The organization of Miss Universe has decided remove the required age limit for candidates who aspire to compete in the international pageant.
The changes were disclosed by reigning Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel in an exclusive interview with Women's Daily Wear during Tanner Fletcher’s spring 2024 New York Fashion Week.
According to Women's Daily Wear, Gabriel said the age bracket of 18 to 28 years old was removed.
It can e recalled that during the competition in January of this year, the Filipino-American beauty queen answered that age increase is the inclusive change she wanted to see in the next pageant.
"For me, I would like to see an age increase. Because I am 28 years old, and that is the oldest age to compete. I think it’s a beautiful thing. My favorite quote is, 'If not now, then when?' As a woman, I believe age does not define us. It’s not tomorrow, it’s not yesterday, but it’s now. The time is now that you can go after what you want," Gabriel earlier said.
The said changes will be carried out in all global pageants in 2024.
Gabriel commended the organization of Miss Universe for looking for ways to become more inclusive and for improving its platform for women.
"It’s a bold group of women in charge over here, and you know what, a lot of people tend to follow what we do — it’s nice to be a standard-bearer, and I’m proud that we get to do this," she added.
In a brief statement on its Instagram story, Miss Universe Philippines said the changes will allow every adult woman in the world to be eligible to compete for the coveted Miss Universe crown.
In August this year, the organization of Miss Universe announced that it would allow married women and mothers to compete.
