PAGEANT Circle

Here is the reported schedule of events for the upcoming 69th Miss Universe pageant (subject to change): May 6 & 7  - Delegates Arrivals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino May 7, 8 & 9  - Delegates Registration and Fittings, Photography with Fadil Berisha, Video Shoots with MUO Digital Production Crew, Telecast Film Crew shoots May 10, 11, & 12  - Choreography Rehearsals May 13  - Delegates Interviews/Judging, National Costume Show May 14  - Preliminary Competition May 15  - On-Camera Rehearsal May 16  - Dress Rehearsal, Live Telecast May 17  - Delegates Departure Photo: Miss Universe Organization

Rabiya Mateo of the Philippines left Manila for the US last Friday, April 9 ahead of the 69th Miss Universe competition in Florida this May. Wearing a beautiful pearl-encrusted departure outfit by Chino Christopherson and Marc Rancy, the Filipina beauty waved her Philippine flag at the airport with her team. Rabiya is currently one of the most followed contestants on social media along with Amandine Petit of France, Daniela Nicolas of Chile, Ayu Maulida of Indonesia, and Amanda Obdam of Thailand. With the massive support of her Filipino fans backed with impressive credentials and preparations, the 24-year-old physical therapist is definitely one of the front-runners in the upcoming competition. If she wins, Rabiya will join the ranks of the past Miss Universe winners from the Philippines namely Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray (2018). Photo: Rabiya Mateo / Instagram

Voting is officially open for the 69th Miss Universe pageant. You can now help your favorite contestant to automatically place into the Top 21. To vote, just visit the official page  vote.missuniverse.com  or download the Miss Universe official app on your Android or iOS application, or the Lazada app for the residents of the Philippines. You can vote once for free or pay for additional votes. Voting will end on Saturday, May 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Seventy-five contestants are confirmed to participate in the pageant. The final competition will be on Sunday, May 16 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, USA.

Tangia Zaman Methila triumphed over nine other finalists to be crowned Miss Universe Bangladesh 2020 in a national final held on Saturday, April 3 at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden in Dhaka. The 28-year-old model and actress is no stranger to pageantry. She was named Miss Supranational Bangladesh 2019 and traveled to Katowice, Poland, to compete in the Miss Supranational 2019 pageant. Farzana Yasmin and Farzana Akter Ani were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Aonkita Dey, Apana Chakma, Fatema Tuz Johura, Mariyam Ahmed, Masuda Khan, Nidra Dey, and Towhida Tusnim Tifa were the rest of the Top 10 finalists. The new Miss Universe Bangladesh succeeds the last winner from 2019, Shirin Akter Shila. She will represent her south Asian country at the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Hollywood, Florida, USA, this May. Photos: Miss Universe Bangladesh

Miss East Flanders, Kedist Deltour, was crowned Miss Belgium 2021 on Wednesday, March 31 in a gala show held at the Proximus Theater (formerly Plopsa Theater) in Adinkerke, De Panne. The 23-year-old hairdresser who hails from Nazareth (East Flanders) succeeds Céline Van Ouytsel. She bested 32 other contestants to win her national title. Thanaree Scheerlinck was named first runner-up while Louise-Marie Losfeld finished second runner-up. Elodie Gualano, Cassandra Tordeur, and Camilia Martinez were the third, fourth, and fifth runners-up, respectively. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the national pageant took place without a live audience. During the show, the new Miss Belgium shared her difficult childhood in which she was adopted from Ethiopia after the death of her mother, as a child of 10, together with her brother and sister. Kedist will represent Belgium at either Miss World or Miss Universe pageant. Photos: Miss Belgium

Radinela Chusheva, a native of Sofia, has been officially named Miss Universe Bulgaria 2020. The announcement was made on Miss Universe Bulgaria's official social media page. The 24-year-old beauty succeeds Lora Asenova and will now prepare to represent her Balkan country at the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Hollywood, Florida, USA, this May. Sofia holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's in marketing. She was a professional athlete and Bulgarian medalist in rhythmic gymnastics. The new Miss Universe Bulgaria stands 5 feet 7 inches tall. She speaks English and Romanian fluently, and enjoys sports, dancing, and painting in her free time. Photos: Kostadin Krastev - Koko / Miss Universe Bulgaria

The Miss Belgium 2021 final competition will air live next Wednesday, March 31 at 8:30 p.m. on RTLplay,  HLN  (online), and Eclips TV. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will take place without an audience. Thirty-three beauties will battle it out for the coveted title and the winner is expected to represent the country at either Miss World or Miss Universe competitions. The contestants are Pô-Lynn Koopmans, Aïcha Thomis, Imane Khoudairi, Iona Vanden Noortgate, Thanaree Scheerlinck, Laura Baeyens, Clara Just Petrella, Donatella Willemyns, Maritsa van Iterson, Kedist Deltour, Cassandra Tordeur, Daphné Nivelles, Marine Godin, Kaylee Stroobants, Sana Nasri, Luna Geens, Camilia Martinez, Michèle Debouverie, Solenne Coppens, Emilie Brismé, Kelly Godefroid, Louise-Marie Losfeld, Elodie Gualano, Véronique Michielsen, Christina Boenneken, Lara Buyse, Gul Arikaya, Jennifer Felix, Estelle Leglise, Ellen Duplessis, Melissa Crescibene, Michelle De Vos and Dounia Allali. Céline Van Ouytsel, th

Miss Polski 2019 runner-up, Natalia Piguła, has been officially named Miss Universe Poland 2020 on Wednesday, March 24. She replaced Magdalena Kasiborska who had to withdraw due to health reasons. The 26-year-old model and engineer from Lodz will now prepare to represent Poland at the 69th Miss Universe pageant on May 16 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, USA. Natalia is no stranger to pageantry as she has already competed in Miss Intercontinental 2013 where she placed in the Top 15 and Reinado Internacional del Café 2020 where she finished first runner-up. "Since I was a child, I dreamed of entering the stage of the best competition in the world - Miss Universe. I thought that this dream would not be fulfilled, because I decided that my time in beauty contests was over and that probably nothing awaits me anymore. It happened otherwise," she shared on social media. "I have one month left to prepare, which usually takes several months. For

Monika Grigoryan has been officially named Miss Universe Armenia 2020. Miss Armenia organizers made the announcement on Monday, March 22. The 21-year-old model and student from Yerevan finished first runner-up at Miss World Armenia 2019. She succeeds Dayana Davtyan and will now prepare to represent her country at the 69th Miss Universe competition this May in Florida, USA. "Dreams are very important in our lives, they give us hope, illuminate, color our lives. Each of us can make our dreams come true by believing, making that dream a goal, and achieving it," she said in a caption to her official photo wearing her crown and sash. Monika majors in English language and literature at a university of languages and social sciences named after Valery Bryusov. She went to an orphanage for charity and organized not only material support but also a beauty contest for children. Armenia debuted at the Miss Universe pageant in 2018 with Eliza Muradyan as its first-ever representative. Pho

Magdalena Kasiborska, who was crowned Miss Polski 2019, will no longer compete in the Miss Universe pageant this May due to health reasons. Miss Polski organization made the announcement today on social media and said, "We are sorry, especially because we know how much time and energy Magda has put into preparing to participate in the competition." Magdalena also shared, "My health condition has been questioned and I have to follow the advice of specialists who will try to ensure that I can implement the actions I have undertaken in the future." "Thank you all for your understanding and words of encouragement, especially to the organizers of Miss Polska's elections and those who engaged in my participation in Miss Universe elections at every stage of preparation," she added. The national pageant has yet to announce who will replace Magdalena in representing Poland at the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Florida, USA this May 16. Photo: Miss Polski

Amandine Petit has been officially confirmed to represent France at the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Florida, USA this May. She was crowned Miss France 2021 last December. Miss France organization's national director Sylvie Tellier made the announcement last week. She also revealed that Miss France 2020 from Guadeloupe, Clémence Botino, will instead compete in another edition of Miss Universe later this year. "Quel honneur de représenter notre pays le 16 mai 2021 à l’occasion de la 69ème cérémonie de Miss Univers qui se tiendra à Hollywood (dans l’état de Floride). Je l’ai regardé, j’en ai rêvé, et en mai j’y serai," Amandine wrote on social media. (What an honor to represent our country on May 16, 2021 at the 69th Miss Universe ceremony to be held in Hollywood (Florida). I watched it, I dreamed about it, and in May I will be there.) The 23-year-old beauty from Caen also shared a message for her predecessor. She said: "Ma [Clemence], je tiens particulière

Christina Lasasimma has been officially crowned as Miss Universe Laos 2020 in a press conference held on Thursday, March 18 at the Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel in Vientiane. The 27-year-old Lao-Belarusian beauty was named Miss Laos in 2012 before pursuing a modeling career in Thailand. She studied to be a programmer and currently doing her MBA degree at the Dhurakij Pundit University in Bangkok. Former Miss Universe Laos titleholders, Souphaphone Somvichith (2017), On-anong Homsombath (2018), and Vichitta Phonevilay (2019) were also present during the special crowning ceremony. Christina became the fourth woman to represent Laos at the Miss Universe pageant. She will now prepare to compete for the international title at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida (USA) this May. Photos: Jean Christophe / Miss Universe Laos

The Puteri Indonesia organization has announced on its digital platforms that the registration for this year's competition (Puteri Indonesia 2021) is now officially open. If you have what it takes to represent Indonesia at Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss Supranational, visit the Puteri Indonesia official website www.puteri-indonesia.com to register. Puteri Indonesia has been held since 1992 by the Yayasan Puteri Indonesia (Indonesian Princess Foundation), chaired by Mooryati Soedibyo and sponsored by the cosmetics company Mustika Ratu. The reigning queens, Puteri Indonesia 2020 Ayu Maulida (Miss Universe Indonesia), Puteri Indonesia Lingkungan 2020 Ayu Saraswati (Miss International Indonesia), and Puteri Indonesia Pariwisata 2020 Jihane Almira (Miss Supranational Indonesia), will each compete in their respective international pageants this year. Photo: Puteri Indonesia

Amanda Petri has been officially announced as Miss Universe Denmark 2020 on Sunday, March 14. Miss Denmark organization made the announcement on social media. The 23-year-old beauty who hails from Gentofte succeeded Miss Universe Denmark 2019 Katja Stokholm Funen. For several years, she has been involved with the national pageant led by director Lisa Lents as a mentor, public relations, and casting assistant. No stranger to pageantry, Amanda was crowned Miss Denmark 2017 and went on to compete in the Miss World 2017 pageant in China where she was able to place in the talent and sports challenges. She also participated in Miss World Cup 2018 in Germany and finished second runner-up. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions and gathering limitations prevented the organizers to stage a competition so they made the decision to appoint a former winner to represent the country at the 69th Miss Universe pageant on May 16 in Florida, USA. Amanda admitted keeping her designation a secret for

Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo said she is hoping to meet her father while in the US for the 69th Miss Universe pageant. The 24-year-old licensed physical therapist has not seen her biological father, an Indian national, for the past 20 years. She told ABS-CBN News, "This is my first time I'm gonna be outside of the country. Yes I'm so excited. It's been my dream to go to US because I really want to see my father." Knowing his name and date of birth, Rabiya feels there is still hope and she is not giving up on the possibility of meeting him. She added, "I just want to know if he’s alive or not I'm not even sure if he has an idea that I won Miss Universe Philippines." The Filipina beauty who hails from Iloilo was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2020 while representing her city during the national pageant held in October last year. She dedicated her victory to her mother who raised her as a single parent. Rabiya is now preparing to win h

Jeanette Akua has been officially announced as Miss Universe Great Britain 2020 on Monday, March 8. She was virtually crowned by the outgoing titleholder Emma Jenkins of Wales. The 27-year-old singer and songwriter of South African descent is a graduate of a master's degree in economics. She was a finalist on X Factor UK in 2013 and a semi-finalist on Britain's Got Talent in 2017. "This win means so much to me. It's more than just a crown. Pageants are more than just beauty. It's bigger than that. It's about celebrating women and the many layers we come in. It's about being audacious and having the nerve to pursue your dreams. Feeling the fear and doing it anyway," she said on social media shortly after winning the competition. Jeanette bested over 30 entrants from all over the country to win her beauty title including first runner-up Sophie Moulds and second runner-up Amy Meisak. She will now prepare to represent Great Britain at the 69th Miss Univers

Miss Russia 2019 Alina Sanko has been officially appointed to represent her country at the 69th Miss Universe pageant. The 22-year-old student, artist, and designer placed in the Top 12 during Miss World 2019 in London. She will now prepare for her next competition this May in Florida, USA. Alina took to social media to announce the special news to her followers and supporters. She said: "I represent our great country at one of the most prestigious international beauty contests - Miss Universe. I dreamed of getting to this competition and I am very grateful for this opportunity." Russia first won Miss Universe in 2002 with Oxana Fedorova but was dethroned four months later for some reasons that were not disclosed. Photo: Alina Sanko / Instagram

The Top 10 finalists of the Miss Universe Bangladesh 2020 have been selected during the elimination round held at RTV’s studio. They are Aonkita Dey, Apana Chakma, Farzana Akter Ani, Farzana Yasmin, Fatema Tuz Johura, Mariyam Ahmed, Masuda Khan, Nidra Dey, Tangia Zaman Methila, and Towhida Tusnim Tifa. The panel of judges includes actress Bidya Sinha Meem, singer Tahsan Rahman Khan, Zurhem founder and creative director Mehruz Munir, and BRAC University’s international affairs manager Irene Sommer Tilger. Sponsored by Flora Bank, Miss Universe Bangladesh 2020 grand final will be held on Saturday, March 20 in Dhaka. The winner will represent Bangladesh at the 69th Miss Universe pageant this May in Florida, USA. The national competition was first held in 2019 and its reigning titleholder Shirin Akter Shila will crown her successor at the end of this year’s event. Photo: Miss Universe Bangladesh

The Miss Universe Organization has officially announced on Wednesday, March 3 that the 69th Miss Universe pageant will air live from Hollywood, Florida on May 16. After a year and a half, the longest-reigning Miss Universe from South Africa, Zozibini Tunzi will crown her successor at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood. Paula Shugart, MUO president said in a press release they have spent months planning a safe competition that will follow the same guidelines as last year’s Miss USA pageant in Memphis. Over 60 beauties from around the world have already been confirmed to participate in the upcoming prestigious event. Florida has already hosted 16 editions of Miss Universe and the last time was in 2014 where Colombia’s Paulina Vega won the coveted title. Photo: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Hollywood, FL

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has finally confirmed in an email to its franchise directors that the 69th Miss Universe pageant will be held in the USA on May 16. Further details of the upcoming competition including the exact host city and final venue are yet to be announced. MUO anticipates observing the same strict procedures that were established and followed at the Miss USA pageant last November in Memphis. They also revealed the plan to host the 70th edition (Miss Universe 2021) later this year “most likely in a non-USA destination” once negotiations are finalized. The usual deadline requirement for the licensed holders to hold a national competition by August 30 will be waived. They will have until October 31 to produce their shows. “We hope this decision will bring some relief to you and encourage more participation,” says the organization. Photo: Miss Universe Organization