PAGEANT Circle

Valeria Rees was officially crowned as Miss Costa Rica 2021 in a special ceremony held at the Estudio Marco Picado on Thursday, October 28. The 28-year-old law student was appointed as Miss Costa Rica last August 30. She succeeds Ivonne Cerdas and will now prepare to represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. In addition to wearing a crown handcrafted by designer George Bakkar, Valeria also receives a car, three million colones, and other sponsored prizes. Costa Rica has yet to win the Miss Universe crown since joining the prestigious international competition in 1954. Photo: Miss Costa Rica

Elena Danova has been officially named Miss Universe Bulgaria 2021 on October 28 following an online casting among 48 applicants from all over the country. The 21-year-old public relations student at Sofia University hails from Krichim. She is also a model, actress, and singer who speaks English and German fluently. "I can not describe the joy I feel. I am honored to carry this title and to represent Bulgaria at the most prestigious competition," she shared on her social media account. Elena succeeds Radinela Chusheva and she will now prepare to compete in the 70th Miss Universe pageant to be held in Eilat, Israel this December. Photos: Kostadin Krustev - Koko / Miss Universe Bulgaria

The Miss Universe Organization has just announced that singer and international pop star Noa Kirel is set to perform at the 70th Miss Universe pageant. MUO also confirmed that the competition will air live around the world from Eilat, Israel on Sunday, December 12 at 7 p.m. ET. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements! Photo: Miss Universe

Noa Cochva was crowned Miss Israel 2021 in a glittering national pageant held on Sunday, October 24 in Tel Aviv. The 22-year-old model and entrepreneur from Bnei Atarot edged out 11 other finalists to win her title. She succeeds Tehila Levi and will now represent Israel at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat this December. Noa aspires to become a pediatrician someday. She studied confectionery at Estella in Tel Aviv and also served in the Israel Defense Forces as a commander in a medic course. Photo: Miss Israel

Anchilee Scott-Kemmis bested 29 other contestants to be crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2021 in a glittering national competition held on Sunday, October 24 at the NICE Pattaya, Convention and Exhibition Center. The 22-year-old Thai-Australian model and social researcher holds a bachelor's degree in sociology. She succeeds last year's winner and Miss Universe Top 10 finalist, Amanda Obdam. Tharina Botes and Nanthiya Suwansawaeng were named first and second runners-up, respectively, while Kasama Suetrong and Pimnara Vonzurmuehlen completed the Top 5 finalists. The new Miss Universe Thailand will now prepare to represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant to be held in Eilat, Israel this December. "Thank you everyone for sending me power on this beautiful night. I am honored to represent Thailand and will do everything in my power for you all. To everyone reading this who doesn’t the standard: Tonight, we made our own and we did it for our young girls growing up to

Anna Neplyah was crowned Miss Ukraine Universe 2021 in a national competition held in Kyiv last Friday, October 15. The 27-year-old model succeeds Yelyzaveta Yastremska and will now represent Ukraine at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Victoria Apanasenko was the first runner-up while Diana Dudka and Nelya Popovich were respectively named Miss Charm Ukraine and Miss Eco International Ukraine 2021. "I want to become Miss Ukraine Universe to show by example to all the girls that everything is possible and everything is in our head. I want women to learn to love themselves and not deny their power in femininity," said the new Miss Ukraine Universe. Photo: Miss Ukraine Universe

Daria Varlamova was announced Miss Universe Australia 2021 in a national final held in Melbourne on Tuesday, October 19. The 26-year-old mental health advocate from Victoria succeeds Maria Thattil. She will now prepare to represent Australia at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel in December. Mia Brooks and Jasmine Stringer were named first and second runners-up, respectively, while Ally Draper and Tiana Meehan completed the Top 5 finalists. The new Miss Universe Australia is a student advisor at a university and currently working towards becoming a psychotherapist. "I am incredibly grateful for this platform and what lies ahead. I am also immensely proud of each and every woman that has been a part of this beautiful journey with me," she wrote on her social media account. Australia won Miss Universe twice with Kerry Anne Wells in 1972 and Jennifer Hawkins in 2004. Photos: Miss Universe Australia

Miss Cartagena, Valeria Ayos, was crowned Miss Universe Colombia 2021 in a glittering national final held at the Chamorro Entertainment City Hall in Bogotá on Monday, October 18. The 27-year-old model and international relations professional bested 23 other contestants to succeed Laura Olascuaga and earn the opportunity to represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Miss Risaralda, Maria Alejandra López, and Miss Risaralda, Francelys Santoya, were named first and second runners-up, respectively. "From this night I take with me the hugs of my companions, the cries of joy, the nerves on stage, the support of my family and friends," the new Miss Universe Colombia shared on her social media account shortly after winning the competition. Valeria is no stranger to pageantry as she was previously Miss Earth Colombia and participated in Miss Earth 2018 in the Philippines where she earned a Top 4 placement. Photos: Alex Fandiño / Miss Univer

Sarah Loinaz bested 12 other finalists to be crowned Miss Universe Spain 2021 in a glittering national competition held on Saturday, October 16 in Tenerife. The 23-year-old model from Gipuzkoa succeeds Andrea Martínez and will now prepare to represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Teresa Calleja Palazuelo and Carmen Serrano were named first and second runners-up, respectively. Photo: Miss Universe Spain

Emma Rose Collingridge was crowned Miss Universe Great Britain 2021 in a national final held on Saturday, October 16 at the Riverfront Arts Centre in Newport, South Wales. The 23-year-old beauty from Suffolk bested over 20 other finalists to win the competition and succeed Jeanette Akua. Christina Chalk and Amy Meisak placed first and second runners-up, respectively, while Stephanie Hill and Charlotte Kamale completed the Top 5. The new Miss Universe Great Britain holds an honours degree in English from Loughborough University. She will now prepare to represent Great Britain at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) in Eilat, Israel this December. Photo: Dani Latimer / Miss Universe Great Britain

Lalela Mswane bested nine other finalists to be crowned Miss South Africa 2021 in a glittering competition held at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town on Saturday, October 16. The 24-year-old model and dancer from KwaZulu-Natal holds a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Pretoria. She succeeds last year's winner, Shudufhadzo Musida. Zimi Mabunzi and Moratwe Masima were named runners-up while Bianca Bezuidenhout and Jeanni Mulder completed the Top 5. The prestigious national pageant was attended by reigning Miss Universe Andrea Meza, Miss World Toni-Ann Singh and Miss Supranational Chanique Rabe. Former queens Pia Wurtzbach, Catriona Gray, Zozibini Tunzi and Rolene Strauss also graced the event. Miss South Africa 2021 winner and runners-up are expected to represent the rainbow nation at the next Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Supranational competitions. Photos: Miss South Africa

Naa Morkor Commodore has been officially crowned Miss Universe Ghana 2021 in a special ceremony held on October 13, Wednesday at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra. The 26-year-old model and gifted dancer from Prampram in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana succeeded Chelsea Tayui and will now prepare to represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel in December. "Yesterday marked the beginning of a new journey for another daughter of our motherland. Finally, the crown has been passed on to another young Ghanaian woman. She will be the new leader to all she serves and a role model to many young girls across the length and breadth of this nation. She will be carrying the mantle of our beloved nation," Miss Universe Ghana organizers shared on social media. The newly appointed Miss Universe Ghana is no stranger to pageantry as she placed second runner-up while competing at Miss Intercontinental 2016 and also clinched the runner-up placement during the Miss U

For the first time in history, Dubai is set to host the first-ever Miss Universe United Arab Emirates pageant, the Miss Universe Organization and Yugen Events announced on Thursday, October 7 at the Armani Ristorante in Burj Khalifa. The applications and casting for Miss Universe UAE will begin from October 7 through online registration at missuniverseuae.com. All UAE residents between the ages of 18 and 28 can register. All selected applicants will be called for a personal casting call on October 15 at Al Habtoor Palace Hotel. Only 30 applicants, announced on October 20, will advance to the live show. The historical Miss Universe UAE final event will be held on November 7 at La Perle in Al Habtoor City, Dubai Miss Universe UAE 2021 official winner will represent the UAE at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Photo: Miss Universe UAE / Facebook

Miss New Providence, Chantel O’Brian, was crowned Miss Bahamas Universe 2021 in a national competition held last Sunday, October 3 in Nassau. The 27-year-old entrepreneur who holds a bachelor's degree in business enterprise bested three other finalists to win her national title. She succeeds Shauntae Miller and will now prepare to represent the Bahamas at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Chantel is no stranger to pageantry as she previously held the title of Miss World Bahamas and went on to represent her country at the Miss World 2015 pageant in Sanya, China. The new Miss Universe Bahamas founded P.S. O’Brian Consulting, a company based in Nassau that offers pageant, runway, and etiquette coaching. Photo: CJermaine Photography

The Top 18 semifinalists of Miss Universe Nepal 2021 have been officially announced on Sunday, October 10. From the Top 50, only 18 beauties were selected for the close camp & grand final following their commendable scores from the average in swimsuit walk, live interview, and voting. The Top 18 semifinalists are Anuska Adhikari, Pratikshya Mahara Chhetri, Bristi Acharya, Arya Nishaant, Sadiksha Khadka, Anisha Poudel, Smarika Karki, Swikriti Khadka, Mandira Karki, Nina Kant Mandal, Bibhuti Gautam, Sagarika Malla, Sujita Basnet, Smita Neupane, Sagun Gurung, Keshu Khadka, Pritima Panthi, and Rakchya Upreti. Miss Universe Nepal 2021 final will be held this October 30. The winner will represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Photo: Miss Universe Nepal Official