PAGEANT Circle

Miss Universe Thailand 2021 Anchilee Scott-Kemmis departed for Israel on Tuesday, November 23 to compete in the 70th Miss Universe pageant. The 22-year-old beauty who majored in sociology at the University of Sydney was wearing a blue jumpsuit by Thai fashion designer, Narong Ketkaew, during her departure.  Many fans and members of the press flocked to the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. Former Miss Universe Thailand and Miss Universe Top 10 finalist, Amanda Obdam, was also present to show her support. Anchilee will compete with over 70 other contestants from around the world to try to win her country's third Miss Universe crown on December 12 in the southern Israeli port and resort town of Eilat. "Thank you so much for today. I have no words. Thank you for supporting me, from the bottom of my heart," she shared on her social media. Photos: Miss Universe Thailand

Nguyen Huynh Kim Duyen has finally been officially crowned as Miss Universe Vietnam 2021 during her send-off event held on Saturday, November 20 prior to her departure for the Miss Universe competition in Israel. The 26-year-old business administration graduate from Can Tho received her official crown and sash from her predecessor and Miss Universe Top 21 semi-finalist, Nguyen Tran Khanh Van. Kim Duyen was appointed as Miss Universe Vietnam 2021 last May. She will soon depart for Israel to compete with over 70 other beauties from around the world during the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat on December 12. Photos: Miss Universe Vietnam

The reigning Miss Universe from Mexico, Andrea Meza, toured around Israel ahead of the upcoming 70th Miss Universe competition to be held in the country this December. Her itinerary included a visit to holy sites in Jerusalem's Old City on Wednesday, November 17. Amid boycott calls and pressures on contestants, Israel pushes through its historic hosting of the Miss Universe pageant in Eilat. Over 70 beauties from around the world will soon arrive to compete for the prestigious title. According to Andrea, the pageant shouldn’t be politicized. The Mexican beauty will relinquish her crown on December 12 in the southern Israeli resort city. "Everyone with different beliefs, with different backgrounds, with different cultures, they all come together and when you are in there you forget about politics, about your religion," she told the press. Photos: Gilad Tidhar Photography / Miss Universe

Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2021 Michelle Marie Colón showed off her national costume for the 70th Miss Universe pageant on the "Viva la Tarde" program of Wapa TV. The national costume called "Protectora de Nuestras Costas” not only pays tribute to the Puerto Rican Afro-descendants but also carries a message of awareness for the conservation of the environment. Recycled materials such as plastic bottles, caps, and bags, some of the most common and harmful pollutants in the seas, were collected and transformed into art and music elements for this beautiful creation. Inspired by Puerto Rico's first indigenous music "la bomba" the costume is a collaborative work of Dominican designers Leonel Lirio and plastic artist Luis Rivas. “I wanted a dress that had color, movement, and that transmitted energy. I am extremely happy to be able to bring not only these elements to the universal stage but also to be able to represent the wealth of our Afro-descendants. The dres

(Miss USA 2020 Asya Branch) Miss USA 2021 will be held on Monday, November 29 at the Paradise Cove Theater of River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The 70th edition of the competition will be hosted by American TV personality Zuri Hall and Hollywood's top makeup artist Patrick Ta, while media personality Nicole Adamo to serve as a lounge host. At the end of the event, Asya Branch of Mississippi will crown her successor, who will go on to represent the United States at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant. This will be the second consecutive year to be broadcast on FYI, and the first to be streamed live on Hulu. The edition will mark the first year of the competition under Crystle Stewart's directorship. Here are our Top 11 favorite headshots displayed on missusa.com : Arizona California Delaware Florida Kentucky Mississippi North Carolina Pennsylvania South Carolina Tennessee Vermont Special mentions: Illinois, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio

Sweden's Moa Sandberg will be wearing the majestic national costume designed by Miss Universe Sweden's Creative Director & Official Designer, Aviad Arik Herman. The national costume is a regal tribute to the Kingdom of Sweden's beloved monarchy and in honor of the 70 years of diplomatic relationship between Sweden and Israel as well as the 70th edition of the Miss Universe competition. Moa will compete with over 70 other beauties from around the world during the 70th Miss Universe pageant on December 12 in Eilat, Israel. Concept and Design: Aviad Arik Herman | Design Assistant: Sarit Herman | Photography: Peter Håkansson | Make Up: Emanuel Hareb | Hair: Tara Ahmed | Videography: Shir Musan | Music: Tomer Adaddi | Location: Gunnebo Castle

Miss Ceará, Teresa Santos, was crowned Miss Universo Brasil 2021 (Miss Universe Brazil) in a gleaming national competition held in Rio de Janeiro and aired on Tuesday night, November 9. The 26-year-old psychology student, model, and entrepreneur edged out 26 other beauties to win her title. She will represent Brazil at the 70th Miss Universe pageant to be held in Eilat, Israel this December. Miss Piauí, Gabriela Lacerda, and Miss Sergipe, Carol Valença were the first and second runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Brazil succeeds Julia Gama, who placed first runner-up during the 69th Miss Universe competition in Florida, USA last May. Brazil has won the Miss Universe pageant twice with Iêda Maria Vargas in 1963 and Martha Vasconcellos in 1968. Photos: Miss Universe Brasil

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