Miss Universe 2006 is scheduled to take place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, USA. Unlike past years, it will be held on Sunday, July 23rd, 2006 (almost 2 months later than usual). The pageant will be broadcast internationally live on NBC.
The 2006 pageant will be the first held in the United States since 1998. Los Angeles last hosted the pageant in 1990. For the first time in history, the Republic of Kazakhstan will be represented. Iceland, New Zealand, and Argentina return after a 3-year hiatus, St. Lucia is expected to send its first delegate in 29 years (and only second in history), and the island of St. Martin will be represented for the only the sixth time in history (the first was in 1976, recently is 2000). This year's pageant will also feature the most delegates in the history of the pageant, with 86 delegates arrived in Los Angeles.
Natalie Glebova of Canada will crown her successor at the conclusion of the 2-hour show. Her reign marks as the longest ever in Miss Universe history. On July 23, 2006, Glebova would have been on the job for about one year and two months -- she was crowned on May 31, 2005 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The tallest delegate is Miss Ghana (6 feet, 2 inches).
Three delegates have previously competed in the Miss World pageant. Trinidad and Tobago's Kenisha Thom represented her nation at Miss World 2004, and placed in the top 15. St. Lucia's Sascha Andrew-Rose also represented her nation at Miss World 2004, but failed to place. Lauriane Gilliéron of Switzerland and Tatiana Silva Braga Tavares of Belgium both competed at Miss World 2005 but failed to place.
Miss Colombia's cousin was Miss Colombia 2005 (who failed to make the cut at Miss Universe 2005) Another cousin of hers is pop singer Shakira.
This year features the most delegates in the history of the pageant, 86.
Miss Universe 2005, Natalie Glebova, will have reigned for 14 months, the longest serving titleholder.
Los Angeles will host the pageant for the second time, having previously hosted in 1990. It is the first time the pageant has been held in the United States since 1998 (when the pageant was held in Hawaii).
The judges at the 2006 competition include: Amelia Vega Miss Universe 2003, Bo Derek famous actress, Claudia Jordan A Miss USA 1997 pageant finalist, currently a model for "Deal or no Deal", Emmitt Smith Ex-football player from the Dallas Cowboys, James Lesure Actor, NBC's "Las Vegas", Maria Celeste Arraras Host of "Al Rojo Vivo con Maria Celeste" in Telemundo, Patrick McMullan Fashion Photographer, Santino Rice Santino from "Project Runway 2", Sean Yazbeck "The Apprentice" 5 Winner.
This year, a top 20 will be selected, rather than the usual top 15.
