PAGEANT Circle

Fatima-Zahra Khayat was elected Miss Universe Morocco 2021 in a special event held on Saturday, November 6 in Casablanca. The 26-year-old financial auditor who lives in Paris will represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant to be held in Eilat, Israel this December. This marks Morocco's return to the Miss Universe competition after more than 40 years. The country's last participation in the pageant was in 1978. "I would like to thank all the people who believed in me and encouraged me in the [Miss Universe] contest," the new Miss Universe Morroco shared on her social media. "I will do my best to best represent the culture and wealth of my country," she added. Photos: Miss Universe Morocco

Jázmin Viktória Elizabeth was crowned Miss Universe Hungary 2021 in a special event held at Gigi's Budapest on Saturday, November 6. The 20-year-old model and student from Budapest bested 13 other beauties to win her national title. She will now prepare to represent Hungary at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Edina Maronka and Nina Tobias were the first and second runners-up, respectively. "I’m beyond blessed and honored that I will represent Hungary," the new Miss Universe Hungary shared on her social media account. "Everything happened so fast so it’ll definitely take time for me to process what happened," she added. The last time Hungary joined Miss Universe was in 2018 with Enikő Kecskès, who placed in the Top 20, before taking a two-year hiatus from the competition. Hungary's highest placement at the Miss Universe pageant was Top 10 with Ágnes Konkoly in 2012. Photos: Jázmin Viktória Elizabeth / Instagram

Brenda Smith Lezama was crowned Señorita Panamá 2021 (Miss Panama) in a glittering competition held on Sunday, November 7 at the Wyndham Panamá Albrook Mall Hotel & Convention Center in Panama City. The 26-year-old US-born activist and lecturer of Afro-Panamanian and Mexican descent holds a degree in journalism and cultural studies. She succeeds Señorita Panamá 2020 Carmen Isabel Jaramillo. Cecilia Medina was named Señorita Panamá Supranational 2021 (Miss Panama Supranational) and while Katheryn Yejas clinched the Señorita Panamá Grand 2022 (Miss Panama Grand) title while Hillary Watson and Ivis Nicole Snyder were the first and second runners-up, respectively. The new Señorita Panamá is no stranger to pageantry as she has previously participated in several state and national competitions in the US and Mexico such as Miss Teen USA and Mexicana Universal. Brenda will now prepare to represent Panama at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Photos: Señorita Pan

Dannia Guevara Morfin was officially crowned Miss Universe Guatemala 2021 in a special ceremony held last October 27 at the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura in Guatemala City. The 24-year-old model and law student will represent Guatemala at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant to be held in Eilat, Israel this December. "It is a huge and gratifying satisfaction for me to see a dream crowned, of being the highest representative of national beauty," she shared on her social media account. "Today I assume with great responsibility, love, and commitment the task for which I have been appointed, I agree to represent a country full of traditions, ancient culture, natural beauty, history, and promising present," she added. Photos: Juan Pablo Duque / Miss Universe Guatemala

Andreína Martinez, representative of the Dominican community of the US, was crowned Miss República Dominicana Universo 2021 (Miss Dominican Republic Universe) on Sunday, November 7 at the Salón de Eventos Sambil in Santo Domingo. The 24-year-old beauty bested 14 other finalists to win the national competition. She succeeds Miss República Dominicana Universo 2020 and Miss Universe Top 5 finalist, Kimberly Jiménez. Miss Azua, Debbie Áflalo settled with a first runner-up finish while Miss Lavega, Yamilex Hernández was named the second runner-up. Miss Samaná, Elianny Capellán, and Miss La Romana, Érika Silverio, were the third and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Dominican Republic holds a degree in psychology and Latin American studies. She is currently the operations coordinator of the Women's Equality Center in New York. "There is a saying that says 'it takes a village to raise a child' well to make a queen it takes two. I want to thank all those

Daena Soares bested nine other finalists to be crowned Miss Universe Jamaica 2021 in a gleaming national competition held last October 31 at the Hotel Riu Montego Bay in St. James. The 22-year-old beauty who hails from Jamaica's breadbasket parish, St. Elizabeth, holds a bachelor's degree in basic medical sciences from the University of the West Indies. She succeeds last year's winner, Miqueal-Symone Williams. Trishanie Weller and Lauren Less were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Jamaica was also awarded Miss Photogenic and Miss Congeniality. She will now prepare to represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant to be held in Eilat, Israel this December. Jamaica has yet to win the Miss Universe pageant. The country's highest placement was first runner-up in 2010 with Yendi Phillips. Photos: Miss Universe Jamaica

Moa Sandberg was crowned Miss Universe Sweden 2021 in a national final held on Saturday, October 30 at Clarion Hotel Post in Gothenburg. The 25-year-old beauty from Stockholm bested 15 other finalists to win her title. She succeeds Lina Ljungberg and will now prepare to represent Sweden at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Lucy Dimitrova and Sofia Sjöberg were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. "I knew that this weekend would be a life-changing moment for me and the world. The universe was with me the whole time and I am truly forever thankful," Moa shared on her social media account. "My crown is not just a symbol of that I am capable to stand up confidently, it is also proof that I am in alliance with my beliefs. I have a lot to give and this is just the beginning of something even bigger," she added. The new Miss Universe Sweden is no stranger to pageantry as she has already joined the Miss International 2014 compet

Sujita Basnet was crowned Miss Universe Nepal 2021 in a national competition held on Saturday, October 30 at the Hotel Yak & Yeti in Durbar Marg, Kathmandu. The 28-year-old US resident is a management consultant who holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical/medical engineering. She was last year's runner-up to her predecessor, Anshika Sharma. Nina Kant Mandal was named first runner-up while Rakchya Upreti secured the second runner-up finish. Pratiksha Chhetri and Keshu Khadka were the third and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Nepal is the founder of LiberatED, a program that aims to empower and uplift the youth from under-resourced communities through education, leadership training, and access to resources. Sujita will now prepare to represent Nepal at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Photos: Studio Mero Works, Milan Lama / Miss Universe Nepal

Marady Ngin was crowned Miss Universe Cambodia in a gleaming national competition held on Thursday, October 28 in Phnom Penh. The 22-year-old model, actress, and host edged out 17 other beauties to win the pageant. She succeeds Sarita Reth and will now prepare for the international Miss Universe 2021 (70th Miss Universe) pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Neth Son and Margaret Sim were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Cambodia shared on her social media account that winning her title "seems like a dream" and she thanked everyone who supported her from the beginning. "I promise I will do my best for Cambodia," she added. Photos: Miss Universe Cambodia

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