Manuel was announced as a judge for the Miss Universe 2017 beauty pageant in early 2017. He was one of the six final judges who crowned Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters as Miss Universe 2017 at the event in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Manuel was selected to serve as a judge for the Miss Universe 2017 beauty contest in January 2017. He was among the six finalists who declared Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters the winner of the title at the ceremony held in Las Vegas, Nevada.