Can Miss Universe Singapore’s expanded criteria make it an inclusive pageant?

But colour me sceptical. The expansion of criteria “to keep the pageant inclusive”, according to the press release, feels like little more than lip service.

SHOULD WE JUST GET RID OF PAGEANTS?  

To be clear, I don’t believe having a greater diversity of contestants who may not fit the conventional pageant mould will ensure that the revised version of Miss Universe Singapore is more than a checkbox exercise.

Anyone who has felt discriminated against due to visible traits, from disability to ethnicity, knows that diversity doesn’t always mean inclusivity. The former sees that you get access to spaces you’re usually excluded from; the latter ensures your perspective is valued and integrated in that space. 

Openly transgender, lesbian and bisexual women representing other countries have made it to Miss Universe in the past, although none have won. Plus, the rule that allowed mothers, married, or pregnant women to compete had already been instituted by the Miss Universe Organization last year, with Miss Colombia 2023 being the first mother to compete. 

So while Miss Universe Singapore’s new criteria may result in more diverse contestants, I don’t believe we should expect a truly inclusive idea of beauty on every level.

Perhaps a more radical solution would be to do away with pageants entirely – the less-than-desirable effects that appearance-based competitions have on young women, from their self-esteem to mental health, is well-documented.

BEAUTY AS VIRTUE 

That said, there’s no denying that being considered pleasing to the eye can make life much easier. Likewise, simply being part of an acclaimed pageant, even at a national level, can be a stepping stone for women to further other ambitions. 

For example, popular local actress Rebecca Lim, who placed in the top five of Miss Universe Singapore 2005, credited the pageant for “opening the door to stardom”, the press release stated. 

And before former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Eunice Olsen, who championed issues about youth and volunteerism, was appointed in 2004, she’d gained substantial public recognition and support through her TV hosting and winning Miss Universe Singapore 2000.