PAGEANT Circle

Ora Antonia Ivanišević bested 14 other contestants to be crowned Miss Universe Croatia 2021 on Wednesday, July 14 at Esplanade Zagreb Hotel. The 20-year-old tourism management student from Dubrovnik succeeds last year's winner Mirna Naiia Marić. She will represent Croatia at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant later this year. Lorena Mustać from Privlaka and Ozana Franović from Split were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Matea Babić and Ivona Gradečak completed the Top 5. The new Miss Universe Croatia is a skilled make-up artist and hairstylist and speaks fluent English and Russian. Her hobbies include volunteering at the Down Syndrome Association's home. She wants to advocate for equal opportunities for advancement in business for women and men. Photos: Miss Universe Croatia / Facebook

Tutti Sejdiu was crowned Miss Universe Kosovo 2021 last Friday, July 9 at Adorions Palace in Tirana. The 19-year-old beauty from the small and beautiful town of Gjilan succeeds last year's winner, Blerta Veseli. Over 20 contestants from Albania and Kosovo competed in the glittering national competition. Tutti will represent Kosovo at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant, whose date and venue are yet to be announced. Photos: Miss Universe Albania & Kosova Instagram

Ina Dajci was crowned Miss Universe Albania 2021 in a national competition held last Friday, July 9 at Adorions Palace in Tirana. The 27-year-old architect and model from Tirana bested over 20 other contestants to win her national title. Ina succeeds last year's winner Paula Mehmetukaj and will now prepare to represent Albania at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant. Photos: Miss Universe Albania & Kosova Instagram

Andrea Meza has finally returned to Mexico for the first time after being crowned the 69th Miss Universe in Florida last May. Wearing a black ensemble, the beauty queen arrived in her home country after over four hours flight from JFK in New York to Mexico City on Monday, July 5. Former Miss Universe Lupita Jones graciously welcomed her at the airport along with a large group of journalists and eager fans. "I come with a pretty busy tour. I am happy to return to Mexico, I come with all the interest to generate conversation, to speak with various organizations about gender violence, violence against women. It is vital to talk about it," she said. Photos: Mexicana Universal Organización / Facebook

Miranda representative and Miss Venezuela 2020 Top 5 finalist, Luiseth Materán, has been officially announced as Miss Universo Venezuela 2021 on Friday, July 2 in Caracas. The 24-year-old social communication graduate is a model and actress. She is currently filming "Intriga tras cámara" television series that will premiere on Televen, in which she will play the leading character. Luiseth will represent Venezuela at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant, whose date and venue are yet to be announced. "Today more than ever I assume with honor the commitment to call myself Venezuela before the universe and I promise to work tirelessly to represent my country as it deserves. I love you and thank you so much affection and support," she said. Photos: Miguelángel Miquelena / Makeup & Styling: Erick Gabriel Díaz / Accessories: Yoel Accesorio / Wardrobe: ZAR DESIGN

Miss Silver State, Kataluna Enriquez, edged out over 20 other contestants to be crowned Miss Nevada USA 2021 in a state competition held on Sunday, June 27 in Las Vegas. The 27-year-old Filipino-American beauty succeeds last year's winner Victoria Olona of Paradise. She will represent the state of Nevada at the Miss USA 2021 pageant in Tulsa, Oklahoma this November. Kataluna has made history by becoming the first ever transgender woman to compete at Miss USA. Photos: Kataluna Enriquez / Instagram

Andrea Meza has attended the special screening of the 2021 American action comedy film "The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard" at Crosby Street Hotel in New York on Monday, June 14. Directed by Patrick Hughes, the film is a sequel to "The Hitman's Bodyguard" (2017) and features Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, and Richard E. Grant reprising their roles, with Frank Grillo, Tom Hopper, Antonio Banderas, and Morgan Freeman joining the cast. Styled by fashion stylist Emma Pritchard, the reigning Miss Universe from Mexico wore a Mac Duggal dress with shoes and bag by Giuseppe Zanotti and Piper & Skye, respectively. Andrea was also joined by Miss USA 2020 Asya Danielle Branch at the premiere night event. Photo: Andrea Meza / Instagram

Miss Universe Philippines organization has finally got rid of its minimum height requirements for this year's competition. Maria Thattil, Miss Universe Australia 2020 and 69th Miss Universe Top 10 placer, has lauded the national organization for changing its rules. The age requirement was also adjusted. Although the minimum age is still 18 years old but entrants should be under 28 years old at the time of the national pageant. Other requirements stayed the same. Entrants must be Filipino citizens and Philippine passport holders, at least a high school graduate and female, who has never been married nor has borne children. National director Shamcey Supsup-Lee's statement in an interview regarding transgender women became controversial. She said that they will accept transgender applicants as long as they can provide legal proof of being female and have already gone through reassignment surgery. The organization has yet to announce the final date and venue for Miss Universe Phili

Chelsi Shikongo edged out 14 other finalists to be crowned Miss Namibia 2021 on Saturday, June 5 at the Windhoek Country Club Resort and Casino. The 23-year-old beauty from Walvis Bay is an international model, full-time creator, and activist who founded I Can Say No, an empowerment campaign that promotes inclusive education. "I'm overwhelmed, I did not expect this, honestly, and I'm just excited to be representing Namibia as a goodwill ambassador," she said in an interview shortly after winning her title. Annerrie Mare and Michelle Mukuve were the first and second princesses, respectively, while Aurelia Samuyenga and Chane Ann Marshall finished in the Top 5. Miss Namibia organizers have yet to announce if Chelsi will be representing Nambia at Miss Universe or Miss World. Her predecessor, Nadja Breytenbach, was sent to the Miss Universe 2019 pageant. Photos: Miss Namibia

Former Miss World Greece Rafaela Plastira has been named Miss Universe Greece 2021. She succeeds Miss Universe Greece 2018, Ioanna Bella. The 21-year-old model was crowned Star Hellas 2019 and went to compete in the 69th Miss World pageant in London. She holds a degree in the management of social services and aspires to pursue postgraduate study in journalism. "My dream since a young girl has come true. I can't wait to represent my country again," she shared online. "This time it's gonna be very different for me. It will be my last pageant so I will give my all into it," she added. Rafaela is expected to represent Greece at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant whose date and venue have yet to be announced. Photos: Rafaela Plastira / Instagram

Mexicana Universal Organización has been officially named Debora Hallal as Miss Universe Mexico 2021 on Monday, May 31. The 24-year-old beauty who hails from Los Mochis holds a degree in business administration. She represented Sinaloa in Mexicana Universal 2020 competition where she placed first runner-up. Debora succeeded Andrea Meza, who was crowned Miss Universe 2020 last month in Florida, USA. The newly appointed Miss Universe Mexico will try to pull off a back-to-back win for her country in the 70th Miss Universe pageant (Miss Universe 2021) on a date and venue yet to be announced. Photos: Mexicana Universal Organización

The finalists of Miss Nederland 2021 (Miss Netherlands 2021) pageant have been revealed over the weekend at Studio 21 in Hilversum. During the casting day, around 50 beauties presented themselves in front of the distinguished panel of judges including former titleholders. The 10 selected finalists are Marlies Smedinga, Esmee Cornet, Benthe van der Kleij, Eleanor Dingemans, Julia Sinning, Myrthe van der Vlies, Shizen Wong, Kim van der Vlies, Maud van Oossanen and Isa de Bruin. They will be featured in a TV program and follow various training courses and workshops leading up to the final on a date yet to be announced. The winner will succeed Denise Speelman and expected to represent the Netherlands at the next Miss Universe competition. Visit Miss Nederland official website and social media pages to learn more about the finalists and this year's competition. Marlies Smedinga, Esmee Cornet, Benthe van der Kleij, Eleanor Dingemans, Julia Sinning, Myrthe van der Vlies, Shizen Wong, Kim

For the first time in history, the Miss South Africa pageant is now open for transgender women to participate. According to the Miss South Africa organization, interested applicants need to have a valid South African ID document that shows "female" as their amended sex in order to be eligible to compete. South Africa has been blazing a trail in a continent where many countries still consider homosexuality taboo. The rainbow nation was the fifth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. Out of the 54 states recognized by the United Nations or African Union or both, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association stated in 2015 that homosexuality is outlawed in 34 African countries. Spain's Angela Ponce became the first-ever transgender woman to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. Since then, several other national pageants that traditionally only accept naturally born female changed their rules. Photo: Miss South Africa / Facebook

Miss South Africa organizers have announced that applications are now officially open for Miss South Africa 2021 competition. For interested applicants, you may submit your entries until midnight of June 24 and here are the easy steps to follow on how to apply: 1. Complete a few questions via online entry form. 2. Submit 2 photographs in colour (1x head & shoulders & 1 x full body). 3. Post your introduction video on social media to complete your entry. Tell who you are and why you should be #MissSA2021? 4. After you posted your 45 seconds video on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter, copy and paste your video post link in your online entry form. 5. Ensure to use #MissSA2021 in your video post and tag @official_misssa. The winners of Miss South Africa 2021 will have the opportunity to represent the rainbow nation at Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Supranational pageants. You can follow Miss South Africa on its official social media pages or visit its  official website for mo

Following Michael Cinco's "ungrateful rant" towards the Miss Universe Canada (MUC) organization, another Filipino designer shared his "awful experience" with the Canadian team during Miss Universe 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. The feud between parties involved became a hot topic among news outlets especially in the Philippines and the netizens came swarming into social media pages in support of the Filipino designers. In a lengthy post on its official social media page on Monday, MUC has finally broken its silence over the controversy that recently rocked the beauty pageant community. Below is the full statement from the organization: We at the Miss Universe Canada organization are deeply saddened to read the recent negative online comments directed at us, the current Miss Universe Canada titleholder, some of our designer supporters and third-party organizations. The Miss Universe Canada (MUC) organization appreciates the relationships we have worked hard to build