PAGEANT Circle

Nora Emilie Nakken bested 12 other contestants to be crowned Miss Universe Norway 2021 in a national competition held in Oslo on Saturday, August 14. The 23-year-old model and mental health advocate from Trondheim succeeds Sunniva Frigstad. She will represent Norway at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Angelika Catharina D. Kristiansen and Amine Storrød were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Julie Dahlen Børresen and Stephany Gabriela Crespo La Rosa completed the Top 5. The new Miss Universe Norway is no stranger to pageantry as she competed last year as Miss Earth Norway during the virtual Miss Earth 2020 pageant. Photo: Joe Urrutia / Miss Norway Organization

Allison Wassmer was crowned Miss Nicaragua 2021 in a national competition held on Saturday, August 14 in Managua. The 26-year-old entrepreneur succeeds last year's winner and Miss Universe Top 21 Ana Marcelo. She represented Managua and bested six other finalists to win her title. Miss Rivas, Glennys Medina, and Miss Acoyapa, Zulema Bravo were the first and second runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Nicaragua will represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant to be held later this year for the first time in Eilat, Israel. Photo: Miss Nicaragua

Thessaly Zimmerman was crowned Miss Universe Aruba 2021 last Friday, July 30 at the House of Mosaic in Oranjestad. The 26-year-old social media coordinator holds a bachelor's degree in communication. She succeeds last year's titleholder, Helen Hernandez. "I cannot express how proud I am to be the newly crowned Miss Universe Aruba 2021," Thessaly posted online. "I wanted to thank everyone that made last night possible and believed in me from the start," she added. Thessaly will represent Aruba at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) competition to be held in Eilat, Israel this December. Photo: Thessaly Zimmerman / Instagram

Alejandra Gavidia was crowned Miss Universe El Salvador 2021 during the Reinado de El Salvador 2021 competition held on Thursday, July 29 in San Salvador. The 25-year-old beauty bested six other finalists to succeed last year's titleholder, Vanessa Velásquez. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and government and a master’s degree in image consulting and political consulting. Alejandra will represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant to be held in Eilat, Israel later year. El Salvador has yet to win its first Miss Universe. Its highest placement was first runner-up in 1955 courtesy of Maribel Arrieta. Photo: Reinado De El Salvador / Facebook

Shariengela Cjintje bested seven other finalists to be crowned Miss Universe Curacao 2021 in a national competition held on Saturday, July 24 at the Curacao Marriott Beach Resort in Willemstad. The 28-year-old beauty was born in the Netherland and holds a master's degree in law. She authored a book "Release Your Amazon" and hopes "to inspire every woman and girl to live their dreams and every step I take is directed towards that goal." Shariengela succeeds last year's titleholder and Miss Universe 2020 Top 21 placer, Chantal Wiertz, and will now prepare to represent her country at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Photo: Curacao Beauty Pageant Committee / Facebook

For the first time in history, the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant will be hosted in Israel. Israel's Tourism Ministry and the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) made the official announcement on Tuesday, July 20. A Middle Eastern country on the Mediterranean Sea, Israel is regarded by Jews, Christians, and Muslims as the biblical Holy Land. "Israel has been on our shortlist of host countries for a number of years due to its rich history, beautiful landscapes, myriad of cultures, and appeal as a global tourist destination," the MUO President Paula Shugart said. The international pageant is set to take place this December in the country's southernmost city of Eilat, a southern Israeli port and resort town on the Red Sea, near Jordan. It is renowned for its spectacular combination of the surrounding desert landscape, the beautiful bay, and the summer sun that shines all year round. Mexico's Andrea Meza will crown her successor at the end of the event t

Ora Antonia Ivanišević bested 14 other contestants to be crowned Miss Universe Croatia 2021 on Wednesday, July 14 at Esplanade Zagreb Hotel. The 20-year-old tourism management student from Dubrovnik succeeds last year's winner Mirna Naiia Marić. She will represent Croatia at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant later this year. Lorena Mustać from Privlaka and Ozana Franović from Split were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Matea Babić and Ivona Gradečak completed the Top 5. The new Miss Universe Croatia is a skilled make-up artist and hairstylist and speaks fluent English and Russian. Her hobbies include volunteering at the Down Syndrome Association's home. She wants to advocate for equal opportunities for advancement in business for women and men. Photos: Miss Universe Croatia / Facebook

Tutti Sejdiu was crowned Miss Universe Kosovo 2021 last Friday, July 9 at Adorions Palace in Tirana. The 19-year-old beauty from the small and beautiful town of Gjilan succeeds last year's winner, Blerta Veseli. Over 20 contestants from Albania and Kosovo competed in the glittering national competition. Tutti will represent Kosovo at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant, whose date and venue are yet to be announced. Photos: Miss Universe Albania & Kosova Instagram

Ina Dajci was crowned Miss Universe Albania 2021 in a national competition held last Friday, July 9 at Adorions Palace in Tirana. The 27-year-old architect and model from Tirana bested over 20 other contestants to win her national title. Ina succeeds last year's winner Paula Mehmetukaj and will now prepare to represent Albania at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant. Photos: Miss Universe Albania & Kosova Instagram

Miranda representative and Miss Venezuela 2020 Top 5 finalist, Luiseth Materán, has been officially announced as Miss Universo Venezuela 2021 on Friday, July 2 in Caracas. The 24-year-old social communication graduate is a model and actress. She is currently filming "Intriga tras cámara" television series that will premiere on Televen, in which she will play the leading character. Luiseth will represent Venezuela at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant, whose date and venue are yet to be announced. "Today more than ever I assume with honor the commitment to call myself Venezuela before the universe and I promise to work tirelessly to represent my country as it deserves. I love you and thank you so much affection and support," she said. Photos: Miguelángel Miquelena / Makeup & Styling: Erick Gabriel Díaz / Accessories: Yoel Accesorio / Wardrobe: ZAR DESIGN

Miss Universe Philippines organization has finally got rid of its minimum height requirements for this year's competition. Maria Thattil, Miss Universe Australia 2020 and 69th Miss Universe Top 10 placer, has lauded the national organization for changing its rules. The age requirement was also adjusted. Although the minimum age is still 18 years old but entrants should be under 28 years old at the time of the national pageant. Other requirements stayed the same. Entrants must be Filipino citizens and Philippine passport holders, at least a high school graduate and female, who has never been married nor has borne children. National director Shamcey Supsup-Lee's statement in an interview regarding transgender women became controversial. She said that they will accept transgender applicants as long as they can provide legal proof of being female and have already gone through reassignment surgery. The organization has yet to announce the final date and venue for Miss Universe Phili

Former Miss World Greece Rafaela Plastira has been named Miss Universe Greece 2021. She succeeds Miss Universe Greece 2018, Ioanna Bella. The 21-year-old model was crowned Star Hellas 2019 and went to compete in the 69th Miss World pageant in London. She holds a degree in the management of social services and aspires to pursue postgraduate study in journalism. "My dream since a young girl has come true. I can't wait to represent my country again," she shared online. "This time it's gonna be very different for me. It will be my last pageant so I will give my all into it," she added. Rafaela is expected to represent Greece at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant whose date and venue have yet to be announced. Photos: Rafaela Plastira / Instagram

Mexicana Universal Organización has been officially named Debora Hallal as Miss Universe Mexico 2021 on Monday, May 31. The 24-year-old beauty who hails from Los Mochis holds a degree in business administration. She represented Sinaloa in Mexicana Universal 2020 competition where she placed first runner-up. Debora succeeded Andrea Meza, who was crowned Miss Universe 2020 last month in Florida, USA. The newly appointed Miss Universe Mexico will try to pull off a back-to-back win for her country in the 70th Miss Universe pageant (Miss Universe 2021) on a date and venue yet to be announced. Photos: Mexicana Universal Organización

The Miss Universe Philippines organization has already opened applications for its second edition to look for another phenomenal Filipina woman to represent the Philippines at the next Miss Universe. Don’t miss the chance to represent your city or province and advocate for the causes close to your heart at the Miss Universe Philippines 2021 pageant. If you are at least 18 to 27 years old, a Filipino citizen, and at least a high school graduate, you may now submit your application for a chance of becoming the next Miss Universe. No height requirement. Visit the official social media pages of the pageant and the website missuniverseph.com for additional details on how you can be part of the prestigious national event. The Philippines currently holds an 11 consecutive year of placement streak at Miss Universe since 2010 with four runners-up (Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Janine Tugonon, and Ariella Arida) and two winners (Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray). Photo: Miss Universe Philippines /

Nguyen Huynh Kim Duyen has been officially announced by her national pageant organization on Tuesday, May 18 as the newly appointed Miss Universe Vietnam 2021. The 25-year-old business administration graduate from Can Tho was first runner-up to Nguyen Tran Khanh Van during Miss Universe Vietnam 2019 competition. Kim Duyen is expected to represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant to be held possibly later this year. The exact date and host country for the international competition are yet to be announced. Vietnam has yet to win the Miss Universe pageant but managed to successfully place in the final of the last three editions. Its highest achievement was in 2018 when H’Hen Nie entered the Top 5. Photo: Hoang Phuc / Makeup: Hang Thanh Thien / Hair: Bi Ha / Stylist: Kiet Cao / Trang phuc: Lafunsy