Plot Synopsis

Each year since 1952, young women from around the world compete for the title of Miss Universe. The first pageant, held in Long Beach, CA from June 23-29, featured 30 contestant from the United States, foreign nations and U.S. territories, with daily radio coverage on KGER that included interviews with various contestants. On the last night of that inaugural event, 10 semifinalists from Finland, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Mexico, South Africa, Sweden, United States and Uruguay vied for the title, with Finland's Armi Kuusela wearing the crown by the end of the night. The pageant was first nationally televised on July 9, 1960, when it was broadcast live on CBS from the Miami Beach Convention Hall Auditorium in Miami Beach, FL. CBS remained the television home of the MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT through 2002, after which NBC aired the pageant from 2003-2014. FOX has broadcast the event since 2015. In 2021, there were two Miss Universe Competitions -- one in May (delayed from Dec 2020 because of COVID) and one in December.
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The 72nd Annual Miss Universe Competition aired live from El Salvador on the Roku Channel on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 8pm ET. Jeannie Mai Jenkins and Olivia Culpo return to host, They're joined by fist-time host Maria Menounos, who she has been a part of the MOU community since winning the title of Miss Teen Massachusetts in 1995. The show also features two backstage correspondents: Filipina model, singer, television personality, and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray; and Emmy Award winning TV host, actress, and producer Zuri Hall. For the Spanish-language telecast, Telemundo features renowned TV personalities Jacqueline Bracamontes and Danilo Carrera. Joining them are Andrea Meza, Carlos Adyan, and Julia Gama, who will be on site bringing viewers all the excitement with exclusive behind-the-scenes access and special coverage.