At the end of the event, Olivia Culpo of the United States crowned Gabriela Isler of Venezuela as Miss Universe 2013. It was Venezuela's seventh victory, the second-most in the pageant's history.[3]
In May 2013, the Miss Universe Organization was in talks to host the 2013 competition in Russia after Emin Agalarov, son of Aras Agalarov and vice-president of Crocus Group, filmed his latest music video in Los Angeles with Miss Universe 2012Olivia Culpo as his co-star. Paula Shugart, top executive of Miss Universe at that time, raised the idea of hosting the 2013 edition of the pageant in Russia. Agalarov promptly agreed to pay $20 million in exchange for Donald Trump bringing the 2013 competition to Russia. After four weeks of Emin Agalarov's video shoot with Culpo, Trump agreed that the pageant should be held in Moscow at the Crocus City complex, which is owned by the Agalarov family.[9]
On 16 June 2013, during the Miss USA 2013 pageant in Las Vegas, Trump, owner of the Miss Universe Organization, and Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo announced that the 2013 pageant would take place in Moscow, on 9 November 2013.[2][10] The announcement came after Rob Goldstone, music manager of Russian singer Emin Agalarov, posted on Facebook saying: "Fun meeting with Donald Trump." After the announcement, president of the Crocus Group, Agalarov, and his son Emin joined Trump on stage to sign the official contract.[10][11]
On 15 August 2013, Andy Cohen, who is openly gay, declined to co-host the pageant, due to the country's recent adoption of anti-gay laws.[13][14] An Internet petition was also started for the organization to relocate the pageant from Moscow due to these laws as well as human rights concerns.[15][16]MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts, also openly gay, took on hosting duties. While he condemned Russia for its anti-gay law, he stated his belief that his presence in Russia would make for a more effective statement against Russian homophobia than boycotting.[4]
Selection of participants
Contestants from eighty-six countries and territories competed in the pageant. Nine of these delegates were appointees to their national titles and another was crowned after the organization discovered that there was an error in the placements of the finalists.
Replacements
Hinarani de Longeaux, the first runner-up of Miss France 2013, was appointed to represent France after Marine Lorphelin, Miss France 2013, placed first runner-up at Miss World 2013 and so was ineligible to compete.[17]Ana Vrcelj, the second runner-up of Miss Serbia 2012, replaced Aleksandra Doknić as Miss Universe Serbia 2013 after Doknić replaced Nikolina Bojić as Miss Serbia 2012 because she was married.[18][19][20]
Denise Garrido originally was crowned as Miss Universe Canada 2013, but was stripped of her crown after a few hours when the organization discovered that there was a "typo" when the judges' handwritten scores were transferred into a computer program that determines the results. The official winner was Riza Santos, who was previously first runner-up, while Garrido placed as third runner-up.[21][22]
Debuts, returns, and, withdrawals
This edition saw the debut of Azerbaijan, and the returns of Austria, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Slovenia, and Turks and Caicos Islands. Myanmar who last competed in Miss Universe 1961 as Burma, Austria last competed in Miss Universe 2004, while the others last competed in Miss Universe 2011.[23][24] Albania, the Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland, Kosovo, Montenegro, Saint Lucia, and Uruguay withdrew. Mirjeta Shala of Kosovo withdrew as her visa was denied by Russia as it does not recognize Kosovo as an independent country.[25] Shala's withdrawal resulted in the withdrawal of Miss Universe Albania, Fioralba Dizdari from the pageant for political reasons.[26]Janet Kerdikoshvili of Georgia withdrew due to unexpected health problems. However, both Kerdikoshvili and Shala competed at Miss Universe 2015.[27][28] Nikoleta Jovanović of Montenegro withdrew as she did not meet the minimum age requirements,[29] and Micaela Orsi of Uruguay withdrew because her visa application was denied by the Russian Embassy.[30] The Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Ireland, and Saint Lucia withdrew after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate.[30]
This year's format was the same as that which had been in use since Miss Universe 2011, fifteen semifinalists were chosen through the preliminary competition; composed of swimsuit and evening gown competitions, and closed-door interviews. The internet voting was still being implemented, with fans being able to vote for another delegate to advance into the semifinals, making the number of semifinalists sixteen.[36][37] The sixteen semifinalists competed in the swimsuit competition and were narrowed down to ten. These ten competed in the evening gown competition and were narrowed down to five. These five then competed in the question and answer round and the final look.[38]
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