The 2022 Miss Universe pageant broke a 68-year television tradition
In short: For the first time since 1954, the Miss Universe pageant bypassed major American networks. As the competition moved to a streaming platform, it also marked a significant shift in ownership and a surprising delay to avoid clashing with the FIFA World Cup.
Held on 14 January 2023 in New Orleans, the 71st Miss Universe pageant arrived with several structural shifts. It was the first edition under the ownership of JKN Global Group and the first to broadcast via the streaming service The Roku Channel rather than a major American television network. The event's timing was also notably delayed; originally intended for late 2022, the pageant was moved to the first quarter of 2023 to avoid a scheduling conflict with the FIFA World Cup. The decision to host the event in New Orleans was finalized in September 2022. Before the location was confirmed, cities like Miami, Los Angeles, and even Nha Trang in Vietnam were considered potential venues.
The competition featured delegates from eighty-three countries and territories. While some nations made notable returns, such as Seychelles—competing for the first time since 1995—others, including Denmark, Israel, and Sweden, withdrew because their national organizations failed to appoint delegates. The roster also saw historic representation, such as Tashi Choden of Bhutan becoming only the second openly lesbian contestant in the pageant's history. The field of eighty-three delegates included eighteen participants who were appointed through casting or as national runners-up. This group also featured the return of several nations, including Angola, Lebanon, and Switzerland.
The winner, R'Bonney Gabriel of the United States, secured the ninth victory for her country. Her win was also notable for her age, as she was the oldest entrant to be crowned, surpassing the 2020 winner, Andrea Meza of Mexico. The competition format itself was tightened due to limited telecast time, retaining sixteen semifinalists rather than returning to the twenty-person format used in 2018 and 2019. The judging process relied on a combination of closed-door interviews and preliminary swimsuit and evening gown rounds. To determine the final field, fans were also permitted to use internet voting to help advance a delegate into the semifinals.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Miss Universe 2022
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