Gloria Diaz on pageant evolution: ‘It’s not an IQ contest’

Gloria Diaz, the first Filipina Miss Universe, says diversity and inclusivity are among the key changes she has come to accept in how the Miss Universe pageant operates today.

In an interview with the press over the weekend, Diaz discussed the criteria she looks for in candidates, especially when invited to judge or be part of a beauty pageant committee.

“I don’t like too much training, training, and training kasi, at the end, I’m always a judge. They talk to me, asking if I could be a judge forever, but the thing is, they all look alike,” she said in the interview.

According to the 1969 Miss Universe, apart from the typical candidates vying for the crown, she believes that staying true to oneself is one of the ultimate secrets to success in pageantry.

“In fact, when I do judging, I really struggle because it's so fast, I can't remember it. And also, I don't like that they are judged based on their answers because sometimes the answers are so complicated that even I don't understand what they are saying. This is not an IQ contest—this is a beauty contest,” she explained in a mix of English and Filipino.

She also pointed out that with inclusivity and beauty enhancements becoming more common, she believes that outward beauty remains a major factor in choosing the perfect winner.

“It’s okay with me, all the plastic surgery—I don’t care. But I don’t like this genius-type answer, and people think just because you speak English, you're good at it. No... For me, I actually want them to speak in Tagalog, so it’s more from the heart, or Bisaya, or whatever. I don’t like when they’re too trained, even how they look is all turned—there’s nothing left—nothing genuine, and when they’re behind the scenes, nothing. I prefer a more natural person,” she shared.

When asked how she feels about the changes in the Miss Universe Organization under the ownership of Anne Jakrajutatip, she admitted that she has started to accept that Miss Universe is evolving.

“Yes and no. Miss Universe is different now. The Miss Universe today is really different—they are making it more inclusive, right? Because even if you are a mother with a kid, and I think there’s no age limit now. You can be a man, and you can be whatever. But I’m not really for that because Miss Universe has candidates like that now—28, 29, 30. But during my time, when you were above 23 or 24, they always introduced you as is. But now, ‘The oldest candidate for Miss Universe!’ so it’s a bit of an adjustment for me, but then I try to adjust because there are many beautiful 28-year-olds,” she said.

When asked what she considers to be the three major beauty pageants, she humorously responded, “Of course, Miss Universe still, and there’s nothing next,” she said.

This coming May, the Philippines is set to crown its next Miss Universe Philippines, who will compete in Bangkok, Thailand, in November.

Currently, the Philippines has four Miss Universe titleholders: Gloria Diaz (1969), Margarita Moran (1973), Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray (2018).