By Amanda Rabines and Katrina Velez
Carl-Frederick Francois/ the Beacon
Two years ago, on Nov. 9, Gabriela Isler “Miss Venezuela,” stood in front of spotlights, judges and a live broadcast, with viewership from around the world, as a crown was placed on her head.
She had just won the title of Miss Universe in Moscow’s Crocus City Hall in Russia.
This Sunday, she will pass down that crown to the next worthy contestant at Florida International University’s U.S. Century Bank Arena, where FIU will host the 63rd Annual Miss Universe Pageant.
“Giving my crown in this place filled with hispanic, latin, and Venezuelan communities just makes me feel at home,” Isler said. “I’m just happy that [the pageant] brought me here, to end this chapter in my life and start a new one.”
Isler was at Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Jan. 20 to visit FIU, including the volleyball team. There, she also spared some time to speak with The Beacon staff on some of the buzz and controversy revolving around the beauty pageant.
One big issue was last Sunday, when FIU issued a statement in response to the Miami Herald’s article, which exposed how the pageant is costing FIU $544,073.
The statement read — “The event will bring international attention to FIU and provide our first-generation students with more than $200,000 in scholarships. In addition, recent arena roof upgrades will prove to be a worthwhile investment that will make it possible to attract concerts and other events to the FIU Arena.”
The only merit Isler sees in FIU’s decision to spend that much amount of money, is based upon the hopes that it’s coverage will attract more international students.
“There’s many students around the world who are looking for options,” Isler said. “This year FIU and Miss Universe are working together and it will be an opportunity to bring into the spotlight, not just Miami/Doral but also FIU, to get exposure.”
Another international issue that arose, was the infamous Lebanon and Israel selfie.
“During my year, we didn’t have any problems between pictures, or between different countries,” Isler said. “I think that these pictures [between Miss Lebanon, Saly Greige,and Miss Israel, Doron Matalonthe] show that some girls like enjoying themselves during this beautiful experience and I think you really have to be sick of hearing about all the trouble and struggle between countries.”
So the struggles Isler insist the women in this year’s pageant focus on, is on the competition itself. In order to win the crown the women must succeed through three categories – swimsuit, evening gown and interview.
Isler says the best advice she can give to contestants is to, treat the experience like a job –with great responsibility.
“It’s true, it’s a competition but it’s also a once in a lifetime experience,” Isler said. “It’s important to enjoy yourself, but take into account that this is a job, so you have to show responsibility, commitment and that you are able to represent the brand of your country.”
For Isler, the pageant is more than a beauty contest, she says it’s a sport.
“We are a competition of different nations so I think FIU is a perfect place to hold a pageant because this is a university that supports sports and this is a similar type of adrenaline,” Isler said. “It’s 88 girls competing for a title.”
Though she is losing her crown, Isler doesn’t feel she is losing a trophy. Instead she is setting her mind on another one.
“I was never able to pursue my profession, so now, I’m going to focus more on the humanitarian world.” said Isler, who has master’s in business administration and a degree in marketing. “I want a master’s in international development, so I may be able to help with more knowledge to people around the world and not just my country.”
The three-hour pageant will air on NBC at 8 p.m. Sunday and will be simulcast in Spanish on Telemundo.
About Post Author
