Miss International (Miss International Beauty orThe International Beauty Pageant) is a Japan-based internationalmajor beauty pageant organized by the International Culture Association. First held in 1960,[1][2] it is the fourth largest pageant in the world in terms of the number of national winners participating in the international contest.[3][4][5]
In 2020 and again in 2021, the pageant was canceled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[7]
The current Miss International isHuỳnh Thị Thanh Thủy of Vietnam, who was crowned on 12 November 2024 in Tokyo, Japan.
History
Miss International sash
The pageant was created inLong Beach, California, United States in 1960,[8] after the departure of theMiss Universe pageant toMiami Beach.[9] Hosted in Long Beach until 1967,[10] the pageant moved to Japan from 1968 to 1970, being hosted each year in the same city as theExpo '70. For 1971, it was held in Long Beach again, but since that time it had been held annually in Japan until 2003. Since 2004, it is held in China or Japan.[11] The first winner of the pageant in 1960 wasStella Araneta of Colombia.
Since then, Japan became the host country and the pageant has mostly been held in Japan, aroundautumn season either in October or November. The pageant is also called "Miss International Beauty".[12] The pageant advocacy is to achieve a world where women can live with positivity, inner strength and individuality.[13][non-primary source needed] The slogan of Miss International is to "correct understanding of Japan in the international community" and "the realization of world peace through mutual understanding". It has also recently adapted the slogan "Cheer All Women".[14][11]
The winner ofMiss International 2012,Ikumi Yoshimatsu of Japan, was stripped of her title and was not able to crown her successor due to conflict with a talent agency that threatened her safety and the pageant night itself;[15][16][17] insteadMiss International 2008, Alejandra Andreu, crownedBea Santiago of the Philippines asMiss International 2013. Yoshimatsu was the first titleholder of the pageant from Japan to be dethroned shortly before the end of her reign.[15][16][18] The organization was criticized for allegedly asking Yoshimatsu to skip the succession ceremony and "play sick and shut up" in order to avoid a scandal with a Japanese production company whose president was allegedly harassing her.[2][19] In2017,Kevin Lilliana Junaedy of Indonesia became the firstMuslim woman to win Miss International.[20][21][22] 2020 and 2021 edition was the second and third times the pageant has been cancelled since 1966 edition, because of theCOVID-19 pandemic and Japanese government banned International events, following the2020 Summer Olympics postponement.[23]
The Long Beach Pearl Crown (2022–present) – This crown was designed by Mrs. Bùi Thị Mỹ Cảnh - founder of Long Beach Pearl, the official crown sponsor of the Miss International Organization. The crown was used from2022. The crown of Miss International 2022 (Miss International) with the theme of Cherry Blossoms welcoming the spring sun, inspired by the beauty of the cherries blooming under the spring sunshine, is the departure of spring. color, bringing the beauty of faith and positivity. The cherry blossom is a symbol of Japan, representing the spirit, strength, culture and people of Japan. Not only that, the cherry blossoms are also a symbol of intense vitality, a symbol of humility, the desire to live together peacefully, characteristic of youth. The design gathers 333 pure white pearls, symbolizing the flowers that are opening, ready to welcome the rays of spring sunshine. It is also a number that carries the meaning of luck, enthusiasm and longevity. In particular, with the highlight are 3 selected pearls with sizes up to more than 15mm, bringing the beauty of eternal life, sublimation and spread. The Miss International crown is also encrusted with 1960 white gems - symbolizing the first year the Miss International pageant was held. The fusion of feats of craftsmanship with top-notch craftsmanship, Long Beach Pearl has brought a special work for the Miss International contest.[24]
The Mikimoto Crown (1970–1998;2015–2019) – This crown was designed by Tomohiro Yamaji for theMikimoto Company, the official jewel sponsor of the Miss International Organization. It contains 575.31 grams of 14k and 18k gold, 650 South Sea andAkoyapearls, ranging in size from 3 to 18 mm diameter and is valued at US$350,000. The crown was designed for the pageant onMikimoto Pearl Island in Japan with the Mikimoto crown and tiara being first used forMiss International 2013, which was unveiled by the president of Miss International Akemi Shimomura, like the previous crown edition there are also 4 sets of small tiara's for the runners-up in this crown collection. The crown was retired afterSireethorn Leearamwat of Thailand used the crown in2019.[25]
The Couple of Horses Crown (1999–2005;2007–2014) – This crown was used from1999–2005;2007–2014. Same as the current Mikimoto crown, this crown was designed by Tomohiro Yamaji for the Mikimoto Company. The crown has a symbolic design with a couple of horses and 530 South Sea and Akoyapearls, there are 4 sets of small tiara's for the runners-up in this crown collection. It was retired afterValerie Hernandez of Puerto Rico used the crown in2015.[26]
The Crystal Crown (2006) – also known as Maki Diamond tiara, this crown was used whenDaniela di Giacomo of Venezuela was crownedMiss International 2006. She was the only Miss International titleholder to wear this crown. The crown was valued at US$150,000, was made of an 18 karat combination of white and yellow gold and composed of over 1,000 precious stones.[27]
Venezuela
Thailand
Germany
Vietnam
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