All articles tagged with #beauty pageants
Lucia Sisic, the reigning Miss Austria (Miss Austria 2024), died at 22. Officials have not disclosed a cause of death. Sisic had a lifelong heart valve defect that required multiple surgeries, and she had spoken publicly about her health struggles. The Miss Austria organization and contemporaries mourn her passing, noting there had been no pageant since her win.
Kiran Reddy, an 18-year-old from Coffee County, Georgia, was crowned Miss Teen USA 2026, making Georgia's first winner in the national teen pageant. She will compete for Miss Teen Universe in Cambodia on Oct. 25 and plans to attend the University of Georgia on a pre-med track. The runner-up was Miss Arkansas, who won $7,000. The pageant’s broadcast history has been in flux, with The CW not airing Miss USA/Teen USA in 2025 and the events moving to Queen Beauty Network after the 2024 resignations of Noelia Voigt and UmaSofia Srivastava.
The CW has canceled live broadcasts of the 2026 Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants, citing contractual/production issues, and the ceremonies will instead stream on Queen Beauty Network. The CW previously inked a multi-year deal with the Miss USA organization, with Miss Teen USA scheduled for Aug. 26 and Miss USA on Aug. 27, but terms for this year could not be agreed. Queen Beauty Network is stepping in to stream the events as it did the prior year.
Brittany Boltinhouse was dethroned as Miss North Carolina USA for conduct over an extended period, and a family spokesperson urged sharing her truth and accountability. Miss USA chair Thom Brodeur said Brittany would issue a statement and that change, not just an apology, is needed to repair harm. The crown has been handed to Miss Charlotte, Myla Hadley, who says she is prepared to represent North Carolina at Miss USA.
LaToya Malcolm, a 35-year-old former Miss Universe Jamaica finalist and actress/dance instructor, has died over the weekend; the cause of death has not been disclosed, and the Miss Universe Jamaica organization confirmed her passing on Instagram.
Miss Universe CEO Anne Jakrajutatip sparked controversy by suggesting that the pageant has reached its 'ultimate evolution' with the crowning of Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, a blonde, blue-eyed winner. This statement contradicts her previous promises of promoting diversity within the pageant. Critics argue that Jakrajutatip's leadership has led to an identity crisis for Miss Universe, as recent changes and endorsements from figures like Donald Trump Jr. and Elon Musk have raised concerns about the organization's commitment to inclusivity.
Apameh Schönauer, a 39-year-old Iranian-born mother, has been crowned Miss Germany 2024 after the pageant removed its age restriction, embracing inclusivity and empowerment. Schönauer aims to advocate for migrant women in Germany and has founded an organization to help oppressed women share their stories. This move towards inclusivity reflects a broader trend in beauty pageants, with other contests also embracing diversity, such as a plus-size Miss Universe contestant and a transgender woman winning the Miss Netherlands beauty pageant.
Miss Japan winner Karolina Shiino resigns after it's revealed she had an affair with a married influencer, sparking a wave of criticism. This incident is just one in a long history of scandals and controversies in the world of beauty pageants, including a dramatic on-stage brawl in Sri Lanka, a trans controversy in the US, and the stripping of titles due to sex scandals and racy photos. The cut-throat nature of these competitions has led to fierce criticism and scrutiny of contestants, with some winners being stripped of their titles for behavior deemed unfit for a pageant queen.
The Miss France 2024 pageant sparked a diversity debate after crowning a contestant with short hair for the first time in its history. Eve Gilles, the winner, celebrated the choice as a positive step towards inclusiveness and individuality. While some praised the decision, others criticized it as a "woke" choice, questioning the focus on beauty standards. The backlash highlighted the sexism inherent in traditional beauty pageants, with critics arguing that they classify women based on narrow criteria. The controversy surrounding the winner's appearance ignited discussions about societal expectations and the need to challenge traditional notions of beauty.
The Miss France beauty pageant faced backlash after crowning Eve Gilles, an "androgynous" contestant with short hair, as Miss France 2024. Critics accused the pageant of being "woke" and claimed that Gilles did not fit the traditional beauty standards. However, supporters defended Gilles, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and individuality. Gilles herself stated that every woman is unique and should not be dictated by societal expectations. The controversy sparked a debate on social media about beauty standards and the perception of femininity.
Eve Gilles, the winner of Miss France 2024, has celebrated her victory as a triumph for diversity due to her short hair, receiving both praise and criticism. Gilles emphasized that every woman is unique and should not be dictated by societal beauty standards. The pageant, which has faced accusations of sexism, saw viewers react positively to Gilles' win, dismissing claims of politicization. However, critics argue that the pageant's changes are insufficient, labeling them as "feminist-washing" and highlighting the continued classification of women based on beauty criteria.
The director of the Miss Nicaragua pageant, Karen Celebertti, is wanted for arrest by Nicaraguan police, who accuse her of rigging contests to ensure that anti-government beauty queens would win as part of a plot to overthrow the government. The charges stem from the recent win of Miss Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios, in the Miss Universe competition, where it was revealed that she had participated in anti-government protests in 2018. The government, which initially celebrated her win, condemned her after the revelation. Celebertti, her husband, and son face charges of "treason to the motherland," and the government claims that she conspired with foreign agents to use beauty pageants as political traps. The government has been cracking down on opposition and dissent, closing universities and civic groups, arresting and expelling opponents, and confiscating their assets.
Jane Dipika Garrett, a "body positivity" advocate from Nepal, celebrated her achievement of reaching the top 20 in the 2023 Miss Universe pageant, emphasizing that she represented "real-size beauty." As one of the few plus-sized women to advance in the competition, Garrett expressed gratitude to her supporters and fans, stating that she was proud to break stereotypes in beauty pageants. She aspires to become a motivational speaker to drive social change and embraces her body, emphasizing that every woman is beautiful in her own way.
Miss Spain Athenea Paulinha Pérez won the Miss Congeniality title at the 2023 Miss Universe competition. She made history as the first woman of color to hold the title of Miss Spain. Pérez showcased various looks, including a flamenco-inspired dress, a sparkling gold evening gown, and a bikini designed by Rubin Singer. The pageant was the most inclusive and diverse in its history, with transgender representatives, married competitors, and a plus-size delegate. Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios was crowned Miss Universe 2023.
Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua has been crowned Miss Universe, becoming the first winner from her country. The 23-year-old communicologist aims to promote mental health and close the gender pay gap. Miss Thailand, Anntonia Porsild, was the first runner-up, followed by Miss Australia, Moraya Wilson. The event was held in El Salvador, providing an opportunity for President Nayib Bukele to showcase the country's progress under his administration, although he has faced criticism for human rights violations.