6 Miss Universe 2023 contestants who are making the pageant ...
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The Miss Universe 2023 pageant has arrived.
The global competition will occur on Saturday in El Salvador, where 84 women will compete for the coveted title. R'Bonney Gabriel, who snagged the title of Miss Universe 2022 and became embroiled in a rigging scandal, will crown the winner. This year's competition is set to be the most inclusive Miss Universe pageant yet, with mothers, married women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and a plus-size model among the contestants.
Organizers announced mothers and married women could enter the competition in August 2022, while transgender contestants were permitted to compete in April 2012. In recent years, there have also been calls for Miss Universe to become more body-inclusive.
These contestants are fighting to make the Miss Universe pageant more inclusive. Take a look.
Miss Guatemala Michelle Cohn is the first mother to compete in the Miss Universe pageant.
Cohn, 28, is a mother of two, model, brand founder, and entrepreneur. According to Cohn's bio via the pageant's Instagram page, Cohn launched a swimwear brand in 2016 and employs deaf women to promote equal opportunity.
"I'm most proud of being the first mother elected to represent my country at Miss Universe, breaking stereotypes and promoting women's empowerment," her bio read.
Miss Colombia Camila Avella is married with one child, making her the first married contestant.
The 28-year-old told HOLA this month that she competed for the Miss Colombia title in 2018 but wasn't selected. After the Miss Universe organizers announced that mothers and married women could compete, she decided to try again as a wife and mother.
Per her bio, Avella is a journalist and model who works to uplift young mothers by providing resources, including financial management and mental health training.
In 2023, Marina Machete became the first transgender Miss Portugal.
Machete is a 28-year-old flight attendant who won the 2023 Miss Portugal competition in October, making her the first transgender contestant to do so in her country.
According to her bio, she is passionate about equity and inclusion.
"I'm most proud of the challenges I overcame with courage and strength. Leading me to develop humanity and kindness towards others in my life," her bio read.
Miss Nepal Jane Dipika Garrett made history as the first body-inclusive contestant.
Some outlets have hailed Garrett, 22, as Miss Universe's first plus-size contestant — something pageant contestants said is long overdue. She advocates for mental and hormonal health after experiencing depression caused by her PCOS, according to her Voices of Change campaign video.
"I am a determined, resilient, and genuine woman who embraces her true essence and nature without fear," her bio reads. "My life experiences have molded me into the strong, bold, and courageous woman I am today."
In a November Instagram post, she wrote: "It's time to celebrate the different changes in women's bodies and embrace all our shapes and sizes."
Erica Robin is the first Miss Pakistan to compete in the pageant.
Miss Pakistan 2023. Courtesy of Miss Universe
The 24-year-old will make history on Saturday as the first Miss Pakistan. Per her bio, Robin is a model fighting against gender bias and inequality in the workplace.
"I'm most proud of standing up for what I believe in my life. Recently, right after I was announced as the new titleholder for Miss Universe Pakistan, I received some backlash from different sectors of the community, but I would like to stand up for what I believe in," her bio read.
It added: "Despite these criticisms, I was ready to face any challenges ahead of me while maintaining my values as a young modern Pakistani woman, representing our rich culture and heritage, and showing the world that Pakistan can celebrate the success of women."
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