A hot topic in pop culture since Miss Kansas came on the scene in 2013 has been beauty pageants and tattoos. Miss Kansas, aka Sgt. Theresa Vail, competed in the Miss America Pageant with exposed tattoos on her right torso and left shoulder, but what about Miss Universe? In a September 2013 interview, Vail told People of her reasoning for exposing her tattoos. “My whole platform is empowering women to overcome stereotypes and break barriers," she said. "What a hypocrite I would be if I covered my ink. How can I tell other women to be fearless and true to themselves if I can't do the same? I am who I am, tattoos and all." While many, including myself, were inspired by Vail’s message, CNN reported that others like Donald Trump, the previous owner of the Miss America Organization, weren’t so fond of the ink. Vail went on to prove her doubters wrong and made it into the top 10 of the Miss America pageant as well as helping open doors for future contestants.

Shortly after Vail’s brave tattoo-exposed bikini walk, Miss Spain 2014 Desire Cordero was the first ever Miss Universe pageant contestant to expose a tattoo on stage. When the swimsuit portion of the pageant came around, Cordero strutted her stuff in a bright pink bikini and exposed a small tat on her upper right thigh. Cordero proved that being true to yourself can only help you in the pageant circuit as she landed a spot in the top 10 of the event.

While tattoos may not be the most traditional accessory on the pageant circuit, women like Vail and Cordero are paving the way for these individualistic art pieces. Scroll down to see the tattoos of these pageantry trailblazers.

1. Miss Kansas 2013, Sgt. Theresa Vail

Theresa Vail shows off her tattoos in the swimsuit round of the Miss America Pageant.

Here is a close-up of Vail's ink at the competition. Pictured above is the Serenity Prayer on her right torso, and on her left shoulder. Vail also has a tattoo of the U.S. Army Dental Corps Insignia.

2. Miss Spain 2014, Desire Cordero

Cordero competed in the Miss Universe pageant with a small exposed tattoo on her upper right thigh.

Here is a clearer picture of her art piece.

While it doesn't look like any 2015 Miss Universe contestants have tattoos, here's hoping someone surprises us tonight.

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