My Top 10 Favourite Miss Universe-Winning Performances TPN#59

As a fan of pageants since the early 1980s, I’ve witnessed the crowning of 40 women as Miss Universe. To get into the countdown spirit, I’ve put together my Top 10 favourite winning performances since the first Miss Universe I watched, in 1983.

These are the most memorable finals night efforts from start to finish with demonstrations of grace, elegance, humour, wit, spontaneity, sincerity, intelligence and inspirational words. Not just a single mic drop moment or a jaw-dropping evening gown - these are the best all-round performances that I still love to rewatch from time to time.

Picking just 10 women from the past 40 years was no easy feat, and my list will no doubt differ from yours. Please let me know who your favourites have been, but please keep your comments respectful.

#missuniverse #BeautyPageants #top10countdown

[AngelicSorcere]

The moment Lara took the mic from Sinbad, she already won. It clearly show that action may be powerful than words. It is a gesture that speaks a lot about the question being asked of her.

[jxt]

The three times Pia joined BBP, not once was I a fan. I was an instant convert when she joined and won Miss Universe. She handled the controversy ovee the fumbled announcement with such grace she won more fans than haters.

[jxt]

Lara Dutta was the clear winner of the 2000 edition. She aced all aspects of the competition and left the other girls fighting for the runner up positions.

[Onlinephfinds]

Pia Wurtzbach is just wow. She looks so sophisticated and very regal. Being regal is not that common before but when she won lot of contestants are so regal the next following years. I think she started it all.

[easyaaa]

Lara Dutta embodies the word CLASS, period. Every word, every move, every look…exudes class, elegance and sophistication.

[NareshKumar-pcyb]

India's 3 Miss Universe winners are iconic.

[harballav]

I think 🇮🇳👑Miss Universe 👑🇮🇳2021 Haranaz Sandhu breaked the stereotypes of beauty standards in her reign.She faced bullying about her weight gain but her confidence and her weapon of self believe gave face breaking response to all bullies

[wanderlustjetz]

Yep, I strongly agree with Alicia Machado topping the list. She was oozing wirh charisma and appeal during her performances. Compare to her competitors, Alicia was never stiff. Her personality and her flirty habit of flipping her hair while she ramps and talks was just fire. I never saw this kind of sex appeal on or off stage from any Miss universe winners. She reminded me of actress Alicia Silverstone a lot. Period. ❤

[coldwinters]

Catriona Gray will always be the most iconic winner to me. So different from everyone else on your list (the creativity and radical concept of her gown alone is mind-blowing!). But I love your take on every winner you listed.

[RobertDeluna-deou]

Oxana Fedorova was a goddess during the pageant! She was ethereal in that white gown. She was simply a cut above the rest! And she wasn’t even trying so hard!

[ekarinpetsiri]

I agreed. Alicia Machado is the best. So memorable for her overall performance. She gave her interview in Spanish, but her confidence and personality shined brightly. My favorite Miss Universe of all time!

[rishabhdeb]

My all-time favourite has to be Lara Dutta of India. Perfect amalgamation of poise, elegance, intelligence and grace from the beginning till the end.

[shadjhi]

Catriona Gray will win win the contest if there's a battle of the all miss universe winners. Catriona Gray was the most well prepared contestant in the entire beauty pageants history, who sets a hight standard in pageantry. So definitely without a doubt Catriona Gray is the ultimate " The Best Miss Universe ever of all time" ❤❤❤

[mikel_]

CATRIONA will always be the best Miss Universe ever ❤

[keithbrashier]

I’m an American, and my all-time favorite Miss Universe is Barbara Palacios. Ironically, my all-time favorite Miss USA is Christy Fichtner. I fell in love with Christy the night she won Miss USA. She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I was 10-years-old the night of the 1986 Miss Universe Pageant. When Miss USA lost, I was devastated. I cried myself to sleep that night. I couldn’t understand how Miss Venezuela had won. However, having re-watched that pageant probably hundreds of times over the years, I was eventually able to see it objectively without the inherent bias for my home country. Then I fell in love with Barbara. She’s exquisite and exudes sophistication and class. Her skin is porcelain, and her eyes are oceans. She’s the top queen in my book.

[RolandRamirezTV]

2015 is number one for me.
I remember my Lebanese Bosses talking about what happened that morning in Miss Universe. Pia was all over the news in the Middle East that time.

[geeunit]

Some great pics. I had Lara Dutta as my favourite Miss Universe finals performance of all time. Her beauty, poise, intelligence and confidence were unmatched. I did however think Alicia Machado's performance was incredible aswell. I loved her swimsuit performance that year. The way she walked and moved was just spectacular to watch. She really owned the stage and I agree with you that her swimsuit performance was far beyond it's years. I also remember vividly her earring flying off during her swimsuit performance due to her fierce hair flick lol.

[roseerocha]

Zozibini Tunzi set the standards higher
BUT I Also appreciate Pia Wurtzbach

[Leo-gywe]

Aww as we say in the Philippines, Catriona's performance had no "gulat factor" aka "shock factor". Everyone expected her to do well and she delivered! So I kinda agree with her placement in the ranking of this video. In contrast, Pia's performance was low key I was beginning to worry about her chances especially during the pre-pageant activities when there was almost no updates about her. But my fears were all evaporated the moment she introduced herself in the prelims with such confidence and it all went uphill from there. I must admit I wasn't a fan of hers (I was rooting for Janicel to win BBP Universe) but Pia proved me wrong. She had won me over! And that's why until today she's my all-time favorite Miss Universe.

*Edit: Looking back, the iconic lava gown could have been Cat's big "shock factor" moment but I feel like they ruined the surprise by allowing Ashley Graham to interview her backstage, mere moments before the evening gown competiton. Such a missed opportunity there!

[AmyNguyen-clyz]

Lara Dutta was the best. I mean she already was the top in swim, simply stunning body. And then she was among the top in gown but really her question and answer was too good.