Miss Bahamas Universe 2023 is Melissa Ingraham


Miss Long Island, Melissa Ingraham bested nine other competitors to win Miss Bahamas Universe 2023 (Miss Universe Bahamas 2023) on Sunday, July 2 at the Atlantis Showroom in Paradise Island.

The 26-year-old climate advocate with a bachelor's degree in environmental science and a master's in climate change will now represent The Bahamas at the 72nd Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2023) in El Salvador later this year.

Taja Hudson of Cat Island was named first runner-up while Robyn Rahming of Exuma finished as second runner-up and was awarded the title Miss International World Bahamas 2023.

Beyonce Forbes of Grand Bahama and Danielle Dean of Acklins were announced as the second and third runners-up, respectively.

The new Miss Bahamas Universe succeeds Angel Cartwright, a private banker and conservationist who represented the country at Miss Universe 2022 in New Orleans last January.

Since its debut at Miss Universe in 1963, The Bahamas has yet to win the coveted title. Its highest placement was in 2021 courtesy of Chantel O'Brian who placed in the Top 10 and bagged the Spirit of Carnival Award.

That same year, the country changed its sash name for the first time from "Bahamas" to The Bahamas.

Meet the new Miss Bahamas Universe:

Photos: Miss Bahamas Universe

Popular posts from this blog

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

Kylie Chang crowned Miss California USA 2025

Image
Miss Golden State, Kylie Chang was crowned Miss California USA 2025 on Saturday, August 10 at Grand Hyatt Indian Wells. The 20-year-old UC Berkeley student and model succeeded last year's winner Samantha Ramos. She became the first-ever East Asian woman to win Miss California USA. Jenny Ting Crawford was named first runner-up while Kaylyn Slevin, Julia Price, Annie Lu, and Sophia Bruinsma were the second, third, fourth, and fifth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss California USA, a former competitive dancer, is currently pursuing a degree in business administration at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business. "This is an absolute dream come true and I am endlessly grateful for all of my family, friends, judges, sponsors, and mentors who have believed in me and walked beside me on this journey," she shared online. "This is just the beginning, and I can't wait to see where this journey leads me next," she added. Kylie will now prepar...
Read more

Miss Universe Australia 2025 is Lexie Brant from Brisbane

Image
Queensland's Lexie Brant was proclaimed the winner of Miss Universe Australia 2025 on Friday, August 15 at Crown Perth in Burswood, Western Australia. The 21-year-old model from Brisbane bested 29 other contestants to win the national competition. She will represent Australia at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Ivy Prempeh was named first runner-up while Cara Mooney, Bianca Black, and Ash Donner were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Completing the Top 10 finalists were Nadia Delis, Georgia Dewstow-Smith, Chloe Hardy and Asha Cooper. The new Miss Universe Australia was crowned by her predecessor Zoe Creed who participated in Miss Universe 2024 last November in Mexico. Lexie is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in occupation therapy. Besides her studies and professional modelling, she works at Brisbane Private Hospital. As Miss Universe Australia, she hopes to advocate for the importance of early childhood development, w...
Read more

Nadeen Ayoub to represent Palestine at Miss Universe 2025

Image
Palestine is set to debut at the Miss Universe pageant this year with the recently appointed Miss Universe Palestine 2025 Nadeen Ayoub. The 27-year-old sustainability advocate and founder of Olive Green Academy made the official announcement on social media. She wrote, "I am honored to announce that for the first time ever, Palestine will be represented at Miss Universe." In her statement, Nadine is dedicating her upcoming stint on the international stage to the people of Gaza and Palestine. "I represent every Palestinian woman and child whose strength the world needs to see," she shared online. "We are more than our suffering—we are resilience, hope, and the heartbeat of a homeland that lives on through us," she added. No stranger to pageantry, the first-ever Miss Universe Palestine has previously joined the Miss Earth pageant in 2022 and made the Top 4 among 85 contestants. Nadine will head to Thailand to represent Palestine at Miss Universe 2025 this N...
Read more

Nicole Peiliker-Visser crowned Miss Universe Bonaire 2025

Image
Nicole Peiliker-Visser was crowned Miss Universe Bonaire 2025 on Saturday, August 16 at Delfins Beach Resort in Kralendijk. The 41-year-old mother of four will represent Bonaire at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. She succeeds Ruby Pouchet who participated in the 73rd Miss Universe last year in Mexico. "This is the moment I've been preparing for my moment to sit before the judges, not just as a candidate, but as a woman of 41 who carries resilience, clarity, and an unwavering dream," shared the new Miss Universe Bonaire prior to winning her beauty title. "Today, my voice becomes my power, my story becomes my legacy, and my presence becomes my message: that it is never too late to rise, to shine, and to inspire," she added. Nicole made history as the oldest contestant to compete in the Miss Universe pageant since the organization abolished the age limit rule. She holds a bachelor's degree in business management and an associate's in fashion m...
Read more

Who will be crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2025?

Image
A total of 23 stunning women are currently vying for the highly coveted title and crown of Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2025. The preliminary competition took place on Sunday, August 10 at Teatro Tapia. After showcasing their swuimsuit and evening gown performances, contestants from Dorado, Vieques, Ponce, Carolina, Jayuya, and Morovis bagged the special awards. Hosted by José Santana and Diane Ferrer, the much awaited final gala will be held this Thursday, August 14 at Centro de Bellas Artes de Santurce in San Juan. The show will broadcast on Wapa Televisión, Wapa América, Wapa+, and wapa.tv/envivo. Former titleholder Karla Guilfú Acevedo and former Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera will be among the distinguished panel of judges who will choose the next queen. The ultimate winner of this year's competition will represent Puerto Rico at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Who will succeed last year's winner Jennifer Colón Alvarado? One of these 23 beauties ...
Read more

Sweden's Yvonne Ryding celebrates 40 years since winning Miss Universe 1984

Image
Let's walk down memory lane as 40 years ago, Fröken Sverige Yvonne Agneta Ryding was crowned Miss Universe 1984 during the 33rd Miss Universe pageant in Miami, Florida. At age 21, she became the third Swedish woman in history to become Miss Universe. The blue-eyed blondie received the crown from her predecessor Lorraine Downes of New Zealand following the glittering spectacle on July 9, 1984. In an Instagram post on Tuesday, exactly 40 years since she won the crown, Yvonne shared: "Celebrating my 40th anniversary today, the 9th of July. Thank you to all my sisters around the world. All the girls that were competing my year. My life changed overnight." "As my friend (the box champ Ingemar Johansson), told me the first week of my reign, "Yvonne remember a champ is always a champ. So that's what I'm celebrating today," she added. The former beauty queen turned TV personality and entrepreneur from Eskilstuna, who founded her own skincare company YR Skin...
Read more

81-year-old model Choi Soon-hwa joins Miss Universe Korea 2024

Image
Choi Soon-hwa recently created a buzz in the pageant community when she appeared as the oldest contestant vying for Miss Universe Korea 2024. The 81-year-old senior model who walked her first runway in her 70s made history as she competes alongside more than 30 others in the upcoming national competition. If she wins this year's Miss Universe Korea, she will be the oldest Korean representative and contestant in the 73-year history of the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Korea 2024 final will be held on September 30 and the winner will head to Mexico for Miss Universe 2024 this November. Age restrictions were recently removed by the organizers to align with the new rules of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) that any woman, regardless of marital status, from age 18 can compete. Photo: Choi Soon-hwa / Instagram
Read more

Miss Universe Canada 2025 is Jaime VandenBerg

Image
Jaime VandenBerg was announced the winner of Miss Universe Canada 2025 on Saturday, August 9 at the Chrysler Theatre in Windsor, Ontario. The 28-year-old international model and actress from Lethbridge, Alberta will represent Canada at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Karmen Brar was named first runner-up while Jabili Kandula, Malayika Kwizera, and Kamuahao Hei weret the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Canada was crowned by her predecessor Ashley Callingbull who made the Top 12 at Miss Universe 2024 held last November in Mexico. Jamie is no stranger to pageantry, having joined the 71st Miss World competition last year in Mumbai, India and made the Top 40 among 112 contestants. She holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the the University of Lethbridge. Her commitment to philanthropy led to her recognition with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and the International Diana Award. Road to...
Read more

8 things to know about Miss USA 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel

Image
Miss Texas USA, R'Bonney Gabriel was proclaimed Miss USA 2022 last night at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada. Here are 8 things to know about the new Miss USA: 1. She is the 10th Miss Texas USA to win Miss USA next to Crystle Stewart (2008) and the first Filipino-American in history to win both the state and the national pageant. View this post on Instagram A post shared by R’Bonney Nola (@rbonneynola) 2. She was born to an American mother from Beaumont, Texas, and a Filipino father who left the Philippines for the US as a young student. 3. She is originally from Missouri City, Texas, and grew up in Houston with three older brothers. As the only girl of four siblings, she considers herself the baby of the family and often joked about being the favorite child. View this post on Instagram A post shared by R’Bonney Nola (@rbonneynola) 4.  At age 28, she is the oldest Miss USA winner in the pageant's 71-year history. Bu...
Read more