Former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen wins Champions of Change Awards 2020


Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen has won a national award on Friday, April 16 for her contribution to social welfare and women empowerment.

Founded in 2011, the Champions of Change is an Indian award for promoting Gandhian values (Swachata), community service, and social development.

The beauty queen-turned-actress dedicated the award to Indian women whom she called the "nation's strongest backbone."

"Let’s continue to take small steps & big changes will follow," she wrote on social media.

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has also acknowledged her achievement in a post on its official page to which she replied: "Life comes a full circle! Thank you [Miss Universe]. I cherish the journey that began with you at 18."

Sushmita won the Femina Miss India 1994 pageant and went on to represent India at Miss Universe 1994 in Manila, Philippines. She bested 76 other beauties to become her country's first Miss Universe winner at the age of 18.

Photo: Sushmita Sen / Instagram

Popular posts from this blog

Mexico's Andrés Briseño wins Mister International 2026

Image
The 18th Mister International pageant wrapped up with an electrifying final show on Saturday, September 26 at MCC Hall Bangkapi in Bangkok, Thailand. Andrés Briseño, a 21-year-old athlete and law student from Mexico, was proclaimed Mister International 2026. This remarkable achievement marks a historic moment as he becomes the first Mexican ever to claim this prestigious title. Ignacio Monclus of Spain was named first runner-up, while Indonesia's Gede Aiswarya Kartika, Turkey's Doğukan Navdar, Vietnam's Nguyen Vu Linh, and Sri Lanka's Ravindu Wijesooriya secured the second, third, fourth, and fifth runner-up positions respectively. Rounding out the Top 10 were impressive competitors from Nigeria (Abure Ebosetale), the Philippines (John Wayne Alba), Korea (Jung Gyu Park), and Thailand (Waranyu Tharasiriwattanakul). The rest of the Top 20 were from Australia (Dylan Mahoney), Canada (Maverick Service), Iraq (Mustafa Bayati), the Netherlands (Yannick Tavernier), Northern Cy...
Read more

Miss Universe Mexico 2026 is María Vargas of Jalisco

Image
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...
Read more

Who will win Mister International 2026? Pageant details and where to vote

Image
Mister International 2026, the 18th Mister International pageant, is currently taking place in Thailand with 52 contestants from across the globe competing for the coveted title. Making their inaugural appearances this year are Cabo Verde, Iraq, Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and Tajikistan. Among the returning countries are Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Honduras, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, and the USA. The much-awaited final competition is scheduled for Saturday, September 26 at MCC Hall in Bangkok. Secure your tickets for the ultimate showdown right here . Reigning Mister International Kirk Bondad of the Philippines will pass on his title following the conclusion of the competition. Fans can vote via Eventista to support their favorite contestants in the categories of Mister Photogenic, Mister Influencer, and Mister People's Choice. Contestants receiving the most votes in each category will advance ...
Read more

Mister International titleholders from 2006-2026

Image
The Mister International pageant, a celebrated event in the world of male beauty, was established in 2006 in Singapore by Alan Sim, its original president and founder. After the unfortunate passing of Sim, the pageant relocated its headquarters to Bangkok, Thailand, where it is now guided by the current president, Pradit Pradinunt. In a significant change starting in 2023, the Mister International organization opened its doors to fathers, married men, and divorced men aged 18-33, allowing a broader range of contestants to participate. The annual Mister International competition is recognized as one of the premier male beauty pageants in the world. Meet the titleholders from 2006-2026: 2006: Lebanon - Wissam Hanna 2007: Brazil - Alan Bianco Martini 2008: Vietnam - Ngo Tien Doan 2009: Bolivia - Bruno Kettels 2010: Great Britain - Ryan Terry 2011: Brazil - César Curti 2012: Lebanon - Ali Hammoud (resigned) 2013: Venezuela - José Anmer Paredes 2014: Philippines - Neil Perez 2015: ...
Read more

Miss Universe Tanzania 2026 is Queen Elizabeth Makune

Image
Queen Elizabeth Makune was crowned Miss Universe Tanzania 2026 last Sunday, September 20 at Haddy Pro Hall, Mbezi Beach, Dar es Salaam. The 30-year-old public servant and health advocate from Mwanza beat over 20 other contestants to win the national pageant. She succeeds last year's winner Naisae Yona and will now prepare to represent Tanzania at the 75th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2026) in Puerto Rico this November. The runners-up Merikaii Wavii (first), Sandra Giovinazzo (second), Melinda Enock (third), and Mariam Cosmas (fourth) were respectively awarded the titles Miss Supranational, Miss Charm, Miss Face of Humanity and Miss Aura Tanzania titles. The new Miss Universe Tanzania is not a stranger to beauty pageants. She is a former Miss Tanzania (Miss World Tanzania) winner who participated in Miss World 2018 in Sanya, China. "Sometimes, you only understand the journey when you look back and see how every chapter prepared you for the next. In 2018, I wore the crown as Mis...
Read more

Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 is Danielle Adewisi

Image
Danielle Adewisi, a medical doctor and advocate for women's health, was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 on Sunday, September 27 in Lagos. Following in the legacy of her mother Tonia Okogbenin, who won the same title in 1991, she is now gearing up to showcase Nigeria's pride at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico this coming November. Anita Osikhena, Myya Jones, Oluwafunmibi Ajaja, and Melissa Toghanro were announced as the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Nigeria is no stranger to pageantry, having previously competed in Miss Universe Great Britain in 2023 where she reached the Top 5. "As a medical doctor and the founder of my women's health charity, Scrub The Stigma, I have dedicated my life to improving access to healthcare and education for women and girls," she wrote online. "Now, I hope to amplify this impact while proudly representing Nigeria with that same purpose," she continued. Road to the 75th M...
Read more

Regan Hutsell of Texas is the new Miss America

Image
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...
Read more

Miss Universe Hong Kong 2026 is Jennifer Kraft Zhou

Image
Jennifer Kraft Zhou was crowned the winner of the Miss Universe Hong Kong 2026 pageant on Friday, September 18 at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. The 27-year-old content creator surpassed 14 other contestants to secure the title. She received her crown from her predecessor, last year's champion Lizzie Li. Alexis Leung and Angeline Leung earned the positions of first and second runners-up, respectively. Melanie Siu and Kevina Kwong completed the Top 5 finalists. The newly crowned Miss Universe Hong Kong will compete for Hong Kong at the 75th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2026) competition in Puerto Rico this November. "I won. I'm very thankful for all your support. It's very emotional,," Jennifer expressed on social media, extending her gratitude to her dedicated online community as well as her family and friends for standing by her. Photo: Miss Universe Hong Kong
Read more

Miss Universe Vietnam 2026 is Nguyen Quynh Anh from Hanoi

Image
Nguyen Quynh Anh was crowned Miss Universe Vietnam 2026 on Friday, October 2 at The Opera in Hai Phong. She takes over the crown from the previous year's reigning queen, Nguyen Huong Giang. The 27-year-old model hailing from Hanoi will now prepare to represent Vietnam at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant, which will take place in Puerto Rico this November. Trinh My Anh and Emma Maria Fernandez Le were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Trinh Thi Hong Dang and Nguyen Dieu Huyen rounded out the Top 5 finalists. The new Miss Universe Vietnam is no stranger pageantry, having previously joined the national pageant in 2024 and finished as first runner-up. Her background also includes a runner-up finish at The Face Vietnam 2018 and another runner-up placement at Supermodel Me 2021. Road to the 75th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Vietnam - Official Account (@missuniversevietnam.official) Photos: Kieng Can Team /...
Read more