PAGEANT Circle

Over 100 contestants from around the world will soon arrive in Puerto Rico, the Island of Enchantment, for the prestigious 70th edition of the Miss World pageant. The beauties will be accommodated at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico in Río Grande, their official residence for the next four weeks of competition. Miss World 2021 final will be held on Thursday, December 16 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot where the reigning queen and Jamaica's very own Toni-Ann Singh will crown her successor. Photos: Miss World

Eva Dobreva was officially announced as Miss World Bulgaria 2021 last October 28 following an online casting among 48 applicants from across the country. The 21-year-old beauty from Varna is a singer, model, actress, and award-winning performer. She succeeds Miss World Bulgaria 2019 Margo Cooper and now preparing to represent her country at the 70th Miss World pageant to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico this December. Presently, Eva is a student at the University of Economics – Varna pursuing hotel and restaurant management studies. She speaks English and Russian fluently and enjoys various physical activities and sports such as kickboxing, karate, swimming, and tennis to keep her body fit. From a very young age, the new Miss World Bulgaria has been involved in different events volunteering and helping people in need. She hopes to make the world a better place for as many people as possible. Photos: Kostadin Krustev - Koko / Miss World Bulgaria

Lili Tótpeti was crowned Miss World Hungary 2021 in a glittering national competition held last Friday, October 29 in Budapest. The 20-year-old beauty from Nagykanizsa is a student at Budapest University of Economics. She also enjoys modeling and horseback riding. Panni Tóth, 22, from Debrecen, and Nikolett Ambrus, 20, from Dunavarsány, were the first and second runners-up, respectively. The new Miss World Hungary succeeds Krisztina Nagypál and will now prepare to represent her country at the 70th Miss World pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photos: Miss World Hungary

Aleksandra Yaremchuk was crowned Miss Ukraine 2021 in a glittering national competition held last October 21 in Kyiv. The 22-year-old professional dancer from Vinnytsia holds a degree in business management from University of Kyiv. She bested 24 other beauties to win her title. "An unforgettable day in my life, unsurpassed emotions. Thank you Miss Ukraine for this opportunity," she said. The new Miss Ukraine will represent her country at the 70th Miss World pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico this December. Marina Litvin and Olga Shamrai were named Miss Earth Ukraine and Miss International Ukraine 2021, respectively. They will be sent to the international Miss Earth and Miss International competitions. Photos: Miss Ukraine / Міс Україна

Tara Hong was crowned Miss World Korea 2021 at the spectacular virtual event held last October 18. The online event was shown on LG U Plus which has 13 million users. The 23-year-old UC Berkeley University student and K pop idol singer said: "Being a representative requires courage, faith, and empathy. It’s a duty of honor as I will be representing almost 52 million Koreans, and that’s not including those across the globe." "Until the final competition, I plan to spend some quality time deepening my understanding of the world, listening to the voices of my country, and reflecting on my own values in life,” she added. Tara succeeds Ji-Yeon Lim and will now prepare to represent Korea at the 70th Miss World pageant to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico this December. Photos: Miss World

Tamaki Hoshi edged out 30 other contestants to be crowned Miss World Japan 2021 in a national final held in Tokyo on Tuesday, October 12. The 20-year-old social sciences student at Waseda University, professional ballet dancer and media content writer succeeds Marika Sera and will now prepare to represent Japan at the 70th Miss World pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico this December. "For me, “Miss World Japan 2021” is not only a title, but a platform on which we can make our Beauty with a Purpose ideas into a reality. This coming year, I will give my utmost efforts to become the representative of Japanese youths with passion for creating positive social change," she said. Photos: Miss World Japan

Khailing Ho was crowned Miss World Singapore 2021 in a national final held on Saturday, October 9. The 18-year-old beauty bested nine other finalists to win her title. She succeeded Sheen Cher and will now prepare to represent Singapore at the 70th Miss World pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico this December. Tatiana and Niveda Jayashankar were named the first and second princesses, respectively. It was the first time Miss World Singapore events were held virtually, but thanks to the new online TV platform Hyperlive.tv, the show received tremendous support from pageant fans from the region. The audience had the opportunity to vote by sending virtual gifts to their favorite contestants. During earlier fast track rounds, the online audience was able to interact with the contestants and pose questions during their Head To Head Challenge. The new Miss World Singapore is a strong advocate for mental health and the way she is promoting her cause is truly admirable. Photos: Miss World Singapore

Khalia Hall bested 14 other contestants to be crowned Miss Jamaica World 2021 on Saturday, October 9 at the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston. The 25-year-old beauty holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Manchester in the UK. She will represent Jamaica at the Miss World 2021 (70th Miss World) finals in San Juan, Puerto Rico in December. Dominique Shorter and Melessa Vassell were the first and second runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Jamaica World succeeded Toni-Ann Singh, Jamaica's fourth Miss World and the longest-reigning Miss World due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jamaica won the Miss World title four times with Carole Crawford (Miss World 1963), Cindy Breakspeare (Miss World 1976), Lisa Hanna (Miss World 1993), and Toni-Ann Singh (Miss World 2019). Photo: Dash Productions / Miss Jamaica World

Erlande Berger was crowned Miss World Haiti 2021 in a national final held last Sunday, October 3 at the Karibe Hotel in Port-au-Prince. The 24-year-old communications graduate works as an actress, model, entrepreneur, and make-up artist. She founded the Berger Foundation which works on female leadership and supports underprivileged children. Fabienne Auguste and Samantha Cesar were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. The new Miss World Haiti will represent her country at the Miss World 2021 pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico this December. "I am so honored to have been elected Miss World Haiti 2021. This competition has been an enriching journey. Today I am the country’s new ambassador," she said. "I dedicate this wreath to you, dear audience, and invite you to join me in representing this country with dignity." Photo: Miss World

Claudia Motta was crowned Miss Mondo Italia 2021 (Miss World Italy) in a glittering national competition held last September 26 at Villa dei Fiori in Gallipoli. The 21-year-old law student from Rome bested 24 other beauties from across her country to succeed Miss Mondo Italia 2019, Adele Sammartino. Lucia La Paglia and Martina Ballardini were respectively named the first and second runners-up while Isabella Marchetti and Aurora Vella completed the Top 5 finalists. The new Miss World Italy is a keen classical and contemporary dancer, which she has practiced since she was a child, and attended the National Dance Academy in Rome. She will now prepare to represent Italy at the 70th Miss World pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico this December. “It is a privilege to represent the colors of my nation and a great responsibility to carry on the "Autism On The Road Project"  that I will present at Miss World. Puerto Rico is waiting for me,” she said. Photos: Miss Mondo Italia

Tracy Maureen Perez of Cebu City was crowned Miss World Philippines 2021 on Sunday, October 3 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center in Olongapo, Zambales. The 28-year-old model and industrial engineer succeeds Michelle Dee and will now prepare to represent the Philippines at the 70th Miss World pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico in December. Kathleen Joy Paton, Zoe Emmanuelle Vera, Trisha Martinez, Michelle Arceo, Shaila Mae Rebortera, and Tatyana Alexi Austria were respectively named Miss Eco International, Reina Hispanoamericana, Miss Tourism Universe, Miss Environment International, Miss Multinational and Miss Eco Teen International Philippines 2021. Riana Agatha Pangindian was the first princess while Janelle Lewis became the second princess. The new Miss World Philippines is no stranger to pageantry as she already joined the national competition in 2019 and placed in the Top 12. She also competed in Miss Universe Philippines 2020 and clinched a Top 16 spot. If ever Tracy

Miss Armenia 2021 national competition was held last Tuesday, September 21 in Yerevan where the Armenian representatives for this year's Miss Universe and Miss World pageants have been crowned. A 24-year-old lawyer from Yerevan, Nane Avetisyan, was named Miss Universe Armenia 2021. She will be sent to the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Mirna Bzdigian won the title of Miss World Armenia 2021. The 19-year-old student and professional swimmer will represent her country at the 70th Miss World pageant to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico also in December. Photos: Miss Armenia

Olivia Harris was crowned Miss Wales 2021 during the glistening competition held at The Riverfront, Newport on Saturday, September 11. The 18-year-old beauty from Magor succeeds Gabriella Jukes, Miss Wales 2019 who is the longest-reigning Miss Wales in history. She is a model, beauty therapist, and ambassador for Ready, Steady, Go, a charity that supports children with autism. Lauren Parkinson was announced as first runner-up and the second runner-up position was awarded to Emily Norris. "Dreams do come true," said the new Miss Wales. "Today marks another new chapter in my life as I sign my contract as a contestant for Miss World 2021, I am truly blessed," she added. Olivia will represent Wales at the 70th Miss World (Miss World 2021) pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico this December. Photos: Danielle Latimer / Miss Wales

Daria Goncharevich bested 28 other beauties to be crowned Miss Belarus 2021 at the Palace of Sports in Minsk last Friday, September 10. The 18-year-old model and runway instructor from Minsk fluently speaks Russian and English. She will represent her country at the 70th Miss World pageant to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico this December. Yulia Mishchenko and Alexandra Popok were named first and second runners-up, respectively. Photos: Miss Belarus

Miss Galway, Pamela Uba, claimed the coveted Miss Ireland 2021 title at the Lakeside Manor Hotel in Virginia, Co. Cavan last September 5. The 25-year-old beauty has just completed her master's in clinical chemistry and works at University Hospital Galway. Her "Beauty with a Purpose" project focuses on education. She launched a fundraiser entitled “Make Education A Superpower.” The funds raised go towards educational equipment, such as upcycled iPads, for children living in direct provision, a system of asylum seeker accommodation. Pamala made history as the first-ever black woman to be crowned Miss Ireland. She traveled from Johannesburg, South Africa at a young age and seek asylum to start a new life in Ireland. The new Miss Ireland will represent her country at the 70th Miss World pageant to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico this December. Photo: Miss Ireland

Dilara Korkmaz, 23, was crowned Miss Turkey World 2021 in a glittering competition held in Istanbul on Wednesday, September 8. The second-year master's degree student at Ankara University bested 19 other beauties to win her national title. Dilara will represent Turkey at the 70th Miss World pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico this December. Turkey has won the Miss World crown for the first time in 2002 courtesy of Azra Akın. Photo: Miss Turkey

Miss Duarte, Emmy Peña, was crowned Miss Mundo Dominicana 2021 (Miss World Dominican Republic) in a glistening national pageant held at the Barceló Grand Resort in Punta Cana on Saturday, September 4. The 24-year-old professional model from Duarte province bested 24 other beauties to win the competition. She succeeds Alba Marie Blair and will represent the Dominican Republic at the 70th Miss World pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico this December. As her Beauty with a Purpose project, Emmy is celebrating the diversity of people, especially those with Down Syndrome. Her mission is to educate to destroy prejudice and the myth that this condition has limits. Photos: Stanley De la Cruz

Anna Leitch was crowned Miss Northern Ireland 2021 in a dazzling competition held at the Europa Hotel in Belfast on Monday, September 6. The 27-year-old teacher from Cookstown bested 22 other beauties to win her title. She succeeds Miss Northern Ireland 2019 Lauren Leckey. Miss Crumlin, Ruth Armstrong, and Miss Antrim, Bernadette Hagans, were respectively announced as the first and second runners-up. Anna will represent Northern Ireland at the highly anticipated 70th Miss World pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico this December. Photos: Miss World

At a packed press conference today, it was announced that due to exceptional demand for tickets, the Miss World Final had been moved to Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot the largest indoor venue in the country! Tickets for the 16th December final are expected to go on sale from September 17th. The Coliseum, in San Juan is the biggest indoor arena in Puerto Rico and is dedicated to entertainment. Opened in 2004, ‘Choliseo’ as it is nicknamed, can accommodate up to 18,500 spectators. It has been voted as one of the top 10 arena venues in the world. At the Press Conference, Julia Morley Chairman and CEO of Miss World was joined by reigning Miss World – Toni-Ann Singh, Stephanie Del Valle - Miss World 2016 and Vanessa Ponce De Leon - Miss World 2018.  Julia spoke of her deep pride in Puerto Rico being the host of the 70th Final. She thanked Puerto Rico’s two Miss World winners Wilnelia Merced Forsyth and Stephanie Del Valle for bringing the spirit of Puerto Rico in to her own life

Sharon Obara bested 15 other contestants to be crowned Miss World Kenya 2021 in a national competition held last Saturday, August 28 at the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi. The 19-year-old beauty succeeds Miss World Kenya 2019 Maria Nyamai Wavinya and will represent her East African country at the 70th Miss World pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico this December. Chantou Kwamboka and Mwihaki Njogu were announced as the first and second runners-up, respectively. "I'm humbled to have been the one bestowed the honor to represent Kenya at Miss World. I am still in awe of the support and love that is still coming my way. The journey has just but began," Sharon said. "I vow to do my best, lead with my heart, continue the Miss World legacy, and most importantly touch twice as many lives through my Beauty with a Purpose project," she added. Photos: Miss World / Facebook