CONFIRMED: Miss Universe to allow divorced women, wives, mothers to take part in the pageant
Miss Universe has big changes in store for all, including its decision to allow mothers, wives, and divorced women to compete in the prestigious beauty pageant.
Paula Shugart, the organization’s president, confirmed the reports in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel on Friday, Sept. 16. “We did not want to be in a position where we felt that we were precluding someone from competing if they felt they can handle that job.”
“So if you know what the job description is, which we’re really going to make sure that everyone is aware, they need to be able to handle the job as Miss Universe, whether they have a family or not,” she said.
“Now, women are able to have families, they’re able to have a job, they’re able to be a spokesperson. We should not be the ones to say, ‘No, you can’t do this,’” added Shugart.
This is a remarkable move for the Miss U organization, which has stated in its rules for 70 years that “contestants may not be married or pregnant. They must not have ever been married, not had a marriage annulled nor given birth to, or parented a child.”
It’s still important to note that only women aged between 18 and 28 are eligible to join the competition.
Harnaaz Sandhu of India is set to crown her successor at the 71st edition of the tilt slated for January 2023. Further details have yet to be announced.