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Angelina Usanova was officially crowned as Miss Universe Ukraine 2023 in a special ceremony held on Thursday, September 7 at the National Botanical Garden in Kyiv. The 26-year-old singer-songwriter received her crown from last year's titleholder Viktoria Apanasenko, who won Best in National Costume and the Spirit of Carnival award during the 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans last January. At the end of the coronation event, Angelina performed her own song which translates as "Our prayers will be heard" and another one, "Hold on to your own" with talented Ukrainian pianist Dmytro Shurov. The new Miss Universe Ukraine was appointed for the national title last month following rounds of online screenings. A physical competition was not held due to the ongoing armed conflict situation in Ukraine. Angelina has already started her preparations and training in the United States to represent her country at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador this November. "

Following a series of online screenings and interviews, Angelina Usanova has been selected and officially announced on Thursday, August 17 as Miss Universe Ukraine 2023. The 26-year-old musician, songwriter, and yoga master from Kyiv will now prepare to represent Ukraine at the 72nd Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2023) to be held in El Salvador this November. She succeeds last year's titleholder, Viktoria Apanasenko, who was awarded Best in National Costume for her awe-inspiring "Warrior of Light" costume during the 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans last January. Due to the ongoing armed conflict situation in Ukraine, the Miss Ukraine Universe committee decided not to hold a physical competition and resorted to an online search for the country's next representative on the prestigious international stage. According to the national organization, the new Miss Universe Ukraine has been actively involved in humanitarian work since the beginning of a "full-scale

Miss Universe Ukraine Viktoria Apanasenko was announced the winner of the 71st Miss Universe national costume which was determined by public votes. The Miss Universe Organization made the official announcement of the winning costume on Wednesday, March 15 via the Miss Universe official app. Viktoria paraded her "Warrior of Light" costume during the 71st Miss Universe national costume presentation last January in New Orleans, Louisiana. It consists of an archangel sword, a monolithic jumpsuit that serves like an armor covering her body, a vyshyvanka-styled dress, a headpiece, and angel wings. The beautiful masterpiece designed by Ukrainian costume designer Lesia Patoka took several months to complete under extreme conditions due to the armed conflicts in Ukraine. According to Viktoria, it is a symbol of her nation's fight against the darkness, like an archangel Michael with a sword protecting her country. Importantly, it represents the strength, courage, and determination

Miss Universe Ukraine 2022 Viktoria Apanasenko received the "Spirit of Carnival" award during the 71st Miss Universe competition held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The award was presented to her by Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy "for embodying the company’s values of fun, friendship, diversity and inclusion." "Viktoria Apanasenko has made it her mission to remind us that the war is ongoing and people across Ukraine are working to support their military, as well as their neighbors affected by the war – especially those displaced from their homes," said Duffy. "I’m impressed by Viktoria’s strength and her kind and giving character which truly embodies the ‘Spirit of Carnival.' And through this recognition, we are also letting the people of Ukraine and especially our Ukrainian crew members know that we continue to support and admire their spirit as well." A short video of the award presentation was featured during the 71st Miss

Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel went to social media to share a photo with her fellow Miss Universe contestant from Ukraine and wrote "I stand with Ukraine" along with their countries' flag emojis in the caption. The beauty queens, who are now in New Orleans competing in the 71st Miss Universe pageant, posed for a photo while combining their hands to form a heart-shaped gesture. R'Bonney expressed: "I am mesmerized by the strength and beauty of my Universe sister [Viktoria Apanasenko]. I had a few moments to sit and talk with her about protecting human rights. I support her resiliency and am inspired by her heart." Miss Universe Ukraine first shared the same photo on her page and said, "Yesterday we did interview together about war in Ukraine, about human rights, about future, about our countries." "I’m so grateful USA for supporting Ukraine, and all people who help Ukrainians in this difficult time overcome evil and fight against it," she

Miss Universe Ukraine 2022 Viktoria Apanasenko finally revealed her symbolic national costume for the 71st Miss Universe pageant. The "Warrior of Light" costume symbolizes her nation's fight against the darkness, like an archangel Michael with a sword protecting Ukraine. It was completed in four months of extreme conditions, to the sound of sirens, without electricity, and by candlelight. In addition to a weapon in her hand, the costume also features a monolithic jumpsuit that covers Viktoria's body like armor, a vyshyvanka-styled white dress with puffy sleeves and skirt with over 10 meters of fabric, a beautiful headpiece, and wings inspired by the colors of the Ukrainian flag. "It is the personification of inner strength, courage, determination and will flowing in our veins. War cannot break our strength and will not discolor our hearts. Ukraine will bloom like a phoenix even in a fire. It shines with bright rays of kindness and faith," Viktoria shared on

Due to the difficult situation in their country, the Miss Ukraine Universe Committee has decided to appoint Miss Ukraine Universe 2021 first runner-up Viktoria Apanasenko as Miss Ukraine Universe 2022. The 28-year-old professional model and volunteer from Chernihiv, who holds a degree in social work, succeeds last year's titleholder Anna Neplyah. She is expected to represent her country at the Miss Universe 2022 pageant, possibly later this year. Victoria took to social media to share her "shock was hard to put into words" when she received the news while volunteering. "It was a dream of my childhood. Probably the first time in all this time, I cried with happiness," she said. "During all the time of my volunteer work, looking into the eyes of our people, I saw incredible strength. And that motivates me to go fight for Miss Universe," she added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viktoria Apanasenko (@crystal.viktoria) Ph

Anna Neplyah was crowned Miss Ukraine Universe 2021 in a national competition held in Kyiv last Friday, October 15. The 27-year-old model succeeds Yelyzaveta Yastremska and will now represent Ukraine at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Victoria Apanasenko was the first runner-up while Diana Dudka and Nelya Popovich were respectively named Miss Charm Ukraine and Miss Eco International Ukraine 2021. "I want to become Miss Ukraine Universe to show by example to all the girls that everything is possible and everything is in our head. I want women to learn to love themselves and not deny their power in femininity," said the new Miss Ukraine Universe. Photo: Miss Ukraine Universe

Miss Universe Ukraine 2020 Yelyzaveta Yastremska will be showcasing the "Vytynаnka Soul" national costume at the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Hollywood, Florida this May. Designed by Rada, the costume was inspired by Vytynаnka, a version of the art form of papercutting that is popular in Ukraine. It comes from the word "cut" in Ukrainian. Vytynankas are used to decorate the walls, windows, shelves, and tables. The ones that were made of fabric and leather are used to decorate clothes. "Life sometimes leaves holes in people's souls, but God makes them a beautiful harmonious picture that reflects the inner beauty of a human," Yelyzaveta said on her official social media page. "The white color of the costume symbolizes life, peace, happiness, and the pureness of a human's soul. Mirror brilliance reflects the inner world of a human. Our soul has wings, we are born to fly," she added. Photos: Olesya Iskova