A 60-year-old Miss Buenos Aires foresees change as her Miss Universe campaign concludes.
Alejandra Rodriguez made waves on a global scale when she clinched the title of Miss Buenos Aires in April. This made her the very first contestant over the age of 60 to win a pageant organized by the Miss Universe franchise.
Unfortunately, Rodriguez wasn't able to replicate this success during the Miss Argentina contest on Saturday as she lost out on the opportunity to represent her country in the Miss Universe pageant. However, she did win the "best face" category and viewed her victory as the start of a shift in the perception of beauty.
Rodriguez, who is an attorney and journalist by profession, talked to CNN en Español about her experience after the competition. She expressed hopes that her participation would mark a significant turning point in how beauty is defined and celebrated.
"This is just the beginning of a change that's coming," she said confidently. "I don't think it's wrong to select a beautiful woman, but maybe the concept of beauty needs to expand."
Rodriguez's opportunity to participate only became possible thanks to the Miss Universe organization updating its age requirements. Prior to 2023, participants had to be aged between 18 and 28 on January 1 of the year they were competing. However, as of 2024, there is no upper age limit.
"It's a positive change, it's happening slowly, like all changes do." Rodriguez commented on the new age rule. "I'm grateful for this opportunity to be the first."
The Miss Universe organization made several other rule changes in 2023 to bring the pageant into the modern world. For the first time in its 70-year career, it gave permission to women who were married or divorced, and who had given birth or were pregnant to join.
"There was a 40-year-old woman who participated, another who is 37. It's like the boundaries are expanding," Rodriguez explained. "There were women who are mothers—things that were unthinkable before in Miss Universe."
Despite not being able to secure the top spot, Rodriguez maintained that stereotypes surrounding beauty, age, body shape, and weight were gradually being challenged.
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Rodriguez expressed her belief that her victory in the "best face" category signaled a shift towards expanded definitions of beauty in pageantry. In her discussions with CNN, she advocated for an expansion of the concept of style, suggesting that it should not be limited to traditional standards.
Source: edition.cnn.com
