PAGEANT Circle

Dylan Palmerini from France was declared the winner of the Manhunt International 2026 competition on Wednesday, September 9, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The 21-year-old model hailing from Marseille triumphed over more than 30 other contestants, achieving a remarkable back-to-back victory for his nation. He is now the third French winner of Manhunt International, following Adonis Renaud (2025) and Fabrice Bertrand Wattez (2002). Nipun Singh from India secured the title of first runner-up, while Lucas Díaz from Puerto Rico, Samuel Ayeloja from Nigeria, and Tran Tien Dung from Vietnam were named the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The remaining Top 10 included Isanka Pramuditha from Sri Lanka (6th), Leandro Mendoza from the Dominican Republic (7th), Darío Meroño from Spain (8th), William Sin Kyu from Korea (9th), and Osdany Garcia from Cuba (10th). The Top 20 was rounded out by contestants from Canada, Indonesia, Italy, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Philippines, Singapore, South ...

Veera Grönlund, a 30-year-old from Helsinki, was crowned Miss Suomi 2026 (Miss Finland 2026) on Saturday, September 5, at Hybridiarena Hype in Espoo. The passionate animal advocate and aspiring veterinarian will represent Finland at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in Puerto Rico this coming November. Aleksandra Sofia Hannusaari, 22, from Tampere, and Sofia Singh, 30, from Helsinki, were awarded the titles of first and second runners-up, respectively. The newly crowned Miss Finland takes over from Tara Lehtonen, last year's first runner-up, who assumed the title after the previous winner, Sarah Dzafce, was dethroned due to a racism scandal. "Yesterday, one of my biggest goals became reality and I was crowned Miss Finland 2026. I entered this competition to look for the brightest crown and I gave it my all until the end," Veera shared online the day after the competition. "As Miss Finland, I will boldly stand behind my values: courage, responsibility and justice. I will...

The 99th Miss America pageant (Miss America 2027) was held on Sunday, September 6 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. Regan Hutsell, a 25-year-old dancer from Texas, bested 51 other contestants to win the crown. She also bagged the preliminary awards for talent and fitness. Shelby Bordelon was named first runner-up while Kate Dimmett of Illinois, Sharlize True Trujillo of California, and Evelyn Smith of District of Columbia were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The contestants from Hawaii, Carly Yoshida, Iowa, McKenzie Kerry, Mississippi, Jane Granberry, New York, Madison Oh, South Carolina, Lindsay Jones, and Utah, Erika Dalton made the Top 11 semifinalists. The national pageant was hosted by country music singer Billy Gilman alongside journalist Jen Hale. Last year's winner Cassie Donegan of New York crowned her successor at the end of the event. The new Miss America was born in Houston, Texas, and trained at Feijoo Balle...

Giada Folcia bested 20 other contestants to win Miss Universe Italy 2026 last Sunday, August 30 at Villa Cafiero a San Ferdinando di Puglia. The 36-year-old Lombardi-born model, originally from Monza, will represent Italy at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico this November. She succeeds last year's winner Lucilla Nori. Victoria Masprone and Fania Sorrentino were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Natalia Mandryk and Antonietta Fragasso rounded out the Top 5 finalists. Completing the Top 10 were Michelle Barone, Ariadna Muro Dian, Sara Schina, Naomi Zaccaria, and Clarissa Aurora Acanfora. The new Miss Universe Italy is no stranger to pageantry. She has previously placed first runner-up at the national pageant in 2024 and returned as finalist in 2025. "I'm feeling incredibly happy and grateful for all the love I've received, for everyone who shared these special moments with me and, of course, to [Miss Universe Italy] for believing in me and for the trus...

Joheirry Mola Dominguez from the Dominican Republic bested 110 other contestants to win Miss World 2026 on Saturday, September in Nha Trang, Vietnam. The 24-year-old model, teacher, news correspondent and advocate received the coveted crown and sash from her predecessor Opal Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand. She became the second woman from the Dominican Republic to become Miss World next to Mariasela Álvarez who won in 1982. Elisabeth Reynés of Spain and Taanusiya Chetty of Malaysia were announced the second and third placers, respectively. The contestants from Eritrea, Snit Tewoldemedhin, South Africa, Romanda Hombir, and Vietnam, Bao Ngoc Le Nguyen rounded out the Top 6 finalists. Completing the Top 12 were Gabriela Botelho of Brazil, Indira Ampiot of France, Tamunosoye Karibi George of Nigeria, Asia Rose Simpson of the Philippines, Adah Mushibi of Zambia, and Brunette Makanyiso of Zimbabwe. The new Miss World holds a degree in business management and administration from the...

Tanzania, renowned for Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, and the Serengeti, has been officially designated as the host nation for Miss World 2027. This big announcement was revealed during the final show of Miss World 2026 on Saturday, September 5, in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Located in East Africa, Tanzania is celebrated for its expansive wilderness regions. These encompass the Serengeti National Park's plains, a renowned safari destination teeming with the 'big five' game (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino). The country is also the location of Kilimanjaro National Park, where Africa's highest peak Mount Kilimanjaro can be found. The tropical islands of Zanzibar, influenced by Arabic culture, lie offshore, while Mafia boasts a marine park that is home to whale sharks and vibrant coral reefs. More than 100 contestants from around the world will converge in Tanzania to vie for the prestigious title currently held by the newly crowned Miss World 2026, Joheirry Mola from the Dominic...

Following weeks of rigorous pre-pageant events and competitive challenges, the 73rd Miss World pageant will reach its grand finale on Saturday, September 5, in Nha Trang, Vietnam. A remarkable 111 contestants from around the world will come together on stage to vie for the prestigious crown, which is currently held by the reigning Miss World, Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand. Who will be crowned Miss World 2026? Meet our Top 15 final favorites: (in alphabetical order) Bolivia - Vanessa Kraljevic Brazil - Gabriela Botelho Chile - Ignacia Fernández Czech Republic - Linda Górecká Denmark -  Josephine Bøttger Dominican Republic - Joheirry Mola Eritrea - Snit Tewoldemedhin France -  Indira Ampiot India -  Nikita Porwal Malaysia - Taanusiya Chetty Nigeria - Tamunosoye Karibi-George Philippines - Asia Rose Simpson Spain - Elisabeth Reynés Venezuela - Mística Núñez Vietnam - Bao Ngoc Le Nguyen Special mentions: Belgium, Botswa...

María Vargas of Jalisco beat over 30 other contestants to win Miss Universe Mexico 2026 on Saturday, August 29 at Tierra Sagrada in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur. The 28-year-old model and businesswoman from Guadalajara will represent Mexico at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico this November. Mariana Macías of Michoacán finished as first runner-up while Fernanda Abaroa of Guerrero, Génesis Vera of Veracruz, and Ximena Ochoa of Ciudad de México placed second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The contestants from Colima, María Zepeda, Morelos, Zayda Ríos, Nuevo León, Arisbe Cueto, Oaxaca, Estefany Luna, and Tabasco, Ximena Aranda were the Top 10 finalists. Top 16 semifinalists were from Baja California, Samantha Bastidas, Baja California Sur, Zelene Zazueta, Durango, Isela Hernández, Guanajuato, Cristina Muñoz, Sinaloa, Cristina Guillén, and Yucatán, Carla Osorio. Miss Universe 2025 beauties Lina Luaces from Cuba and Inna Moll from Chile were among the distinguished judges of...

Justus Kelley of Virginia edged out 50 other contestants to win Miss USA 2026 on Thursday, August 27 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida. The 31-year-old senior philanthropic advisor and model also bagged the Best in Swimsuit award. She was crowned by her predecessor Audrey Eckert of Nebraska. Aileen Cerchiara of Florida was named first runner-up while Elizabeth Voight of Pennsylvania, Madeline Erickson of Iowa, and Alayzia Christopher of Utah were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The rest of the Top 10 finalists were the contestants from Colorado, Jordyn Owen, Connecticut, Jaeden Hamelly, Nebraska, Emily Lenser, Nevada, Natalie Bode, and New York, Jenna Dykstra. Completing the Top 20 were from Arizona, Kaitlyn Humphrey, California, Acacia McBride, Indiana, Eniolá Oke, Kansas, Madilynn Becker, Kentucky, Brijet Finister, Louisiana, Ella Clark, Minnesota, Rachel Betterley, Montana, Lisbeth Fernández, New Mexico, Cara Rgnonti, and ...