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María Vargas of Jalisco beat over 30 other contestants to win Miss Universe Mexico 2026 on Saturday, August 29 at Tierra Sagrada in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur. The 28-year-old model and businesswoman from Guadalajara will represent Mexico at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico this November. Mariana Macías of Michoacán finished as first runner-up while Fernanda Abaroa of Guerrero, Génesis Vera of Veracruz, and Ximena Ochoa of Ciudad de México placed second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The contestants from Colima, María Zepeda, Morelos, Zayda Ríos, Nuevo León, Arisbe Cueto, Oaxaca, Estefany Luna, and Tabasco, Ximena Aranda were the Top 10 finalists. Top 16 semifinalists were from Baja California, Samantha Bastidas, Baja California Sur, Zelene Zazueta, Durango, Isela Hernández, Guanajuato, Cristina Muñoz, Sinaloa, Cristina Guillén, and Yucatán, Carla Osorio. Miss Universe 2025 beauties Lina Luaces from Cuba and Inna Moll from Chile were among the distinguished judges of...

Justus Kelley of Virginia edged out 50 other contestants to win Miss USA 2026 on Thursday, August 27 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida. The 31-year-old senior philanthropic advisor and model also bagged the Best in Swimsuit award. She was crowned by her predecessor Audrey Eckert of Nebraska. Aileen Cerchiara of Florida was named first runner-up while Elizabeth Voight of Pennsylvania, Madeline Erickson of Iowa, and Alayzia Christopher of Utah were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The rest of the Top 10 finalists were the contestants from Colorado, Jordyn Owen, Connecticut, Jaeden Hamelly, Nebraska, Emily Lenser, Nevada, Natalie Bode, and New York, Jenna Dykstra. Completing the Top 20 were from Arizona, Kaitlyn Humphrey, California, Acacia McBride, Indiana, Eniolá Oke, Kansas, Madilynn Becker, Kentucky, Brijet Finister, Louisiana, Ella Clark, Minnesota, Rachel Betterley, Montana, Lisbeth Fernández, New Mexico, Cara Rgnonti, and ...

Kaziah Liz Mejo, a 19-year-old law student from Kerala, was crowned Miss Universe India 2026 on Sunday, August 23, at the Zee Studios in Jaipur, Rajasthan. She takes over the title from last year's winner, Manika Vishwakarma, and is now gearing up to represent India at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in Puerto Rico this November. Vaishnavi Ganesh was named first runner-up and is expected to represent India at Miss International 2026, which will take place in Tokyo, Japan, also this November. Anushri Satavlekar, Tejaswini Shrivastava, and Anubha Vashisth were announced as the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. A total of 52 contestants from all over the country were selected to compete for this prestigious national title. The selection committee included former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen, reigning Miss Charm Anna Blanco from Venezuela, and previous Miss Universe India winners Celina Jaitly, Urvashi Rautela, and Rhea Singha. The new Miss Universe India is also model, ...

Caitlin Worthington was declared the winner of Miss Universe Australia 2026 at the national final on Wednesday, August 26, held at the Crown Melbourne. The 28-year-old radiographer and model from Brisbane succeeds her predecessor Lexie Brant. She will represent Australia at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in Puerto Rico this November. Georgia Van Zaanen was awarded first runner-up, while Rowan Brent-White, Uma Dawson, and Kristabella Leembruggen took the second, third, and fourth runner-up positions, respectively. The remaining Top 10 finalists included Paige Bentley, Audrey Panagopoulos, Lilli Sauerwald, Sophie Trayner, and Jess Davis. The event was hosted by Australian stage and screen actor Rob Mills, alongside actress and former titleholder Maria Thattil. A total of 28 national finalists from around the country were chosen to compete for the crown. Australia has claimed the Miss Universe title on two occasions, first with Kerry Anne Wells in 1972 and then with Jennifer Hawkins in 20...

Tharina Botes, representing Bangkok, was crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2026 on Sunday, August 23 at MGI Hall in Bangkok. The 29-year-old beauty beat over 70 other contestants to win the national title and she will now represent Thailand at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico this November. Suttida Aiadpu of Phuket was named first runner-up while Helena Sarakan of Udon Thani, Sasiwararin Atsawahirankarn of Chiang Mai, and Manatsawee Nilbuala of Ubon Ratchathani were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Last year's winner who finished first runner-up at Miss Universe 2025, Praveenar Singh of Saraburi, relinquished her reign at the end of the event. The new Miss Universe Thailand was born to a Thai mother and South African father. She was raised in Johannesburg and holds a degree in commerce and economics. "Thank you to my amazing team, my fans, and everyone who believed in me. I could not have done this without all of you. We finally did it," she shared on...

Aslihan Morali, from Ancaster, Ontario, was crowned Miss Universe Canada 2026 on Saturday, August 8 at the Chrysler Theatre in Windsor. The Turkish-Canadian advocate, entrepreneur, model and actor succeeds last year's winner Jaime VandenBerg and will represent Canada at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Puerto Rico this November. First runner-up Jabili Kandula was named Miss Cosmo Canada 2026 and will head to Vietnam for the Miss Cosmo 2026 competition later this year. Emilie Vos, Patricia Seward and Naomi Colford were announced the second, third and fourth runners-up, respectively. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Canada has previously competed in Miss Supranational 2025 in Poland and bagged the Miss Congeniality award. Aslihan is a passionate humanitarian who founded the Leap Global Voices, an empowerment initiative dedicated to helping young girls recognize their potential and rewrite their own stories. "I believe deeply in the mission of the Miss Universe Or...

Susana Medina from Las Palmas beat 16 other contestants to win Miss Universe Spain 2026 on Saturday, July 18 in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife. The 27-year-old model and actress will represent Spain at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in Puerto Rico this November. "Today starts a new phase filled with dreams, challenges and great opportunities. We are sure you will represent Spain with elegance, strength, authenticity and all your heart," the Miss Universe Spain organization shared online. The new Miss Universe Spain is no stranger to pageantry. In 2024, she was crowned Miss Grand Spain and finished third runner-up at Miss Grand International 2024 in Thailand. Prior to Saturday's national competition, Susana shared: "This evening, I will take the stage for the Miss Universe Spain grand final. Come what may, my heart is already full of gratitude for this journey and for everyone who has believed in me." Road to the 75th Miss Universe: View this post on Instag...

Sayuki Ito was crowned Miss Universe Japan 2026 on Tuesday, June 23 at the Shibuya City Cultural Center in Tokyo. The 26-year-old beauty from Fukuoka Prefecture will represent Japan at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in Puerto Rico this November. Jasmyn Mimi Johnson and Erika Watanabe were named the first and second runners-up, respectivel, while Seiyu Hata and Mone Gibo completed the Top 5 finalists. The new Miss Universe Japan succeeds last year's winner Kaori Hashimoto from Tochigi. Road to the 75th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Japan Official (@missuniversejapan) Photos: Marai Ken, Miss Universe Japan / Instagram

Melissa Bottema was proclaimed the winner of Miss Netherlands 2026 (Miss Universe Netherlands) on Saturday, June 27 at Studio 21 in Hilversum. The 25-year-old social worker, gymnastics coach and model from Groningen was crowned by her predecessor Nathalie Mogbelzada who made the Top 30 at Miss Universe 2025 last November in Bangkok, Thailand. The new Miss Netherlands is no stranger to pageantry. She has previously competed in Miss Intercontinental where she made the Top 20 and Miss Grand International where she placed 5th runner-up. Melissa will now prepare to represent the Netherlands at the Miss Universe 2026 beauty pageant to be held in Puerto Rico this November. "I am incredibly grateful for all the lovely messages. My phone has been blowing up, and it will take a few days before I've read and replied to everything. But please know that your kind messages certainly haven't gone unnoticed," she wrote online. Two other winners also emerged from last night's even...

Jennifer Barreto of San Sebastián triumphed over 30 other contestants to win Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2026 on Thursday, June 25 in Caguas. The 27-year-old psychologist will represent Puerto Rico at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant to be held in the Caribbean island this November. Génesis Dávila of Arroyo was named first runner-up while Vivianie Díaz-Arroyo of Aguas Buenas, Nicole Marie Colón of Aibonito, and Chelsey García of Añasco were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Ariana Pagán of Orocovis, Natalia Molina of Salinas, and Krystal González of Utuado made the Top 8 while the representatives of Caguas, Carolina, Coamo, Dorado, Juana Díaz, Manatí and Toa Baja completed the Top 15 semifinalists. Born in Isabella, the new Miss Universe Puerto Rico holds a bachelor's degree in research pyschology and master's in psychology and clinical social work. She is currently a prevention specialist  for the United States Department of Defense. Jennifer was crowned by h...

Miss Hpa-An, May Grace Parry, was crowned Miss Universe Myanmar 2026 on Wednesday, June 17 at the Hexagon Complex in Yangon. The 31-year-old Australian-Burmese model and actress edged out over 30 other contestants to win the national title. She succeeds last year's winner Myat Yadanar Soe. Han Theint Theint Aung of Taungoo and Kyaw Kyaw Eaindra of Yangon West were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Former Miss Universe Natalie Glebova and Miss Universe 2025 third runner-up Ahtisa Manalo from the Philippines were among the judges. Reigning Miss Universe Philippines Bea Millan-Windorski of La Union also graced the glittering event as a special guest. The new Miss Universe Myanmar will represent her country at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in Puerto Rico this November. Road to the 75th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Myanmar (@miss_universe_myanmar_official) Photos: Htet Aung Hlaing ( Studio Htet), ...

Aideen Howard beat over 20 other contestants to win Miss Universe Ireland 2026 on Saturday, June 20 at the Bonnington Hotel in Dublin. The 22-year-old model and student from Castletroy, Limerick, was crowned by her predecessor Aadya Srivastava from Galway. She will now prepare to represent Ireland at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico this November. Leah Sheehan, also from Limerick, and Eileen Coyle from Derry were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Originally from Boston, the new Miss Universe Ireland moved to Limerick at age 12. In her bio for the pageant, she said, "Moving countries at a young age taught me the importance of kindness, empathy, and making others feel included." "Having experienced major life changes throughout my childhood, I understand how overwhelming and lonely life can feel, which is why I value creating a positive, welcoming environment for others," she added. Aideen also said: "I aspire to be someone young girls and boy...

Kamilla Kiss, 25, was crowned Miss Universe Hungary 2026 on Friday, June 19 at Kálmán Imre Theater in Budapest. She beat 11 other contestants to win the national competition and will now prepare to represent Hungary at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in Puerto Rico this November. Lilien Sarka and Kinga Óvári were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Hungary succeeds last year's winner Kincső Dezsényi. Kamilla is a freelance model, interior designer and makeup artist. Road to the 75th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Hungary (@missuniversehungary_) Photos: Tamás Nánási / Miss Universe Hungary