Introduction to the Miss Universe Organization
The Miss Universe Organization, a Donald J. Trump and National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (NBC) Partnership, is the producer of the MISS UNIVERSEŽ, MISS USAŽ and MISS TEEN USAŽ competitions. An international company, the Miss Universe Organization works to advance and support today's women. Hundreds of millions of people from every continent across the globe know the Miss Universe Organization as a company that provides smart, beautiful, ambitious women with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities -- mentoring, career training, resources and life experiences. They are given the tools to be personally and professionally enriched through the organization's year-round support of all aspects of their lives, from their personal career goals to social and humanitarian causes and work.
The world has changed a lot since the company's inception in 1950 and Miss Universe has mirrored those changes. From the innocence of those first years to the hopefulness of the new millennium, today's Miss Universe is fully-equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in a wide range of professions. Unlike competing pageant systems (i.e. Miss World or Miss America), once Miss Universe or Miss USA are crowned they are immediately relocated to New York City to begin an exciting year of global travel and dream fulfillment. Titleholders have gone on to high-profile careers in government, engineering, business, finance, genetic research, broadcasting, publishing, film and television. Today's Miss Universe competition is fast-paced and compelling, featuring some of the world's most ambitious and accomplished women. These are women of power and grace, intelligence and commitment, substance and style. The Miss Universe Organization is dedicated to enabling them to reach their potential.
Background Information
History of the Competitions
The internationally recognized MISS UNIVERSEŽ, MISS USAŽ and MISS TEEN USAŽ competitions air as live specials on the National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (NBC) Television Network and rank among the most-watched television programming in the world.
2001 marked the 50th anniversary of MISS UNIVERSEŽ and MISS USAŽ, which began in 1952 as concurrent events in Long Beach, California. The competitions moved to Miami Beach, Florida in 1960, and the broadcast tradition began on the CBS Television Networks. In 1965, the two competitions became separate live television specials, and since 1972 have been telecast from exotic locations around the globe.
The MISS TEEN USAŽ competition debuted in August 1983 in Lakeland, Florida and is the premiere event for teenage women. Since its inception, the competition has traveled to exciting U.S. cities.
MISS UNIVERSEŽ
Satellite developments in the 1970s allowed the MISS UNIVERSEŽ competition to travel outside the United States, and in 1972, it was telecast live, via satellite, for the first time from the Cerromar Beach Hotel in Dorado, Puerto Rico. That event inaugurated a series of annual television specials, which presented the culture and attractions of some of the most spectacular regions of the world to an international audience of hundreds of millions of people. From Puerto Rico, the competition traveled to these exciting locations:
Quito, Ecuador (2004)
Panama City, Panama (2003)
Puerto Rico (2001, 2002)
Cyprus (2000)
Trinidad & Tobago (1999)
Honolulu, Hawaii (1998)
Miami Beach, Florida (1997)
Las Vegas, Nevada (1996)
Windhoek, Namibia (1995)
Manila, Philippines (1994)
Mexico City, Mexico (1993)
Bangkok, Thailand (1992)
Las Vegas, Nevada (1991)
Los Angeles, California (1990)
Cancun, Mexico (1989)
Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China (1988)
Singapore (1987)
Panama City, Panama (1986)
Miami, Florida (1984, 1985)
St. Louis, Missouri (1983)
Lima, Peru (1982)
New York, New York (1981)
Seoul, South Korea (1980)
Perth, Australia (1979)
Acapulco, Mexico (1978)
The Dominican Republic (1977)
Hong Kong (1976)
El Salvador (1975)
Manila, Philippines (1974)
Athens, Greece (1973)
MISS USAŽ
Since MISS USAŽ began in 1952, 50 MISS USAŽ titleholders and tens of thousands of women in the fifty states and the District of Columbia have contributed to making the competition a national tradition. In 1972, the 21st Annual search for MISS USAŽ was held in Puerto Rico and was broadcast live via satellite for the first time. Since then, the show has traveled to diverse American cities including:
San Antonio, Texas (2003)
Gary, Indiana (2001, 2002)
Branson, Missouri (1999, 2000)
Shreveport - Bossier, Louisiana (1997, 1998)
South Padre Island, Texas (1994-1996)
Wichita, Kansas (1990-1993)
Mobile, Alabama (1989)
El Paso, Texas (1988)
Albuquerque, New Mexico (1987)
Miami, Florida (1986)
Lakeland, Florida (1984, 1985)
Knoxville, Tennessee (1983)
Mississippi Gulf Coast (1979-1982)
Charleston, South Carolina (1977, 1978)
Niagara Falls, New York (1974-1976)
New York, New York (1973)
MISS TEEN USAŽ
The MISS TEEN USAŽ competition became an annual event after it attracted strong television ratings following its debut in Lakeland, Florida. Since then, the following cities have hosted the show:
Palm Springs, California (2003)
South Padre Island, Texas (2001, 2002)
Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana (1998-2000)
South Padre Island, Texas (1997)
Las Cruces, New Mexico (1996)
Wichita, Kansas (1995)
Mississippi Gulf Coast (1990-1994)
San Bernadino, California (1988, 1989)
El Paso, Texas (1987)
Daytona Beach, Florida (1986)
Miami, Florida (1985)
Memphis, Tennessee (1984)
PRODUCTION
The Miss Universe Organization is a partnership of Donald J. Trump and the National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (NBC) formed in September 2003. The company is committed to producing the MISS UNIVERSEŽ, MISS USAŽ and MISS TEEN USAŽ competitions with new definition, leadership and vision.
Miss Universe Organization Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL INFORMATION
Q:
How old are the competitions?
A:
The MISS UNIVERSEŽ and MISS USAŽ competitions celebrated their 50th anniversaries in 2001 and began as concurrent events in 1952 in Long Beach, California; MISS TEEN USAŽ made its debut in August 1983 in Lakeland, Florida.
Q:
Are these programs separate from the Miss America Pageant?
A:
Yes. In 1952, Catalina Swimsuits, formerly a Miss America sponsor, founded MISS UNIVERSEŽ and MISS USAŽ in Long Beach, California as product promotions. Although some women compete in both MISS USAŽ and Miss America, the two systems are completely separate. MISS USAŽ goes on to represent her country in MISS UNIVERSEŽ.
Q:
Are the events held in a different place each year?
A:
Now they are. When they were initiated, the MISS UNIVERSEŽ and MISS USAŽ competitions were held in Long Beach, California. Eight years later in 1960, the two moved to Miami Beach, Florida, where they remained until 1971. Since 1972, they have been separate live television specials that are telecast from different locations around the globe.
Q:
How are the sites chosen?
A:
The producer of the events works throughout the year with private enterprise, state and city government officials and, in the case of the MISS UNIVERSEŽ competition, with foreign governments to establish the site for each event. The city or country offering the optimal venue and support to the organization is chosen.
Q:
How many women compete?
A:
In the case of MISS UNIVERSEŽ, between 75 and 85 countries send a candidate to compete. In MISS USAŽ and MISS TEEN USAŽ 51 delegates participate in the competition.
Q:
Are there age requirements delegates must meet?
A:
Yes. As of 1993, MISS UNIVERSEŽ and MISS USAŽ delegates must be at least 18 years of age and under 27 years of age by February 1st in the year they compete in the national competition. MISS TEEN USAŽ candidates must be at least 15 and under 19 years of age as of *July 1st in the year they compete in the national competition.
*As of the 2005 pageant year, the age eligibility requirement for Teen contestants/delegates will be been modified where candidates must be at least 15 and under 19 years of age as of September 1st in the year they compete in the national competition.
Q:
May a delegate compete more than once?
A:
MISS USAŽ goes on to represent the United States in MISS UNIVERSEŽ. Delegates may compete more than once in the preliminary (state) competition but may only compete in MISS UNIVERSEŽ and MISS USAŽ once. MISS TEEN USAŽ may compete in MISS USAŽ but only after her reign has ended and after she has reclaimed her state title.
Q:
Are delegates required to have a coach?
A:
No. While some feel more prepared when they work with an experienced person who can give them tips on competition, many women have won titles without any outside training. Candidates also turn to their state and national directors for assistance as the directors are experienced in providing effective counsel about pageant competition. Generally, state and national directors provide delegates with the confidence and experience needed to compete.
Q:
Can delegates be married?
A:
No. Delegates may not be married or pregnant. They must not have ever been married, not had a marriage annulled nor given birth to a child. The titleholders are also required to remain single throughout their reign.
Q:
Are delegates allowed to have cosmetic surgery?
A:
Although contestants are discouraged from altering their own natural beauty, no restrictions are placed on cosmetic surgery; it is impossible to enforce such a rule. In fact, since 1990 the organization has allowed the use of padding in an effort to discourage participants from permanently altering their bodies for the competition.
Q:
How do the delegates get to the national competition?
A:
For MISS USAŽ and MISS TEEN USAŽ, some cities and all states have preliminary competitions, which are produced by local and state directors. The winner of the city competition goes on to compete in the state event for her home city; state winners go on to the national competition. However, a delegate may enter a state competition without having won a city title. MISS UNIVERSEŽ delegates must win their respective competitions to compete in the contest. In the case of the United States, MISS USAŽ goes on to represent the United States in MISS UNIVERSEŽ.
Q:
How are the semi-finalists chosen?
A:
All delegates are judged in three areas of preliminary competition, which are not always televised due to time constraints:
Interviews -Judges spend time with each delegate to learn about her successes, goals and ambitions.
Swimsuit Competition - Each delegate wears one of a variety of swimsuit styles provided by a sponsor.
Evening Gown Competition - Each delegate wears a gown she has chosen for herself.
All scores are entered into a computer and are then tallied in each of the three categories. The delegates with the highest aggregate scores are named the semi-finalists. The competition is narrowed twice more to produce the winner. In 1997, the MISS USAŽ telecast introduced a dual-paneled judging system. One panel of judges the preliminary rounds; the other judges the live telecast.
Q:
How are the Titleholders and runners-up chosen?
A:
Once the finalists are named, their scores are discarded, and they begin competing anew. In the final competition, the same three areas are judged. The judges' scores in these categories are tallied and the winners are named live on the air.
Q:
What prizes do the winners receive?
A:
Each Titleholder is awarded cash and prizes from the event's official sponsors.
Q:
What happens to the winners after they are named?
A:
Part of each titleholder's prize package is an employment contract with the Miss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP. To fulfill that contract, the titleholder becomes a representative of the company for one year. MISS UNIVERSEŽ and MISS USAŽ are provided with a deluxe apartment in New York City and travel the world meeting dignitaries, speaking on behalf of the company, meeting with charitable organizations and appearing at events held by official sponsors. MISS TEEN USAŽ, because she is usually still in school, lives at home and makes appearances during her weekends and vacations.
Q:
When are MISS USAŽ, MISS UNIVERSEŽ and MISS TEEN USAŽ held?
A:
MISS USAŽ is always the first event of the year and is generally held in February/March. MISS UNIVERSEŽ follows in the spring, with MISS TEEN USAŽ held at the end of summer.
Q:
Who televises the competitions?
A:
As of Fall 2003, the National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (NBC) broadcasts all three events live during prime time in the United States. NBC Enterprises, Inc. distributes the shows to international markets (approximately 117 countries). The three events are packaged together for international distribution.
Q:
Who produces the three specials?
A:
The MISS UNIVERSEŽ, MISS USAŽ and MISS TEEN USAŽ specials are produced by the Miss Universe Organization, a Donald J. Trump and National Broadcast Company, Inc. (NBC) Partnership.
Q:
Who sponsors the Events?
A:
Mikimoto, Scunci, Hoya Crystal, Maurice Lacroix and The School for Film & Television are just a few of the many corporate sponsors of the MISS UNIVERSEŽ, MISS USAŽ and MISS TEEN USAŽ competitions.
