PAGEANT Circle

Victoria Velasquez Vincent was crowned Miss Universe New Zealand 2024 in a national final on Sunday, September 29 at the Dorothy Winstone Centre in Auckland. The 29-year-old Filipina-Kiwi beauty will represent New Zealand at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico City this November. Gazelle Garcia and Inge Carolus were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe New Zealand previously competed in Miss Universe Philippines twice. She placed in the Top 5 in 2021 and Top 10 in 2024. New Zealand's last participation at Miss Universe was in 2019 with Diamond Langi. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by V V V (@victoriavelasquezvincent) Photos: Johans Lucena / Miss Universe New Zealand, Steven Pascua

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

After a 4-year hiatus, New Zealand is set to return to the Miss Universe stage with the recently appointed Miss Universe New Zealand 2024 Franki Russell. The 29-year-old Kiwi-Filipina beauty was awarded the national title by this year's Miss Universe license holder for New Zealand, Dubai-based celebrity producer and publisher Josh Yugen. New Zealand was last represented at the Miss Universe pageant with Diamond Langi in 2019. The country has won the Miss Universe crown once with Lorraine Downes in 1983. The new Miss Universe New Zealand will now prepare for the 73rd Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2024) competition to be held in Mexico later this year. Franki is a recognized reality star (Pinoy Big Brother) and actress in the Philippines. Photo: Miss Universe New Zealand

In addition to the license renewal for Miss Universe Australia, Pink Tank Events (PTE) under the directorship of Troy Barbagallo and Sophia Barbagallo has announced its acquisition of the Miss Universe New Zealand and Miss Universe Singapore. "The Pink Tank Events team is thrilled to offer young women in these regions the same opportunities our Australian finalists have enjoyed over nearly a decade via our prestigious platform," read an official statement posted on social media. Connections, building confidence, strengthening skills, lasting friendships, and lifelong memories are among the perks at stake cited by organizers. This is, of course, in addition to prizes and the opportunity to compete for the coveted title of Miss Universe. "We are also excited to be able to connect our Australian, Singaporean, and New Zealand finalists during the prelim programs, to grow international connections and opportunities for all our finalists on a global level," the statement