Since the much anticipated Miss Universe competition was held at The Seminole Hard Rock Cafe & Casino, in Hollywood, Florida, but the aftermath of rumblings and post pageant drama is growing by the day. First and foremost, the Miss Universe Organization pulled off a seemingly impossible task, after a postponement due to the covid 19 pandemic. Even after the new date was announced, it was a major challenge to get 72 Beauty Queens from all over the globe to come to the USA and compete for the coveted crown and title.

ZOZI TO ANDREA

The outgoing Miss Universe – Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa, became the longest-reigning Miss Universe in the history of the 69-year-old pageant. She handed over the diamond-encrusted Mouawad crown, to a confident “Miss Mexico” – 26-year-old ANDREA MAZA in a glorious three-hour television spectacular that was broadcast in over 130 countries, worldwide. Coming into the Royal Court in second place was “Miss Brazil” JULIA GAMMA. In third place was “Miss Peru” JANICK MACETA, Landing in fourth place was “Miss India” ADLINE CASTELINO while the fifth spot went to “MIss Dominican Republic” KIMBERLY JIMINEZ. Rounding out the top ten placements were the Misses from Jamaica, Thailand, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and Australia. Those five contestants should have been the top five in my opinion. So it was a clear “Wow” moment when they were eliminated.

UPROAR

Pageant watchers, specifically the fans and supporters from Asia were up in arms because none of their representatives were among the top five beauties. It was a `Latino Rules’ year, as all of the top five winners were Latino ladies except for “Miss India.” The selection of 21 semi-finalists had all of the pageant favorites in tow – Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Curacao, Colombia, and Great Britain included, but what happened to front runners “Miss South Africa” and “Miss Canada,” they were on everybody’s leaderboards for the crown and top placements. Several pageant websites had predicted these two ladies as winners, so when they were totally bypassed, shockwaves ran through the pageant world. I’ll explain specifically what happened with those two later – keep reading.   

TEA SPILT

So, what’s the drama now that the main event is over? First, let me clarify that nobody knows what happens when each contestant comes face to face with the panel of eight ALL FEMALE judges for their interview sessions. That’s where about 60% of points are acquired. It is really a big job interview. They look at everything, your speaking ability, intelligence, personality, poise, outfit, delivery, eye contact……and so much more. You are totally dissected during this session. They talk about your family, education, social causes and determine your attitude. That being said, the Miss Universe Organization watches your every move, prior to, and during ‘Pageant Week.’ This includes all of your social media postings. 

OVEREXPOSURE AND PERSONALITY FLAWS

Let’s take a look at why some of these Leaderboard favorites did not even make the top 21 picks of semi-finalists. “Miss Philippines” RABIA MATEO arrived in Florida with a team of about 10 people who paraded her around like she was already the winner. Every day she was posting, way before pageant week with full outfit changes daily, complete with designer credits for everything including shoes, earrings, and accessories. Lesson to the Filipinos: There is such a thing as “Overexposure.” Then there was a buzz coming out of their camp that “Miss Thailand” and “Miss Indonesia” were copying former “Miss Universe 2018” Catronia Grey’s `signature’ walk. Miss Philippines was crying backstage because she lost the headpiece of her National Costume (delegates are not judged in the National Costume parade) She was crying and whining again because she cut a finger during the preliminaries. One of the backstage hairstylists said that folks were turned off by “her annoying, squeaky speaking voice.”  

MORE DRAMA

Then there was the popular “Miss Canada” NOVA STEVENS, a former Sudanese refugee who went to live in Canada at 5 years old. She has a big personality and is a great speaker, but inside sources claimed that she was always loud and boisterous, obviously craving attention. The Miss Universe Organization likes a Queen that is more reserved, mild-mannered, and easy-going. “Miss Canada” had her share of cyberbullying and racial remarks are thrown at her online from the time she was crowned “Miss Canada” Our backstage spies told us that she has a very toxic personality and her reaction to negative comments towards her was not met and dealt with, in an appropriate manner. More recently, the drama continues as her team is undergoing severe backlash from her Filipino gown designer, who claims Miss Canada and her team never thanked him for his work and sending gowns for her to wear during the pageant. My take on this – Were there no Canadian designers willing to outfit their representative? And, if so, why? 

THE REAL DEAL

“Miss South Africa” NATASHA JOUBERT has a beautiful face, but somehow the other parts like her walk, stage presence, and overall attitude did not come together. She was actually THIRD place in the “Miss South Africa” pageant. The same reason she did not win that pageant is the same reason she did not make the top 21 at the Miss Universe pageant. 

FOR THE WIN

So, the new “Miss Universe” ANDREA MEZA of Mexico has moved to New York City, and into the Miss Universe apartment. She’s done a whirlwind media tour and is engulfed in activities associated with the Miss Universe Organization’s charities. Looking back to pageant night, knowing that the final Question and Answer segment and the final statement do not make you a winner, we saw how they ALL stumbled with their answers. If this was the case where the best answer wins the title, “Miss India” ADLINE CASTELINO or “MIss Peru” JANICK MACETA would have won the “Miss Universe” crown and title.