The diverse world of international beauty pageants

International beauty pageants are held annually to find beautiful women who represent the voice of modern women.

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The first international beauty pageant was the International Pageant of Pulchritude, organized by the CE Barfield Company based in Galveston, Texas. The competition began in 1926 and served as a model for subsequent beauty contests.

Following World War II, the popularity of the Miss America pageant, first held in 1921, spurred other organizations to create similar competitions. The Miss World pageant was launched in 1951, Miss Universe and Miss USA (a rival of Miss America) were established in 1952. The Miss International pageant began in 1960, and Miss Earth was first held in 2001 to raise awareness about environmental protection.

Currently, the six largest and most prestigious beauty pageants in the world are Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Earth, Miss Grand International, and Miss Supranational.

Miss World

As the world's largest international beauty pageant, recognized by the Guinness Book of Records for its scale and longest history, Miss World was first organized in 1951 by television presenter Eric Morley, with the initial goal of promoting a new swimsuit design. The Miss World Organisation (MWO), the organization that owns and organizes the event annually, has donated over £1 billion to charities for children with disabilities.

The Miss World competition emphasizes the message "Beauty with a Purpose," valuing the intelligence, character, and communication skills of the contestants. To win, contestants need outstanding beauty, intelligence, compassion, and excellent communication skills. After being crowned, the winner will participate in numerous global charitable activities.

Miss Universe

The second-largest international beauty pageant is the most watched in the world due to its allure and fierce competition. The contest was initiated in 1952 by the Pacific Mills fashion company in California and is now administered by the Miss Universe Organization.

Countries with outstanding achievements at Miss Universe include the United States, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Contestants participate in swimsuit, evening gown, and national costume competitions, interviews, fashion shows, and social activities. A unique aspect of this beauty pageant is the absence of a talent competition.

Miss International

The competition was first held in Long Beach, California (USA) in 1960, then moved to Japan from 1968 to 1970. In 1971 and 1972, the competition returned to Long Beach and has since been held annually in Japan.

Contestants are judged not only on their beauty but also on their compassion, spirit of friendship, elegance, intelligence, initiative, and sensitivity to global issues. The main goal of the competition is to promote world peace, goodwill, and mutual understanding.

Recently, Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy, representing Vietnam, beat 70 other contestants to win the Miss International 2024 crown. She is also the first Vietnamese beauty queen to win this competition.

Miss Earth

As the world's fourth-largest beauty pageant, attracting participants from around 80 countries, the competition was first organized in 2001 by Carousel Productions of the Philippines.

Miss Earth not only evaluates beauty but also the intelligence, responsibility, and skills of the contestants, with the goal of raising awareness and action for environmental protection. Contestants will go through traditional competitions such as swimsuit, evening gown, traditional costume, individual interview, and talent competition. A unique aspect of Miss Earth is the requirement for contestants to prepare a specific environmental project for their country, similar to the humanitarian project in Miss World, and participate in environmental protection activities.

Nguyen Phuong Khanh is the first Vietnamese beauty queen to win the Miss Earth 2018 crown – one of the four largest beauty pageants on the planet.

Miss Grand International

This is a major international beauty pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand, with the main goal of spreading the message "End war and violence." The winning beauty queen is responsible for undertaking trips to promote solidarity and peace, as well as to advance human rights around the world. The competition was first held in Thailand in 2013 with 71 contestants and quickly gained prestige due to its large scale. From 2013 to 2015, the competition was held in Thailand, followed by the United States, Vietnam, Myanmar, Venezuela, and Indonesia.

Miss Grand International seeks women who possess not only physical beauty but also talent and compassion to spread the message of peace. The winner will participate in charitable activities and promote the competition.

Outshining 69 other beauties representing countries and territories around the world, Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien was crowned Miss Grand International 2021.

Miss Supranational

First held in 2009 in Poland, Miss Supranational is run by the World Beauty Association (WBA), based in Panama, and is one of the six largest beauty pageants in the world.

Vietnam began sending representatives to this beauty pageant in 2009 and has achieved many outstanding results: Daniela Nguyen Thu May - 3rd Runner-up in 2011, Nguyen Huynh Kim Duyen - 2nd Runner-up in 2022, Dang Thanh Ngan - 4th Runner-up in 2023.

In addition to the six prestigious international beauty pageants mentioned above, there is also Miss Intercontinental, first held in 1971 in Aruba to promote global tourism. Vietnam sent a representative to this competition for the first time in 2003, and in 2015, Vietnam made it to the top 17 for the first time with the participation of Le Thi Ha Thu.

Three years later, Le Au Ngan Anh, Miss Ocean Vietnam 2017, won the 4th runner-up position. In 2022, Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc from Vietnam was crowned Miss Intercontinental in Egypt.

The success of Vietnamese beauty queens on the international stage in recent years is the result of effort, investment, and a well-planned strategy, affirming that Vietnam is fully capable of competing in major international competitions.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/muon-mau-cuoc-thi-sac-dep-quoc-te-299453.html