Say what you will about Miss Universe but the host country are guaranteed to be winners today… yes, she Israel beautiful.
Miss Universe along with Eurovision, the World Cup and the European Championships was my childhood window to the world.
And while the last three will continue to open up our young people’s imagination to unknown countries Miss Universe has been stigmatised.
The model line
Beauty pageants though have survived and thrived as I witnessed for myself behind a queue of fluttering eyelashes in Dublin Airport.
And shoot me but there are worse things to do than wait in line behind beautiful women.
Britain’s hopes rested on the shapely shoulders of Emma Rose Collingridge.
And in time-honoured Universe fashion the East Anglian and her fellow contestants have been showcasing the host country’s charms.
Which in Israel means, of course slapping on the mud in the Dead Sea.
Scrubs up well
Of course Emma Rose scrubs up better than fiftysomething beardie Scotsmen from his G Adventures adventures.
Although I have been working on that with the salts I took back from the Dead Sea.
Universe has worked hard to reinvent itself in the face of the Woke assault and stresses that it takes female empowerment seriously.
And so English graduate Emma Jane has been a busy beauty queen.
Now that’s a CV
She has developed a self-defence programme for women called ‘Draw The line’ to empower women with the skills to defend themselves.
And away from her Miss Universe duties, the 23-year-old balances her part-time modelling career with voluntary work and female rights advocacy.
She also uses her English degree to write articles for recognised platforms on issues such as mental health, bullying, and sexual harassment.
Land of milk and honeys
Emma Rose has had, of course, some stiff competition in Eilat.
And, yes, because it’s Universe everybody will be a winner… only there will be only one crowned.
And we know that the champion will commit to world peace.
We will too and celebrate The Land of Milk and some real honeys and say… She Israel beautiful.