Miss New Jersey USA 2023 is Derby Chukwudi


Derby Chukwudi was named Miss New Jersey USA 2023 on Sunday, March 19 at the Hilton Parsippany Hotel in Parsippany, New Jersey.

The 25-year-old Hoboken resident hails from Nigeria. She is a graduate of Berea College in Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics.

Christine Pierre, Rashmi Naik, Katarina Lengyel, and Vritti Patel rounded out the Top 5 finalists.

Derby was crowned by her predecessor Alexandra Lakhman and she will now prepare to represent New Jersey at Miss USA 2023 national final in Reno, Nevada.

This is her second attempt at the state pageant. She previously joined in 2021 but unfortunately failed to make it to the semifinals.

Hosted by former Miss Earth USA and Miss New York USA Andreia Gibau, the event also culminated with another winner — Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava.

The Indian-Mexican teenager succeeded Isabella Galan and she will now proceed to compete in Miss Teen USA 2023 pageant.

Meet the new Miss New Jersey USA:

Photos: Jessielyn Palumbo Kennedy / Miss New Jersey USA, Georgina Vaughan

RELATED POSTS:


Popular posts from this blog

Miss Universe 2026 calendar of events

Image
Puerto Rico is preparing for two weeks global celebrations as the Miss Universe Organization reveals its schedule for the Miss Universe 2026 pageant. The 75th anniversary edition will feature cultural activities, fashion shows, entertainment, and charitable initiatives throughout the island, culminating in the final event on November 24 in San Juan. Approximately 120 contestants from different nations are expected to begin arriving on November 8, with the pageant officially starting on November 11. Calendar of events: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe (@missuniverse) November 11 - Desfile Bienvenida Oficial – Bahía de Aguadilla November 12 - Delegate Luncheon – Vivo Beach Club November 12 - Fátima Bosch Meet and Greet and Exhibition – The Miss Universe Experience, Plaza Las Américas November 13 - Beauty on the Beach – Caribe Hilton Hotel November 14 - Luz de Esperanza: Universo Rosa en Puerto Rico – Aloft Ponce November 16 - Puerto Ri...
Read more

FAVORITES: Miss Universe 2026 Top 15 pre-arrival favorites

Image
The Miss Universe 2026 season is nearly upon us, and Puerto Rico—the gracious host territory—stands ready to embrace the universe's most beautiful women as they vie for the prestigious title. Reigning Miss Universe Fátima Bosch from Mexico will crown her successor on November 24 at the iconic José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan. Who will be crowned the next Miss Universe? Meet our pre-arrival favorites: (in alphabetical order) Colombia - María Alejandra López Dominican Republic - Melissa Núñez Finland - Veera Grönlund Honduras - Luisa Pineda India - Kaziah Mejo Mexico - María Vargas Netherlands - Melissa Bottema New Zealand - Georgia Waddington Philippines - Bea Millan-Windorski Puerto Rico - Jennifer Barreto Spain - Susana Medina South Africa - Bajabulise Thela Tanzania - Elizabeth Makune USA - Justus Kelley VENEZUELA - Clara Vegas Special mentions:  Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Ethiopia, Great Britain, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Panama, Peru
Read more

Miss Universe 2026 'La Gran Despedida' Top 10 finalists announced

Image
The Miss Universe 2026 competition is set to officially kick off in Puerto Rico, where contestants from from all corners of the world have begun arriving. Following their highly anticipated arrivals, the beauties took part in fittings and registration ahead of the official start of the pageant on November 11. Today, the Miss Universe Organization officially announced the finalist countries for "La Gran Despedida" (The Grand Send-Off). The Top 10 finalists are Trinidad and Tobago , Colombia , Costa Rica , Myanmar , Kenya , Puerto Rico , the Philippines , Nicaragua , Chile , and Peru . According to MUO, the initiative "recognizes the most outstanding celebration organized to bid farewell to a delegate before her arrival in Puerto Rico." In participating countries, representatives were celebrated with lavish events, fan meetups, and heartfelt displays of national pride, showcasing the immense excitement Miss Universe generates worldwide. "A huge thank you to all t...
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 5 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 t...
Read more

75th Miss Universe: Miss Universe 2026 Fan Vote is officially OPEN

Image
With just weeks left before the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in Puerto Rico, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has announced the official start of fan voting. Fans can visit missuniverseorg.com to view profiles of the official contestants and cast their votes. The contestant earning the most fan votes will automatically advance to the Top 30. Beyond voting for a Top 30 spot, fans can also participate in special voting categories such as Best Evening Gown, Best Swimsuit, and Best National Costume. According to MUO, the launch of fan voting is part of Crown Season, the period of celebration leading up to the final show, during which fans can engage with the Miss Universe experience and show their support for contestants from their countries. The 75th Miss Universe officially launches on November 8, when the contestants arrive in Puerto Rico to begin activities that will culminate in crowning of the next Miss Universe in front of a global audience on November 24. MUO encourages fans to ...
Read more

Miss Universe Poland 2026 is Vivica Lewandowski

Image
Following a highly competitive selection process, the Miss Universe Poland organization has officially announced Vivica Lewandowski as Miss Universe Poland 2026. The 21-year-old international model and fashion designer hailing from Barrington, Illinois will represent Poland at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico this November. No stranger to pageantry, Vivica is a former Miss Illinois Teen USA who made the Top 20 at Miss Teen USA 2023. She also won the title of Miss Illinois USA this year and competed in Miss USA 2026 last August in Miami. Another fun fact about her is that her mother, Mandy Lane Lewandowski, is also a former beauty queen who won Miss Illinois USA 1998. "With a heart fuller than words could ever express, it is with great honor to announce that I am your new Miss Universe Poland," shared the new Miss Universe Poland. She also wrote online, "Some dreams are so far beyond what we ever imagine for ourselves, that we never think they could become our reality....
Read more

Vietnam's Nguyen Thu Thao crowned The Miss Globe 2026

Image
Nguyen Thu Thao of Vietnam bested over 50 other contestants to be crowned The Miss Globe 2026 on Friday, November 6 in Phuket, Thailand. The 21-year-old student from Tuyen Quang became the second Vietnamese women to win the international pageant next to Do Tran Khanh Ngan (The Miss Globe 2017). Suttida Aiadpu of Thailand was named firsdt runner-up while Maria Zheliaskova of Ukraine, Sybel Hoekman of the Netherlands, and Pilar Macias of Argentina placed second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Rounding out the Top 11 finalists were from Albania, Paola Avdulaj, Colombia, Laura Melo, Dominican Republic, Yelissa Diaz, Indonesia, Verta Arlinsa, Nigeria, Tracy Richards, and the Philippines, Sasha Lacuna. The contestants from Ecuador, England, France, Italy, Kenya, Kosovo, Myanmar, Norway, Russia, and Singapore were the rest of the Top 21 semifinalists. This year's competition marked the 23rd edition of the annual The Miss Globe pageant. The final show was hosted by reigning Mi...
Read more

Cuba's Leah Reyes Amores crowned Miss Teen Universe 2026

Image
Leah Reyes Amores of Cuba was crowned Miss Teen Universe 2026 on Sunday, October 25 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The 16-year-old student from Miami received her crown from last year's winner Amira Moreno of Venezuela. She is the second Cuban representative to win the title next to Lynette Arce-Garcia (Miss Teen Universe 2023). Mailyn Reese Marsh of Hungary was named first runner-up while Catherine Wardle of the Philippines finished as second runner-up. The rest of the runners-up were Noa Jansen of the Netherlands (third), Kiran Reddy of the USA (fourth), Adeeko Omokehinde Omotoyosi of Nigeria (fifth), and Shaniya MacLeod of Indonesia (sixth). Former Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark hosted the show alongside Venezuelan model William Badell and Italian-Canadian actor Nico Locco. "Today I wake up with a heart full of happiness and gratitude. Thank you to God for so many blessings, and to every person who has been a part of this dream. We did it together, Cuba," ...
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 Universe 2026 final competition tickets sell out in just 48 hours

Image
The Miss Universe Organization has just announced that Miss Universe 2026 final competition tickets completely sold out within just 48 hours of becoming available for purchase. This year's much awaited pageant will conclude on November 24 at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Although the final competition has already sold out, you can still secure tickets for the National Costume Show and Preliminary Competition through ticketera.com . As stated by the organization, "Both shows will showcase NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN musical performances and cultural surprises that will make this 75th anniversary unforgettable." MUO has also shared the first look at the STATE-OF-THE-ART stage (pictured above) created for the 75th edition of the prestigious pageant. Photo: Miss Universe
Read more