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 Turkey 2024: Meet the Top 20 finalists

Image
A total of 20 finalists have been selected to compete for Miss Turkey 2024 following an elimination round held on Wednesday, September 4 in Istanbul. The grand final will take place on September 11 at the Lazzoni Hotel and the winners are expected to represent Turkey at the next Miss World and Miss Supranational pageants. No competition was held last year and this year's upcoming final will be the 42nd edition of the annual national pageant. In May, the Miss Turkey Organization headed by Can Sandıkcıoğlu officially announced that it parted ways with the Miss Universe Organization after more than 40 years. Its last representative was Aleyna Şirin who competed in Miss Universe 2022 which was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA in January 2023. The national organization that achieved Turkey's first Miss World winner courtesy of Azra Akın (Miss Turkey and Miss World 2002) will continue to send contestants to Miss World and Miss Supranational. Who will become the next Miss Turkey? ...
Read more

Polish-American Emily Reng to represent Poland at Miss Universe 2025

Image
Polish-American Emily Reng was officially announced by the Miss Polonia organization as Miss Universe Poland 2025 on Wednesday, October 22. The 20-year-old will now prepare to represent Poland at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this coming November. Emily is a graduate of John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois and is currently a student at the University of South Carolina. The new Miss Universe Poland is no stranger to pageantry. Prior to competing at Miss Polonia 2024 where she finished second runner-up, she won the title of Miss Polish America 2024 in Chicago. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by EMILY RENG (@emilyreng) Photos: Przemek Kowalczyk, Magdalena Michalak / Miss Polonia
Read more

Miss USA 2025: Meet the contestants

Image
Miss USA 2025, the much-awaited 74th Miss USA pageant will be held on Friday, October 24 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. This year's competition marks the fourth occasion it will take place in Reno after 2019, 2022, and 2023. Also, this will be the first edition under the leadership of the new Chairman, President, and CEO, Thom Brodeur. The next Miss USA will head to Bangkok, Thailand to represent "the land of opportunity" at the highly anticipated Miss Universe 2025 pageant this November. Contestants representing the 50 states and the District of Columbia were selected to compete for the coveted national title. Some states simply appointed their representatives through an open call, as they were unable to hold their own state pageants. Who will succeed last year's winner Alma Cooper of Michigan? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss USA (@missusa) Meet the contestants: ALABAMA - Kennedy Whisenant ALASKA - Kelsey Craft AR...
Read more

Miss Universe Haiti 2025 is Melissa Queenie Sapini

Image
Melissa Queenie Sapini was officially crowned Miss Universe Haiti 2025 in a special ceremony held on Saturday, October 18 at The Palm Theater (Embassy Suites) in Boca Raton, Florida. The 22-year-old Haitian-American TV host will now prepare to represent Haiti at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Haiti is a former Miss Massachusetts USA. She competed in Miss USA 2024 in Los Angeles, California and made the Top 10. Her advocacy centers on literacy, inspired by her grandmother, who couldn't write her own name. She co-founded The Two Queens Foundation with her mother to help fund education in Haiti and joined a Boston-based nonprofit that delivers free books to underserved communities. Melissa was raised in North Attleboro, Massachusetts and is a graduate of Suffolk University in Boston with a degree in broadcast journalism. "For Haiti, and for every Haitian in every corner of the world. This is bigger than o...
Read more

Miss USA 2025 is Audrey Eckert from Nebraska

Image
Audrey Eckert from Nebraska bested 50 other contestants to be crowned Miss USA 2025 on Friday, October 24 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. The 23-year-old digital safety advocate and a former Husker cheerleader also bagged the Best in Swimsuit award. during the preliminary competition. She will now prepare to represent the United States of America at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this coming November. Ivy Harrington of New Jersey was named first runner-up while Chantéa McIntyre of Oregon, Taylor Davis of Texas, and Mary Sickler of Nevada were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Kennedy Whisenant of Alabama, Lou Schieffelin of Florida, Savannah Miles of Georgia, Zoe Ferraro of Oklahoma, and Victoria Chuah of Vermont were the rest of the Top 10 finalists. Completing the Top 20 were Arkansas, Olivia Halsey, Idaho, Jenny Ting Crawford, Louisiana, Francie Millan, Maine, Shelby Howell, Missouri, Shae Smith, New Hampshire, Mona Lesa Brackett, Rhode ...
Read more

Puerto Rico's Zashely Alicea Rivera to wear hummingbird-inspired costume at Miss Universe 2025

Image
Puerto Rico's national costume for the upcoming 74th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2025) has been officially revealed on Tuesday, October 21 at the San Juan Museum. Designed by renowned designer Joshuan Aponte, Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2025 Zashely Alicea Rivera will be wearing the "El Zumbador de Puerto Rico" (The Puerto Rican Emerald) costume. The costume was inspired by the majestic Puerto Rican emerald, a unique hummingbird species found only in Puerto Rico and holds particular significance as a symbol of the island's unique biodiversity. It features an iridescent crystal-embroidered bodice that reflects the metallic sheen of the hummingbird's wings; a sauté tutu in iridescent greens, blues, and violets culminating in the bird's signature forked blue tail; and dramatic wings that highlight the energy, swiftness, and grace that distinguish this unique pollinator. The headdress, inspired by the bird's characteristic beak, completes the design with a scul...
Read more

Miss Grand International 2025 is Emma Mary Tiglao of the Philippines

Image
Emma Mary Tiglao of the Philippines was crowned Miss Grand International 2025 on Saturday, October 18 at MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand. The 30-year-old news anchor from Mabalacat City, Pampanga bested 76 other contestants to clinch the second golden crown for the Philippines. Sarunrat Puagpipat of Thailand, Aitana Carolina Jimenez of Spain, Faith Maria Porter of Ghana, and Nariman Battikha of Venezuela were announced the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Laura Ramos of Colombia, Markéta Mörwicková of the Czech Republic, Ana-Sofía Lendl of Guatemala, Montserrat Villalva of Mexico, and Beatrice Alex Akyoo made the Top 10 and were all named fifth runners-up. Beauties from Belgium, Brazil, Dominican Republic, France, Ecuador, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Martinique, Paraguay, United Kingdom, USA, and Zambia were the rest of the Top 22 semifinalists. The new Miss Grand International succeeded her fellow Filipina Christine Juliane Opiaza. This marked the first back-to...
Read more

Miss Universe 2025 schedule of events and activities

Image
Thailand, the "Land of Smiles" is all set to host over 100 beautiful and remarkable women from different countries and territories around the world to compete in the Miss Universe 2025 pageant. According to the Miss Universe Organization, the theme for this year's event is "The Power of Love," which celebrates love as a force that empowers, breaks barriers, and inspires positive change across the world. Here are the schedule of events and activities: Nov 2 - Delegate Arrivals (Registration / Shooting / Fitting / Rehearsal) Nov 3 - Nov 4 - Registration / Shooting / Fitting / Rehearsal Nov 5 - Rehearsal, Official Press Conference & Sashing Ceremony Nov 6 - City Tour in Bangkok Nov 7 - Delegates Departure to Phuket Nov 8 - Kora Beach Resort Gala Dinner Nov 9 - Yona Beach Club Nov 10 - Carnival Magic / Parade Nov 11 - Phuket Cultural activities Nov 12 - Departure to Pattaya City Nov 13 - Rehearsal Nov 14 - Swimsuit Fashion Show: Columbia Picture Aqua...
Read more

Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2025 is Zashely Alicea Rivera

Image
Zashely Alicea Rivera, representing Dorado, was crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2025 on Thursday, August 14 at Centro de Bellas Artes de Santurce in San Juan. The 25-year-old psychology graduate, professional ballet dancer and model will represent Puerto Rico at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Samarys Barbot Arroyo of Jayuya was named first runner-up while Isys Arimar Santos Crespo of  Vieques, Marisabel Rivera Negrón of Ponce and  Aneichka Maldonado Torres of Canóvanas were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Puerto Rico succeeded last year's winner  Jennifer Colón Alvarado who made the Top 12 at Miss Universe 2024 last November in Mexico. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Puerto Rico (@muniversepr) Photos: Josian Bruno / Wapa Digital
Read more

Malaysia's national costume for Miss Universe 2025 officially unveiled

Image
The Miss Universe Malaysia Organization (MUMO) has officially unveiled the national costume of Miss Universe Malaysia 2025 Chloe Lim for Miss Universe 2025. A press conference was held for the "A Fellowship with Miss Universe Malaysia 2025" on Thursday, October 23 at the Holiday Inn Kuala Lumpur Bangsar. Hosted by Miss Universe Malaysia 2025 Top 5 finalist Priyanka Sockanathan, the event was attended by MUMO Chairperson Datin Seri Livonia Ricky Guing and MUMO National Director Charissa Chong. Designed by Mell Sulaiman, Chloe will be wearing the national costume "The Majestic of Anjung Serimpak" at the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand this coming November. According to MUMO, the costume embodies the rich history of the Bajau Sama community in Sabah, showcasing the ethnic's deep-rooted connection to the sea and heritage as skilled seafarers. It features a brass Serimpak headdress shaped like a sailing vessel, accompanied by Selisir fabric hand-embroidered by...
Read more