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For a Miss Universe contestant, nothing can beat the euphoria of taking the crown. But winning one of the three main Special Awards – Best National Costume, Miss Congeniality or Miss Photogenic – sure beats going home empty-handed.
Winning a Special Award can be a source of national pride, especially for countries whose chances of winning the major title are slim to none.
While other awards have come and gone, these are the ones to stand the test of time. This video covers the history of these three prizes, plus a whole bunch of facts and stats for good measure. I’ll briefly touch on some of those other awards that have popped up here and there, and a bonus, super-quick review of Miss South Africa 2023. Enjoy!
Thank you to Julio Rodriguez Matute for his assistance and unparalled pageant knowledge. And to @kennethguinto4862 for his brilliant suggestion to include the Designing Women clip.
Reposting this video due to a couple of errors lovingly pointed out by some amazing viewers – thank you for helping me improve my researching skills!
#missuniverse #pageanthistory #beautypageants
1:07 Super-quick review of Miss South Africa 2023
4:38 Best National Costume
8:09 Miss Congeniality
12:30 Miss Photogenic
16:45 Social Impact & other awards..(read more at source)
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Can you please do a review or give us some history of male pageants?. Specifically the top 5 alpha male pageants. We would love it soo much.
The 1994 pageant had an interesting story, too. Oddly, the names of the top 3 are considered as double initials.
Sushmita Sen (SS)
Carolina Gomez – but it's really Carolina CORREA (so it's CC)
Minorka Mercado (MM)
Do the same for MW. They have so many awards.
National costume controversies:
On August 1, 2009 Bolivian officials stated that it could present a legal challenge to the organizers of Miss Universe due to the planned use of a typical Diablada costume by the Peruvian candidate Karen Schwarz. Pablo Groux, Bolivian minister of Culture, said that any use of the costume by Schwarz in the contest would be an unlawful appropriation of Bolivian heritage and threatened to bring the case to the International Court of Justice. El Comercio, a Peruvian newspaper, mentioned that this is not the first time the diablada costume is shown in the contest and that it was María Josefa Isensee, a Chilean, that first used it in the Miss Universe contest. The Peruvian foreign minister José Antonio García Belaúnde said that since the diablada dress is of indigenous Aymara origin it can not be considered exclusive of any of the countries where Aymaras lives.
2. Miss Universe India did not present a national costume, because it was retained in customs in Brazil.
Hope to see the same in MW and MI
This is I think the most difficult suggestion: Can you fare the monetary amount(or monetary equivalent) of all Miss Universes to the current inflation and rank who among them has won much in terms of US$ possibly
This was thoroughly entertaining. Lots of trivia. We differ about Natasha Joubert placement at Miss Universe though. I was not surprised that she did not make the finals. Nevertheless, I agree that she was the best candidate at Miss South Africa this year while my favorite Melissa Nayimuli at Miss South Africa a few years ago faded badly at this year's competition.
Love that Trinidad and Tobago won so many special awards. Its also interesting to note that they're the only country whose both winners have won special awards. Also its kind of funny in a way the titleholders from TT before and after Janelle Commissioning all won Miss Congenialty but she won Miss Photogenic and Miss Universe instead.
ultra,adios
bravo amigas
Oh my I remember that Mujer Cristera dress! I actually found her costume cool. They could have just changed the skirt instead. I felt bad 2007 did not have a winner. I felt the USA won it for her Elvis costume, but the backlash against Rachel that year may have precluded it from being announced.
Clairol Herbal Essence Award was usually given to a heavy favorite in that certain year.
Most notable awardee that is a sentimental fave of mine is Miriam Quiambao, Miss Philippines 1999. ❤
One controversial national costume was Miss Philippines during 2004 Miss Universe pageant held in Ecuador. The costume was inspired by the pintados but apparently during live local telecast people thought she was naked and her upper body was exposed hence the live local telecast was abruptly interrupted.
For best in National Costume 2019, Steve Harvey correctly announced Miss Philippines but Miss Malaysia was on stage in her full national costume glory. Must have been humiliating for Miss Malaysia on stage that time. My respect to Miss Malaysia for being gracious and even took the chance to explain the relevance of her national costume. Unfortunately, this was another splash of mud to Steve Harvey after his wrong announcement of winner during the 2015 Miss Universe, again correctly won by Miss Philippines.
Thank you amazing blog … 🙌🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Everything you put out is amazing!!!! Is it okay if I request one more? Favorites who didnt make it to Finals and your opinion (or based on research) as to why. Love you!!!!!!!!
I think Miss Photogenic awards should be judged by the reliable authority on photography:: the independent photographers themselves. Just saying.
Amazing research, segment and channel. Miss universe die hard Aussie fan here. Can tell by your accent you are too.
The Most Popular Girl award was given from 1954 to 1959 in the Long Beach years. A parade of all the contestants, both for USA and Universe was traditionally held and the public picked their favorite girl in the parade.
1954- Brazil – First runner-up
1955 – England – top 15
1956- USA – Winner
1957 – Canada – top 15
1958 – Australia – unplaced.
1959 – Korea – top 15
Interesting that despite the US being the default location, the people of Long Beach predominantly chose foreign contestants, with the USA chosen once and she was the only winner of the award to win the crown.
Carolina Gomez of Colombia narrowly lost the Miss Photogenic award to Minorka Mercado of Venezuela by a single vote
I loved the “STOP ASIAN HATE” by a Filipino designer for Miss Singapore NatCos in 2020
Amazing research and presentation skills. Enjoyed this episode! Kudos ❤❤❤
For Miss Congenitality, girls seem to vote for the nice girls they feel aren't a threat to win.