One Ain't Enough | Miss Universe Titleholders' Multiple Recognitions
Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 4:37 am
As what our parents often told us, "Don't be greedy." Learn how to share. In beauty competition, specifically Miss Universe, this has not been observed. Most especially if there are distinguished candidates from different races who were qualified 'not just' to the title itself but as well as to any of the recognition of the pageant. This thread serves as a tribute and acknowledgement to Miss Universe titleholders' utmost effort towards the most triumphant moment of their existence.
This 5-foot 7-inch young lady had gone on winning the second Miss Universe crown for USA on its fifth edition. Prior to her crowning, through the open car parade in Long Beach, California where the pageant took place, the public voted and elected her as “The Most Popular Girl” in the parade.
July 16, 1966 was the most memorable day for Margareta. This blonde stunner was able to make a victorious moment for her country upon winning the coveted title. Making her as the second Swedish beauty to win the crown. But wait, the night has still store something to make her more overwhelmed, she was chosen to be Miss Photogenic that year as well.
Way back in 1969, Gloria treated as the underdog of the competition. She has changed the norms and beat the odds when she turned out to be the winner. In the said year, when the man first landed on the moon, the Philippines conquer the Universe since she is the very first Filipina to take home the title. She instantly became a household name and was once talk of the town. But did you know that she also made it to the Top 10 Best in Swimsuit for that edition? Yes, that's absolutely right. It was a double success for the country.
Four years after the historic win of Gloria Diaz, another Filipina has regain the international recognition by winning the Miss Universe title through the persona of Margarita Moran. The 19-year-old Margie (back then) was the second and (so far the last) beauty queen from the Philippines to have won the said title. With the thorough selection of the press people from Athens, Greece, she also garnered the Miss Photogenic award. She was the second recipient of this award from the country.
The word "first" would probably be the best to associate with regard her success in Miss Universe 1977. (Not to be racist here) She's the very first black winner to win the title. The first crown for her country as well. With her triumph, it gained a lot of international attention too. She also became the first and only black woman to win the Miss Photogenic award in the history of Miss Universe since its inception.
Having been received the interview score of 9.730, swimsuit score of 9.684 and 9.752 for evening gown respectively, without a single doubt, she's a shoo-in for the Miss Universe 1988 crown. It happened as expected. She became the second Thai woman to win the coveted title. Aside from that, wearing Thailand's traditional attire, she also voted as Best in National Costume alongside with Miss USA (Courtney Gibbs) and Miss Japan (Mizuho Sakaguchi). She's the very first woman to win both the title and the said special award in Miss Universe pageant.
She earned the right to represent her country to Miss Universe 1995 after she takes the lead in Miss USA pageant the same year. Towards her journey to the crown, she managed to get the highest points in swimsuit competition back then. Jantzen, a brand of swimwear and sponsored the ladies' swimming attire picked Chelsi for the Best in Swimsuit award. She has been in commercials for the said swimwear brand as well. Later on the coronation night, she emerged victorious after winning the top spot. She became the 6th American to win the much-anticipated title.
1996| Alicia Machado | Venezuela
This 5'8" beauty from Maracay was totally a performer during her stint in Miss Universe 1996. During the preliminary competition, she was awarded Finesse Style Award which made her more popular among other candidates. She has showcased a lot of energy and enthusiasm in the finals night. With her bubbly personality together with a charismatic smile as shown in the swimsuit competition, no wonder she garnered a score of 9.82 from the judges and the highest in the entire portion. Although it has not been officially awarded, it could also be considered as Jantzen's Best in Swimsuit. Later that night, she was proclaimed as the luckiest when she won as the most beautiful lady in the Universe. She was the fourth Venezuelan queen to win the title.
Just like her traditional costume, the night became even more festive when she succeeded in winning the Miss Universe crown. Prior to this, she appeared to be a confident woman throughout the competition. 1998 has been one of the most heartwarming crowning moments in the history of the pageant. She became the second titleholder from her country after Janelle Commissiong's victory on 1977 and third of African lineage to get the title. She also got the Best in National Costume award as the competition progresses.
The swimsuit competition was getting even more hotter through the spirited music of Cibola club mix of "Suavemente" performed by Grammy-winner Elvis Crespo. India's Lara Dutta turned out to be the winner of this round as she gets the topnotch score from the judges. Though it has not been announced during the finals, she was recognized as Oscar de la Renta's Best in Swimsuit back then. The stars on that night seem to be aligned when she captured the much-coveted crown. She has been her country's second and (so far the last) queen to win the title. Lara will forever be remembered as one of the wittiest and intelligent Miss Universe titleholders of all time.
Denise gets a lot of support and boost from the crowd when the Miss Universe 2001 beauty pageant was held in her home country. Her name could probably mean luck. Before the finals, Denise previously went on winning the Miss Photogenic award. As the coronation night continues, she was then garnered a solid 9.61 score from the judges for the swimsuit competition. It was the highest that night and acknowledged as Bluepoint's Best in Swimsuit. Another fortunate event happened as she obtained the Clairol Herbal Essences Style award for that night. Finally, the most precious thing and recognition that all the ladies from different parts of the world wanted was finally on her head. She was the fourth Puerto Rican queen to have won the Miss Universe title.
Oxana has been eagerly favored to win the Miss Universe title way back in 2002. This 24-year-old former inspector and investigator leads the way ahead of her co-candidates in both swimsuit and evening gown competitions. Through this success, she won the Bluepoint Apparel Swimsuit and Fitness award. The night went really well for her. As expected, she took home the Mikimoto crown with her elegance, charm and simplicity. She could have been the very first titleholder from her country of this wonderful recognition until she gets dethroned. She had declined the duties for personal reasons. Nevertheless, Oxana will always be considered as the living goddess ever graced the Miss Universe stage.
This multi-talented beauty queen earned the privilege to represent her country to Miss Universe 2003 after winning one of the titles in Miss República Dominicana. She stood out easily and exerted a little effort due to her towering height. It's has been one of her advantages during her stint. The competition run smoothly for Amelia. She has been voted by local experts and dignitaries of Panama City for Best in National Costume award. Before the coronation ends, she fortunately reign supreme and became Dominican Republic's first ever and so far only Miss Universe titleholder from the country.
2008 | Dayana Mendoza | Venezuela
Nha Trang, Vietnam would probably be the greatest place she's been to in her entire life. This striking beauty from Amazonas state has been consistently good in every aspect of the pageant. Be it in swimsuit and evening gown competition. Dayana's dream to be the fifth Venezuelan to win the Miss Universe title finally came true. All the efforts paid-off. While she's on her way towards the crown, she was previously awarded the title Charming Ao dai during a fashion charity event. Ao Dai is Vietnamese traditional costume mostly worn by women. She won the hearts of the audience by her smile and graceful performance.
They won because they are truly worthy of such recognitions. They invested much effort and abilities to reign supreme. They were still chosen to be the rightful recipient of one's award. The elegance, confidence and witty personality were evidently shown during the whole experience in the pageant.
Thank you for reading.
I hope you liked it.
Special thanks to all the owners of photos and graphic images above.
* This is a throwback post. It has been posted some time of May 2014 by yours truly!