Miss Universe 2016

The Miss Universe Organization was in talks to host the Miss Universe 2016 competition in the Philippines. Discussions began when Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach met with then-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Although Duterte was open to having the pageant hosted by the Philippines, he did not want the government to pay the expense of doing so.[11][12] About two weeks after the meeting, the Department of Tourism named the Philippines as the host country. According to Miss Universe Organization president Paula Shugart, the Philippines is the organization's top choice for hosting the pageant. However, other countries were being considered, according to a spokesperson for the department.[12]

Despite the statement made by the Department of Tourism, the decision to hold the pageant in the Philippines is not yet final, and over the next few months, the Miss Universe Organization changed its mind several times on the matter. Initial reports did not disclose the reasons for the breakdowns in negotiations, but a report linked the Organization's concerns with Duterte's controversial remarks regarding U.S. President Barack Obama, as well as his plans to separate ties between the Philippines and the United States. These statements were not received well by WME/IMG. Another statement by Duterte, in which he said he would be glad to kill as many drug addicts as Adolf Hitler killed Jews during the Holocaust led to WME CEO Ariel Zev Emanuel to cancel the talks. Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson, chairman of the LCS Group, sent representatives, including some Jewish friends, to the United States to persuade Emanuel to maintain his interest in a Philippines-hosted event. Duterte's apology for his Holocaust-related remark helped in the renegotiation. Also helpful was Singson's offer to add women-empowerment programs to the pageant.[13][14]

In September 2016, according to then-Secretary of Tourism Wanda Tulfo-Teo, the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay was announced to be the main venue of the pageant.[15] The Philippine Arena was the other venue considered by the Department of Tourism, but the organization disapproved due to "security reasons".[16][17]

The final decision was made by the Miss Universe Organization on 3 November 2016, when Wurtzbach revealed via video message that the Philippines will be the host.[4] The pageant will take place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on 30 January 2017.[18] On 16 November, the collaboration agreement was signed, and the pageant's official website and Facebook page were launched on the same day.[18][19]

On 3 November 2016, the Miss Universe Organization confirmed that Steve Harvey would host the 2016 edition. Initially, then-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte expressed hesitation on Harvey hosting the event due to Harvey announcing the wrong winner at the Miss Universe 2015 pageant. However, due to Harvey's five-year contract with Miss Universe, Harvey remained as host.[20] In response to Duterte's remarks, then-Secretary of Tourism Wanda Tulfo-Teo proposed the idea of having a Filipino woman co-host the event.[21] On 15 December 2016, plus-sized model Ashley Graham confirmed the news that she has been selected to be the backstage host of the pageant.[22] On 19 January 2017, Flo Rida was announced as a guest performer.[23]

Contestants from eighty-six countries and territories were selected to compete in the pageant. Eight of these delegates were appointees to their titles after being a runner-up of their national pageant or an audition process or other internal selection, while four were selected to replace the original dethroned winner.[24]

Stephanie Geldhof, the first runner-up of Miss Belgium 2016, was appointed to represent Belgium after Lenty Frans, Miss Belgium 2016, will only compete at Miss World 2016 due to conflicting schedules with the Miss Belgium 2017 pageant slated for January 2017.[25][26] Jenny Kim, the first runner-up of Miss World Korea 2015, was appointed by the Miss Universe Korea Organization after the Miss Korea organization relinquished the franchise.[27] Kushboo Ramnawaj was appointed by the Miss Estrella Mauritius Organization after the Miss Mauritius organization relinquished the franchise.[28] Yuliana Korolkova, the first runner-up of Miss Russia 2016, was appointed as Miss Universe Russia 2016 after Yana Dobrovolskaya, Miss Russia 2016, will only compete at Miss World 2016 due to the conflicting schedules of the two pageants.[29]

Paula Schneider, Miss Bolivia 2015, originally was supposed to represent Bolivia in Miss Universe 2016. However, due to personal reasons, Schneider resigned as Miss Bolivia 2015, thus barring her from competing in Miss Universe. Due to this, Antonella Moscatelli, Miss Bolivia 2016, took the responsibility as the representative of Bolivia in Miss Universe 2016.[30][31] Regina Valter, Miss Universe Kazakhstan 2015, originally was supposed to compete in Miss Universe 2016 after her withdrawal in 2015. However, Valter was disqualified after getting married. Due to this, Darina Kulsitova, Miss Universe Kazakhstan 2016, replaced Valter as the representative of Kazakhstan in Miss Universe.[32] Brenda Jimenez, the first runner-up of Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2016, was crowned the new Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2016 after Kristhielee Caride, the original winner, was dethroned due to dismissive behaviour.[33][34] Đặng Thị Lệ Hằng, the second runner-up of Miss Universe Vietnam 2015, was appointed as the representative of Vietnam to Miss Universe after Ngô Trà My, the first runner-up of Miss Universe Vietnam 2015, refused to compete and got married.[35]

The 2016 edition saw the debut of Sierra Leone[36] and the returns of Barbados, Belize, Guam, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malta, Namibia, Romania, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, and the United States Virgin Islands.[37] Malta last competed in 2001, Barbados and Belize last competed in 2007, Iceland last competed in 2009, US Virgin Islands last competed in 2011, Namibia and Romania last competed in 2013, while the others last competed in 2014. El Salvador, Gabon, Ghana, Greece, Ireland, Lebanon, Montenegro, and Serbia withdrew. Adela Zoranic of Montenegro and Bojana Bojanic of Serbia withdrew from the competition due to unknown reasons.[38][39] El Salvador, Gabon, Ghana, Greece, Ireland, and Lebanon withdrew after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate.

§ - Voted in the Top 13 by viewers

The Miss Universe Organization introduced several specific changes to the format for this edition. The number of semifinalists was reduced to thirteen— the lowest since 2002. The results of the preliminary competition— which consisted of the swimsuit and evening gown competition, and the closed-door interview, determined the twelve semifinalists. Internet voting returned, with fans being able to vote for another delegate to advance into the semifinals, making the number of semifinalists thirteen.[45][46] The thirteen semifinalists participated in the swimsuit competition, with nine advancing in the competition for the evening gown competition. Six contestants will advance to participate in the question and answer portion, and three will advance to participate in the final question and the final walk.[47][48][49]

• Cynthia Bailey – model, television personality and actress[50]
• Mickey Boardman – editorial director and advice columnist for Paper magazine[50]
• Francine LeFrak – activist and founder of Same Sky and support foundation for people living with HIV[50]
• Leila Lopes – Miss Universe 2011 from Angola[50]
• Sushmita Sen – Miss Universe 1994 from India[50]
• Dayanara Torres – Miss Universe 1993 from Puerto Rico[50]