Ecuador's Leyla Espinoza to wear 'SUMAQ' national costume at the 69th Miss Universe pageant


Miss Universe Ecuador 2020 Leyla Espinoza will wear the "SUMAQ" national costume at the 69th Miss Universe pageant this May in Florida, USA.

The 24-year-old international business student who hails from Quevedo, Los Rios, will compete with over 70 other contestants from around the world in the upcoming competition.

Created by Cuenca designer Andrea Segarra from the University of Azuay, the costume is inspired by "the importance of the popular festival" of the Inti Raymi or the Andean people's Fiesta del Sol (Festival of the Sun).

Ecuador has yet to win Miss Universe since its debut in 1955. The country's highest placement was second runner-up in 2013 courtesy of Constanza Báez.

Photo: Bernardo Arteaga / BAPH

Popular posts from this blog

Miss Universe Mexico 2025 is Fatima Bosch of Tabasco

Image
Fatima Bosch was crowned Miss Universe Mexico 2025 on Saturday, September 13 at Sala Placido Domingo (Conjunto Santander de Artes Escénicas) in Zapopan, Jalisco. The 24-year-old designer from Teapa, Tabasco triumphed over 30 other contestants to win the coveted national title. She will represent Mexico at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Fernanda Vázquez of Nuevo León was named first runner-up while Yoana Gutiérrez of Jalisco, Ana Ramírez of Nayarit, and Alejandra Díaz de León of San Luis Potosí were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark graced the event as special guest while former Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera from Puerto Rico was part of the panel of judges. The new Miss Universe Mexico succeeded last year's winner María Fernanda Beltrán who placed second runner-up at Miss Universe 2024 last November in Mexico City. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram ...
Read more

Miss Italia 2025 is Katia Buchicchio of Basilicata

Image
Katia Buchicchio, representing Basilicata, was crowned Miss Italy 2025 on Monday, September 15 at PalaSavelli in Porto San Giorgio. The 18-year-old dentistry student from Anzi bested 39 other contestants to win the prestigious national title. Rhythmic gymnastics coach Asia Campanelli, 19, and modern literature student Fanny Tardioli, 24, placed second and third, respectively. Alessia Pelliccioni, Arianna Garofalo, Ludovica Lombardi, Alice Petagna, and Annarosa Cascone were the rest of the Top 8 finalists. Meet the new Miss Italia: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Italia (@missitalia) Photos: Miss Italia / Instagram
Read more

Kylie Chang crowned Miss California USA 2025

Image
Miss Golden State, Kylie Chang was crowned Miss California USA 2025 on Saturday, August 10 at Grand Hyatt Indian Wells. The 20-year-old UC Berkeley student and model succeeded last year's winner Samantha Ramos. She became the first-ever East Asian woman to win Miss California USA. Jenny Ting Crawford was named first runner-up while Kaylyn Slevin, Julia Price, Annie Lu, and Sophia Bruinsma were the second, third, fourth, and fifth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss California USA, a former competitive dancer, is currently pursuing a degree in business administration at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business. "This is an absolute dream come true and I am endlessly grateful for all of my family, friends, judges, sponsors, and mentors who have believed in me and walked beside me on this journey," she shared online. "This is just the beginning, and I can't wait to see where this journey leads me next," she added. Kylie will now prepar...
Read more

Miss Universe Finland 2025 is Sarah Anjelica Dzafce

Image
Sarah Anjelica Dzafce bested nine other contestants to win Miss Suomi 2025 (Miss Universe Finland 2025) on Saturday, September 6 at Hybridiarena Hype in Espoo. The 22-yer-old fashion model and former competitive gymnast from Kuopio will represent Finland at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Tara Lehtonen and Julianna Kauhaniemi were announced as the first and second runners-up, respectively. Janette Keski-Jyrä was awarded as the crowd favorite. The new Miss Suomi was crowned by her predecessor Matilda Wirtavuori who made the Top 30 and clinched the Miss Universe Europe & Middle East title at Miss Universe 2024 last November in Mexico. "My heart is full of gratitude - to all of you who have been a part of this journey, encouraged me and believed in me. This crown is not just mine, but it belongs to all of us who dare to dream big and work for it," Sarah shared online. "I promise to give my all this year. I want to show that Miss Finland can b...
Read more

Miss America 2026 is Cassie Donegan of New York

Image
Miss New York, Cassandra Donegan, was crowned Miss America 2026 on Sunday, September 7 at the Walt Disney Theater, Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida. The 27-year-old talented singer and actress bested 51 other contestants to win the coveted national title. She succeeds Abbie Stockard of Alabama. Sadie Schiermeyer of Texas was named first runner-up while Paris Richardson of Florida, Audrey Kittila of Georgia, and Emma Terry of Alabama were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Completing the Top 11 were Kennedy Holland of Arkansas, Zoe Scheiderich of Tennessee, Maria Derisavi of Maryland, Anna Leah Jolly of Mississippi, Ariana Rodriguez of Kentucky, and Nitsaniyah Fitch of Illinois. The new Miss America was born and raised in Virginia and moved to Nashville, Tennessee to attend Belmont University to pursue her bachelor's degree in musical theater. She is currently working for childcare booking company in New York City. Apart from the crow...
Read more

Miss America 2026: Meet the 52 contestants

Image
Miss America 2026 will be held on Sunday, September 7 at the Walt Disney Theater, Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida. The preliminary competition on Wednesday, September 3 and the final show this Sunday will be streaming live from 7 p.m. EST on the Miss America official YouTube channel and on pageantvision.com . A total 52 talented and intelligent young women representing every US state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will compete for the highly coveted title of Miss America. Don't forget to cast your vote and help your favorite contestant earn a spot in the Top 11. Just head over to the Miss America official website to vote. Voting ends September 6 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Who will succeed Miss America 2025 Abbie Stockard of Alabama? Meet the contestants: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss America (@missamerica) Alabama - Emma Terry Alaska - Suparat Prasannet Arizona - Tiffany Ellington Arkansas - Kennedy Holla...
Read more

Miss Universe Italy 2025 is Lucilla Nori from Lazio

Image
Lazio's Lucilla Nori was crowned Miss Universe Italy 2025 on Sunday, August 31 at Villa Cafiero in San Ferdinando di Puglia. The 26-year-old professional model and fashion sciences graduate from Anzio triumphed over 20 other contestants to win the national title. Andrea Zanettin and Catalina Jacob were named the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Giada Folcia and Fania Sorrentino rounded out the Top 5 finalists. Completing the Top 10 were Daphne Lecca, Emma Veritti, Faddya Halabi Troisi, Serena Caredda, and Yasmine Sekrouf. The new Miss Universe Italy succeeded last year's winner Glelany Cavalcante and will now prepare to represent Italy at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Italy (@missuniverseitaly.muit) Photos: Miss Universe Italy / Instagram
Read more

Miss Universe Slovenia 2025 is Hana Klaut

Image
Hana Klaut was crowned Miss Universe Slovenia 2025 in a national competition held on Wednesday, September 3 at Odiseja in Ljubljana. The 29-year-old model and content creator from Šempeter pri Gorici will represent Slovenia at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Katalina Simonič and Saša Poklukar were announced as the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Inti Kovačić was named Miss Odiseja 2025. This year's competition marked the return of Slovenia to the Miss Universe pageant after 8-year hiatus. Its last Miss Universe participation was in 2017 with Emina Ekić. The new Miss Universe Slovenia is no stranger to pageantry. She previously joined Miss Slovenia 2022 and finished as first runner-up. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Slovenia (@missuniversesloveniaorg) Photos: Miss Universe Slovenia
Read more

South Carolina's Tess Ferm crowned Miss America's Teen 2026

Image
South Carolina's Tess Ferm bested 51 other contestants to win Miss America's Teen 2026 on Saturday, September 6 at the Walt Disney Theater, Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida. The 18-year-old student and food allergy advocate from Charleston succeeds Peyton Bolling of Arkansas. She became me the third winner from South Carolina after Taylor Fitch (2009) and Rachel Wyatt (2013). Sara DeVolld of Sara DeVolld was named first runner-up while Emma Fossum of Texas, Delaney Higgins of New Jersey, and Ashton Blake Hart of District of Columbia were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Reagan Khloe Moore of Georgia, Jasmine Wu of California, Fiona Treiber of Iowa, Allison Payton of Ohio, Mila Pearl of Oregon, and Lynzi Allen of Pennsylvania completed the Top 11 semifinalists. The newly crowned Miss America's Teen is a graduate of Porter-Gaud and is set to begin her freshman year at Furman University. She is dedicated to advocating food alle...
Read more

Miss Norway 2025 is Leonora Lysglimt-Rødland from Oslo

Image
Leonora Lysglimt-Rødland was crowned Miss Norway 2025 (Miss Universe Norway 2025) in a national competition held on Saturday, August 30 at Gateway Studios in Fornebu. The 19-year-old beauty from Oslo will represent Norway at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. She succeeds last year's winner Lilly Sødal. Julie Celin Eide was named first runner-up while Sofie Rasmussen, Abelone Smedsrud, and Chelsea Victoria Sand were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. "I am endlessly grateful for every single person who has believed in me, supported me, and lifted me higher with your love and encouragement," shared the new Miss Norway. She also wrote on social media: "I promise to give my whole heart, to perform with grace, and to shine with the strength of every woman who dares to dream. The crown is more than just a symbol—it is a responsibility. And I am ready." Leonora is a passionate advocate for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectas...
Read more