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Miss Universe

Mexico City is gearing up to host the 73rd Miss Universe pageant at Arena CDMX on Saturday (November 16), marking the event’s return to the country since 2007. In addition to crowning the next beauty queen, succeeding Nicaraguan Sheynnis Palacios, this year’s competition highlights a unique fusion of global folklore with a Mexican essence. This is thanks to Emilio Estefan, who composed the official theme song and will also serve as a judge.

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“What I like is that it blends Mexican flavors with global influences,” the acclaimed musician told Billboard Español during a Zoom interview. His meeting with Miss Universe President Raúl Rocha Cantú played a crucial role in the theme’s creation.

The 2024 jury also features a dozen distinguished figures from the entertainment, fashion and art industries, including Venezuelan singer and influencer Lele Pons and Colombian rapper Fariana. It also includes Brazilian artist Romero Britto, fashion designer Eva Cavalli, Miss Universe 1978 Margaret Gardiner, and more.

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“I think it’s important for people to realize that we are different [as Latinos]; although we are different countries, we have the same heart and a message of unity,” added Estefan.

Billboard Español spoke with the Cuban-American superproducer to discuss his creative process and expectations for the event.

As the composer of the official Miss Universe 2024 theme song, what inspired you to compose this piece and what do you hope to convey to the public?

Miss Universe has undergone an incredible transformation. President Raúl [Rocha Cantú] has made an impressive change because he is focused on creating something that can inspire a new generation and bring in new faces. When the president visited the studio, he liked a piece that I was working on at the time. He liked it so much that I ended up doing the program’s closing and the score as well. What I like is that it has a flavor of Mexico but also represents all countries around the world. As a producer, I have worked with Gloria [Estefan], Shakira, Jennifer [Lopez]… so many people throughout my career. I came from my country, Cuba, at a very young age, but I also grew up in the United States; I have a fusion of many sounds. So, I am very happy. I did it with a lot of affection and respect, and I hope people realize that Miss Universe can encompass everything.

This year, they will incorporate folk costumes styled after La Calavera Catrina in honor of the Day of the Dead. Being in Mexico, how do you think the music will enhance the appeal of the event during the live broadcast?

[It’s about] creating something new. We are going to open with a lot of rhythm and flavor. We will have many people from Mexico playing at the moment. It’s a time to [convey] a message of unity and peace to the world, which is much needed. It allows you to connect with so many people worldwide. It will be a telecast to the entire world that will showcase the culture of other countries, but most of all, Mexican folklore. Mexico has a lot of folklore and has done incredible things. I have worked with many Mexican artists, I’ve been involved in novelas.

For me, it’s a pride that the president liked [the theme]. I did it with a lot of respect and affection. I believe it’s going to be a different Miss Universe. Above all, the respect that is given to women at this time will play a very important role. The competition is not only about beauty; there have to be many other things. People like you hold important positions in the world; at this moment, women are occupying incredible positions.

I understand that you are returning as a judge after a decade. How do you foresee your past experiences enriching your perspective this year?

Having been a judge six times, from Taiwan to Panama, Ecuador, and Miami, serves me well. The good thing about this is that it’s not just about being pretty or answering a question correctly; there are many aspects to consider. When you marry someone, you marry them for their many qualities, their principles, and the commitment they have to inspire a new generation. Beauty and taking care of oneself are important, of course, but there have to be other qualities as well. I know all the women will be incredible; it’s just about choosing one. Sometimes it depends on how they answer a key question and they get nervous, not that they lack intelligence. At that moment, many people get nervous, but I believe that women now carry more weight and realize the responsibility that comes with winning the prize.

What lasting impact or feeling do you hope the musical elements of Miss Universe 2024 will leave on the global audience?

It’s a telecast that goes to many countries, from Africa, India, and the Middle East. I have [worked on the soundtracks of] 28 movies, from Top Gun, Pocahontas, The Birdcage, many others. Whenever I work on a movie, even those with American influences, I always bring the Latin flavor. Doing it in Mexico is a blessing and, above all, being able to showcase the unity of Latinos, the fusion, and Mexican culture. I think it’s very important for people to realize that we are different. Even though we are different countries, we have the same heart and we have a message of unity, and that’s very important to me.

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Miss Universe heads to the Big Easy! The 71st annual Miss Universe pageant kicks off in New Orleans this weekend with new hosts and a new network.

“The City of New Orleans and the Miss Universe Organization share common values of celebrating inclusion, culture and the empowerment of women,” New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said in a statement announcing NOLA as the location for this year’s pageant.

Keep reading for details on how to watch and stream Miss Universe 2023 from anywhere.

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When Is Miss Universe 2023? Air Date, Time

The 2023 Miss Universe pageant takes place Saturday, Jan. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT. The big event will air live from the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Want to watch the beauty pageant in person? Click here to buy tickets (prices range from $50 and up).

How to Watch the 2023 Miss Universe on TV & Stream Online

In previous years, the Miss Universe pageant aired on Fox with Steve Harvey as host. This year, the pageant moves to the Roku channel.

How do you watch the Roku channel? You can access the channel on Roku.com, Roku TVs, Roku Streaming Stick, Fire TV Stick 4K or similar devices, Amazon Fire TVs, Apple TV and Samsung TVs (stream on both Android and iOS devices with the Roku app).

The pageant will broadcast in Spanish on Telemundo at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT. If you don’t have cable, there are a few ways to watch the 2023 Miss Universe pageant online. For example, you can stream with a free trial from platforms like FuboTV and DirecTV Stream (use ExpressVPN to stream internationally).

Don’t mind paying up front? Telemundo is also available on Hulu + Live TV along with 75+ channels including ESPN, CNN, A&E, MTV, BET, ABC, CBS and Fox.

The Miss Universe 2023 preliminary competition will livestream on the Miss Universe YouTube channel on Wednesday (Jan. 11) at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT. The national costume competition starts at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT. on Wednesday.

Miss Universe 2022 Host, Performers, Contestants

Jeannie Mai Jenkins and former Miss Universe and reality star Olivia Culpo will host the 2023 Miss Universe pageant.

Ximena Navarrete, Big Freedia, Mara Martin, Wendy Fitzwilliam, Emily Austin, Olivia Quido, Myrka Dellanos, Sweta Patel, Kathleen Ventrella and Olivia Jordan are among the judges.

Performers for the Miss Universe pageant include Big Freedia, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Amanda Shaw, Yolanda Adams and Tank and the Bangas.

Who Is the Reigning Miss Universe?

The reigning Miss Universe is India’s Harnzaaz Sandhu. The 22-year-old beauty queen will crown her successor from more than 75 hopefuls from around the world on Saturday.

This year’s pageant will feature Miss Universe representatives from the USA, Bahrain, Panama, Belgium, Poland, Russia, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vietnam, Venezuela, Nigeria, Spain, Nepal, Myanmar, Namibia, Mexico, Kosova, Korea and other countries.

The contestants will compete in a preliminary round on Wednesday, and the semifinalists will be announced on the live broadcast. The women will then compete across the traditional swimsuit, evening gown and interview rounds before Miss Universe 2023 is crowned.