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A Queen’s Journey of Shining beyond the Stars

Introduction:

The Miss Universe pageant is one of the most prestigious beauty pageants in the world, celebrating beauty, intelligence, and social impact across cultures, backgrounds, and religions. The prestigious award was established in 1952. It is an annual international beauty pageant organized by the Thailand-based Miss Universe Organization, which attracts participants from all over the world. Along with Miss World, Miss Earth, and Miss International, it is one of the four major beauty pageants. The Miss Universe organization and its brand are currently owned by JKN Global Group and Legacy Holding Group USA, an American division of the Mexican company Legacy Holding. Telemundo had the license to broadcast the pageant until 2023. The main goal of the pageant is to "be a voice for humanitarian causes and positive change in the world." Millions of visitors come here every year. More than external beauty, this pageant is about building confidence, leadership, and social awareness among women.

Table of contents:

• Background of Miss Universe
• Selection Process
• Main Pageant
• Crown of Miss Universe
• List of Miss Universe by Year

 

• Background of Miss Universe:

The Miss Universe pageant began in 1926 as the International Pacific Pageant. The pageant was then discontinued in 1935. The Miss Universe pageant was re-established in 1952 by Pacific Knitting Mills. The first winner of the Modern Miss Universe pageant was Armi Kuusela of Finland. She was crowned in Long Beach, California. It was first broadcast on television in 1955. It was later broadcast on CBS from 1960 to 2002, NBC from 2003 to 2014, Fox from 2015 to 2021, and NBC from 2022 to the present. The pageant has changed ownership several times. At Miss Universe 2024, pageant co-owner Raúl Rocha Cantu announced the shortlisted cities for the 74th edition of the pageant. The list includes Argentina, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Morocco, India, South Africa, Spain, and Thailand. The Miss Universe Organization selected Thailand as the host country on 7 February 2025, with the main venue being the Impact Challenger in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi Province. It will be the fourth time the pageant has been held in Thailand and the third time at this venue.

• Selection Process:

The Miss Universe selection process is a multi-stage competition where contestants are judged on beauty, intelligence, personality, and campaigning. Here is a step-by-step explanation of how the winner is selected:

• National Pageant: Most countries hold a Miss Universe national pageant for their own to select a representative, while some countries appoint representatives instead of competing directly.
• Arrival and Preliminary: Contestants from around the world arrive in the host country and participate in official ceremonies, media events, and sponsor appearances.

Preliminary Competition: It includes three rounds —

1. Swimsuit Round.
2. Evening Gown Round.
3. Interview Round.

• Semifinalist Selection: Based on the preliminary scores, a panel of judges selects 15-20 contestants for the semifinals, and a global fan vote is also held to select one or more semifinalists.
• Pageant Night: Judges score the semifinalists based on their performances in the swimsuit and evening gown rounds. Then, a small group moves on to the next round.
• Top 10 or Top 5 Selection: Contestants go through a Q&A (question and answer) round to assess their intelligence, confidence, and quick thinking. They are then selected as the Top 3 or Top 5 based on their answers and overall performance.
• Final Round and Crown: Final contestants are asked to answer a final question or give a short speech. Then, the judges' scores, fan votes, and overall impact determine the winner.

The winner is declared Miss Universe, and the runners-up are also announced. They receive the crown, title, and the responsibility of representing the Miss Universe organization in global advocacy, charity work, and international events.

• Candidate selection:

Contestants pay a franchise fee for the local right to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. A candidate is selected from each participating country through a national competition or internal election, who represents the entire country. Since 2012, the pageant has recognized the participation of transgender contestants. In 2018, Angela Pons of Spain became the first transgender person to compete in the pageant, and in 2019, Swe Zin Thet of Myanmar became the first lesbian female candidate. In 2022, married and pregnant women were also allowed to participate in this pageant. In 2024, the upper age limit for contestants was dropped. It makes all adult women eligible. In 2024, Macau participated in the pageant for the first time.

• Main Pageant:

Founded in 1952, Miss Universe is the premier international beauty pageant, crowning a winner each year. It is known as one of the "Big Four" pageants, along with Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth. Key features of Miss Universe include:

• International competition: Contestants from many different countries and regions compete.
• Annual event: The pageant is held annually, with the most recent winner being Victoria Kjer Thielvig of Denmark, who won the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in 2024.
• Selection criteria: Contestants are judged on beauty, intelligence, personality, and social awareness.
• Ownership and organization: The pageant, run by the Miss Universe Organization, was recently acquired by the Thai-based JKN Global Group.
• "Big Four" pageant: Miss Universe is considered one of the four major beauty pageants worldwide, along with Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth.
• Miss Universe 2025: The next event will be held in Thailand in November 2025.

• Crown of Miss Universe:

Throughout its 70-year history of Miss Universe, the crown has changed and renamed twelve times.

• Romanov Imperial Wedding Crown (1952): This was the first crown ever owned by a Russian Tsar. It was worn by Armie Kusela in 1952. Crafted with 1,529 flawless diamonds weighing 300 carats, it was insured for $500,000.
• Romanov Diadem Crown (1953): It was made of solid bronze, making it notorious as the Bronze Crown. It was worn only by Christian Martel in 1953.
• The Star of the Universe (1954–1960): It was so named for the star-shaped crown at the top. Made of solid gold and platinum, this crown was set with approximately 1,000 oriental cultured black pearls, weighing 1.25 pounds. It was insured for $500,000.
• Glass crown (1961-1962): Marilyn Schmidt and Norma Nolan wore this glass crown at the 10th anniversary of the Miss Universe Organization in 1961.
• Coventry Crown (1963–2001): This glass crown was recreated by renowned jeweler Sarah Coventry. The crown features a female figure holding a scepter at its center. It is known as "The Lady Crown." In 1973, the design was changed and renamed "The Chandelier Crown." It was last worn by Miss Universe 2001 Denise Quinones.
• Mikimoto Phoenix Crown (2002–2007 and 2017–2018): The crown, which was used to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Miss Universe Organization, was designed by Tomohiro Yamaji. It depicts the rising of the Phoenix, a symbol of dignity, strength, and beauty. Made of 500 natural colorless diamonds weighing approximately 30 carats (6.0 g) and 120 South Sea and Aquamarine pearls ranging in diameter from 3 to 18 mm, the crown is valued at US$250,000. The Mikimoto crown and tiara were first used for Miss Universe 2002 and were last worn by Catriona Gray.
• CAO Crown (2008): Designed by Rosalina Lidster and Dang Kim Lien of CAO Fine Jewelry in Vietnam, the tiara was worn by Diana Mendoza in 2008. It is valued at US$120,000. The crown is made of a combination of 18-carat white and yellow gold. It contains over 1,000 precious stones, including 555 white diamonds (30 carats), 375 cognac diamonds (14 carats), 10 smoky quartz crystals (20 carats), and 19 morganite gemstones (60 carats).
• Diamond Nexus Peace Crown (2009–2013): This is the winning crown created by Diamond Nexus Labs. Set with 1,371 gemstones, the crown weighs 416.09 carats (83.218 grams). It contains 544.31 grams of 14-karat and 18-karat white gold and platinum. The crown's arches were removed in 2010. Diamond Nexus Labs is the first eco-friendly official jewelry of the Miss Universe Organization.
• DIC Crown (2014–2016): Made by the Czech company Diamonds International Corporation (DIC), this crown was worn by Paulina Vega, Pia Wurtzbach, and Iris Mittenaere. It cost an estimated $300,000 to make. The crown, shaped like the Manhattan skyline, is made of 311 diamonds, 5 blue topazes, 198 blue sapphires, 33 heat-treated crystals, and 220 grams of 18-karat white gold, and it weighs 411 grams.
• Muawad Power of Unity Crown (2019-2021): This crown, created by Muawad Jewelry, is the most expensive pageant crown in the world. It is worth approximately US$6 million. It features a golden canary diamond weighing 62.83 carats. Symbolizing ambition, diversity, community, and beauty, this crown was worn by Zozibini Tunzi, Andrea Meza, and Harnaz Sandhu from 2019 to 2021.
• Muawad Force for Good Crown (2022-2023): This is the second Muawad crown, which was worn by Ar'Boni Gabriel and Shaynes Palacios. This crown is set with 110 carats of blue sapphires, 48 ​​carats of white diamonds, and a 45.14-carat royal sapphire at its center.
• Jewelmar Lumiere de l’Infini Crown (2024-Present): Unveiled on November 13, 2024, this winning crown, known for its golden Philippine South Sea pearls, was designed by Filipino luxury jewelry company Jewelmar. It is adorned with over a hundred diamonds and 23 golden South Sea pearls. The largest golden pearl, located in the center of the crown, represents the sun bursting into diamond-encrusted golden rays.

 

• List of Miss Universe by Year:

• 1952: Armi Kuusela, Finland.
• 1953: Christiane Martel, France.
• 1954: Miriam Stevenson, United States.
• 1955: Hillevi Rombin, Sweden.
• 1956: Carol Morris, United States.
• 1957: Gladys Zender, Peru.
• 1958: Luz Marina Zuluaga, Colombia.
• 1959: Akiko Kojima, Japan.
• 1960: Linda Bement, United States.
• 1961: Marlene Schmidt, Germany.
• 1962: Norma Nolan, Argentina.
• 1963: Iêda Maria Vargas, Brazil.
• 1964: Corinna Tsopei, Greece.
• 1965: Apasra Hongsakula, Thailand.
• 1966: Margareta Arvidsson, Sweden.
• 1967: Sylvia Hitchcock, United States.
• 1968: Martha Vasconcellos, Brazil.
• 1969: Gloria Diaz, Philippines.
• 1970: Marisol Malaret, Puerto Rico.
• 1971: Georgina Rizk, Lebanon.
• 1972: Kerry Anne Wells, Australia.
• 1973: Margie Moran, Philippines.
• 1974: Amparo Muñoz, Spain.
• 1975: Anne Marie Pohtamo, Finland.
• 1976: Rina Messinger, Israel.
• 1977: Janelle Commissiong, Trinidad and Tobago.
• 1978: Margaret Gardiner, South Africa.
• 1979: Maritza Sayalero, Venezuela.
• 1980: Shawn Weatherly, United States.
• 1981: Irene Sáez, Venezuela.
• 1982: Karen Baldwin, Canada.
• 1983: Lorraine Downes, New Zealand.
• 1984: Yvonne Ryding, Sweden.
• 1985: Deborah Carthy-Deu, Puerto Rico.
• 1986: Bárbara Palacios, Venezuela.
• 1987: Cecilia Bolocco, Chile.
• 1988: Porntip Nakhirunkanok, Thailand.
• 1989: Angela Visser, Netherlands.
• 1990: Mona Grudt, Norway.
• 1991: Lupita Jones, Mexico.
• 1992: Michelle McLean, Namibia.
• 1993: Dayanara Torres, Puerto Rico.
• 1994: Sushmita Sen, India.
• 1995: Chelsi Smith, United States.
• 1996: Alicia Machado, Venezuela.
• 1997: Brook Lee, United States.
• 1998: Wendy Fitzwilliam, Trinidad and Tobago.
• 1999: Mpule Kwelagobe, Botswana.
• 2000: Lara Dutta, India.
• 2001: Denise Quiñones, Puerto Rico.
• 2002: Oxana Fedorova, Russia & Justine Pasek, Panama.
• 2003: Amelia Vega, Dominican Republic.
• 2004: Jennifer Hawkins, Australia.
• 2005: Natalie Glebova, Canada.
• 2006: Zuleyka Rivera, Puerto Rico.
• 2007: Riyo Mori, Japan.
• 2008: Dayana Mendoza, Venezuela.
• 2009: Stefanía Fernández, Venezuela.
• 2010: Ximena Navarrete, Mexico.
• 2011: Leila Lopes, Angola.
• 2012: Olivia Culpo, United States.
• 2013: Gabriela Isler, Venezuela.
• 2014: Paulina Vega, Colombia.
• 2015: Pia Wurtzbach, Philippines.
• 2016: Iris Mittenaere, France.
• 2017: Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, South Africa.
• 2018: Catriona Gray, Philippines.
• 2019: Zozibini Tunzi, South Africa.
• 2020: Andrea Meza, Mexico.
• 2021: Harnaaz Sandhu, India.
• 2022: R'Bonney Gabriel, United States.
• 2023: Sheynnis Palacios, Nicaragua.
• 2024: Victoria Kjær Theilvig, Denmark.

Conclusion:

The Miss Universe pageant, built on physical beauty, is a global platform for women to showcase their talents, share their stories, and potentially inspire others. It fosters confidence, leadership, and philanthropy. Winners become role models, inspiring millions of people. The Miss Universe organization plays a significant role in upholding the values ​​of inclusion, transparency, and integrity. This pageant helps to improve skills, create opportunities, open new career doors, and make a global impact.