Fil-Am physician who served 3 US presidents among Miss Universe 2023 judges
The Miss Universe 2023 selection committee has been unveiled.
Filipino-American physician Dr. Connie Mariano—who took care of former US presidents Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Barack Obama—is among the judges for the 72nd Miss Universe, the organization announced on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
Born in the Philippines, Dr. Mariano grew up in Hawaii and went to a military medical school where she became the general medical officer and medical department division head at the USS Prairie, according to the American Medical Women’s Association.
She also served as the division head of the general internal medicine department at Naval Hospital in San Diego before working at The White House.
In 1992, she made history as the first military woman to be appointed White House physician. Two years later, she was named the director of the White House Medical Unit.
She retired from the Navy in 2001 with a rear admiral rank.
Joining her on the panel are actor-designer Carson Kressley, fashion model Halima Aden, award-winning musician Mario Bautista, and Roku's program management director Sweta Patel.
Puerto Rican actress Giselle Blondet, entrepreneur and crisis manager Denise White, and social media personality Avani Gregg are also among the judges for the upcoming pageant.
Completing the committee are former beauty queens Miss Universe 1977 Janelle "Penny" Comissiong and Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere.
The Miss Universe 2023 pageant will be held in El Salvador on Sunday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m. (Philippine time). The preliminary competition will take place on Nov. 15, while the national costume will be held on Nov. 16.
Philippines' Michelle Dee is competing against over 80 delegates from around the world in hopes of bringing home the fifth crown for the country. The winner will succeed R'Bonney Gabriel, a Fil-Am fashion designer and model who represented the United States at the tilt's previous edition.