3rd Miss Universe pageant
Beauty pageant
Miss Universe 1954 was the 3rd Miss Universe pageant, held at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium in Long Beach, California, United States on 24 July 1954.
At the end of the event, Christiane Martel of France crowned Miriam Stevenson of the United States as Miss Universe 1954. It was the first victory of the United States in the history of the pageant. Stevenson became the first Miss Universe to concurrently hold both Miss USA and Miss Universe titles.
Contestants from thirty-three countries and territories competed in this year's pageant. The pageant was hosted by Bob Russell. This edition also featured the Star of the Universe crown, which consisted of one-thousand Oriental cultured and black pearls set in solid gold and platinum, and was worth $500,000 USD. The crowned was also used for the next six editions.
Background.
Selection of participants.
Contestants from thirty-three countries and territories were selected to compete in the pageant. One contestant was selected to replace the original dethroned winner.
Replacements.
Kae Sun-hee, the first runner-up of Miss Korea 1954, was appointed to replace Miss Korea 1954 Pu Rak Hi after the latter's visa was rejected in order to enter the United States due to allegations that she has connections with communist groups. The same happened with Rika Dialina, Star Hellas 1954, where she was replaced by her first runner-up, Efi Androulakakis, after she posed for a book by a Greek communist despite having no communist sympathies. However, John Foster Dulles, the then United States Secretary of State, intervened in Dialina's case, and Dialina obtained a temporary entry permit because of this. Dialina arrived in Long Beach a few days before the preliminary competition, causing Androulakakis to withdraw from the competition. The organizers asked Androulakakis to remain in the competition as the representative of Crete, but Androulakakis refused. Although Androulakakis is no longer an official candidate, she was still hailed as Miss Congeniality.
Debuts, returns, and withdrawals.
The 1954 edition saw the debuts of Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and the West Indies, and the returns of Chile, Cuba, Hong Kong, and Israel who last competed in 1952. Gertrude Kapi'olani Miller of Hawaii withdrew due to undisclosed reasons. Berta Elena Landaeta of Venezuela withdrew after the pageant organizers could not disclose her whereabouts. Austria, Denmark, South Africa, Switzerland, and Turkey withdrew after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or designate a contestant.
Contestants from Guatemala and Nicaragua were also expected to compete, but was prohibited by their respective governments due to the political instability of Central America. Both countries started competing in the pageant in 1955.
Pageant.
Format.
Same with 1953, sixteen semi-finalists were chosen at the preliminary competition that consists of the swimsuit and evening gown competition. Each of the sixteen semi-finalists gave a short speech during the final telecast using their native languages. Afterwards, the sixteen semi-finalists paraded again in their swimsuits and evening gowns, and the five finalists were eventually chosen.
Contestants.
Thirty-three contestants competed for the title.
References.
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