Past controversies at the Miss Universe competition, conclusion
The 2015 Miss Universe contest was hit with another wave of controversy after Miss Israel, Doron Matalon, jumped into an impromptu selfie with Miss Lebanon, Saly Greige, and a few other contestants.
What started as an innocuous selfie, quickly turned into the talk of the internet due to fears the image would exacerbate tensions between the two countries.
According to NBC News, a Lebanese television station berated Greige, arguing that she should have made it more clear that Lebanon and Israel are sworn enemies.
“I was very cautious to avoid being in any photo or communication with Miss Israel [that tried several times to have a photo with me],” Greige wrote on her Facebook page.
The Miss Universe Organization also released a statement following the incident.
It read: “It is unfortunate to know a photo of four smiling women from different parts of the world, working together at an event, could be misconstrued as anything other than what it is, a celebration of universal friendship, which the Miss Universe pageant is all about.”
Past controversies at the Miss Universe competition, part VI
Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutiérrez, had just received the news of a lifetime after winning the title of 2015 Miss Universe – or at least, that’s what host, Steve Harvey had told her.
But Gutiérrez and viewers were shocked when Harvey then took back the mic and said: “Okay, folks, I have to apologize.”
The host admitted that he had called the wrong name, corrected his mistake, and announced that it was Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach, who really won.
Although Harvey faced heavy backlash for his slip-up, both women took the news in their stride.
Miss Philippines called it a “very non-traditional crowning moment,” while the runner-up, Miss Colombia, said “Everything happens for a reason,” as she exited the stage.
Past controversies at the Miss Universe competition, part V
Transgender contestant Jenna Talackova competed in the 2012 Miss Universe Contest.
She made it into the group of 65 finalists in the Miss Universe Canada competition before the organization decided to remove her from the roster.
“She did not meet the requirements to compete despite having stated otherwise on her entry form,” Miss Universe Canada said in a statement reported by ABC news.
“We do, however, respect her goals, and determination and wish her the best.”
“I will look to turn this situation into a positive so that other people in a similar situation are not discriminated against in the future,” Talackova told the press.
Past controversies at the Miss Universe competition, part IV
It was 2002, and Miss Russia, Oxana Fedorova, had taken home the first Miss Universe title for her country: unfortunately, her reign didn’t even last six months.
Whispers of secret weddings and hidden pregnancies, both forbidden by the organization, had circulated.
Shortly after, the Miss Universe Organization announced that Federova would be stripped of her title.
In a statement, they simply explained that she was removed for “failing in her duties.”
Many questioned the murky details surrounding her departure.
Past controversies at the Miss Universe competition, part III
In 1987, the Miss Universe competition was set to be led by game show host Bob Barker.
Barker, who was also an outspoken advocate for animal rights, asked the pageant to stop using fur coats and other prizes that involved animal cruelty as prizes for the winners and runner-ups.
Unfortunately, the pageant refused to adjust its prize packages.
″I received hundreds of letters from those who have placed their faith in me on this issue,″ Barker said in an Associated Press report.
“I cannot do them [the show] as long as they give away fur coats. This involves morality.″
That was the last straw for Barker, who stepped down after 20 years of hosting.
Past controversies at the Miss Universe competition, continued
In 1973, the winner of Miss Universe, Margarita Moran, was positioned as a Nixon Sympathizer during the Watergate scandal that gripped the US.
Moran, who was representing the Philippines, left audiences shocked after an odd admission in one interview that saw her proclaim that Richard Nixon was the “Greatest man on Earth.”
The timing of her statement raised eyebrows as the pageant was taking place while the Watergate scandal was unfolding.
President Nixon, on the other hand, was quite pleased. He sent Miss Moran a thank you note, expressing his gratitude for her “thoughtful comment on my efforts to bring peace in the world.”
