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The 74th iteration of the annualMiss Universecontest will return this Friday, Nov. 21.Contestants will take the stage on Friday, representing well over 100 countries from across the globe as they vie for this year's crown.This year's pageant theme is "The Power of Love," which the Miss Universe Organization website describes as a thematic mechanism to bring together the 130 competing nations "in a shared vision of compassion, inclusivity, and strength.""Through this celebration, we honor love as a force that empowers, breaks barriers, and inspires positive change across the world," thewebsitereads.
This year, the Miss Universe Organization, its contestants and pageant executives have found themselves embroiled in controversy in the lead-up to the official event, including shocking leadership changes, confrontations between contestants and executives and last-minute judge withdrawals.Read below to find out more information about how to tune in to the pageant's 74th iteration.
Where will the 2025 Miss Universe pageant be held?
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The 74th Annual Miss Universe pageant will take place at the Impact Challenger Hall in Bangkok, Thailand.
When will the 2025 Miss Universe pageant take place?
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The 2025 Miss Universe pageant will take place at 8 a.m. in Thailand on Nov. 21, meaning that television coverage for US viewers hoping to tune in will begin at 8 p.m. ET on Nov. 20 (the day before in the US).
While the 74th Miss Universe Final Coronation Party will take place on Nov. 21, delegates to the pageant have been in Thailand since Nov. 2, preparing for the contest and participating in other lead-up events like shoots, fittings and rehearsals.
According to the Miss Universe Organization website, delegates have participated in tours of Bangkok, Pattaya City and other cultural activities since arriving on site for the festivities.
Who are the hosts for the 2025 Miss Universe pageant?
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Hosting the English-language broadcast of the pageant is American comedianSteve Byrne, who will be joined by Puerto Rican actress and 1993 Miss Universe pageant winnerDayanara Torres, as well asR'Bonney Gabriel, who won the pageant in 2022, serving as additional commentary hosts.
Carlos Adyan, Danilo Carrera, Jessica Carrillo, and Jacqueline Bracamonte will host the Spanish-language broadcast.
Who will judge the 2025 Miss Universe pageant?
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The Miss Universe judging panel has been particularly entrenched in controversy in the days leading up to the pageant after one judge,Omar Harfouch, took to social media on Tuesday, Nov. 18 to announce that he was withdrawing from his role as judge, citing his "profound confusion and concern" after learning that an "impromptu jury" was allegedly formed to choose 30 finalists from the 136 countries meant to participate.And, the same day, judge and French former soccer proClaude Makéléléannounced he would be withdrawing from his role in the competition, citing personal reasons. Following that, on Nov. 19, the president of the Miss Universe selection committee, Princess Camilla di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, also dropped out of the pageant.The Miss Universe Organization has since announced new judges, Miss Universe 2005Natalie Glebova, Zimbabwean colonelMiniyothabo Francisca Baloyiand Filipino singerLouie Heredia.
Additional main competition judges include Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza, Miss Thailand 1998 Nok Chalida, author Ismael Cala, model Sharon Fonseca, Indian Olympic badminton bronze medalist Saina Nehwal and Brazilian artist Romero Britto.
How to watch the 2025 Miss USA pageant?
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The 2025 Miss Universe pageant final will be available to watch for US viewers on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 8:00 p.m. ET on Telemundo or via streaming on Peacock.
What is the controversy surrounding this year's 2025 Miss Universe pageant?
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The 2025 Miss Universe competition has been embroiled in its fair share of controversy in the weeks leading up to the event.On Nov. 4, a livestream video showed multiple Miss Universe contestants who appeared to get up and leave during an event ahead of the pageant in Thailand. In the video, livestreamed to the pageant's official Facebook page, executive Nawat Itsaragrisil spoke to the international pageant contestants about his expectations that they would "promote the host country," then calling out Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch for allegedly refusing to partake in a photo shoot meant for contestants to share on social media.Despite denying the claims, Itsaragrisil continued to chastise her, and she eventually walked out of the room, whileseveral other contestants got up to follow. Itsaragrisil reiterated his claim that she was acting in the interests of her country's pageant director, calling her a "dummy."
In response to his actions, the Miss Universe Organization moved torestrict Itsaragrisil's participationin further events, with Miss Universe President Raul Rocha Cantu posting a video statement as well, in which he expressed his "solidarity and support" for all the women."I will not allow the values of respect and dignity toward women to be violated. Unfortunately, Nawat has forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host," Rocha said.On Nov. 18, a separate incident came to light when Miss Universe pageant judge Omar Harfouch took to his Instagram Stories toannounce his resignation from his role.
He began by expressing his "profound confusion and concern" after learning that an "impromptu jury" was allegedly formed to choose 30 finalists from the 136 countries meant to participate, claiming that he learned about said committee via social media.
Ina second post, Harfouch alleged that the unofficial judging panel is "composed of individuals with a significantpotential conflict of interestdue to some[personal] relationshipswith some of the Miss Universe contestants, including the person responsible for counting the votes and managing the results, which constitutes a further conflict of interest."The same day, another judge, Claude Makélélé, announcedhe was also withdrawing from his positionas judge, citing personal reasons. And the president of the selection committee, Princess Camilla di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, also announced herresignation.
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