Miss International 2020 pageant canceled

MANILA, Philippines – The International Cultural Association (ICA), who owns the Miss International beauty pageant, formally announced on Friday, June 12, that the 2020 edition of the competition has been canceled.

“Taking into consideration the health and safety issues, as well as the ongoing impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have come to a conclusion to cancel this year’s Miss International 2020 pageant, which was originally scheduled to be held this fall,” ICA chairperson Akemi Shimomura said in a statement.

“We would like to express our deepest regret especially to the participants from all over the world, and to all those who have been supporting our event every year. We humbly ask for your understanding in light of this unusual circumstance which is beyond our control,” Shimomura added.

The ICA chief said that the 60th edition of the competition will be held in the fall of 2021 on a date to be announced. 

“Rest assured that through our slogan ‘Cheer All Women’ we are still committed on pursuing our goal of supporting all women, and continuing with the legacy of this beauty pageant, which is to promote ‘friendship and goodwill with other countries in the world’ and the “realization of world peace through international exchange. We sincerely hope for your continued support and cooperation,” Shimomura said.

Notice of Cancellation of #MissInternational 2020
LINK: https://t.co/pditb0knAH pic.twitter.com/8zRHSVOTRd

— Miss International (@MissInterOrg) June 12, 2020

With the cancellation of the pageant, the current titleholder, Thailand’s Sireethorn Leearamwat, will continue to reign until she crowns her successor in 2021.

Miss International, which started in 1960, is considered as one of the top beauty contests in the world. The Philippines has won the competition 6 times, the last in 2016 with Kylie Verzosa as winner. – Rappler.com