Miss Universe 2023: When and where to watch, who is representing India and what sets this year's competition apart

Get ready for the grandeur of the 72nd annual Miss Universe pageant, unfolding on November 18, 2023, at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador. Featuring a diverse lineup of over 90 contestants, the event promises to be a celebration of grace, eloquence, and cultural heritage. Notably, the top 10 silver finalists hail from countries such as the Philippines, Angola, Chile, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Ukraine, Lebanon, Singapore, and South Africa.

El Salvador is eagerly hosting this much-anticipated event, where representatives from 90 countries vie for the prestigious title, aiming to succeed R'Bonney Gabriel from the United States. Organizers have unveiled the selection process, encompassing personal statements, in-depth interviews, and captivating presentations in evening gowns and swimwear.

Save the date for the live streaming of Miss Universe 2023 on November 16 at 9:00 p.m. EST, following the preliminary competition on November 15 at 8:00 p.m. EST. This year's event is distinguished by its collaboration with Live Bash, a platform set to livestream both competitions. In the U.S., catch the broadcast on Telemundo in Spanish, and streaming access is available on The Roku Channel. Indian viewers can tune in to Miss Universe's YouTube channel and X account starting at 6:30 a.m. on November 19, according to Indian Standard Time (IST).

The star-studded event will be hosted by the dynamic TV presenters Jeannie Mai Jenkins, Maria Menounos, and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo. Adding to the glamour, the 12-time Grammy winner John Legend will captivate the audience with a live musical performance.

Representing India at Miss Universe 2023 is the 23-year-old Chandigarh-born model Shweta Sharda, crowned Miss Diva Universe. Standing out among 15 other contestants in a tough competition last year, Shweta secured the prestigious Miss Diva Universe title at the ceremony in Mumbai.

This prestigious pageant will be hosted by TV presenters Jeannie Mai Jenkins and Maria Menounos, alongside former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo. The event will take place at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, with a capacity to accommodate 13,000 people.

For Indian audiences eager to watch, tune in to Miss Universe's YouTube channel and X account from 6:30 a.m. onwards on November 19, as per Indian Standard Time, to catch the final competition.

What's noteworthy about this year's pageant? It's set to be special and groundbreaking. Representing Colombia, Maria Camila Avella Montañez, and Michelle Cohn from Guatemala will make history as the first mothers and married women to compete in the pageant. Additionally, this year marks Pakistan's debut in the Miss Universe pageant, with Erica Robin representing the country. Furthermore, Rikkie Valerie Kollé of the Netherlands and Marina Machete of Portugal are poised to make history as the second and third transgender women to participate in the Miss Universe competition, following Angela Ponce's trailblazing path in 2018 when she represented Spain.