By Shirley Farmer 
The Miss Universe pageant is increasingly adapting to reality and is open to everyone. After in 2023 there were transgender candidates (Portuguese Marina Machetti and Dutch Rikki Colley), mothers and plus-size women, this year's contest could see the biggest woman ever to compete for the Miss Universe title.
This is Iris Amelia Alioto, an Argentine actress and model who is going viral on social media. The 72-year-old, a great-grandmother, was announced this week as an official candidate for the Buenos Aires stage of the Miss Argentina Universe pageant.
She currently works as a dance teacher and translator, but her CV includes television and film appearances in Argentina, alongside big names in the country, such as Cecilia Roth.
Her candidacy was only possible because the competition changed the rules and this year raised the age limits for candidates, who could only be between 18 and 28 years old.
Currently, Iris says she is not afraid of the criticism that may be directed at her: “I am old, and I know very well where I am heading. I am not afraid of any aggression or hostility I may encounter from the public. “When they insult me, I will blow them a kiss,” he says with good humor on Argentine television.
And the potential Miss Universe Argentina 2024 is not alone in her dream of winning this race: Iris's granddaughter, Aileen Manfrin, 20, a “plus-six” model and mother of a three-year-old boy, was last year's candidate. .
It will now be up to Grandma to prevail on behalf of the family. However, Iris will not be the only older woman applying for the competition this year. There are many candidates in their 30s and 40s, but there is also Filipino Jocelyn Cubales, who became an official candidate in the Quezon City stage of Miss Universe Philippines 2024.