Telemundo launches new series “Miss Latina USA”; winner will advance to compete in Miss Universe

New Reality Series to offer Winner Historic Opportunity to Compete in the MISS UNIVERSE® Pageant

On the heels of the popular premiere of “La Voz Kids”, Telemundo announced the addition of “Miss Latina USA” during their upfront presentation held Tuesday at New York’s Frederick P. Rose Hall at Lincoln Center.

The exclusive new reality series will feature contestants vying for the top spot that will guarantee an entry to compete in the Miss Universe competition.

“The MISS UNIVERSE® Organization has enjoyed a terrific partnership with Telemundo,” said Donald J. Trump, who co-owns the MISS UNIVERSE® Organization with NBCUniversal. “The MISS UNIVERSE® pageant consistently delivers the highest ratings in the coveted Hispanic market and the MISS LATINA USA™ series puts a completely new twist on the competition. It will undoubtedly draw big numbers and we look forward to forging an even bigger relationship with Telemundo over the years to come.”

As part of the “Miss Latina USA” competition, multi-city auditions will take place and participants will be judged based on “poise, physical attributes and personality. Once chosen, the competitors will move in to a luxurious mansion where they will live together and undergo training by a team of talented experts in fields such as modeling, acting, fashion, nutrition and beauty. “ During weekly eliminations, contestants will compete until the remaining finalists will participate in the gala challenge for the top title and a ticket to the prestigious Miss Universe pageant.

This is the first time in history that a contestant, other than Miss USA, that will be allowed to compete for the Miss Universe crown.

The MISS LATINA USA™ series will join Telemundo’s existing slate of programming dedicated to the prestigious competition that includes:

MISS UNIVERSE®: Camino a la Corona

Telemundo gives viewers the opportunity to get to know the Latinas through exclusive interviews and access as they prepare to compete for the MISS UNIVERSE® crown. This show features interviews with the Hispanic competitors, getting up-close-and-personal with an inside look at the life of a beauty contestant.

This new concept raises the discussion flame around the beauty pageantry scene.

Denise Quiñones (MU 2001):

“In part, it’s very strange, because it would not represent a country, but on the other side, it’s clear that they are looking for new blood, something refreshing. I believe it’s a way to attract other type of public that maybe do not follow beauty pageants that much, and since Reality Shows have increased in popularity… Commercially I can understand the move. And about the National Costume, I guess it will be a Giant TV, since the candidate comes from a Reality Show (jokes, laughs)”

Marisol Malaret (MU 1970)

“The pageant has lost glamour and credibility, it has lost audience and sponsors of prestige, besides the countries are not willing to pay Trump millions to be host, so then it’s logical to look at the Latino market in USA. It’s a business move, because it will attract a part of the population that is big with strong opinions, to the point that it determined Obama’s victory. Apart the us latinos are passionate about beauty pageants and in general latinas are the one’s who have won the MU crown the most times. I don’t think it will affect MUPR, but it will affect Miss USA because it will lose interest.”

Dayanara Torres (MU 1993)

“I do not understand it, because, what it the winner is from Mexico, ¿Which country would she represent? ¿About what culture she would talk about? It seems strange to me.”

Trump

“Consistently, Miss Universe obtains the highest ratings in the Hispanic market. Miss Latina USA, without a doubt, would give a new twist to the competition, it will definitely produce high numbers in ratings.”