Reigning Miss Universe Andrea Meza visits holy sites in Israel


The reigning Miss Universe from Mexico, Andrea Meza, toured around Israel ahead of the upcoming 70th Miss Universe competition to be held in the country this December. Her itinerary included a visit to holy sites in Jerusalem's Old City on Wednesday, November 17.

Amid boycott calls and pressures on contestants, Israel pushes through its historic hosting of the Miss Universe pageant in Eilat. Over 70 beauties from around the world will soon arrive to compete for the prestigious title.

According to Andrea, the pageant shouldn’t be politicized. The Mexican beauty will relinquish her crown on December 12 in the southern Israeli resort city.

"Everyone with different beliefs, with different backgrounds, with different cultures, they all come together and when you are in there you forget about politics, about your religion," she told the press.


Photos: Gilad Tidhar Photography / Miss Universe

Popular posts from this blog

FAVORITES: Miss World 2026 FINAL Top 15 favorites

Image
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...
Read more

Miss World 2026 is Joheirry Mola from the Dominican Republic

Image
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...
Read more

Miss Universe Italy 2026 is Giada Folcia

Image
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...
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 World 2026: Meet the winners of the talent competition

Image
The Miss World 2026 Talent competition was held in Nha Trang, Vietnam where 23 finalists showcased their music, dance and art talents to an esteemed panel of judges. Grace Richardson of England emerged the winner for her incredible singing performance of "Over the Rainbow" and she has now earned a place in the Top 40. Another singer Annaelle Ibo of Guadeloupe and dancer Asia Rose Simpson of the Philippines were announced the second and third placers, respectively. The 73rd Miss World will be crowned during the final and coronation show on September 5 in Nha Trang, Vietnam. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss World (@missworld) Photos: Miss World / Instagram
Read more

Miss Finland 2026 is Veera Grönlund

Image
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...
Read more

Miss Universe Australia 2026 is Caity Worthington from Brisbane

Image
Caitlin Worthington was declared the winner of Miss Universe Australia 2026 at the national final on Wednesday, August 26, held at the Crown Melbourne. The 28-year-old radiographer and model from Brisbane succeeds her predecessor Lexie Brant. She will represent Australia at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in Puerto Rico this November. Georgia Van Zaanen was awarded first runner-up, while Rowan Brent-White, Uma Dawson, and Kristabella Leembruggen took the second, third, and fourth runner-up positions, respectively. The remaining Top 10 finalists included Paige Bentley, Audrey Panagopoulos, Lilli Sauerwald, Sophie Trayner, and Jess Davis. The event was hosted by Australian stage and screen actor Rob Mills, alongside actress and former titleholder Maria Thattil. A total of 28 national finalists from around the country were chosen to compete for the crown. Australia has claimed the Miss Universe title on two occasions, first with Kerry Anne Wells in 1972 and then with Jennifer Hawkins in 20...
Read more

Miss World 2026: Meet the continental winners of the Top Model competition

Image
The Miss World 2026 Top Model competition took place on Thursday, August 27, at the DO Theater in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Sixty finalists, chosen from the initial round of the competition, graced the runway, displaying creations from local designers representing their countries. Four continental winners were revealed, earning them a spot in the Top 40. They are Tamunosoye Karibi-George of Nigeria, Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic, Bao Ngoc Le Nguyen of Vietnam, and Indira Ampiot of France. The overall Top Model winner, who will be announced during the Miss World final, will secure a direct entry into the Top 20. The next Miss World will be crowned on September 5 in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Photo: Luiz Henrique Azevedo / MWO
Read more

Miss Nederland 2023: Miss Universe Netherlands 2023 is Rikkie Valerie Kollé

Image
Rikkie Valerie Kollé was crowned Miss Nederland 2023 (Miss Universe Netherlands 2023) on Saturday, July 8 at the AFAS Theater in Leusden. The 22-year-old Dutch-Moluccan model and actress living in Breda succeeds Ona Moody and will now prepare to represent the Netherlands at the 72nd Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2023) in El Salvador. Nathalie Mogbelzada, 26, from Amsterdam, was named first runner-up while Habiba Mostafa and Lou Dirchs were awarded Miss Congeniality and Miss Social Media, respectively. Reigning Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel of the USA graced the glittering event as a special guest. The new Miss Universe Netherlands made history as she became the first-ever transgender woman to win the national title. She will be the second transgender representative at the Miss Universe pageant next to Spain's Angela Ponce who participated in 2018. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Nederland Organisatie (@missnederland) Photos: William Rutten...
Read more

Tanzania announced as host country for Miss World 2027

Image
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...
Read more