Miss Universe pageant.Photo:Jason Kempin/Getty
Jason Kempin/Getty
TheMiss Universe organizationhas announced that adult women of all ages will soon be allowed to compete in their pageants.
Miss Universe 2022R’Bonney Gabrielannounced the groundbreaking change during Tanner Fletcher’s show atNew York Fashion Weekon Tuesday, which was fittingly titled “Beauty Pageant,“according toWomen’s Wear Daily.
The change will officially take place in 2024, according to a brief statement shared on Miss Universe’sInstagram Story.
“Starting then, every adult woman in the world will be eligible to compete to be Miss Universe,” they wrote.
Miss Universe crown.Marcus Ingram/Getty
Marcus Ingram/Getty
Contestants previously aged out of the organization’s pageants after age 28. Gabriel was the oldest woman to be crowned Miss Universe, and is now 29 years old.
Gabriel was also the first Filipino-American woman to win Miss USA—and the first Miss USA representative to be crowned Miss Universe in a decade.
“What I love about Miss Universe is that they are always out first in line, looking for ways they can be more inclusive and better live up to the platform that they’ve designed for us,” Gabriel toldWWD.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Gabriel previously said she would like tosee the age of eligibility increasewhen asked about what change she would like to see made to the competition’s rules during the 2023 pageant’s question-and-answer segment.
“My favorite quote is ‘If not now, then when?’ Because I believe age should not define us,” Gabriel said at the time. “It’s not tomorrow, it’s not yesterday, but it’s now — the time is now that you can go after what you want.”
Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel.Roy Rochlin/Getty
Roy Rochlin/Getty
In an interview with PEOPLE in January, Gabriel said she wanted to bea “voice” for changein both the fashion and pageant industries as Miss Universe.
“Especially now that I’m Miss Universe, I have a very big platform, and that is one of my key goals as Miss Universe,” she explained.
The decision to expand the age limit for Miss Universe contestants is just the latest change made to the rulebooks. Beginning in 2022, the organization began allowing mothers and married women to compete.
“We seek not only to continue its legacy of providing a platform to passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions, but also to evolve the brand for the next generation,” Jakrajutatip said in a statement at the time, according toVariety.
The 72nd Miss Universe competition will be heldon Nov. 18in El Salvador, according to the organization’s website.
source: people.com
