Miss Universe makes 'inclusive' change to increase diversity

Virgin Radio

11 Aug 2022, 11:17

Miss Universe has been congratulated for making a change that will allow more women to compete.

There are so many rules for the world-famous pageant on who can and can't compete.

The new rule will come into effect for the 72nd Miss Universe in 2023.

The change means married women and mothers can compete for the first time ever.

Who knew that, until now, only single women with no kids could apply, thanks to the "Miss" title?

A memo about the change said: "We all believe that women should have agency over their lives and that a human's personal decisions should not be a barrier to their success."

Contestants will still need to be aged between 18 and 28.

Andrea Meza, Miss Universe 2020, told Insider: "I honestly love that this is happening."

Fans celebrated on Twitter, writing: "YES! It’s high time we celebrate all women! MUO keeps proving to us why they are the most coveted!"

Another added: "INCLUSIVITY TO THE NEXT LEVEL!!!"

One person asked: "What about the arrangements if a mother or someone married wins. A year away from her family?"

Former winner, Mary Jean Lastimosa, Miss Universe 2014, added: "You still have to win in your country that might apply diff rules but still."

As she rightly points out, each country has their own rules so it depends on if the individual country changes the rule against married women and mothers competing.