Women on top: Miss Universe turns new leaf under Anne Jakrajutatip

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has turned a new leaf on its 71st edition under the ownership of Thai business mogul Anne Jakrajutatip, where women are said to take the lead.

Shortly after Jakrajutatip took on the reins of the Miss Universe leadership, the pageant has witnessed many firsts — including the crowning of its first Filipina-Amercian winner R’Bonney Gabriel from Houston, Texas in the U.S.

Women won’t be ‘objectified again’

During the coronation night held at New Orleans, U.S., an emotional Anne opened up about being “bullied and sexually harassed by my own teacher” when she came out as a transwoman. She soon used the experience to turn “pain into power.”

“Welcome to the new era of the global women’s empowerment platform. Welcome to the Miss Universe Organization… from now on, it’s going to be run by women, owned by transwomen, for all women around the world to celebrate the power of feminism, diverse cultures, social inclusion, gender equality, creativity, a force for good, and the beauty of humanity,” she said. 

The Thai business mogul also described the pageant’s new era where delegates can feel empowered to be themselves.

“This time, we can elevate our women to feel strong enough, good enough, qualified enough, and never be objectified again,” she added.

Advocacy through cape design

Like most pageants, the candidates flaunted their curves before the audience at the famed swimsuit round. The 71st edition took a different approach, as the candidates showed their advocacies through their own customized capes.

Candidates were each given a blank cape where they were instructed to add their own twist prior to the pageant. There are no limits to the designs, as long as they can show their own advocacy, champion social issues, or pay homage to their country’s culture. 

The Philippines’ own Celeste Cortesi’s cape was inspired by her outreach experiences in Marawi City, where she was reminded about her own mother “who struggled to provide for my sister and I.”

Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel of the USA displayed her desire to promote eco-friendly fashion through her cape which was made of sustainable dye and plastic bottles.

Big cut from Top 16 to 5

One of the most noteworthy changes in the Miss Universe pageant is the drastic cut from 16 semi finalists to the final five contestants.

YOUR #MISSUNIVERSE TOP 5! ???? pic.twitter.com/iLwEXlMxdH

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) January 15, 2023

In its previous editions, the Miss Universe usually selects the ten contestants out of the Top 16 or Top 20 semi finalists to make it through the swimsuit and evening gown portions in the next round. 

It can be recalled that the 2018 edition of the global tilt featured 10 contestants who were chosen from the Top 20 after the opening statement round. 

Changing the limits for women

Another historic move by the MUO was crowning 28-year-old R’Bonney Gabriel of the U.S., who coincidentally, spoke up about the pageant changing its age requirements during the question-and-answer portion. In previous editions, the age of titleholders were from 17 to 26 — a record previously held by Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee.

Ten years ago, the Miss Universe Organization opened its doors to transgenders, which paved the way for Miss Spain Angela Ponce to vie for the crown in 2018.

The organization also recently allowed women “regardless of their civil status” to join its 2023 pageant, which means that married or even pregnant women who have been precluded from the search may now join.

Sustainable sashes

The MUO also introduced what it touted to be the universe’s “first sustainable sash” prior to the 71st edition of the pageant in December 2022.

The sustainable sash was made in collaboration with U.S. based-The Sash Company, and is made with 100% post-consumer recycled fabric and thread crafted out of ethically-produced rhinestones.

“We hope our commitment to sustainability will reduce the overall amount of plastic and waste in the environment. This is one small step of many we hope to make in the future as small actions by corporations and organizations will have the greatest impact on making a greener future for all,” the MUO said in a statement. EDV

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