Emily Austin hopeful over Miss Universe future despite ‘rigged’ claims from ‘exhausting’ 2023 pageant

LIVING THE DREAM 

Anthony Wood Published: 7:36 ET, Jan 21 2023

Austin is also a Puma ambassador Credit: Emily Austin/Richie Demel

THE 2023 Miss Universe pageant was a dream come true for sports reporter Emily Austin.

Named a judge for this year's pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana, this was the latest step in a rapid rise to fame in recent years for the 21-year-old.

She is also an advisor to the United Nations' Israeli delegation Credit: Emily Austin/Richie Demel

A former Miss New York pageant competitor, Austin has previously worked as a host on Music Lives On, and various celebrity boxing events such as Battle of the Platforms, Social Gloves, and the all-NFL matchup between Adrian Peterson and Le'Veon Bell.

A new addition to the pageant's panel of judges for 2023, Austin told The U.S. Sun that her experience "was like a dream."

"I had a glam squad for a week, security guards, I had Starbucks delivered to me every morning. I was kind of pampered for a week."

Austin singled out the interview stage as the highlight of the pageant for her, explaining how she had a "one to ten rating system" with which she was asked to narrow down her finalists to a top ten.

But while her rating system was intended "to keep it easy," it didn't prove as such, as "by the end of the interview process I had seventeen tens."

"I was like, that's a problem. This is a big problem, but it was a good problem because if you think about it that just means there are too many outstanding women that I would love to see at Miss Universe. Which is refreshing."

In order to narrow down her list of candidates, Austin rewatched the interviews, saying that it dawned on her that "everyone is inspiring."

"I remember I had tissues next to me, I was crying, laughing, it was like a whirlwind of emotions.

"I'm pretty mentally exhausted but it was like the best type of exhaustion you'll ever imagine."

Unfortunately, this year's competition has been somewhat overshadowed by accusations of rigging online.

The pageant was won by 28-year-old R'Bonney Gabriel, Miss USA, the first American to win in a decade.

The allegations stemmed from the fact that KN Global Group CEO Anne Jakrajutatip is not only the new owner of Miss Universe but also of Miss USA.

The Miss Universe organization described these claims as "absurd" to The U.S. Sun while Austin also slammed the allegations.

She admitted that she "came into Miss Universe telling myself 'I can't wait to find out if this is rigged or not.'

"And then being a judge, I was like this is the most fair thing on the planet."

Austin joked that the reason why she had wondered whether or not the competition was rigged, was because, "when I lost Miss New York, I was like 'It's rigged, they cheated, there's no way I lost.'"

"But unfortunately, I just lost because it is fully fair, and there is no cheating."

Looking ahead, Austin said she has already made it known that she plans on returning to the pageant in 2024, which is set to be held in El Salvador.

She said: "I think they liked me, humbly enough. We have a good relationship with the producers and I treat everybody like the President - I don't believe anyone should be treated better than anyone else. Because of that, I think I leave a nice impression on people."

However, despite what some fans have suggested, don't expect Austin to be entering herself into the pageant any time soon.

While admitting she was "flattered" by the suggestions online, she joked that "as a 21-year-old I'm too much of a sore loser to run and potentially lose.

"And, because it's so fair, there's no guarantee that I win.

"So, maybe if I become less of a sore loser I would run. But right now if I run and I lost, you guys would be hearing from me ever again. I would just go MIA."

But with another year to wait until the next Miss Universe, Austin's focus will turn to her new NBA-based TV show, Hoop Chat with Emily Austin.

The show, which is set to begin filming next week, will be available to watch on The Game Day.

Gabriel won both Miss Texas and Miss USA in 2022 Credit: Getty

Austin was a judge for the first time in 2023 Credit: @emily.austin, Miss Universe

https://www.the-sun.com/sport/7174468/2023-judge-emily-austin-hopeful-miss-universe-future/