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

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 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 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

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: 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 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 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 Curacao 2025 is Camille Sabina Thomas

Image
Camille Sabina Thomas was proclaimed the winner of Miss Universe Curacao 2025 last June 7 at the Sandals Royal Resort in Santa Barbara. The 26-year-old actress, former military academy officer, entrepreneur, and leader will represent Curacao at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Samiah Booi and Gillian Bentoera were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Sashelle Antasia Johnson and Khalida Halime Naycir were the rest of the five contestants. The new Miss Universe Curacao succeeds last year's winner Kimberly de Boer. She was crowned with the presence of reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark. "That night was unforgettable. All I wanted was to put on a show that made my family, my friends, and my island proud. To bring the universe to you all," Camille shared online after winning her national title. She also wrote: "I'm so grateful to everyone who supported me along this journey. I'll continue to carry that g...
Read more

Miss Universe Belize 2025 is Isabella Zabaneh

Image
Isabella Zabaneh was crowned Miss Universe Belize 2025 in a national competition held Saturday, June 28 at Belize City Civic Center. The 21-year-old beauty succeeds last year's winner Halima Hoy and will now prepare to represent Belize at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Monisha Hyde and Hope Panton were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. The rest of the finalists were Imani Jex and Libny Rodriguez. The new Miss Universe Belize was born in Texas, USA, and holds an associate degree in political science and a bachelor in international studies. Isabella's advocacy focuses on empowering young women by instilling in them an unwavering confidence and Christ-centered identity. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Belize (@missuniversebelize) Photos: Quilz Tamay, MADISCO Company / Instagram
Read more