PAGEANT Circle

The finalists vying for Miss Universe Malaysia 2024 have been unveiled on Monday, August 5 at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur. A total of 16 outstanding finalists were introduced by the Miss Universe Malaysia Organization during the press conference. Embracing its motto "Beauty Beyond You", this year's finalists according to the organizers represent a dynamic range of backgrounds from across the nation. Headed by its national director Eleen Yong, the pageant recently announced the removal of the upper age limit and the acceptance of women who are married, divorced, and mothers into the competition. The next Miss Universe Malaysia, to be crowned in September, will represent Malaysia at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Meet the contestants: 1. Amelia Foong 2. Angela Quah 3. Car Menn Lee 4. Elaine Kho 5. Genevieve Goh 6. Gianna Tan 7. Gillian Miral 8. Isabella Wong 9. Isabelle Choong 10. Keshinie Sivamaran 11. Rin Yeap 12. Sandra Lim 13. Shaline Vikneswaran 14. Sh...

Alma Cooper from Michigan was crowned Miss USA 2024 on Sunday in Los Angeles making her the fourth woman from her home state to become Miss USA. Her road to the national crown started when she won Miss Michigan USA 2024 last April in Port Huron where she made history as the first active-duty army officer to take home the state title. The new Miss USA graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, with a degree in mathematical science and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Army. During her senior year, she became the youngest recipient of the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship and is currently pursuing her master's degree in statistics in the number one statistics program in the USA at Stanford University. Alma is dedicated to amplifying the voices of underrepresented minorities through data science. While at West Point, she was a brigade adjutant and was responsible for creating and enforcing accountability measures for 4,400 cadets during emergencies and crises. She...

Michigan's Alma Cooper was crowned Miss USA 2024 during the national final on Sunday, August 4 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. The 22-year-old scholar, advocate and US Army officer bested 50 other contestants to become the 73rd Miss USA. She will represent the USA at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Alma is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. The US Army second lieutenant officer and a Knight-Hennessy Scholar is currently pursuing her master's degree in data science at Stanford University in California. She's the fourth woman from Michigan to win Miss USA after Carole Gist (1990), Kenya Summer Moore (1993), and Rima Fakih (2010). This year's pageant was hosted by Emmy Award-winning TV personality and bestselling author Keltie Knight with Haitian-born actress and executive producer Garcelle Beauvais. The new Miss USA received the new crown by Mexican crown and jewelry Ri...

Italy Johan Mora was crowned Miss Universe Panama 2024 during the national competition held on Saturday, August 3 at the Amador Convention Center in Panama City. The 19-year-old model representing Riviera del Canal won the title in her second attempt at joining the pageant. She only made the Top 7 during last year's competition. Lilian Ashby of Panama Centro was named first runner-up while Mirna Caballini of Chiriqui, Brigthey Estrella Castillo of Veraguas, and Shahani Guardia de Isla Grande were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Panama received her crown from the reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua who was a special guest at the event. Italy is passionate about sports, especially football and boxing, and is described as a visionary, fighter woman who professes immense love for her homeland, traditions, and customs. She will now prepare to represent Panama at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Road to the 73rd M...

Dubai-based Yugen PR no longer holds the franchise for Miss Universe New Zealand 2024 according to an official statement released online today. The statement said: "As a result of our team's non-compliance with a specific order from the Miss Universe Organization, we have decided to cancel the franchise held by Yugen PR for Miss Universe New Zealand for 2024." Kiwi-Filipina actress Franki Russell was initially named as New Zealand's representative for the Miss Universe 2024 pageant, but now her national title has been taken off her official social media bio. Because of this unexpected twist, it's still uncertain if New Zealand will be represented at the 73rd Miss Universe to be held in Mexico this November. New Zealand was expected to return to the international pageant after 4 years. Its last participation was in 2019 with Diamond Langi. Photo: Miss Universe New Zealand

Rachel Silvera was crowned Miss Universe Jamaican 2024 during the national final held on Sunday, July 28 at AC Hotel Kingston. The 25-year-old pharmacy student from St. Mary will now prepare to represent Jamaica at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Sara-Jade Kow and Keri-Ann Greenwood were the first and second runners-up, respectively while Sandra Swaby and Celine Diedrick rounded out the Top 5 finalists. The rest of the Top 15 were Michalia Cowan, Christabelle Brown, Gabrielle Booth, Anastasia Thomas, Taylor McKenzie, Brittany Dyke, Brithney McKenzie, Elaine Allen-Landy, Kade Shippy, and Rishema Daley. Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua graced the event as a special guest. She gave the official sash to the lucky winner. The new Miss Universe Jamaica succeeds Jordanne Levy, last year's winner who placed in the Top 20 at the Miss Universe 2023 pageant in El Salvador. Rachel is a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability a...

Skye Faucher was crowned Miss Universe Saint Lucia 2024 in a coronation ceremony held on Saturday, July 27 at the Harbor Club St. Lucia. The 26-year-old sports mentor and vegan succeeds last year's titleholder Earlyca Frederick and will now prepare to represent Saint Lucia at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Skye is a former collegiate volleyball player at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee where she also graduated with a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. Saint Lucia, an Eastern Caribbean island nation, has yet to win the Miss Universe crown since its debut at the pageant in 1977 with Iva Lua Mendes. Photo: Miss Universe Saint Lucia / Instagram

Ashley Callingbull bested more than 60 other contestants to win Miss Universe Canada 2024 on Saturday, July 27 at the Capitol Theatre in Windsor, Ontario. The 34-year-old actress, model, and TV host from Enoch Cree Nation in Alberta was also awarded Best in National Costume. She succeeds last year's winner Madison Kvaltin and will represent Canada at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Raika Coutinho was named first runner-up while Aly Lozoff, Khadija Omar, and Olga Bykadorova were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Rebecca Drouin, Marguerite Kilama, Ivonn Novikova, Solange Tuyishime Keita, and Kristina Goncharova were the rest of the Top 10 finalists. Completing the Top 20 were Itisha Chowdhury, Salome Grajales, Vivian Santizo, Lorraine Peters, Sofia DiMario, Dassie van der Westhuizen, Sophia Sladic, Nomin Bayasgalan, Lachelle Williams, and Sommer Knight. The new Miss Universe Canada, a former contestant of Amazing Race Canada, is no stranger to pagean...

Nada Koussa was crowned Miss Lebanon 2024 in a national competition held on Saturday, July 27 at the Royal Tulip Achrafieh in Beirut. The 26-year-old from Rahbe, Akkar bested 14 other contestants to win the title. She is now expected to represent Lebanon at Miss Universe 2024 and Miss World 2025. Sarah Leena Bou Jaoude was named first runner-up while Gael Balian, Melissa Kozah, and Sibelle Bou Chaaya were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Maria Bathish, Thouraya Assaf, and Nour Salem rounded out the Top 8 finalists. Lebanon's first and only Miss Universe winner from 1971,  Georgina Rizk, was among the distinguished panel of judges. Last year's winner Yamina Zaytoun crowned her successor at the end of the event. After competing in Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador, she went to India for the 71st Miss World and won first runner-up. Meet the new Miss Lebanon: View this post on Instagram A post shared by LBCI Lebanon (@lbcilebanon) Photos:...

Miss Georgetown, Ariana Blaize, was crowned Miss Universe Guyana 2024 during the national final held on Friday, July 26 at Guyana Marriot Hotel in Georgetown. The 26-year-old Guyanese-American bested 10 other contestants to win the national title. She succeeds last year's winner Lisa Narine and will now represent Guyana at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Former Miss Earth Guyana representing Berbice, Faydeha King, was named first runner-up. Miss Uitvlugt, Guyanese-Filipino Farah Sattaur, was the second runner-up. Misha Caleb of Nabaclis, Shyla Murray of Bartica, and Katifa Lester of Demerara Mahaica rounded out the Top 6 finalists. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Guyana is a former contestant at Miss Georgia USA where she placed third runner-up in 2023 and Top 16 in 20024. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ariana Blaize (@a.blaize) Photos: Miss Universe Guyana, Ariana Blaize / Instagram

Raynae Myers bested seven other contestants to win Miss Universe Turks and Caicos 2024 on Friday, July 26 at the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex in Kew Town, Providenciales. The 23-year-old youth advocate and a law and politics graduate of the University of Manchester will represent Turks and Caicos at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Selena Grant and Bereniece Dickenson were announced as the first and second runners-up, respectively. Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua graced this year's national competition as a special guest. Turks and Caicos has yet to win the Miss Universe pageant since its debut in 1980. Its highest placement was in 1987 when Carmelita Ariza made the Top 10. The British Overseas Territory, consisting of the larger Caicos Islands and smaller Turks Islands, last joined Miss Universe in 2014 with Shanice Williams. Meet the new Miss Universe Turks and Caicos: Photos: Miss Universe Turks and Caicos / Instagram

Turks and Caicos, a British Overseas Territory southeast of the Bahamas, is set to return to the Miss Universe pageant after a 10-year hiatus. Former Miss Universe Haiti, Haitian-Canadian model Gabriela Clesca Vallejo was revealed as the national director for Miss Universe Turks and Caicos last April. The Miss Universe Turks and Caicos 2024 coronation will be held this Friday, July 26 at the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex in Kew Town, Providenciales. Miss Universe 2023 from Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios, will attend the event as a special guest. This is the first time in history that a reigning Miss Universe has visited the islands for the national pageant. Eight contestants, Tinell Garland, Selena Grant, Renelle Smith, Raynae Myers, Erline Dorastin, Elisha Abigail Martinez, Bereniece Dickenson, and Alejandra Parnell, will compete for the crown. Turks and Caicos last joined Miss Universe in 2014 with Shanice Williams. The next Miss Universe Turks and Caicos will go on to represent ...

Kaya Chakrabortty bested over 30 other contestants to win Miss Universe Japan 2024 during the national competition held on Thursday, July 25 in Tokyo. The 22-year-old Japanese-Bangladeshi from Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture will represent Japan at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. She succeeds last year's winner Rio Miyazaki. Naomi Kamidate, Yukie Yamaguchi, Honoka Shimamori, and Chika Mizuno were the Top 5 finalists. Completing the Top 11 were Erina Hanawa, Misaki Komori, Nanami Hagiwara, Mami Miyamaru, Hana Yanagi, and Mai Amano. The new Miss Universe Japan is a figure skating champion and a certified paramedic. She graduated from Michigan State University with a double major in human biology and neuroscience. Her mother is Japanese and her father is of Bangladeshi and Indian descent. "I strive to create a world where a single piece of education can be the decisive factor between life and death, and regardless of background, one’s ability to save a life remains with...

Law graduate Ivana Trisic Relic bested seven other finalists consisting of former queens to win the Miss Universe Serbia 2024 all stars edition. The 30-year-old who works as a model and TV host from Belgrade will represent Serbia at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Katarina Munjic and Jelena Njegovan were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Nevena Tomic and Andjela Vanevski rounded out the Top 5 finalists. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Serbia is a former Miss Serbia (Miss World Serbia). She competed in the 68th Miss World edition in Sanya, China. Serbia is one of the countries returning to the Miss Universe pageant this year following an 8-year hiatus. Its last participation was in Miss Universe 2015 with Dasa Radosavljevic. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Serbia (@missuniverse_serbia) Photo: Mladen Nadj, Miss Universe Serbia / Instagram

Noor Xarmina was revealed as the winner of Miss Universe Pakistan 2024 on Saturday, July 20 during the pageant's broadcast on the official Miss Universe YouTube channel. The 29-year-old venture capitalist, model and actress hailing from Islamabad will represent Pakistan at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. She succeeds Erica Robin, the first-ever Miss Universe Pakistan and a Top 20 semifinalist at Miss Universe 2023 last November in El Salvador. Nimra Jacob was named first runner-up, while Karen Pinto, Anzela Abbasi, Hoor Mahaveera, and Zainad Raza were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. "I think balancing humility and confidence is best showcased at a pageant because, you learn to work as a team, this pageant feels more like a team sport than an individual competitive beauty contest," said the new Miss Universe Pakistan. "I have learned so much about my weaknesses and strengths by learning around my colleagues and these girls that I...