MISS UNIVERSE ® 2008 PERCEPTION VS REALITY

PERCEPTION	Contestants train and compete in beauty pageants for years before ever winning the crown.
REALITY	Most titleholders never competed in the pageant system before being crowned. For example most recently, Denise Quiñones, Miss Universe 2001 and Marissa Whitley, Miss Teen USA 2001, had never competed in pageants before winning their state and then national crowns!
PERCEPTION	A beautiful woman can be created! Contestants competing in pageants are encouraged to undergo or have undergone cosmetic surgery.
REALITY	The majority of our contestants have not surgically altered themselves. In fact, at the international level many countries, including Sweden, France and Israel, have banned plastic surgery from their events completely. We do not encourage or endorse any kind of unnecessary surgery. As a matter of fact, there are no height, weight or measurement restrictions for any of our competitions. However, we must also respect our contestants' individual rights to choose for themselves what makes them feel most confident and comfortable.
PERCEPTION	Beauty Queens all want "world peace", and don’t have any understanding of current events and issues affecting the world.
REALITY	The Miss Universe Organization has targeted three issues and aligned them with each of our titleholders to maximize fundraising and educational effects. For example, every MISS USA lends her support as an advocate for breast and ovarian cancer research. She works with organizations, such as American Cancer Society, The Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fun, the City of Hope, Gilda's Club, the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations, the National Breast Cancer Coalition, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as a goodwill ambassador, educating women on early detection of these deadly diseases. Each MISS UNIVERSE works to see the end of the global AIDS pandemic with organizations such as amFAR, The Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) and the Global Health Council. MISS TEEN USA works with organizations such as Do Something, Seeds of Peace, Sparrow Clubs and MADD (Mother’s Against Drunk Driving) to instigate change. Recent examples include: Mpule Kwelagobe, MISS UNIVERSE 2000, created a not-for-profit foundation during her reign which funded and built a 400 bed pediatric AIDS hospital and orphanage in her native Botswana – one of the African nations hardest hit by the disease. After earning her law degree, Wendy Fitzwilliam, MISS UNIVERSE 1998, Created the Hibiscus Foundation for children stricken by HIV/AIDS in her native Trinidad/Tobago, where there is a hospital wing named after her and dedicated to her work. Michelle McLean, MISS UNIVERSE 1992, established a charitable trust with her prize money to aid the children of her homeland, Namibia, and has worked the Dr. Christiaan Barnard to develop an international heart transplant foundation. Wendy Dascomb, MISS USA 1969, developed a ground breaking therapeutic equestrian riding program and center for accident victims and the physically challenged. Lynnette Cole, MISS USA 2000, works as a bi-partisan lobbyist in Washington, D.C., for the Congressional Coalition for Adoption. Charlotte Lopez, MISS TEEN USA 1993, penned a book bringing national attention to the foster-care system.
PERCEPTION	Upon the conclusion of their reign, titleholders fade away.
REALITY	Former titleholders continue to make great strides in their communities and the nation through their chosen professions or philanthropic work. Whether they choose careers in the medical, legal, business, civic, political, entertainment arenas, or choose motherhood our titleholders continue their legacy of empowerment and activism throughout their lives.
PERCEPTION	Beauty pageants exploit women.
REALITY	These competitions provide the access, means and guidance to help contestants maximize their strengths and achieve their professional and personal goals. Our judging system awards points based equally on personal interview, style (evening gown) and fitness (swimsuit). Additionally, consideration is placed on self-confidence, poise, public speaking skills, knowledge of current events and personality.