PAGEANT Circle

Ora Antonia Ivanišević bested 14 other contestants to be crowned Miss Universe Croatia 2021 on Wednesday, July 14 at Esplanade Zagreb Hotel. The 20-year-old tourism management student from Dubrovnik succeeds last year's winner Mirna Naiia Marić. She will represent Croatia at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant later this year. Lorena Mustać from Privlaka and Ozana Franović from Split were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Matea Babić and Ivona Gradečak completed the Top 5. The new Miss Universe Croatia is a skilled make-up artist and hairstylist and speaks fluent English and Russian. Her hobbies include volunteering at the Down Syndrome Association's home. She wants to advocate for equal opportunities for advancement in business for women and men. Photos: Miss Universe Croatia / Facebook

Miranda representative and Miss Venezuela 2020 Top 5 finalist, Luiseth Materán, has been officially announced as Miss Universo Venezuela 2021 on Friday, July 2 in Caracas. The 24-year-old social communication graduate is a model and actress. She is currently filming "Intriga tras cámara" television series that will premiere on Televen, in which she will play the leading character. Luiseth will represent Venezuela at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant, whose date and venue are yet to be announced. "Today more than ever I assume with honor the commitment to call myself Venezuela before the universe and I promise to work tirelessly to represent my country as it deserves. I love you and thank you so much affection and support," she said. Photos: Miguelángel Miquelena / Makeup & Styling: Erick Gabriel Díaz / Accessories: Yoel Accesorio / Wardrobe: ZAR DESIGN

Miss Universe Philippines organization has finally got rid of its minimum height requirements for this year's competition. Maria Thattil, Miss Universe Australia 2020 and 69th Miss Universe Top 10 placer, has lauded the national organization for changing its rules. The age requirement was also adjusted. Although the minimum age is still 18 years old but entrants should be under 28 years old at the time of the national pageant. Other requirements stayed the same. Entrants must be Filipino citizens and Philippine passport holders, at least a high school graduate and female, who has never been married nor has borne children. National director Shamcey Supsup-Lee's statement in an interview regarding transgender women became controversial. She said that they will accept transgender applicants as long as they can provide legal proof of being female and have already gone through reassignment surgery. The organization has yet to announce the final date and venue for Miss Universe Phili

Former Miss World Greece Rafaela Plastira has been named Miss Universe Greece 2021. She succeeds Miss Universe Greece 2018, Ioanna Bella. The 21-year-old model was crowned Star Hellas 2019 and went to compete in the 69th Miss World pageant in London. She holds a degree in the management of social services and aspires to pursue postgraduate study in journalism. "My dream since a young girl has come true. I can't wait to represent my country again," she shared online. "This time it's gonna be very different for me. It will be my last pageant so I will give my all into it," she added. Rafaela is expected to represent Greece at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant whose date and venue have yet to be announced. Photos: Rafaela Plastira / Instagram

Mexicana Universal Organización has been officially named Debora Hallal as Miss Universe Mexico 2021 on Monday, May 31. The 24-year-old beauty who hails from Los Mochis holds a degree in business administration. She represented Sinaloa in Mexicana Universal 2020 competition where she placed first runner-up. Debora succeeded Andrea Meza, who was crowned Miss Universe 2020 last month in Florida, USA. The newly appointed Miss Universe Mexico will try to pull off a back-to-back win for her country in the 70th Miss Universe pageant (Miss Universe 2021) on a date and venue yet to be announced. Photos: Mexicana Universal Organización

The Miss Universe Philippines organization has already opened applications for its second edition to look for another phenomenal Filipina woman to represent the Philippines at the next Miss Universe. Don’t miss the chance to represent your city or province and advocate for the causes close to your heart at the Miss Universe Philippines 2021 pageant. If you are at least 18 to 27 years old, a Filipino citizen, and at least a high school graduate, you may now submit your application for a chance of becoming the next Miss Universe. No height requirement. Visit the official social media pages of the pageant and the website missuniverseph.com for additional details on how you can be part of the prestigious national event. The Philippines currently holds an 11 consecutive year of placement streak at Miss Universe since 2010 with four runners-up (Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Janine Tugonon, and Ariella Arida) and two winners (Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray). Photo: Miss Universe Philippines /

Nguyen Huynh Kim Duyen has been officially announced by her national pageant organization on Tuesday, May 18 as the newly appointed Miss Universe Vietnam 2021. The 25-year-old business administration graduate from Can Tho was first runner-up to Nguyen Tran Khanh Van during Miss Universe Vietnam 2019 competition. Kim Duyen is expected to represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant to be held possibly later this year. The exact date and host country for the international competition are yet to be announced. Vietnam has yet to win the Miss Universe pageant but managed to successfully place in the final of the last three editions. Its highest achievement was in 2018 when H’Hen Nie entered the Top 5. Photo: Hoang Phuc / Makeup: Hang Thanh Thien / Hair: Bi Ha / Stylist: Kiet Cao / Trang phuc: Lafunsy