Miss International

Miss International (Miss International Beauty or The International Beauty Pageant) is a Japan-based international major 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]

For the most recent competition, see Miss International 2022. For the upcoming competition, see Miss International 2023.

Miss International
Formation12 August 1960 (1960-08-12)
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersTokyo
Location
Official language
English
President
Akemi Shimomura
AffiliationsMiss Paris Group
Websitehttps://www.miss-international.org/en/

Along with Miss World, Miss Universe, and Miss Earth, the pageant is one of the Big Four international beauty pageants.[6] The Miss International Organization and the brand are currently owned (since 1968), along with Miss International Japan, by the International Cultural Association and Miss Paris Group. The pageant crown used by the organization is supplied and patented by the Mikimoto pearl company.

In 2020 and again in 2021, the pageant was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]

The current Miss International is Jasmin Selberg of Germany, who was crowned at the Miss International 2022 pageant on 13 December 2022 in Tokyo, Kantō, Japan.

History
Miss International sash

The pageant was created in Long Beach, California, United States in 1960,[8] after the departure of the Miss Universe pageant to Miami 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 the Expo '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 was Stella Araneta of Colombia.

Since then, Japan became the host country and the pageant has mostly been held in Japan, around autumn 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] 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 of Miss 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] instead Miss International 2008, Alejandra Andreu, crowned Bea Santiago of the Philippines as Miss International 2013. Yoshimatsu was the first titleholder of the pageant from Japan to be dethroned shortly before the end of her reign.[18][19][20] 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][21]

Recent titleholders
Main article: List of Miss International titleholders
Edition Year Country Titleholder National Title Location Entrants
57th 2017  Indonesia Kevin Lilliana Puteri Indonesia Lingkungan 2017 Tokyo, Japan 69
58th 2018  Venezuela Mariem Velazco Miss Venezuela Internacional 2017 Tokyo, Japan 77
59th 2019  Thailand Sireethorn Leearamwat Miss Thailand 2019 Tokyo, Japan 83
2020 — 2021 Pageant not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic
60th 2022  Germany Jasmin Selberg Miss International Germany 2022 Tokyo, Japan 66
61st 2023 Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan 73

† = deceased

Crowns
Miss International 2017, Kevin Lilliana of Indonesia adorned in Mikimoto Crown.
  • 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 from 2022. 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.[22]
  • Mikimoto Crown (1970–1998; 2015–2019) – This crown was designed by Tomohiro Yamaji for the Mikimoto Company, the official jewel sponsor of the Miss International Organization. It contains 575.31 grams of 14k and 18k gold, 650 South Sea and Akoya pearls, ranging in size from 3 to 18 mm diameter and is valued at US$350,000. The crown was designed for the pageant on Mikimoto Pearl Island in Japan with the Mikimoto crown and tiara being first used for Miss International 2013, which was unveiled by the president of Miss International, Akemi Shimomura. The crown was again used when Valerie Hernandez of Puerto Rico crowned Edymar Martinez of Venezuela as Miss International 2015.[23]
  • Pearl Crown (1999–2005; 2007–2014) – This crown was used from 1999–2005; 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 Akoya pearls. It was retired after Valerie Hernandez of Puerto Rico used the crown in 2015.[24]
  • Crystal Crown (2006) – also known as Maki Diamond tiara, this crown was used when Daniela di Giacomo of Venezuela was crowned Miss 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.[25]

See also

References
  1. "MOFA examines beauty contest's 'belittling'". China Post. 21 October 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  2. Adelstein, Jake. "First lady scrutinizes blackballing of beauty queen". The Japan Times. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  3. Kerongo, Grace (10 November 2015). "Kenyan Beauty Crowned Miss International in Tokyo". All Africa. Archived from the original on 12 November 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  4. King, Kathryn (30 April 2015). "Former Miss Manawatu goes international". Manawatu Standard. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  5. Hartman, Jan (1 October 2018). "Paid? The New Miss Ukraine 2018 Controversial". The Siver Telegram. Retrieved 21 October 2018.>
  6. Enriquez, Amee (2 February 2014). "Beauty Pageant Basics". BBC. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  7. "Miss International 2021 moved to 2022". CNN Philippines. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  8. "6th place winner low-rates Miami". The Miami News. 13 August 1960. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  9. "May settle dispute over beauty pageant". Lewiston Evening Journal. 22 August 1959. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  10. "Pageant shifted". Spokane Daily Chronicle. 23 April 1968. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  11. "History of Miss International". Miss-International.org. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  12. "Miss Germany Tops Beauties". The Hartford Courant. 14 August 1965. Retrieved 16 November 2010. Ingrid Fiffi Finger, was named Miss International Beauty Friday.
  13. "The Miss International Advocacy". Miss International. 7 September 2018. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  14. "About Miss International". Miss International. 26 April 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  15. "Japanese Miss International 2012, dethroned after harassment scandal". Tokyo Times. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  16. Ornos, Riza (17 December 2013). "No Farewell Walk for Miss International 2012 Reigning Queen Ikumi Yoshimatsu". International Business Times. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  17. Adalia, JB (17 December 2013). "Miss Philippines Wins Miss International 2013". Kicker Daily. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  18. "Japanese Miss International 2012, dethroned after harassment scandal". Tokyo Times. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  19. Ornos, Riza (17 December 2013). "No Farewell Walk for Miss International 2012 Reigning Queen Ikumi Yoshimatsu". International Business Times. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  20. Adalia, JB (17 December 2013). "Miss Philippines Wins Miss International 2013". Kicker Daily. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  21. 株式会社スポーツニッポン新聞社マルチメディア事業本部. "ミス・インターナショナル代表７２人 東京タワーで"頂点"祈願". Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  22. "Việt Nam được chọn sáng tạo, chế tác vương miện Hoa hậu Quốc tế". Báo Thanh Niên. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  23. "Aurora Pijuan's 1970 Miss International Mikimoto tiara-crown up for auction". Lifestyle Inquirer. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  24. "When Japan won its first Miss International crown – and the lingering controversy that followed". normannorman.com. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  25. "Pageant Almanac". Archived from the original on 11 July 2006.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) Retrieved on 11 April 2008.

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