PAGEANT Circle

Reth Sarita edged out 19 other contestants to win the title of Miss Universe Cambodia 2020 in a glittering competition held on Thursday, November 26 in Phnom Penh. The 25-year-old actress and model who appeared on the BBC Media Action’s TV series “Love9” and international films such as “Hex” and “The Spell” is a post-graduate international relations major at the Royal University of Laws and Economics. Chun Raksa became the first runner-up while Dy Sorakheta was the second runner-up. Neth Raksa and Suon Pisey were the third and fourth runners-up, respectively. Last year’s winner, Somnang Alyna crowned her successor who is expected to represent the Kingdom of Cambodia at the 69th Miss Universe pageant, whose date and venue are yet to be announced. Cambodia first joined the Miss Universe pageant in 2016 with Sotheary By. The country is yet to have its first successful placement at the international competition. Photos: Jeremie Montessuis / Miss Universe Cambodia

Miss Bolivar, Laura Olascuaga, was crowned Miss Universe Colombia 2020 in a glittering competition held on Monday, November 16 at the Gran Malecón del Río in Barranquilla. The 25-year-old social communicator and journalist was a runner-up to former Señorita Colombia and Miss Universe Top 5 finalist Gabriela Tafur at the Cartegena-based Concurso Nacional de Belleza pageant. Miss Norte de Santander, Jenifer Pulgarín, and Miss Santander, Laura Juliana Lamus, were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Miss Amazonas, Dayana Cárdenas, Miss Cauca, Bárbara Rodríguez, and Quindío, Yeraldin Grajales completed the Top 6 finalists. The rest of the Top 16 semi-finalists were Carolina Londoño (Antioquia), María Alejandra Castillo (Atlántico), Juliana Aristizábal (Caldas), Marelis Salas (Cartagena), Gina Cazarán (Casanare), Mary Trini Araque (Cesar), María José Vargas (Huila), María Juliana Franco (Meta), Dahiara García (Nariño), and Patricia Cuero (Valle del Cauca). This year’s pagean...

Miss Mississippi USA, Asya Branch, was crowned Miss USA 2020 in a national competition held at Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee on Monday, November 9. The 22-year-old entrepreneur who hails from Booneville succeeded Cheslie Kryst of North Carolina. She became the first-ever black woman to represent Mississippi at Miss USA and the first-ever national winner from her state. Idaho's Kim Layne was named first runner-up and Oklahoma's Mariah Davis finished second runner-up. Alexis Lete of Indiana and Kelly Hutchinson of Alabama were the third and fourth runners-up, respectively. Allyshia Gupta (California), Samantha Neyland (Hawaii), Olivia Pura (Illinois), Gina Mellish (New Jersey), and Andreia Gibau (New York) were the rest of the Top 10 while Cierra Jackson (District of Columbia), Alyssa Beasley (Georgia), Mariah Clayton (Louisiana), Megan Renee Kelly (Missouri), Victoria Olona (Nevada), and Sthephanie Miranda (Ohio) completed the Top 16. The 69th Miss USA page...

Miss Iloilo City, Rabiya Mateo, was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2020 in a competition held at Baguio Country Club in Baguio City and aired on Sunday, October 25. The 23-year-old Ilongga bested 45 other beauties to win the title and succeeded last year’s titleholder Gazini Ganados. She graduated cum laude at the Iloilo Doctor’s College where she earned her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy. Ysabella Ysmael (Parañaque), Michele Gumabao (Quezon City), Pauline Amelinckx (Bohol), and Kimberly Hakenson (Cavite) were the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Rabiya will represent the Philippines at the 69th Miss Universe pageant expected to be held in the first quarter of next year. She will try to win the fifth crown for her country after Catriona Gray (2018), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969). The competition was the first edition of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant since Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Le...

Amanda Obdam was crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2020 in a glittering competition held on Saturday, October 10 at the TRUE ICON Hall, ICONSIAM in Bangkok. She succeeds last year’s winner and Miss Universe Top 5 finalist, Paweensuda Drouin. The 27-year-old Thai-Canadian model from Phuket who holds a degree in business administration and economics triumphed over 28 other finalists to win the coveted national beauty title. In response to her final question, she said: “If I were to represent Thailand, honestly, I will just show everyone myself because I often get critiqued of being half, half-Thai half-Canadian, but what I wanna say here today is I am Thai. I was born to a Thai mother and I couldn’t have been more Thai so I wanna show you all of me, all of my Thainess because I am Thai.” The new Miss Universe Thailand was handed over the title with the new “Power of Authenticity” crown worth 3.5 million baht crafted by a world-leading jewelry brand Mouawad. She will represent her country at...

Miss Venezuela 2020 queens have been officially crowned in a special program “Noches de Coronaciones” over Venevisión and online streaming platforms on Friday, September 25. The pre-recorded crowning ceremony aired a day after the announcement of winners in a virtual finale on Thursday night. Miss Zulia, Mariángel Villasmil (24) was crowned Miss Venezuela 2020. The psychology student will represent Venezuela at the 69th Miss Universe pageant to be held next year. Miss Aragua, Alejandra Conde (23) was crowned Miss Venezuela World 2020. The medical student will participate in the 70th Miss World competition to be held in the last quarter of 2021. Miss Región Guayana, Isbel Parra (26) was crowned Miss International Venezuela 2020 and she will compete in the Miss International 2021 in October next year at Pacifico Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan. The representatives of Guárico, Elizabeth Ramos, Miranda, Luiseth Materán, and Nueva Esparta, Valentina Sánchez were the rest of the Top 5 while Dist...