Miss Universe pageant to allow mothers and married women to compete


During the 48th Miss Universe pageant held in Trinidad and Tobago, the final question was "If Miss Universe were to become pregnant during her reign, should she be allowed to continue as Miss Universe?”

Botswana's Mpule Kwelagobe answered: "Personally, I think Miss Universe is a symbol of a woman as well as she's celebrating her femininity, and I believe that if she should fall pregnant it will not in any way interrupt her duties. I believe as a woman she should celebrate her femininity."

The then 19-year-old triumphed over Miriam Quiambao of the Philippines (first runner-up) and Diana Nogueira of Spain (second runner-up) to win the title of Miss Universe 1999, a historic first time for her country.

Fast forward to today, over 20 years later, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has announced its decision to allow "women who are or have been married, as well as women who are pregnant or have children" to compete starting next year (Miss Universe 2023).

With the latest change in their rules, it is clear the organization headed by Paula Shugart (President) and Amy Emmerich (CEO) continues to "evolve with the changing of times to best represent and support women globally."

"Women should have agency over their lives, and that a human's personal decisions should not be a barrier to their success."

Photo: Miss Universe

Popular posts from this blog

Plus-sized Sara Milliken crowned Miss Alabama for National American Miss 2024

Image
Plus-sized beauty Sara Milliken was crowned the National American Miss Alabama 2024 during the state final held on May 27 at the Renaissance Marriot in Montgomery. The 23-year-old model and mental health advocate from Atmore, Alabama is now expected to represent her home state at the National American Miss 2024 competition later this year. "This is a dream that has been 8 years in the making for me," said the new National American Miss Alabama who first joined the state pageant when she was 15 years old. After enduring bullying upon her return at the age of 16, she decided to take a break from joining for 7 years. However, this year, she mustered up the courage to give the crown another shot. "I returned to the NAM stage to prove to myself I didn't give up. I could do this. I was more than the mean things that was said to me," Sara wrote online. "I was authentically myself. I had fun. I had the most genuine smile on my face. I wasn't perfect." In r
Read more

Miss Universe 2024: Meet the contestants

Image
Miss Universe 2024, the 73rd Miss Universe pageant will be held in Mexico later this year. The country known for its rich culture, ancient ruins, dazzling beaches, and incredible cuisine has been chosen to host the competition for the fifth time after 1978, 1989, 1993, and 2007. Forty-six (46) national winners have been crowned up to this point and are all set to compete in this year's highly anticipated beauty pageant. Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios, Nicaragua's first winner, will crown her successor at the end of the event whose exact date and venue have yet to be announced. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe (@missuniverse) Meet the contestants: Albania - Franceska Rustem Argentina - Magalí Benejam Bahamas - Selvinique Wright Belgium   - Kenza Ameloot Belize - Halima Hoy Bolivia - Juliana Barrientos Bonaire - Ruby Pouchet Cameroon - Noura Njikam China - Jia Qi Colombia - Daniela Toloza Croatia  - Zrinka Ćorić Cu
Read more

Venezuela's Sergio Azuaga wins Man of the World 2024

Image
Sergio Azuaga from Venezuela was crowned Man of the World 2024 on Friday, July 26 at Winford Resort and Casino in Manila, Philippines. The 20-year-old model made history as the first Venezuelan to win the international pageant. He succeeds last year's winner from Korea, Jin Wook Kim. Kenneth Vincent Cabungcal of the Philippines was named first runner-up while Gwen Jegouzo of France, Fernando Ezequiel Padín of Puerto Rico, and Sebastián Mora of Ecuador were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The rest of the Top 10 finalists were Miguel Leles of Brazil, Paulos Tecle of Eritrea, Lavesh Mohan Bharambe of India, Sergio Avila of Spain, and Doan Cong Vinh of Vietnam. Completing the Top 15 were from Australia, Amit Singh Saini, Colombia, David Linares, Dominican Republic, Junior Mendoza, Malaysia, Edison Ho, and the United Kingdom, Kazim Keskin. Meet the new Man of the World: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Man of The World - The Pagean
Read more

Miss Namibia 2024 is Prisca Anyolo from Windhoek

Image
Prisca Anyolo was crowned Miss Namibia 2024 in a glittering competition held on Saturday, July 20 in the historic town of Lüderitz. The 28-year-old award-winning journalist and television presenter from Windhoek bested nine other finalists to win the coveted national title. She succeeds Jameela Uiras, last year's winner who made the Top 20 at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador last November. Lenna Mugena and Georgia Garises were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Jodie-Lee Barnard and Naomi Kamenye rounded out the Top 5 finalists. The winners of this year's Miss Namibia pageant are expected to represent their country at Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss Earth pageants. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Namibia (@missnamibia) Photos: Keen Studios, Miss Namibia / Instagram
Read more

Miss USA 2024: Meet the contestants

Image
The 51 state winners competing for Miss USA 2024 have already been crowned in their respective state competitions. This year's pageant is considered the most diverse in the 73-year history of Miss USA since the Miss Universe Organization changed rules allowing all women from age 18 to compete. There's a contestant over 40 years old, married women, mothers, and a transgender woman, all vying for the highly coveted national beauty title. Hawaii's Savannah Gankiewicz , who became Miss USA 2023 following Noelia Voigt's resignation, will crown her successor on Sunday, August 4 in Los Angeles, California. Miss USA 2024 is set to return to LA after nearly two decades. The final show is set to take place at the Peacock Theater and will air LIVE on The CW Network. Formerly Nokia Theatre and Microsoft Theater, the theater auditorium seats 7,100 and holds one of the largest indoor stages in the United States of America. Who will be crowned the 73rd Miss USA? Meet the 51 contestant
Read more

Miss Universe Japan 2024 is Kaya Chakrabortty

Image
Kaya Chakrabortty bested over 30 other contestants to win Miss Universe Japan 2024 during the national competition held on Thursday, July 25 in Tokyo. The 22-year-old Japanese-Bangladeshi from Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture will represent Japan at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. She succeeds last year's winner Rio Miyazaki. Naomi Kamidate, Yukie Yamaguchi, Honoka Shimamori, and Chika Mizuno were the Top 5 finalists. Completing the Top 11 were Erina Hanawa, Misaki Komori, Nanami Hagiwara, Mami Miyamaru, Hana Yanagi, and Mai Amano. The new Miss Universe Japan is a figure skating champion and a certified paramedic. She graduated from Michigan State University with a double major in human biology and neuroscience. Her mother is Japanese and her father is of Bangladeshi and Indian descent. "I strive to create a world where a single piece of education can be the decisive factor between life and death, and regardless of background, one’s ability to save a life remains with
Read more

Miss Universe Pakistan 2024 is Noor Xarmina

Image
Noor Xarmina was revealed as the winner of Miss Universe Pakistan 2024 on Saturday, July 20 during the pageant's broadcast on the official Miss Universe YouTube channel. The 29-year-old venture capitalist, model and actress hailing from Islamabad will represent Pakistan at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. She succeeds Erica Robin, the first-ever Miss Universe Pakistan and a Top 20 semifinalist at Miss Universe 2023 last November in El Salvador. Nimra Jacob was named first runner-up, while Karen Pinto, Anzela Abbasi, Hoor Mahaveera, and Zainad Raza were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. "I think balancing humility and confidence is best showcased at a pageant because, you learn to work as a team, this pageant feels more like a team sport than an individual competitive beauty contest," said the new Miss Universe Pakistan. "I have learned so much about my weaknesses and strengths by learning around my colleagues and these girls that I
Read more

FAVORITES: Miss USA 2024 Top 16 pre-arrival favorites

Image
The Miss USA 2024 pageant is just around the corner and the 51 contestants will soon arrive in Los Angeles, California to compete for the national crown. Reigning Miss USA Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii will crown her successor on August 4 at the iconic Peacock Theater. The next Miss USA will represent the United States of America at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico later this year. Who will take home the highly coveted title and head to the 73rd Miss Universe? Meet our Top 16 pre-arrival favorites: (in alphabetical order) Alabama - Diane Westhoven California - Samantha Ramos Connecticut - Shavana Clarke Florida - Peyton Lewis Hawaii - Breea Yamat Indiana - Stephanie Sullivan Louisiana - Sydney Taylor Michigan - Alma Cooper Maryland - Bailey Anne Kennedy Nebraska - Kamryn Buchanan New Mexico - Mackenzie Sydow New York - Marizza Delgado North Carolina - McKenzie Hansley Ohio - Macy Hudson Tennessee - Christell Foote Texas - Aarieanna Ware Special mentions: Arkansas, Colorado, Ken
Read more

Miss Universe Serbia 2024 is Ivana Trisic Relic

Image
Law graduate Ivana Trisic Relic bested seven other finalists consisting of former queens to win the Miss Universe Serbia 2024 all stars edition. The 30-year-old who works as a model and TV host from Belgrade will represent Serbia at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Katarina Munjic and Jelena Njegovan were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Nevena Tomic and Andjela Vanevski rounded out the Top 5 finalists. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Serbia is a former Miss Serbia (Miss World Serbia). She competed in the 68th Miss World edition in Sanya, China. Serbia is one of the countries returning to the Miss Universe pageant this year following an 8-year hiatus. Its last participation was in Miss Universe 2015 with Dasa Radosavljevic. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Serbia (@missuniverse_serbia) Photo: Mladen Nadj, Miss Universe Serbia / Instagram
Read more

Miss Grand Netherlands 2024 is Ashley Brown

Image
Ashley Brown, representing the province of Noord-Holland, was crowned Miss Grand Netherlands 2024 on Sunday, July 21 at the Event Centre Vinkeveen. The 20-year-old singer and songwriter beat 13 other contestants to win the national title. She will represent the Netherlands at Miss Grand International 2024 this October. Josephine Onderdonk was announced the first runner-up while Niamh Marjorine Wekhoven, Katiana Loukisas and Michelle van der Stoep were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Grand Netherlands succeeds Melissa Bottema, last year's winner who made the Top 10 at Miss Grand International 2023 competition held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Road to the 12th Miss Grand International: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Grand Netherlands | 12 Months of Beauty (@miss_grand_netherlands) Photos: Johnny Ten Have, Miss Grand Netherlands / Instagram
Read more