PAGEANT Circle

Choi Soon-hwa recently created a buzz in the pageant community when she appeared as the oldest contestant vying for Miss Universe Korea 2024. The 81-year-old senior model who walked her first runway in her 70s made history as she competes alongside more than 30 others in the upcoming national competition. If she wins this year's Miss Universe Korea, she will be the oldest Korean representative and contestant in the 73-year history of the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Korea 2024 final will be held on September 30 and the winner will head to Mexico for Miss Universe 2024 this November. Age restrictions were recently removed by the organizers to align with the new rules of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) that any woman, regardless of marital status, from age 18 can compete. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 미스유니버스코리아 (@missuniversekor) Photos: Choi Soon-hwa, Miss Universe Korea / Instagram

Brandina Lubuli was crowned Miss Universe Zambia 2024 on Sunday, September 15 at EastPark Mall's The Music Club in Lusaka. The 28-year-old women and children's rights advocate will now prepare to represent Zambia at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. Sheila Singelengele and Wana Kasochi were the first and second runners-up, respectively. This year's national competition marked the return of Zambia to the Miss Universe stage. The country's last participation was in 2018 with Melba Shakabozha. "Miss Universe Zambia will give me a bigger platform to amplify the voices of women and girls across our nation Zambia. This platform allows me to advocate for women's empowerment, gender equality, and girl child education," said the new Miss Universe Zambia. "It's more than just a crown—it's about inspiring others and making a lasting impact in our communities which I stand for proudly and passionately," she added. Brandina made

Miss Universe 2024, the 73rd Miss Universe pageant will be held on November 16 at the the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico. The country known for its rich culture, ancient ruins, dazzling beaches, and incredible cuisine has been chosen to host the competition for the fifth time after 1978, 1989, 1993, and 2007. Ninety-three (93) national winners have been crowned up to this point and are all set to compete in this year's highly anticipated beauty pageant. Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua will crown her successor at the end of the event. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe (@missuniverse) Meet the contestants: Albania - Franceska Rustem Argentina - Magalí Benejam Armenia - Irina Zakharova Aruba - Anouk Eman Australia - Zoe Creed Bahamas - Selvinique Wright Belgium   - Kenza Ameloot Belize - Halima Hoy Bolivia - Juliana Barrientos Bonaire - Ruby Pouchet British Virgin Islands - Deyounce Lowenfield Cambodia

Geyssell García has recently been announced as Miss Universe Nicaragua 2024 and will represent her country at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. The 29-year-old model and travel enthusiast from Santo Tomás, Chontales succeeds Sheynnis Palacios who achieved Nicaragua's historic first win at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador. No stranger to pageantry, Geyssell has competed in the Miss Nicaragua 2020 pageant where she emerged as the first runner-up. ""Being able to fulfill one of my greatest dreams is definitely a great blessing from God," said the new Miss Universe Nicaragua. "Representing my Nicaragua is one of my personal goals that I thought I would no longer achieve, but destiny puts everything in its place, at the right time and moment," she added. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Geyssell García (@geyssell.garcia) Photos: Miss Universe Nicaragua, Geyssell García / Instagram

Matilda Wirtavuori was crowned Miss Suomi 2024 (Miss Universe Finland 2024) in a glittering national competition held on Saturday, September 14 at Aino Areena in Järvenpää. The 24-year-old model, host, and passionate performer from Tampere beat nine other finalists to win the national title. She succeeds last year's winner Paula Joukanen. Tiia Aalto was named first runner-up while Amanda Hakalax finished the second runner-up. Meri Turunen and Nelli Auriola were awarded the crowd and media favorites, respectively. The new Miss Universe Finland will now prepare to represent her country at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. Matilda is a mental health advocate who at the age of 17 suffered from anorexia. She said, "Eating disorders overshadowed my youth." "After healing, I found new confidence, strength, and light in myself and made a life mission to help others struggling with the same challenge," she added. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe:

Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen was crowned Miss Universe Vietnam 2024 during the national competition held on Saturday, September 14 at the Phu Tho Indoor Sport Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City. The 28-year-old model from Nam Dinh will now prepare to represent Vietnam at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. She succeeds last year's winner Quynh Hoa Bui. Nguyen Quynh Anh and Vu Thuy Quynh were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Paris Bao Nhi and Quach Tapiau Maily were the rest of the Top 5 finalists. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Vietnam is a former Miss Vietnam winner in 2014. Last year, she was a mentor in season 4 of "The Face Vietnam," a Vietnamese modeling-themed reality TV series. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen (@kyduyen1311) Photos: Miss Universe Vietnam, Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen / Instagram

Marie Danči has recently been appointed Miss Universe Czech Republic 2024 by the Česká Miss Essens organization. The 27-year-old model from Krnov will represent the Czech Republic at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. No stranger to pageantry, Marie placed second runner-up at the Česká Miss 2022 competition and participated in Miss Global 2023 in Cambodia. Aside from modeling, the new Miss Universe Czech Republic is also active in film and theater. Marie succeeds last year's titleholder Vanesa Švédová. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marie Danči (@marie.danci) Photos: Česká Miss Essens, Marie Danči / Instagram

Miss Islas Baleares, Michelle Jiménez, was crowned Miss Universe Spain 2024 during the national competition held on Wednesday, September 11 in the municipality of Guía de Isora in Tenerife. The 21-year-old model triumphed over 16 other contestants to win the national title. She will represent Spain at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. Paula Pérez of Comunidad Valenciana and Ana Rosa Rodríguez of Andalucía were named the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Lara Doval of Cataluña and Dori Rodríguez of Navarra were the rest of the Top 5 finalists. Completing the Top 10 were Zulema Vázquez of Galicia, Francesca Carrillo of Asturias, Cristine Gall of Comunidad de Madrid, Elena Macías of Canarias, and Chaima Ouali of Castilla La Mancha. The new Miss Universe Spain succeeds last year's winner Athenea Pérez, who made the Top 10 and bagged the Miss Congeniality award at Miss Universe 2023 last November in El Salvador. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe:

Sampada Ghimire was crowned Miss Universe Nepal 2024 on Wednesday, September 11 at the Godavari Convention Hall in Lalitpur. The 23-year-old fashion model from Bhaktapur edged out 21 other contestants to win the national pageant. She will represent Nepal at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Smriti Singh was named first runner-up while Akshita Chettri, Karren Murray, and Sujal Bam were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Nepal was second runner-up at Miss National Nepal 2023. She also bagged the Miss Top Model award. This year's Miss Universe Nepal was the first edition under the directorship of Sangita Puri. The show was hosted by renowned pageant analyst Luis Porteles and media personality Malvika Subba. "We hope you carry forward the legacy and inspire countless others along the way. Your journey has just begun, and we can't wait to see you shine on the global stage. The universe is yours to co

Elena Hidalgo was crowned Miss Universe Costa Rica 2024 on Tuesday, September 10 at the Centro Internacional de Convenciones ANDE (CIC ANDE) in San Antonio. The 32-year-old professional model from San José beat 12 other contestants to win the national title. She made history as the first mother to become Miss Universe Costa Rica. María Alejandra Acosta and Chonta Mullins were named the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Nicole Carboni and Kelly Avila rounded out the Top 5 finalists. Completing the Top 10 were Alexa Gonzalo, Maria Jose Porras Madrigal, Emily Cascante, Elizabeth Arrieta, and Karol Briceño. The new Miss Universe Costa Rica received her crown from the reigning Miss Universe, Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios, who graced the event as a special guest. Elena will now prepare to represent Costa Rica at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant, to be held in Mexico this November. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared b