71st Miss Universe: Major standouts from pre-pageant events and activities


The 71st Miss Universe contestants have been very busy with their pre-pageant events and activities ahead of the preliminary, national costume, and final competitions.

Brennan's, a famous New Orleans restaurant located in the heart of the French Quarter, hosted the contestants a special dinner where they enjoyed delicious and authentic Creole cuisine.

In addition to touring, filming, and rehearsing for the big show, a welcome press conference was held for the 84 contestants on Monday, January 9 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.

Present were Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Jerry Reyes (President of the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority Board of Commissioners) Kelly Schulz (Senior Vice President, Communications and Public Relations at New Orleans & Company), Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart, and outgoing queen Harnaaz Sandhu.


The contestants were also taken to a welcome reception at Gallier Hall, a historic building on St. Charles Avenue. They all dolled up for the special event filled with live music, dance, glam, and more inspirational speeches.

JKN Global Group's Anne Jakrajutatip, the new owner of MUO also attended the party and gave a powerful message: "It's time for women to rise. It's time for women to manage the world, in fact, the universe. You must have a purpose in life, you must know why you were born, and you must use your personality to serve the purpose of your soul."

Major standouts from their pre-pageant events and activities based on their overall presence and "it factor" include the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Aruba, Philippines, USA, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Thailand, Portugal, Italy, South Africa, Jamaica, and Mexico.

Here are some photos from the welcome reception:

Photos: Benjamin Askinas / Miss Universe

RELATED POSTS:



Popular posts from this blog

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

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 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

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

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

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

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 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 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

Thailand's Opal Suchata Chuangsri crowned Miss World 2025

Image
Opal Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand beat 107 other contestants to be crowned Miss World 2025 on Saturday, May 31 at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The 22-year-old beauty has made history for her country as she became the first-ever Thai woman to win the prestigious title. She also won the multimedia fast track challenge. Hasset Dereje Admassu from Ethiopia, Maja Klajda from Poland, and Aurélie Joachim from Martinique were announced the first, second, and third, runners-up, respectively. Completing the Top 8 finalists were Jéssica Pedroso from Brazil, Selma Kamanya from Namibia, Krishnah Gravidez from the Philippines and Maria Melnychenko from Ukraine. The beauties from Ethiopia, Brazil, the Philippines, Martinique, Poland, and Australia were respectively named Miss World Africa, Miss World Americas, Miss World Asia, Miss World Caribbean, Miss World Europe, and Miss World Oceania. This year's competition marked the 72nd edition of th...
Read more