leaves to vote and define final positions.

This process is constantly changed at the consideration of the MUO, therefore it is difficult to ensure that each edition follows this procedure or varies it in some way. Before naming the finalists, it is always clarified that a qualifying jury, in conjunction with members of the organization, secretly chooses the selected box based on their performance in the preliminary competitions.

About ratings

Semifinalists

The first round of semifinalists has been present in all the editions of Miss Universe. This stage of the competition was unique during 51 editions (1952-63; 1965-2002 and 2022), that is, the contestants who obtained the minimum qualification to be able to continue in the competition could advance as finalists at once. In 1964 and since 2003, semifinalists have been required to advance to a second round before becoming finalists. The following describes the different formats used in the first round of semifinalistsː

• The format of 10 semi-finalists has been used in 20 editions; it was implemented only in the inaugural edition (in 1952), to be retaken 32 years later uninterruptedly during 19 editions (from 1984 to 2002).
• The format of 12 semi-finalists has been used in 12 editions; it was implemented uninterrupted for 12 editions (from 1971 to 1983).
• The format of 13 semi-finalists has been used in 1 single edition; it was implemented only in 2016.
• The format of 15 semi-finalists has been used in 25 editions; it was implemented uninterrupted for 16 editions (from 1955 to 1970), re-used for the second occasion 33 years later for 3 editions (from 2003 to 2005), then for the third occasion 2 years later for 4 editions (from 2007 to 2010), and for the fourth occasion 4 years later for 2 editions (in 2014 and 2015).
• The 16 semi-finalist format has been used in 8 editions; it was first implemented for 2 editions (in 1953 and 1954), then it was retaken 57 years later for 3 editions (from 2011 to 2013), was used for the third time 4 years later (in 2017) and later in 2021 and 2022.
• The 20 semi-finalist format has been used in 3 editions; it was implemented in 2006 and 12 years later in 2018 and 2019.
• The format of 21 semi-finalists has been used in 1 edition; it is implemented in 2020.

The second round was introduced only in 1964, to be resumed 39 years later, being present from 2003 to 2021, for a total of 20 editions. The following describes the different formats used in the second round of semifinalistsː

• The format of 9 semi-finalists has been used in 1 single edition; it was implemented only in 2016.
• The format of 10 semi-finalists has been used in 19 editions; it was first implemented in 1964, was later retaken during 18 editions (from 2003 to 2015) and from 2017 to 2021.

Finalists

The first round was implemented motivated by the incorporation of a previous phase of questions from 1990 to 2000, and has been implemented again from 2015 to the present, with an exception in 2020, for a total of 18 editions. The different formats used in the first round of finalists are described belowː

• The format of 5 finalists has been used in 9 editions; it was first implemented during 3 editions (from 1998 to 2000), then 15 years later (in 2015) and has been retaken for the third time (from 2017 to present).
• The format of 6 finalists has been used in 9 editions; it was first implemented during 8 editions (from 1990 to 1997), and was retaken 19 years later (in 2016).

The second round of finalists has been present in all the editions of Miss Universe. This stage of the competition was unique during 53 editions (1952-1989; 2001-2014; 2020), that is, the finalists were positioned in the coronation once this stage of the competition was completed. From 1990 to 2000 and since 2015 (except in 2020) finalists have been required to advance to a second round of finalists, to then be ranked. There have been 2 last-cut finalist formats. The different formats used in the second round of finalists are described below:

• The format of 5 single-cut finalists has been used in 53 editions; it was first implemented during 38 editions (from 1952 to 1989) and was retaken 12 years later during 15 editions (from 2001 to 2014 and 2020).
• The format of 3 second-size finalists has been used in 18 editions; it was first implemented during 11 editions (from 1990 to 2000) and has been resumed 15 years later (from 2015 to 2019 and resumed in 2021).

Final positioning

• The title of Miss Universe, as well as that of First and Second Finalists, have been awarded in all the contest editions.
• The titles of Third and Fourth Finalists have so far been awarded in 53 editions (from 1952 to 1989) for 38 years, and (from 2001 to 2014 and 2020) for 15 editions.
• From 2011 to 2014, when the last two candidates are on stage, the Miss Universe is named directly and then the First Finalist. Until 2010 the reverse was mentioned. Since 2015 the First Finalist is not named.

Miss Universe Symbols

Symbols in use

Miss Universe Logo

In 1998, the Miss Universe logo - "The Woman with the Stars" - was born, representing the beauty and responsibility of women throughout the universe; this badge was born when the Miss Universe Organization was established, after the change of owners. The woman with the stars is a female figure in a long, slender dress, who looks to the left and up, raising her left arm which, with an open hand, receives five stars; her right arm rests on her hip. The woman wears a small crown and the entire figure is adorned, from the middle up, with an asymmetrical oval.

This is a variation of the first Miss Universe logo, which was a female figure, very similar to the current one, but looking straight ahead with arms outstretched and completely surrounded by two interlocking ovals.

Miss Universe Crown

DIC Crown Lighted by Iris Mittenaere, Miss Universe 2016.

One of the elements that has always served as a symbol of Miss Universe is the crown. This has undergone various changes in the seventy years of the contest.

• 1952: The first crown of Miss Universe was used only in the first contest and by Armi Kuusela, Miss Universe 1952. It is a miniature replica of the crown used by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, with jewelry in a velvet base and tied to the head by a white slat.
• 1953: The second crown of Miss Universe was used only in the second contest and by Christiane Martel, Miss Universe 1953. It was a small golden, metallic crown, with five beaks with a small ball hanging over the center of the figure; the larger beak had a small ornament of shiny.
• 1954-1960: The third crown of Miss Universe was used from 1954 to 1960. It is a thin piece, adorned with shiny and pearls, whose structure was made up of ten beaks, five on each side, each of them finished by a pearl. To the center, the figure of an ascending star adorned the whole, being this the main ornament.
• 1961-1962: The fourth crown of Miss Universe was used in 1961 and 1962. It was a classic crown of beauty queen, of thin structure, amorphous and symmetrical, adorned with shiny leaves. To the center, a huge six-peak star was killing the whole.
• 1963-2001: The fifth crown of Miss Universe is undoubtedly the most emblematic, known and used; it has served as inspiration for other contests at all levels. It is a thin crown made of shiny, with wavy-shaped ornaments to the sides, framing the Miss Universe logo to the center. This crown suffered various and subtle transformations during its use, as it became a large piece, to something a bit more delicate and narrow. However, the main structure was always preserved and recognized as the crown of Miss Universe still today, since it was used for almost 40 years. Miss Universe 1970, Marisol Malaret, was the first winner of the contest to preserve the crown as part of the awards, tradition that followed until this piece was discontinued in 2001.
• 2002-2007;2017-2018: The sixth crown of Miss Universe, officially called Phoenixbut known as The Mikimoto Crown, was used from 2002 to 2007. It is a delicate piece made of 18 carats of diamonds, 800 bright and 120 pearls of high quality, cultivated for this piece. Its value oscillated the USD 250,000 and the winners in that period kept a tiara of less value and size, replica of the crown. His nickname comes from the Japanese jewellery firm Mikimoto designed the crown in 2001 at the request of the Organization Miss Universe.
• 2008: The seventh crown of Miss Universe was used only in the 2008 edition. Designed by Rosalina Tran Lydster of the company Jewelry by Rosalina and Dang Thi Kim Lien of the company CAO Fine Jewelry, both Vietnamese. With a value of USD 120 thousand, it is made of 18 carat white and gold gold, and more than a thousand precious stones, between diamonds, quartz, and gems. The colors and stones try to represent the prosperous Vietnamese economy and the inspiration and feeling of the title. This crown was part of the contract to celebrate this edition of Miss Universe in Vietnam and was a resounding failure, as it turned out to be an insignificant piece without any impact. Among some followers, he began to call her Vietnam, combining the words Vietnam and Mikimoto - she says designer of the previous crown- and, among others, the Crown My Joyin reference to the signature of Mexican toys, making fun of the low quality in the making of this jewel. In early 2009, Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008, stopped using this crown in its appearances, occupying instead the crown Phoenix.
• 2009-2013: The eighth crown of Miss Universe was chosen by Internet users from around the world. The MUO commissioned the company Diamond Nexus Labs, highlighted by creating precious stones in an ecological and friendly environment, the design of three crowns, and Internet users from around the world could vote for their favorite. The three designs that Diamond Nexus Labs put to the vote are called Peace (Peace) Unity (Unity) and Hope (Wait). The design that got more votes was Peaceturning it into the eighth crown Miss Universe. This piece was modified for its second year, as Stefanía Fernández was crowned, Miss Universe 2009By Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008He slipped from the hands of the latter and fell, fracturing. When Fernandez crowned Ximena Navarrete, Miss Universe 2010, the crown was redesigned to have better stability, suppressing the upper arches that adorned the piece. The winners, during the use of this crown, retained as part of their awards a tiara of similar design and less value.
• 2014-2016: The Czech company Diamond International Corporation, diamond expert, designed a new crown that was premiered by Paulina Vega in winning the 2014 edition. It is a piece that has a cost of 300 thousand dollars, with a weight of 411 g, and with a base of skin and hooks that make it difficult to withdraw (to avoid falls), It has a white gold base of 18 carats, adorned with 198 small sapphires; the main figure consists of 33 Bohemia crystals, which simulate the great skyscrapers of the city of New York, in turn embellished with 311 diamonds. Five large blue topaz stones adorn and contrast with all the design.
• 2019-2021: The Swiss-Emirate jewellery company Mouawad established sponsorship negotiations with the Miss Universe Organization. To this end, on September 10, 2019 a new crown named The Power of Unity (The Power of Unity) will be used in social media. The company designed a tiara called The Diamond Tiara, which is a replica of the original crown and that since the end of 2020 the company has been delivering to all the winners of the organization who did not receive a replica of their crowns.

Miss Universe Band

Another element that has served as a symbol for Miss Universe is the sash that recognizes the beauty queen. The title "Miss Universe" is embodied in it. The acting Miss Universe is placed over her right shoulder, across her torso, until it falls on her left hip. The band has undergone various changes in the sixty-three years of the contest.

• 1952-1963: The first band of Miss Universe was a thick, yellow or white strip, in which the title was printed in capital letters in a kind of arial lyrics, of navy blue. Until 1958, the year was added to the title.
• 1964: The second band of Miss Universe was only used by Corinna Kiriaki Tsopei, Miss Universe 1964. On yellow velvet, some navy blue letters highlighted the title, being framed on the shores with white stuffed.
• 1965: The third band of Miss Universe was only used by Apasra Hongsakula, Miss Universe 1965. On white fabric, the letters in navy blue highlighted the title, being framed on the shores with golden fabric.
• 1966-2000: The fourth band of Miss Universe began to be used in 1966 and suffered slight changes during this time, but it can be said that this was, like the crown used almost during the same period, the most emblematic band of the title. On white fabric, shiny, a blue lyrics king in stylized type framed the title. The same blue tone adorned the shores, with a line of small diamonds inside. Some Universe Misses of this period were crowned with the first band, but the officer was this. Between 1966 and 1972, there were changes in the font (Arial and Times New Roman) and in 1974 the edge was used in red. By 1996, the band was shortened in size.
• 2001-2021: The fifth band of Miss Universe began to be used in 2001. It is a typographic design similar to a typewriter. The title is written on glossy white fabric, the letters are lined with dark grey and are silvery, as well as the edges, adorned interiorly by a line of small shiny. A variant of this band has also been occupied in black instead of silver since 2008. Some national organizations have adopted similar designs for their band. In 2013 a band was used very similar to the previous one, only that it is whiter and has letters wider and more thin line similar to the courier source, but retaining its colors; although this band occupied in the night of election of 2013, the previous band continues to use it. Miss Universe at some events.
• 2022-current: For the 71st Miss Universe competition the organization announced The Sash Company as one of its sponsors and created the first sustainable bands. The new bands for both the winner and the contestants will be made from 100% post-consumer recycled fabric and thread and with imitation stones produced ethically. This is expected that the organization's commitment to sustainability will reduce the overall amount of plastic and waste in the environment.

Other bands

• Miss Universe 1991, Lupita Jones, occupied during a musical number in the broadcast, a band similar to that of the contestants, which said "Miss Universe".
• On the occasion of the 1994 event in the Philippines, Gloria Diaz and Margarita Moran received as a gift a series of bands made under the fourth design, adding the year they won; formerly, Corinna Kiriaki Tsopei, Marisol Malaret and Georgina Rizk, received replicas of that design at a meeting.
• In 2006, several Misses Universo met in New York to attend an event organized for the presentation of an alusive book to the title and beauty tips. The attendees received a commemorative band, similar to the current one, which was added to the year they held the title.
• Miss Universe 2007, Riyo Mori, occupied a design in cheesy lyrics, and so far the only one that uses tiny letters, with black lyrics and edges.
• Miss Universe 2009Stefanía Fernández, traveling to Rwanda, lost one of the bags of his luggage and with it the official band of Miss Universe, which is why the artisans of Rwanda made him a simple but very symbolic band to temporarily replace the officer.
• Miss Universe 2015Pia Wurtzbach, held a band design very similar to that used during her reign, but in red, during a charity event in her native Philippines as part of the previous activities of the edition where she will crown her successor.

Bands of the contestants

Each year, the Miss Universe contestants are uniformed with a sash design that allows for easy identification and which they wear to most events. It is a long strip of white ribbon and printed with black letters, in Impact font, on a white ribbon, similar to the bands of many other contests.

Previously the design was on a thick satin white ribbon on which the black felt letters were sewn. The letters are based on the SF COllegiate font, forming with them the name of the country they represent. Throughout history, the design had been very similar, which achieves identification with the contest. The thickness or length of the band has been slightly modified, as well as the font, going from a thicker to a thinner one, or vice versa, or the letters closer together or further apart, in navy blue or black. The only significant change occurred in 1987, when the contestants wore headbands whose letters were embroidered in blue to the ribbon in Algerian font.

Discontinued Symbols

Miss Universe Oath

From 1960 to 1990, this was the oath of Miss Universe, which was read at each pageant after crowning the new queen: “We, the young women of the universe, believe that all the people of the world seek the peace, tolerance and mutual understanding. We vow to spread this message in any way we can and wherever we go."

Stoat Cloak

In the beginning, and as a play on the symbol of royalty, Miss Universe wore a long red ermine cape with which she made her triumphant and delivery parades. Georgina Rizk, in 1971, was the last Miss Universe to wear it.

Scepter

In its beginnings, the winner was given a scepter, which matched the crown and with which Miss Universe made her parades. Anne Marie Pohtamo, in 1975, was the last Miss Universe to receive it.

Winners

These are some of the contest winners:

• 

  Miss Universe 1952
  Armi Kuusela,
  Finland.

• 

  Miss Universe 1953
  Christiane Martel,
  France.

• 

  Miss Universe 1956
  Carol Morris,
  United States.

• 

  Miss Universe 1957
  Gladys Zender,
  Peru.

• 

  Miss Universe 1958
  Luz Marina Zuluaga,
  Colombia.

• 

  Miss Universe 1967
  Sylvia Hitchcock,
  United States.

• 

  Miss Universe 1968
  Martha Vasconcellos,
  Brazil.

• 

  Miss Universe 1969
  Gloria Diaz,
  Philippines.

• 

  Miss Universe 1976
  Rina Messinger,
  Israel.

• 

  Miss Universe 1977
  Janelle Commissiong,
  Trinidad and Tobago.

• 

  Miss Universe 1979
  Maritza Sayalero,
  Venezuela Venezuela.

• 

  Miss Universe 1980
  Shawn Weatherly,
  United States.

• 

  Miss Universe 1981
  Irene Saez,
  Venezuela Venezuela.

• 

  Miss Universe 1983
  Lorraine Downes,
  New Zealand.

• 

  Miss Universe 1984
  Yvonne Ryding,
  Sweden.

• 

  Miss Universe 1986
  Barbara Palacios,
  Venezuela Venezuela.

• 

  Miss Universe 1987
  Cecilia Bolocco,
  Chile.

• 

  Miss Universe 1989
  Angela Visser,
  Netherlands.

• 

  Miss Universe 1991
  Lupita Jones,
  Mexico.

• 

  Miss Universe 1993
  Dayanara Torres,
  Puerto Rico.

• 

  Miss Universe 1994
  Sushmita Sen,
  India.

• 

  Miss Universe 1996
  Alicia Machado,
  Venezuela Venezuela.

• 

  Miss Universe 1997
  Brook Lee,
  United States.

• 

  Miss Universe 1998
  Wendy Fitzwilliam,
  Trinidad and Tobago.

• 

  Miss Universe 1999
  Mpule Kwelagobe,
  Botswana.

• 

  Miss Universe 2000
  Lara Dutta,
  India.

• 

  Miss Universe 2001
  Denise Quiñones,
  Puerto Rico.

• 

  Miss Universe 2002
  Justine Pasak,
  Panama.

• 

  Miss Universe 2003
  Amelia Vega,
  Dominican Republic.

• 

  Miss Universe 2004
  Jennifer Hawkins,
  Australia.

• 

  Miss Universe 2005
  Natalie Glebova,
  Canada.

• 

  Miss Universe 2006
  Zuleyka Rivera,
  Puerto Rico.

• 

  Miss Universe 2007
  Riyo Mori,
  Japan.

• 

  Miss Universe 2008
  Dayana Mendoza,
  Venezuela.

• 

  Miss Universe 2009
  Stefanía Fernández,
  Venezuela.

• 

  Miss Universe 2010
  Ximena Navarrete,
  Mexico.

• 

  Miss Universe 2011
  Leila Lopes,
  Angola.

• 

  Miss Universe 2012
  Olivia Culpo,
  United States.

• 

  Miss Universe 2013
  Gabriela Isler,
  Venezuela.

• 

  Miss Universe 2014
  Paulina Vega,
  Colombia.

• 

  Miss Universe 2015
  Pia Wurtzbach,
  Philippines.

• 

  Miss Universe 2016
  Iris Mittenaere,
  France.

• 

  Miss Universe 2017
  Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters,
  South Africa.

• 

  Miss Universe 2018
  Catriona Gray,
  Philippines.

• 

  Miss Universe 2019
  Zozibini Tunzi,
  South Africa.

• 

  Miss Universe 2020
  Andrea Meza,
  Mexico.

• 

  Miss Universe 2021
  Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu,
  India.

Facts about the Misses Universe

• The highest Miss Universe is Amelia Vega (2003) from Dominican Republic, with 1.84 m.
• The lowest Miss Universe is Apasra Hongsakula (1965) in Thailand, with 1.62 m.
• The first Spanish-speaking Miss Universe was Gladys Zender (1957) from Peru.
• The first Asian Miss Universe was Akiko Kojima (1959) from Japan.
• The first Arab Miss Universe was Georgina Rizk (1971) from Lebanon.
• The first Black Miss Universe was Janelle Commissiong (1977) from Trinidad and Tobago.
• The youngest Miss Universes in winning the title were Armi Kuusela (1952) from Finland, Christiane Martel (1953) from France and Gladys Zender (1957) from Peru, the three with 17 years completed at the time of their election.
• The Miss Universe with the oldest in winning is R'Bonney Gabriel (2022) of the United States with 28 years of electiveness.
• The only Miss Universe destroyed was Oxana Fedorova (2002) from Russia. Other Misses Universe who have not completed their reign have been Armi Kuusela (1952) of Finland—who married during his reign in the Philippines— Georgina Rizk (1971) of Lebanon—who for political tensions between Puerto Rico and Lebanon could not deliver the crown—and Amparo Muñoz (1974) of Spain—who left the title—although they were never officially removed.
• Leila Lopes (2011) of Angola, Lupita Jones (1991) of Mexico and Gabriela Isler (2013) of Venezuela are the only Miss Universe that are currently directly involved in preparing new contestants of your country; Jones since 1994 for Mexico, Isler for Venezuela since 2018 and Lopes for Angola since 2022. Other Miss Universe who have been in charge of preparing the representatives of their countries for Miss Universe have been: Sushmita Sen (1994) from India did it from 2010 to 2012, Denise Quiñones (2001) from Puerto Rico made it from 2018 to 2021, (Justine Pasak (2002 - b) from Panama from 2016 to 2017. Mona Grudt (1990) from Norway, sporadicly invests money and time in the same task for his nation.
• Zozibini Tunzi (2019) of South Africa is the Miss Universe with the longest reign, fulfilling 525 days of reign, this due to the delay of the edition of Miss Universe 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Except Fedorova and Pasak (2002), Andrea Meza (2020) from Mexico is the Miss Universe with the shortest reign, bearing the title for 6 months and 26 days.
• Pia Wurtzbach (2015) of the Philippines was crowned in the middle of the disconcertion after a driver's mistake, Steve Harvey, who had announced as a winner to Ariadna Gutiérrez of Colombia.
• Seven Miss Universes have passed away:
  • Hillevi Rombin (1955) in Sweden, in an aviation accident on 19 June 1996.
  • Amparo Muñoz (1974) from Spain, after a long terminal illness on 27 February 2011.
  • Sylvia Hitchcock (1967) from the United States, due to cancer on August 17, 2015.
  • Luz Marina Zuluaga (1958) de Colombia, due to a heart attack on December 2, 2015.
  • Linda Bement (1960) from the United States, due to natural causes on March 19, 2018.
  • Chelsi Smith (1995) from the United States due to liver cancer on September 8, 2018.
  • Marisol Malaret (1970) of Puerto Rico, to unknown causes on March 19, 2023.

Classifications

Presenters

The following is a list of the presenters and co-presenters who have participated in the editions of Miss Universe:

Entertainment

The following is a list of the musical groups and singers that have participated in the different editions of Miss Universe: