PAGEANT Circle

Canada's representative to the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Florida next month, Nova Stevens, has finally reunited with her family in Ethiopia after 21 years. The 25-year-old professional model and activist was sent to Canada at age 6 to have a better life while her family settled in Ethiopia after fleeing the civil war in South Sudan. "For a parent to send a child away on their own is one of the biggest sacrifices. My parents took a chance and sent me away to Canada for the opportunity to have a better life," Nova wrote on social media. "I am forever grateful to everyone that has been instrumental in making my dream come true. Ethiopian Airlines [Fly Ethiopian] thank you so much for bringing me back to my roots. God knows had it not been for your generous sponsorship, I wouldn’t have been able to see them this year." Nova has won the Miss Universe Canada 2020 title in October last year after joining the national pageant three times. She will be the first-ever

Miss Universe Brazil 2020 Julia Gama has today departed for Cancun to take the necessary quarantine before going to the USA for the 69th Miss Universe pageant. Since winning her national title last year, the 27-year-old actress and entrepreneur have her eyes set on winning her country's third Miss Universe crown. In a post on social media, Julia said: "I feel even closer to the final destination of this amazing journey. Being the Miss Universe while a pandemic is going on demands quite a great level of adaptation, patience, and sense of purpose." "So far, times have been challenging, beautiful, and unforgettable. What I have been through in a few months as Miss Brazil feels like years of experience. It’s been an honor to represent Brazil and the love for our nation, which have kept me, through the ups and downs, focused and dedicated," she added. "I travel today with a great sensation. A beautiful and positive feeling, being totally sure I am exactly where

Miss Universe Organization has announced Jojo Bragais as the official footwear sponsor of the 69th Miss Universe pageant. The Filipino entrepreneur has made shoes worn by many local and international beauty queens and celebrities including former Miss Universe Catriona Gray. In a post on social media, MUO said: "All of our delegates walk with purpose, strength, and in their own unique stride. Presenting the official footwear sponsor of the 69th MISS UNIVERSE competition Jojo Bragais, who empowers women to 'Walk. Win.'" According to ABS-CBN News, between 150 to 200 pairs of "Jehza" shoes were prepared for the contestants of the upcoming competition in Hollywood, Florida. "I am grateful for the Miss Universe organization for the trust they have given Bragais. They made my dream possible by becoming the first Pinoy footwear partner for the pageant," Jojo told the news outlet. Photo: Miss Universe / Facebook

Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2020 Estefanía Soto Torres will be wearing a stunning Walter Mercado-inspired national costume at the 69th Miss Universe pageant. In honor of the Puerto Rican astrologer's life trajectory and unifying message of love and acceptance, Joshuan Aponte created the costume with 86,400 pieces of Austrian crystals. The beautiful headpiece is made of gold jewelry and precious stones that denote the 12 zodiacal signs and the stars in the sky. It is designed and composed of 78 separate pieces, one for each town of Puerto Rico, and includes six last quarter moons that embody the search for the country's 6th Miss Universe crown. "Walter Mercado inspired us to live embracing our identity and valuing our differences. The unifying force behind his message of universal positivism gives us the extraordinary power of progress in the face of the challenges we face as humanity," Estefanía shared on social media. "With this national costume, we celebrate Wa

Russia's representative to the upcoming 69th Miss Universe pageant, Alina Sanko, has recently been the subject of a controversial video that went viral. In the video, the 22-year-old was heard laughing while another person was leaving harsh comments to her fellow contestants. Fans were appalled for such unacceptable behavior considering the Miss Universe pageant is about women supporting and uplifting other women. Alina has posted a public apology on her official social media page. She explained: "I am endlessly sorry that I couldn’t stop the man from saying rude words about the contestants. It is painful. Now I’m apologizing to everyone affected. I am sorry that I didn’t say anything to protect the girls on time." The Russian beauty also considered the current situation as a harsh lesson. "I’ve learned one significant thing, now I’m sure being able to use your voice is necessary for every woman," she said. "I hope my example can prevent every woman from ma

Vanessa Velasquez of El Salvador, Rabiya Mateo of the Philippines, and Laura Olascuaga of Colombia were in Los Angeles, California for a promotional event ahead of the 69th Miss Universe pageant next month in Florida. They were invited to do a special shoot for O Skincare & Luxury Spa, one of the official sponsors of the competition, owned by Filipino skincare guru Olivia Quido. The three beauties will join over 70 other contestants at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida to compete for the coveted Miss Universe title on May 16. Photo: Olivia Quido-Co / Instagram

Miss Universe Ecuador 2020 Leyla Espinoza will wear the "SUMAQ" national costume at the 69th Miss Universe pageant this May in Florida, USA. The 24-year-old international business student who hails from Quevedo, Los Rios, will compete with over 70 other contestants from around the world in the upcoming competition. Created by Cuenca designer Andrea Segarra from the University of Azuay, the costume is inspired by "the importance of the popular festival" of the Inti Raymi or the Andean people's Fiesta del Sol (Festival of the Sun). Ecuador has yet to win Miss Universe since its debut in 1955. The country's highest placement was second runner-up in 2013 courtesy of Constanza Báez. Photo: Bernardo Arteaga / BAPH

For the first time in over 20 years, Nigeria will not be represented at the Miss Universe pageant due to "the situation arises from last year’s unfortunate suspension of what would have been the 33rd edition of MBGN in 2020." The Silverbird Group, organizers of the annual Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), and national franchise holder for Miss World and Miss Universe, broke the news on its official social media page. Prior to the announcement, the organizers officially opened registration for the MBGN 2021 competition, whose grand final is scheduled for September. Nigeria has yet to win the Miss Universe pageant. Its highest placement was Top 10 in 2001 courtesy of Agbani Darego, who was crowned Miss World that same year. Photo: Miss Universe Organization

India's representative in the upcoming 69th Miss Universe pageant this May, Adline Castelino, has been tested positive for COVID-19. In a post on social media, she revealed having recently developed mild symptoms and her test results came back positive for the infection. "I have quarantined myself and am taking the necessary precautions to get better. If you have come in contact with me in the past week, I urge you all to please get yourself tested," she said. The 22-year-old is determined to fight through this and asked everyone to wear masks and follow government protocols. "We need to be a symbol of strength in challenging times." Photo: Shreyans Dungarwal

Italy's Viviana Vizzini is considered one of the early front-runners in the upcoming 69th Miss Universe pageant this May in Florida, USA. The 27-year-old communications sciences and marketing student who hails from Sicily was crowned Miss Universe Italy 2020 last December and earned her right to represent her country at Miss Universe. In her official bio at Miss Universe, Viviana is described as someone who uses her knowledge to leverage herself as Miss Universe Italy and is committed to seeking ways to improve the lives of women around the world. She works as an ambassador for the Italian Red Cross and provides support to Casa Penelope, a place of refuge for women who need safe housing. Viviana is proud of her Sicilian heritage and believes life is about the journey and that with each day, she can find something new to learn or appreciate about humanity. If she wins Miss Universe, she will be the first-ever Italian representative to take home the title. Italy has never won Miss Un

Miss Universe South Africa, Natasha Joubert, has revealed the national costume she will wear at the 69th Miss Universe pageant this May in Florida, USA. The national costume created by Gert-Johan Coetzee features fabric wings that were printed with drawings made by young children from Diepsloot and Randburg. It tells the story of pre-school children’s very personal experiences of lockdown and how the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted their young lives. “We wanted to create something special and proudly South African. We not only created a garment to show off our skills and for dramatic effect, but it also had to be something truly meaningful and represent a cause close to Natasha’s heart. That is why we decided to take sketches from local children, to portray how they currently see the state of the world in their own ‘words.’ We took their actual sketches, digitized them and printed them on white flowy fabric, and created an angelic silhouette for Natasha to symbolize overcoming hardship

Here is the reported schedule of events for the upcoming 69th Miss Universe pageant (subject to change): May 6 & 7  - Delegates Arrivals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino May 7, 8 & 9  - Delegates Registration and Fittings, Photography with Fadil Berisha, Video Shoots with MUO Digital Production Crew, Telecast Film Crew shoots May 10, 11, & 12  - Choreography Rehearsals May 13  - Delegates Interviews/Judging, National Costume Show May 14  - Preliminary Competition May 15  - On-Camera Rehearsal May 16  - Dress Rehearsal, Live Telecast May 17  - Delegates Departure Photo: Miss Universe Organization

Rabiya Mateo of the Philippines left Manila for the US last Friday, April 9 ahead of the 69th Miss Universe competition in Florida this May. Wearing a beautiful pearl-encrusted departure outfit by Chino Christopherson and Marc Rancy, the Filipina beauty waved her Philippine flag at the airport with her team. Rabiya is currently one of the most followed contestants on social media along with Amandine Petit of France, Daniela Nicolas of Chile, Ayu Maulida of Indonesia, and Amanda Obdam of Thailand. With the massive support of her Filipino fans backed with impressive credentials and preparations, the 24-year-old physical therapist is definitely one of the front-runners in the upcoming competition. If she wins, Rabiya will join the ranks of the past Miss Universe winners from the Philippines namely Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray (2018). Photo: Rabiya Mateo / Instagram

Voting is officially open for the 69th Miss Universe pageant. You can now help your favorite contestant to automatically place into the Top 21. To vote, just visit the official page  vote.missuniverse.com  or download the Miss Universe official app on your Android or iOS application, or the Lazada app for the residents of the Philippines. You can vote once for free or pay for additional votes. Voting will end on Saturday, May 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Seventy-five contestants are confirmed to participate in the pageant. The final competition will be on Sunday, May 16 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, USA.

Jeanette Akua has been officially announced as Miss Universe Great Britain 2020 on Monday, March 8. She was virtually crowned by the outgoing titleholder Emma Jenkins of Wales. The 27-year-old singer and songwriter of South African descent is a graduate of a master's degree in economics. She was a finalist on X Factor UK in 2013 and a semi-finalist on Britain's Got Talent in 2017. "This win means so much to me. It's more than just a crown. Pageants are more than just beauty. It's bigger than that. It's about celebrating women and the many layers we come in. It's about being audacious and having the nerve to pursue your dreams. Feeling the fear and doing it anyway," she said on social media shortly after winning the competition. Jeanette bested over 30 entrants from all over the country to win her beauty title including first runner-up Sophie Moulds and second runner-up Amy Meisak. She will now prepare to represent Great Britain at the 69th Miss Univers