PAGEANT Circle

Alejandra Gavidia was crowned Miss Universe El Salvador 2021 during the Reinado de El Salvador 2021 competition held on Thursday, July 29 in San Salvador. The 25-year-old beauty bested six other finalists to succeed last year's titleholder, Vanessa Velásquez. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and government and a master’s degree in image consulting and political consulting. Alejandra will represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant to be held in Eilat, Israel later year. El Salvador has yet to win its first Miss Universe. Its highest placement was first runner-up in 1955 courtesy of Maribel Arrieta. Photo: Reinado De El Salvador / Facebook

Shariengela Cjintje bested seven other finalists to be crowned Miss Universe Curacao 2021 in a national competition held on Saturday, July 24 at the Curacao Marriott Beach Resort in Willemstad. The 28-year-old beauty was born in the Netherland and holds a master's degree in law. She authored a book "Release Your Amazon" and hopes "to inspire every woman and girl to live their dreams and every step I take is directed towards that goal." Shariengela succeeds last year's titleholder and Miss Universe 2020 Top 21 placer, Chantal Wiertz, and will now prepare to represent her country at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Photo: Curacao Beauty Pageant Committee / Facebook

For the first time in history, the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant will be hosted in Israel. Israel's Tourism Ministry and the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) made the official announcement on Tuesday, July 20. A Middle Eastern country on the Mediterranean Sea, Israel is regarded by Jews, Christians, and Muslims as the biblical Holy Land. "Israel has been on our shortlist of host countries for a number of years due to its rich history, beautiful landscapes, myriad of cultures, and appeal as a global tourist destination," the MUO President Paula Shugart said. The international pageant is set to take place this December in the country's southernmost city of Eilat, a southern Israeli port and resort town on the Red Sea, near Jordan. It is renowned for its spectacular combination of the surrounding desert landscape, the beautiful bay, and the summer sun that shines all year round. Mexico's Andrea Meza will crown her successor at the end of the event t

Four former Filipina beauty queens appeared on the 10th anniversary cover of Harper's Bazaar Vietnam. Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong, and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa have gathered for the first time on the fashion magazine cover. The Philippines is the second country after Venezuela with the highest number of winners on major beauty competitions in the world including four Miss Universe, one Miss World, six Miss International, and four Miss Earth. Photos: BJ Pascual / Harper's Bazaar Vietnam

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