Miss Universe Special Awards: EVERYTHING you need to know! TPN#64

[@ninoian]

Finally, been waiting for this ‘topic’ to be featured on your channel, Thank you. I was gagged to see the iconic ‘Designing Women’ scene 11:12, truly the powerhouse countries are the “Suzanne Sugarbaker’s” of pageantry.

[@PageantNerd]

Thanks very much! Really appreciate your support. And glad you enjoyed the Designing Women inclusion - I have to give credit to another of my viewers who reminded me of that classic line. Thanks again xx

[@KuyaBJLaurente]

8:01 Speaking of controversial national costumes, there are 2 in mind in the recent years that were controversial: Philippines 2020 - the costume was mostly criticized by Filipino fans because it felt underwhelming. The costume was not finished by the late designer, Rocky Gathercole, while he was still living so it was finished by others. Because of that, the candidate, Rabiya Mateo, was not able to fit it in time and just wore it on the venue itself. The backdrop was already heavy, so she was not able to wear the headpiece which was also heavy. The trail was also hurriedly cut on the backstage im the day of the national costume itself. The ending was an underwhelming Victoria's Secret knockoff costume. Rabiya did her best to carry the costume on stage, but she cried after the show, which didn't help with the issue. Catriona's tweet about her national costume favorites (where the Philippines was ironically not included) added up to the mess. Russia 2022 - her participation itself was already controversial, considering that Miss Supranational and many international events banned Russia from joining as a response to their invasion of Ukraine. To worsen the situation, she wore a *red* gowm for her costume symbolizing the Russian Empire, which is a totally tone-deaf.choice. This imperial legacy was the inspiration of the Russian President for the recent invasion. Many Ukrainians and their supporters criticized the costume, and some meme-ified it, photoshopping her on the ruins in Ukraine. Pageant vlogger The Sovereign criticized her silence throughout the pageant. Ironically enough, Ukraine wom the Best in National Costume for that very year.

[@chetoak]

Thanks!

[@PageantNerd]

Thanks very much for your support!

[@mvn_dn]

I loved the “STOP ASIAN HATE” by a Filipino designer for Miss Singapore NatCos in 2020

[@Dikaraniwan]

​And this year's edition is the third one!

[@SHUBHAMPANDEY-y1j5q]

Thank you for accepting my request sir.Lots of love from India.

[@michaelromero7357]

The research is amazing.

[@PageantNerd]

Thanks very much - glad you enjoy the nerdiness as much as I do!

[@arcastro57]

Bravo! Only a true nerd would research on these fascinating, historical tidbits, analyze and present them so interestingly. I do have more nerdy questions about placement awards: In the 60s, the Semifinalists were given Plaques for making the cut, the Miss U winners were given real, shiny, multi-tiered trophies till the 70s (Amparo Munoz was even presented with a special PH-donated Maria Clara shell trophy!). . Do the Top 5 go home with prizes? Or just token bouquets? Also in the 60s and 70s, Top Ten in Swimsuits were announced days ahead of the finals, but this was later scrapped, as the winners often made the semifinals, making the contest obviously predictable.

[@PungiFungi]

I guess I am just as nerdy. I kept track of history of MU results via an Excell spreadsheet chart!

[@chetoak]

Fascinating and very nerdy ❤

[@reprolover11]

Love that Trinidad and Tobago won so many special awards. Its also interesting to note that they're the only country whose both winners have won special awards. Also its kind of funny in a way the titleholders from TT before and after Janelle Commissioning all won Miss Congenialty but she won Miss Photogenic and Miss Universe instead.

[@cuzimnotlaughing]

They really need to bring the special awards back. Atleast more girls can get more recognized for their efforts not just the runner ups and the winner.

[@avanassche5433]

Amazing!

[@enzocruz2315]

Clairol Herbal Essence Award was usually given to a heavy favorite in that certain year. Most notable awardee that is a sentimental fave of mine is Miriam Quiambao, Miss Philippines 1999. ❤

[@PageantNerd]

Yes indeed! I didn’t do a study of the winners of this award vs their performance in the main pageant, though I did see Denise Quiñones was the winner in 2001.

[@PungiFungi]

The Most Popular Girl award was given from 1954 to 1959 in the Long Beach years. A parade of all the contestants, both for USA and Universe was traditionally held and the public picked their favorite girl in the parade. 1954- Brazil - First runner-up 1955 - England - top 15 1956- USA - Winner 1957 - Canada - top 15 1958 - Australia - unplaced. 1959 - Korea - top 15 Interesting that despite the US being the default location, the people of Long Beach predominantly chose foreign contestants, with the USA chosen once and she was the only winner of the award to win the crown.

[@PageantNerd]

Thanks for those insights! Good to see the Long Beach locals appreciating global beauty!

[@kenlau457]

The Most Popular Girl was also awarded in 1952 - which went to Chile. And in 1953, it went to the USA, who went to be first runner-up. And you are right, both times the crowd chose the hometown girl, she went on to either win the crown or come in second.

[@RaulPhillipGatal]

Carolina Gomez of Colombia narrowly lost the Miss Photogenic award to Minorka Mercado of Venezuela by a single vote

[@biyaherongpulubi]

Watching from Philippines 🇵🇭 💕 💖 ❤️

[@toddmerritt960]

I loved all the girls reactions and love towards Miss Turkey 1998 winning Miss congeniality and the crowd went CRAZY in 2002 when Puerto Rico won Miss photogenic! Can’t wait for miss USA 🇺🇸 this Friday! Go Mary Miss Rhode Island ! Love your channel Ive watched pageants 30+ years and the ones before I was born I’ve watched on KZbin ! My friends call me an idiot savant on pageants lol 😂

[@PageantNerd]

Haha - I’d take that name as a badge of honour! Sounds like you’re a super fan like me, especially for the “good old days”!

[@iancaldeian]

This was thoroughly entertaining. Lots of trivia. We differ about Natasha Joubert placement at Miss Universe though. I was not surprised that she did not make the finals. Nevertheless, I agree that she was the best candidate at Miss South Africa this year while my favorite Melissa Nayimuli at Miss South Africa a few years ago faded badly at this year's competition.

[@claireindigo1200]

I love these videos

[@ramassantorini6682]

The 1994 pageant had an interesting story, too. Oddly, the names of the top 3 are considered as double initials. Sushmita Sen (SS) Carolina Gomez - but it's really Carolina CORREA (so it's CC) Minorka Mercado (MM)

[@winssalvador]

For best in National Costume 2019, Steve Harvey correctly announced Miss Philippines but Miss Malaysia was on stage in her full national costume glory. Must have been humiliating for Miss Malaysia on stage that time. My respect to Miss Malaysia for being gracious and even took the chance to explain the relevance of her national costume. Unfortunately, this was another splash of mud to Steve Harvey after his wrong announcement of winner during the 2015 Miss Universe, again correctly won by Miss Philippines.

[@PungiFungi]

The problem was that Miss Philippines was one of the semi-finalists, so she was not on hand to display her costume...so they have Miss Malaysia, the runner-up instead...but somebody goofed and didn't tell Steve Harvey and did not have that fact on the teleprompter.

[@kennethguinto4862]

You included the Clip of designing Women ❤❤❤

[@PageantNerd]

Haha yes! I thought I’d take advantage of the new edit and slip that one in - thanks for the reminder! 🥰

[@jameswalker68]

Isn’t it the best clip ever!! “And just so you will know Marjory, and one day your children will know…” ❤❤😂😂

[@erinpilla]

Oh my I remember that Mujer Cristera dress! I actually found her costume cool. They could have just changed the skirt instead. I felt bad 2007 did not have a winner. I felt the USA won it for her Elvis costume, but the backlash against Rachel that year may have precluded it from being announced.

[@CyrilCybernated]

Amazing research and presentation skills. Enjoyed this episode! Kudos ❤❤❤

[@PageantNerd]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@josephcantelmo8687]

I think I found something out today. I love your statistic-based videos the most. This was SO much fun to watch and all the facts really are fascinating. So, no Miss Universe crown winner has ever done a clean sweep. All of the special awards and then finally the crown. Wouldn't that be amazing? Can't wait to see your Miss Thailand content - so looking forward to it. Hoping you can fit in something on Miss USA which is being held September 23, 2023. Stay well, stay healthy and notice the new streamlined responses. I'm sure I revert to form soon enough LOL. Thanks for the shoutout as usual. Hello to your subscribers as well. XO Joseph from the US

[@RaulPhillipGatal]

Puerto Rico's Denise Quinones almost made a clean sweep. Miss Photogenic, Clairol Style Award and Best in Swimsuit prior to winning the crown

[@josephcantelmo8687]

@@RaulPhillipGatal You are right Raul. I remember that night. As soon as she was called in the semi-finals, I knew she would be crowned. She had such a lovely aura and way of being. You couldn't take your eyes off of her. Thanks for letting me know. Take care and have a great week. Joseph from the US

[@jonasiangco7150]

Hope to see the same in MW and MI

[@GoogleUser-td1ic]

Excellent research. It's time consuming 😊.

[@NileBayou]

surprised that gazini's win in 2019 wasnt mentioned lols love her

[@PageantNerd]

I love to her too, but in the grand scheme of things her victory wasn’t worth a specific mention (to me, at least).

[@NileBayou]

@@PageantNerd haha yeah i see that.. btw omg, love your videos

[@neeneeboy1412]

U reuploaded it? What happened to the 1st one?

[@PageantNerd]

A couple of errors were spotted in the first one, so I wanted to make sure it was as factually correct as possible!

[@sar983]

❤

[@AT-st5dr]

Amazing research, segment and channel. Miss universe die hard Aussie fan here. Can tell by your accent you are too.

[@PageantNerd]

Definitely not hard for another Aussie to detect another! Thanks very much - really glad you enjoy the vids. Where in Australia are you?

[@marwaqoura7804]

I didn't know that Egypt's 🇪🇬 2017 Farah Sha'baan won an award in Miss Universe , she deserves it one of the most beautiful and sweet Queens ❤💐🙏

[@PageantNerd]

Watch this space!

[@RaulPhillipGatal]

The most controversial Best in National Costume winner was Paraguay who wore a huge costume during MU 1992 in Thailand. It was so huge she couldnt even move and had to be positioned like a stage prop during the intro. What made it more controversial was it was designed like a vajayjay

[@PungiFungi]

I think they should make a rule that national costumes should be something that a contestant can walk and dance in...or at least can be modified accordingly on finals night. You can see the pageants in the 1990s that many of the contestants do not wear the complete costume for the opening number.

[@lorlieattard4156]

bravo amigas

[@richardmarker5308]

Everything you put out is amazing!!!! Is it okay if I request one more? Favorites who didnt make it to Finals and your opinion (or based on research) as to why. Love you!!!!!!!!

[@PageantNerd]

Hey Richard, I’ll be heading into MU 2023 preview season for the next couple of months but will do some research into that topic as a possible clip post-El Salvador! Thanks! Hope you’re doing well 😊

[@aimlessrapport5701]

This is I think the most difficult suggestion: Can you fare the monetary amount(or monetary equivalent) of all Miss Universes to the current inflation and rank who among them has won much in terms of US$ possibly

[@PageantNerd]

That’s quite the challenge! Have all prize packages been quantified in terms of dollar value over the years?

[@radagasdas]

Re watching 👀 now

[@DavidMendoza-pi3wz]

Love it Roger

[@reprolover11]

Now Trinidad and Tobago has 4 congeniality awards!! :D

[@leroyfernandes7718]

Do for Miss World

[@eliastaveras7824]

Mías Dominican Republic 2014 with the Virgen Marry

[@rogerbm1981]

Miss Universe 1995 MISS USA Chelsi Smith WON Miss Universe and Miss Congeniality

[@PageantNerd]

Nigeria won Miss Congeniality in 1995

[@taroupriapus9760]

I don't remember a miss congeniality winner ever win miss universe

[@PageantNerd]

Indeed it’s never happened! As per my video the closest anyone has gotten was in 1955 (1RU) and 2010 (2RU).

[@PageantNerd]

Oh, I just checked and Chelsi won Miss Congeniality at Miss USA 1995!

[@jameswalker68]

@@PageantNerd She was also Miss Congeniality at every regional pageant she took place in, in Texas, and then also at Miss Texas USA as well as then at Miss USA. I recall reading she missed out by one vote at Miss Universe in 1995. RIP beautiful Chelsea.

[@bryeninety-four1870]

Both Miss Venezuela (1994 and 2008) won the best natcos of the Philippines and Vietnam.

[@NareshKumar-pc8yb]

India's Lara Dutta finished 1st runner up in Best National Costume. Missed it by whisk.

[@PungiFungi]

I like the days they announced the second and third placers of the costumes. Maybe they should bring that back also.

[@subhankarchakraborty2448]

Do the same for MW. They have so many awards.

[@PageantNerd]

That’s certainly the goal… I will need to do a lot of work building up a MW database as I’ve done for MU, tracking every result and award won, so that may be a project after pageant season!

[@mikmowmil]

Did people really want Natasha Joubert to compete at MU twice? That would be a horrible decision and only open a can of worms.

[@Andresmarc365]

No she just wants the title of Miss South Africa but she can't compete again at Miss Universe. Her runner up will though

[@orlandodiola7076]

I think Miss Photogenic awards should be judged by the reliable authority on photography:: the independent photographers themselves. Just saying.

[@PageantNerd]

I couldn’t agree with you more! Should never have moved to a popular vote. It would’ve been better to create a new award, eg Miss Internet or similar

[@spoyledbratt]

How hard is it to present the special awards on stage during the live telecast? It just takes a few minutes. Better than listening to “influencers” talk nonsense backstage.

[@PageantNerd]

Completely agree! I suppose it comes down to how much value the current org places on these awards 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@mercytraj5665]

Yes! A fresh look from nakakasawa ng mestiza look. Ang ganda talaga, a blend between mestiza and black beauty. Di ba ang ganda hindi nakakasawa tingnan.

[@RaulPhillipGatal]

England was the most deserving Miss Photogenic because the award then was decided by media accredited photographers covering the pageabt

[@PageantNerd]

Yes, agree!

[@johnedwardliwasan9873]

Now, Philippines has already 4 Best National Costume Award

[@PageantNerd]

Maybe it’s time I updated this video - what do you think?’

[@enzocruz2315]

One controversial national costume was Miss Philippines during 2004 Miss Universe pageant held in Ecuador. The costume was inspired by the pintados but apparently during live local telecast people thought she was naked and her upper body was exposed hence the live local telecast was abruptly interrupted.

[@mtkgee6381]

I don't see Bryoni winning

[@SajiSNairNair-tu9dk]

Who give as? 🤔

[@mtkgee6381]

Natasha lied

[@lorlieattard4156]

ultra,adios

[@kianandal8230]

Better stop patronizing all those beauty pageant....the organizer are just money making, corrupting the mind's of a woman, don't all of us havents think and realized the true purpose of all those pageantry...better study, contribute to be a betterment of this world we live in...😅

[@omgitspaintsil]

Can you please do a review or give us some history of male pageants?. Specifically the top 5 alpha male pageants. We would love it soo much.