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Miss Amazonas, Ileana Marquez Pedroza, was crowned Miss Venezuela 2023 (Miss Universe Venezuela 2024) on Thursday, December 7 at the Centro Comercial Líder in Caracas. The 27-year-old TV host and model bested 24 other contestants to win the 70th edition of the annual competition. She made history as the first-ever mother to hold the national title. Ileana succeeds last year's winner and Miss Universe 2023 Top 10 finalist Diana Silva . She is now expected to represent Venezuela at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant to be held in Mexico. Sakra Guerrero who represented the state of Guarico was crowned Miss Venezuela International 2023 and will go to Miss International 2024 in Japan. She succeeds Andrea Rubio who won Miss International 2023 last month. Giorgiana Rosas of Anzoátegui, Daniela Celis of Mérida, and Cindy Granadillo of Yaracuy were announced as the first, second, and third runners-up, respectively. The representatives of Cojedes, Sheba Sichini, Delta Amacuro, Dayana Lara, Nuev

The Miss Venezuela 2023 competition is currently taking place in Caracas where 25 of Venezuela's most beautiful women are vying for the coveted title. One of the most talked about contestants is Ileana Marquez Pedroza, the representative of the state of Amazonas. The 27-year-old model and TV host is the first ever mother to compete in the national pageant's 70-year history. If she wins the competition, she will not only be the first mother to hold the title but also the first one to represent Venezuela at Miss Universe. The Miss Venezuela organization followed Miss Universe's new rules of accepting contestants who are mothers as well as married and divorced women to be more inclusive. "Being a mother in my youth changed me as a person by having to face a society in which I did not fit into its standards, however in a positive way I matured, studied, worked, and moved forward," Ileana said in her bio for Miss Venezuela. "Today I feel proud to be the mother of

Philippines' Michelle Dee has been announced by the Miss Universe Organization as the winner of the Miss Universe 2023 Best in National Costume. The Filipina beauty who entered the Top 10 in the 72nd Miss Universe competition on November 18 in El Salvador was voted by the fans through the official Miss Universe app. Michelle's national costume is a beautiful creation of Michael Barassi. It represents the Philippines itself — resilient, radiant, and ready to embrace the Universe. With each thread woven into the "solihiya" pattern, an iconic design used in the tropics of the Philippines, it embraces her body flawlessly — unfolding the story of the islands' unity and artistry. Rising from her back, her wings bear the colors of the Philippine flag and a mural of its most breathtaking sights while parading the country's official tourism slogan: #LoveThePhilippines. Crowned with a captain's hat, her costume is a salute to her role as an Air Force reservist and t

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) is excited to announce a partnership with formalwear marketplace Queenly and Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel. MUO and R'Bonney have officially donated many of the iconic outfits from her reign as Miss Universe to be sold on Queenly's platform, with the proceeds donated to Houston’s Magpies and Peacocks. Her dresses are available to the public at queenly.com or on the Queenly app for purchase prices ranging from $300 to $600 and come from designers such as Nicole Miller and BCBG. The sustainable fashion designer is listing one of her own designs. Queenly and R'Bonney are a perfect fit as she continues her mission as a sustainable fashion leader,  inspiring others to make environmentally-friendly choices, one step at a time. In addition to offering dresses for every kind of event from sorority formals, and quinceañeras to weddings, Queenly is known for being an accessible and inclusive destination for all types of formal and pagea

The 72nd Miss Universe competition culminated in the magical El Salvador in the weekend and we still can't get over how spectacular the show was. From the stage, production, contestants, guest performers, and distinguished judges, to the energy of the crowded Gimnasio Nacional José Adolfo Pineda, everything was flawless. The host country delivered its promise — it was undoubtedly one of the best editions of the annual Miss Universe pageant in recent years. If we were to hand out special awards for the best of the night during the final competition, these beauties would top our list: --- FACE OF THE COMPETITION Australia, Moraya Wilson --- BEST IN SWIMSUIT Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios --- BEST IN EVENING GOWN Philippines, Michelle Dee --- BEST IN QUESTION AND ANSWER (Q&A) Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios --- TOP MODEL Australia, Moraya Wilson --- MOST ELEGANT Colombia, Camila Avella --- Photos: Miss Universe RELATED POSTS: Miss Universe 2023: A night of firsts, the semifinalists who

The 72nd Miss Universe final competition in El Salvador on Saturday night was undoubtedly the edition with the most inclusive set of semifinalists in the history of the Miss Universe pageant. Here are the reasons why: Cameroon, Issie Princesse (Top 20)  - First representative from Cameroon to place in the semifinals since her country made its debut at Miss Universe in 2020. Colombia, Camila Avella (Top 5)  - First mother to win Miss Universe Colombia and represent her country at Miss Universe. She was also the first mother contestant to make it all the way to the Top 5. El Salvador, Isabella García-Manzo (Top 10)  - First representative from El Salvador to enter the Top 10 in more than 25 yeas. Her country's last placement was during Miss Universe 1996. Namibia, Jameela Uiras (Top 20)  - First representative from Namibia to enter the semifinals in two decades. The country's last placement was 20 years ago during Miss Universe 2003. Nepal, Jane Dipika Garrett (Top 20)  - First p

The Top 5 finalists of the 72nd Miss Universe final competition were each given 30 seconds to answer questions directly from the members of the selection committee. Whoever wins Miss Universe 2023 will be representing the Miss Universe Organization for an entire year traveling the world as an ambassador and using the platform to advance the greater good. The nerve-racking question and answer round is their opportunity to prove to the panel they have what it takes to do the Miss Universe job. Here's how they answer the questions: Iris Mittenaera: How would you use the Miss Universe platform to promote global gender equality? Miss Australia, Moraya Wilson: "I would use the Miss Universe platform to push a message. I think this community is strong and when we bond together we can create changes and when it comes to gender equality, when we use our voice and we use our power to make a change that's when real movement happens." Janelle Commissiong: If you win tonight, wha

The 72nd Miss Universe has just concluded in San Salvador, El Salvador with Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua bagging her country's first ever Miss Universe title. Amid the much talked about victory, the black Whang-od-inspired gown worn by Michelle Dee of the Philippines during the Top 10 evening gown competition became one of the trending topics online. Fans were shocked the Filipina beauty did not advance to the Top 5 question and answer round following her stellar performance throughout the pageant. Many flocked to social media comments to express their disappointments. Michelle's gown made by the talented Filipino designer Mark Bumgarner was an ode to Apo Whang-od (also known as Maria Oggay), a traditional tattoo artist, from the Kalinga tribe in the Philippines. At the age of 106, Whang-od became the oldest woman to ever grace the cover of Vogue magazine. She practices the ancient art of batok, an indigenous form of tattooing through hand-tapping using a lemon tree thorn and

Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios bested 83 other contestants to be crowned Miss Universe 2023 on Saturday, November 18 at the Gimnasio Nacional José Adolfo Pineda in San Salvador, El Salvador. The 23-year-old communications graduate, mental health activist, and audiovisual producer from Managua made history as the first-ever Nicaraguan representative to win the coveted Miss Universe title. She succeeds R'Bonney Gabriel of the USA. Anntonia Porsild of Thailand and Moraya Wilson of Australia were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Camila Avella of Colombia and Karla Guilfú Acevedo of Puerto Rico rounded out the Top 5 finalists. The Top 10 were Isabella García-Manzo of El Salvador, Camila Escribens of Peru, Michelle Dee of the Philippines, Athenea Pérez of Spain, and Diana Silva of Venezuela. Completing the Top 20 were the contestants from Cameroon, Issie Princesse, Chile, Celeste Viel, India, Shweta Sharda, Jamaica, Jordanne Levy, Namibia, Jameela Uiras, Nepal, Ja

Mexico has been officially announced as the host country of the 73rd Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2024) pageant. The announcement was made during the Miss Universe 2023 final show held on Saturday, November 18 in San Salvador, El Salvador. A country in the southern portion of North America, Mexico is known for its rich culture, ancient ruins, dazzling beaches, and incredible cuisine. From tequila to cenotes to Frida Kahlo, it is a beautiful land with diverse people, landscapes, food, and culture. Mexico hosted the Miss Universe pageant four times — in 1978, 1989, 1993, and 2007. RELATED POSTS: Miss Universe 2023 is Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua LIVE UPDATES: Miss Universe 2023 Final Competition Results Miss Universe 2023: Here's where to watch final show telecast, livestream Paula Shugart steps down as president of the Miss Universe Organization

The 72nd Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2023) final competition is happening tonight at the Gimnasio Nacional José Adolfo Pineda in San Salvador, El Salvador. From a field of 84 equally beautiful, confident, and empowered women from all over the world vying for the job, one woman's life is about to change forever. Hosted by Maria Menounos, Olivia Culpo, and Jeannie Mai with Catriona Gray and Zuri Hall as backstage correspondents, tonight's show will also feature two live performances of 12-time Grammy winner John Legend. An esteemed selection committee who will select tonight's winner consists of model Halima Aden, singer Mario Bautista, actress and TV host Giselle Blondet, Miss Universe 1977 Janelle Commissiong, Miss Universe 2021 runner-up Nadia Ferreira, social media personality Avani Gregg, designer Carson Kressley, physician Connie Mariano, Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere, VP at Roku Sweta Patel, and former Miss Oregon USA Denise White. The remarkable R'Bonney Gab