Throughout history, beauty contests have taken various forms, celebrating diverse standards of beauty and showcasing unique talents. Some beauty contests, however, have stood out as particularly eccentric, unusual, or even bizarre. These peculiar competitions have often attracted attention for their creative themes, unconventional judging criteria, and unexpected contestants. Here are a few of the weirdest beauty contests in history.
The Miss Lovely Eyes Contest: In the 1930s, amidst the Great Depression, the Miss Lovely Eyes Contest gained popularity in Florida. Instead of focusing on the entire face, this contest solely judged participants on the attractiveness of their eyes. Contestants would wear masks that covered the rest of their faces, allowing the judges to evaluate only their eyes.
Originating in the 1970s, the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest is an annual event in which dog owners compete to showcase their pets’ unique and unusual appearances. The contest celebrates the individuality and charm of dogs that may not conform to traditional beauty standards.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, baby contests were a common attraction at fairs and exhibitions. Parents would enter their infants into beauty contests, and judges would evaluate them based on their looks, charm, and overall attractiveness. These contests have since been criticized for objectifying babies and reinforcing harmful beauty standards.
Held in Las Vegas in the 1950s, the Miss Atomic Bomb beauty contest took an unusual twist by combining beauty pageantry with the celebration of atomic testing. Contestants would dress in mushroom cloud-themed swimsuits, reflecting the nuclear testing that was a major part of American culture during that era.
Around the world, quirky beard and moustache competitions have become popular, celebrating the art of facial hair grooming and styling. These contests often have categories for various beard and moustache styles, including handlebars, goatees, and even freestyle creations.
As part of Star Trek conventions, fans of the popular science fiction series compete in the Miss Klingon Empire beauty pageant. Participants dress up as Klingon characters from the show and are judged on their resemblance to the alien species and their overall performance.
In the early 20th century, as circuses were a significant part of American entertainment, the Miss Jumbo Queen contest emerged. Women would compete to be crowned the queen of the circus, and the winner would often ride elephants during parades and performances.
While these beauty contests may be considered bizarre or unconventional by today’s standards, they offer a glimpse into the diverse and sometimes quirky ways in which beauty and talent have been celebrated throughout history. Although some of these contests have faced criticism for their objectification and unusual themes, they remain a part of the fascinating tapestry of beauty pageants and competitions from the past.