At the first press conference after the 1996 Miss Universe Pageant, winner Alicia Machado was asked what she planned to do next. She replied (in Spanish), "Eat, eat, eat!" It's a familiar joke by new beauty queens, and the remark was not widely reported. But the words took on a real poignancy a few months later when it was revealed that Ms. Machado had a weight problem and was struggling to change her eating habits.
The Alicia Machado story touches on the most basic issues of pageantry. How important is beauty? How important is winning? How much sacrifice is too much? Similar questions are being asked in the world of sports, where it is now finally acknowledged that a body proficient in a particular game is not necessarily a healthy body. It is important to address these issues because pageants, like sports, are an important part of the growing global culture and are not going away.
PNB's own board members are divided on many of these questions. In light of that, we think it is particularly important that our readers offer their opinions. Please write to us with your thoughts, telling us whether you are willing to have your opinions and your names published. We will edit your comments only for length and basic style.
Our ground rules are liberal. All views are welcome, even those diametrically opposed to the whole idea of pageants. We ask only that you refrain from harshly worded attacks on specific individuals. Now, let the debate begin.
I think the way Miss Universe has been treated is a complete outrage! And the nerve of (some pageant people) comparing her to a whale! Now I'm even beginning to question my own involvement in pageants. I've seen the torture these girls go through. I myself hardly ate at all (one egg white per day) for a year in preparation for my competition, only to have a director tell me that I was fat.
If I owned Miss Universe, Inc., I would stress that contestants be judged on their own performance, not so much in comparison to others. Is this girl the best she can be? Is she healthy and strong (not frail and starved in appearance)? Does she look athletic, poised, confident? Is she intelligent, witty, well-spoken and kind? Is she aware of issues in her community and does she show involvement? How would she be as Miss USA or Miss Universe? Is she approachable, easy to like and friendly? Is she a real person?
I feel very strongly about this, as you can tell. It took me years to get my metabolism back. But now that I am the thinnest I've ever been, while also eating the most I ever have, I am determined to spread this word somehow. I don't want to jeopardize my standing in the pageant community. I continue to be well-known in the business, and I may compete again. I am still thinking of the best way to get the message of health across. I am asking that you withhold my name for now.
A former holder of a major national title
I would like to add a comment to the controversial article regarding Alicia Machado's weight problem. I think this whole thing has been getting out of hand. Actually, she's not the first queen to become somewhat overweight, but (she is being described) like a cow, which is not true.
As a Latin American, I had the opportunity to see Ms. Machado before she won the Miss Venezuela contest, and between then and now, the difference is very little. Although it's true that she has been putting on some weight, she still looks great ... I think it's in very bad taste the way the (Miss Universe) organization is exploiting her image by letting the press invade her privacy while she exercises. I think that it's something very private. No one likes to have cameras rolling (and pointing at them) every minute of their lives. ...
Although it's very important that Ms. Machado maintain a good status as the reigning Miss Universe, it's worth mentioning that, (more important) than her weight problems, her good deeds should be advertised. I support Ms. Machado in her cause, and I hope that better things come for her. She's a very beautiful representative of Venezuelan women, and overweight or not, she's still a role model for millions of girls in the world and the pride of Latin Americans everywhere.
Edwin Dominguez
As a long-standing fan of the Miss Universe Pageant, I am writing this in total discontent for the way the organization orchestrated the June 27, 1997, press conference in New York City dealing with Alicia Machado's weight gain.
I believe the press meeting was a distasteful presentation of Miss Machado's struggle with weight. The circumstances of presenting her obvious weight problems in Spandex while she exercised in front of national and international photographers and press sent the wrong message to the world. First, it clearly presumes someone whose natural body weight is other than the ideal of anorexic beauty is unattractive. Although Miss Machado's weight gain is obvious since she was crowned in May 1996, she is far from being obese and still very much a beautiful woman. The arrangements of the press conference looked more like "boxing match propaganda" than a beauty queen (presentation). It demonstrated a lack of sensitivity to her sincere attempts to lose weight. She was unnecessarily put in the situation of exercising in the presence of a particularly rude press and terribly insistent cameras. They were too inquisitive about her individual body parts in a crazed pursuit of evidence of her weight gain. Some (photographic) takes where simply too close; others were simply too crude. ... Miss Machado is still very much a teenager and requires the same kind of protection (of her dignity) that is offered to a Miss Teen USA. (By the way, the two are the same age. )
In sum, it all looked like a circus, a very chaotic environment, far from the well-groomed elegance that has characterized Miss Universe press meetings in years past. I found the purpose of this press conference negligible, as there is no clause in Miss Universe's contract that would require her to submit to any standard body weight, an impossibility anyway since body weight varies from person to person based on genetics, diet and culture. What I find very professional is that Miss Machado volunteered to do it.
As a Latin American, who is not from Venezuela, I am proud of her and wish her well in her goals. She is a symbol for us all. However, I felt for the people of her native country, Venezuela, who have produced four of the most spectacular international beauties ever known. Portraying her in such circumstances was an insult. Venezuelan beauty queens are not just dolls but a symbol of national pride.
It is universally understood that Miss Universe is a symbol of beauty, and therefore the highest standards of beauty are expected of her. However, having Miss Machado in such (an embarrassing) position is bluntly telling the world that she alone is responsible for her weight gain. I believe the Miss Universe organization is as much to blame as anyone. She is not the first Miss Universe to experience weight gain during the many years the pageant has been in existence. So why blame solely Miss Machado?
If the Miss Universe organization is so consumed by (the issue of) weight, then a comprehensive fitness program should be part of the package of benefits that Miss Universe wins. If fitness equals beauty, then it is the responsibility of the organization to provide every Miss Universe, or Miss USA for that matter, with an environment that will promote health, wellness and fitness not only in the Los Angeles headquarters but more importantly abroad. Miss Universe is expected to travel quite extensively over the world, and not every country she visits keeps the same kind of standards of culinary lightness and fitness facilities as in Los Angeles, California, USA. Cultural sensitivity is a must when a company is dealing with international affairs and I find it hard to believe that an organization such as Miss Universe, Inc., which deals with international relations, travel and government is not aware of the many cultural and socio-economic situations abroad. Sponsors should agree to exempt Miss Universe from necessarily eating every meal (at every event she attends). ... Better yet, a pre-determined menu (would be beneficial). Having a fitness expert travel with her would also be desirable.
Another option is to instruct Miss Universe travel companions in the basics of food and nutrition so they can monitor and assist Miss Universe in her fitness program. Of course, they should also stress personal responsibility, I believe with a little organization and provided with the right environment, Miss Machado and any future Miss Universe will be able to maintain the highest standards of beauty and health, to which we have become so accustomed. In a world where dynasties have long gone and royals behave like commoners, it is comforting to view an organization (Miss Universe Inc.) that still values class, elegance and dignity. I urge the organization to please continue the good work.
Kelvin Alejandro
I have a few things to say about this weight issue. First, I would like to say that the Miss Universe publicity department is using this issue to maximum advantage. It seems (suspiciously) coincidental to me that the issue of Ms. Machado's weight was only brought up right before Miss Teen USA in August and then again right before Miss USA, with the implied message: "Tune in to see what Miss Universe REALLY looks like." It's all a ratings plot. Let's face it, as popular as Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA are, they have been shunned by the media for the past few years. ... With a hefty (pardon the pun) issue like an overweight beauty (who in reality isn't overweight at all), Trump Pageants saw something to boost interest.
As to the actual issue of Ms. Machado's weight. I am of the belief that she should exude a certain air of health about her. Her eating habits, as reported in the media, were atrocious. A failure to manage her diet wisely was what got her into trouble in the first place. If one has healthy eating habits and a strong exercise routine (which a Miss Universe should have, because it is a beauty contest), weight should not become an issue.
Perhaps Ms. Machado felt pressure at the Miss Venezuela level to be underweight (which in itself is unhealthy), and perhaps that is why she is having problems now. Miss Venezuela is extremely competitive, and the women there are put under intense pressure to look absolutely perfect. I am sure Ms. Machado felt this way, too, and after she was freed from that pressure, she may have felt she could "let herself go" a bit.
Dan Mcevily, PNB correspondent (Individual correspondents' views are not necessarily those of the PNB Editorial Board)
