Miss Universe 2002

Contestants from 75 countries and territories were selected to compete in the pageant. One candidate was appointed to her position to replace the original dethroned winner.

Lorena Ayala, the winner of Miss España 2001 pageant, cut all ties with the Miss España organization and lost the right to representing Spain in any international pageant after a threat of lawsuit against the Miss España Organization by her family due to breaching her contract with the organization. Ayala was replaced with the new Miss España 2002, Vania Millán by the request of the Miss Universe Organization.[4][5]

The 2002 edition saw the debuts of Albania and China, and the returns of Kenya who last competed in 1995, Guyana who last competed in 1999, and Australia Mauritius and Namibia who last competed in 2000. Karen Russell of Belize and Yana Booth of Great Britain withdrew due to a change of the local franchise holder.[6][7] Christina Sawaya, Miss Lebanon 2001, withdrew because she supported the Second Intifada and stated that she couldn't compete with Miss Israel 2002, Yamit Har-Noy at the pageant.[8] Euwonka Selver of the Turks and Caicos Islands was dethroned a few weeks before leaving for the pageant and the organization didn't replace her. Shirley Yeung of Hong Kong, Loredana Zammit of Malta, and Gabriela Riquelme of Paraguay withdrew after their respective organizations lost their lincenses. Hong Kong began sending their candidates to Miss China in 2003. Argentina, Barbados, Botswana, New Zealand, and Taiwan withdrew after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate.

• Ethan Zohn – American television personality[1]
• Marshall Faulk – American football player[1]
• Tyrese Gibson – American singer, actor, and model[1]
• Nicole Miller – American fashion designer and businesswoman[1]
• Gena Lee Nolin – American actress and model[1]