During the first two weeks of May in Miami Beach, rumors swirled around the upcoming competition. In most cases they were "spun" skillfully by Trump's publicity operatives, and many appeared to originate inside the pageant headquarters itself. Trump's alleged mistress was supposedly sighted on the beach. Trump's reported efforts to lure Cuba back into the Miss Universe fold were criticized in the Cuban exile community --- and not quite denied by pageant officials. The perpetually smiling tycoon was even linked romantically to Ms. Machado, his public adversary.

In a bizarre postscript, authorities later learned that enigmatic murder suspect Andrew Cunanan was taking up residence in Miami Beach as the Miss Universe Pageant was being held. Two months later, Cunanan, who enjoyed glamorous surroundings, would allegedly murder famed designer Gianni Versace nearby and go on to kill himself. Was he in the crowds that sought glimpses of the contestants? Was he in the audience the night Brook Lee was crowned? Of course, there are some people who will swear that they sat beside him, but we will probably never know the truth.

Alicia Machado did not want to be remembered as the Miss Universe who was overweight. And indeed, history suggests that she was partly a victim of changing tastes. Many of the early Miss Universes, while certainly beautiful, would look heavy on a pageant stage of the 1990s. Thinner women are now in vogue, and the English word "buxom," which was once a compliment to a woman's figure, is now rarely used.