MISS UNIVERSE hires Osmel Sousa! 

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He said to former national director of France: “your girls are more beautiful than mine, they just don’t want to be miss universe” and I think he’s got a point

As a black person (firstly ) and as an African (secondly), I have so many thoughts: But let's start where he calls black Venezuelan woman ugly and Colombian women of colour "more beautiful". To have a "man" who in my objective view is white, have an opinion of what ugly is in the context of black women. Is honestly something that I seethe over, because where does he honestly get the audacity to qualify someone as ugly or as beautiful. And it's incredibly racist as well (I shouldn't even have to say why, but I'll explain). The fact that he categorically places emphasis on Eurocentric beauty as a standard, that juxtaposed with local authentic black beauty in Venezuela is incredibly damming. Also just consider the history of those communities, their history of oppression, subjugation and exclusion from society. Even in this current global climate, black Venezuelan and at large Afro Latinas are not seen or heard from. They are not represented at all. (This is why in Colombia there was such momentum in wanting to see Lina win last year against the traditional backdrop of a similar kind of prototype that Colombia is known to offer). I've digressed, back to the hard hitting points/ facts: So, it's just so incredibly racist that a man who already sees blackness as lesser and therefore our beauty as ugly and especially in context as something to choose and knit pick over (when collectively black beauty is so layered and so diverse)---that process of thought and actioning that out is incredibly marginalising and violent. Having him be announced as having a role within a platform that's supposed to celebrate diversity in all forms is extremely concerning, especially with his specific tastes and polarising views. Next I'll get into Colombia: Saying that Colombian black woman are more beautiful than that of Venezuela is also extremely problematic, because his opinion and view are most probably informed by seeing women who look like for example Andrea Tovar & Valeria Ayos. Who in black communities and spaces would be considered to be more racially ambiguous (more than they are actually black) and even though generally they are and we can't take that away from them, we most certainly cannot deny that there is privilege in looking as ambiguous as they do. Girls with their kind of likeness are definitely seen as the standard for black women, they are seen as the peak of black beauty because of how close or rather how desirable their actual features and skin tones are. They definitely cater to more Eurocentric standards and ideas of beauty. Of which a large majority of black women don't look like. So again it's just so extremely problematic for a 'white' looking man to - first - class beauty in blackness from desirable to ugly (least desirable). Again I don't even need to explain why this is so racist and extremely offensive in regard to a considered lens of global history, white supremacy, colonialism etc. Categorising black woman or pitting them against each other, where already at global levels/arenas- they already have more odds stacked up against them and more circumstances/ barriers to overcome is incredibly once again damming. And as an African, I also in the same breath have to worry about African women. Who in spaces of international pageantry are already viewed from tier of contempt or lack of regard for their inherent worth, what they can offer or contribute despite being some of the most competitive and most well rounded delegates year after year. (You guys see the sentiments online year after year or you definitely are witness of hot-picks where African & Caribbean women don't ever make the charts and if they do they don't ever top them, those are the kinds of social ills and unchecked subtly racist attitudes that exits within our pageant bubble). Where Miss Universe has been guilty and still are of the very contempt that I speak of and just a lack of taking these woman more seriously and looking at them with a bit more intention and objectivity. Pageants like Miss World and Miss Supranational show us exactly and prove to point, just how unwilling international systems of beauty are when it comes to African women. I mean African women are more likely to garner more placements & excel at finals at the mentioned two then from any other international systems because they (the mentioned two) are more objective and more intentional about having them have space and representation. Even though they too can do allot of work with undoing allot of traditional biases. They are more intentional about rewarding their preparedness and meriting placements (high placements because they acknowledge that African or Afro descent women have the resumé, they have the skills, the consistency and the required grit as often is displayed when they compete). Whereas Miss Universe for example hasn't been so forthcoming because it is incredibly political (things like sash factor exist). And I'm speaking as South African where my country has been decorated and often been the only African country at large (or even at most international events ) to receive notable recognition. I know that we prepare our girls to win/ dominate, but SA in my longstanding view isn't the only country in Africa that's doing so (Botswana at MW is an incredible example of this). I have to worry about our other African queens because if this is the path that Miss Universe is choosing, a path where men who know nothing about women of colour and the richness of their diversity. How can we expect them to lead an organisation premised on women empowerment and inclusivity, when they clearly lack the objectivity to firstly appreciate 'All Women' and are secondly more-so so critical of black women and measure our beauty in their standards. Everyone else will most likely say, we haven't even seen what the new era will bring. But I'm literally like we all know it's headed down a very trump era like path, a path that is very much coded in superficial glamour, fake advocacies, women who represent the same linear idea of beauty gloabally etc. A destructive path that is all way down to MGIs level. The quality that we just used to seeing from women, won't be the same. And MGI is literally not the most progressive platform. In fact they're the opposite and are vehemently racist toward all women who aren't Eurocentric or aren't in their considered definition of beauty. ( Disclaimer: There is nothing wrong with eurocentric beauty, but imposing that as a global standard for women who don’t fall into that one box is extremely harmful, exclusionary and othering. As has been often the case because little has actually been done to do away with these pervasive and linear ideas of beauty). I mean we all see it, we see it at MGI where extremely competitive black queens coming regional powerhouses like Nigeria in recent years not being fairly judged/ merited or represented. Only ending up at minimum top 20 and at max (and that maximum is intentional) a top ten position. At Miss Universe last year we literally hailed and celebrated three African countries placing all at once since 2003, but none of those girls made it into top 10 despite battling it out on stage. Firstly why isnt more then one african country placing not a norm more frequently, and why does our collective visibility often always have to happen after a period of more then 15 years. Its just so ridiculous and I absolutely refuse to believe the old age trope that ‘African girls arent prepared, aren’t or haven’t been as well rounded, when the facts are they always are simply viewed as an afterthought. And this is what MU itself is guilty of normalising. There's just so much to worry about, unpack critically and concern ourselves over and I know allot people won't care, because don't they see Africans or black women in the same lime light. It's just sooo disheartening and taxing to know that thats a reality and one that isnt fading away anytime soon. Adding to that dehumanisation - the othering of mothers, married women, plus size ladies, trans women etc, its all so frustrating. All of them steeped in a pool of unworthiness and just being so unappreciated. Discriminated against at best.

If he thinks plastic surgery makes women beautiful, then he would hate the French beauty queens - it's explicitly in Miss France's rules that candidates can't have any work done

Miss Universe was elevated during IMG Era highlighting women's beauty beyond the physical attributes. With Ann taking over the pageant, prestige was LOST! With Osmel's addition, expect SUPERFICIALITY!!!!!!

Wow! To say women who are either shorter in height and/or darker skin tone are "less worthy" than the lighter skin representative ... I'm sorry WTF?!?! And this is supposed to be the "new" Miss Universe that's embracing ALL women. My mother raised me with this philosophy .. if you are "ugly" on the inside, it does not matter what you look like on the outside because you could be the most beautiful man/woman in the world, but until you see all the beauty in the world, you will always be "ugly" also on the outside.

I was waiting for this video. I knew you’d come thru!! Lol!

Other pageant bloggers didn’t dare mention these scandals but you did and I applaud you. 👏

I want to start by applauding Osmel's successful track record. No country came close to him in regard to winners AND runners-up, except the US, and I do believe that there WAS a little bias toward American contestants, expecially in the 50s and 60s, where the US clocked most of their wins. Venezuela hardly featured until Osmel showed up. In the 80s and 90s we COULDN'T WAIT to see what gowns Miss Venezuela would be wearing. They were works of art (the girls and the dresses). HOWEVER We were blissfully unaware of the underlying politics (racism, prostitution, etc.) We knew that they were prodded and poked and sculptured to perfection, but the rest? No. Knowing what we now know, Aunty Osmel should not be let back into the fold.

Dani this may be the beginning of the end for the organization. Most people view pageants as archaic with no place in today’s world and partnering with someone who represents most of what people don’t like about pageants is basically shooting oneself in the foot. Regression at its finest. They will lose out on sponsorships etc because most companies today want to be good corporate citizens and associating with mysogny is a No No.

They should rename the pageant to miss universe latinas

Who else remembers Osmel from his time as a judge in Nuestra Belleza Latina that aired on Univision? His comments were horrific but it was used as entertainment and a comedic factor at that time.

This is horrifying. I still can’t come to accept that this is what MUO has come to. With the history of accusations against Osmel and an accusation Raul’s ex partner Rodrigo Goytortua made in an interview a month ago (if he didn’t lie) saying that Raul & his team told them they can do “LITERALLY ANYTHING” with the girls when they came to Mexico (talking about Sheynnis and a few contestants who came to Mexico a few days after MU 2023 finished).. I am genuinely scared for the girls… this is so sad cause there are people in the new MUO like Olivia Quido & her team of assistants who are genuinely so so nice and of course the MU herself Sheynnis, all of whose great work is being overshadowed by horrible actions like this one. So sad 😢

I love Osmel. Say what you all want, but he is a wizard in making true beauty queens & he is being emulated by many trainors in many pageant countries nowadays. Even the infamous Jonas Gaffud of the Philippines has the nerve to call himself “The Osmel Sousa of the Philippines”. The glory days of beauty pageants will always be remembered during Osmel’s days. He cemented Venezuela as a real powerhouse of beauty. Beauty standards maybe different nowadays, but we can all agree that beautiful & sexy women in beauty pageants is the main purpose why we still watch them. If we will push the agenda of “everyone is beautiful in their own right” or “inner beauty is more important” excuses, then we definitely defeat the purpose of these beauty competitions. I’m not saying attitude and advocacies are not important. But a contestant should be first and foremost physically beautiful to win such title!

I seen a few videos of former MV winners/Contestants and they have said that they were never encouraged to engage in anything "illicit" but they did see/knew that some of the delegates did. Osmel did favor contestants of certain social/economic status or with an European decent as he claimed they were well educated & traveled and unfortunately for long time ppl of white /light skin have been seen as "better" looking and been given priorities, just look at the names of most of the contestants in 80's &90's. I think Osmel has changed/adapted since. He was part of Reality TV Show on which he was asked to be the "evil" person or the Miranda Priestly if you will lol. Love you !!!!

Oh Dani, you just gave us so much more information about all of this!!!😭

Host: And here are your final 3 for Miss Universe 2024: Thailand Mexico Venezuela

What year is this 1981? Is there a concerted effort by the new co-owner to drag MU back into the antiquated and dark side of pageantry? MU has achieved so much towards authentic woman empowerment. Osmel's involvement into MU is a move both regressive and demoralizing.

I don’t see how Ann and him would get along with each other 😅. Both are strong and directive personnalities. I m concern about the absence of diversity as well. I m not interested to see only robotic latina contestants.

Even if his idea of beauty is different from how most people perceive beauty, we cannot deny the fact he is a queen maker. He has multiple titleholders under his belt. As of now,muo is yet to announce what his role is.

The ironic thing is that I think we will see more diverse winners because of the face the organization can't afford to lose a lot of franchises. They will go out of their way to crown girls who we wouldn't expect to win because they want to make a point.

I thinks since Miss Universe is still a business and with all of this new changes of people in the organization, we kinda know now how this era will be. and because of this, this should be an opportunity with organizations to select properly who they’re gonna send to fit in what these people are really looking for.

Hoping for the best, this is the only thing we can do. Osmel might be an added weight to sink the the mu shil 😢😢😢

Can we just say… he looks like a villain.

When there’s smoke there’s fire!🔥 🔥🔥🔥

He is the Dr. Frankenstein of Latin America. He hates Filipina beauty queens after 1999 when he briefly coached Miriam Quiambao who floored (literally) and upstaged all his proteges that year. She placed 1st runner-up! He alleged ruined a lot of young girls for telling them to have plastic surgeries that were botched and permanently damaged them. If this news is true, the Miss Universe as we know it will spiral down to Oblivion with JKN. It's a shame that this monster is allowed to be an official in MUO.

Well I guess all latina winners now.

Miss Universe is a circus now.

I think he did what he thought he needed to do to get the money to invest on his contestants, if he is now on the main organization, I don't think he will need to do all those things

With him onboard, MU is definitely at MGI level. MGI might actually be better as it has better production, but at its core, they are now very similar. Fake advocacies, just here for the business. Miss International, as boring as it may be, is now becoming more and more lucrative. It’s almost guaranteed that the girl who would represent her country would have an excellent experience in Japan. Plus legacy local pageants (Binibini and Puteri) send their top girls to International. So 😮‍💨

His role has been advisor and this is why i cant understand for the life of me why people think iloilo should represent philipines.

Osmel is great! And nobody knows the business better than him.

It's almost asinine that so many people get fired up over what this body double from any and all of the Leprechaun movie films has to say. I mean, you cannot seriously be bothered by his misogynist comments when the truth is, he would be ripped to shreds if people publicly compared his looks to that of other men. He is literally a caricature.

Not good ! Because he would be very biased.

Osmel Sousa PLUS Khun Anne J == throw back to 1980s beauty standards where 'More Is More'. Despite what Anne J might say, I am highly suspicious of her intentions (and OS's too)

It's not only Venezuela that has Osmel Souza. There are plenty of O.S. around the universe where beauty pageant business is a tornado. In our locality this talk is not behind the scenes. It's a fun thing aspirants are discussing between themselves. The bigger your sponsor, the more chances of winning. Pageantry is as old as time known to be a fishing ground for clean old men who can provide all that a beautiful and smart women want. So definitely, Osmel is the marketing manager for all the MU delegates who are all aspiring to win. So no more behind the scenes. Transparent pimping is much better than producing a winner where all pageant lover are left in bewilderment and wondering. Applause👏👏👏

@dani wheres the guy who said he was going to buy miss universe

I love how you quote and quote the questionable statements. And kudos for delivering such bad news in a positive way.

Osmel, por favor La Divaza y Ariadna Gutierrez en el Miss Universe 2024

This man has said very shameful and disgraceful things about candidates in the past... How could all of this be overlooked

As always Dani, we appreciate your candor and straight to the point vision when dealing with Pageantry. To me the only reason Osmel S. was hired by the MUO is to clean their image as the last fiasco erupted at an international level. That is all I can think about. Too bad Osmel S. has so many negative connotations during his career as the head of the Miss Venezuela Organization. Dani you did a great job talking about Osmel's background. Keep up the good work

So well ummmm , ya’ll best be prepared to NEVER see anything other than a Latin country win here on out. 😂😂. With MU now stinking it up and MGI being pure gar-bahge. Guess I’m slowly turning away from pageants and I’ve been a fan for over 30 years.

The owner of MU is very dominating to the point that those under the org will have to conform to his/ her decisions ...look what happened to Paula shugart who resigned & there's another one I forgot her name who resigned from miss u org...

Loving the fit!

It’s a no for me. He’s biased racist and only choose sash factor countries. I will not support MU anymore. MU has gotten from bad to worst.

Following Miss Venezuela since Maritza Sayalero their first Miss Universe 1979 (way before Chavez MESS) Miss Venezuela Organization had money, because of the many sponsors with the TV channel Venevisión. None of the girls needed to prostitute themselves to get anything. A lot of the girls competing were Rich girls to begin with. That investigating piece is very good made up, and for years some people in Venezuela were so jealous of Osmel success. Miss Venezuela was run like a school that was Osmel idea. The winners are practicing everything for almost a year, reason they were perfect at the end. Most of the girls there had RICH parents already too and travelled internationally before competing. Irene Saez Miss Universe 1981, that was a RICH Girl her sister looked down on her competing because they were Rich. There was no Chavez or Maduro Mess during those years. Barbara Palacios, Miss Universe 1986 another Rich girl with very famous Mom and Dad in Venezuela. Osmel would never let anyone powerful even close to his girls, he was known to be very protective! Also in Venezuela there were guys with money that only wanted to date Misses, Osmel and the organization made the girls aware of them, and told the girls to stay far and away from those guys. Osmel in an interview said how he hated those guys being around his girls!

Adding him then would be like adding ier to messy - y = messier MU

There can't be smoke without fire....not sure why they recruit such people...

He would be very biased among other races , no matter how beautiful they are.

Please be vigilant and alert the judges the organization.. Just be honest no cheating..... Please please.....

there are some people who don't care if the world becomes worse for their own benefit. Anne doesn't care if MU can be successful or bring nice impact to the world, he just cares if more money can be drawn into his pocket.

Since purchasing the renowned and prestigious Miss Universe Organization owner JKN Global Group, I believe the stories I've heard lately tell me that the organization is becoming a hot mess and why Paula Shugart resigned. To my Miss Universe sisters and brothers, fasten your belts because this will be a bumpy ride based on the latest news. I think the reality TV behavior will never end until the Miss Universe Organization is out and sold from the JKN Global Group.

Why?

Can i request steve Harvey to be the host of ms ... 1:05 universe.... In Mexico.....

There are so many myths and anglo-Saxon propaganda surrounding Osmel Sousa, but the reality is that he is the best in business. The record speaks for itself. No one in the industry has a better eye than him.

OMG ...

Osmel is the Nawat of South America Probably the next news in this series is Miss Universe collabs with Miss Grand

MU has gone down the drain. So many respectable national pageants have given up on MU franchise.

I wonder if Osmel is on board to do his version of the Trump picks....as after Miss Ukraine failed to make the semi-finals in 2004, Trump implemented the practice that some of the contestants are picked by the organization rather than the judges. I can see the top 20 being 10 from the judges and 10 from Osmel and Osmel will make sure the prettiest contestants make the first cut, regardless of what's in their heads.

Omg🙄🙄🙄 And the top 3 is Venezuela Mexico Thailand 😂😂😂😂 MU now is the most undignified competition.. sad to say the truth

I’m aware about all miss Venezuela / Osmel drama for years, but I have a question regarding all the allegations, why we don’t see any legal process around this? He and his old team should be in jail in that case.

I've watched How to be Beautiful in Venezuela through the suggested link and makes me think Osmel is a huge red flag to Miss Universe 's brand.

I’m a little worried because most of these girls are 17/18//19 years old under Osmel’s reign

Don't worry. I unsubscribed the Miss Universe channels

Can u do a reaction of universal woman 2024

While it may be true Osmel has an eye for physical beauty, it is rather worrisome what he is going to bring to the table. His checkered past does not bode well, who knows what he might do this time given a wider reach and a bigger sphere of influence.

I don't understand how it would be useful to have him! Earlier in Miss Venezuela, there is a goal of an international crown! But, in Miss Universe, there is no such higher goal to achieve!

This is a huge mistake.

There is no evidence of the things you chose to read.. like about the “reason” he got fired.

Great! He’s very strict and he doesn’t care at all about fan votes, so does country that believe they’re the best just because of their fan base; they will find out. He always looks for the best, regardless of favoritism, economic position, fame,…

This man has several scandals and many people have accused him of pimping out girls to sponsors, but this who the organization wants to associate itself 🙄

The only thing you can say on this video are negatives.. can you Tell the positives ones? I know negative things get you more views 🤣

Of course, that's how you cover a multitude of boo-boos in the org. Get someone from the first country who reacted to the video scandal.😂

He will be biased. He said some unnecessary comments before.

Y’all are so quick to judge the past. Let the man prove himself

A bit scary for the Philippines...

Miss Universe has become a parody organisation. Asian countries except Thailand can forget placing at MU

Pronounced like Sow-sah.

You are asking for our thoughts but how about your thoughts? You haven't shared a single opinion whether you like him to join the org or not. Playing safe?

One word for MU: DESPERADA

Miss Universe just became another Miss Grand International, I'm sad for all pageant queens who grew up aspiring this title. How low it has fallen.

They need to involve him cause of the scam video ot cover there bad video about MUo so now it's all about josmel not the bad video

I'M MAD AT YOU YOU SHOULDN'T HAD GOT AFTER CLARISSA

I’m so disappointed to see him working with Miss Universe. He promotes and represents all the toxic beauty standards that pageants have, and empowers them in a disgusting way. He is not a good person, rather demoralizes women to a specific beauty standard that only he sees fit. It’s really a shame to have him as a colleague in the Miss universe organization. And I do not look forward to what work he does with them.

He’s so toxic. They way he ran Nuestra Belleza was like hazing the contestants. And he’s very fat phobic. No way a plus size contestant would be allowed under his tenure.

Let me reiterate what i said when i heard Osmel was joining miss universe i saod its time African delegates stop sending and wanting to hold miss universe licenses... the things he said about Zozi's win in 2019 i was disgusted... so yeah personally i am bowing out of Miss Universe and its escapades

Goodbye Asians excluding Thailand HAHAHA. Top 3 would automatically be Venezuela, Mexico and Thailand.

I unfollowed MU after this news! Beauty is definitely something more than a face and body !

Very bad and dark time for Miss Universe.Sorry to say but this is true.

We are heading back into the dark ages.

Correction: 7 Miss Universe

ever since this program left usa ownership, this program has gone to the trash.

Latinas will win every year 😂

Awful decision

In Miss Universe, Top 5 will soon be a group of mature women from ages 27 to 34, and then Top 3 will be ages 27 to 30! They are accomplished, must be natural-born women etc! The winner will probably be the youngest of the Top 3 and Top 5!! There should be no plastic surgery allowed!!!

Welcome Paraguay, You're in Peru, Hi to Panama, Oh there's Puerto Rico, Wow Venezuela and the winner is Venezuela back to back to back to back All latinas in top 20

Fake inclusivity . Before MUO was well respected and on High category but now its downgraded . Well MU and MGI are same category, both are cooking Shows

You are pronouncing Osmel Sousa’s last name wrong. lol at least get name pronouncing correct lol

Miss Universe is no longer one of the top 4.

This is problematic. My goodness...