MISS UNIVERSE 1992 on "The Land of Smile"
Sawasdee ... Welcome to Thailand. For the first time in Miss Universe history, the pageant was held in one of the most colorful and exotic country in the world, Thailand. It was held amid the political crisis in Thailand that culminated on May 17 in the Black May protest against the government of General Suchinda Kraprayoon. The day prior to the event the public relations director expressed fears that the show might have to be cancelled if the situation escalated, although the threat was played down by other pageant officials.Seventy-eight contestants participated in the pageant with some veterans in earlier Miss World pageant, such as Misses Namibia, New Zealand, Belgium, Iceland, Cayman Islands, Switzerland (MW 1991), US Virgin Islands (MW 1988), Kenya (MW1990). Venezuela sent a very beautiful, stunning and tall delegate who looked like a young taller Liz Taylor, Carolina Iszak. Her runner-up in Miss Venezuela 1991, Ninibeth Leal won the title of Miss World in 1991. And it might be very easy for her to win the 4th Miss Universe crown for her country. Although, this was a very strong year; Miss Colombia, Paola Turbay was one of the most stunning contestants but missed in height. Asia had Misses India's Madhu Sapre and Thailand's Ornanong Panyawong as the hometown girl. Another South America country, Ecuador sent a very beautiful delegate who looked like a doll, Soledad Diab. She won Miss Photogenic award. And it was a chance for her countrymen to see their second semifinalist in MU. Israel sent the 1st runner-up in Miss Israel due to the winner, Ravit Assaf was under the age restriction of 18 years. Ravit would later become a semifinalist at Miss World 1992 in Sun City, South Africa.A Greek beauty, Marina Tsintikidou would later win Miss Europe 1992 title. She is a famous top model and TV presenter now in her country, Greece. The favorites to the crown were Misses Venezuela's Carolina Iszak, Namibia's Michelle McLean, Netherland's Vivian Jansen, India's Madhu Sapre, Iceland's Svava Haraldsdóttir, Colombia's Paola Turbay, Belgium's Anke van Dermeersch, Australia's Georgina Denahy and the hometown girl, Ornanong Panyawong.
The live telecast was opened by two former Miss Universe from Thailand; Apasra Hongsakula (1965) and Pornthip Nakhirunkanok (1988) who welcomed all viewers in Thai. The entry of all delegates into Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre was a magnificent display of pomp and splendor. The reigning Miss Universe, Mexico's Lupita Jones astride a mighty pachyderm [elephant] adorned in a gold and silver carapace. The opening song was Sawasdee that means hello in Thai.
The top 10 semifinalists in the pageant were Misses Australia, Sweden, India, Netherlands, New Zealand, USA, Colombia, Namibia, Venezuela and Belgium. Among them, there were 3 giant delegates with 6' tall in height; they were Misses Namibia, Venezuela and Belgium. They three were the Top 3 front-runner in the preliminary. Miss Venezuela was the front-runner with the highest average score at 9.477 and Miss Namibia placed 2nd at 9.147. Only both of them could get the score over 9.000. And Miss Belgium was on 3rd at 8.983.
The top 10 semifinalists in the pageant were Misses Australia, Sweden, India, Netherlands, New Zealand, USA, Colombia, Namibia, Venezuela and Belgium. Among them, there were 3 giant delegates with 6' tall in height; they were Misses Namibia, Venezuela and Belgium. They three were the Top 3 front-runner in the preliminary. Miss Venezuela was the front-runner with the highest average score at 9.477 and Miss Namibia placed 2nd at 9.147. Only both of them could get the score over 9.000. And Miss Belgium was on 3rd at 8.983.
TOP 10 SEMIFINALISTS
The Icelandic beauty from Reykjavik and a favorite missed the cut. She had the same preliminary average score with Miss Sweden. Unfortunately, the judges placed her at 11th because of her low interview preliminary score. She just got 8.21 in interview; Miss Sweden got 8.63. That's why Miss Sweden advanced to the Top 10.
During the competition, Miss Venezuela almost performed perfectly in all three areas of competition except interview competition. She placed 1st at Swimsuit and Evening Gown competition but placed 2nd at Interview competition. Only Miss Colombia could beat her in Interview competition.
The top 6 finalists were Misses Netherlands, Belgium, India, Venezuela, Namibia and Colombia. This looked like a battle between red team (Misses India, Namibia, Colombia) and green team (Misses Netherlands, Belgium, Venezuela). Miss India performed the best in this round and she got the highest score from all judges. Miss Namibia followed after her and Miss Colombia on 3rd place. The red team advanced to the Top 3 by leaving the green team behind. The most favorite, Carolina Iszak of Venezuela was left behind at 4th with a thin 0.028 score to Miss Colombia. She will always be remembered as one of the most stunning delegate in Miss Universe history.
During the competition, Miss Venezuela almost performed perfectly in all three areas of competition except interview competition. She placed 1st at Swimsuit and Evening Gown competition but placed 2nd at Interview competition. Only Miss Colombia could beat her in Interview competition.
The top 6 finalists were Misses Netherlands, Belgium, India, Venezuela, Namibia and Colombia. This looked like a battle between red team (Misses India, Namibia, Colombia) and green team (Misses Netherlands, Belgium, Venezuela). Miss India performed the best in this round and she got the highest score from all judges. Miss Namibia followed after her and Miss Colombia on 3rd place. The red team advanced to the Top 3 by leaving the green team behind. The most favorite, Carolina Iszak of Venezuela was left behind at 4th with a thin 0.028 score to Miss Colombia. She will always be remembered as one of the most stunning delegate in Miss Universe history.
The final question that year was "If you became a leader of your country tomorrow, what would be the first thing you would do?"
Miss Namibia promised to champion the children of her new nation, Miss Colombia promoted a peace-making plan for her troubled country, and Miss India gave a purely whimsical response, “I would build the biggest track and field ground in India because I think we are lacking that!”
Miss India fell down from heaven to hell after .
The judges submitted their final ranking while each Top Three contender stood on a pedestal listening to a gong and mysterious music playing in the background. Then all of the delegates gathered around Lupita Jones’ throne as Dick Clark proclaimed Miss India the second runner-up, Miss Colombia the first runner-up, and Miss Namibia Michelle McLean the new Miss Universe. Lupita crowned her successor and the two former Miss Universe winners from Thailand placed the banner and presented the winner’s bouquet of native flowers.
Miss Namibia promised to champion the children of her new nation, Miss Colombia promoted a peace-making plan for her troubled country, and Miss India gave a purely whimsical response, “I would build the biggest track and field ground in India because I think we are lacking that!”
Miss India fell down from heaven to hell after .
The judges submitted their final ranking while each Top Three contender stood on a pedestal listening to a gong and mysterious music playing in the background. Then all of the delegates gathered around Lupita Jones’ throne as Dick Clark proclaimed Miss India the second runner-up, Miss Colombia the first runner-up, and Miss Namibia Michelle McLean the new Miss Universe. Lupita crowned her successor and the two former Miss Universe winners from Thailand placed the banner and presented the winner’s bouquet of native flowers.
McLean won US$250,000 in cash and a host of other prizes including a sport car. McLean, who is white, comes from a nation which won independence from neighboring South Africa only two years ago. Asked if it was odd that a white woman should represent a nation with a predominantly black population, she said that her country’s contest was open to all, black and white. “It was an opportunity for some girls to take, and I took that opportunity,” she said. She declined to comment on a political turmoil taking place across the other side of the city where tens of thousands protesters are seeking the resignation of the prime minister. “I don’t know anything about what happening outside,” McLean said, adding that she had been too busy preparing for the final. But other beauties were following the situation more closely. Miss Philippines, Elizabeth Berroya, was apparently not concerned, saying the political chaos in her homeland prior to Monday’s general election was worse than what was happening in Bangkok.
During her year-long reign as Miss Universe, McLean will tour the world. She wins a rent-free apartment in Los Angeles, $50,000 worth of diamonds, furs and a sports car. and of course with the title goes instant fame. Her life over the next twelve months will be very different from her work as a masseuse and assistant chiropractor in her arid desert homeland.
During her year-long reign as Miss Universe, McLean will tour the world. She wins a rent-free apartment in Los Angeles, $50,000 worth of diamonds, furs and a sports car. and of course with the title goes instant fame. Her life over the next twelve months will be very different from her work as a masseuse and assistant chiropractor in her arid desert homeland.
SPECIAL AWARDS
Miss Photogenic: Soledad Diab - ECUADOR
Miss Congeniality: Barbara Johnson - TURKS & CAICOS
Best National Costume: Pamela Zarza - PARAGUAY
Catalina Best in Swimsuit: Carolina Iszak - VENEZUELA
Miss Congeniality: Barbara Johnson - TURKS & CAICOS
Best National Costume: Pamela Zarza - PARAGUAY
Catalina Best in Swimsuit: Carolina Iszak - VENEZUELA
PANEL OF JUDGES
- Kim Alexis – Former American model.
- Robin Leach – English celebrity writer and host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
- Miriam Makeba – South African singer and civil rights activist.
- Luis Enrique – Nicaraguan singer and composer.
- Marion Dougherty – Casting director of Warner Bros. Studios.
- Ron Duguay – Canadian professional ice hockey player.
- Vijay Amritraj – Former Indian tennis player.
- Estelle Getty – American actress.
- Khunying Sasima Srivikorn – Thai businesswoman and CEO.