Miss Universe 1978 Margaret Gardiner to join 2024 selection committee

Miss Universe 1979 Margaret Gardiner left and Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel/MISS UNIVERSE FACEBOOK PHOTO, ARMIN P. ADINA

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has announced more members of the selection committee for the 2024 competition in Mexico, and has added 1978 Miss Universe Margaret Gardiner from South Africa in the illustrious, yet still incomplete, group.

Gardiner first sat at the judging panel in 1980, when the late Rosario “Chat” Silayan from the Philippines finished as third runner-up in the competition hosted by Seoul, South Korea, for the first time.

The South African queen’s inclusion in the panel in 1980 was in line with the Miss Universe pageant’s former tradition of calling back a former winner to be a judge a year after relinquishing her crown, or two years after winning.

With the former practice, a queen is seen on the Miss Universe stage for three consecutive years, first as contestant, then next as the reigning queen, and then third as a judge for the competition. This was discontinued in the more recent staging of the international competition.

“We are honored to announce that the iconic [Gardiner], Miss Universe 1978 from South Africa, is joining our team of experts as a member of the selection committee this year,” MUO said on social media on Sunday, Oct. 27.

“Her elegance, experience, and knowledge in the entertainment and beauty industry make her an iconic and respected figure in the world of international beauty. Welcome, Margaret! Her legacy inspires a new generation of women. [crown emoji]” the social media post added.

Telemundo channel’s “Al Rojo Vivo” presenter Jessica Carillo was also announced as another member of the selection committee. MUO had earlier mentioned the inclusion of Latin music star Emilio Estefan, Venezuelan-American actress and digital creator Lele Pons, Brazilian artist Romero Britto, and Italian fashion designer Eva Cavalli in the group.

But while the remaining members of the selection committee have not been completely disclosed, the jury members for the “Voice for Change” initiative have already been announced, and they include 2022 Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel from the United States.

The Filipino-American Gabriel will be joined by Miss Universe 2020 second runner-up Janick Maceta from Peru, Miss Universe Nepal 2022 Sophiya Bujel, Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2023 Karla Guilfu, Miss Universe Angola 2023 Ana Barbara Coimbra, and Paweensuda Drouin, Miss Universe 2019 finalist from Thailand who is a cofounder of CI Talks that initiated “Voice for Change.”

Guilfu and Coimbra were among the three “gold finalists” in the “Voice for Change” in last year’s Miss Universe pageant. The other winner was Michelle Marquez Dee from the Philippines, whose advocacy work on autism awareness and inclusion was highlighted in the competition.

More than 120 delegates from different countries and territories around the world are expected to take part in this year’s Miss Universe pageant, with the coronation night set to take place at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico, on Nov. 16 (Nov. 17 in Manila).

The Philippines’ Chelsea Manalo has taken a side trip to Los Angeles, California, in the United States to meet members of the Filipino community there, and for last-minute preparations before heading to Mexico City. She will try to become the fifth Filipino woman to bag the title, following Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015) and Catriona Gray (2018).