Hosts Olivia Culpo, Maria Menounos and Jeannie Mai Jenkins Embrace Strappy Sandals at Miss Universe 2023

Miss Universe 2023 hosts Olivia Culpo, Maria Menounos and Jeannie Mai Jenkins turned heads while on stage Saturday during the pageant held in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Culpo led the charge in a black pair of sandal heels, which she wore with a coordinating black gown. The garment featured a satin strappy form-fitted bodice that transitioned into a voluminous skirt crafted of rows of sequins that provided the garment with textural interest.

(L-R): Jeannie Mai, Olivia Culpo and Maria Menounos during the 72nd Miss Universe Competition at Gimnasio Nacional José Adolfo Pineda on Nov. 18, 2023 in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Accompanying her look, the model sported a variety of diamond-encrusted pieces of jewelry. She wore her dark tresses in a middle part slicked back and into an updo. Culpo, a former Miss Universe, hosted the pageant last year.

Shoe details of Jeannie Mai, left, and Olivia Culpo’s looks during the 72nd Miss Universe Competition at Gimnasio Nacional José Adolfo Pineda on Nov. 18, 2023 in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Jenkins took a more striking approach to her footwear game, sporting silver metallic sandals. The style featured rounded open toes, thin straps and high-shine metallic uppers. It’s likely the set also included stiletto heels that offered the “How Do I Look?” star a boost in height.

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Similarly to Culpo, Jenkins wore a black gown that was floor-length and form-fitted. The garment was comprised of long sleeves and a large cut-out on the abdomen.

Finally, Menounos threw in a fashion curve ball, going the more colorful route as opposed to her fellow hosts. Accompanied by what appeared to be metallic gold sandal heels, the television host sported a Celia Kritharioti spring 2022 couture look featuring a sequined blue and brown printed strappy bra top worn with a matching sequin skirt featuring an array of unique geometric prints.

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe 2023, crown, gown, platform heels.
Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios walks onstage during the 72nd Miss Universe Competition at Gimnasio Nacional José Adolfo Pineda on Nov. 18, 2023 in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Miss Universe is a pageant held annually by the Miss Universe Organization, which celebrates women’s accomplishments across the world. This year’s event will be held in El Salvador, featuring 86 contestants from international countries. The occasion includes John Legend as this year’s musical performance, which will take place before the current Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel crowns her successor.

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe 2023, crown, gown, platform heels.
Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios walks onstage during the 72nd Miss Universe Competition at Gimnasio Nacional José Adolfo Pineda on Nov. 18, 2023 in San Salvador, El Salvador.

About the Author

Amina Ayoud is an Assistant Digital Editor for Footwear News, where she writes stories about everything from celebrity style to breaking fashion and shoe releases. Ayoud cultivated a love of all things fashion early in life thanks to a deep love of fashion history and the luxury industry. In her free time, Ayoud is a self-proclaimed fashion nerd and thriftaholic.

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