PAGEANT Circle

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.

Daria Varlamova was announced Miss Universe Australia 2021 in a national final held in Melbourne on Tuesday, October 19. The 26-year-old mental health advocate from Victoria succeeds Maria Thattil. She will now prepare to represent Australia at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel in December. Mia Brooks and Jasmine Stringer were named first and second runners-up, respectively, while Ally Draper and Tiana Meehan completed the Top 5 finalists. The new Miss Universe Australia is a student advisor at a university and currently working towards becoming a psychotherapist. "I am incredibly grateful for this platform and what lies ahead. I am also immensely proud of each and every woman that has been a part of this beautiful journey with me," she wrote on her social media account. Australia won Miss Universe twice with Kerry Anne Wells in 1972 and Jennifer Hawkins in 2004. Photos: Miss Universe Australia

Miss Cartagena, Valeria Ayos, was crowned Miss Universe Colombia 2021 in a glittering national final held at the Chamorro Entertainment City Hall in Bogotá on Monday, October 18. The 27-year-old model and international relations professional bested 23 other contestants to succeed Laura Olascuaga and earn the opportunity to represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Miss Risaralda, Maria Alejandra López, and Miss Risaralda, Francelys Santoya, were named first and second runners-up, respectively. "From this night I take with me the hugs of my companions, the cries of joy, the nerves on stage, the support of my family and friends," the new Miss Universe Colombia shared on her social media account shortly after winning the competition. Valeria is no stranger to pageantry as she was previously Miss Earth Colombia and participated in Miss Earth 2018 in the Philippines where she earned a Top 4 placement. Photos: Alex Fandiño / Miss Univer

Sarah Loinaz bested 12 other finalists to be crowned Miss Universe Spain 2021 in a glittering national competition held on Saturday, October 16 in Tenerife. The 23-year-old model from Gipuzkoa succeeds Andrea Martínez and will now prepare to represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Teresa Calleja Palazuelo and Carmen Serrano were named first and second runners-up, respectively. Photo: Miss Universe Spain

Emma Rose Collingridge was crowned Miss Universe Great Britain 2021 in a national final held on Saturday, October 16 at the Riverfront Arts Centre in Newport, South Wales. The 23-year-old beauty from Suffolk bested over 20 other finalists to win the competition and succeed Jeanette Akua. Christina Chalk and Amy Meisak placed first and second runners-up, respectively, while Stephanie Hill and Charlotte Kamale completed the Top 5. The new Miss Universe Great Britain holds an honours degree in English from Loughborough University. She will now prepare to represent Great Britain at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) in Eilat, Israel this December. Photo: Dani Latimer / Miss Universe Great Britain

Miss South Africa 2021 final in Cape Town saw a reunion of old friends as Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza was reunited with Julia Morley CEO and Chairman of Miss World. Julia was clearly delighted to see Andrea again and said: “I'm so proud of you Andrea, you were a fantastic Miss World America and gave so much support to our Menstrual Hygiene Campaign in India and Africa and then the Beauty With a Purpose Global Humanitarian Tour. We knew you would be a great Miss Universe and you fully deserved to win the Miss Universe crown.” Andrea was a judge for Miss South Africa 2021 where Toni Ann Singh the reigning Miss World was invited as a special guest along with Miss World 2014 Rolene Strauss. Toni-Ann has just arrived in Cape Town as part of a 4-day visit to support Beauty With A Purpose projects across South Africa. She will visit Robben Island tomorrow before flying to Johannesburg. On Monday Julia and Toni-Ann will visit Soweto to distribute food for 6000 families where the reignin

Lalela Mswane bested nine other finalists to be crowned Miss South Africa 2021 in a glittering competition held at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town on Saturday, October 16. The 24-year-old model and dancer from KwaZulu-Natal holds a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Pretoria. She succeeds last year's winner, Shudufhadzo Musida. Zimi Mabunzi and Moratwe Masima were named runners-up while Bianca Bezuidenhout and Jeanni Mulder completed the Top 5. The prestigious national pageant was attended by reigning Miss Universe Andrea Meza, Miss World Toni-Ann Singh and Miss Supranational Chanique Rabe. Former queens Pia Wurtzbach, Catriona Gray, Zozibini Tunzi and Rolene Strauss also graced the event. Miss South Africa 2021 winner and runners-up are expected to represent the rainbow nation at the next Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Supranational competitions. Photos: Miss South Africa