PAGEANT Circle

Anna Neplyah was crowned Miss Ukraine Universe 2021 in a national competition held in Kyiv last Friday, October 15. The 27-year-old model succeeds Yelyzaveta Yastremska and will now represent Ukraine at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Victoria Apanasenko was the first runner-up while Diana Dudka and Nelya Popovich were respectively named Miss Charm Ukraine and Miss Eco International Ukraine 2021. "I want to become Miss Ukraine Universe to show by example to all the girls that everything is possible and everything is in our head. I want women to learn to love themselves and not deny their power in femininity," said the new Miss Ukraine Universe. Photo: Miss Ukraine Universe

Daria Varlamova was announced Miss Universe Australia 2021 in a national final held in Melbourne on Tuesday, October 19. The 26-year-old mental health advocate from Victoria succeeds Maria Thattil. She will now prepare to represent Australia at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel in December. Mia Brooks and Jasmine Stringer were named first and second runners-up, respectively, while Ally Draper and Tiana Meehan completed the Top 5 finalists. The new Miss Universe Australia is a student advisor at a university and currently working towards becoming a psychotherapist. "I am incredibly grateful for this platform and what lies ahead. I am also immensely proud of each and every woman that has been a part of this beautiful journey with me," she wrote on her social media account. Australia won Miss Universe twice with Kerry Anne Wells in 1972 and Jennifer Hawkins in 2004. Photos: Miss Universe Australia

Miss Cartagena, Valeria Ayos, was crowned Miss Universe Colombia 2021 in a glittering national final held at the Chamorro Entertainment City Hall in Bogotá on Monday, October 18. The 27-year-old model and international relations professional bested 23 other contestants to succeed Laura Olascuaga and earn the opportunity to represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Miss Risaralda, Maria Alejandra López, and Miss Risaralda, Francelys Santoya, were named first and second runners-up, respectively. "From this night I take with me the hugs of my companions, the cries of joy, the nerves on stage, the support of my family and friends," the new Miss Universe Colombia shared on her social media account shortly after winning the competition. Valeria is no stranger to pageantry as she was previously Miss Earth Colombia and participated in Miss Earth 2018 in the Philippines where she earned a Top 4 placement. Photos: Alex Fandiño / Miss Univer

Sarah Loinaz bested 12 other finalists to be crowned Miss Universe Spain 2021 in a glittering national competition held on Saturday, October 16 in Tenerife. The 23-year-old model from Gipuzkoa succeeds Andrea Martínez and will now prepare to represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Teresa Calleja Palazuelo and Carmen Serrano were named first and second runners-up, respectively. Photo: Miss Universe Spain

Emma Rose Collingridge was crowned Miss Universe Great Britain 2021 in a national final held on Saturday, October 16 at the Riverfront Arts Centre in Newport, South Wales. The 23-year-old beauty from Suffolk bested over 20 other finalists to win the competition and succeed Jeanette Akua. Christina Chalk and Amy Meisak placed first and second runners-up, respectively, while Stephanie Hill and Charlotte Kamale completed the Top 5. The new Miss Universe Great Britain holds an honours degree in English from Loughborough University. She will now prepare to represent Great Britain at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) in Eilat, Israel this December. Photo: Dani Latimer / Miss Universe Great Britain

Miss South Africa 2021 final in Cape Town saw a reunion of old friends as Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza was reunited with Julia Morley CEO and Chairman of Miss World. Julia was clearly delighted to see Andrea again and said: “I'm so proud of you Andrea, you were a fantastic Miss World America and gave so much support to our Menstrual Hygiene Campaign in India and Africa and then the Beauty With a Purpose Global Humanitarian Tour. We knew you would be a great Miss Universe and you fully deserved to win the Miss Universe crown.” Andrea was a judge for Miss South Africa 2021 where Toni Ann Singh the reigning Miss World was invited as a special guest along with Miss World 2014 Rolene Strauss. Toni-Ann has just arrived in Cape Town as part of a 4-day visit to support Beauty With A Purpose projects across South Africa. She will visit Robben Island tomorrow before flying to Johannesburg. On Monday Julia and Toni-Ann will visit Soweto to distribute food for 6000 families where the reignin

Lalela Mswane bested nine other finalists to be crowned Miss South Africa 2021 in a glittering competition held at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town on Saturday, October 16. The 24-year-old model and dancer from KwaZulu-Natal holds a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Pretoria. She succeeds last year's winner, Shudufhadzo Musida. Zimi Mabunzi and Moratwe Masima were named runners-up while Bianca Bezuidenhout and Jeanni Mulder completed the Top 5. The prestigious national pageant was attended by reigning Miss Universe Andrea Meza, Miss World Toni-Ann Singh and Miss Supranational Chanique Rabe. Former queens Pia Wurtzbach, Catriona Gray, Zozibini Tunzi and Rolene Strauss also graced the event. Miss South Africa 2021 winner and runners-up are expected to represent the rainbow nation at the next Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Supranational competitions. Photos: Miss South Africa

Naa Morkor Commodore has been officially crowned Miss Universe Ghana 2021 in a special ceremony held on October 13, Wednesday at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra. The 26-year-old model and gifted dancer from Prampram in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana succeeded Chelsea Tayui and will now prepare to represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel in December. "Yesterday marked the beginning of a new journey for another daughter of our motherland. Finally, the crown has been passed on to another young Ghanaian woman. She will be the new leader to all she serves and a role model to many young girls across the length and breadth of this nation. She will be carrying the mantle of our beloved nation," Miss Universe Ghana organizers shared on social media. The newly appointed Miss Universe Ghana is no stranger to pageantry as she placed second runner-up while competing at Miss Intercontinental 2016 and also clinched the runner-up placement during the Miss U

Former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzback looked stunning in an off-shoulder creation by Filipino fashion designer Mark Bumgarner at the Miss South Africa 2021 judging day on Tuesday, October 12 in Cape Town. The Filipino-German beauty who won Miss Universe 2015 wore DiaGold pieces of jewelry and paired her beautiful dress with Jimmy Choo’s black Bing pumps during her first look at the official Miss South Africa 2021 Top 10 finalists. Pia joined the reigning Miss Universe Andrea Meza (virtually), and former Miss South Africa and Miss Universe runner-up Tamaryn Green in the all-women judging panel. "I absolutely loved the process of sitting down and having a one on one moment with each of the girls. It was a good full day getting to know them a bit more which will help me and the panel decide who should win Miss South Africa," she shared on social media. Miss South Africa 2021 will air live from the Grand Arena at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World in Cape Town on Saturday, Oct

For the first time in history, Dubai is set to host the first-ever Miss Universe United Arab Emirates pageant, the Miss Universe Organization and Yugen Events announced on Thursday, October 7 at the Armani Ristorante in Burj Khalifa. The applications and casting for Miss Universe UAE will begin from October 7 through online registration at missuniverseuae.com. All UAE residents between the ages of 18 and 28 can register. All selected applicants will be called for a personal casting call on October 15 at Al Habtoor Palace Hotel. Only 30 applicants, announced on October 20, will advance to the live show. The historical Miss Universe UAE final event will be held on November 7 at La Perle in Al Habtoor City, Dubai Miss Universe UAE 2021 official winner will represent the UAE at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Photo: Miss Universe UAE / Facebook

Miss New Providence, Chantel O’Brian, was crowned Miss Bahamas Universe 2021 in a national competition held last Sunday, October 3 in Nassau. The 27-year-old entrepreneur who holds a bachelor's degree in business enterprise bested three other finalists to win her national title. She succeeds Shauntae Miller and will now prepare to represent the Bahamas at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Chantel is no stranger to pageantry as she previously held the title of Miss World Bahamas and went on to represent her country at the Miss World 2015 pageant in Sanya, China. The new Miss Universe Bahamas founded P.S. O’Brian Consulting, a company based in Nassau that offers pageant, runway, and etiquette coaching. Photo: CJermaine Photography

The Top 18 semifinalists of Miss Universe Nepal 2021 have been officially announced on Sunday, October 10. From the Top 50, only 18 beauties were selected for the close camp & grand final following their commendable scores from the average in swimsuit walk, live interview, and voting. The Top 18 semifinalists are Anuska Adhikari, Pratikshya Mahara Chhetri, Bristi Acharya, Arya Nishaant, Sadiksha Khadka, Anisha Poudel, Smarika Karki, Swikriti Khadka, Mandira Karki, Nina Kant Mandal, Bibhuti Gautam, Sagarika Malla, Sujita Basnet, Smita Neupane, Sagun Gurung, Keshu Khadka, Pritima Panthi, and Rakchya Upreti. Miss Universe Nepal 2021 final will be held this October 30. The winner will represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Photo: Miss Universe Nepal Official

Miss Polski 2021 Agata Wdowiak has been officially confirmed as Miss Universe Poland 2021. The 24-year-old model from Lodz was crowned Miss Polski 2021 back in August. Miss Polski organization made the announcement on its official social media page on Friday, October 8. Agata, who is currently studying nanotechnology at the Lodz University of Technology, will now represent Poland at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel this coming December. Photo: Dorota Czoch / Miss Polski Official

The reigning Miss Universe from Mexico Andrea Meza has been invited to sit as one of the judges in the upcoming Miss South Africa 2021 national competition. "With her vast pageant experience as a reigning Queen who also placed first runner-up at Miss World 2017, we have no doubt that she will add so much value in selecting a great woman fit for the role of Miss South Africa," Miss South Africa organization said in a post on its official social media page. Andrea will be joined in the all-women selection panel by Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach while two other former winners Catriona Gray and Zuzibini Tunzi will be the backstage hosts at the finale. Miss South Africa 2021 will air live from the Grand Arena at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World in Cape Town. The show will be broadcast Live on M-Net & Mzansi-Magic. Photo: Miss South Africa

Caterina Di Fuccia was crowned Miss Universe Italy 2021 during a national competition held in Rome last Sunday, September 26. The 24-year-old teacher and runway coach from Marcianise is no stranger to pageantry as she was Top 16 at Miss Mondo Italia 2016 and Top 10 at Miss Italia 2019. Caterina succeeds Viviana Vizzini and will now prepare to represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe pageant to be held in Eilat, Israel in December. Photos: Miss Universe Italy