By: Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo (philstar.com)
MANILA, Philippines — The Miss Universe Organization has revealed during the Preliminary Competition on December 13 the all-woman selection committee that will choose who among the 93 candidates will advance to the competition’s top 20 to be announced during the coronation night on December 17.
At least two of the judges in the committee are Filipinas: Richelle Singson-Michael and Monique Lhuillier.
Screenshot of Singson-Michael being introduced as judge during the livestream telecast.
Richelle, daughter of former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, has been described at the pageant as “an Architect by profession, but an aggressive businesswoman by training.”
“She is CEO (chief executive officer) of both Platinum Skies Aviation and FinTech - Casha.me. Markedly, she as Vice Chairwoman of the LCS Group of Companies, led one of the most successful hosting of the Miss Universe Competition held 2 years ago in the Philippines,” her profile at the Miss Universe website read.
Her photo in the website’s selection committee comes first, followed by that of Lhuillier, an internationally-renowned designer born to Filipino parents and who grew up in Cebu City, Philippines.
“Monique has dressed celebrities and important political figures such as Emma stone, Blake Lively, Sandra Bullock, Anna Kendrick, Taylor Swift, Reese Witherspoon, Drew Barrymore, Jessica Alba, Kristen Bell and first ladies Michelle Obama and Melania Trump, among others,” her biography was described as such at the pageant’s site.
Monique and Richelle are joined by other selection committee members Bui Simon, American Miss Universe winner now based in Thailand; Moroccan-American self-made entrepreneur Iman Oubou; Janaye Ingram, Director of National Partnerships for Airbnb; business commentator and entrepreneur Liliana Gil Valletta; and Miss Universe 1992 and entrepreneur from Namibia Michelle McLean.
Pageant critic Sashes & Scripts likened Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray to McLean due to their tall height, similar background as a model, and same advocacies for children and education.
