PAGEANT Circle

Turks and Caicos, a British Overseas Territory southeast of the Bahamas, is set to return to the Miss Universe pageant after a 10-year hiatus. Former Miss Universe Haiti, Haitian-Canadian model Gabriela Clesca Vallejo was revealed as the national director for Miss Universe Turks and Caicos last April. The Miss Universe Turks and Caicos 2024 coronation will be held this Friday, July 26 at the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex in Kew Town, Providenciales. Miss Universe 2023 from Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios, will attend the event as a special guest. This is the first time in history that a reigning Miss Universe has visited the islands for the national pageant. Eight contestants, Tinell Garland, Selena Grant, Renelle Smith, Raynae Myers, Erline Dorastin, Elisha Abigail Martinez, Bereniece Dickenson, and Alejandra Parnell, will compete for the crown. Turks and Caicos last joined Miss Universe in 2014 with Shanice Williams. The next Miss Universe Turks and Caicos will go on to represent

Kaya Chakrabortty bested over 30 other contestants to win Miss Universe Japan 2024 during the national competition held on Thursday, July 25 in Tokyo. The 22-year-old Japanese-Bangladeshi from Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture will represent Japan at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. She succeeds last year's winner Rio Miyazaki. Naomi Kamidate, Yukie Yamaguchi, Honoka Shimamori, and Chika Mizuno were the Top 5 finalists. Completing the Top 11 were Erina Hanawa, Misaki Komori, Nanami Hagiwara, Mami Miyamaru, Hana Yanagi, and Mai Amano. The new Miss Universe Japan is a figure skating champion and a certified paramedic. She graduated from Michigan State University with a double major in human biology and neuroscience. Her mother is Japanese and her father is of Bangladeshi and Indian descent. "I strive to create a world where a single piece of education can be the decisive factor between life and death, and regardless of background, one’s ability to save a life remains with

Law graduate Ivana Trisic Relic bested seven other finalists consisting of former queens to win the Miss Universe Serbia 2024 all stars edition. The 30-year-old who works as a model and TV host from Belgrade will represent Serbia at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Katarina Munjic and Jelena Njegovan were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Nevena Tomic and Andjela Vanevski rounded out the Top 5 finalists. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Serbia is a former Miss Serbia (Miss World Serbia). She competed in the 68th Miss World edition in Sanya, China. Serbia is one of the countries returning to the Miss Universe pageant this year following an 8-year hiatus. Its last participation was in Miss Universe 2015 with Dasa Radosavljevic. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Serbia (@missuniverse_serbia) Photo: Mladen Nadj, Miss Universe Serbia / Instagram

The Top 16 finalists vying for the title of Miss Earth Thailand 2024 have been officially revealed earlier this week. Headed by Miss Earth Thailand national director Dr. Sirikan Onsonkran, a panel of judges consisting of beauty pageant gurus and influencers in an audition round held in Bangkok. This year's national final will be held on August 18 at the InterContinental Bangkok and will be broadcast live on Thai TV Channel ONE31. The winner of the upcoming competition, to be crowned by reigning Miss Earth Thailand and Miss Earth Fire 2023 Cora Bliault, will represent "The Land of Smiles" at Miss Earth 2024. Who will be the next Miss Earth Thailand? Meet the Top 16 finalists: View this post on Instagram A post shared by MISS EARTH THAILAND OFFICIAL (@missearththailand) MET01 - Wantira Prompraphan  MET02 - Kornkanok Poolkwan MET03 - Kirana Srathongklum MET04 - Emmalyn Phichayaamorn MET05 - Kanchanok Puttharakchat MET06 - Vichayada Chathirarat MET07 - Ra

Luma Naomi Shigemitsu was crowned Miss Grand Japan 2024 in a national competition held on Saturday, July 20 at the New Pier Hall in Tokyo. The 21-year-old model from Aichi was also awarded Best in Evening Gown. She will represent Japan this October at Miss Grand International 2024 whose venue has yet to be announced. Erika Ishibashi was named first runner-up while Anna Hayakawa, Sayo Nodake, and Miho Ogawa were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Rounding out the Top 8 finalists were Yukako Sakata, Mao Eguchi, and Shiori Sato. The new Miss Grand Japan succeeds Yayoi Machida, last year's winner who bagged the Best in National Costume award at the Miss Grand International 2023 pageant in  Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Road to the 12th Miss Grand International: View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐉𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐍 (@missgrandjapan) Photos: H. Shima, Miss Grand Japan / Instagram

Shuntell Ezomo was crowned Miss Earth Nigeria 2024 during the national competition held on Sunday, July 21 at the Palacio Event Centre in Port Harcourt, River State. The 25-year-old model, media personality and YouTuber from Edo State will represent Nigeria at the Miss Earth 2024 pageant. She succeeds last year's titleholder Shelly Usman. Igbele Blessing of Delta, Cynthia Penelope of Enugu, Favour James of Abuja, and Mary Agioboh of AkwaIbom were crowned Miss Earth Nigeria Air, Water, Fire and Eco-Tourism, respectively. The 24th Miss Earth competition is expected to be held in Southeast Asia. The Miss Earth organization has yet to officially announce its final date and venue. Nigeria debuted at Miss Earth in 2002 and has yet to win the crown. The country's highest placement was Top 10 in 2019 with Modupe Susan Garland. Meet the new Miss Earth Nigeria: View this post on Instagram A post shared by MISS EARTH NIGERIA (@missearthnigeriaofficial) Photos: Miss Ea

Ashley Brown, representing the province of Noord-Holland, was crowned Miss Grand Netherlands 2024 on Sunday, July 21 at the Event Centre Vinkeveen. The 20-year-old singer and songwriter beat 13 other contestants to win the national title. She will represent the Netherlands at Miss Grand International 2024 this October. Josephine Onderdonk was announced the first runner-up while Niamh Marjorine Wekhoven, Katiana Loukisas and Michelle van der Stoep were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Grand Netherlands succeeds Melissa Bottema, last year's winner who made the Top 10 at Miss Grand International 2023 competition held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Road to the 12th Miss Grand International: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Grand Netherlands | 12 Months of Beauty (@miss_grand_netherlands) Photos: Johnny Ten Have, Miss Grand Netherlands / Instagram

Nathalie Díaz is the newly crowned Miss Earth Spain 2024 and will represent her country at the Miss Earth 2024 pageant. She succeeds last year's winner Edurne Fernández. Her elemental court consists of first runner-up Paula Pérez (Miss Earth Air), second runner-up Jheimy Piña (Miss Earth Water), and third runner-up Frangelis Rivero (Miss Earth Fire). The new Miss Earth Spain is 25 years old and hails from the beautiful city of Almería. She works as a professional personal development coach and dedicates her life to helping others reach their full potential. Nathalie studies psychology, deepening her knowledge to provide more solid and grounded support to those seeking growth and transformation. The 24th Miss Earth competition is expected to be held in Southeast Asia. Its final date and venue are yet to be officially announced. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Earth Spain Offcial (@missearthspainofficial) Photos: Miss Earth Spain / Instagram

Prisca Anyolo was crowned Miss Namibia 2024 in a glittering competition held on Saturday, July 20 in the historic town of Lüderitz. The 28-year-old award-winning journalist and television presenter from Windhoek bested nine other finalists to win the coveted national title. She succeeds Jameela Uiras, last year's winner who made the Top 20 at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador last November. Lenna Mugena and Georgia Garises were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Jodie-Lee Barnard and Naomi Kamenye rounded out the Top 5 finalists. The winners of this year's Miss Namibia pageant are expected to represent their country at Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss Earth pageants. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Namibia (@missnamibia) Photos: Keen Studios, Miss Namibia / Instagram