Miss Universe Asia in the Past Decades and Beyond!

Let’s take a look how Asian candidates conquered the Miss Universe stage at the past decades of Miss Universe from 2000 to 2009 and the first three years of the next decade from 2010 and 2012

Beauty of the New Millennium (2000 to 2009)

            The Universe was amazed for Asian beauty when the ninth Asian delegate wins the coveted crown she was Lara Dutta the second Miss Universe from India. The Question to Larra was “Right now there is a protest going on right outside here calling the Miss Universe Pageant disrespectful of women. Convince them they are wrong” and she answered confidently with grabbing the mike to the master of ceremony. "I think pageant I think pageants like the Miss Universe pageant gives us young women a platform to foray in the fields that we want to and forge ahead, be it entrepreneurship, be it the armed force, be it politics. It gives us a platform to voice our choices and opinions, and makes us strong, independent that we are today – Lara Dutta (Representing India). "

The following year Celina Jaitley of India and Ilanit Levy was among the top 10 candidates representing the Asian continent in the pageant Placing Celina as 4^th Runner Up to Miss Universe Denise Quinones of Puerto Rico which is the host country that year.

The Following year Zhuo Ling of China was one to watch when she made it through to the top 10 placing second runner. Miss India Neha Dhupia also made it to the top 10 made it India’s 11^th straight year placing in the pageant.

2003 India did not manage to continue the 11 years placement it was only Miyako Miyazaki of Japan who made the cut and placing 4^th Runner Up that year.

In 2004 it was India once again who made place and the only Asian country to make it the cut reaching top 10 semifinalist.

In 2005 it was Bangkok, Thailand for the first time since 1994 an Asian country hosted the most viewed and most famous beauty pageant in the world. It was Israel Elena Ralph Who made it through the top 10 and many fans that year even shocked to the placement of Miss Indonesia Artika Sari Devi.

In 2006 Miss Japan Chibana Kurara is even closed to the crown she was placed 1^st Runner Up. Other Asian delegates also made the cut India’s Neha Kapur and Charm Osathanond of Thailand.

Riyo Mori was the last Asian Miss Universe crowned and the Second Miss Universe from Japan She was asked by one of the judges she was asked this Question “What is the one lesson you learned as a child that still affects your life today?”

Ans She answered "I have been dancing since I was a child. I grew up among many students and teachers. I learned to always be happy, patient and positive. That is also what I want to teach to the next generation. Thank you – Riyo Mori (Representing Japan)

2007 Was the strongest year for the Miss Universe not only winning the title but also winning the awards of Miss Photogenic Anna Theresa Licaros of Philippines and Congeniality Miss China Zhang Ningning. Besides from Riyo Mori who made to win the crown she was also joined by Miss Korea Honey Lee in the top 5 Finalist placing 3^rd Runner Up. And other Asian delegates also made in to the cut India Puja Gupta who made it to the top 10 and Farung Yuthithum made it to the top 15.

In 2008 after three years when Bangkok hosted the pageant it was Vietnam to host the Pageant Vietnam was place for the first time in the top 15 And Japan Hiroko Mima was also Placed in the top 15.

In 2009 Many Asian pageant fans was disappointed when that year no Asian delegates was made it in the top 15 but managed to grabed special awards like Miss Thailand Chutima Durongdej who was awarded Miss Photogenic and China Wang Jingyao as Miss Congeniality that year.

The First Three Years of the Next Decade

In 2010 Asian delegates return but only one delegate placed it was Venus Raj who was closed to the crown but only managed to place 4^th Runner Up.

In 2011 two of the Asian delegates were closed to win the crown when two of them made it through the top 5 finalist China Luo Zilin who placed 4^th Runner Up and Shamcey Supsup of Philippines who managed to place to third Runner Up.

In 2012 it was Philippines Miss Janine Tugonon Who was closed to the crown placing 1^st Runner Up to Olivia Culpo. She was also joined in the top 15 by other two asian delegates Turkey Çağıl Özge Özkul and India’s Shilpa Singh.

Janine Tugonon was asked By Nigel Barker a Notable Fashion Photographer

 "As an international ambassador, do you think that speaking English should be a prerequisite for Miss Universe? Why or why not?"

Janine Tugonon Answered:

"For me Miss Universe is not about being able to speak a particular language, it's about being able to influence and inspire other people. No matter what language you have as long as you have the heart you can inspire other people- Janine Tugonon (Representing Philippines)."