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Miss Universe Laos 2022 Payengxa Lor returned home following her historic achievement during the recently held 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The business management student received a warm welcome from her supporters and members of the press when she arrived back in her country on January 19. Her Top 16 placement marked the first time ever Laos entered the semifinals at the Miss Universe competition. Payengxa won the 5th edition of the Miss Universe Laos pageant at the Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel in Vientiane last October 8 and earned her the opportunity to represent her country at Miss Universe 2022. The 21-year-old was the first Hmong to win the national title and also the first one to achieve Laos' highest placement at Miss Universe since its debut in 2017. Surprisingly, Laos was also the only Southeast Asian country to place in the Top 16 while heavy favorites from the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam missed out on the semifinal cut. V

Miss Universe Dominican Republic 2022 Andreína Martínez Founier had the chance to meet with her country's President Luis Abinader and the First Lady after placing third at Miss Universe 2022. Their meeting happened at the national leader's official residence, the Palacio Nacional in Santo Domingo, following Andreína's homecoming from the recently concluded 71st Miss Universe competition in New Orleans. The 25-year-old was able to achieve a well-deserved Top 3 placement during the Miss Universe final show on January 14. Her highly celebrated second runner-up finish at Miss Universe 2022 was the Dominican Republic's highest placement since 2009. "What an honor it was to be received by Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic, and by our beloved First Lady," she posted on social media. "I am excited about the possibility of working together for the well-being of our youth and I also see this as an opportunity to continue supporting those young Domi

Former Miss Universe Catriona Gray reunited with Ne-Yo during the Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter's "Live in Concert" tour in Manila. Back in 2018, when Catriona won Miss Universe in Bangkok, Thailand, Ne-Yo was the special guest performer. The R&B superstar performed his hit single "Miss Independent" during the iconic Miss Universe 2018 Top 3 final look. Ne-Yo's Manila concert was held at the Araneta Coliseum, the same venue where Catriona was also crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2018. Catriona went to social media to share her "fangirl moment" with her followers. She wrote: "Obviously had the best night ever last night at the [Ne-Yo] concert in Manila. I actually watched him in concert in SM MOA back in 2010. I am such a fan. Then backstage at MU2018, I was too shy to say hi." The former beauty queen turned host and television personality went on stage during last night's concert when Ne-Yo asked for members of the

Miss Universe Ukraine 2022 Viktoria Apanasenko received the "Spirit of Carnival" award during the 71st Miss Universe competition held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The award was presented to her by Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy "for embodying the company’s values of fun, friendship, diversity and inclusion." "Viktoria Apanasenko has made it her mission to remind us that the war is ongoing and people across Ukraine are working to support their military, as well as their neighbors affected by the war – especially those displaced from their homes," said Duffy. "I’m impressed by Viktoria’s strength and her kind and giving character which truly embodies the ‘Spirit of Carnival.' And through this recognition, we are also letting the people of Ukraine and especially our Ukrainian crew members know that we continue to support and admire their spirit as well." A short video of the award presentation was featured during the 71st Miss

New York City, NY, USA – ImpactWayv™, the pioneering Social [Impact] Media Platform, congratulates Miss Universe Thailand, Anna Sueangam-iam, for winning the Miss Universe ImpactWayv Challenge during the 71st annual Miss Universe competition. The ImpactWayv Challenge showcased and celebrated the delegates’ commitment to social good. The 24-year-old beauty from Bangkok was announced as the winner of the ImpactWayv Award by Miss Universe Organization (MUO) owner Anne Jakrajutatip during the live broadcast of the 71st Miss Universe competition on Saturday, January 14, in New Orleans, Louisiana, presented by MUO’s media partners The Roku Channel and Telemundo (subsidiary to NBC Universal). ImpactWayv is a healthier and more meaningful alternative to major social networking platforms. It operates as an entirely new kind of digital ecosystem, focused on social good and enabling users - people, businesses, and nonprofits - to effect, engage in and share social impact on a global scale. In the

Miss Universe Vietnam Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Châu has been officially announced as the winner of the Swimsuit Cape Vote — an official fan vote conducted by the Miss Universe Organization on its official app. The winning cape was showcased during the 71st Miss Universe preliminary swimsuit competition which was held on January 11 in New Orleans. Ngọc Châu chose the design for her personalized cape as it motivates her to conquer her Miss Universe dream. Wearing it feels like she has all the support of the entire Vietnamese people. She believes her people love to protect and take care of each other. The entire message she also wants the design to have is to inspire dreamers that not all dreams come true, or simply must be postponed, but everyone should keep dreaming and dare to live their passions in order to live a meaningful life. "This award is not just for me, but for everyone's dreams. Keep dreaming and strive for it, one day your dream will come true," she wrote on social med

Newly crowned Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel has visited the iconic Empire State Building, a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The Filipino-American beauty stunned in crystal pants by Jovani fashion and a fringe top by fashion editor and celebrity stylist Rene Garza who used upcycled plastic mesh flower protector covers thrown away by floral shops to create the beautiful piece. Followed by the members of the press, she was joined by Miss Universe Organization owner Anne Jakrajutatip together with CEO and Founder of O Skin Med Spa, Olivia Quido-Co, during the traditional visit to the building on Tuesday, January 17. It has been an annual tradition for every Miss Universe winner to visit the architectural marvel which is one of the most iconic skyscrapers in the world. Here's the new Miss Universe on top of the world, the universe rather: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe (@missuniverse) Photo: Em

Following her well-deserved victory at the 71st Miss Universe pageant, the first Miss USA to win the crown in 10 years R'Bonney Gabriel immediately flew to New York to kick off her reign. Her first official week as the new Miss Universe started with a media tour and her first stop in "The Big Apple" on Monday, January 16 was an interview with Good Morning America on ABC. Wearing her own designed outfit, her official Miss Universe sash, and the Mouawad "Force for Good" crown, the 28-year-old fashion designer talked about her historic win in New Orleans. On being the first Filipino-American to become Miss Universe, she said: "Oh my gosh, well, Filipinos are so happy. They are just over the moon about it. It's a huge win for the community and just representation — it's an honor." Watch her full interview here: Photo: R'Bonney Gabriel / Instagram RELATED POSTS: The 71st Miss Universe is Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel LIVE UPDATES: 71st Miss Uni

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray was seen bursting into tears during an emotional tribute dedicated to former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst at the 71st Miss Universe pageant on January 14 in New Orleans. Catriona shared an apartment with Cheslie in New York City during their reigns. Cheslie tragically took her own life in January 2020 by jumping to her death from the Manhattan apartment building where she lived. During the tribute, a video montage was played showing a vibrant and happy Cheslie, while she was silently dealing with high-functioning depression. April Simpkins, Cheslie's mother, went onstage to give a moving message: "Cheslie loved this Miss Universe community. She often spoke about the support she received from all of you and the Miss Universe Organization, and for that, I'm forever grateful." She continued her speech by talking about Cheslie's silent battles: "The Cheslie you saw didn’t always match the way she felt inside. Just because someone tells

Another history repeats itself moment just happened during the culmination of the 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The highly talked about coronation event brought us back to the iconic moment when India's first Miss Universe Sushmita Sen crowned her successor, the late Chelsi Smith of the USA as Miss Universe 1995 in Namibia. Almost 28 years later, another winner from India, Harnaaz Sandhu, crowned R'Bonney Gabriel of the USA as Miss Universe 2022 on January 14 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. What's more interesting is that both biracial Americans Chelsi and R'Bonney competed in Miss Texas USA twice before winning the state title, then went on to become Miss USA, and eventually, Miss Universe. They are both trailblazers for other women with a mixed-race background who wish to take the same path. While Chelsi was the first ever African-American to win Miss Texas USA, R'Bonney became the first Filipino-American to win