It is the most scrutinized walk in television history. For decades, the Miss Universe bikini show—or the swimsuit competition, as the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) officially calls it—has been the lightning rod of the entire pageant world. Some viewers see it as a celebration of fitness and confidence. Others see it as a lingering relic of a 1950s mindset that feels increasingly out of place in 2026.
Honestly, the stakes are higher than they look.
When a contestant steps onto that stage in a bikini, she isn't just showing off a gym routine. She is navigating a minefield of cultural expectations, brand politics, and personal branding. The Miss Universe bikini show remains the highest-rated segment of the broadcast, yet it's the one part of the show that the organization constantly tweaks to avoid being "canceled" by modern standards. It’s a paradox wrapped in spandex.
The Evolution of the Swimsuit Round
You’ve gotta remember that Miss Universe literally started because of a swimsuit dispute. Back in 1951, Yolande Betbeze, the winner of Miss America, refused to pose in a swimsuit from the pageant’s sponsor, Catalina Swimwear. Infuriated, Catalina dropped their sponsorship and started their own competition: Miss Universe.
The Miss Universe bikini show was born out of defiance.
For years, the format was rigid. Everyone wore the same style of suit. Everyone walked the same way. It was basically a physical fitness exam masquerading as a runway show. But things started shifting significantly around 2016 when WME/IMG took over. They tried to pivot the narrative toward "health and wellness." Suddenly, the commentary tracks weren't just about measurements; they were about the delegates' charity work or their careers in biotechnology.
But does changing the script change the visual? Not really.
In recent years, we've seen more variety. We saw Miss Bahrain, Lujane Yacoub, choose a burkini or more modest swimwear to honor her culture. We’ve seen the removal of the "height and weight" requirements that used to be standard. Under the ownership of Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip and JKN Global Group, the pageant has tried to position the swimsuit round as a display of "transformational leadership." It sounds a bit corporate, but the idea is to focus on the person, not just the proportions.
🔗 Read more: Love Island UK Who Is Still Together: The Reality of Romance After the Villa
What the Judges Are Actually Looking For (It's Not Just Abs)
If you think the Miss Universe bikini show is just about who has the best six-pack, you're missing the nuances. Judges often talk about "stage presence." That’s a vague term, but in the context of a bikini round, it means someone who isn't swallowed by the pressure.
- Posture and Carriage: It’s about how a woman carries her own weight. Does she look like she wants to be there, or is she counting the seconds until she can get off stage?
- The "Vibe" Shift: Since the 2023 and 2024 editions, there has been a noticeable shift toward "athletic" over "waifish."
- The Smile: Not the pageant "Barbie" smile, but a genuine expression of comfort.
Let's look at a real example. When R’Bonney Gabriel or Sheynnis Palacios walked, they didn't just walk; they owned the floor. There was a specific tempo to their stride that matched the music perfectly. That synchronization creates a psychological effect on the judges—it makes the contestant look "in control" of the environment.
Why Some Countries Still Protest the Miss Universe Bikini Show
Not everyone is a fan. The Miss Universe bikini show is the reason some countries have historically struggled to send delegates. In many conservative nations, appearing in a bikini on international television is a non-starter.
In 2002, Miss Lebanon, Christina Sawaya, boycotted the Miss Universe pageant because of the presence of Miss Israel, but cultural sensitivities regarding the swimsuit round have often led to similar absences or modified wardrobes.
This is why the "choice" element was introduced.
The organization now allows for different styles of swimwear, including capes. These capes often feature artwork or messages. During the 71st Miss Universe, the delegates used their capes to display political and social messages, ranging from mental health awareness to environmental protection. It was an attempt to add "substance" to a segment that is inherently about "surface."
Did it work?
💡 You might also like: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
Sorta. It gave the fans something to talk about besides body fat percentages, but at the end of the day, the bikini is still the centerpiece.
The Mental Toll Behind the Scenes
We need to talk about the preparation. It is grueling. We are talking about months of two-a-day workouts and very specific nutritional plans.
Most people don't realize the level of dehydration that happens right before the Miss Universe bikini show. It’s a common tactic in fitness modeling to shed water weight to make muscles pop under the harsh stage lights. While the organization promotes "wellness," the reality of competing at that level often requires an elite athlete's discipline.
The psychological pressure is also massive. Imagine being judged on your physical appearance in front of 500 million people. Even the most confident women in the world have admitted to backstage jitters that are bordering on panic attacks. The "sisterhood" you see on camera is real, but the competition is also visceral.
The Business of the Bikini
Why does it still exist? Money.
The Miss Universe bikini show is a massive driver for sponsorships. Swimwear brands pay millions to be the official partner. It’s also the segment that generates the most social media engagement. If you look at the YouTube or TikTok metrics for Miss Universe, the swimsuit clips outperform the evening gown and the final question by a landslide.
- Engagement: High-energy music and fast-paced editing make for perfect "reel" content.
- Advertisers: Fitness brands, skincare lines, and apparel companies want their products associated with these specific bodies.
- Ratings: In markets like the Philippines, Colombia, and Thailand, the swimsuit round is a national event.
The organization is stuck. If they remove the swimsuit round, they lose a huge chunk of their audience and revenue. If they keep it, they face ongoing criticism for objectification. Their solution has been to "empower" it—calling it a fitness competition or a confidence display.
📖 Related: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
Surprising Details You Might Not Know
- The Tape Secret: Contestants use "butt spray" (actually an adhesive like "Butt-it") to keep the bikini bottoms from moving while they walk. It’s sticky, uncomfortable, and nearly universal.
- The Lighting: The stage is lit with specific "warm" tones during the Miss Universe bikini show to smooth out skin textures.
- The Music: The tempo is usually between 120 and 128 BPM (beats per minute). This is the "sweet spot" for a confident, energetic runway walk.
- The Cape Revenue: The capes aren't just for messages; they are often sold or auctioned off, creating an additional revenue stream for the organization's charitable arms.
Looking Ahead: Is the Bikini Show Going Away?
Probably not. But it is changing.
We are seeing a move toward more "individualized" styling. Instead of a uniform look, delegates are picking colors and cuts that suit their specific body types and skin tones. This might seem like a small detail, but in the world of pageantry, it’s a revolution.
The 2024 and 2025 editions showed us that the "ideal body" is broadening. We saw more muscular builds, more curves, and more height variations than in the 90s. The Miss Universe bikini show is trying to mirror the "body positivity" movement, even if it still operates within a very narrow definition of beauty.
Critics argue that as long as there is a score attached to how someone looks in a two-piece, it can't be truly empowering. Proponents argue that if a woman chooses to show her hard work and feels powerful doing it, that is the definition of feminism.
Both can be true at the same time.
The Miss Universe bikini show is a cultural mirror. It reflects what we value, what we're uncomfortable with, and how we define "the most beautiful woman in the world."
Actionable Insights for Pageant Fans and Aspiring Competitors
If you're watching the next Miss Universe or thinking about competing, here is how to view the swimsuit round through an expert lens:
- Look at the feet: A shaky walk usually starts at the ankles. Watch for stability. The best walkers land their feet firmly, which signals confidence to the judges.
- Focus on the eyes: A contestant who stares at the floor or shifts her gaze too much is losing points. The "power stare" is what wins this round.
- Analyze the styling: Notice how the hair and jewelry complement the swimsuit. It’s a total package. High ponytails are often used to show off the neck and shoulders, while long waves add "glamour."
- Understand the "X-Factor": It’s that split second when a contestant reaches the end of the runway and pauses. That "pose" is where the high-resolution photos are taken that will circulate for the next year.
- Respect the effort: Regardless of how you feel about the ethics of the round, the discipline required to stand on that stage is objectively impressive. It’s a feat of mental and physical endurance.
The Miss Universe bikini show isn't going anywhere anytime soon. It will continue to evolve, provoke, and entertain. Whether it's a "fitness" display or a "glamour" show, it remains the most talked-about walk on the planet.
Next Steps for Deep Pageant Analysis:
- Review the Official Scoring Rubric: Check the Miss Universe website for updated judging criteria, as the weight given to the swimsuit round has shifted toward "personality and confidence" over "physical symmetry."
- Compare Historical Walks: Watch the 1994 winner vs. the 2024 winner. You will notice a massive difference in walk speed, muscle definition, and facial expressions.
- Follow the Designers: Look up the brands like Muehleder or others that have provided the official swimwear to see how they design for a global range of body types.