The 74th Miss Universe pageant is set to take place this Friday, November 21, in Bangkok, Thailand, with contestants from over 130 countries competing for this year’s coveted crown.
Under the theme “The Power of Love,” the pageant aims to foster compassion, inclusivity, and strength among participants. The Miss Universe Organization states that this theme is about honoring love as a powerful force that inspires positive change worldwide.
However, the lead-up to this year’s event has not been without controversy. There have been significant leadership changes and disputes between contestants and pageant executives, including the withdrawal of judges leading up to the event.
The pageant will be hosted at the Impact Challenger Hall in Bangkok, with English-language commentary provided by comedian Steve Byrne, joined by former Miss Universe winner Dayanara Torres and R’Bonney Gabriel, the titleholder from 2022. The Spanish-language broadcast will be hosted by Carlos Adyan, Danilo Carrera, Jessica Carrillo, and Jacqueline Bracamonte.
The event’s judging panel faced internal turmoil as judge Omar Harfouch announced his withdrawal due to concerns over an “impromptu jury” allegedly set up to choose 30 finalists. French soccer legend Claude Makélélé and Princess Camilla di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, president of the selection committee, also stepped down, citing personal reasons. In light of these changes, the Miss Universe Organization has appointed new judges, including Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova and Olympic medalist Saina Nehwal.
The 74th Miss Universe pageant promises to be a grand spectacle, available for viewers in the U.S. to watch on Telemundo and via streaming on Peacock starting at 8 p.m. ET on November 20. Amid the controversies, the event serves as a celebration of diversity, showcasing global talent and the beauty of unity. Despite the challenges, the participants remain focused on their mission to make a positive impact in a fragmented world, embodying the spirit of this year’s theme.