Miss Universe Ecuador 2024 is Mara Topic of Guayaquil


Mara Topic Verduga was crowned Miss Universe Ecuador 2024 on Saturday, June 8 at Parque Zoila Ugarte de Landívar in Machala, El Oro.

The 29-year-old, representing Guayaquil, bested 24 other contestants to win the national title. She will now prepare to represent Ecuador at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico later this year.

Former Miss California USA Nadia Mejía-Webb of Comunidad USA and former Miss Earth Katherine Espín Gómez of Cañar were the first and second runners-up, respectively.

The rest of the Top 6 finalists were Shiomara Pico Mendoza of Región Costa, Karla Jiménez Urrutia of Los Rios, and Ana Isabel Cobo of Tungurahua.

Completing the Top 13 were Esmeraldas, Maholy Ortíz Quintero, Guayas, Gissela Flores Cadena, Manabí, Fiorella Velez Delgado, Morona Santiago, Andrea Quito Torres, Pichincha, Carolina Cobo Vallejo, Quito, Lorena Argüello Salazar, and Santo Domingo, Yomaira Torales Moreira.

The new Miss Universe Ecuador is an actress, model, and producer of Ecuadorian-Croatian descent. She is no stranger to pageantry having previously held the title of Miss Grand Ecuador and placing in the Top 10 at Miss Grand International 2019.

This year's pageant was the first edition of Miss Universe Ecuador under the Concurso Nacional de Belleza Ecuador. Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua graced the event as a special guest.

Road to the 73rd Miss Universe:

Photos: Giancarlo Ambrossi, CNB Ecuador / Instagram

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

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

Meet the winners of Miss Bolivia 2025

Image
The Miss Bolivia 2025 final competition was held on Saturday, June 28 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. A total 28 contestants competed for the national titles that were at stake. Four stunning women have been crowned and they will represent Bolivia at the next Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss Grand International, and Reina Hispanoamericana pageants. Here are the winners: Miss Bolivia 2025 / Miss Universe Bolivia 2025 - Yessica Hausermann (for Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November) Miss World Bolivia 2025 - Vanessa Kraljevic (for the 73rd Miss World) Miss Grand Bolivia 2025 - Alexandra Rocha (for Miss Grand International 2025 in Thailand this October) Miss Bolivia Hispanoamericana 2025 -  Camila Navarrete (for Reina Hispanoamericana 2026) Miss Bolivia 2024 Juliana Barrientos Gaidrikh crowned her successor at the end of the event. She made the Top 12 at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico and was named one of the gold winners of the Voice for Change competition. Ro...
Read more

Miss Germany 2022 is Domitila Barros

Image
Domitila Barros bested nine other finalists to win Miss Germany 2022 competition at Europa-Park Arena in Rust, Baden on Saturday, February 19. The 37-year-old Berlin resident holds a master's degree in politics and social sciences. She is an entrepreneur, green influencer, activist, and actress who hails from northern Brazil. Miss Germany no longer considers itself as a beauty pageant. It has redefined itself two years ago to anchor female empowerment in the mainstream, provide an inclusive platform where individuality and diversity are paramount, and establish a movement for a better tomorrow. This year's final competition, themed "The Female Celebration" was participated by a diverse set of contestants including its first-ever transgender finalist. TV personality Nicolas Puschmann hosted the spectacular event while pop singer-songwriter Leony performed on stage. Photos: Miss Germany
Read more

Reigning Miss International Sireethorn 'Bint' Leearamwat visits Guatemala

Image
For the first time, Miss International 2019 Sireethorn 'Bint' Leearamwat, has arrived in the Americas. Miss Guatemala Organization invited the Thai beauty as a special guest during the coronation event of Miss Guatemala 2022, whose winner will represent her country at Miss International 2022 later this year. Bint also received a Guatemalan doll dressed in a traditional outfit made of handmade artisanal fabrics as a token of appreciation from the organizers. She also had the opportunity to explore a bit of the Central American country. The longest-reigning Miss International will crown her successor during the 60th Miss International edition this December in Japan. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝘽𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙎𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙣 🦄 (@bintsireethorn) Photos: Gusstavo Perez / Miss Guatemala Organization, Bint Sireethorn / Instagram
Read more

Meet the winners of Miss Nepal 2025

Image
The Miss Nepal 2025 pageant was held on Saturday, August 30 at the  Godavari Sunrise Convention Center in Lalitpur. In addition to Miss Nepal World, Miss Nepal International, and Miss Nepal Earth, the 26 contestants also competed for the new title of Miss Nepal Cosmo. Luna Luitel, 26, from Kathmandu was crowned Miss Nepal World 2025 and will go to the Miss World 2026 competition whose date and venue have yet to be announced. Heading to the Miss International 2025 beauty pageant in Tokyo, Japan this November is Miss Nepal International 2025 Urusha Bhandari, 26, from Achham. Sony Ghale, 25, from Rasuwa was proclaimed Miss Nepal Earth 2025 and will represent her country at Miss Earth 2025 in the Philippines this November. Deepshikha Nepal, 24, from Jhapa clinched the Miss Nepal Cosmo 2025 title and will participate in Miss Cosmo 2025 later this year in Vietnam. Last year's winners Ashma Kumari KC, Karuna Rawat, and Sumana KC crowned their respective successors at the end of the glitte...
Read more

70th Miss Universe: Meet the "girl power" selection committee

Image
The 70th Miss Universe will be selected by nine amazing and empowered women. They are former Miss Universe winners, former Miss USA, international supermodel, award-winning actresses, TV hosts, and entrepreneurs. Who will succeed Andrea Meza? Meet the distinguished panel of judges who will have the most difficult task in choosing the next incredible winner: Adriana Lima - Brazilian supermodel, actress, and businesswoman Cheslie Kryst - former Miss USA and now a correspondent for nationally broadcast entertainment news show "Extra" Adamari López - Puerto Rican actress, author, TV host and Telemundo star Iris Mittenaaere - model, television host, and former Miss Universe from France Lori Harvey - American beauty entrepreneur, model, and daughter of Steve Harvey Marian Rivera - multi-awarded Filipino actress and host Rena Sofer - Emmy award-winning actress who plays Quinn Fuller Forrester character on "The Bold and the Beautiful" Rina Mor Goder - Israeli lawyer...
Read more

Miss Universe Laos 2022 is Payengxa Lor

Image
Payengxa Lor was crowned Miss Universe Laos 2022 in a glittering competition held on Saturday, October 8 at the Grand Ballroom of Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel in Vientiane. The 21-year-old business management student at the Lao-American College bested 19 other finalists to win the national title. She succeeds Tonkham Phonchanheuang and will now prepare to represent Laos at the 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana, the USA this January. Phaimany Lathsabanthao and Lattana Munvilay were announced as the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Soudthida Bounluetai and Souphaphone Houngheuang completed the Top 5 finalists. The new Miss Universe Laos is also an English teacher and a co-founder of the Hmong Women Network, a platform for women empowerment. She volunteers to help the poor and in the future, she wants to build her own school to influence the young generation to believe in themselves and have a dream. This year's national competition themed "T...
Read more

Miss International 2022 contestants experience the ikebana art

Image
Miss International 2022 contestants had the chance to learn and experience ikebana from the experts at the Ikenobo school in Ochanomizu, Tokyo on Friday, December 2. Ikebana, which literally means "to give life to flowers" is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. It has already become a traditional part of the Miss International pageant activities. Here are some of the contestants during their ikebana experience: View this post on Instagram A post shared by MISS INTERNATIONAL (@missinternationalofficial) Photos: Miss International RELATED POSTS: Miss International 2022 kicks off, day one standouts Miss International 2022 contestants depart for Tokyo, Japan FAVORITES: Miss International 2022 Top 12 pre-arrival favorites Miss International unveils new crown by Long Beach Pearl
Read more

Former Miss World Stephanie Del Valle Diaz: 'I will not be participating in the Miss World 2021 final'

Image
Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle Diaz has made an announcement on Monday, February 28 that she will not be participating in the Miss World 2021 final, which is scheduled to be held this March 17 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican model, singer, actress, and philanthropist took to social media to post a statement for her "dear Puerto Rico and fans around the world." "It is unethical and against my moral principles to continue working with an organization that has acted in a defamatory, frivolous, and unfair manner; solely for the purpose of harm. Something I still can't understand. That is why, with great sadness, I make a decision that I never thought I would reach. I share with you that I will not participate in the events related to the organization of the MW 2021 contest," she wrote in her statement. Her decision came after Puerto Rico With a Purpose L3C, a company contracted to help organize Miss World 2021 on the Caribbean island, sued her founda...
Read more