PAGEANT Circle

In just a few hours, South Africa's Zozibini Tunzi will crown her successor at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The 69th Miss Universe pageant that airs live tonight at 8 p.m. ET will be hosted by former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo and "Access Hollywood" co-host Mario Lopez. Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst along with past winners Paulina Vega and Demi-Leigh Tebow will serve as correspondents. An all-women panel of judges including former Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera and Brook Lee will select the most deserving woman to win the coveted title. Who will be the next Miss Universe? Meet our final favorites to win the crown: BRAZIL - Julia Gama CANADA - Nova Stevens COLOMBIA - Laura Olascuaga JAMAICA - Miqueal-Symone Williams MEXICO - Andrea Meza NEPAL - Anshika Sharma PERU - Janick Maceta PUERTO RICO - Estefanía Soto ROMANIA - Bianca Tirsin THAILAND - Amanda Obdam Close shots: Dominican Republic, Philippines, Finland, France, India, Vietnam, Costa

Our top choice for the 69th Miss Universe Best in National Costume is Nicaragua's Ana Marcelo. Her costume “La Gritería en Leon” designed by Jorge Salazar Caliz represents the joy and hubbub experienced every year during “La Gritería” festival, an important celebration in Nicaragua that best portrays its national identity. Ukraine's Yelyzaveta Yastremska and Nepal's Anshika Sharma came in second and third places, respectively, while Finland's Viivi Altonen and Malaysia's Francisca Luhong James completed the Top 5. Photo: Benjamín Askinas / Miss Universe Organization

Our top choice for the 69th Miss Universe Miss Photogenic is the beautiful 23-year-old entrepreneur from South Africa, Natasha Joubert. Russia's Alina Sanko and Thailand's Amanda Obdam came in second and third places, respectively. Photo: Hanri Human Photography

Our top choice for the 69th Miss Universe Top Model is the 24-year-old model from Jamaica, Miqueal-Symone Williams. Canada's Nova Stevens and Curacao's Chantal Wiertz came in second and third places, respectively. Photo: Benjamín Askinas / Miss Universe Organization

Our top choice for the 69th Miss Universe Best in Evening Gown is Thailand's Amanda Obdam. The 27-year-old glided with class and poise in her “Fireworks Embellished Two-Piece Gown” by Valentier. Puerto Rico's Estefanía Soto Torres and Dominican Republic's Kimberly Jimenez came in second and third places, respectively. Photo: Benjamín Askinas / Miss Universe Organization

Our top choice for the 69th Miss Universe Best in Swimsuit is the statuesque beauty from Puerto Rico Estefanía Soto Torres. Thailand's Amanda Obdam and Brazil's Julia Gama came in second and third places, respectively. Photo: Benjamín Askinas / Miss Universe Organization

The 69th Miss Universe delegates paraded in their swimsuits and evening gowns during the preliminary competition held on Friday, May 14 in Hollywood, Florida. Their combined scores from the prelims and the crucial closed-door interview round will help determine who will make it to the Top 21 this Sunday. Standouts from the preliminary swimsuit and evening gown include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Finland, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Venezuela, and Vietnam. The 69th Miss Universe final competition will air live from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Sunday, May 16 at 8 p.m. ET. Voting is still open at missuniverse.com/vote to help your favorite delegate make it into the Top 21. Photo: Miss Universe Organization

The national costume competition of the 69th Miss Universe pageant was held on Thursday, May 13 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Over 70 beauties from around the world dazzled the audience with their colorful costumes. Some ensembles sent powerful messages related to current social issues. Our favorite costumes include Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, and Vietnam. Here are some delegates in their costumes: JAMAICA CANADA UKRAINE BAHAMAS INDONESIA Photos: Benjamin Askinas / Miss Universe Organization

Thuzar Wint Lwin's journey to represent her country Myanmar at the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Hollywood, Florida has not been easy. Despite the odds from her departure to losing her luggage including the national costume she was supposed to wear in the competition, she arrived with a powerful message for the Junta. During the national costume competition held on Thursday, May 13, she showcased another costume that identifies the delicate weaving skills of Burmese women and their strong spirit. At the end of the runway, she raised a banner that read “Pray for Myanmar.” The 22-year-old model from Hakha has been openly using her platform to criticize her country's military coup and support the pro-democracy movement. Photo: Benjamin Askinas / Miss Universe Organization

Former Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete of Mexico has revealed her favorites for the 69th Miss Universe competition. In a post on social media, she shared her bikini photo taken by Albanian-born photographer Fadil Berisha her Top 21 favorites in the caption. The beauty queen-turned-actress and model, who was crowned Miss Universe 2010 in Las Vegas, reminded everyone to never take her list of favorites personally because it's just her opinion and that "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." "The Miss Universe organization always looks for a complete woman in every way and although it is a beauty contest, the most beautiful is always carried in the soul and that is something that the jury is also in charge of looking for in all the candidates, if you are as observant as I am, you will notice that the beauty of the soul in some cases also penetrates the photos and videos" she added. On top of her list is her fellow Mexican Andrea Meza whom she wished well and descri

Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart has shared some valuable advice to the 69th Miss Universe delegates during a special dinner event she had with them. Paula said she's always excited about Miss Universe and never thought the day would come for the 69th edition to push through this month. She also thanked the delegates for making it to the competition despite the challenges. "I want you all to realize your worth, you deserve to be here, but more than these 10 days, i want you to take it and make the most of it. Take into your life and realize you can do whatever you want," she told them. "You do not to be Miss Universe to do whatever you want. You just need to be you and you need to believe in yourself," she added. "There are a million reasons for you to say I cannot do something. All you need is one good reason to say I can." The 69th Miss Universe pageant will air live from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Flori

Miss Universe Organization has officially announced the all-women panel of judges for the upcoming 69th Miss Universe competition. The selection committee consists of eight personalities from various fields of expertise including two former Miss Universe winners. Arden Cho - Korean-American actress, singer, and model best known for her role as Kira Yukimura on Teen Wolf. She also played the lead in the 2010 short film "Agents of Secret Stuff," presented by Ryan Higa and Wong Fu Productions. Brook Lee - American actress, television host, model, and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 1997, Miss USA 1997, and Miss Universe 1997. Christine Duffy - American businesswoman and the president of Carnival Cruise Line. Deepica Mutyala - South-Asian beauty entrepreneur, businesswoman, and founder and CEO of Live Tinted, a multicultural community about beauty and culture. She is best known for a viral YouTube video in which she covered her dark under-eye circles with red lip

It's officially Miss Universe season as over 70 women from around the world have arrived at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, USA, to compete in the 69th edition of the prestigious pageant. The contestants kicked off the competition with registration and fittings for their official shoes, dress, and swimsuit from sponsors. Their schedules also include photo shooting, touring, filming, rehearsing, and preparing for the preliminary and final show. Standouts during their arrivals and initial activities were the Philippines, Thailand, Colombia, Nepal, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Canada, Romania, Denmark, South Africa, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Venezuela. The 69th Miss Universe pageant will air live on FYI and local channels across the world on Sunday, May 16 at 8 p.m. ET. Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa will crown her successor at the end of the event. Here are some photos during registration and fitting: Photos: Benjamin Askinas / Miss Universe

Miss Universe Organization has announced on Friday that American rapper Pitbull will be the guest performer in the upcoming 69th Miss Universe competition. Pitbull, whose real name is Armando Christian Pérez, also goes by the nicknames "Mr. Worldwide" and "Mr. 305" (Miami's area code). Many of his hits have paid tribute to the streets and landmarks from his Miami upbringing. The 69th Miss Universe pageant will air live around the world from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on Sunday, May 16 at 8 p.m. ET. Photo: Pitbull / Facebook

Following a racism controversy with some pageant fans, Canada's Nova Stevens has shared stunning photos from her latest shoot in the UAE wearing a fabulous couture yellow gown by Michael Cinco. In her post on social media, the 26-year-old statuesque beauty captioned: "Running towards my destiny. I’m ready for whatever the universe has in stores for me." Nova will be dressed by the Dubai-based Filipino fashion designer in the upcoming 69th Miss Universe competition in Hollywood, Florida. Photos: Adam Browning-Hill / Producer & Creative Direction: Michael Cinco / Art Direction & Styling: Rhon Balagtas / Accessories: Gian Gerente, Ronan Cabrito Opiña / Hair & Makeup: Jefferson Rivera

Miss Universe Myanmar 2020 Thuzar Wint Lwin has safely left for the US amid the current political conflict in her country to compete in the 69th Miss Universe pageant. There were concerns regarding her departure for the international competition because she has been openly using her platform to support her countrymen's fight for democracy. "A Miss Universe is a woman who paves her own way and achieves her dreams, overcoming the obstacles that await along the journey. So here I come," Thuzar shared on her official social media page. Hailing from Hakha, the 22-year-old works as a professional model and beauty blogger. She holds a diploma in tourism and hospitality management from Star University and currently an English student at the University of East Yangon. The 69th Miss Universe competition will air live from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on Sunday, May 16 at 8 p.m. ET. Photos: Aung Kyaw Tun (Visual Design) / Designer: Kyaw Swar (Desig

Miss Universe Nepal 2020 Anshika Sharma has revealed her costume inspired by the highest mountain on Earth for the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Florida, USA this May. Designed and conceptualized by fashion designer Bina Ghale, the "Ode to Mountaineers" national costume features a mountaineering ensemble and prayer flags in five colors. "Theme by me - I wanted to do something that had never been done before, take the pride of Nepal to the Universe," Anshika shared on her social media page. "Every year, the world visits Nepal for its mountains. This year, we take the mountains to the world," the 24-year-old business analyst said. Mount Everest is a peak in the mountain range of the Himalayas. It is located between Nepal and Tibet, an autonomous region of China. At 8,849 meters (29,032 feet), it is considered the highest point on Earth. Photo: Milan Lama / Meiilan Visual Arts

Miss Universe Costa Rica 2020 will be showcasing a costume inspired by her national flower at the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Florida, USA this May. A beautiful creation by fashion designer John Lecksell, the national costume features a floral headpiece and an off-shoulder white dress with a long and flared skirt, and embellished with ruffles and purple flowers. The purple country girl, or Guaria Morada in Spanish, is a stunning orchid shining with purple hues and thin, rounded petals. Based on Tico tradition, the flower brings good luck and fortune. "I leave you the purple guaria, the national flower of my beautiful land that today cries for many of its children," Ivonne said in a caption to the official photos of her costume she shared on social media. "Today more than ever, I hope to represent you well and I ask that we take care of each other," she added. Photos: Arnoldo Robert / Miss Costa Rica

Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 Francisca Luhong James proudly waved her national flag in a Rizman Ruzaini send-off outfit during her departure for the US on Wednesday, May 5. The 25-year-old marketing executive also shared a sneak peek of her catwalk for the 69th Miss Universe pageant before her flight at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. In a post on her official social media page, Francisca wrote a message for her parents who came all the way from Sarawak to support her. "It’s been a long journey. Finally, here we are now. They never stop me from reaching my milestones. I will forever be your Luhong James, your one and only daughter, who is always full of surprises. I’m happy to have both of them by my side before the take off. This is just the beginning," she said. The 69th Miss Universe pageant will air live from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on May 16 at 8 p.m. ET. Photos: Miss Universe Malaysia

Miss Universe Ukraine 2020 Yelyzaveta Yastremska will be showcasing the "Vytynаnka Soul" national costume at the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Hollywood, Florida this May. Designed by Rada, the costume was inspired by Vytynаnka, a version of the art form of papercutting that is popular in Ukraine. It comes from the word "cut" in Ukrainian. Vytynankas are used to decorate the walls, windows, shelves, and tables. The ones that were made of fabric and leather are used to decorate clothes. "Life sometimes leaves holes in people's souls, but God makes them a beautiful harmonious picture that reflects the inner beauty of a human," Yelyzaveta said on her official social media page. "The white color of the costume symbolizes life, peace, happiness, and the pureness of a human's soul. Mirror brilliance reflects the inner world of a human. Our soul has wings, we are born to fly," she added. Photos: Olesya Iskova