Good Lifestyle

For the first time in her history, Miss Universe will allow married women and mothers to participate in international competition.

According to an internal memorandum received by The National, the new Rules will be effective from the 72nd Miss Universe competition in 2023. The initial competition for this year's Miss Universe has started, which will be held in December.

A source close to the Miss Universe organization confirmed the change in the rule with the Insider and said that the memo had gone to the national directors.

Till now, strict rules of Miss Universe competition did not allow participants to marry or become a mother. The winners had to remain unmarried throughout the life with the Taj.

Mothers were also excluded from the competition and the winners were traditionally expected not to be pregnant for a year, until they keep the title of Miss Universe.

In 1999, Philippine candidate Miriam Quayambao was asked: "If Miss Universe gets pregnant during her lifetime, should she be allowed to remain as Miss Universe?"

He had said that if a Miss Universe ever becomes pregnant, she should continue her title. If he has chased all his goals to come in the first place, the winner has full right to keep the title.

Miss Universe 2020 winner Andrea Meja appreciated a change in rules. Talking to Insider, Meja said, "It is good to say that it is happening. As society changes and women are now proving themselves on leadership situation. With this, immense possibilities will be revealed for women. ”

He said, "Some people are against these changes because they always wanted to see the same beautiful woman who was available for a relationship. He always wanted to see a woman who looked so perfect from outside that she was almost out of reach. ”

Meja further said, "There are many women who got married at a young age or had children in the early 20s and she always wanted to participate in Miss Universe, but could not do so due to the rules."

"Now those women can start or increase their career in it due to these changes."

Contestants from around 80 countries compete for the title of Miss Universe every year, run by an organization of the same name. The first pageant was held in 1952 in Long Beach, California, and was won by Army Kusela, Finland. Kusela gave up her crown to get married shortly before her lifetime was completed.

Miss Universe Guam 1999 Tisha Heflin had to fall out of the race after falling ill and pregnant. Another representative of Guam, Vanessa Torres of 2011 had to surrender his crown as he was pregnant during his lifetime.

In 1994, her title was snatched by Miss Puerto Rico Branda Robbles, which led to her unable to compete in the top 10 of the competition in Manila.

In 2018, Spain's Angela Ponce became the first transgender woman to compete in the Miss Universe Stage. Also in 2019, Sve Zin Hate from Myanmar came out as a gay and first became an openly gay Miss Universe contestant.

In 2021, Miss Universe Philippines Beatrice Luigi Gomez is the first bisexual female contestant to win the Gomez Philippine Competition.

We hope that this change will give rise to a new morning and married and mothers will also get a chance to realize their Miss Universe dream.