Iceland's Helena O'Connor withdraws from Miss Universe 2025


The Miss Iceland Organization has announced today that Miss Universe Iceland 2025 Helena Hafþórsdóttir O'Connor has withdrawn from the 74th Miss Universe pageant.

In an official statement released on social media, the organization said that the 21-year-old psychology student from Viðey has been ill for the past few days.

The statement also stated: "She is thankfully recovering but we are devastated to announce that, due to personal reasons, she has made the difficult decision of withdrawing from the Miss Universe competition in Thailand."

Helena was crowned Ungfrú Ísland 2025 (Miss Iceland 2025) in Reykjavik last April. She earned the title of Miss Universe Iceland 2025 and the opportunity to represent her country at Miss Universe 2025.

Prior to her departure to join the prestigious pageant a week ago she said: "Representing my beautiful country on the Miss Universe stage is an honor beyond words. I carry with me the spirit and strength of Iceland."

The next Miss Universe will be crowned by outgoing queen Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark on November 21 at Impact Arena in Bangkok.

Photos: Helena Hafþórsdóttir O'Connor, Ungfrú Ísland / Instagram

Popular posts from this blog

Miss World Philippines 2026 is Asia Rose Simpson from Quezon City

Image
Asia Rose Simpson from Quezon City was crowned Miss World Philippines 2026 during the national final of the pageant held on Tuesday, February 3 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The 18-year-old Filipino-American beauty also bagged the Best in Swimsuit, Best in Talent, and Beauty with a Purpose award. She succeeded Miss World 2025 Top 8 finalist and Miss World Asia Krishnah Gravidez from Baguio City. Anne De Mesa from Manila and Gabrielle Fuentes Galapia from Pampanga were named the first and second princesses, respectively. The rest of Top 10 were from Batangas, Nicole Kristine Lorzano, Davao Region, Jayvee Lyn Loreto, New York, Marizza Delgado, United Kingdom, Margarethe Elize Romano, Ifugao, Valerie West, Rizal, Lorraine Ojimba, and Sultan Kudarat, Olivia Grace Reilly. Completing the Top 15 were from Bukidnon, Gwen Marie Perion, Iligan, Christal Briseis Polancos, Naga, Zoe Sofia Gabon, Negros Island Region, Cindy Agnes Valencia, and Zamboanga City, Ansha Lichelle Jones. The...
Read more

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

Russia's Varvara Yakovenko wins Miss Intercontinental 2025

Image
Varvara Yakovenko beat over 50 other contestants to win Miss Intercontinental 2025 on Thursday, January 29 at V Hotel Sahl Hasheesh in Egypt. The 18-year-old model became the fourth woman from Russia to hold the international beauty title. She succeeds last year's winner María Cepero from Puerto Rico. Lorena Suárez Lara from Cuba was named first runner-up while Vanessa Natcha Wenk of Thailand and Faidha Kassim Kivuyo of Tanzania were the second and third runners-up, respectively. The rest of the Top 7 were Christina Vanhefflin of the Philippines (fourth runner-up), Kika Marques Das Neves of Ecuador (fifth runner-up), and  Brilliant Mukanda Maroko of Kenya (sixth runner-up). Completing the Top 12 finalists were the contestants from Cameroon, Colombia, USA, India, and Romania. Germany, Brazil, Spain, Macau, Mexico, Nigeria, New Zealand, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, and Vietnam made the Top 23. Aside winning the crown, the new Miss Intercontinental also bagged the Mis...
Read more

Miss Earth 2025 Natálie Puškinová returns home to Czech Republic

Image
Nearly two weeks after winning the prestigious Miss Earth 2025 in the Philippines, Natálie Puškinová from the Czech Republic has made her way back home. The 21-year-old was greeted with a warm reception from the Miss Czech Republic team, led by Taťána Makarenko, along with media representatives and her fans, as she arrived on Sunday at Václav Havel Airport in Prague. Natálie has proudly brought home the second Miss Earth crown for her country, 13 years after Tereza Fajksová achieved the first one in 2012. The new Miss Earth outshone 77 other contestants to seize victory in the 25th edition of the Miss Earth pageant on November 5 at Okada Manila in Parañaque City. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MISS CZECH REPUBLIC (@missczechrepublic) Photos: Michal Nega / Miss Czech Republic
Read more

Miss Universe Mexico 2025 is Fatima Bosch of Tabasco

Image
Fatima Bosch was crowned Miss Universe Mexico 2025 on Saturday, September 13 at Sala Placido Domingo (Conjunto Santander de Artes Escénicas) in Zapopan, Jalisco. The 24-year-old designer from Teapa, Tabasco triumphed over 30 other contestants to win the coveted national title. She will represent Mexico at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Fernanda Vázquez of Nuevo León was named first runner-up while Yoana Gutiérrez of Jalisco, Ana Ramírez of Nayarit, and Alejandra Díaz de León of San Luis Potosí were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark graced the event as special guest while former Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera from Puerto Rico was part of the panel of judges. The new Miss Universe Mexico succeeded last year's winner María Fernanda Beltrán who placed second runner-up at Miss Universe 2024 last November in Mexico City. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram ...
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

LIVE UPDATES: Miss Universe Thailand 2023 Final Competition Results

Image
The Miss Universe Thailand 2023 final competition is taking place tonight at MCC Hall, The Mall Lifestore Ngamwongwan in Nonthaburi. One of the 53 contestants vying for the coveted title will walk away with an opportunity to represent Thailand at Miss Universe 2023 this November in El Salvador. Hosted by DJ and media personality, the spectacular show is streaming live on the official Miss Universe and TPNG YouTube channels. A distinguished selection committee who will have the most difficult task of selecting the winner includes former titleholders Miss Universe Thailand 2017 Maria Poonlertlarp (Miss Universe 2017 Top 5 finalist) and  Miss Universe Thailand 2021  Anchilee Scott-Kemmis, and Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi. Who will be the next Miss Universe Thailand? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Thailand (@missuniverse.in.th) --- FINAL RESULTS --- TOP 20 14 MUT Uttaradit - Worawalan Phutklang 23 MUT Khon Kaen -...
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

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

Miss Charm 2025 is Anna Blanco from Venezuela

Image
Anna Blanco Flores from Venezuela beat over 30 other contestant to win Miss Charm 2025 on Friday, December 12 in Ho Chi Minh City. The 25-year-old singer-songwriter and model was crowned by her predecessor Rashmita Rasindran from Malaysia. She became the first Venezuelan woman to hold the international beauty title. Luisa Victoria Malz from Germany and Rinanda Maharani from Indonesia were respectively announced the first and second runners-up while Francia Cortés of Mexico and Naruemol Phimphakdee of Thailand rounded out the Top 5 finalists. The contestants from Bolivia, Estefanía Ibarra, Brazil, Maiara Porto, Colombia, María José Chacón, India, Mehakk Dhingraa, Netherlands, Jaelin Ramadhin, USA, Kaylyn Slevin and Vietnam, Quynh Mai Ngo made the Top 12. Completing the Top 20 were Australia, Nasia Delis, Cambodia, Sreyneat Det, China, Jiaqi Li, Costa Rica, Tamara Castro, Malaysia, Jessrina Kaur, Moldova, Gutiera Timotin, Philippines, Cyrille Payumo, and Puerto Rico, Nicole Hern...
Read more