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Miss Universe Organization Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: How old is the Miss Universe pageant?
The MISS UNIVERSEŽ competition celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2001 and began as concurrent event in 1952 in Long Beach, California. 

Q: Is the program separate from the Miss America Pageant?
Yes. In 1952, Catalina Swimsuits, formerly a Miss America sponsor, founded MISS UNIVERSEŽ and MISS USAŽ in Long Beach, California as product promotions. Although some women compete in both MISS USAŽ and Miss America, the two systems are completely separate. MISS USAŽ goes on to represent her country in MISS UNIVERSEŽ.

Q: Is the event held in a different place each year?
Now they are. When it was initiated, the MISS UNIVERSEŽ competition was held in Long Beach, California. Eight years later in 1960, the pageant moved to Miami Beach, Florida, where it remained until 1971. Since 1972, it has been separate live television special that is telecast from different locations around the globe. 

Q: How are the sites chosen?
The producer of the Miss Universe pageant works throughout the year with private enterprise and with foreign governments to establish the site for the event. The country offering the optimal venue and support to the organization is chosen.

Q: How many women compete?
In the case of MISS UNIVERSEŽ, between 75 and 85 countries send a candidate to compete.

Q: Are there age requirements delegates must meet?
Yes. As of 1993, MISS UNIVERSEŽ 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. 

Q: May a delegate compete more than once?
MISS USAŽ goes on to represent the United States in MISS UNIVERSEŽ. Delegates may compete more than once in the preliminary (state) competition but may only compete in MISS UNIVERSEŽ and MISS USAŽ once. MISS TEEN USAŽ may compete in MISS USAŽ but only after her reign has ended and after she has reclaimed her state title.

Q: Are delegates required to have a coach?
No. While some feel more prepared when they work with an experienced person who can give them tips on competition, many women have won titles without any outside training. Candidates also turn to their national directors for assistance as the directors are experienced in providing effective counsel about pageant competition. Generally, national directors provide delegates with the confidence and experience needed to compete.

Q: 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.

Q: Are delegates allowed to have cosmetic surgery?
Although contestants are discouraged from altering their own natural beauty, no restrictions are placed on cosmetic surgery; it is impossible to enforce such a rule. In fact, since 1990 the organization has allowed the use of padding in an effort to discourage participants from permanently altering their bodies for the competition.

Q: How do the delegates get to the national competition?
MISS UNIVERSEŽ delegates must win their respective competitions to compete in the contest. In the case of the United States, MISS USAŽ goes on to represent the United States in MISS UNIVERSEŽ.

Q: How are the semi-finalists chosen?
All delegates are judged in three areas of preliminary competition, which are not always televised due to time constraints:

*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. 

Q: 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.

Q: What prizes do the winners receive?
Each Titleholder is awarded cash and prizes from the event's official sponsors. 

Q: 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 L.P., LLLP. To fulfill that contract, the titleholder becomes a representative of the company for one year. MISS UNIVERSEŽ 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. 

Q: When is MISS UNIVERSEŽ usually held?
MISS UNIVERSEŽ follows in the spring.

Q: Who televises the event?
As of Fall 2003, the National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (NBC) broadcasts Miss Universe live during prime time in the United States. NBC Enterprises, Inc. distributes the show to international markets (approximately 117 countries). The three events are packaged together for international distribution.

Q: Who produces the Miss Universe pageant?
The MISS UNIVERSEŽ special is produced by the Miss Universe Organization, a Donald J. Trump and National Broadcast Company, Inc. (NBC) Partnership.

Q: Who sponsors the Event?
Mikimoto, Scunci, Hoya Crystal, Maurice Lacroix and The School for Film & Television are just a few of the many corporate sponsors of the MISS UNIVERSEŽ pageant.

PRESS CONTACTS:
Mary Hilliard McMillan and Esther Swan
The Miss Universe Organization
1370 Ave. of the Americas, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10019
(212) 373-4999
(212) 315-5378 (fax)
MissUPR@missuniverse.com

 

 

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