Paula Shugart advises delegates of the 69th Miss Universe pageant 'make the most of it'

Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart has shared some valuable advice to the 69th Miss Universe delegates during a special dinner event she had with them.

Paula said she's always excited about Miss Universe and never thought the day would come for the 69th edition to push through this month. She also thanked the delegates for making it to the competition despite the challenges.

"I want you all to realize your worth, you deserve to be here, but more than these 10 days, i want you to take it and make the most of it. Take into your life and realize you can do whatever you want," she told them.

"You do not to be Miss Universe to do whatever you want. You just need to be you and you need to believe in yourself," she added.

"There are a million reasons for you to say I cannot do something. All you need is one good reason to say I can."

The 69th Miss Universe pageant will air live from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on Sunday, May 16 at 8 p.m. ET.

Photo: Anshika Sharma / Instagram

Popular posts from this blog

Miss Universe Guadeloupe 2025 is Ophély Mézino

Image
Former Miss World France Ophély Mézino was crowned Miss Universe Guadeloupe 2025 in a special coronation ceremony held on Saturday, July 12. The 26-year-old model succeeds last year's titleholder Coraly Desplan and will now prepare to represent Guadeloupe at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Ornella Millitie was named first runner-up while Océane Millitie, Judith Brumant-Lachoua, and Madly Marian were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Guadeloupe is no stranger to pageantry, having won Miss Guadeloupe 2018 and went on to win first runner-up at Miss France 2019. Ophély then represented France at the 69th Miss World competition in London and placed second among 111 contestants. She was also awarded the continental title of Miss World Europe. In a recent post on social media, she wrote: "Six years spent growing in other ways. Creating, learning, falling, rising." "Today, I choose to return to where it al...
Read more

Miss Universe Guatemala 2025 is Raschel Alexandra Paz Archila

Image
Raschel Alexandra Paz Archila, representing Ciudad Capital, was crowned Miss Universe Guatemala 2025 in a national competition held on Saturday, July 12 in the city of Quetzaltenango. The 24-year-old model will now prepare to represent Guatemala at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. She succeeds last year's winner Ana Gabriela Villanueva. Sara Guerrero was named first runner-up while Dayana Lemus, Dulce Matheu, Ana Lam, and Nataly Morales were the second, third, fourth, and fifth runners-up, respectively. A total of 24 contestants competed for the crown. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark graced the event as a special guest. The new Miss Universe Guatemala holds a degree in political science and international relations. She is fluent in Spanish, English, and German. Raschel is no stranger to pageantry. She previously represented her country at Miss Grand International 2023 which was held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Ro...
Read more

Miss Universe Japan 2025 is Kaori Hashimoto from Tochigi Prefecture

Image
Kaori Hashimoto was crowned Miss Universe Japan 2025 in a national competition held on Wednesday, July 16 in Shibuya. The 21-year-old business administration student from Tochigi Prefecture beat over 40 other contestants to win the national title. Saki Fujita and Reina Ishii were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Chiemi Takayama and Naomi Monique Kamidate were the rest of the Top 5 finalists. Kaya Chakrabortty, last year's winner who made the Top 30 at Miss Universe 2024 held in Mexico, crowned her successor at the end of the event. The new Miss Universe Japan will now prepare to represent Japan at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Japan Official (@missuniversejapan) Photos: Marai Ken / Miss Universe Japan
Read more

Miss Universe Guatemala 2025: Meet the contestants

Image
Miss Universe Guatemala 2025 recently kicked off in Guatemala City with the official presentation of the 24 contestants vying for the crown. The national final will be held this July in Quetzaltenango where the reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark is expected to visit as a special guest. Last year's winner Ana Gabriela Villanueva will be crowning her successor who will represent Guatemala at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Anna Gabriela has participated in Miss Universe 2024 last November in Mexico and triumphed as one of the gold winners for the pageant's "Voice for Change" competition. Who will become the next Miss Universe Guatemala? Here are the contestants: La Antigua Guatemala - Andrea Daniela Morales López Baja Verapaz - Sara Veralucia Guerrero Chavarría Chimaltenango - Zoila Gabriela Rodríguez Bustamante Chiquimula - Marcela Alejandra Segura Velazco Ciudad Capital - Raschel Alexandra Paz Archila Guatemala Ce...
Read more

Miss Universe Albania 2025 is Flavia Harizaj

Image
Flavia Harizaj was crowned Miss Universe Albania 2025 in a national competition held last Sunday, June 29 at Pallati i Kongreseve (Palace of Congresses) in Tirana. The 25-year-old finance graduate from the beautiful city of Fier will represent Albania at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. She succeeds last year's winner Franceska Rustem. "I still can't believe it. I still have a lot of emotions that do not let me put in a line all the words I want to say," shared the new Miss Universe Albania. "Yesterday evening was the culmination of a long road, with sacrifices, tears, smiles and a lot of work. It was the realization of a dream that has lived inside me for years," she added. Besides economics and financial management, Flavia is also passionate about travelling, learning new things and staying active as she believes that real development comes when we nourish our mind and soul simultaneously. "I'm here to give my best, to inspire every g...
Read more

Miss Earth USA 2025 is Haley Poe from Pennsylvania

Image
Haley Poe, a pre-medical student from Erie, Pennsylvania was proclaimed Miss Earth USA 2025 on July 6 at the Hamilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. The 22-year-old, who is also a trained classical ballet dancer, will represent the USA at the Miss Earth 2025 pageant whose date and venue have yet to be announced. Top 5 finalists Sydney Hella, Madison Nero, Ta’ya Hazelwood, and Kiara Landon were respectively awarded the titles Miss Earth USA Air, Water, Fire, and Eco. Reigning Miss Earth Jessica Lane from Australia attended the national competition as a special guest. The new Miss Earth USA was crowned her predecessor Bea Millan-Windorski, who made the Top 4 at Miss Earth 2024 in the Philippines. Haley holds a bachelor's degree in biology and plans to become a doctor someday. Besides healthcare, she is also passionate about the environment. Her founded Microplastic Awareness Project aims to combat microplastic pollution through cleanup, plastic reduction, and policy change. Road to ...
Read more

Miss Universe New Zealand 2025 is Abbigail Sturgin

Image
Lao-Kiwi Abbigail Sturgin was crowned Miss Universe New Zealand 2025 on Tuesday, June 24 at the SkyCity Theatre in Auckland. The 28-year-old police officer succeeds last year's winner Victoria Velasquez Vincent and will represent New Zealand at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Hannah Cross was named first runner-up while Noor Randhawa, Gazelle Garcia, and Deborah Lambie were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Zealand is a former Miss Earth New Zealand winner. She participated in the Miss Earth 2017 pageant in the Philippines. "I still cannot believe this is real. This journey did not come easy and if you've known me for a long time, you'll know how much I've wanted this," she wrote online. "Thank you to my friends and family. Without you, there wouldn't be a me. There wouldn’t be an Abby who can confidently hold herself with grace and poise," she added. She also sha...
Read more

Miss Universe Czech Republic 2025 is Michaela Tomanová

Image
Michaela Tomanová was crowned Miss Universe Czech Republic 2025 (Miss Universe Czechia) on Wednesday, June 25 at Chateau de Frontiere in Hlohovec. The 27-year-old mother, model and scientist from Prague will represent the Czech Republic at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Completing the Top 4 finalists were Eva Brožková, Petra Šafránková, and Sarah Duong Vu Thi Thuy. The new Miss Universe Czech Republic became the first national winner under the directorship of fashion designer Sam Dolce. Michaela is a proud mom to a 14-month-old daughter and an advocate for HIV awareness. She entered the competition with a vision to unite science, advocacy, and public voice. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by MISS UNIVERSE ČESKO (@missuniverseczechia) Photos: Eva Výsmeková, Miss Universe Česko / Instagram
Read more

Miss Universe Netherlands 2025 is Nathalie Yasmin Mogbelzada

Image
Nathalie Yasmin Mogbelzada, representing Noord-Holland, was proclaimed the winner of Miss Universe Netherlands 2025 on Saturday, July 5 at Studio 21 in Hilversum. The 28-year-old beauty from Amsterdam was crowned by her predecessor  Faith Landman and will now prepare to represent the Netherlands at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Jaelin Amaris Ramadhin of Zuid-Holland was named first runner-up while Milenka Janssen of Midden-Holland, Shashinduska Nazir of Dutch Caribbean, and anne Koerhuis of Overijssel were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Netherlands is no stranger to pageantry, having joined the national competition in 2023 and placed first runner-up. Nathalie previously held the title of Miss International Netherlands 2017 and competed in the 57th Miss International pageant in Tokyo, Japan. She has also participated in Miss Supranational 2019 where made the Top 25 and Miss Grand International 2022 where she finished in...
Read more

Miss Universe Malta 2025 is Julia Ann Cluett

Image
Julia Ann Cluett, representing Floriana, was crowned Miss Universe Malta 2025 on Thursday, July 3 at Hilton Malta in St Julian's. She edged out 16 other contestants to win the national title. The 27-year-old HR and office coordinator will now prepare to represent Malta at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. She succeeds last year's winner Beatrice Njoya. Katya Friggieri of Santa Lucija was named first runner-up while Christine Camilleri of Mosta, Karly May Naudi of Sliema, and Angelica Camilleri of St Julian's were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Malta, who is also a model working on social media, holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Malta and a postgraduate diploma in education. She is no stranger to pageantry, having joined the national competition in 2023 and placed first runner-up. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Uni...
Read more