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Showing posts with the label 71st Miss Universe

Catriona Gray emotional during Cheslie Kryst tribute at 71st Miss Universe

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Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray was seen bursting into tears during an emotional tribute dedicated to former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst at the 71st Miss Universe pageant on January 14 in New Orleans. Catriona shared an apartment with Cheslie in New York City during their reigns. Cheslie tragically took her own life in January 2020 by jumping to her death from the Manhattan apartment building where she lived. During the tribute, a video montage was played showing a vibrant and happy Cheslie, while she was silently dealing with high-functioning depression. April Simpkins, Cheslie's mother, went onstage to give a moving message: "Cheslie loved this Miss Universe community. She often spoke about the support she received from all of you and the Miss Universe Organization, and for that, I'm forever grateful." She continued her speech by talking about Cheslie's silent battles: "The Cheslie you saw didn’t always match the way she felt inside. Just because someone tells

History repeats itself as India crowns USA at 71st Miss Universe

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Another history repeats itself moment just happened during the culmination of the 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The highly talked about coronation event brought us back to the iconic moment when India's first Miss Universe Sushmita Sen crowned her successor, the late Chelsi Smith of the USA as Miss Universe 1995 in Namibia. Almost 28 years later, another winner from India, Harnaaz Sandhu, crowned R'Bonney Gabriel of the USA as Miss Universe 2022 on January 14 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. What's more interesting is that both biracial Americans Chelsi and R'Bonney competed in Miss Texas USA twice before winning the state title, then went on to become Miss USA, and eventually, Miss Universe. They are both trailblazers for other women with a mixed-race background who wish to take the same path. While Chelsi was the first ever African-American to win Miss Texas USA, R'Bonney became the first Filipino-American to win

Winning answers of 71st Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel

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Texas-born R'Bonney Gabriel, 28, was crowned the 71st Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2022) on Saturday, January 14 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Apart from her winning looks and undeniable stage presence, R'Bonney also gave impressive answers during the question-and-answer rounds. During the Top 5 Q&A, she was asked by Vyral Media PR co-founder Mara Martin: "Miss Universe recently made an inclusive change, allowing mothers and married women to compete this year. What's another change you'd like to see, and why?" She replied: "For me, I would like to see an age increase because I am 28 years old and that is the oldest age to compete, and I think it's a beautiful thing. My favorite quote is "if not now, then when" because as a woman, I believe age does not define us. It's not tomorrow, it's not yesterday, but it's now. The time is now that you can go after what you want." R'Bonney advanced to the

The 71st Miss Universe is Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel

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Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel beat 83 other contestants to win Miss Universe 2022, the 71st Miss Universe pageant on Saturday, January 14 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The 28-year-old fashion designer, model, and sewing instructor received the new Mouawad crown "Force for Good" from her predecessor Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu of India. Amanda Dudamel of Venezuela and Andreína Martínez were named the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Gabriëla Dos Santos of Curacao and Ashley Cariño of Puerto Rico rounded out the Top 5 finalists. The rest of the Top 16 were beauties from Australia, Monique Rile, Canada, Amelia Tu, Colombia, María Fernanda Aristizábal, Haiti, Mideline Phelizor, India, Divita Rai, Laos, Payengxa Lor, Peru, Alessia Rovegno, Portugal, Telma Madeira, South Africa, Ndavi Nokeri, Spain, Alicia Faubel, and Trinidad & Tobago, Tya Jané Ramey. Chile's Sofia Depassier and Malta's Maxine Formosa Gruppetta were both a

LIVE UPDATES: 71st Miss Universe Final Competition Results

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Miss Universe 2022, the 71st edition of the Miss Universe competition will be taking place tonight at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. India's Harnaaz Sandhu will pass the new Mouawad crown "Force for Good" to one of the 84 contestants at the end of the highly anticipated event. Tonight's pageant will be the first-ever edition under the ownership of Thailand-based JKN Global Group which is headed by its founder and CEO Anne Jakrajutatip. Hosted by Jeannie Mai and Olivia Culpo together with Catriona Gray and Zuri Hall as backstage commentators, the spectacular show will also feature musical performances from Big Freedia, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Amanda Shaw, Tank and the Bangas, and Yolanda Adams. A selection committee consisting of Ximena Navarrete, Big Freedia, Mara Martin, Wendy Fitzwilliam, Emily Austin, Olivia Quido, Myrka Dellanos, and Sweta Patel will be responsible for choosing the new Miss Universe. Who will

Harnaaz Sandhu issues apology to Miss Universe Kyrgyzstan

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Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu took to social media to issue an apology to Miss Universe Kyrgyzstan Altynai Botoyarova for a slip-up she made during the 71st Miss Universe national costume competition. While co-hosting with Miss Universe Organization TV producer and writer Nick Teplitz, the Indian beauty mistakenly mentioned "Kazakhstan" instead of "Kyrgyzstan" as Altynai walked down the runway wearing her white swan-inspired national costume. "During the preliminary event this week in New Orleans, I failed to properly say Kyrgyzstan. I am deeply sorry for this mistake," Harnaaz shared on her Instagram story and continued by saying she will never purposely say or do something to upset a contestant or their supporters. "The preliminary competition was my first time ever co-hosting and the jitters got the best of me. My nervousness onstage is not a reflection of the deep respect I have for Kyrgyzstan. Altynai, please accept my sincerest apologies,&qu

FAVORITES: 71st Miss Universe special awards favorites

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Based on the 71st Miss Universe preliminary and national costume competitions, and the official headshots posted by the Miss Universe Organization, we scored the 84 contestants to come up with our own set of winners for the special awards. Meet the winners: Best in National Costume Winner - Ukraine, Viktoria Apanasenko 2nd - Guatemala, Ivana Batchelor 3rd - USA, R'Bonney Gabriel --- Best in Evening Gown Winner - Thailand, Anna Sueangam-iam 2nd - USA, R'Bonney Gabriel 3rd - Dominican Republic, Andreína Martínez Founier --- Best in Swimsuit: Winner - Dominican Republic, Andreína Martínez Founier 2nd - USA, R'Bonney Gabriel 3rd - Puerto Rico - Ashley Cariño --- Miss Photogenic Winner - Philippines, Celeste Cortesi 2nd - Venezuela, Amanda Dudamel 3rd - Peru, Alessia Rovegno Don't miss the 71st Miss Universe final competition live from the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA this Saturday, January 14 at 7 p.m. CST. Photos: Miss Uni

FAVORITES: 71st Miss Universe Top 16 final favorites

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One contestant will walk away with the most coveted beauty title and crown at the culmination of the 71st Miss Universe pageant this Saturday, January 14 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu of India will pass the new Mouawad crown to her successor at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Choosing a winner among 84 equally beautiful, confident, and empowered women is no easy task and the selection committee will surely have the toughest responsibility for it. Who will be the next Miss Universe?  Meet our Top 16 final favorites: TOP 16 (in alphabetical order) Aruba - Kiara Arends Curacao - Gabriëla Dos Santos Colombia - María Fernanda Aristizábal Dominican Republic - Andreína Martínez Founier Germany - Soraya Kohlmann Jamaica - Toshami Calvin Mexico - Irma Cristina Miranda Valenzuela Peru - Alessia Rovegno Philippines - Celeste Cortesi Portugal - Telma Madeira Puerto Rico - Ashley Cariño South Africa - Ndavi Nokeri Thailand - Anna Sueangam-

71st Miss Universe: New crown unveiled in New Orleans

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The 71st Miss Universe contestants had the chance to see the new crown by Mouawad for the first time in person on Thursday, January 12 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu was also present during the unveiling event along with Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart, CEO Amy Emmerich, new owner Anne Jakrajutatip, and businessman Fred Mouawad. The "Force for Good" crown which is worth approximately 5.58 million US dollars was first unveiled in Bangkok, Thailand last month. One of the 84 contestants will wear the Mouawad masterpiece for the first time at the culmination of the 71st Miss Universe pageant this Saturday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anne Jakrajutatip | แอน จักรพงษ์ (@annejkn.official) Photos: Benjamin Askinas / Miss Universe Organization, Anne Jakrajutatip / Instagram RELATED POSTS: 71st Miss Universe: Here's where to watch final telecast and livestream 71st Miss Universe

FAVORITES: 71st Miss Universe preliminary evening gown competition

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The 71st Miss Universe preliminary competition took place on Wednesday, January 11 in New Orleans where the 84 contestants glided onstage with confidence, poise, and elegance wearing their chosen evening gowns. Based on their preliminary evening gown presentations, meet our favorites: TOP 5 (in alphabetical order) Dominican Republic - Andreína Martínez Founier Puerto Rico - Ashley Cariño Thailand - Anna Sueangam-iam USA - R'Bonney Gabriel Venezuela - Amanda Dudamel Top 10 - Aruba, Colombia, Curacao, Mexico, Vietnam Photos: Benjamin Askinas / Miss Universe Organization RELATED POSTS: FAVORITES: 71st Miss Universe preliminary swimsuit competition 71st Miss Universe preliminary and costume competition standouts 71st Miss Universe: Here's where to watch final telecast and livestream 71st Miss Universe final telecast performers announced