Miss International

Miss International (''Miss International Beauty'' or ''The International Beauty Pageant'') is a Japan-based international beauty pageant organized by the International Culture Association. First held in 1960, it is the fourth largest pageant in the world in terms of the number of national winners participating in the international contest.

Along with Miss World, Miss Universe, and Miss Earth, the pageant is one of the Big Four international beauty pageants. The Miss International Organization and the brand are currently owned (since 1968), along with Miss International Japan, by the International Cultural Association and Miss Paris Group. The pageant crown used by the organization is supplied and patented by the Mikimoto pearl company.

In 2020 and again in 2021, the pageant was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The current Miss International is Jasmin Selberg of Germany, who was crowned at the Miss International 2022 pageant on 13 December 2022 in Tokyo, Kantō, Japan.

History

The pageant was created in Long Beach, California, United States in 1960, after the departure of the Miss Universe pageant to Miami Beach. Hosted in Long Beach until 1967, the pageant moved to Japan from 1968 to 1970, being hosted each year in the same city as the Expo '70. For 1971, it was held in Long Beach again, but since that time it had been held annually in Japan until 2003. Since 2004, it is held in China or Japan. The first winner of the pageant in 1960 was Stella Araneta of Colombia.

Since then, Japan became the host country and the pageant has mostly been held in Japan, around autumn season either in October or November. The pageant is also called "Miss International Beauty". The pageant advocacy is to achieve a world where women can live with positivity, inner strength and individuality. The slogan of Miss International is to "correct understanding of Japan in the international community" and "the realization of world peace through mutual understanding".

The winner of Miss International 2012, Ikumi Yoshimatsu of Japan, was stripped of her crown and was not able to crown her successor due to conflict with a talent agency that threatened her safety and the pageant night itself; instead Miss International 2008, Alejandra Andreu, crowned Bea Santiago of the Philippines. She was the first titleholder of the pageant from Japan to be dethroned shortly before the end of her reign. The organization was criticized for allegedly asking Yoshimatsu to skip the succession ceremony and "play sick and shut up" in order to avoid a scandal with a Japanese production company whose president was allegedly harassing her.

Recent titleholders

Gallery of winners

File:Sireethorn Leearamwat at Puteri Indonesia 2020 Crowning Moment (4) (cropped).jpg, Miss International 2019
Sireethorn Leearamwat,

File:Kevin Lilliana With Mikimoto Crown.jpg, Miss International 2017
Kevin Lilliana,

File:Kylie Verzosa by Jopet Sy.jpg, Miss International 2016
Kylie Verzosa,

File:Edymar Martinez por Belankazar.jpg, Miss International 2015
Edymar Martinez,

File:MI 2014, Valerie Hernandez.jpg, Miss International 2014
Valerie Hernandez,

File:Miss International 2013 Bea Santiago (cropped).jpg, Miss International 2013
Bea Santiago,

File:Ikumi Yoshimatsu.jpeg, Miss International 2012
Ikumi Yoshimatsu,

File:Maria Fernanda Cornejo en Mariela TV.jpg, Miss International 2011
Fernanda Cornejo,

File:Miss Mexico 08 Anagabriela Espinoza.jpg, Miss International 2009
Anagabriela Espinoza,

File:Love Is... The First TeleMovie from Eat Bulaga (2017) - Precious Lara Quigaman.png, Miss International 2005
Lara Quigaman,

File:Jeymmy Paola Vargas.png, Miss International 2004
Jeymmy Vargas,

File:Fernanda and Matthias Schmelz.jpg, Miss International 1996
Fernanda Alves,

File:AgnieszkaKotlatrska1990.jpg, Miss International 1991
† Agnieszka Kotlarska
(1972-1996),

File:Mirta Massa.jpg, Miss International 1967
Mirta Massa,

File:StannyvanBaer1961.jpg, Miss International 1961
Stanny van Baer,

Crowns

* Long Beach Pearl Crown (2022–present) – This crown was designed by Mrs. Bùi Thị Mỹ Cảnh - founder of Long Beach Pearl, the official crown sponsor of the Miss International Organization. The crown was used from 2022. The crown of Miss International 2022 (Miss International) with the theme of Cherry Blossoms welcoming the spring sun, inspired by the beauty of the cherries blooming under the spring sunshine, is the departure of spring. color, bringing the beauty of faith and positivity. The cherry blossom is a symbol of Japan, representing the spirit, strength, culture and people of Japan. Not only that, the cherry blossoms are also a symbol of intense vitality, a symbol of humility, the desire to live together peacefully, characteristic of youth. The design gathers 333 pure white pearls, symbolizing the flowers that are opening, ready to welcome the rays of spring sunshine. It is also a number that carries the meaning of luck, enthusiasm and longevity. In particular, with the highlight are 3 selected pearls with sizes up to more than 15mm, bringing the beauty of eternal life, sublimation and spread. The Miss International crown is also encrusted with 1960 white gems - symbolizing the first year the Miss International pageant was held. The fusion of feats of craftsmanship with top-notch craftsmanship, Long Beach Pearl has brought a special work for the Miss International contest.
* Mikimoto Crown ( 1970–1998; 2015–2019) – This crown was designed by Tomohiro Yamaji for the Mikimoto Company, the official jewel sponsor of the Miss International Organization. It contains 575.31 grams of 14k and 18k gold, 650 South Sea and Akoya pearls, ranging in size from 3 to 18 mm diameter and is valued at US$350,000. The crown was designed for the pageant on Mikimoto Pearl Island in Japan with the Mikimoto crown and tiara being first used for Miss International 2013, which was unveiled by the president of Miss International, Akemi Shimomura. The crown was again used when Valerie Hernandez of Puerto Rico crowned Edymar Martinez of Venezuela as Miss International 2015.
* Pearl Crown (1999–2005; 2007–2014) – This crown was used from 1999–2005; 2007–2014. Same as the current Mikimoto crown, this crown was designed by Tomohiro Yamaji for the Mikimoto Company. The crown has a symbolic design with a couple of horses and 530 South Sea and Akoya pearls. It was retired after Valerie Hernandez of Puerto Rico used the crown in 2015.
* Crystal Crown (2006) – also known as Maki Diamond tiara, this crown was used when Daniela di Giacomo of Venezuela was crowned Miss International 2006. She was the only Miss International titleholder to wear this crown. The crown was valued at US$150,000, was made of an 18 karat combination of white and yellow gold and composed of over 1,000 precious stones. Retrieved on 11 April 2008.

See also

* List of beauty contests
* Big Four international beauty pageants
* Global Beauties Grand Slam Beauty Pageants

References

Further reading

*

External links

Official english websiteOfficial japanese website

{{Big Four Pageants

International beauty pageants
Recurring events established in 1960