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Entity reports on why Miss Universe is more than just a pageantVia @piawurtzbach Instagram

The Miss Universe pageant is more than just a shallow competition showcasing bathing suits, international garments and evening wear.

When the annual Miss Universe contest airs on Jan. 29, many people will tune in for a variety of reasons. If not to watch the actual competition, there will surely be fans anticipating another slip-up from the returning host, Steve Harvey. (Perhaps this year he’ll announce the correct winner.)

Regardless of the reason, it’s important to note the amount of influence Miss Universe winners have in the world.

For this reason, this pageant shouldn’t be dismissed as a mere beauty competition. It’s a platform for encouragement, philanthropy and learning. Not only is it a company run by women and for women, it also steadfastly holds the belief that every woman should work to get out of her comfort zone.

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Here are five previous Miss Universe winners and the positive impacts they’ve made in this world during their reign.

1 Pia Wurtzbach

After becoming the third Filipina woman to hold the Miss Universe title on Dec. 2015, Pia Wurtzbach has been busy advocating for HIV/AIDS prevention and the LGBTQ community. 

Throughout her reign, she became an official HIV Prevention Ambassador for Aid for AIDS, making her only the sixth Miss Universe to receive the title. During her trip to New York, she publicly took an HIV test to encourage others to do the same.

She also recently penned an opinion piece for TIME, explaining how she can be both Catholic and an supporter of the LGBTQ community.

I myself owe a lot to the LGBTQ community, many of whom are my closest friends. Without their accepting attitudes toward my own flaws and struggles, I would not be where I am today,” she wrote. “But while we are beginning to see the seeds of change in the Catholic church, the LGBTQ community in the Philippines doesn’t yet enjoy equal rights.”

2 Paulina Vega

In 2014, Paulina Vega became the second Colombian woman to take home the Miss Universe crown. As Miss Universe, she was also a champion for the HIV/AIDS cause, traveling the globe to raise awareness and funds to help prevent the disease. She also spent some time volunteering with Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York City, where she served meals to men and women living with HIV. 

And the good news is that these philanthropic projects inspired her to continue the work beyond her reign. 

Since passing the crown to Wurtzbach, Vega has served as the Global Food Security Ambassador for Stop Hunger Now. Under this organization, she’s attended various events to spread awareness about the need to end hunger.

The former queen has also been very politically outspoken. During Trump’s presidential campaign, the former Miss Universe publicly blasted Trump for his “hurtful and unfair” anti-immigration comments.

“If the Miss Universe Organization shared any anti-Latin sentiments or any type of racial biases, I wouldn’t be in this position today,” she said. “I strongly believe that dividing and categorizing humankind only holds it back. Acknowledging and embracing the differences that exist across humanity is the first step in real and substantial development. We must strive together in order to improve the common good.”

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3 Gabriela Isler

In 2013, Gabriela Isler took the Miss Universe crown back to her home country, Venezuela. Isler spent the year using her title in order to bring attention to issues involving women and children. When the Philippines was hit by typhoon Haiyan in 2013, she traveled to the country and launched the Miss Universe Cordaid Fund. Cordaid is a Dutch development agency that continues to raise awareness and money for areas affected by the typhoon. It also develops programs for people, especially women and children to help equip them for the future. 

Thanks to her work with Cordaid, she was recognized by the Vatican and received a public humanitarian blessing from Pope Francis. 

In addition, Isler also worked closely with God’s Love We Diliver, Latino AIDS Commission and Aid for AIDS, all organizations that seek to raise awareness and money for HIV/AIDS research.

4 Olivia Culpo

A photo posted by Olivia Culpo (@oliviaculpo) on

Olivia Culpo made America proud when she was crowned the 2012 Miss Universe. And like many of her Miss Universe peers, she used this platform to discuss HIV/AIDS, focusing on decreasing the stigma associated with the diseases.

“With my title I’m able to influence people and inform them what the truth is behind HIV and AIDS. People living with HIV/AIDS are normal and they’re like any other person. It’s just getting people to understand that,” she told the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. “You can break through any stigma. All it takes is awareness, and the more people we get involved, the greater an impact we can have.”

And even before winning the title, Culpo had no trouble showing her support for the LGBTQ community. When she was competing for Miss USA, she was asked, “Would you feel it would be fair that a transgender woman wins the Miss USA title over a natural-born woman?”

Culpo, without  hesitation, answered, “I do think that would be fair … today where there are so many people out there who have a need to change for a happier life, I do accept that because I believe it’s a free country.”

After her 2012 reign, Culpo continued to do good work around the world. In 2016, she was announced as the ambassador for Pencils of Promise, an organization seeking to increase children’s access to education. “I love working with children and I understand how important education is to reach your true potential,” she told E! News. “I am shocked by the degree of illiteracy there is in the world. I believe basic education is fundamental right.”

5 Leila Lopes

Leila Lopes made history in 2011 when she became the first woman from Angola to take home the Miss Universe crown. Before being crowned, Lopes worked with various social causes. “I’ve already done a lot to help my people,” she told the Associated Press after being crowned. “I work with poor kids. I work in the fight against HIV. I work to protect the elderly and I have to do everything that my country needs.”

As Miss Universe, she was focused on fighting HIV and reducing the stigma around it.

Not only that, but her confidence has been infectious for a number of people. When she was asked if she would physically change anything about herself, Lopes simply replied, “I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life.”

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