"Ideally Beautiful"

The oldest record of beauty pageants is that of Miss America, which originated back in 1940s as a swimwear competition. With the arrival of new age technology and diverse perspectives, something that originally started off as a swimsuit contest has now become a standard representation of women across the globe.

Today with the Advent of globalization, if there has been something that has evolved to a great extent are the beauty pageants of today. We have a numerous Beauty pageants in the charts with Miss Universe and Miss world taking up the popular spots. To all those who question, as to what these really are, for them let me inform you that Beauty pageants are an annual contest, where women across almost every country is judged based on their presentation in different aspects, such as swimwear, evening gown and their communication skills.

The contest is a dream of many girls while it's also a reality for some significant female faces through the years. Many feminist, religious and socio- political groups have argued since years that these are nothing but simply a misrepresentation of women, to the point that it disregards them.

To see the complete scenario, they are not completely wrong, the contestants are mostly ravishingly beautiful ladies with a lot of makeup and sky high heel. They have perfectly slim toned bodies with even more perfect hair extensions.

The crowning of Miss universe 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand

However, on the contrary, nowadays these things have changed to a great deal. We have numerous examples of ladies of different shape,size, texture, language and color who have aced the competition. These women stand as a strong representation of today's women, who look out of the boxes with confidence and will power.

It's been noticed that today the contestants utilize their platforms to voice out different concerns that are timely relevant to their societies and countries. Globally they put forward their opinions and reach out to a larger range of people, drawing attention to their purposes.

In the 2017 Miss World contest, Manushi Chhillar of India, came up with her BWAP(Beauty With A Purpose) project to fight against the social stigma of menstruation, wishing to provide proper sanitary healthcare to every girl. Her cause not only inspired people worldwide but also gave her the crown that year, as she became the sixth Miss world from India.

Manushi Chillar, Miss World 2017 during the homecoming press conference.

Sometimes it's not just a cause that inspires many but also the very reason as to how one woman is confident being herself. Siera Bearchell, Miss Canada 2016 ditched all body image issues and flaunted her curves on the stage of Miss universe, eventually securing a place in the top 9.

Davina Bennett, the second runner up of Miss universe 2017 was a Proud carribean who hailed from Jamaica. She kept her natural afro hair just the way it is, disagreeing to wear a wig.

Siera Bearchell during the swimsuit competition

Miss Jamaica, Davina Bennett in the evening gown segment.

There has been a number of such ladies who have come up strong and believed in themselves spreading the message that Beauty Comes in all shapes,sizes, colour etc. A historical turn of events took place in the 2018 Miss Supranational pageant, where Miss Denmark, Celina Riel, who was born with only the half of her left arm made sure that nothing can stop her from pushing her dreams.

The queens have made sure that they become the Messengers of Peace, hope and love. It's not just these values and morals that they wish to spread but also awareness, towards any cause as such that might require immediate attention. Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2015, after a very controversial win was declared a UNAIDS ambassador because of her wish to spread

Awareness about the disease, especially in her home country the Philippines.

Pia Wurtzbach giving her final answer quoting “I am confidently beautiful with a heart”

Although it's true that there is a long way to go before people understand that these ladies are not just beautiful girls who can talk and walk. But they are an embodiment of strength, courage and charisma which in all it's true senses determines their “Beauty”.

This significant change of naming a “pretty” girl a winner to naming a “beautiful” woman as a winner has still not had the exact impact.