Any hard-fought competition leaves a certain amount of disappointment, even resentment. But the 1997 Miss Universe Pageant has inspired some particularly bitter comments. Fans in some countries are alleging that Miss USA won the Miss Universe title for the second time in three years because the pageant is American-owned and favors American competitors.
These claims are unsubstantiated, probably unfair, but they have been fed in part by a public perception that the Miss Universe Pageant has helped to create. Donald Trump, the flamboyant American billionaire who owns the pageant, made himself a center of attention during the events in Miami Beach. He was even prominent at the televised finals. The hosts of the contest, one of whom is Trump's estranged wife, joked during their opening remarks about the dissolution of the marriage while cameras panned to the smiling tycoon in the audience. (This was not spontaneous television: Every chuckle in such an introduction is scripted and rehearsed.)
The Miss Universe Pageant has always been American-owned, but for decades few fans around the world knew or cared who the owner was. The show was the thing, and the queen was the star. Today, however, the pageant's owner is arguably more famous than the queen. And the owner is the kind of colorful capitalist who symbolizes America to people around the world. In such a situation, any successes by American competitors will stand out in suspicious relief.
Trump's intentions are undoubtedly good. He is looking to publicize his contests, and he is willing to use any methods to do it. But the credibility of the Miss Universe Pageant as an international entity, not an American one, is vitally important. Any erosion of credibility is difficult to reverse.
Donald Trump will never be reclusive or introverted. His brashness is part of his success, and we find it admirable. But for the sake of the Miss Universe tradition, for the sake of his business, he needs to step away from center stage in his pageant operations.
We invite readers' comments, not about Trump personally but about the issue of pageant owners who take a high-profile stance. Does it matter?
I get a kick out of claims that the Miss World competition is a fairer, less biased competition than Miss Universe. Look over the list of Miss World winners and see how many hailed from the U.K. or a current or previous British crown colony. Talk about evidence of bias!
Russ Gladden, executive director, Miss Hollywood (America) Organization
"Can a pageant owner go too far?" My answer to that question is a definite yes! Donald Trump should not own this pageant system at all. All of a sudden, . . . issues arose on Alicia Machado's weight gain and Trump's separation from Marla Maples.....and all this was, and is, for attention, TV ratings and money. These issues came up conveniently weeks before Miss Teen USA 1996, Miss USA 1997 and Miss Universe 1997. Is another controversy waiting to bloom before August 20, when Miss Teen USA is held? I hope not. I am just (unhappy ) about the way this system is going, and if some countries grow tired of how the present titleholders are perceived in the media, then they will not send delegates (as happened in 1997 with) Japan, Great Britain, Norway, Denmark, Guam, Netherlands and Sri Lanka). I think I went off topic, but I guess I'm voicing an overall attitude about the Miss Universe system. NO MORE MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANTS SHOULD BE HELD IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THE NEXT 5-10 YEARS!
A PNB reader
I believe the pageant (that chose) Miss Universe 1997 was very unfair.
Don't you wonder why Miss USA has won Miss Universe in 1997, 1995 and so many times in the past? And it is frequently held in the USA, which takes away its universal approach. The judges are American, at least most of them! During the broadcasts, (the announcers) always emphasize how much they want Miss USA to win, such as saying, "Can Miss USA do it?" "She has what it takes" and more.
With all three pageants run by the same person, we can guarantee unfairness. . . . The Miss Universe people always say their pageants are the most prestigious. They forget to say that Miss Universe has suffered dropouts from Sri Lanka, the U.K., Japan, etc. Are these nations tired of favorism? The pageant is being overshadowed by other pageants which are fair, such as Miss World, having 89 contestants . . . as well as other new pageants. Maybe the fall of Miss Universe is here, so unless they make it a universal pageant, they face ruin!
Rahul Patel, a very big pageant fan
Donald Trump is a very high-profile millionaire who saw an opportunity to invest in something that he felt had a great potential for growth, and from what I have read in Variety and the Hollywood Reporter, he has already succeeded. The focus on Trump is caused more by the media than those of us interested in the pageant system. As far as Marla and George making reference to the (marriage) breakup at the beginning of the Miss Universe contest, it was necessary to address a subject that had already been played out in the media. Trump and Miss Universe Inc. made a decision to make light of it, and it was probably best for all involved.
As far as whether or not Brook (Lee) deserved to win Miss Universe, that is a joke -- she deserves it. The other person who deserves a great deal of respect is Brandi Sherwood, the new Miss USA. I know that the two of them will be terrific representatives of the USA and the pageant system as a whole.
We all need to give Mr. Trump and the people at Miss Universe a little time to find a workable, positive middle ground from which they can launch the Miss Universe Pageant system into the 21st century. Let's see what happens in the next couple of years and reserve judgement for now. Remember, change now and then is a good thing.
Just your average Joe
Donald Trump is a well-known man, but he should realize that what makes him famous in the U.S. can seem infamous everywhere else.
The Miss Universe Pageant exalts its contestants as examples to their countries and to the world. But what example is Mr. Trump setting? (Some of his public actions suggest) that nothing is sacred, not even one's personal life. (The public image being created) only serves to strengthen the negative image of the U.S. as thr capital of materialism, where everything is for sale.
Such public antics will probably buy ratings in the U.S., but expect the declining trend in the number of contestants to continue. Pretty soon, Trump will find the pageant back where it started -- a combined Miss USA/Miss Universe competition -- due to a lack of contestants.
Richard Isa, PNB correspondent
(Correspondents' views do not necessarily reflect those of the PNB board or staff.)
I totally agree with your comment that Donald Trump should step back and not be the center of attention. Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that all the attention and PR surrounding Trump did increase the viewership. The pageant received its best numbers as a television program this year, and it was primarily because of all the pre-pageant PR generated by the man himself. And I believe it was intentional. He has made an investment and, like any investor, wants to see that investment flourish. Miss Universe and its sister pageants have not done that well in the TV ratings (recently). This year, that has changed. I'd even venture to say that the whole Trump marriage fiasco was staged, or at the very least, wisely timed to coincide with the pageant. I think that the opening banter regarding the marriage was in poor taste and unnecessary.
The notion that Miss USA won because (Miss Universe) is an American-run show is unfounded. If you watched the pageant, you would have seen Brook Lee steal that title from everyone virtually because of her personality. She exudes charm and charisma that were lacking in most -- dare I say all -- the other semifinalists. Nobody can say that Brook didn't deserve to win . . .
So, you have to give credit where credit is due. Donald Trump deserves credit for finding a way make his investment more profitable and, in the process, drawing more viewership to the pageant, thus saving it from withering away to cancellation land. More importantly, don't take anything away from Brook, who truly deserved to win. And give credit to the judges for once again picking Miss Universe by looking beyond physical beauty.
Ron Espiritu
I watched with interest how Brook Lee performed in the Miss Universe Pageant, and I firmly believe she won fairly. Other persons who say she did not win fairly are probably more than just a little jealous. Whether Donald Trump had anything to do with her win is speculation. However, anything is possible.
I believe that pageant owners can do with their pageants anything they wish to, so long as it is not demeaning to delegates, and so long as they do not drag personal aspects of their lives into it (e.g., Marla and Donald's well-publicized split-up). The bottom line is, if you are an unscrupulous or arrogant pageant owner, and you exhibit favoritism, nobody will want to enter your contest. As small as the circle is for pageant industry persons, keeping your reputation and actions pristine is paramount.
Whether it is a good idea that Donald Trump bought Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA remains to be seen. We'll just have to wait until August when Miss Teen USA is on the air.
Tina C.
