Miss Universe truly is a global event, garnering more than half a billion annual viewers across
more than 190 countries.
But unfortunately, winning the title may not be all it's cracked up to be.
While Miss Universe's beauty is easy to see, there are some not-so-glamorous truths lurking
in the shadow of the crown.
Oxana Fedorova
Russia's Oxana Fedorova didn't even last a full year as Miss Universe, after she won
in 2002.
"What makes you blush?"
"(Russian)…when I say the wrong things."
Amid pregnancy rumors and whispers of secret marriages, Fedorova was stripped of the title
after just four months.
Owner Donald Trump said Fedorova wasn't able to satisfy her responsibilities, claiming
via the Sydney Morning Herald,
"[…] a lot of these events are for charity.
[…] [Oxana] wasn't able to be there, so we had no choice but to terminate."
While still sporting the title, she also appeared on The Howard Stern Show, but was offended
by Stern's lewd line of questioning.
"She doesn't understand.
How can I pick up a chick if…"
"…you are very cute babushka."
When a Russian NTV reporter asked about her dismissal, Fedorova offered,
"The most important thing in my life is my studies and my career.
[…] Another thing that made me quit […] was my participation in the TV show, The Howard
Stern Show."
Leila Lopes
"Miss Universe 2011 is Angola, Leila Lopes."
Shortly after Leila Lopes was crowned Miss Universe 2011, allegations surfaced around
the legitimacy of her Miss Angola U.K. pageant win — the title that qualified her for Miss
Universe.
According to the Daily Mail, the report alleged that a pageant organizer helped Lopes fake
documents stating that she was a student in the U.K.
But the rumors were found to be false.
According to Lopes, who's now a University of Suffolk alum, the accusations never affected
her.
She told AOL Latino,
"I honestly don't know where they got that information.
I gave Miss Universe all the required documentation.
I'm legal."
"Everything I dreamed of is here is real now."
Alicia Machado
During Trump's presidential campaign, former Miss Universe winner Alicia Machado vocalized
the issues she endured during her year as Miss Universe in 1996.
Nine months after her win, reports surfaced claiming Machado had gained almost 60 pounds.
Trump appeared to defend her, saying,
"Some people when they have pressure eat too much, like me, but like Alicia...."
But Machado alleged Trump threatened to dethrone her for gaining weight.
Even her trainer gave up hard numbers to the press.
"Our goal is to get her between 125 and 130.
She will look 118 to you."
Trump allegedly surprised Machado with camera crews to watch her work out and supposedly
called her names.
"What were the names that he called you?
Miss Piggy, Miss Housekeeping, Miss Eating Machine…"
"All to your face?
Yes all the time."
While Trump admitted that he "pushed her to lose weight," he expressed "no regret for
his tactics," according to The New York Times.
But Machado told CNN,
"After that […] I was sick, had anorexia and bulimia for five years.
Over the past 20 years, I've gone to a lot of psychologists to combat this."
"That experience, with 18 years old, that hurt me, really deep inside of me."
Gabriela Isler
With her 2013 win, Gabriela Isler became the seventh Miss Universe winner from Venezuela.
But shortly after she was crowned, before-and-after photos of her began making the rounds online
— revealing a marked change in Isler's nose and lip shape.
While Isler never addressed the surgery allegations herself, the then-head of the Miss Venezuela
organization, downplayed the alleged controversy, saying via Pageant News,
"It's not important."
"I realize how difficult it is being Miss Universe."
Even if Isler did dabble with cosmetic surgery, she didn't break any rules.
According to Slate, the official ruling from Miss Universe states:
"Although Pageant contestants are discouraged from altering their own natural beauty, no
restrictions are placed on cosmetic surgery."
"I think life is about giving back, and I give back to all the people around me."
Olivia Culpo
After winning Miss Universe in 2012, Olivia Culpo became an overnight celebrity.
"Whoa.
This went by so quickly…USA!
Olivia Culpo is the winner."
Culpo won her title under Trump's ownership and was even called a "favorite" of his, but
when he decided to run for president, Culpo publicly denounced his comments regarding
Mexico, and pulled herself out of judging the 2015 Miss America pageant.
Though Culpo acknowledged that Trump's rhetoric didn't reflect the values of Miss Universe,
she said she couldn't continue to participate, telling Cosmo,
"Although I worry that the women involved in the 2015 Miss USA have lost out on much
of the opportunity that I was provided, I also felt that I had to stand up for what
I believe in."
"I always thought in the back of my head, you can learn something from any experience,
whether it's a good experience, whether you fall on your face, or whether you win."
Zuleyka Rivera
It didn't take long for Puerto Rico's Zuleyka Rivera to hit tough times after she took home
the 2006 crown.
She fainted while posing for pictures and fielding questions after her win — but that
was nothing compared to the harassment Rivera claims she's suffered over the years.
She revealed via People,
"That's why I left a specific country that I'm not going to name.
I left because I believe in me, in my talent, as far as I have come and what I have coming."
Rivera later made headlines after appearing at the Grammys in 2018 as a dancer for "Despacito."
She also appeared in the music video, but unfortunately, Zuleyka became the target of
online criticism from haters who bashed her for her dancing, her looks, and even her presence.
Clearly, it's not easy being queen.
"But first, lemme take a selfie now."
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