Miss Colombia Paulina Vega crowned Miss Universe 2014: Here’s what life would be like if beauty queens ruled the world
They are representatives of their countries, enveloped in glittering ball gowns and sent to beauty pageants around the world to deliver messages of peace, love and the many uses of hairspray.
Miss Universes and Miss Worlds embody both brains and beauty, topped with disconcertingly white teeth and excellent swimsuit struts.
But the international beauties are not too shy to share their views on politics and the general state of the world, either. This may be no Davos, but each year opinions are offered on the biggest problems the world faces today, and how we should go about solving them.
This year was no exception, with the Miss Universe 2014 competition in Miami coming to an end last night. Miss Colombia won the crown, but was followed by runners-up Miss USA, Miss Ukraine, Miss Jamaica and Miss Netherlands.
So, if Miss Universes and Miss Worlds took control of the world and really had their way, what would life be like? Here's an insight into the beauties' views on the current state of things, through their comments and answers.
1. Everyone's biggest challenge would be balancing beauty with brains
2010 Miss Universe: This pageant was all about free choice and education – two things the beauty queens would focus on improving.
MISS AUSTRALIA: One of the greatest things we have is a freedom of choice. I don't think being beautiful and smart is something challenging – I think it's how you use it to challenge yourself.
MISS PHILIPPINES: Education is a primary source and it's a ticket for a better future.
2. Beauty pageants would be a platform for entrepreneurship
2000 Miss Universe: Miss India would give young women more of a voice in society, enhancing their independence.
Q: Right now, there is a protest going on right outside here calling the Miss Universe pageant disrespectful of women. Convince them they are wrong.MISS INDIA: 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 forces, be it politics. It gives us a platform to voice our choices and opinions, and makes us strong, independent that we are today.
3. People would go to the moon for a change of scene
1969 Miss Universe: Would not change much – especially if astronauts came to visit.
Q: In the next day or so, a man will land on the moon. If a man from the moon landed in your hometown, what would you do to entertain him?MISS PHILIPPINES: Oh, just the same things I do. I think if he has been on the moon for so long, I think when he comes over he wants to change, I guess.
4. They would cut red tape
Not all of the girls gave such sensible or interesting remarks, however – over the years there have been some more questionable answers to questions asked by judges….
2012 Miss Universe: If Miss Venezuela had her way, we would all be waiting for her wave (other than that we'd be free to do as we please)
Q: If you could make a new law, what would it be? And explain why.MISS VENEZUELA: I think that any laws there are in Constitution or in life, are already made. I think that we should have a straight way to go in our similar, or in our lives as is this. For example, I'm a surfer, and I think that the best wave that I can take is the wave that I wait for it. So please do our only law that we can do. Thank you, Vegas!
5. Top-down leadership would be a thing of the past
2012 Miss Universe: Miss Australia would probably take a hands-off approach – she's more into the introspective type of leadership
As long as I'm feeling good within myself, then I think that's all that matters.
6. Healthcare would be a matter of integrity
2009 Miss USA: Miss Arizona would apply a strong dose of integrity to the US healthcare system, making it immune to the opinions of politicians
Q: Should the United States have universal healthcare as a right of citizenship?MISS ARIZONA: I think this is an issue of integrity regardless of which end of the political spectrum that I stand on. I was raised in a family to know right from wrong and politics, whether or not you fall in the middle, the left or the right, it's an issue of integrity, no matter what your opinion is, and I say that with the utmost conviction.
7. They would immediately launch a "maps for all" policy
2007 Miss Teen USA: Miss South Carolina believes there aren't enough maps going around, and if she was in charge the US would link up its education system with South Africa and all of Asia (we aren't sure why these two specifically).
Q: Recent polls have shown a fifth of Americans can't locate the U.S. on a world map. Why do you think this is?MISS SOUTH CAROLINA: I personally believe that US Americans are unable to do so because people out there in our nation don't have maps, and I believe that our education like, such as, in South Africa and the Iraq, everywhere like, such as, and I believe that our education over here in the US should help the US, should help South Africa and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future, for our children.