PAGEANT Circle

After months of anticipation, the much-awaited 73rd Miss Universe pageant is about to begin in Mexico. More than 100 contestants from different countries and territories are expected to arrive in the host country later this month. Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua will pass on her crown to the next Miss Universe at the conclusion of this year's competition on November 16. The Miss Universe 2024 final show will broadcast live from the Mexico City Arena (Arena CDMX). Meet our Top 16 pre-arrival favorites: (in alphabetical order) Chile - Emilia Dides Colombia - Daniela Toloza Rocha Curaçao - Kimberly de Boer Dominican Republic - Celinee Santos Finland - Matilda Wirtavuori France - Indira Ampiot Netherlands - Faith Landman New Zealand - Victoria Vincent Velasquez Nigeria - Chidimma Adetshina Peru - Tatiana Calmell Philippines - Chelsea Manalo South Africa - Mia le Roux Thailand - Suchata Chuangsri USA - Alma Cooper Venezuela - Ileana Marquez Pedroza Zimbabwe - Sakhile Dube Special menti

Belarus, a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, will participate for the first time in the Miss Universe pageant. Eleanora Kachalovskaya, a 24-year-old fashion model from Minsk, has recently been appointed officially as Miss Universe Belarus 2024. No stranger to pageantry, the first-ever Miss Universe Belarus has competed in Miss Belarus 2023 and won the title among 24 contestants. She also went to the Miss Europe Continental Global Edition last year in Naples, Italy and placed first runner-up. The first-ever Miss Universe Belarus will now represent her country at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this coming November. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Элеонора Качаловская | модель (@_kachalovskaya_elia) Photos: Miss Belarus, Eleonora Kachalovskaya / Instagram

Eritrea, a northeast African country on the Red Sea coast, will participate for the first time in the annual Miss Universe pageant this year. A coronation ceremony was held on Friday, October 18 at the Eritrean Cultural and Civic Center in Washington, DC to crown Snit Tewoldemedhin as Miss Universe Eritrea 2024. The 25-year-old advocate for children with learning disabilities is a fashion model and a graduate of George Mason University with a degree in neuroscience. No stranger to pageantry, Snit previously joined the Miss Africa USA 2023 pageant in Greenbelt, Maryland, and won the title. "I'm beyond honored to be your first-ever Miss Universe Eritrea and represent you all on the biggest pageantry stage in the world, Miss Universe," she wrote online. Snit will represent her home country at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this coming November. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Eritrea Official (@miss

Shereen Ahmed was recently crowned Miss Universe Bahrain 2024 and will compete in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. The 29-year-old Bahraini-Filipino beauty succeeds last year's winner Lujane Yacoub. She is the fourth woman to represent Bahrain at Miss Universe. Advaita Shetty, Ola Adel, and Jehan Alrowaie were announced as the first, second, and third runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Bahrain was born to a Bahraini father and a Filipino mother. She is a TV presenter, content creator, poet, and writer. No stranger to pageantry, Shereen has already participated in Miss Universe Bahrain 2022 and placed second runner-up. After that, age limits prevented her from competing again until the Miss Universe Organization changed the rules. "When I heard about the removal of the age limit and Miss Universe Bahrain auditions, everything felt aligned. It was a moment of clarity—a chance to pursue my true self," she wrote online. "This journey h

Logina Salah, a 34-year-old mother of one from Alexandria, was crowned Miss Universe Egypt 2024 during the national final recently held in Cairo. She succeeds last year's winner Mohra Tantawy and will now prepare to represent Egypt at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Sarah Wanas was named Miss Universe Egypt 2024 - Tourism and People's Choice award winner while Mirielle Azer clinched the title Miss Universe Egypt 2024 - Peace Ambassador. Sarah Diab, Shorouk Elzoghbi, Orchida Ahmed, and Roanne Younes were the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Egypt is an advocate for body positivity as she herself has suffered from bullying since she was eight years old due to her rare skin condition. Besides being the first mother to become Miss Universe Egypt, she also made history as the first-ever contestant with vitiligo to compete in Miss Universe. "Humbled to be the very first woman with a skin condition to win a universal pag

Valentina Alekseeva was crowned Miss Russia 2024 during the national competition held on Saturday, October 5 in Moscow. The 18-year-old model from Chuvashia will now prepare to represent Russia at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this coming November. Irina Mironova from Tolyatti and Ulyana Evdokimova from St. Petersburg were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. "Honestly, I'm still in shock. It was incredible. It was a magical show, we prepped for weeks. I think it will take some time to fully grasp what happened," said the new Miss Russia after winning her title. "Right now I'm just overwhelmed with emotion and happiness," she added. Valentina received her crown from last year's winner Margarita Golubeva who competed in Miss Universe 2023 last November in El Salvador. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Алексеева Валентина 👑 Miss Chuvashia 2023 (@viallentinka) Photos

Valeria Vasilieva was crowned Miss Universe Estonia 2024 in a glittering national competition held on Tuesday, October 1 in Tallinn. The 22-year-old entrepreneur, actress, and designer bested 10 other finalists to win the title. She was crowned by former titleholder, Miss Universe Estonia 2012 Natalie Korneitsik. Romina Krizanovskaya was named first runner-up while Sophia Gordejev, Viktoria Igben Fondeh, and Merili Carola Kriisa were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Izabel Stoliar bagged the People's Choice award. Estonia last joined Miss Universe in 2013 with Kristina Karjalainen. The country made the Top 10 twice with Kristiina Heinmets in 1997 and Evelyn Mikomägi in 2000. "Words cannot fully express my gratitude for the incredible support I've received on this journey. I am overjoyed that my dream has come true, and I feel so blessed to experience this moment of triumph," said the new Miss Universe Estonia. "After 11 years, Estonia will

After a 23-year hiatus, Hong Kong is set to return to the Miss Universe stage this year with Miss Universe Hong Kong 2024 Joanne Rhodes. The 24-year-old art advisor and model edged out 15 other finalists to win the competition on September 26 at the Go Park Sai Sha. Aside from the crown, she also bagged the Fan Favorite and Miss Photogenic awards. Yan Kiu and Juliette Louie were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Hong Kong's last participation at Miss Universe was in 2000 with Hong Kongese actress and model Sonija Kwok. Its highest placement was second runner-up in 1954 with Virginia June Lee. The new Miss Universe Hong Kong will now prepare to compete in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝐉𝐨𝐣𝐨 𝐑. 姚祖恩 (@joannejosephinerhodes) Photos: Joanne Josephine Rhodes / Instagram

Ofir Natalie Korsia was crowned Miss Universe Israel 2024 in a national competition held on Sunday, September 29 at the Hilton Aventura Miami in Florida. The 23-year-old actress, dancer, and model from Rishon LeZion will now prepare to represent Israel at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. This year's event marked the return of Israel to the Miss Universe pageant after a 2-year hiatus. A total of eight contestants competed for the crown. It was organized under the new national director Edgar Saakyan of Edgar Entertainment (USA), in partnership with Blue Ocean Venture Funds. Israel's last participation at Miss Universe was in 2021 with Noa Cochva. The country once won the coveted crown with Rina Mor, Miss Universe 1976. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by GIGI FLOWERS | FLORAL DESIGN | MIAMI (@gigi.flowers.mia) Photos: Gigi Flowers Miami / Instagram

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

Laura Bircher was crowned Miss Universe Switzerland 2024 in a glittering national competition held on Saturday, September 28 at the Kursaal Arena in Bern. The 23-year-old mental health advocate from Stans succeeds last year's winner Lorena Santen and will now prepare to represent Switzerland at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Barbara Suter and Nadiya Karplyuk were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Last night's event was hosted by Mister Colombia International 2012 Rey Rodríguez with Swiss media personality Virgil Jamie. Former Miss Universe Nepal and Miss Universe 2023 Top 20 semifinalist Jane Dipika Garrett graced the event as one of the judges. The 73rd Miss Universe pageant will be held at the Mexico City Arena (Arena CDMX) in Mexico City, Mexico on November 16. Meet the new Miss Universe Switzerland: View this post on Instagram A post shared by od_photography (@od_fashionphotography) Photos: Oliver Dütschler / Miss Univers

Nora Kenez edged out 11 other contestants to win Miss Universe Hungary 2024 in a national competition held on Saturday, September 28 at the Budapest Operetta Theater. The 28-year-old pharmacist and freelance model from Szombathely will represent Hungary at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. Szimonetta Fekszi was named first runner-up while Molnár Mira and Kis Laura Dóra were the second and third runners-up, respectively. Petróczy Panna bagged the Audience award. The new Miss Universe Hungary succeeds last year's winner Tünde Blága. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nora Kenez (@dr_norakenez) Photos: Esztergályos-Stankovics Beáta, Tóth Szabolcs