A 71-year-old woman made history as the oldest contestant to compete in the Miss Texas USA pageant over the weekend.
Marissa Teijo, who is from El Paso, joined roughly 75 other contestants competing for the crown in Houston.
Although Teijo did not win the pageant, she has received widespread media attention, with national outlets reporting on her run and social media users clamoring for her skincare routine.
Teijo said on Instagram that she competed in the pageant “to inspire women to strive to be their best physical and mental self and believe there is beauty at any age.”
Aarieanna Ware, Miss Dallas, won the Miss Texas USA crown on Saturday and will represent Texas in the Miss USA competition.
In an effort to be more inclusive, the Miss Universe organization lifted age limits this year. Previously, the organization barred women over the age of 28 years old. Contestants can also now be married, pregnant or divorced.
Jackie Garcia-Martinez, CEO of Bazaar Models, who represents Teijo, told theEl Paso Times the agency is proud to represent diverse women.
“I represent women of all shapes, ages, and races,” Garcia-Martinez said. “As I prepare my team to compete at Miss Texas, I’m thrilled to support these women who inspire me as a leader every day.”
Garcia-Martinez did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment Monday. Teijo did not respond to messages sent through social media.
The policy change was championed by R’Bonney Gabriel, a fashion designer and graduate of the University of North Texas, who was crowned Miss Universe in 2023. Gabriel was the first Filipina American to win Miss USA and the first Miss USA to win Miss Universe in a decade.
During the pageant, the Houston native advocated raising the age limit for contestants, saying “my favorite quote is: ‘If not now, then when?’ Because, as a woman, I believe age does not define us.”
Teijo’s run has provided the Miss Universe organization with a shot of positive news as it grapples with controversy. Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava resigned from their titles within days of each other this spring. Voigt said she was stepping away to focus on her mental health, but NBC News reported that she accused the pageant’s CEO Laylah Rose of creating a toxic work environment and failing to address a sexual harassment incident.
Srivastava, who was also crowned last September, announced her resignation on Instagram.
“I find that my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization,” the former Miss New Jersey Teen USA wrote.