Behind the Dress

The story

Every year women apply to compete in Miss Universe, subjecting themselves to being judged on their looks, dress, poise, and presentation. Through unprecedented access and first-hand accounts, filmmaker and former Miss Universe Canada Elena Semikina takes us beyond the stereotypes and clichés, showing the pageant as a vehicle for empowering women, humanitarian outreach, and for one contestant - even social reform. Miss Universe Canada drew world-headlines after Jenna Talackova was denied the right to compete for not being a 'naturally born female'. Donald Trump revised the Miss Universe rulebook and Jenna became the first transgender woman to compete in any Miss Universe pageant. Behind The Dress introduces us to the contestants of Miss Universe Canada who are more than fighting for a crown, these are women on a mission, not for a prize, but for a voice.

Cast

G Gino Berti C Chelsea Bird O Olivia Culpo D Denis Davila M Mandi Gale M Margaret Gardiner D Denise Garrido M Marta Jablonska C Cäsar Jacobson B Brianne Kidner A Alena Konovalova J Jennifer Levi

See more cast

A Andrew Lopez S Signa Love J John Joseph Mastandrea M Maria Nahri K Kesiah Papasin D Dajana Radovanovic A Ali Sarchuk E Elena Semikina P Paula Shugart M Majd Soudi K Katie Starke J Jenna Talackova D Donald Trump A Alina Tsymbalarou C Christine Adela White A Adwoa Yamoah