THEN AND NOW: How the Miss Universe pageant has evolved over the last 69 years

Megan Willett-Wei,Gabbi ShawMay 15, 2021, 18:52 IST

Miss Universe.Steve Marcus/Reuters

Miss Universe is one of the "Big Four" pageants, with Miss World, Miss Earth, and Miss International.
Miss Universe 2020 will be held on May 16 after a prolonged absence since December 2019.
Insider took a look at the pageant's 69-year history to see how it has changed over the years.

Miss Universe started in 1952 as a marketing stunt by a California clothing company, Pacific Knitting Mills, after the winner of rival pageant Miss America refused to wear one of its swimsuits.

Contestants at one of the earliest Miss Universes. AP

Miss Universe started in 1952 as a marketing stunt by a California clothing company, Pacific Knitting Mills, after the winner of rival pageant Miss America refused to wear one of its swimsuits.

At first, the pageant was combined with the Miss USA pageant. It wasn't broadcast until 1955.

Some contestants in 1956 at a department store for the bathing suit competition. AP

In those early years, Miss USA was essentially a preliminary phase in the Miss Universe contest.

Leona Gage poses with the four runners-up after she was named Miss USA on July 17, 1957. HF/AP Images

In 1959, Japan's Akiko Kojima became the first Asian woman to be crowned Miss Universe.

Akiko Kojima. AP

In 1960, an interview portion was introduced to the contest. Here's a snapshot from that year, where the women wore their national costumes. It became a pageant staple.

Women wearing their national costumes. AP

From the '70s through the '90s, the pageant was over a month long, including rehearsals and preliminary contests.

Contestants from 1971 waiting for the pageant walk-through to start. AP

The '60s and '70s really cemented what the pageant would look like in the future. Here, Bob Barker announces that Rina Messinger of Israel had won the title in 1976.

Rina Messinger of Israel registers her surprise when she is told she has won the Miss Universe Pageant of 1976, on July 11, 1976. AP

The finalists would always stand together while the runners-up were announced.

Miss Universe 1978, Margaret Gardiner, on the far right. AP

Even if the body types were becoming increasingly similar, the winners were becoming more diverse. The first Black Miss Universe was Miss Trinidad-Tobago Janelle Commissiong in 1977.

Miss Universe 1977, Janelle Commissiong, crowns Miss South Africa, Margaret Gardiner. Hal Moore/AP Images

Even if the body types were becoming increasingly similar, the winners were becoming more diverse. The first Black Miss Universe was Miss Trinidad-Tobago Janelle Commissiong in 1977.

The 1980s ushered in a new time of fit, gym-sculpted bodies. Miss USA, Shawn Weatherly, won in 1980.

Weatherly, on the left. AP

The swimsuit competition has remained a staple in the pageant. Here are the 1996 contestants in a pre-show competition (reminiscent of "Baywatch," perhaps?).

Contestants at Miss Universe 1996. AP

Miss Venezuela, Alicia Machado, was crowned 1996 Miss Universe. She's since said she had a contentious relationship with then-pageant owner, future-POTUS Donald Trump.

Machado. AP

The stage and performances have gotten bigger and more elaborate over the years.

The 2012 Miss Universe Competition, including eventual winner Olivia Culpo (second from the left). David Becker/Getty Images

In 2015, Trump was forced to sell the organization after comments made during his presidential campaign caused a controversy.

Trump and Miss Universe 2014, Gabriela Isler. AP

According to the pageant, winners must have intelligence and poise to handle the demands of their title. But a former judge told Forbes in 2011 that the winner is decided predominantly on her looks.

Miss Australia walking the runway. AP

According to the pageant, winners must have intelligence and poise to handle the demands of their title. But a former judge told Forbes in 2011 that the winner is decided predominantly on her looks.

Miss Universe 2015 caused a stir when host Steve Harvey accidentally announced Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, as the winner instead of Miss Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach.

The debacle unfolding. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Miss Universe 2015 caused a stir when host Steve Harvey accidentally announced Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, as the winner instead of Miss Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach.

The first transgender contestant in Miss Universe history made her debut in 2018. Angela Ponce, Miss Spain, was favored to win the entire competition.

Ponce. Sakchai Lalit/AP Images

Ponce failed to make it to the top 20, and Catriona Gray of the Philippines went on to win Miss Universe 2018.

Miss Philippines Catriona Gray, left, and Miss South Africa Tamaryn Green, reacts after announced the new Miss Universe during the final round of the 67th Miss Universe competition in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP

Miss Universe 2019 had the first openly lesbian contestant, Swe Zin Htet of Myanmar, and the first Black winner since 2011, Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa.

Swe Zin Htet and Zozibini Tunzi. Getty Images; Mark Lennihan/AP

Miss Universe 2020 will air on Sunday, May 16, from Hollywood, Florida.

Miss Panama at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant. Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

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THEN AND NOW: How the Miss Universe pageant has evolved over the last 69 years

Miss Universe started in 1952 as a marketing stunt by a California clothing company, Pacific Knitting Mills, after the winner of rival pageant Miss America refused to wear one of its swimsuits.

At first, the pageant was combined with the Miss USA pageant. It wasn't broadcast until 1955.

In those early years, Miss USA was essentially a preliminary phase in the Miss Universe contest.

In 1959, Japan's Akiko Kojima became the first Asian woman to be crowned Miss Universe.

In 1960, an interview portion was introduced to the contest. Here's a snapshot from that year, where the women wore their national costumes. It became a pageant staple.

From the '70s through the '90s, the pageant was over a month long, including rehearsals and preliminary contests.

The '60s and '70s really cemented what the pageant would look like in the future. Here, Bob Barker announces that Rina Messinger of Israel had won the title in 1976.

The finalists would always stand together while the runners-up were announced.

Even if the body types were becoming increasingly similar, the winners were becoming more diverse. The first Black Miss Universe was Miss Trinidad-Tobago Janelle Commissiong in 1977.

The 1980s ushered in a new time of fit, gym-sculpted bodies. Miss USA, Shawn Weatherly, won in 1980.

The swimsuit competition has remained a staple in the pageant. Here are the 1996 contestants in a pre-show competition (reminiscent of "Baywatch," perhaps?).

Miss Venezuela, Alicia Machado, was crowned 1996 Miss Universe. She's since said she had a contentious relationship with then-pageant owner, future-POTUS Donald Trump.

The stage and performances have gotten bigger and more elaborate over the years.

In 2015, Trump was forced to sell the organization after comments made during his presidential campaign caused a controversy.

According to the pageant, winners must have intelligence and poise to handle the demands of their title. But a former judge told Forbes in 2011 that the winner is decided predominantly on her looks.

Miss Universe 2015 caused a stir when host Steve Harvey accidentally announced Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, as the winner instead of Miss Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach.

The first transgender contestant in Miss Universe history made her debut in 2018. Angela Ponce, Miss Spain, was favored to win the entire competition.

Ponce failed to make it to the top 20, and Catriona Gray of the Philippines went on to win Miss Universe 2018.

Miss Universe 2019 had the first openly lesbian contestant, Swe Zin Htet of Myanmar, and the first Black winner since 2011, Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa.

Miss Universe 2020 will air on Sunday, May 16, from Hollywood, Florida.