The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) officially announced today, Dec. 9, the seven all-female members of the finals selection committee for the 70th Miss Universe Competition which will be held in Eilat, Israel on Dec. 12 (Dec. 13 Manila time).
Kapuso star Marian Rivera is this year's Filipino judge in the prestigious competition. She is the 10th Filipino to become part of the selection committee in pageant's history.
The last time Filipinos became part of the Miss Universe selection committee was in 2018, as represented by fashion designer Monique Lhuillier and architect Richelle Singson-Michael in Bangkok, Thailand. Catriona Gray of the Philippines was crowned Miss Universe.
Previous Filipino judges were Carlos P. Romulo (1974), Josie Natori (1989), Kuh Ledesma (1991), Don Emilio T. Yap (1994), Lea Salonga (2011), Manny Pacquiao (2014), and Pia Wurtzbach (2017).
The MUO described Marian Rivera as a premier celebrity in the Philippines. Her bio in the pageant website read:
"She is a multi-awarded actress and host. She catapulted to fame with her leading roles in highly successful shows that were hits in Southeast Asia such as “MariMar”, “Dyesebel”, and “Amaya”. She continuously made her mark with iconic roles in “Darna” and “Temptation of Wife”.
"Among her international successes, Marian Rivera was nominated for Best Actress in a Lead Role at the 18th Asian Television Awards. She starred in numerous blockbuster films. She was twice nominated for Best Actress by the prestigious Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards for her roles in “Kung Fu Divas” and “Ang Panday 2”. She was lauded as the Phenomenal TV Star and won numerous Best Actress awards for her TV performances.
"Marian Rivera released two studio albums: the Marian Rivera Dance Hits and Retro Crazy. Both of which were awarded platinum. She was declared a Hall of Famer as the sexiest in the Philippines by FHM Magazine, winning the coveted award thrice in 2008, 2013 and 2014.
"She is highly regarded as the most sought after celebrity endorser with over 25 active endorsements and brand partnerships. She is the queen of social media in the Philippines with over 25 million followers on Facebook. She is the most followed celebrity in the Philippines.
"Beyond entertainment, Marian Rivera is a successful entrepreneur launching Flora Vida, her own floral business, in 2017. She expanded Flora Vida in 2020 to include homewares and furniture, and recently, to a clothing line, which was sold out in a matter of days.
"Marian Rivera supports a variety of causes and advocacies, including operations for children with cleft lips and palates, an ambassador to the Little People, an advocate to children and women with disabilities, and is a staunch supporter of breastfeeding. She was given the Breastfeeding Influencer and Advocate Award by the Mother and Child Nurses Association in 2016. Marian Rivera has two children with husband, Dingdong Dantes."
The other members of the selection committee include former Miss Universe Iris Mittinaere, Supermodel Adriana Lima, entertainment host Adamari Lopez, entrepeneur-model Lori Harvey, actress Rena Sofer; and Bollywood actress Urbashi Rautela.
Eighty girls will vie for the title of 2021 Miss Universe. The preliminary competition will be held on Friday, Dec. 10, where the preliminary judges will select the top 16 semifinalists for the competition.
The top 16 semifinalists will be announced during the finals on Dec. 12. Beatrice Luigi Gomez is the country's delegate in this year's Miss Universe contest.