Final list of Miss Universe judges out
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Three former Miss Universe titleholders headline a six-member panel of judges who will choose the 65th Miss Universe on January 30.
The Miss Universe organization on its website revealed Wednesday that Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres, Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen, and Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes will be judges in the pageant's grand coronation.
Torres, who represented Puerto Rico and turned over the crown to Sen in the 1994 pageant hosted in the Philippines, arrived in Manila on Wednesday.
Sushmita Sen arrived from India late Thursday. Lopes, who is from Angola, posted a photo on Instagram on Wednesday saying she would be in the Philippines soon.
The three other judges include Mickey Boardman, the editorial director of fashion and pop-culture magazine, PAPER; TV star and former model Cynthia Bailey; and Emmy® and Tony award-winning producer and activist Francine LeFrak.
And the winner is...
Some of the judges revealed what they are looking for in the next Miss Universe on the pageant's website.
Dayanara Torres is looking for a candidate who won't break under pressure.
"I'm looking forward to finding a woman who can handle herself with grace and confidence through her journey with this prestigious title. I understand it's a beauty pageant however beauty will not be the only factor. Personality and confidence will blow the judges away every time," she said.
Cynthia Bailey thinks Miss Universe should have the whole package.
"I am looking for the full package. Someone who embodies confidence, intelligence, personality, style and grace. And of course beauty; inner beauty as well as other beauty," she said.
X-factor; Passion for helping humanity
For Francine LeFrak, Miss Universe 2016's beauty should go beyond skin-deep.
"Miss Universe must be as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She must want to use her voice and platform to give voice to the voiceless," she said.
Three other judges for the preliminary competition on Thursday also weighed in on the characteristics of the next Miss Universe.
Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori wants a candidate who is driven.
"I want a woman who embraces her destiny in this ever changing world and can lead with vision and hope," she said.
Publicist Rob Goldstone wants a queen with the "x-factor" and he's spotted a few potential ones.
"The new Miss Universe should be someone who uses this incredible platform for the good of humanity," said Goldstone. "She will not just look confidently beautiful, but have that special x-factor; and i think I've already seen a few," he added.
President and Executive Producer of the People's Choice Awards, Fred Nelson, wants a queen with a passion for helping others.
"I look for that extra spark, the unique quality which demonstrates her ability to be both the global representative of the organization and a passionate advocate for her causes," said Nelson.
The Miss Universe Organization also announced that Grammy award-winning R&B group Boyz II Men is set to perform on January 30. The group, known for its 90's hits "End of the Road," "One Sweet Day," and "I'll Make Love To You," will join rapper FloRida at the coronation at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
