Miss Universe 1954 was the 3rd Miss Universe pageant, held at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium in Long Beach, California, United States on 24 July 1954.

At the end of the event, Christiane Martel of France crowned Miriam Stevenson of the United States as Miss Universe 1954. It is the first victory of the United States and the first Miss Universe to concurrently hold both Miss USA and Miss Universe titles.

Contestants from 33 countries and territories competed in this year's pageant. The pageant was hosted by Bob Russell. This edition also featured the Star of the Universe crown, which consists of 1,000 Oriental cultured and black pearls set in solid gold and platinum, and is worth $500,000 USD. The crowned was also used for the next six editions.

Background

Selection of participants 
Contestants from 33 countries and territories were selected to compete in the pageant. One contestant was selected to replace the original dethroned winner.

Replacements 
Kae Sun-hee, the first runner-up of Miss Korea 1954, was appointed to replace Miss Korea 1954 Pu Rak Hi after the latter's visa was rejected in order to enter the United States due to allegations that she has connections with communist groups. The same happened with Rika Dialina, Star Hellas 1954, where she was replaced by her first runner-up, Efi Androulakakis, after she posed for a book by a Greek communist despite having no communist sympathies. However, John Foster Dulles, the then United States Secretary of State, intervened in Dialina's case, and Dialina obtained a temporary entry permit because of this. Dialina arrived in Long Beach a few days before the preliminary competition, causing Androulakakis to withdraw from the competition. The organizers asked Androulakakis to remain in the competition as the representative of Crete, but Androulakakis refused. Although Androulakakis is no longer an official candidate, she was still hailed as Miss Congeniality.

Debuts, returns, and withdrawals 
The 1954 edition saw the debuts of Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and the West Indies, and the returns of Chile, Cuba, Hong Kong, and Israel who last competed in 1952. Gertrude Kapi'olani Miller of Hawaii withdrew due to undisclosed reasons. Berta Elena Landaeta of Venezuela withdrew after the pageant organizers could not disclose her whereabouts. Austria, Denmark, South Africa, Switzerland, and Turkey withdrew after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or designate a contestant.

Contestants from Guatemala and Nicaragua were also expected to compete, but was prohibited by their respective governments due to the political instability of Central America. Both countries started competing in the pageant in 1955.

Results

Placements

Special awards

Pageant

Format 
Same with 1953, sixteen semi-finalists were chosen at the preliminary competition that consists of the swimsuit and evening gown competition. Each of the sixteen semi-finalists gave a short speech during the final telecast using their native languages. Afterwards, the sixteen semi-finalists paraded again in their swimsuits and evening gowns, and the five finalists were eventually chosen.

Selection committee 

 Piper Laurie – American actress
 Julia Adams – American actress
 Suzan Ball – American actress
 Earl Wilson – American columnist and journalist
 Tom Kelley – Famous American photographer

Contestants 
33 contestants competed for the title.

Notes

References

External links
 Miss Universe official website

1954
1954 in California
1954 beauty pageants
Beauty pageants in the United States
July 1954 events in the United States