Miss Iceland

Rafn Rafnsson, the new chief executive of the Miss Iceland contest, "in hopes of diversifying the field of contestants beyond the statuesque blonde with striking blue eyes that has become the Icelandic stereotype", said "There is no Miss Iceland stereotype..."[3][4][5] One week later, in response to Rafnsson's statement, 1,300 people applied to become Miss Iceland,[4][5] including several nontraditional candidates, such as:

• Sigríður Guðmarsdóttir, 48, a female governmental minister in Reykjavik[4][5]
• Reynir Sigurðbjörnsson, 47, a male electrician[5]
• Ása Richardsdóttir, a 49-year-old female producer in the fine arts industry[5]
• Matthildur Helgadóttir-Jónudóttir, a female event manager also in her 40s[5]
• Brynhildur Heiðardóttir Ómarsdóttir, a female literary critic[5]
• Sigríður Ingibjörg Ingadóttir, a female Member of Parliament for the Social Democratic Alliance[3]
• Guðrún Jónsdóttir, a spokesperson for Stígamót (organization that fights sexual abuse against women)[3]
• Hildur Lillendahl, a feminist in Iceland[3]
• Björk Vilhelmsdóttir, a city councilor of Reykjavík and feminist[6]
• Þórdís Elva Þorvaldsdóttir, a writer and actress[6]

In response to the increase of nontraditional applicants, Rafnsson said, "We have to follow the rules set by the international contest."[4][5] This "means rejecting any applicants younger than 18 or older than 24. In addition to the age limits, contestants must be unmarried, childless and, of course, female."[4][5] Íris Telma Jonsdóttir, Iceland's 2012 Miss World contestant, "has the unfortunate job of sifting through applications for the coming Miss Iceland contest and the publicity stirred by feminists has even sparked an abnormally high influx of legitimate hopefuls. That means she has a lot more reading to do before selecting the field of 25 women who will actually compete for a chance to move on to Miss World."[4][5]

Ungfrú Ísland under the leadership of Manuela Osk Harðardóttir and Jorge Esteban, a new era is ushered in. One national competition for Icelandic women with multiple opportunities for national and international representation.

New rules:

• Open to contestants ages of at least 18 y/o and under 28 as of 1.1.23
• Contestants may be single, currently married or previously married
• Contestants can be pregnant or have children

   Winning International Title

   Miss Universe Iceland

   Miss World Iceland

   Miss International Iceland

   Miss Europe Iceland

   Winning International Title

Miss Universe Iceland organization began sending a winner directly to Miss Universe in 2016 but before Miss Universe Iceland, Miss Iceland (Ungfru Island) Organization franchised the Miss Universe franchise and the main winner went to Miss Universe starting in 1956. In 2016, a brand new of Miss Universe Iceland organized by separate competition which officially selected a national winning title to Miss Universe. Began 2023 On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a runner-up is sent.

Ungfrú Ísland winners between 1956 and 2009 competed at Miss Universe pageant. Between 2016 and 2022 the main winner of Miss Universe Iceland went to Miss Universe. Began 2023 the organization of Ungfrú Ísland is official foundation to select the winner to Miss Universe competition under Jorge Esteban and Manuela Ósk Harðardóttir directorship.

Miss Universe Iceland organization was also awarded the Miss Supranational Iceland franchise in 2019. Before Miss Universe Iceland, Miss Iceland (Ungfru Island) Organization franchised the Miss Supranational Iceland franchise and the 1st runner-up went to Miss Supranational. On occasion, when the 1st runner-up does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a 2nd runner-up is sent.