The 14 biggest controversies in the history of Miss Universe

Samantha Grindell,Anneta KonstantinidesJan 14, 2024, 15:37 IST

Miss Universe has faced many controversies over the years.Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The Miss Universe pageant will take place on Saturday in El Salvador.
The pageant comes on the heels of a year of turmoil for the pageant.

The 72nd annual Miss Universe pageant is set to take place on Saturday.

This year, 84 women will gather in San Salvador, El Salvador, to vie for the Miss Universe crown.

The 2022-2023 pageant cycle was full of controversy as reigning Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel faced rigging allegations from fans and fellow Miss USA contestants.

But scandal isn't unfamiliar to the Miss Universe Organization, which has faced plenty of drama since its inception.

Take a look back at some of the most controversial moments in the pageant's history.

Mary Leona Gage wasn't allowed to compete at Miss Universe in 1957 after judges discovered she lied during Miss USA.

Miss USA 1957.Bettmann / Contributor / Getty Images

Bob Barker resigned as host of the pageant after 21 years in 1987.

Bob Barker and Miss Universe 1985.PL Gould/IMAGES/Getty Images

In 1994, the pageant stripped Miss Puerto Rico of her title after she competed at Miss Universe.

Contestants at the 1994 Miss Universe pageant.MIGUELITO PARCERO / Staff / Getty Images

Donald Trump publicly shamed Miss Universe Alicia Machado after she won the pageant in 1996.

Donald Trump and Alicia Machado in 1996.Steve Eichner/Getty Images

Miss Lebanon dropped out of the pageant in 2002 because of global politics.

Christina Sawaya in 2002.Getty Images/Staff

In 2008, Miss Puerto Rico Ingrid Marie Rivera alleged her makeup and clothes were pepper sprayed during the pageant.

Ingrid Marie Rivera in 2008.Ali Paige Goldstein/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

Jenna Talackova planned to sue so she could compete in the 2012 Miss Canada pageant.

Jenna Talackova competed at Miss Canada in 2012.Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Donald Trump’s nearly 20-year run at Miss Universe came to an end in 2015 after he made racist remarks during his presidential campaign.

Donald Trump with (from L-R) Miss USA 2004 Shandi Finnessey, Miss Universe 2003 Amelia Vega, Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori, Miss Tanzania 2007 Flaviana Matata, Miss Kosovo 2009 Marigona Dragusha, and Miss Kosovo 2008 Zana Krasniqi on July 27, 2011 in New York City.D Dipasupil/WireImage/Getty Images

In 2015, Steve Harvey crowned the wrong winner.

Harvey accidentally named Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutiérrez during the 2015 Miss Universe pageant. Steve Marcus/Reuters

Miss Puerto Rico 2016 lost her crown after telling reporters “I just do not like cameras.”

Miss Puerto Rico 2016 Kristhielee Caride during her trial against the organization.GV Cruz/WireImage

Miss USA, Miss Australia, and Miss Colombia were accused of bullying contestants during the 2018 competition.

Miss USA 2018 Sarah Rose Summers was accused of bullying contestants during Miss Universe. FOX via Getty Images

Miss Peru 2019 lost her crown after a leaked video showed her during a night of partying.

Grados did not get to compete at Miss Universe 2019 (pictured) after the video was leaked. FOX via Getty Images

Miss Bolivia 2022 Maria Fernanda Pavisic lost her crown after she said two of Miss Universe contestants looked like “transsexuals.”

Pavisic was stripped of her title a month before the 71st Miss Universe pageant (pictured). Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Miss Russia 2022 Anna Linnikova claimed she was “shunned” by contestants during the 71st Miss Universe pageant.

Miss Russia Anna Linnikova said other contestants avoided her during the competition. The Miss Universe Organization

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