71st Miss Universe preliminary and costume competition standouts
The 71st Miss Universe preliminary and national costume competition took place on Wednesday, January 11 at the New Orleans Ernest E. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Hosted by WDSU News Channel 6 anchor Randi Rousseau and Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu, the event featured 84 of the world's most ambitious and beautifully confident women competing for coveted spots in the semifinals. The contestants paraded in their Portia and Scarlett dresses, swimsuits and evening gowns to impress an all-women selection committee consisting of sports broadcaster, TV host, and activist Emily Austin; author, model, TV host, producer, and Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam; Emmy-award winning journalist, TV and radio host, and author Myrka Dellanos; model, mom, women's advocate, and co-founder of Vyral Media PR Mara Martin; Senior Vice-President and Board Member of ImpactWayv Kathleen Ventrella; and actress, model, and Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan. During the preliminar