7 Most Unexpected Answers That Won the Miss Universe Crown
The Miss Universe competition is one of the world’s most prestigious beauty pageants, celebrating not only physical beauty but also intelligence and social advocacy. Contestants from dozens of countries compete in multiple rounds, including evening gown, swimsuit, and national costume segments, before facing the high‑pressure question-and-answer portion that often determines the winner. In this critical segment, finalists are asked thought-provoking questions on topics ranging from global issues to personal values. It is in this moment that the crown is often decided.
Here are the top seven most unexpected answers that won the Miss Universe competition.
1. Gloria Diaz of the Philippines: Miss Universe 1969
Gloria Diaz made history on July 19, 1969, when she was crowned Miss Universe 1969 in Miami Beach, becoming the first Filipino to ever win the title. During her question-and-answer portion, she gave a unique answer as to what she’d do if a man who landed on the moon came to her hometown for her to entertain him.
“In the next day or so, a man will land on the moon,” the question read, according to Cebu Daily News. “If a man from the moon landed in your hometown, what would you do to entertain him?”
“Oh, just the same things I do,” Diaz answered. “I think if he has been on the moon for so long, I think when he comes over, he wants to change, I guess.”
2. Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela: 2008
Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela was crowned Miss Universe 2008 in a dazzling ceremony held in Nha Trang, Vietnam. At 22, Mendoza impressed the judges not only with her elegance and poise but also with her articulate answers during the question-and-answer portion.
“Which have it easier in life: men or women?” the question read.
“God made us to share and have differences, but big difference between women and men doesn’t matter with the kind of life they live, is that men think — they think that the faster way to go to a point is to go straight,” Mendoza noted. “Women know that the faster way to go to a point is go to the curves and fixing every curve.”
3. Brook Mahealani Lee of the U.S.: 1997
Brook Mahealani Lee made history in 1997 when she was crowned Miss Universe, becoming the first Hawaiian and the second Asian American to win the prestigious title. Representing the United States, Lee captivated the judges with her funny (and controversial) answer to the question.
“If there were no rules in your life for one day and you could be outrageous, what would you do?” the question read.
“I would eat everything in the world,” Mahealani explained. “You do not understand. I would eat everything twice.”
4. Oxana Fedorova of Russia: 2002
Oxana Fedorova of Russia was crowned Miss Universe 2002, making history as the first Russian to win the prestigious title. Although her reign was unusually brief, as she was later dethroned, Fedorova’s win marked a milestone for Russia on the global pageant stage. Additionally, she had a memorable answer during the question-and-answer portion.
“What makes you blush?” the question read.
“When I say the wrong things,” she answered simply, according to a YouTube clip.
5. Catriona Gray of the Philippines: 2018
Catriona Gray impressed the Miss Universe 2018 judges not only with her beauty, but also with her thoughtful answers during the question-and-answer segment. Her victory marked the Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe title and was celebrated worldwide, highlighting her advocacy for education, HIV/AIDS awareness, and women’s empowerment.
“What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your life, and how would you apply it to your time as Miss Universe?” the question read.
“I worked a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila. And the life there — it’s poor, and it’s very sad,” Gray said, according to a YouTube clip. “I’ve always taught myself to look for the beauty in it, to look for the beauty in the faces of the children, and to be grateful. And I would bring this aspect as a Miss Universe to see situations with a silver lining, and to assess where I could give something, where I could provide something, as a spokesperson. If I could teach, also, people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children would have a smile on their faces.”
6. Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua: 2023
Sheynnis Palacios stood out for her unique answer during the Q&A portion of Miss Universe 2023. Palacios responded to the question by naming the 18th‑century British writer and women’s rights advocate Mary Wollstonecraft. This helped solidify her win.
“If you could live one year in another woman’s shoes, who would you choose, and why?” the question read.
“I would choose Mary Wollstonecraft because she opened the gap and gave an opportunity to many women,” Palacios said. “What I would do — I would want that income gap to open up so that women could work in any area that they choose to work in, because there are no limitations for women. And that was in 1750. Now, in 2023, we are making history.”
7. Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa: 2019
Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa was crowned Miss Universe 2019, making history as the first black woman from her country to win the prestigious title in over two decades. During the question-and-answer segment, she spoke passionately about women’s empowerment.
“What is the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today?” the question read.
“I think the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today is leadership,” Tunzi answered. “It’s something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time, not because we don’t want to, but because of what society has labeled women to be. I think we are the most powerful beings in the world and that we should be given every opportunity. And that is what we should be teaching these young girls, to take up space. There’s nothing as important as taking up space in society and cementing yourself.”
