2013 Miss Universe Highlights

The 2013 Miss Universe Pageant has been concluded in a fast- paced two hour spectacle held at the Crocus City Hall, Moscow, Russia

It was in fact too fast that certain segments were cut short. Even the awarding of Miss Photogenic and Miss Congeniality was not shown on live TV to make way for legendary rock icon Steven Tyler to perform live

PAGEANT HOSTS: Thomas Roberts & Melanie Brown

Thomas Roberts, anchor of (“MSNBC Live”) and Melanie Brown, best known to audiences as Mel B (“America’s Got Talent”), co-hosted the pageant and proved to be a perfect match with their engaging and quick- witted repartee. Jeannie Mai, recognized for her fashion segments on NBC’s “Today,” served as commentator.

 

TOP 16 ANNOUNCEMENT

After all 86 girls had introduced themselves, the cut to the Top 16 immediately followed. First to be called was COSTA RICA then followed by UKRAINE, CHINA, ECUADOR, GREAT BRITAIN, INDONESIA, VENEZUELA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, PUERTO RICO, SPAIN, USA, NICARAGUA, SWITZERLAND, INDIA, BRAZIL and finally the PHILIPPINES

SHOCKING EXCLUSIONS

Perceived frontrunners and heavy favorites like Israel, France, Czech Republic, Bolivia and my favorite candidate Paulina Krupinska of Poland didn't make it. 

Miss Poland: What Went Wrong?

There was a momentary chorus of boos when the hometown girl Miss Russia Elmira Abdrazakova didn't advance either. 

It was a shutout for the girls from Africa as not even one made it. 

There were pleasant surprises though like the inclusion of Ecuador, Costa Rica and Nicaragua

The last to be called and revealed to be the Peopl'es Choice for garnering the highest internet votes was Miss Philippines Ariella Arida. 

SWIMSUIT COMPETITION

Up next was the Swimsuit Competition sponsored by Yamamay Swimwear.

The segment opened up with the 70 non- semifinalists gyrating and undulating onstage with Panic @ The Disco who provided the musical backdrop

Top 16 in Yamamay Swimwear
Photo Credit: Tom's Miss U Mania

Miss Philippines is Best in Swimsuit

Miss Philippines Ariella Arida garnered the highest score in the Swimsuit Competition thus becoming the first Filipina to win this competition. 

Historically speaking, swimsuits have always been the Waterloo for many of our candidates in the Miss Universe pageant so this is a big achievement for Ara already.

For more of the swimsuit competition photos, just click the link

More Swimsuit Competition Photos

THE TOP TEN

From 16 semifinalists, the girls were trimmed down to the Top Ten based on their swimsuit competition composite scores

They were called in random order:  

First to be called was SPAIN followed by the PHILIPPINES, GREAT BRITAIN, INDIA, BRAZIL, USA, UKRAINE, ECUADOR, VENEZUELA and DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Venezuela reacts after being called the 9th Semifinalist

It was shocking that Miss Puerto Rico Monic Perez didn't get the call

EVENING GOWN COMPETITION:

Miss Universe Evening Gown Competition
Photo Credits: Tom's Miss U Mania

The standouts were Venezuela who showed off her elegance, class & confidence, Spain who was such an ethereal vision in white and Great Britain who wowed everyone with her fiery red gown that showcased her buffed figure

For more of the evening gown competition photos, just click the link

More Evening Gown Photos

FINAL FIVE

First to be called was ECUADOR who made history by becoming the first from her country to make the Top Five. She was followed by BRAZIL, SPAIN, PHILIPPINES and finally, VENEZUELA 

It's interesting to note that for the first time since 2007 when the scoring system was reinstated, scores from the Swimsuit & Evening Gown Competitions were averaged.

Miss Ukraine and Miss Great Britain would have advanced instead of Miss Philippines and Miss Brazil if the only basis for selecting the Top Five was the evening gown scores. 

Ariella who ranked 9th among the Top Ten in the Evening Gown Competition was saved because of her strong Swimsuit Competition scores

FINAL QUESTION AND ANSWER

Ecuador's question came from judge Philip Kirkorov, "What would happen to the world if we could no longer use the internet?"

Ecuador replied, "Thank you very much for the question. Zdrastvooyte, Russia! I believe that computers themselves as one of the technologies nowadays. It has got its advantages and disadvantages and one of the disadvantages is that we are no longer as close together with our families.

I would like to use this moment to tell the teenagers and everybody that we should use the methodology of computers and Internet in a positive way. It is never too late to start. Let us start right now. Thank you all very much." 

Brazil's question from judge Carol Alt was, "What is your opinion in places that do not allow women to vote, travel abroad, or drive cars?"

Brazil replied, "Good evening, everybody. In my opinion, we as women achieved our independence through time. Unfortunately, nowadays we still have some problems with our independence as women

But we need to keep our open minds because nowadays we are homemakers, we are out there in the work force. In my country, we have a female president. We are capable of everything."

Spain's question came from judge Anne Vyalitsyna, "What is the most significant thing we can do to help elect more women to political offices around the world?"

Spain replied, "Good evening. I believe that in order to select a good woman, she must possess good qualities in order to perform a good job: discipline, know how to adapt herself, how to respond.

Her work, her performance and fulfilling her job. (Hesitated breath) Thank you so much." 

Philippines' question was from judge Tara Lipinski, "What can be done about the lack of jobs for young people starting their careers around the world?"

Philippines answered, "Preevyet, Russia! For the people who have lack of jobs, I do believe that we people should invest in education and that is my primary advocacy, because we all know that if everyone of us is educated and well aware of what we are doing, we could land into jobs and we could land good careers in the future.

So education is the primary source and a ticket for a better future. Thank you." 

Venezuela's question came from judge Steven Tyler, "What is your biggest fear and how do you plan to overcome it?"

Venezuela replied, "I believe that one may have a lot of fears but nonetheless this is nothing negative. I believe we should overcome all of our fears and this in turn would make us much stronger.

And thusly, we can become much stronger persons. As soon as we overcome our fears and we're sure of ourselves, we can face any challenge. Thank you."  

CROWNING MOMENTS

Miss Universe 2013 Official Results:

Winner: Venezuela, Gabriela Isler

1st Runner-Up: Spain, Patricia Rodriguez (will assume the duties of Miss Universe 2013 if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities)

2nd Runner-Up: Ecuador, Constanza Baez

3rd Runner-Up: Philippines, Ariella Arida

4th Runner-Up: Brazil, Jakelyne Oliveira

And Then There Were Two

TRIVIA

Venezuela's victory marks their 7th crown of Miss Universe while USA still holds the most number of wins, 8 crowns.

2013 Miss Universe Top Three

Another interesting fact is the Philippines' 4th consecutive placement in the Top 5 of the pageant: Maria Venus Raj (2010 Miss Universe 4th Runner-Up), Shamcey Supsup (2011 Miss Universe 3rd Runner-Up), Janine Tugonon (2012 Miss Universe 1st Runner-Up) and Ariella Arida (2013 Miss Universe 3rd Runner-Up).

The PHILIPPINES has now reached the Top 5 AND last round of voting for 4 consecutive years, something it has never done before. 

It also joins an elite group of countries that have done it before: AUSTRALIA (1969-1972), GERMANY (1954-1957), SWEDEN (1978-1981), USA (1958-1961). and VENEZUELA (1984-1987 and 2000-2003). 

Only FINLAND (1965-1969) has the distinct record of making the Top 5 and last round of voting for 5 years in a row, but the PHILIPPINES has a good shot of equalling that record next year.

THE REST OF THE RESULTS: 

6th Great Britain, Amy Willerton

7th India, Manasi Moghe

8th USA, Erin Brady

9th Ukraine, Olga Storozhenko

10th Dominican Republic, Yaritza Reyes

11th Costa Rica, Fabiana Granados

12th China, Jin Ye

13th Indonesia, Whulandary Herman

14th Puerto Rico, Monic Perez

15th Nicaragua, Nastassja Bolivar

16th Switzerland, Dominique Rinderknecht

SPECIAL AWARDS:

Miss Photogenic Universe™ Award: Poland, Paulina Krupinska. 

An expert panel chose the delegate they thought best exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a gift from pageant sponsor Diamond Nexus.

Miss Congeniality Universe™ Award: Miss Universe China, Jin Ye. 

This award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate’s peers who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a gift from Diamond Nexus.

Best National Costume: Nicaragua, Nastassja Bolivar

Winner of the Fan Vote: Philippines, Ariella Arida. The winner of the fan vote powered by www.missuniverse.com, with the winner automatically advancing to the Top 16.

The Lady & The Trump

 Photo Credits: Copyright infringement not intended