The hottest pageantry news in 2024
As the curtain falls on 2024, the world of pageantry looks back on a year of dramatic transformation.
Pageants in 2024 were not just about crowns and sashes—they were about challenging societal norms, elevating voices, and using the global stage to spark real-world change.
In this wrap, PhilSTAR L!fe celebrates the highs, milestones, and buzz-worthy and breathtaking moments that have redefined pageantry this year.
69-year-old fashion designer among MUPH-QC candidates
Earlier this year, Jocelyn Cubales, also known as Joyce Penas Pilarsky, proved that age really is just a number when she joined MUPH-QC at the age of 69.
This came after the Miss Universe Organization announced in September 2023 that the age restrictions across all Miss Universe and associated pageants would be removed, which will apply this year. Back then, the MUO only allowed women between the ages of 18 and 28 to compete in the beauty pageant. This is one of the new rules mandated by the international pageant, along with the inclusion of transgender women, divorced women, wives, and mothers.
In an interview with L!fe, the senior designer revealed that she is no pageant newbie. She once represented South Asia and was the first Filipina to compete in the 2017 edition of Mrs. Universe. In that pageant, she bagged the "Mother of the Universe" special award for her advocacy and charity work for children and women in the Philippines.
"[I want] to inspire everyone, especially [in] my age bracket, to be heard and believe in themselves that they can share their talents and expertise for others to learn from," Jocelyn said. "Nothing is impossible. Beauty and grace are not limited to any particular age; dreams do come true if you believe in yourself [as long as] you have the passion to go for it."
Cubales finished in the Top 10 and won two special awards: Miss Anlene Total 10 and Light of Dream Award.
World's first Miss AI
In July, Kenza Layli, a Moroccan lifestyle influencer, won the top prize at the World AI Creator Awards (WAICAs), the first-ever beauty pageant featuring contestants generated by artificial intelligence.
"Winning Miss AI motivates me even more to continue my work in advancing AI technology. AI isn't just a tool, it's a transformative force that can disrupt industries, challenge norms and create opportunities where none existed before," Layli said during her acceptance speech.
France's Lalina and Portugal's Olivia C finished second and third in the competition, respectively.
WAICA and its inaugural partner, Fanvue, presented the world's first AI beauty pageant. The pageant aims to celebrate the work behind digital influencer personas worldwide.
Winners were judged based on their beauty, the technical skills it took to create them, and their "clout" online, including their audience growth rate and social media engagements.
Miss Universe Fiji crowns the wrong winner; claims contracted organizer was biased
In September, Miss Universe Fiji hailed Nadine Roberts as its true winner after a contracted organizer's mistake led to the wrong contestant being crowned.
Initially, the crown was given to 24-year-old Manshika Prasad, while Nadine was runner-up.
In a statement, the Miss Universe Fiji 2024 said a "controversial decision" by judges on the night "incorrectly awarded" the wrong winner at the Gala Top Ten finalists' event.
The organization accused the contracted organizer of rigging the pageant. According to them, eight votes were cast, resulting in a tie between the two contestants.
Despite the tie, the organizer allegedly failed to count the licensee's deciding vote, which would have determined the winner. MUF also claimed the organizer wanted a Fiji Indian winner for business opportunities.
Local licensee representatives raised concerns about the irregularities, prompting an internal review.
Miss Grand Myanmar returns crown, title revoked
Days after the Miss Grand International 2024 coronation night that took place on Oct. 25 in Bangkok, Thailand, the MGI Organization officially stripped the second runner-up title of Miss Grand Myanmar 2024, Thae Su Nyein due to "inappropriate behavior and actions."
This came after the Myanmar-based stunner said in a live broadcast on Oct. 27 that she is returning her MGI 2024 second runner-up crown. This also follows a report from the Thai news site Khaosod English that MGI president Nawat Itsaragrisil has accepted Thae's returned crown.
Thae was also seen sobbing after the competition as her country's pageant national director, Htoo Ant Lwin, forcefully removed her crown and sash.
"I cried not because I did not get the winner crown, not because I didn't feel like I deserved the second runner-up, not because of any of those. [It's] because, not only for me but for people [my country,] they all hoped for this crown and they all [fought] together," she said.
Meanwhile, in addition to accepting the returned crown, reports said that MGI has terminated its contract with Htoo and issued a lifetime ban due to "lack of sportsmanship and business credibility."
Miss Universe Organization, Smile Train Foundation end 9-year partnership
Smile Train, the world's largest cleft charity that empowers local medical professionals to provide free cleft treatment in their communities, ended its nine-year partnership with the Miss Universe Organization in October.
According to Smile Train, throughout its nine-year partnership with MUO, more than 10,000 families learned about the free, comprehensive cleft treatment through its various sponsors.
Likewise, they have raised nearly $2 million (P116 million), through "direct giving, auctions, events, and campaigns," which support "tens of thousands of life-changing surgeries and other vital cleft care treatments for those in need." The campaign also included essential training for local medical teams in over 75 countries.
First Filipino-crafted Miss Universe crown
The Philippines made its mark in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant as the country's Jewelmer was tapped to craft the stunning "Lumière de I'Infini (The Light of Infinity)" crown. This would be the first time a Filipino-crafted crown was used in the pageant.
The crown featured a rare golden South Sea pearl etched in the middle of sun rays. It has elegant curves on its band and overall body, adorned with white crystals and the country's national gem that "embodies the brilliance of our co-existence with Mother Nature."
"The pinnacle of savoir-faire, this one-of-a-kind creation was handcrafted by Filipino master craftsmen, utilizing the traditional techniques practiced in Place Vendôme, the center of elegance in France," the Jewelmer wrote in an Instagram post.
Chelsea Manalo's Miss Universe performance
Although Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo fell short of securing a spot in the Top 12 at the pageant's coronation night held in Mexico in November, she still proudly raised the country's flag as she was hailed the first Miss Universe Asia.
Aside from being one of the inaugural Continental Queens, Chelsea also made a stellar performance during the National Costume round by parading Manny Halasan's "Hiraya," an ensemble that put a spotlight on the country's history of Christianization and Islam.
The costume, which "is a symbol of the far and profound history and relationship between the Philippines and Mexico," won the Best National Costume Award in the pageant.
Meanwhile, during the swimsuit round, the 25-year-old Bulacan stunner wore purple two-piece swimwear layered with a sheer gold cape, which she matched with metallic silver high heels.
She stood out in the evening gown competition with her blue ball gown by Halasan—it was a contrast to the figure-flattering fit dresses worn by other candidates.
When she secured a spot in the Top 30, she sizzled the runway strutting in her chosen blue Miss Universe swimwear with a gold mesh cape and doing her signature "Tampisaw Walk," which helped her make her mark in the local competition last May.
Miss Grand International vs Miss Grand India
This year, the relationship between Miss Grand International and Miss Grand India has been complex, marked by organizational disputes and other controversies.
In November, the Miss Grand India Organization cut ties with MGI over differing visions and goals.
While they parted ways with MGI, the organization said it takes "immense" pride in celebrating Rachel Gupta, who brought home the country's first-ever golden crown at Miss Grand International 2024.
Weeks after, the MGI Organization then clarified why they decided not to renew the contract with Glamanand Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., the previous Miss Grand India license holder.
In a social media post, MGI listed the key reasons, including repeated delays in license payment, violation of the contract agreement, lack of support and promotion, and insufficient promotion of the MGI brand.
Miss Universe Bolivia's surprise proposal from boyfriend after pageant
In a captivating and romantic turn of events after the 2024 Miss Universe pageant, Bolivia's Juliana Barrientos found herself at the center of a deeply personal and emotional moment—a surprise proposal from her boyfriend.
The beauty queen was on stage when her beau, Octavio Garcia Leal, suddenly got down on one knee and presented an engagement ring. Barrientos was in shock before jumping off the stage to embrace her now fiancé, and the people around her cheered for the soon-to-be husband and wife.
Barrientos ended her Miss Universe journey in the Top 12. She was also recognized as one of the three gold winners in the Voice For Change competition along with Cambodia's Davin Prasath and Guatemala's Ana Gabriela Villanueva.
Transgender beauty queen Keylyn Trajano among candidates in Miss Universe PH-Pampanga
In November, another historic milestone was carved in Philippine pageantry: transgender beauty queen-model Keylyn Trajano was announced as one of the official candidates for the Miss Universe Philippines—Pampanga pageant in 2025.
"I have been constantly told to stop breaking the system, have been rejected numerous times and finally I am here! I GUESS MS KEY NEVER GIVES UP, NO?" she began in her caption.
Prior to this, Trajano participated in Century Tuna Superbods last July, where she finished in the Top 8 and won the Fitness Breakthrough Award.
The coronation night for Miss Universe PH-Pampanga will be held on Jan. 24, 2025, at Kingsborough International Convention Center (KICC).
Chelsea Manalo bullying issue vs pageant vlogger Adam Genato
In the world of pageantry, where beauty, talent, and personality are celebrated, controversies can also emerge, often drawing attention for reasons beyond the crown. One such issue that has sparked widespread discussion involves Chelsea and Adam Genato, a prominent pageant vlogger. The two have been at the center of a bullying controversy.
The tension between Chelsea and Adam began when the latter, known for his candid and often critical reviews of pageant contestants, made several hurtful remarks about Chelsea's performance and compared her to other beauty queens like Ahtisa Manalo and Christi McGarry.
"Kasi tingnan mo, sino ang pinanalo nila? Si Denmark, 'di ba Barbie-looking? Eh sino ba ang closest Barbie-looking natin nung nakaraang MUPh? Si Ahtisa 'di ba?" he added
Days later, the MUPh organization condemned Genato's statements and described them as "unfair, insensitive, hurtful, and dismissive" toward Manalo's achievements.
Genato has apologized for his now-deleted commentary, sharing that he has "realized the gravity" of his actions.
While Manalo has not directly responded to Genato, she reposted MUPh's statement on her Instagram stories with the caption, "Those who speak and act kind are those blessed. So I hope you start today."
Honduras withdraws from Miss Grand International
In a bold and unexpected move, Honduras withdrew from the Miss Grand International competition, allegedly citing that the organization is only "interested in their money."
In the social media pages, Amelia Vega D'Sanchez, Miss Grand Honduras national director, penned a lengthy statement expressing her disappointment with MGI's treatment towards national directors and how they "do not value" their time and investment.
Despite this, she assured fans that the social media pages of Miss Grand Honduras will remain active to provide support to Honduran queens and future organizations or new directors.
"I am very sorry that many director colleagues do not dare to speak or say anything about what is happening out of fear of MGI reprisals in withdrawing their franchise, and that is why I raise my voice for those who do not dare to speak or tell the truth about the corruption and mistreatment by MGI," D'Sanchez stated.
