Miss Universe removes the maximum age restriction
In a revelation that shook the beauty pageant world, R’Bonney Gabriel, the current Miss Universe, announced on Thursday, September 15, 2023 that all women over the age of 28 can now compete in the Miss Universe pageant. Earlier, the age limit for participating in this beauty pageant was only 18 to 28 years. R’Bonney Gabriel made the announcement at designer Tanner Fletcher’s “Beauty Pageant” show during New York Fashion Week. Since the start of the Miss Universe pageant in 1952, the age limit for participants has been 18 to 28 years. R’Bonney, who is now 29 years old, set a new record of her own as the oldest contestant to be crowned Miss Universe when she won the pageant in 2022.
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Miss Universe’s Instagram account posted a message with the caption: “Limitless @rbonneynola closed out Tanner Fletcher’s stunning NYFW show as the MISS UNIVERSE organization announced the elimination of age limits for all MISS UNIVERSE and associated pageants.”
According to the reports, R’Bonney said during the announcement, “What I like about Miss Universe is that they are always ahead of the curve and looking for ways to be more inclusive and fulfill the platform that they designed for us. There is a It’s a bold, forward-thinking team leading the way here, and many are following suit. It’s an honor to set the standard and I’m proud we’re making this change.”
With this groundbreaking move, Miss Universe will instantly become more inclusive and likely change the pageant game forever. Here’s how.
- While the current age limit for Miss Universe is 28, it is 27 for Miss Word and 25 for Femina Miss India, the latter with a height restriction of 6 feet and above. For older participants, there is a Mrs Universe pageant for which the age limit is much higher: 55 years, but participants must be married to participate.
- This announcement challenges traditional beauty standards. In its 72-year history, Miss Universe has crowned 40 young women between the ages of 17 and 20. Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu was 21 when she won the crown, one of three in the past five years who were under the age of 25. It’s no wonder that R’Bonney, the eldest to win the title at 28, is all for breaking the age. barriers for the parade.
- Furthermore, until last year, Miss Universe content required unmarried people to be eligible and mothers were also not allowed to participate. However, according to reports released last year, this year’s election will also revise these rules, opening up the election like never before.
With so many major moves shaking the foundations of conventional beauty standards that have influenced decision-making in the pageant world and the beauty industry for decades, it’s safe to say that the Miss Universe pageant starting in November is a highly anticipated event . .
Also read: Rikkie Kolle breaks beauty pageant stereotypes and becomes the second transgender model to be crowned at a national beauty pageant
