Aug. 27, 2025

Miss Universe 1988 – Live from Taipei: Taiwan’s Record That Will (Probably) Never Be Broken – S5-E26

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Long before 1988, Taiwan’s beauty pageants had been mired in rumors — winners accused of marrying into political dynasties, whispers of contests doubling as “wife buffets” for the elite, and government crackdowns on such events being too frivolous in austere times.

Even beauty standards themselves were contested as Western pageants favored tall frames and bold features, while traditional Chinese ideals prized delicacy, modesty, and the “melon-seed face.” By the time Miss Universe came to Taipei, the stage was set for both spectacle and controversy.

Yet for Taiwan’s government, the payoff was irresistible. Hosting Miss Universe meant sixteen minutes of global airtime to present the Republic of China’s culture, heritage, and landmarks from Taroko Gorge to Yehliu’s Queen’s Head. For a country fighting for recognition, this beauty show was also showtime for “Free China.”

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Show Notes
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Cover left: Image shows the final of Miss Universe 1988, which was held on 24 May 1988. The event was sponsored by the now-defunct Formosa Airlines at the Lin Kou Stadium in. Chile's Cecilia Bolocco crowned Porntip Nakhirunkanok of Thailand as the new Miss Universe after a competition featuring 66 candidates. Right: The 1962 "Miss China" pageant. The winner, 連方瑀, would later marry Lien Chan, a (losing) two-time presidential candidate. Image via Threads.

Below: The "Mr. Taipei" 1987 tongue-in-cheek protest against beauty pageants was rather amusing. Images via Awakening Foundation IG account.

Not to be cruel, but there's a history of some very, um, less-than-intelligent answers from pageant contestants. As we note in the episode, they are young people in the spotlight and it would tough for many of us to be in their situation... but, a few are really "special." The link below is wildly considered the worst answer in beauty pageant history...but you decide.

READ: Taipei Times - Taiwanese beauty queen suspended for refusing to wear ‘Chinese Taipei’ sash (2015)

Bullet-point summary of this episode:

Biggest TV audience in Taiwan’s history
- Miss Universe 1988, hosted in Linkou Stadium near Taipei.
- Estimated 600 million global viewers via CBS broadcast.
- First time Taiwan appeared on such a massive worldwide broadcast.
Why it was “unexpected” and “controversial”
- Came after a 23-year ban on international beauty contests in Taiwan.
- Criticism from feminists and women’s groups who saw pageants as sexist.
- Debate over Western vs. Chinese ideals of beauty.
Early beauty contests in Taiwan
- 1959 “Miss Trade Show” – women voted on for friendliness and knowledge.
- 1959 Taiwan newspaper Dàhuá Wǎnbào sponsored Miss China pageant.
- Contest rules: over 18, high school education, no swimsuits.
- Winner Lin Ching-yi was half-Japanese → controversy due to anti-Japanese sentiment.
- Some Miss China winners later competed in Miss International and Miss World.
Suspension and controversies
- Pageant suspended in 1963 during Great Leap Forward refugee crisis.
- Resumed in 1964 but ran into financial losses.
- Rumors contests were used by elites to “select wives.”
- Officially canceled again in 1965 as “wasteful” and against spirit of frugality.
Local pageants during the 23-year ban
- Miss Tea Queen of Taiwan (1985, Miaoli).
- Miss Port City (1986, Kaohsiung) → winner placed 3rd in Japan’s Miss Wonderland 1987.
- These contests helped revive interest in holding Miss China again.
Return of Miss Universe to Taiwan
- Miss Universe Inc. had approached Taiwan in 1980 and 1984 but was rejected.
- In 1987, ROC government approved Miss China revival and hosting Miss Universe.
- Proponents: good for diplomacy, showcasing ROC heritage, 16 minutes of Taiwan promotion in broadcast.
- Opponents: feminists mocked it with a “Mr. Taipei” spoof; others said contests reflected Western beauty standards.
Chinese vs. Western beauty ideals
- Chinese tradition preferred petite, natural, modest beauty.
- Classical ideals: white smooth skin, melon-seed face, delicate features, small mouth.
- Western contests emphasized bikinis, bold features, and tall frames.
Miss Universe 1988 details
- Venue: Linkou Stadium, May 24, 9am Taiwan time (prime time US broadcast).
- Hosts: Canadian Alan Thicke and actress Tracy Scoggins.
- CBS & CTS co-production.
- Featured travel shots of contestants at National Palace Museum, Yehliu, Lin Family Garden, Taroko Gorge, Orchid Island.
- Indigenous Yami (Tao) tribe featured in cultural showcase.
- Contestants filmed riding scooters without helmets (legal at the time).
Final results
- 4th runner-up: Miss Hong Kong.
- 3rd runner-up: Miss Japan.
- 2nd runner-up: Miss Mexico.
- 1st runner-up: Miss South Korea.
- Winner: Miss Thailand, 19-year-old Porntip Nakhirunkanok.
- Miss ROC (Taiwan) did not make top 10.
- Memorable year: 4 of top 5 finalists were Asian.
Legacy
- Remains Taiwan’s most watched TV broadcast ever.
- With today’s fragmented media, unlikely to be surpassed.