FOR DECADES, only a few selected women could vie for the most coveted crown in the pageant world: the Miss Universe.
This is because of the global competition’s strict eligibility requirements that allowed only 18- to 28-year-old single women “who must not have ever been married, nor had a marriage annulled, nor given birth to or parented a child” to compete in the pageant.
Titleholders were also required to retain their single status throughout their reign.
But the current Miss Universe Organization (MUO) wants to deviate from these standards.
The MOU recently made inclusive changes in the pageant to empower more women and amplify their voices as they share their stories and promote their advocacies.
This year’s edition of the Miss Universe competition is one for the books as it witnessed many “firsts” in its 70-year history.
Two trans candidates
The 72nd Miss Universe pageant saw two trans candidates competing for the coveted title: Netherlands’ Rikkie Valerie Kollé and Portugal’s Marina Machete.
In 2012, the MUO ended its long-standing rule of allowing only “naturally born females” in the pageant to open its doors to transgender women.
Spain’s Angela Ponce made history as the first transgender candidate to compete in the Miss Universe 2018 pageant.
The 72nd edition is the first time that there are two transgender candidates in the pageant.
Kollé made her own history as the first transgender woman to represent the Netherlands in the Miss Universe stage.
In a November Instagram post, the Netherlands bet said she hopes to be a role model for queer kids and give them the support that they deserve.
Like Kollé, Machete also made history by being the first transgender woman to win the Miss Universe Portugal crown.
The 28-year-old flight attendant is a vocal advocate for trans rights. This, as she noted the “rising levels of transphobia” and “alarming intolerance” worldwide in her video for the Miss Portugal 2023.
Two mothers
With its goal to be an inclusive pageant, the MOU welcomed two mothers in the Miss Universe 2023 competition: Guatemala’s Michelle Cohn and Colombia’s Camila Avella.
Cohn, 28, is a mother of two. She is the first mom to be crowned Miss Universe Guatemala in 2023.
In July, she expressed her excitement to represent her country to the universe, which she initially thought would be impossible.
“A little over a year ago I would have thought this was impossible and today I am here seeking to be the first mother to represent Guatemala to the universe,” wrote Cohn on Instagram.
“I am here today, once again proving what as women we can accomplish,” she continued.
Avella is also the first married candidate to represent Colombia in the global pageant. The beauty queen has a daughter named Amelia, who she claimed was the “best thing” that has ever happened to her.
In an Instagram post in August, Avella said she wants to be an inspiration to women and show the universe how capable they are, as she highlighted that being a mother does not limit a woman in fulfilling her purpose.
Pakistan’s first bet
For the first time, Pakistan has sent a representative in the Miss Universe competition.
Beauty queen Erica Robin made a historic feat as the first winner of the Miss Universe Pakistan 2023 pageant, earning her a ticket to represent her country in the 72nd Miss Universe pageant.
For the 24-year-old model, being the Miss Universe Pakistan titleholder is a dream that turned to reality.
“When I was young, I always watched Miss Universe and I used to believe that a woman from Pakistan couldn’t join the greatest Olympics of its kind,” she wrote on Instagram in October.
She added, “But I also know in my heart that nothing is impossible and now having the title of Miss Universe Pakistan and being able to use my platform for good change and transformation – I strongly believe that Dreams Do Come True.”
Plus-size candidate
Nepal bet Jane Dipika Garrett broke stereotypes as the first plus-size candidate in the Miss Universe competition.
The body-positivity advocate trended on X (formerly Twitter) as many netizens praised and expressed their support for Garrett.
In an interview with HOLA! Spain, the 22-year-old model said she would “represent all women” in the pageant.
“I think there’s not one way to be beautiful, every woman is beautiful just as they are,” she shared.
In an Instagram post on November 8, Garrett noted that women experience many changes in their body, and that she has undergone those.
“I’m going through a PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) change and that’s okay!” she shared.
The model-beauty queen encouraged everyone to celebrate these changes in women’s bodies and embrace them in all shapes and sizes.
“People come in so much variety and that is what makes humans so unique and special,” she added.
Oldest candidate
The MUO scrapped the age limit of 18 to 28 years old for the candidates, allowing older women to compete for the crown.
Yuliia Pavlikova of Bulgaria became the oldest candidate to join the international pageant at the age of 30.
The beauty queen hopes to help the young generation to attain their goals through the Miss Universe pageant.
“I will have the opportunity at the highest international level to stand for my cause – to help young generation and develop programs, which will inspire and motivate them to progress in their education, to teach them peacemaking, beauty and harmony and how to be innovative in reaching their goals,” she said in an Instagram post in October.
Prior to winning the Miss Universe Bulgaria 2023, Pavlikova competed at the Miss Grand International 2022 where she represented Crimea.
