Nino Vongphachanh is a Casting Director and aspiring TV Writer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University. Nino’s background in casting gives him an adoration for watching and reviewing performances, so journalism is another medium that allows him to voice his enthusiasm to a wider audience. Nino strives to enlighten to world of the importance of diversity on screen with his work, which aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s mission to be the most influential and progressive global entertainment network. Nino enjoys being up-to-date with all current events and trends, helping him create a fresh perspective on the topics he writes about. Keeping an open mind with the goal of promoting awareness in film and television, Nino writes passionately about projects he believes advance the world artistically and culturally.
Jan 26, 2023
Table of Contents
Photo: Miss Universe 2022
The most prestigious pageant in the world that garners hundreds of millions of viewers in over 190 territories just held its 71st annual competition. Bringing in 86 beautiful delegates to represent their country in a competition to become Miss Universe, the pageant has been a class act in judging women’s elegance, formality, and poise to discover which contestant would best complete the role of Miss Universe, who will use her image and title to promote progressive change in the world.
The preliminary round is a crucial time for the delegates to let the audience and judges get to know them best. To spark a first impression and grab viewers’ attention, the delegates participate in the preliminary activities which consist of swimsuits, evening gowns, and a national costume showcase where the delegates show off custom outfits made to symbolize an aspect of their country. In combination with getting to know the contestants from the preliminary round (held days before the official pageant) and the introduction round of the official contest, all of the delegates are judged and hope to make it to the semifinal round which (this year) consists of the top-rated 16 contestants. The 16 contestants that made it to the semi-final round are Australia (Monique Riley), Canada (Amelia Tu), Colombia (María Fernanda Aristizábal), Curaçao (Gabriëla Dos Santos), Dominican Republic (Andreína Martínez), Haiti (Mideline Phelizor), India (Divita Rai), Laos (Payengxa Lor), Peru (Alessia Rovegno), Portugal (Telma Madeira), Puerto Rico (Ashley Cariño), South Africa (Ndavi Nokeri), Spain (Alicia Faubel), Trinidad and Tobago (Tya Jané Ramey), United States (R’Bonney Gabriel), and Venezuela (Amanda Dudamel).
For the semi-final round, the 16 contestants are asked to first walk in the swimsuit or athletic wear event. After, they are then to walk in the evening gown event where the contestants get to show off their personal style and show off an evening gown of their choice for them to model down the stage.
The Top 5
The next step after the top 16 brought the competition down to the final five contestants. USA, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Curaçao, and Puerto Rico advanced to the final question round, which is one of the most enticing portions of the pageant. For the Miss Universe Organization, this portion of the pageant helps narrow who could best use their voice as ambassadors for the committee. In answering these questions, the delegates have a chance to show that they are the contestants that the organization wants to work with in their missions across the globe. The best answer given this round would have to go to R’Bonney Gabriel of the United States, who stated that if there was one thing about the Miss Universe competition that she would change, it would be the age cap of 28 years old. Being the maximum age herself, Gabriel explained that age does not diminish nor define what a woman is. A great question was asked and a great answer was provided by Gabriel, given it shows her passion for women’s empowerment and drive for feminism.
After the question round, the final three contestants were chosen based solely off the answers of the final five. The final three contestants were the USA, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. For the final three contestants, they must all answer the same question. As the other contestants are given noise-canceling ear covers, the question is revealed to the first contestant. The question asked was, “If you win Miss Universe, how would you work to demonstrate this as an empowering and progressive organization?” Once again, broadcasting her diplomacy and professionalism, Miss USA gave the best answer, avoiding vagueness and giving a clear answer relating to the topic. Gabriel explained how she would like to transform the world through fashion. Upon holding sewing classes for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, and acknowledging the impact the fashion industry has on pollution, committing her fashion company to use only recycled materials, Gabriel won the hearts of the audience and judges and was crowned Miss Universe.
What Does Being Miss Universe Entail?
As stated directly from the Miss Universe site, the Miss Universe Organization strives to “advocate for a future forged by women with the courage to push the limits of what’s possible.” Miss Universe is a full-time job. There are many responsibilities given to the Miss Universe upon the acceptance of the crown. Miss Universe will partake in global charity work, and humanitarian work, and speak on awareness occasions. Miss Universe has been a big voice in bringing awareness to AIDS and Global Climate Change.
The prizes that R’Bonney Gabriel received along with the crown and the full-time job of Miss Universe are outstandingly extravagant. With a $250,000 cash prize and a monthly salary and allowance, Miss Universe is given a full team, including assistants, hair and makeup stylists, photographers, and more. Additionally, Miss Universe gets lots of perks in the fashion and beauty world. With becoming a new face of many luxury brands, Miss Universe will be allowed exclusive access to Hollywood events and parties. Lastly, Miss Universe is given a one-year stay at the glamorous Miss Universe New York City apartment.
By Nino Vongphachanh
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022, miss universe 2022
Nino Vongphachanh is a Casting Director and aspiring TV Writer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University. Nino’s background in casting gives him an adoration for watching and reviewing performances, so journalism is another medium that allows him to voice his enthusiasm to a wider audience. Nino strives to enlighten to world of the importance of diversity on screen with his work, which aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s mission to be the most influential and progressive global entertainment network. Nino enjoys being up-to-date with all current events and trends, helping him create a fresh perspective on the topics he writes about. Keeping an open mind with the goal of promoting awareness in film and television, Nino writes passionately about projects he believes advance the world artistically and culturally.
Nino Vongphachanh is a Casting Director and aspiring TV Writer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University. Nino’s background in casting gives him an adoration for watching and reviewing performances, so journalism is another medium that allows him to voice his enthusiasm to a wider audience. Nino strives to enlighten to world of the importance of diversity on screen with his work, which aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s mission to be the most influential and progressive global entertainment network. Nino enjoys being up-to-date with all current events and trends, helping him create a fresh perspective on the topics he writes about. Keeping an open mind with the goal of promoting awareness in film and television, Nino writes passionately about projects he believes advance the world artistically and culturally.
Nino Vongphachanh is a Casting Director and aspiring TV Writer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University. Nino’s background in casting gives him an adoration for watching and reviewing performances, so journalism is another medium that allows him to voice his enthusiasm to a wider audience. Nino strives to enlighten to world of the importance of diversity on screen with his work, which aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s mission to be the most influential and progressive global entertainment network. Nino enjoys being up-to-date with all current events and trends, helping him create a fresh perspective on the topics he writes about. Keeping an open mind with the goal of promoting awareness in film and television, Nino writes passionately about projects he believes advance the world artistically and culturally.
