Founded in 1952, Miss Universe is one of the best known and most publicized beauty pageants in the world, which sees the winners of national pageants from around the globe as participants. The selection of a country candidate usually includes competitions in major cities, the winners of which then compete in a national competition. Women can take certain paths in order to qualify and be able to win Miss Universe.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Qualify for Miss Universe
Step 1. Meet the age requirements
Miss Universe participants must be between 18 and 27 years old on January 1 of the year in which they compete.
Step 2. Postpone the wedding
Participants cannot be married or pregnant, cannot have been married in the past or have canceled a marriage, have given birth to a child or raised one.
Step 3. Find out about the competition
Participants are judged in three categories: evening dress, bathing suit and personality interview. There are no talent challenges.
Step 4. Enter the contest
Potential candidates must register for the competition through the national directorate of their respective country. In the United States, for example, potential contestants must first qualify to participate in Miss USA by contacting local state directors.
Part 2 of 5: Prepare to Compete for Miss Universe
Step 1. Stay fit
Exercise and eat healthy. Remember that Miss Universe contestants are judged on their physical appearance while wearing a bathing suit.
Step 2. Pamper your skin
Don't be afraid to invest in products that make your skin more beautiful, such as anti-acne cleansers and moisturizers. Avoid sun damage by applying adequate protection every time you spend time outdoors.
Step 3. Remove unwanted body hair
Most of the Miss Universe contestants choose to wax, so that the effect lasts for several days. You should shave a few days before the competition but not too close to the event, in order to avoid that your skin is still visibly red and irritated due to waxing. Shave your groin, armpits, legs, and mustache (if you have any).
If you've never waxed before, make an appointment at least a week before the contest to see how your skin reacts. You can always make an extra appointment or use the razor on regrowth
Step 4. Work with an instructor for competitions
An instructor can teach you how to walk, behave, and appear during a contest. Ask your friends and other participants for some references. You can also search for instructors online, on competition sites.
Many contestants also sign up for modeling courses to work on walking and posing
Step 5. Prepare for the interview
Get a culture and an opinion on current and recent events around the world. Choose your program, the cause that matters most to you and that you will care most about if you are elected.
- Some types of questions are recurring in contest interviews. Research which are the most common and be prepared to answer them.
- Expect questions like "Who is your greatest example?", "What is the most serious environmental problem the world is facing today?" or "What constitutes true beauty?"
Part 3 of 5: Buying Competition Equipment
Step 1. Save on wardrobe, participation fee and travel expenses
The contest entry fee can cost more than € 800 and you will need a dress that can cost up to € 4500. The make-up and hairstyle could cost you € 350 per hour. You will also need money to cover the cost of the trip.
Step 2. Buy high quality makeup
Don't use discount products; buy quality makeup from specialty stores instead.
Step 3. Buy the clothing
You will need an evening gown, a bathing suit, and a suit to wear to foreplay interviews. You will also need shoes for each of the outfits.
- For the swimsuit, choose a solid color or black. Both one-piece and two-piece swimsuits are accepted. Wear heels of up to 10cm to match the costume.
- For the evening dress, choose something that reflects your personality and looks good on you. Resist the temptation to buy it online: it is important to try it before buying.
- For the interview, wear a neutral suit with a skirt or a sheath dress in a color that matches your skin. Pair with heels.
Part 4 of 5: Knowing How to Behave During the Contest
Step 1. Behave appropriately
Show off your best attitude during the contest days, like a real lady. Always stand with your back straight and smile. Don't swear, don't use drugs, don't smoke and so on. Introduce yourself with class and good manners - you never know if there is a judge around.
Step 2. Pass the interview with flying colors
Stay calm and relaxed, yet enthusiastic and cheerful. Pretend you are talking to your family or friends, but always be polite and in control of yourself. Don't show your tension, stand tall and be confident.
- During the interview, shake hands with the judges only if they offer it to you first; say "good morning", "good evening", "good afternoon" according to the time of day.
- If you remain standing during the interview, make sure you keep your back straight and have a proud bearing, with your face up. Keep your back straight even as you sit down - in this case cross your legs and keep your hands folded over them.
Step 3. Stay calm and polite with the staff and other competitors
The way you behave backstage will influence what you do on stage later.
Don't fret if you get provoked. This is a common occurrence, as all contestants feel jealous and fearful
Part 5 of 5: Enter the Contest
Step 1. Confidently show your fitness when in a bathing suit
The costume rehearsal can bring some women to breaking point, as they are presenting their bodies only partially covered to millions of onlookers.
- Avoid showing more than you want by applying skin-colored pieces of fabric to the bottom of the costume, sewing them, or using skin-friendly glue.
- Wearing heels in the color of your skin will make your legs look longer without affecting your figure and smile.
- Practice posing for the dress rehearsal in front of the mirror so you know which poses show the best part of your body.
- By preparing yourself well for the costume rehearsal you will then be more comfortable when you step on stage.
Step 2. Show your personality
During the interview, do not give the same answers made with the stencil that the judges hear from everyone. Instead, add your personality to what you say, while remaining balanced and confident. The original contestants will most vividly remain in the judges' minds.
Step 3. Introduce yourself elegantly
During the evening dress rehearsal, the judges look for a regal and elegant contestant. The walk is as important as the choice of clothes. Judges rate each participant for grace, balance and composure.
- Glide on the catwalk, without taxes. Practice the classic "books on the head" method to perfect your posture.
- Shorter steps will help you get the right competition walk.
Step 4. Smile, regardless of the result
If you don't win, don't get mad. Face defeat with grace.
Advice
- If you don't understand a question asked by a judge or anyone else, don't pretend. Ask them to repeat the question and answer as best you can.
- Take the contest as a responsibility, as you will not only represent yourself but your entire country and the decisions made by the judges that brought you there.
- It is not necessary to speak English to participate in Miss Universe. The program has translators for both judges and contestants during presentations and questions on stage. There will also be translators during the interviews!
- Be positive. Always look on the good side of things.
- Take care of your skin and stay in good physical shape, exercise, plan your wardrobe, prepare for interviews, learn about minor contests, be elegant and humble.
