9th Miss Universe pageant
Beauty pageant
Miss Universe 1960 was the ninth Miss Universe pageant, held at the Miami Beach Auditorium in Miami Beach, Florida, United States on 9 July 1960.
At the end of the event, Akiko Kojima of Japan crowned Linda Bement of United States as Miss Universe 1960. Bement was the third representative of the United States to win the contest.
Contestants from forty-three countries and territories competed in this year's pageant. The pageant was hosted by Charles Collingwood.
Background.
Selection of participants.
Contestants from forty-three countries and territories were selected to compete in the pageant. Two contestants were appointees to their national titles and another was selected after another national pageant was held to replace the original dethroned winner.
Appointments and replacements.
Mary Quiróz, Miss Yaracuy 1957, was appointed as the representative of Venezuela at Miss Universe as the Miss Venezuela pageant was held weeks after Miss Universe. Sonja Menzel was set to represent Denmark at Miss Universe, but withdrew due to undisclosed reasons. Menzel was then replaced by Lizzie Hess as the representative of Denmark.
Debuts, returns, and withdrawals.
This edition saw the debuts of Jordan, Portugal, Spain, and Tunisia, and the returns of Chile, Finland, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Morocco, New Zealand, Paraguay, South Africa, Suriname, Switzerland, and Venezuela. South Africa and Switzerland last competed in 1953, Hong Kong and New Zealand last competed in 1954, Finland and Lebanon last competed in 1955, Morocco last competed in 1957, while the others last competed in 1958.
Guatemala, Hawaii, Mexico, Poland, Thailand, and Turkey withdrew. Hawaii withdrew after becoming a state of the United States on 21 August 1959. Lorena Velázquez of Mexico withdrew for personal reasons. Marzena Malinowska of Poland withdrew after choosing to compete in another international beauty contest. Guatemala, Poland, Thailand, and Turkey withdrew after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate. Expected to debut in this edition are the countries of Cameroon, Haiti, and Tahiti, but all did not compete. Julienne Ayissi Eyenga Fouda was expected to be the first representative of Cameroon at the pageant, but was disqualified after it was discovered that she was underage. She was then replaced by Sale Assouen, but withdrew due to undisclosed reasons. Cluadinette Fouchard was expected to be the first representative of Haiti at the pageant, but withdrew as she is going to be married.
Pageant.
Format.
Same with 1955, fifteen semi-finalists were chosen at the preliminary competition that consists of the swimsuit and evening gown competition. Each of the fifteen semi-finalists gave a short speech during the final telecast using their native languages. Afterwards, the fifteen semi-finalists paraded again in their swimsuits and evening gowns, and the five finalists were eventually chosen.
Contestants.
Forty-three contestants competed for the title.
References.
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