IN THE SPOTLIGHT: PH, Australia, other countries winning in Big Four pageants

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss World 1972 Belinda Green, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, and Miss Earth 2024 Jessica Lane. Images: Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth’s social media platforms

Jessica Lane’s winning glow at Miss Earth 2024 put Australia back on the pageant map, as her recent victory led to her country bagging all crowns at the Big Four pageants, proving its worth as a powerhouse country in its own right.

Lane was crowned Miss Earth 2024 at the Okada Manila in Parañaque on Saturday, November 9, besting 75 other candidates to win the title. Her elemental court consists of Miss Earth – Air Hrafnhildur Haraldsdóttir from Iceland; Miss Earth – Water Bea Millan-Windorski from the USA; and, Miss Earth – Fire Niva Antezana from Peru.

A journalist and writer, Lane’s coronation made history for Australia as it finally completed all crowns at the Big Four beauty pageants. Consisting of Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth, these global tilts are widely noted by local and international media outlets as the “top beauty contests.”

Winning multiple crowns either Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, or Miss Earth guarantees a ticket to being recognized as one of the biggest forces in pageantry. But bagging a title in all four tilts solidifies each country’s reputation as a powerhouse. And only six countries have accomplished this feat so far, and Lane made sure her country makes the cut.

Out of the six aforementioned sashes, only Venezuela and the Philippines won back-to-back titles in Miss Universe and Miss Earth, respectively.

Australia, 8 overall crowns

(From left) Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins, Miss World 1972 Belinda Green, Miss International 1992 Kirsten Davidson, and Miss Earth 2004 Jessica Lane. Images from Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth’s social media pages

Australia is the latest addition to the Big Four winners after Lane’s win at Miss Earth 2024. Its reputation as a powerhouse started after Tania Verstak bagged the Miss International crown in 1962 and was followed by Penelope Plummer’s win at the 1968 edition of Miss World.

Known for sending doll-like and statuesque candidates, it was a long way for Australia to make a name for itself in pageantry. Its big four winners include Miss Universe 1972 Kerry Anne Wells, Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins, Miss World 1968 Penelope Plummer, Miss World 1972 Belinda Green, Miss International 1962 Tania Verstak, Miss International 1981 Jenny Derek, Miss International 1992 Kirsten Davidson, and now, Miss Earth 2024 Jessica Lane.

Brazil, 6 overall crowns

(From left) Miss Universe 1968 Martha Vasconcellos, Miss World 1971 Lucia Petterle, Miss International 1968 Maria Carvalho, and Miss Earth 2009 Larissa Ramos. Images from Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth’s social media pages

Brazil is the first country to win all Big Four crowns after Priscilla Meirelles was named Miss Earth in 2004. While it broke its placement streaks in the global tilts, its reputation remains undeniable as its candidates are always seen as standouts by pageant fans.

Aside from Meirelles, its titleholders include Miss Universe 1963 Ieda Marie Vargas, Miss Universe 1968 Martha Vasconcellos, Miss International 1968 Maria Carvalho, Miss World 1971 Lucia Petterle, and Miss Earth 2009 Larissa Ramos.

Puerto Rico, 10 overall crowns

(From left) Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera, Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle, Miss International 2014 Valerie Hernandez, and Miss Earth 2019 Nellys Pimentel. Images from Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth’s social media pages

Puerto Rico is one of the must-watch countries during pageant season, as its delegates either get high placements, win special awards, or simply get praised for their breathtaking beauty.

The country’s winners’ circle consists of Miss Universe 1970 Marisol Malaret, Miss Universe 1985 Deborah Carthy-Deu, Miss Universe 1973 Dayanara Torres, Miss Universe 2001 Denise Quiñones, Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera, Miss World 1975 Wilnelia Merced, Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle, Miss International 1987 Laurie Simpson, Miss International 2014 Valerie Hernandez, and Miss Earth 2019 Nellys Pimentel.

Philippines, 15 overall crowns

(From left) Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, and Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco. Images from Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth’s social media pages

The Philippines has always been one of the biggest threats in pageantry, as it also won four Miss Universe crowns, one Miss World crown, six Miss International crowns, and four Miss Earth crowns. Noted as the first Asian country to secure all four titles, it is also known for sending candidates with strong profiles specifically tailored to each global tilt.

Among its winners include Gloria Diaz (1969), Margarita Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray (2018) for Miss Universe; Megan Young (2013) for Miss World; Gemma Cruz (1964), Aurora Pijuan (1970), Melanie Marquez (1979), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005), Bea Santiago (2013), and Kylie Verzosa (2016) for Miss International; and Karla Henry (2008), Jamie Herrell (2015), Angelia Ong (2016), and Karen Ibasco (2017) for Miss Earth.

United States, 16 overall crowns

(From left) Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel, Miss World 2010 Alexandria Mills, Miss International 1982 Christie Claridge, and Miss Earth 2020 Lindsey Coffey. Images from Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth’s social media pages

The United States is one of the countries noted for its sash factor as it consistently earns semi-final and runner-up placements at the Big Four pageants, if not the winning title. It also remains the country with the most Miss Universe crowns.

It won a total of 16 crowns in Miss Universe through Miriam Stevenson (1954), Carol Morris (1956), Linda Bement (1960), Sylvia Hitchcock (1967), Shawn Weatherly (1980), Chelsi Smith (1995), Brook Lee (1997), Olivia Culpo (2012), and R’Bonney Gabriel (2022); Miss World through Marjorie Wallace (1973), Gina Tolleson (1990), and Alexandria Mills (2010); Miss International through Brucene Smith (1974), Katherine Ruth (1978), Christie Claridge (1982); and Miss Earth through Lindsey Coffey (2020).

Venezuela, 24 overall crowns

(From left) Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler, Miss Earth 2005 Alexandra Braun, Miss International 2023 Andrea Rubio, and Miss Earth 2013 Alyz Henrich. Images from Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth’s social media pages

Another powerful sash in pageantry, Venezuela is a fierce competitor in the Big Four as it’s the only country that won multiple crowns in all four global tilts. There are moments when some of its candidates end up unplaced, but it makes sure to return with either a title or high placement in the following year.

It currently holds the record for most Miss International crowns with nine titleholders: Nina Sicilia (1985), Consuelo Adler (1997), Vivian Urdaneta (2000), Goizeder Azua (2003), Daniela di Giacomo (2006), Elizabeth Mosquera (2010), Edymar Martínez (2015), Mariem Velazco (2018), and Andrea Rubio (2023).

Other major titleholders include Miss Universe 1979 Maritza Sayalero, Miss Universe 1981 Irene Saez, Miss Universe 1986 Barbara Palacios, Miss Universe 1996 Alicia Machado, Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler, Miss Earth 2005 Alexandra Braun, Miss Earth 2013 Alyz Henrich, Miss World 1955 Susana Duijm, Miss World 1981 Pilín León, Miss World 1984 Astrid Carolina Herrera, Miss World 1991 Ninibeth Leal, Miss World 1995 Jacqueline Aguilera, and Miss World 2011 Ivian Sarcos.