View source for Miss International

{{Short description|Beauty pageant competition, Organization}}
{{for-multi|the most recent competition|Miss International 2024}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox pageant
| name             = Miss International
| logo             = 
| logosize = 200px
| image            = Miss International Organization.png
| caption          = 
| type             = International women's beauty pageant
| franchise_holder =
| organization     =
| headquarters= Tokyo, Japan
| pageant_region   = 
| region_represented=
| qualification    = 
| first            = [[Miss International 1960|1960]]
| recent           = [[Miss International 2024|2024]]
| last             = <!---Only if pageant is defunct. Last edition of the pageant, use year used in the pageant name--->
| current_titleholder = [[Huỳnh Thị Thanh Thủy]]
| titleholder_represents = Vietnam
| language         = English
| leader_title1 =President
| leader_name1 = Akemi Shimomura
| leader_title2 = 
| leader_name2 = 
| leader_title3 =
| leader_name3 =
| predecessor      = 
| successor        = <!---Succeeding pageant--->
| website          ={{official URL}}
}}
'''Miss International''' (''Miss International Beauty'' or ''The International Beauty Pageant'') is a Japan-based international [[List of beauty pageants|major]] beauty pageant organized by the International Culture Association. First held in 1960,<ref>{{cite news|title=MOFA examines beauty contest's 'belittling'|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/foreign-affairs/2008/10/21/179573/MOFA-examines.htm|access-date=16 November 2010|newspaper=[[China Post]]|date=21 October 2008}}</ref><ref name="firstlady">{{cite news|last1=Adelstein|first1=Jake|title=First lady scrutinizes blackballing of beauty queen|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/12/25/national/first-lady-scrutinizes-blackballing-of-beauty-queen/|access-date=26 October 2015|work=The Japan Times}}</ref> it is the fourth largest pageant in the world in terms of the number of national winners participating in the international contest.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201511100998.html|title=Kenyan Beauty Crowned Miss International in Tokyo|last=Kerongo|first=Grace|date=10 November 2015|work=[[All Africa]]|access-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112074329/http://allafrica.com/stories/201511100998.html|archive-date=12 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/68137756/former-miss-manawatu-goes-international|title=Former Miss Manawatu goes international|last=King|first=Kathryn|date=30 April 2015|work=[[Manawatu Standard]]|access-date=21 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sivtelegram.media/paid-the-new-miss-ukraine-2018-controversial/49014/|title=Paid? The New Miss Ukraine 2018 Controversial|last=Hartman|first=Jan|date=1 October 2018|work=The Siver Telegram|access-date=21 October 2018}}</ref>

Along with [[Miss World]], [[Miss Universe]], and [[Miss Earth]], the pageant is one of the [[Big Four beauty pageants]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Beauty Pageant Basics |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-25550425 |publisher=BBC |last=Enriquez |first=Amee |date=2 February 2014 |access-date=4 May 2018}}</ref> The Miss International Organization and the brand are currently owned (since 1968), along with [[Miss International Japan]], by the International Cultural Association and Miss Paris Group.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} The pageant crown used by the organization is supplied and patented by the [[Mikimoto (company)|Mikimoto]] pearl company.

In 2020 and again in 2021, the pageant was canceled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2021/8/31/Miss-International-2021-cancelled-.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831122236/https://cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2021/8/31/Miss-International-2021-cancelled-.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 August 2021|title=Miss International 2021 moved to 2022|publisher=CNN Philippines|date=31 August 2021|access-date=30 July 2022}}</ref>

The current Miss International is [[Huỳnh Thị Thanh Thủy]] of Vietnam, who was crowned on 12 November 2024 in Tokyo, Japan.

==History==
[[File:Miss International Sash.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Miss International sash]]
The pageant was created in [[Long Beach, California]], United States in 1960,<ref>{{cite news|title=6th place winner low-rates Miami|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=klsyAAAAIBAJ&pg=2576,5922480&dq=miss-international+miss-universe&hl=en|access-date=16 November 2010|newspaper=[[The Miami News]]|date=13 August 1960}}</ref> after the departure of the [[Miss Universe]] pageant to [[Miami Beach, Florida|Miami Beach]].<ref>{{cite news|title=May settle dispute over beauty pageant|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Hr4gAAAAIBAJ&pg=5725,4780422&dq=&hl=en|access-date=16 November 2010|newspaper=[[Lewiston Evening Journal]]|date=22 August 1959}}</ref> Hosted in Long Beach until 1967,<ref>{{cite news|title=Pageant shifted|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rG1YAAAAIBAJ&pg=7398,2385942&dq=&hl=en|access-date=16 November 2010|newspaper=[[Spokane Daily Chronicle]]|date=23 April 1968}}</ref> the pageant moved to Japan from 1968 to 1970, being hosted each year in the same city as the [[Expo '70]]. For 1971, it was held in Long Beach again, but since that time it had been held annually in Japan until 2003. Since 2004, it is held in China or Japan.<ref name="history" /> The first winner of the pageant in 1960 was [[Stella Araneta]] of Colombia.

Since then, Japan became the host country and the pageant has mostly been held in Japan, around [[autumn|autumn season]] either in October or November. The pageant is also called "Miss International Beauty".<ref>{{cite news|title=Miss Germany Tops Beauties|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/932866632.html?dids=932866632:932866632&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629055235/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/932866632.html?dids=932866632:932866632&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Au|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 June 2011|access-date=16 November 2010|newspaper=[[The Hartford Courant]]|date=14 August 1965|quote=Ingrid Fiffi Finger, was named Miss International Beauty Friday.}}</ref> The pageant advocacy is to achieve a world where women can live with positivity, inner strength and individuality.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Miss.International.bp/posts/the-miss-international-advocacyachieving-a-world-where-women-can-livewith-positi/2069181833132724/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/163203967063863/2069181833132724 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-access=limited|title=The Miss International Advocacy|date=7 September 2018|website=Miss International|access-date=26 April 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=January 2021}} The slogan of Miss International is to "correct understanding of Japan in the international community" and "the realization of world peace through mutual understanding". It has also recently adapted the slogan "Cheer All Women".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.miss-international.org/en/about/|title=About Miss International|publisher=Miss International|date=26 April 2020|access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://www.miss-international.org/news/contents/history/what_mi_e.html |title=History of Miss International |website=Miss-International.org |access-date=21 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616051949/http://www.miss-international.org/news/contents/history/what_mi_e.html |archive-date=16 June 2011 }}</ref>

The winner of [[Miss International 2012]], [[Ikumi Yoshimatsu]] of Japan, was stripped of her title and was not able to crown her successor due to conflict with a talent agency that threatened her safety and the pageant night itself;<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.tokyotimes.com/japanese-miss-international-2012-dethroned-after-harassment-scandal/|title=Japanese Miss International 2012, dethroned after harassment scandal|date=17 December 2013|work=Tokyo Times|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.com.au/no-farewell-walk-miss-international-2012-reigning-queen-ikumi-yoshimatsu-1327067|title=No Farewell Walk for Miss International 2012 Reigning Queen Ikumi Yoshimatsu|last=Ornos|first=Riza|date=17 December 2013|work=[[International Business Times]]|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kickerdaily.com/posts/2013/12/miss-philippines-wins-miss-international-2013/|title=Miss Philippines Wins Miss International 2013|last=Adalia|first=JB|date=17 December 2013|work=Kicker Daily|access-date=15 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116081117/http://kickerdaily.com/posts/2013/12/miss-philippines-wins-miss-international-2013/|archive-date=16 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> instead [[Miss International 2008]], Alejandra Andreu, crowned [[Bea Santiago]] of the Philippines as [[Miss International 2013]]. Yoshimatsu was the first titleholder of the pageant from Japan to be dethroned shortly before the end of her reign.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kickerdaily.com/posts/2013/12/miss-philippines-wins-miss-international-2013/|title=Miss Philippines Wins Miss International 2013|last=Adalia|first=JB|date=17 December 2013|work=[[Kicker Daily]]|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> The organization was criticized for allegedly asking Yoshimatsu to skip the succession ceremony and "play sick and shut up" in order to avoid a scandal with a Japanese production company whose president was allegedly harassing her.<ref name=firstlady /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2015/10/29/kiji/K20151029011408860.html|title=ミス・インターナショナル代表７２人 東京タワーで"頂点"祈願|author=株式会社スポーツニッポン新聞社マルチメディア事業本部|access-date=3 January 2016}}</ref> In [[Miss International 2017|2017]], [[Kevin Lilliana Junaedy]] of Indonesia became the first [[Muslim]] woman to win Miss International.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2017/11/14/indonesias-kevin-lilliana-wins-miss-international-2017.html|title=Indonesia's Kevin Lilliana wins Miss International 2017|last=|first=|author-link=|website=[[The Jakarta Post]]|date=14 November 2017 |access-date=14 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/278830/miss-international-2017-mariel-de-leon-kevin-liliana/|title=Indonesian gets Miss International crown; PH bet fails to get into finals|last=|first=|author-link=|newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]]|date=14 November 2017 |access-date=15 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elnuevoherald.com/entretenimiento/article184481903.html|title=La indonesia Kevin Lilliana se corona Miss Internacional 2017 en Tokio|work=[[El Nuevo Herald]]|access-date=14 November 2017|language=es}}</ref> 2020 and 2021 edition was the second and third times the pageant has been cancelled since 1966 edition, because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and Japanese government banned International events, following the [[2020 Summer Olympics]] postponement.<ref name="final date and venue source 3">{{cite news|url=https://www.telemetro.com/senorita-panama/2020/01/15/yokohama-tokio-sedes-miss-international/2442082.html|title=Yokohama y Tokio, sedes para el Miss International 2020 que será el 21 de octubre|publisher=Telemetro|access-date=15 February 2020|language=es}}</ref>

== Recent titleholders ==
{{Main|List of Miss International titleholders}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" font-size: 95%;"
|-
! Edition
! Year
! Representing
! {{nowrap|Miss International}}
! {{nowrap|National Title}}
! Location
! Number of Entrants
|- 
| 58th
| [[Miss International 2018|2018]]
| {{flagu|Venezuela}}
| [[Mariem Velazco]]
| [[Miss Venezuela|Miss Venezuela Internacional 2017]]
| Tokyo, Japan
| 77
|-
| 59th
| [[Miss International 2019|2019]]
| {{flagu|Thailand}}
| [[Sireethorn Leearamwat]]
| [[Miss Thailand#Miss International|Miss Thailand 2019]]
| Tokyo, Japan
| 83
|-{{n/a}}
| colspan="2" | <small>''2020 — 2021''</small>
| colspan="5" | <small>''Pageant not held due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]''</small>
|-
| 60th
| [[Miss International 2022|2022]]
| {{flagu|Germany}}
| [[Jasmin Selberg]]
| [[Miss International Germany|Miss International Germany 2022]]
| Tokyo, Japan
| 66
|-
| 61st
| [[Miss International 2023|2023]]
| {{flagu|Venezuela}}
| [[Andrea Rubio]]
| [[Miss Venezuela 2022|Miss Venezuela Internacional 2022]]
| [[Shibuya]], Tokyo, Japan
| 70
|-
| 62nd
| [[Miss International 2024|2024]]
| {{flagu|Vietnam}}
| [[Huỳnh Thị Thanh Thủy]]
| [[Miss Vietnam 2022]]
| Tokyo, Japan
| 71
|-
|}

==Gallery of winners==
<gallery>
File:Huỳnh Thị Thanh Thủy.png|2024, [[Huỳnh Thị Thanh Thủy]],<br>{{flagu|Vietnam}}
File:Andrea Rubio attended the Puteri Indonesia 2024 coronation.jpg|2023, [[Andrea Rubio]],<br>{{flagu|Venezuela}}
File:Jasmin Selberg at the Puteri Indonesia 2023 final coronation (2).jpg|2022, [[Jasmin Selberg]],<br>{{flagu|Germany}}
File:Sireethorn Leearamwat attending Puteri Indonesia 2020.jpg|2019, [[Sireethorn Leearamwat]],<br>{{flagu|Thailand}}
File:West Java Province Government Image - Miss International 2017 Kevin Lilliana Junaedy With Governor of West Java Ridwan Kamil (cropped).jpg|2017, [[Kevin Lilliana]],<br>{{flagu|Indonesia}}
File:Kylie Verzosa, both hands on hips (cropped).jpg|2016, [[Kylie Verzosa]],<br>{{flagu|Philippines}}
File:Edymar Martinez por Belankazar.jpg|2015, [[Edymar Martinez]],<br>{{flagu|Venezuela}}
File:MI 2014, Valerie Hernandez.jpg|2014, [[Valerie Hernandez]],<br>{{flagu|Puerto Rico}}
File:Miss International 2013 Bea Santiago (cropped).jpg|2013, [[Bea Santiago]],<br>{{flagu|Philippines}}
File:Ikumi Yoshimatsu.jpeg|2012, [[Ikumi Yoshimatsu]],<br>{{flagu|Japan}}
File:Maria Fernanda Cornejo en Mariela TV.jpg|2011, [[María Fernanda Cornejo|Fernanda Cornejo]],<br>{{flagu|Ecuador}}
File:Miss Mexico 08 Anagabriela Espinoza.jpg|2009, [[Anagabriela Espinoza]],<br>{{flagu|Mexico}}
File:Love Is... The First TeleMovie from Eat Bulaga (2017) - Precious Lara Quigaman.png|2005, [[Precious Lara Quigaman|Lara Quigaman]],<br>{{flagu|Philippines}}
File:Jeymmy Paola Vargas.png|2004, [[Jeymmy Vargas]],<br>{{flagu|Colombia}}
File:Fernanda and Matthias Schmelz.jpg|1996, [[Fernanda Alves (Miss International)|Fernanda Alves]],<br>{{flagu|Portugal}}
File:AgnieszkaKotlatrska1990.jpg|1991†, [[Agnieszka Kotlarska (model)|Agnieszka Kotlarska]]<br>(1972–1996),<br>{{flagu|Poland}}
File:Anneli Björkling (1972).jpg|1973, [[Anneli Björkling]],<br>{{flagu|Finland}}
File:Mirta Massa.jpg|1967, [[Mirta Massa]],<br>{{flagu|Argentina}}
File:Gemma Cruz.jpg|1964, [[Gemma Cruz-Araneta|Gemma Cruz]],<br>{{flagu|Philippines}} 
File:StannyvanBaer1961.jpg|1961, [[Stanny van Baer]],<br>{{flagu|Netherlands}} 
</gallery>

==Crowns==
===Gallery of Miss International crowns===
<gallery>
File:Miss International 2013 Bea Santiago (cropped).jpg|The ''Couple of Horses Tiara'', as worn by [[Miss International 2013]], [[Bea Santiago]] of The Philippines.
File:West Java Province Government Image - Miss International 2017 Kevin Lilliana Junaedy With Governor of West Java Ridwan Kamil (cropped).jpg|The ''[[Mikimoto Crown]]'', as worn by [[Miss International 2017]], [[Kevin Lilliana]] of Indonesia.
File:Jasmin Selberg at the Puteri Indonesia 2023 final coronation (2).jpg|The ''Long Beach Pearl Crown'', as worn by [[Miss International 2022]], [[Jasmin Selberg]] of Germany.
</gallery>

* The Long Beach Pearl Crown ([[Miss International 2022|2022]]–present) – This crown was designed by Mrs. Bùi Thị Mỹ Cảnh - founder of Long Beach Pearl, the official crown sponsor of the Miss International Organization. The crown was used from [[Miss International 2022|2022]]. The crown of Miss International 2022 (Miss International) with the theme of Cherry Blossoms welcoming the spring sun, inspired by the beauty of the cherries blooming under the spring sunshine, is the departure of spring. color, bringing the beauty of faith and positivity. The cherry blossom is a symbol of Japan, representing the spirit, strength, culture and people of Japan. Not only that, the cherry blossoms are also a symbol of intense vitality, a symbol of humility, the desire to live together peacefully, characteristic of youth. The design gathers 333 pure white pearls, symbolizing the flowers that are opening, ready to welcome the rays of spring sunshine. It is also a number that carries the meaning of luck, enthusiasm and longevity. In particular, with the highlight are 3 selected pearls with sizes up to more than 15mm, bringing the beauty of eternal life, sublimation and spread. The Miss International crown is also encrusted with 1960 white gems - symbolizing the first year the Miss International pageant was held. The fusion of feats of craftsmanship with top-notch craftsmanship, Long Beach Pearl has brought a special work for the Miss International contest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thanhnien.vn/viet-nam-duoc-chon-sang-tao-che-tac-vuong-mien-hoa-hau-quoc-te-post1518228.html|title=Việt Nam được chọn sáng tạo, chế tác vương miện Hoa hậu Quốc tế|date=5 November 2022 |publisher=Báo Thanh Niên|access-date= 5 November 2022}}</ref>
* The Mikimoto Crown ([[Miss International 1970|1970]]–[[Miss International 1998|1998]]; [[Miss International 2015|2015]]–[[Miss International 2019|2019]]) – This crown was designed by Tomohiro Yamaji for the [[Mikimoto Kōkichi|Mikimoto Company]], the official jewel sponsor of the Miss International Organization. It contains 575.31 grams of 14k and 18k gold, 650 South Sea and [[Pinctada fucata|Akoya]] [[pearls]], ranging in size from 3 to 18&nbsp;mm diameter and is valued at US$350,000. The crown was designed for the pageant on [[Mikimoto Pearl Island]] in Japan with the Mikimoto crown and tiara being first used for [[Miss International 2013]], which was unveiled by the president of Miss International Akemi Shimomura, like the previous crown edition there are also 4 sets of small tiara's for the runners-up in this crown collection. The crown was retired after [[Sireethorn Leearamwat]] of Thailand used the crown in [[Miss International 2019|2019]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/340436/aurora-pijuans-1970-miss-international-mikimoto-tiara-crown-up-for-auction/|title=Aurora Pijuan's 1970 Miss International Mikimoto tiara-crown up for auction|date=14 July 2019 |publisher=Lifestyle Inquirer|access-date= 15 July 2019}}</ref>
* The Couple of Horses Crown ([[Miss International 1999|1999]]–[[Miss International 2005|2005]]; [[Miss International 2007|2007]]–[[Miss International 2014|2014]]) – This crown was used from [[Miss International 1999|1999]]–[[Miss International 2005|2005]]; [[Miss International 2007|2007]]–[[Miss International 2014|2014]]. Same as the current Mikimoto crown, this crown was designed by Tomohiro Yamaji for the Mikimoto Company. The crown has a symbolic design with a couple of horses and 530 South Sea and Akoya [[pearls]], there are 4 sets of small tiara's for the runners-up in this crown collection. It was retired after [[Valerie Hernandez]] of Puerto Rico used the crown in [[Miss International 2015|2015]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://normannorman.com/2020/04/10/when-japan-won-its-first-miss-international-crown-and-the-lingering-controversy-that-followed/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922130601/https://normannorman.com/2020/04/10/when-japan-won-its-first-miss-international-crown-and-the-lingering-controversy-that-followed/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=22 September 2020|title=When Japan won its first Miss International crown – and the lingering controversy that followed|date=9 April 2020 |publisher=normannorman.com|access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref>
* The Crystal Crown ([[Miss International 2006|2006]]) – also known as Maki Diamond tiara, this crown was used when [[Daniela di Giacomo]] of Venezuela was crowned [[Miss International 2006]]. She was the only Miss International titleholder to wear this crown. The crown was valued at US$150,000, was made of an 18 karat combination of white and yellow gold and composed of over 1,000 precious stones.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pageant Almanac|url=http://www.pageant-almanac.com/miss-international/former-titleholders.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060711184803/http://www.pageant-almanac.com/miss-international/former-titleholders.php|url-status=usurped|archive-date=11 July 2006}} Retrieved on 11 April 2008.</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of beauty contests]]
* [[Big Four international beauty pageants]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite web | title=Miss International Trivia: Surprising Facts And Controversies | website=[[Yibada]] | date=14 October 2015 | url=http://en.yibada.com/articles/74096/20151014/surprising-facts-and-controversies-about-miss-international-title.htm | access-date=7 April 2016}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Miss International}}
*[https://www.miss-international.org/en/ Official English website]

{{Miss International}}
{{Miss International titleholders}}
{{Miss International countries and territories}}
{{Big Four Pageants}}

[[Category:Miss International| ]]
[[Category:International beauty pageants]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 1960]]