PAGEANT Circle

Miss Turkey 2021 has crowned its official representatives for the next Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss Supranational pageants on Wednesday, September 8 in Istanbul. Dilara Korkmaz, 23, Cemrenaz Turhan, 23, and Şira Sahilli, 21, were announced as Miss Turkey World 2021, Miss Turkey Universe 2021, and Miss Turkey Supranational 2021, respectively. Su Bige Korucu was named Miss Farmasi Turkey. While master's student Dilara will go on to represent Turkey at Miss World 2021 pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico, engineering student Cemrenaz will travel to Eilat, Israel for Miss Universe 2021. Industrial engineering student Şira will go to Miss Supranational 2022 in Poland next year. Photos: Miss Turkey

Julia Sinning was crowned Miss Nederland 2021 in a glittering national competition held at Studio 21 in Hilversum on Sunday, August 29. The 24-year-old student from Amsterdam is training at a drama school (faaam Film Actors Academy) and currently part of "The Bachelor." Besides winning her national title, she also took home the Miss Congeniality award. Julia succeeds last year's winner, Denise Speelman, and will now prepare to represent the Netherlands at the 70th Miss Universe pageant to be held in Eilat, Israel later this year. Photo: Ferieke Berendsen / Miss Nederland

Carmina Elena Olimpia Coftas was crowned Miss Universe Romania 2021 in a national competition held in Bucharest on Saturday, August 28. The 20-year-old history student and model from Cluj-Napoca was born and raised in Târgu Mureș. Working as a television and radio producer since the beginning of this year, she interviewed well-known doctors to advocate the importance of healthcare through social media. Julia Tisza and Vivien Bungardean were the first and second runners-up respectively while Delia Bulgaru and Emma Trache completed the Top 5 finalists. Carmina succeeds last year's titleholder Bianca Tirsin and will represent her country Romania at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant in Eilat, Israel later this year. "I am very excited and deeply honored to be part of the Miss Universe Romania family and I can't wait to all of you there," she said. Photos: Miss Universe Romania

Miss Universe Malaysia Organization (MUMO) released an official statement on Tuesday, August 17 in regard to Malaysia's non-participation at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. "Unfortunately, due to the worsening COVID-19 situation, which has resulted in limited international and domestic travel, we have been unable to hold our local Miss Universe Malaysia 2021 pageant," the MUMO said. "We have therefore declined the invitation to this year's pageant and regretfully would not be able to hold a local Miss Universe Malaysia pageant this year." The national organization has yet to announce when the next Miss Universe Malaysia pageant will take place. Photo: Miss Universe Organization

Nora Emilie Nakken bested 12 other contestants to be crowned Miss Universe Norway 2021 in a national competition held in Oslo on Saturday, August 14. The 23-year-old model and mental health advocate from Trondheim succeeds Sunniva Frigstad. She will represent Norway at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Angelika Catharina D. Kristiansen and Amine Storrød were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Julie Dahlen Børresen and Stephany Gabriela Crespo La Rosa completed the Top 5. The new Miss Universe Norway is no stranger to pageantry as she competed last year as Miss Earth Norway during the virtual Miss Earth 2020 pageant. Photo: Joe Urrutia / Miss Norway Organization

Allison Wassmer was crowned Miss Nicaragua 2021 in a national competition held on Saturday, August 14 in Managua. The 26-year-old entrepreneur succeeds last year's winner and Miss Universe Top 21 Ana Marcelo. She represented Managua and bested six other finalists to win her title. Miss Rivas, Glennys Medina, and Miss Acoyapa, Zulema Bravo were the first and second runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Nicaragua will represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant to be held later this year for the first time in Eilat, Israel. Photo: Miss Nicaragua

The Top 10 finalist of the Miss South Africa 2021 national competition was virtually announced on Tuesday, August 3 on the pageant's online platform. Four finalists are from Gauteng, three from Western Cape, two from Eastern Cape and one from KwaZulu-Natal. They are Zimi Mabunzi, Jeanni Mulder, Bianca Bezuidenhout, Cheneil Hartzenberg, Kgothatso Dithebe, Catherine Groenewald, Moratwe Masima, Kaylan Matthews, Lalela Mswane and Tiffany Francis. The distinguished panel of judges includes former Miss South Africa titleholders Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala (2010), Liesl Laurie (2015), Melinda Bam (2011), and Tamaryn Green (2018). Miss South Africa 2021 will take place at Sun International's Grand West Arena in Cape Town on October 16. Three winners will be chosen to represent South Africa at Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss Supranational pageants. Photo: Miss South Africa / Instagram

Thessaly Zimmerman was crowned Miss Universe Aruba 2021 last Friday, July 30 at the House of Mosaic in Oranjestad. The 26-year-old social media coordinator holds a bachelor's degree in communication. She succeeds last year's titleholder, Helen Hernandez. "I cannot express how proud I am to be the newly crowned Miss Universe Aruba 2021," Thessaly posted online. "I wanted to thank everyone that made last night possible and believed in me from the start," she added. Thessaly will represent Aruba at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) competition to be held in Eilat, Israel this December. Photo: Thessaly Zimmerman / Instagram

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

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