

The original Hunger Games, but with evening gowns and world peace speeches.
Season 74 • Episode 1
LatestMiss Universe is an annual international beauty pageant that is run by the United States-based Miss Universe Organization. The contest is the largest pageant in the world in terms of live TV coverage, airing yearly in more than 190 countries worldwide to an audience of over 2.5 billion people. Along with Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth, Miss Universe is one of the Big Four international beauty pageants. The Miss Universe Organization and its brand, along with Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, are currently owned by the WME/IMG talent agency.
Costume
1950s haute couture national costumes that aged beautifully and horribly.
Production
Live TV spectacle from the golden age of broadcast pageantry.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 1955 pageant aired during peak Cold War tension, with contestants from Soviet-aligned nations carefully managed propaganda opportunities.
Long Beach, California hosted Miss Universe from 1952-1959 because the city literally built a special 'Miss Universe Theater' to secure the contract.