From The Straits Times    |
Miss Universe

We do so love a beauty pageant. Sure, they’re full of elaborate outfits and whiter-than-white teeth…but we see beyond the superficial. 

In fact, we’d like to share with you 15 very valuable life lessons that watching Miss Universe has taught us. 

Miss Universe

Image: SplashNews

1. Steve Harvey announced the wrong winner last year *awkward* and was still hired to present this year’s beauty pageant. So, don’t be too scared to make mistakes in life. It’s okay…we’re only human after all.

Steve Harvey Miss Universe

Image: Tumblr

2. Boys II Men will never age and will always be better singers than we can ever hope to be. True talent spans a lifetime and has no age limit *books singing lessons immediately*.

3. It’s been 64 years since France had a winner…so basically…never give up hope. One day, dreams can materialise. Yas Miss France!

4. Not even Miss Columbia, who is trained to be gracious at all times, could hide her face of abject disappointment when announced as second runner up. So if you don’t get that promotion you were sure was in the bag, it’s okay if your face can’t hide your true emotions.

5. Can’t afford a new ensemble? No biggy. Make an outfit out of old curtains or perhaps a spare duvet set, circa Miss Georgia:

Miss Georgia

Image: Getty Images

6. Never, for one minute, think your outfit is just too sparkly.  Take one look at the Miss Haiti, Miss Columbia and Miss France winning gowns. Then look back at your own mirror and own it. Nay, throw more glitter on to seal the deal. 

7. Walking very slowly and smiling nonstop in a borderline manic manner is the way forward when wanting some attention. So, we suggest trying it when you next head to your bosses’ office attempting to get some more annual leave.

8. Need outfit inspiration but tired of the same old look? Take Miss Aruba’s line in life and grab an inanimate object to wear on your back. She went with a wind sail on stage so really, anything you try is just a step down from that:

Miss Aruba

Image: Getty Images

9. Miss Philippines ’16 handing Steve Harvey some reading glasses for the winner announcement showed us all that you can be both gorgeous AND funny.

10. Bikinis are meant to be block colours only. We can only assume such a statement, as the majority of contestants wore a one colour two piece. Perhaps this makes you more desirable, or look slimmer? They must know something we don’t. Burn your plaid jewelled halterneck set immediately.

11. Bad hair day? Run out of dry shampoo? No biggy… pull a Miss Germany and stick something on your head – anything found in your bedroom will do. A doll’s house, a stuffed cuddly toy…go big or go back to your castle:

Miss Germany

Image: Getty Images

12. If you can’t decide on one outfit, feel free to do a Miss Venezuela and combine two dresses into one, then dramatically take a layer off halfway through the night…just because.

13. ‘Less is more’ does not, we repeat does not, apply anymore. Sure, your floor length gown is 98 percent crystals but yeah…throw on those huge bling drop earrings too just for the hell of it.

14. During her post win interview, Miss France says “I don’t really understand what’s happening right now” and that was that. Convo shutdown. We decided to take this sentence and apply it to our daily lives when we just cannot answer hard questions too.  Feel free to give it a go.

And finally, the killer life lesson to learn from such pageants, is this:

15. In a world of beautiful women, there will always be other beautiful women. So rather than compare, you might as well just love who you are and how you look. Pageant or no pageant.

Miss philippines