Miss Universe reveals new format for 2024 edition
The Miss Universe organization is spicing things up for its upcoming 2024 edition following a new format for the grand coronation night.
According to the organization, 130 candidates will compete for the coveted crown this year, and because of this large number, 30 semifinalists will advance to the next round.
This is an increase from the previous 20, marking the highest number of semifinalists in the pageant's history.
Four continental queens and one fan-vote winner will be announced at the end of the preliminaries, which consist of the swimsuit segment and closed-door interviews. Whoever is chosen will automatically advance to the semifinals.
"Let me tell you that the beauty contest as you have known it in these 73 years has a unique format which has not changed because it is a format that contemplates the fact that women candidates can have preliminary steps where we can appreciate their costumes, where we may have the opportunity that they can participate in different competitions and interviews," a spokesperson for Miss Universe explained.
"The final round is generally not given a rating, but in this opportunity... we are going to select four candidates in the preliminary stages who will be a representative of four continents," he added.
These are Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Asia and Oceania.
Pageant fans can choose who they want to crown continental queens and a fan-vote winner through a voting system on the Miss Universe app.
"With this, we would have five candidates who automatically would advance to the final round of 30 candidates," Miss Universe said.
After the semifinalists are selected, they'll compete in the swimsuit round. The top 12 will advance to the evening gown competition. Finally, the top five will face the judges in the Q&A round, where the ultimate winner and her court will be crowned.
The Miss Universe coronation night will be held on Nov. 17 (PH Time) in Arena CDMX, Mexico. Chelsea Manalo is aiming to take home the fifth crown for the country after Catriona Gray (2018), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).