PAGEANT Circle

Maja Čolić was crowned Miss Slovenije 2020/21 in a national competition that took place last June 27 in Hrastnik. The 21-year-old beauty from Ribnica is a student of economics and international business. She bested 14 other contestants to win the national title. Lina Jenšac and Neža Simčič were the first and second runners-up, respectively. Maja succeded Miss Slovenije 2019 Špela Alič and will now prepare to represent Slovenia at the Miss World 2021 pageant later this year in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photos: Miss World - Slovenia / Facebook

Michoacán representative Karolina Vidales was crowned Miss Mexico 2021 at Lago Di Como in Chihuahua on Saturday, July 3. The 24-year-old beauty holds a bachelor's degree in business administration. She bested 31 other contestants from across Mexico to win the national competition.  Karolina will represent her country at Miss World 2021 to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico this December. Jalisco's Mariana Macías was named Miss Mexico Grand 2021 and will be sent to the Miss Grand International 2021 later this year. Previous winners, Ashley Alvídrez Estrada and Angela Yuriar crowned their respective successors at the end of the event. The reigning Miss Grand International, USA's Abena Appiah has attended the glittering competition. Photos: Miss Mexico Organization / Facebook

Tiisetso Seliane bested 10 other finalists to be crowned Miss Lesotho 2021 at the Manthabiseng Convention Centre in Maseru last May 29. The 24-year-old aspiring teacher from Hlotse is currently an education student at the National University of Lesotho (NUL). Poelano Mothisi was named the first princess while Rapelang Ntsane became the second princess. The new Miss Lesotho will represent her southern African country at the 70th Miss World (Miss World 2021) pageant later this year in San Juan, Puerto Rico. "I have always known that life will lead me to a career that will put me in front of people. I enjoy the freedom to be myself, loving, caring, crazy and loud," she said. The annual Miss Lesotho pageant was launched in 1978. Last year, the competition was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photos: Miss Lesotho

The official finalists of the 26th Miss Slovensko competition (Miss Slovensko 2021) were revealed last month at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Bratislava. Twelve beauties will be vying for the national title during the final competition on August 7. The prestigious event will be broadcast live on TV JOJ. The next Miss Slovensko will succeed Leona Novoberdaliu and is expected to represent Slovakia at the Miss World 2022 pageant. Meet the 12 official finalists: Soňa Matiová Barbora Minárová Sophia Hrivňáková Sylvia Šulíková Gréta Sobeková Ester Porubcová Jana Vozárová Júlia Ivanová Barbora Matejková Soňa Vysocká Lucia Nováková Lujza Kalčoková Photos: Petra Ficová / Miss Slovensko

Chelsi Shikongo edged out 14 other finalists to be crowned Miss Namibia 2021 on Saturday, June 5 at the Windhoek Country Club Resort and Casino. The 23-year-old beauty from Walvis Bay is an international model, full-time creator, and activist who founded I Can Say No, an empowerment campaign that promotes inclusive education. "I'm overwhelmed, I did not expect this, honestly, and I'm just excited to be representing Namibia as a goodwill ambassador," she said in an interview shortly after winning her title. Annerrie Mare and Michelle Mukuve were the first and second princesses, respectively, while Aurelia Samuyenga and Chane Ann Marshall finished in the Top 5. Miss Namibia organizers have yet to announce if Chelsi will be representing Nambia at Miss Universe or Miss World. Her predecessor, Nadja Breytenbach, was sent to the Miss Universe 2019 pageant. Photos: Miss Namibia

The 3rd annual Miss World Cayman Islands pageant took place on Saturday, May 29 at the Harquail Theatre, George Town in Grand Cayman. Rashana Hydes bested four other beauties to be crowned Miss World Cayman Islands 2021. She succeeded Miss World Cayman Islands 2019 Jaci Patrick. The 24-year-old mental health advocate from West Bay holds a bachelor's degree in hospitality management. She can be described as ambitious, fair-minded, and artistic, who is passionate about various forms of creative expression. Sydonie Barrett and Alyssa West were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Krista Ebanks and Jesika Calderin-Ebanks completed the Top 5 finalists. The new Miss World Cayman Islands will be sent to compete at the Miss World 2021 pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico later this year. "It’s still a little surreal, but a few days later it’s now starting to sink in. The hours of effort, the practice, the support, the encouragement, and the grace of God made this possible,

For the first time in history, the Miss South Africa pageant is now open for transgender women to participate. According to the Miss South Africa organization, interested applicants need to have a valid South African ID document that shows "female" as their amended sex in order to be eligible to compete. South Africa has been blazing a trail in a continent where many countries still consider homosexuality taboo. The rainbow nation was the fifth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. Out of the 54 states recognized by the United Nations or African Union or both, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association stated in 2015 that homosexuality is outlawed in 34 African countries. Spain's Angela Ponce became the first-ever transgender woman to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. Since then, several other national pageants that traditionally only accept naturally born female changed their rules. Photo: Miss South Africa / Facebook