PAGEANT Circle

The ongoing "rivalry" between pageant fans from a few countries has lately seemed to have gotten out of control. In her latest Instagram story, Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi called out a lot of "edited photos, insults and threats" she is being flooded online. "I have seen quite a lot just today and now before going to sleep," she wrote. After the recent #UniverseUnited conversation she had with Miss Universe Indonesia 2022 Laksmi Shari De Neefe Suardana and Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart, Celeste was hoping this "unnecessary cyberbullying would somehow stop or lessen." The 24-year-old Filipino-Italian beauty, who will represent the Philippines at the prestigious Miss Universe 2022 pageant later this year, asked her fans to "not answer and fight back." "If you want to protect me then simply use the hashtag #kindnesscampaign. Let's not engage with any form of hate," she said. Photo: Dooki

Miss Universe Thailand 2022 Anna Sueangam-iam has kicked off her media week after winning her national title on Saturday, July 30 at True Icon Hall, Iconsiam in Bangkok. Accompanied by the Miss Universe Thailand team and runners-up, the 23-year-old beauty had the opportunity to meet with Miss Universe 1988 and Thailand's very own, Porntip Nakhirunkanok, and her family at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. The former Miss Universe gave the newly crowned Miss Universe Thailand some helpful advice such as overcoming language barrier and being confident in her quest to win their country's third crown at Miss Universe 2022. Dubbed "Miss Garbage" Anna, who came from very humble beginnings as a daughter of garbage collectors, has been making headlines for her inspiring life story. She triumphed over hardships in life, finished her studies with honors, and went on to win her country's most coveted national beauty title. Despite the online bashing she received for her pre-op photo

Reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu has been announced to be part of the selection committee for the upcoming Miss South Africa 2022 pageant. The Indian beauty will join former queens Zozibini Tunzi (Miss Universe 2020) and Rolene Strauss (Miss World 2014) at the judging table to select the next South African representatives for Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss Supranational. For her advice to the Top 10 finalists, Harnaaz said: "Be authentic! Use every minute and moment to showcase your true self, not only to the judges but to the people you are working with, those who are working on the production, your fans, and the global audience who is watching! This is your time to shine and make the most out of this magical storyline you have chosen to be a part of." Miss South Africa 2022 will air live from the SunBet Arena at Time Square, Pretoria on Saturday, August 13 at 6:30 p.m. local time. Photo: Miss South Africa

Balsam Hussein was crowned Miss Iraq 2022 in a glittering competition held last Thursday, July 28 in Erbil, the capital and most populated city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The 26-year-old TV presenter who was born and raised in Baghdad is expected to represent her country at the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants. Sarah Saad and Jihan Majid were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Hind Akram and Sarah Khaled completed the Top 5 finalists. The Miss Iraq pageant was founded in 1947 but was suspended for over 40 years from 1973 until 2015 due to political and armed conflict in the country. The newly crowned Miss Iraq wants to send a message to all Iraqi women to never give up in the pursuit of their dreams. "Fight to get your goals and be patient. You have faced wars and difficulties, do not make the harsh conditions a rock in your path, destroy it and keep going until all your dreams are met." View this post on Instagram A post share

Kiara Arends was crowned Miss Universe Aruba 2022 in a special coronation event that took place on Sunday, July 31 in Oranjestad. The 23-year-old travel enthusiast, model, and law graduate is a social justice advocate who founded BUMP, a charity organization that benefits upcoming mothers during the pandemic. No stranger to pageantry, Kiara held the title Miss Teen Aruba International 2017 and she was Virreina de las Americas at Miss Teen Americas 2018. The newly appointed Miss Universe Aruba will now prepare to represent her country at the 71st Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2022) pageant. No official date and venue have been announced yet for the international competition. Aruba made a historic Top 10 finish at last year's Miss Universe edition in Eilat, Israel with Thessaly Zimmerman. No Aruban woman has ever placed in the pageant since Taryn Mansell was named first runner-up to Venezuela’s Alicia Machado during Miss Universe 1996. View this post on Instagram A

Miss Long Island, Angel Cartwright, edged out eight other finalists to win the Miss Bahamas Universe 2022 competition on Sunday, July 31 at the Atlantis Showroom in Paradise Island. The 27-year-old private banker and conservationist from Nassau will represent The Bahamas at the Miss Universe 2022 pageant, whose date and venue are yet to be announced. Miss Abaco, India Davis, and Miss Andros, Natalya Pratt, were the first and second runners-up, respectively. The representatives of Cat Island, Bashar Isaacs, and Eleuthera, Rickia Bonimy completed the Top 5. Last year's titleholder and Miss Universe 2021 Top 10 placer Chantel O'Brian crowned her deserving successor at the end of the event. The new Miss Bahamas Universe holds a bachelor's degree from the University of The Bahamas, and both an MBA in international business and an MS in finance from the Florida International University. Angel supports the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) initiative on biodiversity conservation specif

Anna Sueangam-iam bested 28 other contestants to be crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2022 in a glittering event held on Saturday, July 30 at True Icon Hall, Iconsiam, in Bangkok. The 23-year-old beauty succeeds last year's winner Anchilee Scott-Kemmis and will represent Thailand at the 71st Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2022) pageant. Nicolene Limsnukan and Kanyalak Nookaew were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Suchata Chuangsri and Renita Veronica Pagano completed the Top 5 finalists. The new Miss Universe Thailand received the new "Power of Resilience" crown by renowned luxury jeweler Mouawad and prizes including 1 million baht, a condominium, and a brand new car. Anna was born and raised in Bangkok and is a daughter of a garbage collector. Despite the hardships she faced growing up, she pursued her education and graduated from Kasetsart University with a bachelor's degree in hotel and tourism management. Thailand has won Miss Universe twice with Ap

In just a few hours, Anchilee Scott-Kemmis will crown her successor who will represent Thailand at the Miss Universe 2022 pageant. A total of 29 contestants are vying for the coveted national title and the new "Power of Resilience" crown by Mouawad tonight at True Icon Hall, Iconsiam, in Bangkok. The highly-anticipated final competition will be broadcast live on PPTV HD 36, TrueID, and TPNG YouTube channel from 8:30 p.m. (local time). Who will be crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2022? Meet our final favorites for the title: TOP 8 : Anna Sueangam-iam (Ann), Kanyalak Nookaew (Eye), Nicolene Limsnukan (Nicolene), Nitthakan Aksornwan (Nita), Renita Veronica Pagano (Renée), Suchata Chuangsri (Opal), Swita Promsrisawat (Angie), Patraporn Wang (First) Alternatives:  Nichamon Beutelspacher (Cait), Warangkhana siristhaphornap (Fern), Thitaree Kasorn (Nook) Photos: Miss Universe Thailand

Rebeca Rodriguez Mora was named Miss Universe Honduras 2022 in a national competition held on June 30 at Plaza de las Banderas in San Pedro Sula. The 20-year-old model, who was born and raised in San Pedro Sula, is a digital marketing student. She lives in Miami, USA for her studies. "I assume with great pride, humility, and with the same commitment that characterizes me the responsibility of representing with dignity the Miss Universe Honduras organization and my beloved country, HONDURAS," she wrote in a post on social media.  "I want to thank everyone who trusted me and supported me unconditionally from day one," she added. Rebeca will represent Honduras at the 71st Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2022) possibly later this year. The official date and venue for the competition are yet to be announced. Photos: Irvin Vallecillo Fotografia | Hair and Makeup: Kriz Reales Guzmán / Kriz Reales Studio, Angelo Studio | Swimsuit: Cac Lam / Cacdemode Swim | Crown: Ricardo Pat

Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi and Miss Universe Indonesia 2022 Laksmi De Neefe Suardana sat down with Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart in another #UniverseUnited. #UniverseUnited is a conversation series initiated by MUO to bring our global community together to talk about important issues. The Miss Universe 2022 contenders discussed cyberbullying, its impact on the women in the pageant community, and how kindness can be spread instead of negativity. Promoting the hashtag #kindnesscampaign, the important conversation streamed live on the Miss Universe's official YouTube channel on Wednesday, July 27. Pageant fans from the Philippines and Indonesia are some of the world's most passionate countries when it comes to pageantry. The toxic "rivalry" has led to the nasty bullying of their representatives across social media in recent years. Watch Celeste and Laksmi speak out on this timely and relevant issue wrecking our community: Photo: M

Anna Linnikova bested 24 other finalists to be crowned Miss Russia 2022 in a virtual ceremony held on Monday, July 25 in Moscow. The 22-year-old public relations student and professional model hails from the southwestern Russian city of Orenburg. She succeeds Alina Sanko and is expected to represent her country at the 71st Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2022) pageant, possibly later this year. Anna Budaeva from Chuvashia and Daria Nemaeva from Khabarovsk Region were the first and second runners-up, respectively. Miss Russia is one of the most well-known and prestigious national beauty pageants, which is backed by Russia’s Culture Ministry. The winner receives a white gold tiara, a cash prize as well as a chance to represent Russia at international competitions. Russia won Miss Universe 2002 with Oxana Fedorova at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She was dethroned a few months later and the first runner-up from Panama, Justine Pasek, took over the title. View

Miss Universe Colombia 2022 María Fernanda Aristizábal has been officially crowned by last year's titleholder and Miss Universe Top 5 finalist Valeria Ayos. The glittering coronation event was held on Saturday, July 23 at Catedral de Sal (Salt Cathedral) in the central Colombian city of Zipaquirá, in Cundinamarca. María Fernanda was appointed as Miss Universe Colombia last April and the announcement took place at a press conference held at Hotel Dann Carlton Medellin. The 25-year-old beauty from Quindío is now more than ever prepared to represent her country at the 71st Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2022) pageant, three years after winning Señorita Colombia and unfortunately lost her chance to compete in Miss Universe 2020. "You always have to fight to achieve dreams, you never have to give up, you always have to inspire people to achieve what they have always wanted so much and I think that has been me, an example, because I have wanted to materialize that dream and here I am

A 20-year-old journalism student from Kfarchouba, Yasmina Zaytoun, won Miss Lebanon 2022 in Beirut on Sunday, July 24. Seventeen contestants participated in the national competition which was held after a 4-year hiatus. Maya Reaidy who won in 2018 and went on to compete during the 67th Miss Universe edition in Bangkok, crowned her successor at the end of the event. The runners-up were Maya Aboul Hosn (first runner-up), Jacintha Rached (second runner-up), Lara Hraoui (third runner-up), and Dalal Hoballah (fourth runner-up). Former Miss USA Rima Fakih, who is now the national director of Miss Universe Lebanon, announced that the winner will be sent to the next edition of Miss Universe and Miss World. If the dates of both international pageants coincide, the winner will solely represent Lebanon in the next Miss World, while the first runner-up will be sent to Miss Universe 2022. View this post on Instagram A post shared by YASMINA (@yasminazaytoun) Photos: Miss Lebano

A new crown for Miss Universe Thailand 2022 was unveiled during the "Ignite the Night" gala dinner and jewelry fashion show at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Bangkok on Friday, July 22. The "Power of Resilience" crown by Mouawad features the peacock feather and lotus flower, to symbolize the interlocking harmony of the community. Its peridot gemstones' green hues radiate fresh beginnings and growth. The masterpiece is encrusted with 43 pear-shaped peridots and one marquise peridot, weighing 101.08 carats. These are nestled among 158.24 carats of marquise-cut and round white topaz gems and 4.19 carats of round white diamonds to evoke purity and honesty. Miss Universe Thailand 2022 will take place next Saturday, July 30 at True Icon Hall, Iconsiam, in Bangkok. Last year's winner Anchilee Skott-Kemmis will crown her successor at the end of the event and the next queen will represent Thailand at the 71st Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2022) pageant

Mia Mamede, the representative of Espírito Santo, bested four other finalists to be crowned Miss Universo Brasil 2022 (Miss Universe Brazil 2022) on Tuesday, July 19 in São Paulo. The 26-year-old graduate in audiovisual journalism and socio-economics from the University of New York hails from the city of Vitória and is multilingual. She hosts a program about travel and entertainment broadcast on YouTube. Rebeca Portilho of Amazonas and Isa Murta of Minas Gerias were respectively in second and third places while the representatives of Ceará, Luana Lobo, and Rio Grande do Sul, Alina Furtado, were the rest of the five finalists. The newly crowned Miss Universe Brazil succeeded last year's titleholder Teresa Santos and will now prepare to represent her country at Miss Universe 2022. "Everything still feels like a dream. What happiness to be the first capixaba to take the crown to Espírito Santo," she wrote in a statement on social media. View this post on Instagram