Miss Universe 2013
Miss Universe 2013, the 62nd Miss Universe pageant, was held on November 9, 2013, at the Crocus City Hall, Krasnogorsk, a suburb of Moscow, Russia. Olivia Culpo of the United States crowned her successor Gabriela Isler of Venezuela at the end of the event. 86 contestants competed for the title. Results. Placements. § - Voted into the Top 16 by viewers Contestants. 86 delegates were selected to compete: Controversies. On August 15, 2013, Andy Cohen, who is openly gay, declined to co-host the pageant, due to the country's recent adoption of anti-gay laws. An Internet petition  was also started for the Miss Universe Organization to relocate the pageant from Moscow due to these laws as well as human rights concerns. MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts, also openly gay, took on hosting duties. While he condemned Russia for its anti-gay law, he stated his belief that his presence in Russia would make for a more effective statement against Russian homophobia than boycotting. Also, Patricia Yurena Rodriguez of Spain is currently the highest-placed LGBT member at Miss Universe, placing runner-up only to Isler of Venezuela, but only came out years after her stint in the pageant . Years after the event, the owner at the time, Donald Trump, is involved in an ongoing controversy related to the pageant in Russia<ref name="Crowley_5/15/2016"></ref> and activities alleged in the Steele dossier.