Miss Universe 2011 Pageant Airs Tonight
It is the 60th Anniversary of the pageant
The Miss Universe pageant commenced tonight at 9 p.m. on NBC.
89 candidates from six continents have lined up in Sao Paulo, Brazil to exhibit their beauty in swimsuits and evening gowns in the 60th anniversary of the competition. Tonight’s hosts are Brazil native Natalie Morales and St. Louis bred Andy Cohen.
A Latino vibe is to be expected this evening, as many of the pageant’s judges are from Brazil, the Philippines and the Dominican Republic. Two noteworthy judges are racing legend Helio Castroneves and Lea Salonga, award-winning Broadway and West End theater star.
“Miss Universe is supposed be about more than just looks, and hopefully, these women will be judged on their other qualities, such as intelligence, poise, manners and culture, themselves out-of-date markers of a woman's worth, but certainly more important than beauty alone,” says Jamie Blair an op-ed columnist for the International Business Times.
Last year’s winner was Mexico’s Ximena Navarrette. She will be present to hand over her crown to her successor at tonight’s pageant, which is owned by Donald Trump.
It has been 14 years since an American contestant was crowned winner. The show will run until 11 p.m.