The recent controversy about the Instagram photo posted by Miss Israel on which she appears with Miss Lebanon and other contestants has just been settled. After what happened, the Lebanese contestant Saly Greige was heavily criticized by her own country. The latter has been at war with Israel since 2006, and any contact between citizens of the two countries is illegal. So when the photo became viral on social medias, complaints were made by Lebanese who asked that her crown would be taken away from her. However, Miss Lebanon will retain her title and can still compete on Sunday according to an article published today by the Lebanese newspaper, The Daily Star. Indeed, she receives the full support of the state in the name of the Tourism Minister, Michel Pharaon.
It seems indeed that politics have always meddled beauty pageants such as Miss Universe.
As the Time Magazine explains in its retrospective story on the Miss Universe Pageant, politics seems to have played a role in the decision making process to elect the most beautiful woman on earth. The very first year the contest was founded in 1952, after the final results, there were some complains. Namely, Miss Italy states the results came from political pressure. "Finland was given first place to publicize the Olympics. Miss Hawaii placed second because Hawaii is a candidate for statehood. Miss Hong Kong was given third place to prove that the U.S. has no prejudice against Orientals"
Now wait and see who will be crowned the most beautiful woman of the universe, live from Miami on NBC Sunday night.
Photo Courtesy: INFphoto.com