The Miss Universe beauty pageant was founded in 1952 in California, United States by Pacific Knitting Mills, a California-based clothing company and manufacturer of Catalina Swimwear, and has since been headquartered in the United States. The company was the sponsor of the Miss America pageant until 1951, when the winner, Yolande Betbeze, refused to pose for publicity pictures wearing one of their swimsuits. In 1952, Pacific Knitting Mills organized the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, co-sponsoring them for decades to follow. In the 71st years’ history of the Miss Universe pageant, we have witnessed many incredible and inspirational answers given by the delegates on the international stage. In this article, we will talk about the Top 10 Best Answers at the Miss Universe pageant history!
10th Place Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu from India
In 2021, the 70th Edition Miss Universe beauty pageant was held in Eilat, Israel. Indian beauty Harnaaz Sandhu gave fabulous performance throughout the night with her graceful walk, phenomenal attitude and impeccable stage presence. All the Top 3 finalists were asked the same question;
Question: What advice would you give to young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today?
Answer: Well, I think the biggest pressure the youth of today is facing is to believe in themselves. To know that you are unique and that’s what makes you beautiful, stop comparing yourselves with others, and let’s talk about more important things that are happening worldwide. I think this is what you need to understand. Come out, and speak for yourself, because you are the leader of your life. You are the voice of your own [life]. I believe in myself and that’s why I’m standing here today. Thank you.
9th Place Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza from Venezuela
In 2008, the 57th Miss Universe pageant was held at the Crown Convention Center in Nha Trang, Vietnam. This was the first time that the Miss Universe pageant was broadcast in 1080i High-definition. Despite not being fluent in the English language, Dayana made a splendid impression on the judges through her spunky and outgoing personality. It was a tough batch, especially with Miss Colombia Taliana Vargas who was dominating the swimsuit and evening gown competitions. After the Top 5 question and answer round, Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza’s answer pulled her a victory and won the fifth Miss Universe crown for her country.
Question: Which have it easier in life: men or women?
Answer: God made us share and have differences, but big differences? I don’t think so. The difference is that men think, they think that the faster way to go to a point is to go straight, and women know that the faster way to go to a point is to go the curves and fix every curl.
8th Place Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova from Canada
Question: What is the biggest challenge in your life?
Answer: The biggest challenge in my life is always trying to stay positive. I consider myself the kind of person who always looks at the glass half full instead of half empty. And even though sometimes, in difficult times, it’s hard to look at life this way. I always try to maintain a positive outlook in life.
7th Place Miss Universe 2012 1st Runner-Up Janine Tugonon from the Philippines
Question: As an international ambassador, do you believe that speaking English should be a prerequisite to being Miss Universe? Why or why not?
Answer: For me, being Miss Universe is not just about knowing how to speak a specific language. It’s being able to influence and inspire other people (Applause). So whatever language you have, as long as your heart is to serve and you have a strong mind to show to people then you can be Miss Universe. Thank you!
6th Place Miss Universe 1999 Mpule Kwelagobe from Botswana
Question: If Miss Universe would become pregnant during her reign, could she be allowed to continue as Miss Universe?
Answer: Personally, I think Miss Universe is a symbol of a woman in prone to celibacy and her femininity. And I believe that…Thank you … And I believe that if she got pregnant, you are not supposed to end the title. But, as a woman, she should celebrate her femininity. Thank you.
5th Place Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel from USA
In the most recent edition of the 71st Miss Universe 2021 which was held in New Orleans, United States. R’Bonney became the ninth American woman to win the coveted title of Miss Universe beauty pageant. The final three delegates all excelled in their communication skills. However, R’bonney shined on the final night with her friendly attitude as well as her personal and relatable cause of sustainability through fashion. Her fashion background using recycled materials to decrease fabric waste was an excellent approach and being environmentally friendly made the judges select her as the eventual winner. Her final answer was approachable and suitable for the eco-friendly and sustainable direction of the JKN-era Miss Universe pageant.
Question: If you win Miss Universe, how would you work to demonstrate this as an empowering and progressive organization?
Answer: Well, I would use it to be a transformational leader. As a very passionate designer, having been serving for 13 years, I use fashion as a force for good. In my industry, I am cutting down on pollution through recycled materials when I make my clothing. I teach sewing classes to women that have survived human trafficking and domestic violence. I say that because it is so important to invest, and others invest in our community and use your unique talent to make a difference. We all have something special and when we plant those seeds in other people in our life, we transform them and we use that as a vehicle for change.
4th Place Miss Universe 1997 Brook Mahealani Lee from USA
In 1997, the 46th Miss Universe was held at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida, USA. The previous winner, Alicia Machado’s body was heavily criticized by the pageant owner Mr. Donald Trump on television in front of millions of people. Body image and weight was the most trending topic during Alicia’s reign and the final question asked to Miss Universe 1997 Top 3 finalists was regarding Alicia’s weight increase. A native of Hawaii, a multiracial beauty of She is of Chinese, Korean, Native Hawaiian, Portuguese, French, Dutch, and English ancestry. Brook Mahealani Lee was a quick-witted, bubbly, and charismatic personality which made her an instant fan favorite during the final night, the whole crowd was cheering for her and after her final answer, she was received with support and applause.
Question: “If there were no rules in your life, for one day, and you could be outrageous, what would you do?”
Answer: “I would eat everything in the world. You do not understand. I would eat everything twice.”
3rd Place 1994 Miss Universe Sushmita Sen from India
In 1994, the 43rd edition of Miss Universe 1994 took place in Manila, Philippines. The colorful carnival and joyful theme pageant had a festive vibe where a young 18-year-old Indian beauty, Sushmita Sen impressed the panel of judges with her intelligence and down-to-earth personality. Despite being one of the youngest delegates, Sushmita was wise beyond her years. She had a warm, caring, and motherly vibe, it was showcased during her final answer when she was asked about the essence of being a woman.
Question: What is the essence of being a woman?
Answer: “Just being a woman is God’s gift that all of us must appreciate. The origin of a child is a mother and is a woman. She shows a man what sharing, caring, and loving is all about. That is the essence of a woman.”
2nd Place Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach from the Philippines
Miss Universe 2015 was the 64th Miss Universe pageant, held at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on December 20, 2015. It was the first edition of the IMG era after Donald Trump sold his company to IMG management. There were 80 delegates competing to win the crown. A young vivacious, thoughtful, and gorgeous Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach wowed the audience and judges with her wonderful performance. Pia gave a fantastic answer giving valid points about why the Miss Universe organization should select her as their next winner. Ending her final answer with the slogan “confidently beautiful” was the perfect touch to end her answer. It established her knowledge about the platform and provided information about her advocacy project.
Question: Why should you be the next Miss Universe?
Answer: To be a Miss Universe is both an honor and a responsibility. If I were to be Miss Universe, I will use my voice to influence the youth and I would raise awareness of certain causes like HIV awareness that is timely and relevant to my country which is the Philippines. I want to show the world, the universe rather, that I am confidently beautiful with a heart. Thank you.”
Before we announce the Best Answer given in the history of the Miss Universe Pageant, here are the honourable mentions: Miss Universe 1995 1st Runner Up Manpreet Brar of India, Miss Universe 2002 (Dethroned) Oxana Fedorova of Russia, Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori of Japan, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray of the Philippines, and Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa.
Best Answer Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta from India
In 2000, the 49th Miss Universe pageant was held on 12 May 2000 at the Eleftheria Indoor Hall in Nicosia, Cyprus. There was a heavy protest outside the venue where feminist groups demonstrated against the beauty pageant. The final question was regarding the people against the idea of a beauty pageant which was a suitable topic for this edition of the Miss Universe pageant. Lara took the microphone from Sinbad’s hand and delivered her answer with poise, confidence, and eloquence.
Question: Right now, there is a protest that has been staged outside the stadium posing pageants as an affront to women. Convince them that they are wrong
Answer: Pageants like Miss Universe give us young women a platform to foray into the fields that we want to and forge ahead, be it entrepreneurship, be it the armed forces, be it politics. It gives us a platform to voice our choices and opinions and makes us the strong and independent that we are today.
Here are the Top 10 Best Answers at Miss Universe Pageant History.
Which are your favorite answers in Miss Universe? Comment below