FAVORITES: 71st Miss Universe Top 16 pre-arrival favorites

Two weeks to go until the highly anticipated final competition of the 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

Over 80 women from around the world will compete for the coveted title on January 14 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center where India's Harnaaz Sandhu will crown her successor.

Several contestants have already arrived in the US for their final preparations and to celebrate the new year before heading to the host city.

Fan voting is still open. Don't miss voting for your favorites into the semifinals through the Miss Universe official website and app. First vote free!

Prior to the much-awaited arrival of contestants, meet our Top 16 favorites:


TOP 16

(in alphabetical order)

Chile - Sofia Depassier

Colombia - María Fernanda Aristizábal

France - Floriane Bascou

India - Divita Rai

Italy - Virginia Stablum

Jamaica - Toshami Calvin

Korea - Hanna Kim

Peru - Alessia Rovegno

Philippines - Celeste Cortesi

Puerto Rico - Ashley Cariño

South Africa - Ndavi Nokeri

Thailand - Anna Sueangam-iam

Ukraine - Viktoria Apanasenko

USA - R'Bonney Gabriel

Venezuela - Amanda Dudamel

Vietnam - Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Châu

Special mentions:

Aruba, Curacao, Finland, Great Britain, Honduras, Iceland, Panama, Portugal, Trinidad & Tobago

Photos: Miss Universe

RELATED POSTS:


Popular posts from this blog

Femina Miss India World 2026: Sadhvi Sail from Goa wins the crown

Image
Sadhvi Sail bested 29 other contestants to win the Femina Miss India 2026 pageant last Saturday, April 18 at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology in Bhubaneswar. The 24-year-old beauty from Goa state was crowned by her predecesor Nikita Porwal and will represent India at the 74th Miss World competition next year. Rajnandini Pawar of Maharashtra and Sree Advaita of Union Territory were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Beauties from Gujarat, Parinaaz Cooper, Himachal Pradesh, Shreya Thakur, Madhya Pradesh, Dhanushree Chauhan, Punjab, Yashika Sharma and Rajasthan, Tarushee Rai were the rest of the Top 8. Completing the Top 15 were from  Andhra Pradesh, Chilakalapudi Indu Phalguni, Assam, Bagmita Saikia, Chhattisgarh, Anushka Sone, Karnataka, Khushi Ramesh Kalakeri, Odisha, Ayushi Panda, Sikkim, Deekila Sherpa, and Telangana, Ramya Kailasa. The new Femina Miss India World is graduate of the University of British Columbia in Canada with the degree in econom...
Read more

Singer-songwriter Sigga Ózk crowned Miss Iceland 2026

Image
Sigríður Ósk Hrafnkelsdóttir, also known as Sigga Ózk, was crowned Ungfrú Ísland 2026 (Miss Iceland 2026) on Wednesday, April 22 at at Gamla Bíó in Reykjavík. The singer-songwriter from Garðabær will now prepare to represent Iceland at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant to be held in Puerto Rico this November. Aníta Mist Davíðsdóttir was named first runner-up while Elínborg Hrannarsdóttir, Nadía Líf Pálsdóttir, Soffía Ellín Stella Gísladóttir were the second, third and fourth runners-up, respectively. "Wow I'm speechless. I am so endlessly grateful for all the girls in the group, the girls on the team, the judges and everyone who cheered me on," the new Miss Iceland shared online. Sigga holds a bachelor's degree in education and speaks Swedish fluently. She participated in Iceland's national contest, Söngvakeppnin, in both 2023 and 2024, making it to the finals each time. Road to the 75th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared b...
Read more

Binibining Pilipinas 2024 new crowns and prizes revealed

Image
Brand new crowns and prizes for Binibining Pilipinas 2024 winners and runners-up have been officially revealed during the press presentation of contestants on June 7 at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City. Designed by Filipino fashion and jewelry designer Manny Halasan, the exquisite new crowns were inspired by the iconic Binibining Pilipinas logo. "Each crown features ethical diamonds, reflecting not only their brilliance but also our commitment to responsible sourcing," shared by Binibining Pilipinas. "The design beautifully incorporates three stars and a radiant sun, symbolizing the essence of the Philippines and our nation's proud heritage. Truly fitting for future queens." This year's competition marks the 60th edition of the annual Binibining Pilipinas pageant. The grand coronation night will be held on July 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The winners, Binibining Pilipinas International 2024 and Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2024 will each receive a ...
Read more

Mike van Wijk to represent the Netherlands at 7th Mister Global in Thailand

Image
Mike van Wijk has been named the new Mister Global Netherlands and will represent his country at the 7th Mister Global pageant in Thailand next month. The 22-year-old entrepreneur from Sint-Michielsgestel currently works in construction and plans to open his own personal trainer studio in the future. He was a runner-up in Misters of the Netherlands 2021 and was originally supposed to join 21th edition of Manhunt International. Mister Global pageant will be hosting its 7th edition on March 15 in Mahasarakham, Thailand. More than 30 inspiring gentlemen from around the world are expected to compete for the coveted international title. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mike van Wijk (@mikevanwijk_) Photos: Misters of the Netherlands, Mike van Wijk / Instagram
Read more

Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023 is Brooke Bruk-Jackson

Image
Brooke Bruk-Jackson edged out 11 other finalists to be crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023 on Saturday, September 16 at Harare Hippodrome. The 21-year-old model will now prepare to represent Zimbabwe at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador this December. It will be her country's first participation in over two decades. Amanda Mpofu and Nokutenda Marumbwa were the first and second runners-up, respectively. "My heart is full of joy and gratitude. Thank you to each and every one of you for your kind messages and support," shared the new Miss Universe Zimbabwe. "I have gained this crown for our beautiful country, to love and to serve our people, to represent Zimbabwe internationally, and to show the world the uniqueness of Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans." Zimbabwe has yet to win the Miss Universe crown since it debuted in the pageant in 1994. Its highest placement was in 2000 when Corinne Crewe made it to the Top 10. Road to the 72nd Miss Universe: View this post on ...
Read more

Miss Grand Venezuela 2022 is Sabrina Deraneck

Image
Sabrina Deraneck was proclaimed Miss Grand Venezuela 2022 on Saturday, August 13 at Teatro Municipal de Caracas (Municipal Theater of Caracas). The 23-year-old teacher by profession from the state of Mérida will represent her country at Miss Grand International 2022 in Indonesia this October. Alia Abized, 19, of Nueva Esparta, and Valentina Martinez, 22, of Anzoátegui were named Miss Elite Venezuela and Miss Grand Venezuela 2023, respectively. They are expected to compete in next year's Miss Elite World and Miss Grand International editions. A total of 22 beauties participated during the first edition of Miss Grand Venezuela. Miss Grand International President Nawat Itsaragrisil traveled all the way from Thailand to attend the glittering event. He also reunited with former titleholder Valentina Figuera. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Grand Venezuela (@missgrandvenezuelaoficial) Photos: Miss Grand Venezuela
Read more

Miss Universe Spain 2022: Get to know the 14 contestants

Image
The Miss Universe Spain 2022 final competition will be held on Saturday, September 10 at the Los Olivos Beach Resort in Tenerife. Last year's winner, Sarah Loinaz will crown her successor at the end of the event. The next Miss Universe Spain will represent her country at the 71st Miss Universe pageant in the first quarter of 2023. Who will be the next Miss Universe Spain? Vote for your favorite to enter the final Top 6 at this link:  https://muspain.choicely.com/ Get to know the 14 contestants vying for the national title: María Alexandra Cucu (Andalucía) - 20, is a dramatic art student at the ESAD in Málaga and considers herself a committed, persistent, and empathetic woman. Carmen Bello (Aragón) - 25, is a law student and among her hobbies, she emphasizes playing sports, visiting vintage shops, and her addiction to sudokus. Catherine Peláez del Rivero (Asturias) - 19, is an administration and business management student and among her hobbies, she highlights play...
Read more

Former Miss Earth USA Bea Millan-Windorski joins Miss Universe Philippines 2026

Image
Filipino-American Bea Millan-Windorski has recently been appointed as the official representative for the province of La Union at Miss Universe Philippines 2026. At just 24 years old, she is well-acquainted with the world of pageantry, having participated in Miss Earth USA 2024 in Orlando, Florida, where she clinched the title while representing Wisconsin. This achievement made her the first Filipino-American to secure a national title. As Miss Earth USA, she went on to compete in Miss Earth 2024 in the Philippines, where she impressively placed in the Top 4 out of 76 contestants, earning the title of Miss Earth Water. Bea's grandparents on her mother's side were Filipino immigrants from La Union, Philippines. Following her Miss Earth journey, she relocated to the country. In a recent social media post, she paid tribute to Filipino migrants, stating: "As someone whose family history is shaped by migration, I grew up honoring the courage, homesickness, and hard work of Fili...
Read more

Miss Ukraine 2023: Meet the contestants

Image
Following rounds of online screenings, the Miss Ukraine Committee has officially announced the 25 contestants for the Miss Ukraine 2023 pageant. This year's event will be held in an online format where every Ukrainian will for the first time be able to participate as a jury by voting on the Miss Ukraine official website . According to the organizers, proceeds from the competition will be used to help and support those affected by the ongoing armed conflict in the country. The winners will represent Ukraine at Miss International 2023 in Japan, Miss World 2023 in India, and Miss Earth 2023 in Vietnam. Meet the contestants: 1 - Valentina Burbelo 2 - Elizabeth Gonchar 3 - Kateryna Demyanova 4 - Sofia Zgoba 5 - Olga Kozlenko 6 - Julia King 7 - Elizabeth Kushniruk 8 - Sofia Krishchuk 9 - Valeria Lizenko 10 - Oksana Magera 11 - Victoria Makarova 12 - Adelina Mashkova 13 - Marina Mizhnova 14 - Daria Minenko 15 - Anastasia Mishchenko 16 - Oksana Omelchuk 17 - Ira Pilyaeva 18 - Maria Sitniko...
Read more

Miss Grand Thailand 2026 is Patthama Jitsawat of Chonburi

Image
Patthama Jitsawat, representing the Thai province of Chonburi, was crowned Miss Grand Thailand 2026 on Saturday, March 28 at MGI Hall in Bangkok. The 32-year-old beauty edged out 76 other contestants to win the national competition. She succeeds last year's winner Sarunrat Puagpipat of Phuket. Panasaya Angelica Damaagd of Buriram was names first runner-up while Ilin Nabsuk of Phuket, Natthakitta Kerdkanchiroj of Saraburi, and Naruemol Chaloemroek of Sukhothai were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. This year's competition marked the 13th edition of the annual Miss Grand Thailand pageant. Reigning Miss Grand International Emma Mary Tiglao from the Philippines was present at the glittering event. The new Miss Grand Thailand will represent the "Land of Smiles" at the Miss Grand International 2026 pageant in India this October. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 (@missgrandthailand) P...
Read more