$100,000 prize money, a New York flat, and other prizes that await Miss Universe

Miss Universe during the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant

There will not be a Miss Universe pageant this year, and the Miss Universe Organization plans to hold two pageants next year - for 2022 and 2023. The decision to postpone the event was taken to avoid the clash with the 2022 FIFA World Cup, slated to be held in Qatar from November to December this year.

The Miss Universe contest for 2022 will be held in the first quarter of 2023. It also means that Indian Harnaaz Sandhu, who won the prize in 2021, will extend her Miss Universe reign until the new winner is crowned.

Historic move

The Miss Universe competition will cease to be what it has been all along – a contest for unmarried girls - as the organisation has allowed mothers and married women to take part in the contests from the next edition onwards.

The historic move will throw the competition open to a wider section of women around the world and is expected to boost their confidence

As per its earlier regulations, contestants had to be single and they had to maintain that status throughout their reign if they become title winners. However, from 2023, marital and parental status will no longer be a criterion.

Around 60 contestants are expected to participate in the next Miss Universe pageant.

Date and venue not announced

The 71st Miss Universe event has not yet revealed its dates or location. According to reports, the pageant has been postponed to the first quarter of 2023, based on an email sent to all pageant owners and national coordinators.

2021 winner

India’s 22-year-old Harnaaz Sandhu is the reigning champion as she clinched the title in Eilat, Israel, defeating Paraguay's Nadia Ferreira and South Africa's Lalela Mswane in the finale. Sandhu is the third Miss Universe winner from India, following the title triumphs of Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.

The pageant

Miss Universe started its first global edition in 1952, and it provides a platform for women to “realise their goals through experiences that build self-confidence and create opportunities for success”. The US-based Miss Universe Organization (MUO) is the host of the Miss Universe beauty contest.

HONOURS AND PRIVILEGES

The Miss Universe pageant is one of the most prestigious titles in beauty contests.

Responsibilities

The winner is expected to appear for media interviews, sponsored events and charity drives. She will also be the organisation’s chief ambassador during her reign, championing the various causes of Miss Universe Organization.

Opportunities

Besides excellent financial rewards, the winner can expect opportunities in movies and modelling. Many of the winners went on to become actresses and supermodels later in their careers.

PERKS AND BENEFITS

• The Miss Universe crown, which is made of 18 carats gold and studded with 1,770 diamonds. The winner can wear the crown on special occasions for a year.

• Around $250,000 in prize money

• A six-figure annual salary.

• Free stay at the Miss Universe apartment in New York City for one year. The organization will take care of all her expenses, including food and transportation.

• Free services from well-known makeup artists, stylists, assistants, etc.

• Services of professional nutritionists, dentists, dermatologists, etc.

• Skincare, jewellery, shoes, clothes, makeup and hair products for one year.

• An opportunity to pose for top photographers, providing a chance to become a celebrity model.

• Access to events, parties, screenings, etc.

• She can travel across the world freely with hotel accommodation and food.

The $5 million crown

The Miss Universe ‘Power of Unity Crown’, was designed and funded by the luxury Swiss jewellery brand Mouawad. It is worth $5 million, or around Dh18.3 million.

According to the info from Mouawad's official website, the crown is "a unique, handcrafted work of amazing craftsmanship that carries a powerful message with it to the world and symbolises the community of women from all around the world whose links bind them."

Miss Universe vs Miss World

There are four major international beauty pageants such as Miss Universe, Miss Earth, Miss International and Miss World. While Miss Universe Organization hosts Miss Universe yearly, Miss World is considered the oldest major international beauty pageant.

SOURCE: GULF NEWS