Miss Grand Netherlands 2023 is Melissa Bottema from Zandeweer


Melissa Bottema, representing Groningen, was crowned Miss Grand Netherlands 2023 in a competition held on Sunday, June 4 at Claus Event Center in Hoofddorp.

The 23-year-old gymnastics coach and a social work student at Hanze University edged out 10 other beauties to win the national title.

Rounding out the Top 3 finalists were Amber Tamara of Flevoland and Merel Bakker of Gelderland. They were named the first and second runners-up, respectively.

Esmee van der Meulen, Bo Grooten, Robin Danique Mulder, Chimène-Esmee Colijn, Tene Donzo, Merel van Roon, Carmen Kara, and Yarah Mookhram were the rest of the contestants.

No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Grand Netherlands participated in Miss Intercontinental 2022 where she placed in the Top 20 and bagged the Miss Sunrise award.

Melissa succeeds last year's titleholder Marit Beets and will now represent the Netherlands at Miss Grand International 2023 in Vietnam this October.

Photos: Klaas Sikkema, Johnny Ten Have / 12 Months of Beauty

Popular posts from this blog

Meet the winners of Miss Turkey 2025

Image
The glittering Miss Turkey 2025 national competition was held last December 19 at the Lazzoni Hotel in Istanbul. A total of 20 stunning finalists were chosen to compete for the national titles that were at stake — Miss Turkey World and Miss Turkey Supranational. Sıla Saraydemir, a 22-year-old student, was crowned Miss Turkey World 2025. She is expected to represent Turkey at the 73rd Miss World competition whose date and venue have yet to be announced. The new Miss Turkey World received her crown and sash from former titleholder, Miss Turkey World 1995 Demet Şener. Last year's winner Idil Bilgen was unable to attend the show and pass the crown to her successor because she is currently abroad for her studies. "Today I received not a crown, but a responsibility. Winning Miss Turkey is a shared story of women who believe in their dreams, aren't afraid to make their voices heard, and empower each other," Sıla shared online after the competition. "I thank everyone who...
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 Venezuela 2025 is Clara Vegas of Miranda

Image
Clara Vegas triumphed over 21 other contestants to win the title of Miss Universe Venezuela 2025 on Thursday, December 4 in Caracas. The 23-year-old model and actress from Miranda will represent Venezuela at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant to be held in Puerto Rico. Maria Evangelista Alayon of Amazonas was named first runner-up while Milena Paola Soto of Mérida, Gabriela de la Cruz of Yaracuy, and Gabriela Villegas of Monagas were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Completing the Top 12 were the representatives of  Barinas, Anabelly Ojeda, Bolívar, Yosdanny Navarro, Delta Amacuro, Kelly Maita, Dependencias Federales, Valentina Martínez, Portuguesa, Génesis Mendoza, Sucre, Rosangel Mundaraín, and Táchira, Valeria del Amor. The new Miss Universe Venezuela was crowned by her predecessor Stephany Abasali who placed second runner-up at Miss Universe 2025 last month in Thailand. Clara is the daughter of former Miss Venezuela Andreína Goetz who made the Top 10 at...
Read more

Miss Venezuela World 2025 is Mística Nuñez of Falcón

Image
Mística Nuñez, representing Falcón, was crowned Miss Venezuela World 2025 in a national competition held at the Studio 1 of Venevisión on Wednesday, November 12 in Caracas. The 24-year-old pharmacist and medical student succeeds last year's titleholder Valeria Cannavò and will represent Venezuela at the Miss World 2026 competition. Aside from Mística, two other beauties were crowned in the national pageant. Valeria Di Martino, a 20-year-old medical student representing Zulia, was proclaimed Miss International Venezuela 2025 and will head to Japan next year for the Miss International 2026 pageant. Silvia Maestre Camero of Apure, a 27-year-old social communication graduate, clinched the title of Miss Supranational Venezuela 2025 and will go to Miss Supranational 2026 in Poland next summer. Completing the Top 7 finalists were the representatives of Amazonas, María Evangelista Alayón, Mérida, Milena Soto, Monagas, Gabriela Villegas, and Yaracuy, Gabriela de la Cruz. The new Miss World ...
Read more

Miss Universe Japan 2025 is Kaori Hashimoto from Tochigi Prefecture

Image
Kaori Hashimoto was crowned Miss Universe Japan 2025 in a national competition held on Wednesday, July 16 in Shibuya. The 21-year-old business administration student from Tochigi Prefecture beat over 40 other contestants to win the national title. Saki Fujita and Reina Ishii were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Chiemi Takayama and Naomi Monique Kamidate were the rest of the Top 5 finalists. Kaya Chakrabortty, last year's winner who made the Top 30 at Miss Universe 2024 held in Mexico, crowned her successor at the end of the event. The new Miss Universe Japan will now prepare to represent Japan at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Japan Official (@missuniversejapan) Photos: Marai Ken / Miss Universe Japan
Read more

Miss Earth 2022 is Mina Sue Choi, first winner from Korea

Image
Mina Sue Choi of Korea bested over 80 other competitors to win Miss Earth 2022 in a glittering competition held on Tuesday, November 29 at Cove Manila, Okada Manila in the Philippines. The 24-year-old communication student succeeded Destiny Wagner of Belize and became her country's first-ever Miss Earth winner. She also bagged three gold medals for the swimsuit, beach wear, and long gown competition, and one bronze for resort wear. Australia's Sheridan Mortlock, Palestine's Nadeen Ayoub, and Colombia's Andrea Aguilera finished in the Top 4 and were awarded the elemental titles Miss Earth - Air, Water, and Fire, respectively. The Top 8 were Daphné Nivelles of Belgium, Merel Hendriksen of the Netherlands, Paulina Avilés of Puerto Rico, and Sakhile Dube of Zimbabwe while Jéssica Pedroso of Brazil, Sheyla Ravelo of Cuba, Esther Ajayi of Nigeria and Maria Rosado of Portugal were the rest of the Top 12. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Ear...
Read more

Mister International Thailand 2023 is Kim Goodburn

Image
Kim Thitisan Goodburn was proclaimed Mister International Thailand 2023 in a national competition held on Sunday, September 3 at MCC Hall, The Mall Lifestore Ngamwongwan in Nonthaburi. The 24-year-old Thai-British model and actor bested 27 other competitors to win the national title. He succeeds last year's winner Tor Surasak Muangkeaw and will now prepare to represent Thailand at Mister International 2023 in Bangkok on September 17. Knight Piyapong Kammeesawang and Waranyu Thaprasop were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Tong Chaitawat Paisansiri and Prach Pratrawi were announced as third runners-up. "A day that will forever be engrained in me. Thank you to everyone who has made this day possible and letting a young man with big dreams get closer to realizing them," shared the new Mister International Thailand. "Looking back, I never really thought I'd be here but in the end, we only regret the chances we don't take. I am incredibly proud ...
Read more

Miss Italia 2025 is Katia Buchicchio of Basilicata

Image
Katia Buchicchio, representing Basilicata, was crowned Miss Italy 2025 on Monday, September 15 at PalaSavelli in Porto San Giorgio. The 18-year-old dentistry student from Anzi bested 39 other contestants to win the prestigious national title. Rhythmic gymnastics coach Asia Campanelli, 19, and modern literature student Fanny Tardioli, 24, placed second and third, respectively. Alessia Pelliccioni, Arianna Garofalo, Ludovica Lombardi, Alice Petagna, and Annarosa Cascone were the rest of the Top 8 finalists. Meet the new Miss Italia: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Italia (@missitalia) Photos: Miss Italia / Instagram
Read more

From Graduation Gown to the Galaxy Crown: Progress With Purpose

Image
Graduating from Loughborough University with a Distinction in her MBA and receiving the Top Student Prize, Aishwarya Ashvinikumar (popularly known as Ash) is set to make her debut in the pageant industry as a finalist in the UK Galaxy Pageant 2025/26.  Building on the insights from her dissertation, which sparked her passion for advocating gender equality in the workplace, Ash is now focused on using the UK Galaxy platform to raise awareness of ongoing gender-based discrimination in professional environments. Under the guidance of Professor Ian R. Hodgkinson, Ash achieved a Distinction (84/100) for her research dissertation, in which she developed a practical framework to help organisations close gender-based gaps, empower women to overcome workplace barriers, and foster inclusive, productive cultures.  Ash feels immensely grateful and privileged to have collaborated with Professor Ian R. Hodgkinson from Loughborough University, a multidisciplinary scholar at the forefront of ...
Read more

Miss Earth USA 2026 is Gia Soleil Espinoza from Texas

Image
Gia Soleil Espinoza of Texas was crowned Miss Earth USA 2026 in a national competition held on Saturday, January 3 at Rosen Centre in Orlando, Florida. The 20-year-old criminal justice major and third-generation business owner from El Paso succeeds last year's winner Haley Poe. She will represent the USA at Miss Earth 2026 later this year. April Rodriguez of Lone Star State was named Miss Earth USA Air, while Angel Marie Strong of West Coast, Alanna Lynch of West Virginia, and Autumn Fisher of Kentucky were announced Miss Earth USA Water, Fire, and Eco, respectively. For the teen division, talented young model Mia Navarro, also from El Paso, clinched the title of Teen Miss Earth USA 2026. She was crowned by her predecessor Jordyn Campion. The new Miss Earth USA is also passionate advocate for animals. She co-founded Cars & Canines, a community-focused initiative that promotes adoption, sustainability, and meaningful connections. Having recently been accepted into the El Paso Po...
Read more