Atlanta: Only days away from the 68th Miss Universe competition, organizers are unveiling a new crown.
Current Miss Universe Catriona Gray of the Philippines helped unveil the headpiece that she will place onto her successor Sunday, Dec. 8.
Vartika Singh, who is representing India at the Miss Universe competition said that platforms like these are empowering.
"It is a very, very strong platform that gives your strength to your voice, that makes you feel that your voice matters so much and, you know, it gives you that audience which will believe in you and those people listen to you, they aspire to become somebody like you," said Vartika.
Emma Victoria Jenkins of Miss Great Britain said Miss Universe is all about celebrating one another.
READ | Feel immense pressure, responsibility: Vartika on representing India at Miss Universe
"Pageants are more important than ever. I think for some years women have been told what they should wear. No, they should be eating whether or not they're allowed to wear a bikini, whether or not they're allowed to wear a headscarf. You know, there's all these rules. And apparently, you know, walking in a bikini doesn't make you a feminist wearing a headscarf, doesn't make you a feminist. But it's important that Miss Universe, is it not only inclusive, it's that we celebrate one another," explained Emma Victoria.
This year's pageant is being held at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta with Steve Harvey returning as host for the 5th time.
Contestants from 90 countries will be vying for the title in closed-door interviews. However, only the top 20 semifinalists will compete live Sunday in the swimsuit and evening gown competition.
With inputs from APTN
