THE Miss Universe pageant is not immune to occasional slip-ups, whether it's tiaras being tossed away to allegations of favoritism and poor political posturing.

With the next competition just around the corner, many fans are looking back at the dramatic history of the pageant.

7

7

Since the first Miss Universe pageant, was held on June 28, 1952, in Long Beach, California, more than a few scandals have come to light.

SLEW OF COMPLAINTS

In 1966, contestants from several Latin American countries held an impromptu press conference expressing concerns that the competition favored European girls.

Some even went as far as to say they were viewed as "nothing" in the eyes of the judges.

Days later, Miss Sweden took the crown.

Read more on Miss Universe

In recent years, contestants from Venezuela, Colombia, and Puerto Rico have consistently made it to the top of the podium.

NIXON SYMPATHIZER

In 1973, the winner of Miss Universe, Margarita Moran, was positioned as a Nixon Sympathizer during the Watergate scandal that gripped the US.

Moran, who was representing the Philippines, left audiences shocked after an odd admission in one interview that saw her proclaim that Richard Nixon was the "Greatest man on Earth."

The timing of her statement raised eyebrows as the pageant was taking place while the Watergate scandal was unfolding.

Most read in US News

President Nixon, on the other hand, was quite pleased. He sent Miss Moran a thank you note, expressing his gratitude for her "thoughtful comment on my efforts to bring peace in the world."

FUR FURORE

In 1987, the Miss Universe competition was set to be led by game show host Bob Barker.

Barker, who was also an outspoken advocate for animal rights, asked the pageant to stop using fur coats and other prizes that involved animal cruelty as prizes for the winners and runner-ups.

Unfortunately, the pageant refused to adjust its prize packages.

″I received hundreds of letters from those who have placed their faith in me on this issue,″ Barker said in an Associated Press report.

"I cannot do them [the show] as long as they give away fur coats. This involves morality.″

That was the last straw for Barker, who stepped down after 20 years of hosting.

DETHRONING DRAMA

It was 2002, and Miss Russia, Oxana Fedorova, had taken home the first Miss Universe title for her country: unfortunately, her reign didn't even last six months.

Whispers of secret weddings and hidden pregnancies, both forbidden by the organization, had circulated.

Shortly after, the Miss Universe Organization announced that Federova would be stripped of her title.

In a statement, they simply explained that she was removed for "failing in her duties."

Many questioned the murky details surrounding her departure.

DISCRIMINATION?

Transgender contestant Jenna Talackova competed in the 2012 Miss Universe Contest.

She made it into the group of 65 finalists in the Miss Universe Canada competition before the organization decided to remove her from the roster.

"She did not meet the requirements to compete despite having stated otherwise on her entry form," Miss Universe Canada said in a statement reported by ABC news.

"We do, however, respect her goals, and determination and wish her the best."

"I will look to turn this situation into a positive so that other people in a similar situation are not discriminated against in the future," Talackova told the press.

HARVEY'S WRONG CALL

Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutiérrez, had just received the news of a lifetime after winning the title of 2015 Miss Universe - or at least, that's what host, Steve Harvey had told her.

But Gutiérrez and viewers were shocked when Harvey then took back the mic and said: "Okay, folks, I have to apologize."

The host admitted that he had called the wrong name, corrected his mistake, and announced that it was Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach, who really won.

Although Harvey faced heavy backlash for his slip-up, both women took the news in their stride.

Miss Philippines called it a "very non-traditional crowning moment," while the runner-up, Miss Colombia, said "Everything happens for a reason," as she exited the stage.

SPARKING DEBATE

The 2015 Miss Universe contest was hit with another wave of controversy after Miss Israel, Doron Matalon, jumped into an impromptu selfie with Miss Lebanon, Saly Greige, and a few other contestants.

What started as an innocuous selfie, quickly turned into the talk of the internet due to fears the image would exacerbate tensions between the two countries.

According to NBC News, a Lebanese television station berated Greige, arguing that she should have made it more clear that Lebanon and Israel are sworn enemies.

"I was very cautious to avoid being in any photo or communication with Miss Israel [that tried several times to have a photo with me]," Greige wrote on her Facebook page.

The Miss Universe Organization also released a statement following the incident.

It read: "It is unfortunate to know a photo of four smiling women from different parts of the world, working together at an event, could be misconstrued as anything other than what it is, a celebration of universal friendship, which the Miss Universe pageant is all about."

NUDE CONTROVERSY

In 2016, the Miss Universe Organization had an unusual request for contestants: pose naked in nothing but dripping paint.

The move came as a surprise for many who believed that the Miss Universe competition should promote more wholesome, intellect-based values over body image.

Some contestants had no problem participating in the photoshoot, finding it to be an empowering opportunity for "artistic expression."

However, one contestant, Sarodj Bertin from Haiti, did not want to take part in the exhibition.

“Most of the girls are fashion models and some were topless, everyone posed as they felt comfortable," said Bertin.

"I wouldn’t go topless – but I had flowers painted on my legs. I love nature so that made me feel part of it all."

CONTESTANT SLAMMED

Following a video posted to Instagram, Miss USA, Sarah Rose Summers, was slammed for offensive comments she made regarding some of the other contestants' language abilities.

When the Nebraska Native was asked what she thought about some of the other contestants, she cheerfully responded that Miss Vietnam was "so cute!"

She went on to add, "She pretends to know so much English and then you ask her a question after having a whole conversation with her and goes [nods and smiles]."

Viewers were quick to point out that the comment could be interpreted as exceptionally demeaning and insensitive to cultural differences.

Read More on The US Sun

Miss USA later issued a formal apology, writing that, "In a moment where I intended to admire the courage of a few of my sisters, I said something that I now realize can be perceived as not respectful, and I apologize."

Summers was still allowed to continue in the Miss Universe pageant, however, she did not win.

7

7

7

7

7