Miss Universe 2023

Wow, check out Miss Nepal.

She's as big as the lady in the Jardiance commercial.

This has got to be a first.

Well, I must say that I do admire her courage for being able to stand next to all these other twigs!

You go, girl!

I'll be rooting for you.

I don't know why, but I really like her.

For your perusing pleasure.

Thanks, R3!

I think Canada, France, Poland and Zimbabwe are the most gorgeous.

It's hilarious to me how the oriental countries are all sending contestants who look either European or Half-European.

Talk about self-loathing! How pathetic.

You can vote at R3's link but it costs money. So I won't be voting.

Cameroon and Pakistan are gawjus.

[quote] Celebrities who competed at Miss Universe — and how they placed

On Saturday, women from around the world will gather in El Salvador to compete for the most prestigious pageant title there is: Miss Universe.

Competing at Miss Universe is an honor in and of itself, and it's also been known to propel future stars to fame — whether they win the pageant or not.

From reality TV to the big screen, here are some of the celebrities who have competed for the Miss Universe crown.

Kenya Moore represented the United States at the 1993 Miss Universe pageant.

Moore won Miss USA while representing Michigan, becoming the second Black woman to win the pageant in its history.

She went on to place in the top six at Miss Universe, while Dayanara Torres from Puerto Rico took home the top crown.

After her time as Miss USA ended, Moore appeared on television shows like "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "Living Single," but today, she's best known for her extensive career in reality television.

Moore has been a cast member on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" since 2012, and she's appeared on other reality shows including "The Apprentice" and "Dancing With the Stars."

Ali Landry competed at Miss Universe in 1996.

Landry won the Miss Louisiana and Miss USA pageants in 1996, earning her a spot at that year's Miss Universe competition.

Like Moore, she placed in the top six at the pageant but did not win. Alicia Machado of Venezuela was crowned Miss Universe that year.

Landry also went on to pursue acting after her pageant career was over, gaining fame after appearing in a Doritos ad that aired during the 1999 Super Bowl and starring as Rita Lefleur on "EVE" from 2003 to 2006. She was also in the divisive film "Sound of Freedom" this year.

Gal Godot represented Israel when she competed at Miss Universe.

Gadot was crowned Miss Israel in 2004. She went on to compete for her home country at Miss Universe the same year, but she didn't place among the top 10 during the pageant. The Miss Universe crown went to Jennifer Hawkins of Australia.

After her Miss Israel win, Gadot enlisted in the Israeli Defense Forces from 2004 to 2006 to complete the mandated two years of service required for all Israeli citizens before she pursued a career in acting.

As her IMBd page notes, Gadot's role as Gisele in 2009's "Fast and Furious" propelled her to fame. She's gone on to appear in both American and Israeli films, most notably starring as the titular character in 2017's "Wonder Woman" and other films in the DC universe.

Gadot also stirred up controversy in Hollywood in 2020 when she spearheaded a now-notorious video of celebrities singing "Imagine" amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Olivia Culpo won the 2012 Miss Universe pageant.

Culpo became the first Miss USA to win Miss Universe in 15 years when she took the crown in 2012. She competed in her very first pageant at Miss Rhode Island USA and then went on to win Miss USA and Miss Universe that same year.

She turned to Hollywood after her reign, appearing in films including "The Other Woman" with Cameron Diaz in 2014, and "I Feel Pretty" with Amy Schumer in 2018, according to her IMDb page.

In 2022, Culpo starred in the TLC reality show "The Culpo Sisters" with her family.

Culpo is now a successful Instagram influencer with more than five million followers. She is also currently engaged to the San Francisco 49ers player Christian McCaffrey.

I believe that Netherlands and Portugal are both M2F trans.

WAY too much eye makeup on most of them.

They all look the same!

How many are trans?

Miss Israel needs to win no matter what she looks like. Healing.

[quote] Pakistan's 'shameful' first Miss Universe contestant

Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of the Jamaat-e-Islami party called it "shameful". Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul-Haq Kakar even ordered an investigation. Online chatter amongst Pakistani men in particular has been scathing.

But what is sparking such outrage?

A 24-year-old woman.

Erica Robin, a Christian from the city of Karachi, is going to represent deeply conservative Pakistan at the Miss Universe beauty pageant.

Ms Robin was chosen as Miss Universe Pakistan from among five finalists at a competition held in the Maldives.

It was organised by Dubai-based Yugen Group, which also owns the franchise rights to Miss Universe Bahrain and Miss Universe Egypt. It said the Miss Universe Pakistan competition had received an "overwhelming" number of applications.

The Miss Universe finals will be held in El Salvador in November.

"It feels great to represent Pakistan. But I don't understand where the backlash is coming from. I think it is this idea that I would be parading in a swimsuit in a room full of men," Ms Robin told the BBC.

Those criticising her nomination say she is representing a country that does not want to be represented, especially as beauty pageants are rare in Muslim-majority Pakistan.

Miss Pakistan World, a pageant for women of Pakistani descent from around the world, is probably the most well-known. It was first held in Toronto in 2002 but moved to Lahore in 2020. The competition has also seen various spin offs such as Miss Pakistan Universal, Mrs Pakistan Universal and even Miss Trans Pakistan.

In the competition's 72-year history, Pakistan has never nominated a representative for Miss Universe.

Ms Robin recalled that during the second selection round of the pageant which was held over Zoom, she was asked to name one thing she wanted to do for her country. "And I replied, I would want to change this mindset that Pakistan is a backward country."

This may be difficult, given some of the hostile responses to her nomination.

Nevertheless, models, writers and journalists alike congratulated Ms Robin, with journalist Mariana Babar hailing her "beauty and brains" on X, formerly known as Twitter.

But as Pakistani model Vaneeza Ahmed, who first encouraged Ms Robin to get into modelling, told Voice of America Urdu: "When these men are fine with international competitions called 'Mister Pakistan', why do they have a problem with a woman's achievement?"

"We are a nation of many contradictions and women and the marginalised trigger us the most," Karachi-based writer and commentator Rafay Mehmood told the BBC.

"Pakistan is at large an authoritarian state and that reflects in the harsh patriarchal values it enables both institutionally and socially. Erica Robin and the policing she has faced is an extension of that," he added.

But there exists an archive of a Pakistan that was once far more liberal.

Copies of the Dawn newspaper from the 1950s to the late 1970s have advertisements of cabaret and foreign belly dancers performing at a club near the former Elphinstone Street in downtown Karachi. These nightclubs were frequented by activists, diplomats, politicians, air hostesses and young people.

The historic Metropole Hotel in Karachi was also a favoured spot for singing and jazz performances.

But in 1973, Pakistan's parliament created a constitution that declared the country an Islamic Republic and Islam as the state religion.

Four years later, military leader General Zia ul-Haq overthrew the government of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. What followed in the decade after has been called a "draconian phase" by activists and lawyers as Islamic law was enforced and Pakistani society was drastically altered.

But the yearning for a freer, more tolerant Pakistan has not gone away, and Ms Robin is just one of those pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable and what is not.

"I'm not breaking any law by representing Pakistan on a global platform. I am doing my bit to quell any stereotypes about it," she said.

Is there a Miss Hamas?

Will the winner get a bearding contract for a NFL closeted player?

Two for sure, R10.

[quote] Miss Universe will feature two trans contestants for the first time

This year’s Miss Universe pageant will feature at least two trans women for first time, after 23-year-old flight attendant Marina Machete was last week named Miss Portugal.

Machete will compete for the crown at the 72nd Miss Universe competition in El Salvador this November alongside Rikkie Kollé, who in July became the first transgender winner of Miss Netherlands.

In a video posted to the Portuguese pageant’s YouTube channel ahead of the contest, Machete spoke about trans rights as part of her platform, describing rising levels of “transphobia and intolerance” worldwide as “alarming.” She added that it was “heartwarming” to see the Miss Universe Organization, which changed its rules to allow trans contestants in 2012, being inclusive and “breaking boundaries.”

“As a trans woman I’ve been through many obstacles along the way, but fortunately, and especially with my family, love proved to be stronger than ignorance,” she said in the video.

If either candidate wins, they will become the first trans woman to wear the tiara. In 2018, Spain’s Ángela Ponce became the pageant’s first trans contestant, but did not advance to the finals.

Neither Machete nor Miss Portugal’s organizers responded to requests for interview, though in a statement to CNN the Miss Universe Organization said: “Trans women are women, full stop. We are here to celebrate women, full stop. This has been true for more than a decade, and we’re proud to have made this change very early on, compared to other programs.”

Over the past decade, Miss Universe, one of the world’s most-watched beauty pageants, has reckoned with growing calls for greater diversity, representation and inclusivity.

The organization lifted its ban on transgender contestants after Jenna Talackova, a trans competitor in the Miss Universe Canada national pageant, was told by organizers she would be disqualified because she had undergone gender-affirming surgery and thus did not meet requirements for the pageant. At the time, Miss Universe officials insisted the change was made in spite of, not because of, legal action threatened by a lawyer acting on Talackova’s behalf.

In 2022, the Miss Universe Organization was bought by Thai media tycoon and transgender rights advocate Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, the star of Thai versions of reality shows such as “Project Runway,” for $20 million. Jakrajutatip, who is also CEO of JKN Global Group, a Thailand-based media distribution company, has been outspoken about her experiences as a trans woman.

In a statement provided to CNN on Thursday, the Miss Universe Organization said it is “always evolving” and updating entry rules, adding that in the last two years married and divorced women, pregnant women and women with children have been allowed to join. In 2024, organizers will also remove the age limit that currently restricts entry to those 28 and under.

“Starting next year, every adult woman in the world will be eligible to compete to be Miss Universe,” the statement added.

Both Machete and Kollé have used their platforms to promote a more inclusive vision of beauty pageants, and to encourage others to feel inspired.

“Miss Universe asked us to describe ourselves in one word,” Kollé said in a video posted to her Instagram page ahead of the Miss Netherlands final. “The word I’m choosing is ‘victory,’ because as a little boy I conquered all the things that came through my path — and look at me now, standing here as a strong, empowering and confident trans woman.”

“Never forget that we can do this together, you’re not alone on this planet. Never stop dreaming of being your ultimate and confident YOU!” she wrote in the accompanying caption. “Never let someone tell you what’s good for you, because the only thing that matters is that you become the best version of yourself.”

There's no way ugly buck toothed Miss Netherlands would have won except for the fact that she is trans.

Today is the preliminary competition.

Here's the Miss Universe Preliminary Competition.

I like to go based on first impressions, and 16 women stood out to me when they did their introductions:

australia

brazil

cameroon

colombia

denmark

iceland

korea

malta

namibia

philippines

poland

puerto rico

russia

thailand

usa

zimbabwe

I'm going to watch the swimsuit and evening gown competitions now, and see if any of them get cut from my list, and if anyone i left out gets added.

Interestingly, Nepal (the heavyset contestant) and Netherlands and Portugal (both trans) got massive applause and roars from the audience. In El Salvador!

After watching the whole preliminary competition at R18, I stand by those choices. They all did great in both swimsuit and evening gown.

However, I am inclined to add Pakistan because she did great.

At first, I left her out because she is so short. But she came out during the swimsuit competition with a show-stopping FULL BODY covering. No skin showing! I think that was the first time in the history of Miss Universe that a contestant didn't wear a swimsuit during the swimsuit competition.

And Pakistan's evening gown was absolutely stunning. She looked like an Ice Princess in shimmering white. It was really an amazing gown.

I might also add Nepal, because this girl has the crowd behind her. She's HUGE, and not at all aesthetically attractive by pageant standards, but it would be unique to see what would probably be the heaviest contestant ever, make the semi-finals.

As for who I think can win, I'm looking at:

Australia - gorgeous beauty with great movement, like a dancer. Probably the best face of the pageant.

Iceland - 19 years old and very fresh faced. I think she really can win it all because she has this innocence, along with beauty. Very unique, especially amongst some real cut-throat divas.

Pakistan - she has the facial beauty, but also an interesting story. First time Pakistan is participating at Miss Universe, she comes from a very conservative country, and she's a ground breaker. Her story alone can propel her to the top.

Russia - another fresh face, amongst the typical Latina queens.

I think of my complete list, these four have a good shot at winning Miss Universe.

Miss Universe emphasizes an "international standard" of beauty--basically, semi-European brunettes with bronzer. It's not unusual for the contestants for some countries to be expats living elsewhere. there have been Miss Thailands that barely could speak any Thai because they were from California or Australia. Miss World, which doesn't register in the US but is big elsewhere emphasizes local standards of beauty, so the women don't look like clones.

Will Dump be inspecting the undressed contestants in the dressing rooms?

He no longer owns the pagent. That's probably why it's being beamed from lovely El Salvador.

Nicaragua is very sexy.

Goodness, r1, such a bosomy lass.

Nepal is only 23, but she looks a lot older.

Even so, good for her.

I'd love to see her get far in this pageant.

And speaking of ex-pats R20, Nepal sounds American and not like someone who would be from Nepal.

Australia could win it all!

Miss Singapore, Miss Zimbabwe, and Miss Kosovo aren’t trans as well?

My favorite, just based on the pictures, is Miss Belgium. Unlike most of the others, she looks as if she just gets up out of bed looking gorgeous—without spending hours doing her hair and makeup. And she looks like she could be fun to hang out with.

Poland for the win.

Why are gay men so into beauty pageants and similar stuff that features beautiful women? I don't think lesbians watch Mister Universe

[quote] Why are gay men so into beauty pageants and similar stuff that features beautiful women?

Why are so many gay men into drag?

Why are so many gay men hairstylists and makeup artists?

Why are so many gay men into fashion and designing?

Why are so many gay men into modeling?

Put them all together, and what do you have?

A MOTHERFUCKING BEAUTY PAGEANT!!!!

Now stop asking dumb questions.

[quote] Miss Singapore, Miss Zimbabwe, and Miss Kosovo aren’t trans as well?

Thailand actually looks trans to me.

She has linebacker shoulders.

But the crowd seems to love her.

R18 you are really into this

A lot of the gowns were ugly.

[quote] Miss Universe 2023 Welcomes Two Transgender Women, a Plus-size Model and Mothers for the First Time

The 72nd Miss Universe pageant is embracing diversity and representation. For the first time, the global competition has two transgender women, two mothers and a plus-size model aiming for the crown.

The Miss Universe 2023 pageant debuted its preliminary phase in El Salvador on Wednesday with the evening gown and swimsuit rounds. Miss Portugal Marina Machete and Miss Netherlands Rikkie Kollé made history as the first trans women representing their countries in the competition.

Kollé, a 22-year-old model and LGBTQIA+ rights activist, has denounced the hate she received after being crowned Miss Netherlands in July. She now uses her platform to share messages of encouragement to trans people around the world. “I see you all, I love you all. And I hope we can stay strong together,” Kollé wrote on Instagram after debuting at the Miss Universe competition.

Machete, a 23-year-old flight attendant, was crowned in October. In a video shared on her Instagram account, she referred to her victory as a dream come true and said she hopes to help people change their minds about transgender women. “As a trans woman, I’ve been through many obstacles along the way. But fortunately, and especially with my family, love proved to be stronger than ignorance,” she said.

The Miss Universe Organization changed its rules to allow transgender contestants in 2012. In 2018, Miss Spain Ángela Ponce became the first trans contestant in the competition.

In October 2022, Thai transgender entrepreneur Anne Jakrajutatip purchased the Miss Universe Organization from IMG. Under Jakrajutatip’s ownership, the Miss Universe contest revised its rules, allowing mothers, married people and divorcees to compete.

Miss Guatemala Michelle Cohn and Miss Colombia Camila Avella became the first married women and mothers to enter the competition. ​​

Miss Nepal Jane Dipika Garrett became the first plus-size model to become a delegate. The 22-year-old advocates for body positivity, mental health and hormonal issues.

Miss Pakistan Erica Robin is also making history. Robin is the first delegate from her country to join the Miss Universe competition.

“When I learned that Miss Universe has finally opened up for Pakistani women, I know I have to try and give it my best — because one day — I believe I can also inspire millions of women to push for their dreams and never be afraid and someday they can also say ‘if not now, when!’” Robin shared on Instagram.

It’s been a year of firsts for the Miss Universe Organization. On Wednesday, it revealed its first collaborative merchandise line, which features swimsuits that were also seen onstage during the 72nd Miss Universe competition.

On Thursday, the 86 contestants of the Miss Universe stepped onstage again for the national costume show. The final part of the pageant will be held in San Salvador on Saturday, when current Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel will crown her successor. Gabriel wears the Force for Good crown, created by the Lebanese jewelry company Mouawad. The piece is encrusted with diamonds and sapphires with 993 stones.

Former Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo and TV personality Jeannie Mai will host the competition with Maria Menounos, marking the first time the pageant has had an exclusively all-female hosting team. The 72nd Miss Universe will be streamed at 8 p.m. ET in English on The Roku Channel and in Spanish by Telemundo.

National Costume Competition.

Miss Pakistan's gown is so beautiful.

Three hours to go!

It starts at 9pm Eastern.

8PM Eastern time.

I thought it would be on FOX like Miss USA was last month, but it's not on!

So I'm watching it on the NBC Spanish Channel on cable.

It's an hour behind the actual pageant, so right now they're highlighting all the Spanish speaking contestants.

The host is Carlos Adyan, and he's really cute. I checked out his Intagram, and it looks like he's gay.

He's co-hosting with Miss Universe 2010 Andrea Meza.

I have to say, Miss Costa Rica is really gorgeous. She might have a chance at winning.

I'm watching it on Telemundo and it looks like the show won't be hosted for broadcast by English speakers.

Normally, the hosts are American English speakers, but this year the show is being telecast on Telemundo and hosted by Danilo Carrera and Jacqueline Bracamontes.

The English speaking audience will have to watch on Roku, and it will be hosted by Olivia Culpo and Jeannie Mai.

How weird.

Miss Nepal is actually plump.

Top 20:

Nicaragua, Spain, Puerto Rico, Namibia, Venezuela, India, Thailand, Chile, Jamaica, USA, Nepal, Peru, Cameroon, Colombia, Pakistan, Australia, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, and El Salvador.

So I got 7 right (Puerto Rico, Namibia, Thailand, USA, Cameroon, Colombia, and Australia), but I'm not surprised. I got nine right, if you count that I added in Pakistan and Philippines later.

And let's be honest, most of the rest were WOKE picks.

Spain (biracial background in majority white country, plus single mom), Nepal (first FAT finalist), Peru (recovered from a stroke), Pakistan (first contestant from her very conservative country), Portugal (first TRANS finalist), and El Salvador (Home Country).

These above six are all bullshit filler spots.

I'm surprised that all of the contestants with Indian/Pakistani backgrounds made the semi-finals. India, Pakistan, and South Africa.

Australia is the only fully white European contestant to make the semi-finals. I hope she wins, just to say fuck you to the Woke Pageant fucks.

Too bad Mauritius didn’t do better..she was cute.

And the cut to top 10 ....

Puerto Rico, Thailand, Peru, Colombia, Nicaragua, Philippines, El Salvador, Venezuela, Australia, and Spain.

Omg I'm shocked that USA didn't advance!

Four of my picks advanced to top 10. Puerto Rico, Thailand, Colombia, and Australia.

Go Australia!!

Nepal kade it to the top 20!

[quote]Nicaragua, Spain, Puerto Rico, Namibia, Venezuela, India, Thailand, Chile, Jamaica, USA, Nepal, Peru, Cameroon, Colombia, Pakistan, Australia, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, and El Salvador.

Woohoo!

Is JK Rowling a judge this year?

MARY!

Where was Miss Gabon?

So brave!

God, he's such a fucking little bitch. He's not even witty or the fun kind of cunty.

Which countries had the trans contestants?

Glad Nicaragua won she seemed like a sweety.

Wow, Nicaragua was a total shocker!

She came out of nowhere. This is also the first Miss Universe win ever for Nicaragua.

But the true sign that she's a decent person is that the other contestants like her, and at the end, they all jumped and cheered for Nicaragua, so I'm happy for her.

I really wanted Australia to win, but I would have been happy with any of the top 3.

I did well, though.

I picked four out of the top 5, and I picked two out of the top 3.

Yay, me!

That R'Bonney bitch is the tackiest winner ever.

What in the fuck was that red disaster she wore on her final walk??

She looked ridiculous!!!

I can't stand her. She cheated at Miss USA, and I'm pretty sure she cheated at Miss Universe last year.

Most undeserving title holder ever.

I'm just glad she made a fool of herself with that red outfit.

Just look at the hideous mess she wore at Miss Universe last year.

I called it right.

R23

That was a very good call, R56.

Nicaragua has never won Miss Universe, so it's interesting that you saw something special in her.

El Salvador is a beautiful country.

Too bad it's run by a psychotic Millennial dictator.

I wouldn't even go there on vacation, for fear of getting arrested on false charges.

What was the deal with no American networks carrying the show? They broadcast Miss USA just a month or so ago.

R48, a big chunk of the tweets last night were about Miss Philippines. (And not just the ones from Miss Farrow.)

Takeaway - Miss John Legend is now C-list.

"Where was Miss Gabon?"

Sadly, she was beheaded backstage by Miss South Sudan.

You can grab them by the pussy and they can't do anything because you're famous.

What’s your point R60 because obviously, you have missed the point of my post?

Was there a Miss Israel? I didn't notice.

So you can still watch this on Roku.

Most of the contestants are generic beauties, long hair, too-wide smiles, extra strength false eyelashes. A lot of them speak English with an American accent which makes me wonder how much time they’ve spent in their “country”. I only watched until the semi finalists were announced, at least 45 minutes into the program, and those girls have been standing on stage the whole time. There’s been a lot of filler showing clips of what they’ve been up to all week.

Anyway, I thought Miss Belgium stood out. She looks a lot like Jane Birkin, very gamin. Miss Angola, Miss Great Britain were attractive. I thought Miss Nicaragua had a lovely retro look which made her stand out. They showed a photo of her with different makeup and hairstyle and she looked very different but still interesting.

Sheynnis Palacios really is lovely.

She has such a fresh look about her.

Someone said retro, but I feel like it's more of a "girl next door" vibe.

Just simple hair and makeup.

Miss Philippines' brother is kind of cute.

I liked Miss Nicaragua's reactions when she was called as finalist etc. She always seemed shocked and surprised. Some of the others looked too much like they were completing another task. (some of those countries like Philippines and Columbia that win a lot. Miss Thailand was a bit like that too at the end.)

[quote] Miss Thailand was a bit like that too at the end

Agreed R69.

In fact, I think that Thailand fully expected to win.

She looked shocked at the announcement of Nicaragua winning, and she didn't even offer a hug or congratulations.

Thailand just walked away. Bitch!

Thailand is getting dragged online.

what for r71?

R72, see R70's comment.

R48 I can't even breath right now!

All of Nicaragua celebrated Sheniss's historic win.

Sheyniss's^

No posts about how the entire franchise was purchased by a trans activist, whose company filed for bankruptcy the day before the competition??????

More emotional reactions to her win.

Hmm R77, so finally women are getting tired of being ousted from their own contests? Good. Now fatties, men and old people can join the pageant. Shocking it went down.

That's so crazy at R75!!!

Like they won the World Cup or something.

So glad Thailand didn't win.

The owner of Miss Universe may look like a "woman," but definitely acts and sounds like a MAN.

Yikes!

MU owner to Miss Philippines: "Move on."

Rofl.

Because he is a man R81.

[Quote] Hosted by Maria Menounos, Zuri Hall, Jeannie Mai, and Catriona Gray.