E-Paper
What you always wanted to know about Miss Universe
Some interesting facts and figures about the biggest beauty pageant in the universe!
How many women compete?
Delegates from 75 to 85 countries take part in the pageant every year.
Any age requirements delegates must meet?
As of 1993, Miss Universe delegates must be at least 18 years of age and under 27 years of age by February 1st in the year they compete in the national competition.
Can delegates be married?
No. Delegates may not be married or pregnant. They must not have ever been married, not had a marriage annulled nor given birth to a child. The titleholders are also required to remain single throughout their reign.
How are the semi-finalists chosen?
All delegates are judged in three areas of preliminary competition:
Interviews: Judges spend time with each delegate to learn about her successes, goals and ambitions.
Swimsuit Competition: Each delegate wears one of a variety of swimsuit styles provided by a sponsor.
Evening Gown Competition: Each delegate wears a gown she has chosen for herself.
All scores are entered into a computer and are then tallied in each of the three categories. The delegates with the highest aggregate scores are named the semi-finalists. The competition is narrowed twice more to produce the winner.
How are the Titleholders and runners-up chosen?
Once the finalists are named, their scores are discarded, and they begin competing anew. In the final competition, the same three areas are judged. The judges' scores in these categories are tallied and the winners are named live on the air.
What prizes and gifts do the winners and the contestants receive for participating in the event?
Each Titleholder is awarded cash and prizes from the event's official sponsors.
This year Mikimoto has designed a new crown for the candidate who will earn the nod of the judges of the Miss Universe pageant on May 31. The crown will most likely bear great resemblance to the Miss USA crown that is adorned with 482 round brilliant cut diamonds over 11 carats & 117 Japanese akoya & white South Sea cultured pearls. Designer Tomohiro Yajima picked the pearls in the crown at Mikimoto Pearl Island in Japan. Original tiaras will also be awarded to the winner as part of her overall prize package. The tiara has 86 Akoya and white South Sea cultured pearls, and is valued at $17,500. (source: missosology.org)
What happens to the winners after they are named?
Part of each titleholder's prize package is an employment contract with the Miss Universe Organization (now Miss Universe, L.P., LLLP). To fulfill that contract, the titleholder becomes a representative of the company for one year.
Miss Universe is provided with a deluxe apartment in New York City and travel the world meeting dignitaries, speaking on behalf of the company, meeting with charitable organizations and appearing at events held by official sponsors.
Who sponsors the Events?
Mikimoto, Scunci, Hoya Crystal, Maurice Lacroix and The School for Film & Television are just a few of the many corporate sponsors of the Miss Universe competition.
Source: Miss Universe LP, LLP
