What do judges look for in the new Miss Universe?

MANILA - Half of the panel of judges of the 65th Miss Universe are former titleholders who are keen on finding a winner who has more to offer than just charming looks, good posture, and the cliche answer of 'world peace' to every question.

DAYANARA TORRES

Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres said she wants the new Miss Universe to be "somebody who has personality."

"We need somebody who can bring some happiness. Whatever she says, people will listen so somebody who can handle that kind of job," Torres said.

Torres also hopes to crown a person who "is not just like a robot answering prepared questions."

"The preliminaries is the best part because you get to see them and get to talk to them one-by-one. You get to see a little more of their personality: What they are and how they act," she said.

SUSHMITA SEN

Torres' successor, Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen, described her ideal Miss Universe as a "spectacular, 21st century woman."

"She has to be someone who is unapologetic about being beautiful; someone who can elevate her life and lead it by example; someone who can inspire change; someone who has a soul; and someone who you just look at and say, 'Ah! Miss Universe!'" Sen said.

LEILA LOPES

Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes said she is "looking for a girl who is confident, beautiful and strong."

Lopes said she even browsed the Instagram accounts of candidates in search of "a girl who is going to inspire other women and young girls."

"I'm not going to look for a girl who looks like me or talks like me or has the same ideas as me. I'm going to look for the best," Lopes said


LAST-MINUTE TIPS

Though Miss Universe Organization chief Paula Shugart has been vocal in saying that the next winner will have "big shoes to fill" because of the performance and work ethic of the reigning Miss Universe, Pia Wurtzbach declined to give her successor tips on how to be a successful titleholder.

"Each reign is different. I don't want to try to dictate what she should do," Wurtzbach said.

"I dont want to have to teach her the ways because she'll learn it as she goes along, just like what I did," Wurtzbach added.

Meanwhile, Sen reminded candidates to calm their nerves and just enjoy the show.

"You've come this far, you've represented your country beautifully. When you stand on that stage, don't be sad. Applaud and celebrate your countries," Sen said.

Watch the 65th Miss Universe coronation live on ABS-CBN Channel 2 on January 30, 2017 Monday 8 a.m. (Manila time)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

New Miss Universe models $1-million swimsuit

MOSCOW --Newly crowned Miss Universe, Gabriela Isler of Venezuela, took up her duties in Moscow on Sunday, twirling in a jewel-studded swimming costume valued at $1 million.

Isler, 25, spoke to reporters a day after winning the title at a glitzy ceremony at a Moscow concert hall, saying she had stayed up all night talking to friends and family on the phone.

"I feel very happy to share my first day as Miss Universe," Isler said. "I'm a simple girl. I am just come to have fun, to enjoy the moment -- and here I am."

She said she felt "honored" at becoming the seventh Venezuelan Miss Universe, triumphing over 85 other women at the first competition held in Russia in its 61-year history.

Isler wowed the judges including Aerosmith singer Steve Tyler with her appearances in a bikini and sparkly silver evening dress.

She then won the final interview round by saying in response to a question about her greatest fear: "We should overcome all our fears and this in turn will make us much stronger."

As the new face of an Italian lingerie company, she posed in a Moscow hotel in a white cut-away swimming costume featuring an emerald pendant and swirls of diamonds and rubies, with a fur boa wrapped around the hips.

"It's very simple but very elegant, so it's like me," she said.

The organizers of Miss Universe said the costume was sewn with 900 stones and is worth $1 million.

"We do have armed guards, so don't get any ideas," quipped the president of the Miss Universe organization, Paula Shugart.

The organizers did not make clear whether the swimsuit was for sale. Isler said she did not know what would happen to it next, but she would like to keep it.

"I'm still asking: where are those guards, because I'll run with it," Isler joked, although her towering heels would have hindered an escape attempt from the hotel's 20th floor.

The Miss Universe competition, which began in the United States as a promotional campaign for swimwear, includes several rounds in which the contestants are judged based on their appearance in bikinis and one-piece swimsuits.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Miss Universe 2011: Miss Colombia Wearing An Outfit Without Underwear?

The 21-year-old beauty queen from Colombia Catalina Robayo made headlines in some newspapers as well as the web after a photographer took a picture and later found out that she was not wearing underwear but Robayo told Miss Universe organizers that she was wearing underwear.


Contest officials have warned Miss Colombia Catalina Robayo not to make any public appearances wearing an outfit without underwear. Paula Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization told FOX that She was upset seeing the photo of Catalina Robayo and said: "One of our PR people spoke to her and apparently she said she was wearing underwear."

"Our supervisors talked to all of the contestants about dressing appropriately"