PAGEANT Circle

Four former Filipina beauty queens appeared on the 10th anniversary cover of Harper's Bazaar Vietnam. Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong, and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa have gathered for the first time on the fashion magazine cover. The Philippines is the second country after Venezuela with the highest number of winners on major beauty competitions in the world including four Miss Universe, one Miss World, six Miss International, and four Miss Earth. Photos: BJ Pascual / Harper's Bazaar Vietnam

Janice Sampere was officially crowned as Miss Gibraltar 2021 in a special ceremony held at the Mayor's Parlour at City Hall on Tuesday, July 6. The 23-year-old tax associate was first runner-up during the Miss Gibraltar 2019 pageant. She was appointed to succeed Celine Bolaños as a national competition will not be held this year due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Janice will now prepare to represent Gibraltar at the Miss World 2021 pageant to be held later this year in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photo: Miss Gibraltar / Facebook

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

Miss South Africa organizers have announced that applications are now officially open for Miss South Africa 2021 competition. For interested applicants, you may submit your entries until midnight of June 24 and here are the easy steps to follow on how to apply: 1. Complete a few questions via online entry form. 2. Submit 2 photographs in colour (1x head & shoulders & 1 x full body). 3. Post your introduction video on social media to complete your entry. Tell who you are and why you should be #MissSA2021? 4. After you posted your 45 seconds video on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter, copy and paste your video post link in your online entry form. 5. Ensure to use #MissSA2021 in your video post and tag @official_misssa. The winners of Miss South Africa 2021 will have the opportunity to represent the rainbow nation at Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Supranational pageants. You can follow Miss South Africa on its official social media pages or visit its  official website for mo

Mariela Cerros was crowned Miss Mundo Nicaragua 2021 in a national competition that aired from the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Managua on Saturday, May 22. The 22-year-old marketing student from Nueva Segovia bested 11 other finalists to win her national title. She succeeded Sheynnis Palacios who will compete at Miss World 2021 in San Juan, Puerto Rico later this year. Kendal Suárez and María del Pilar Sequeira were named first and second runners-up, respectively, while Katherine Mora, Lyska Cuthbert, and Jatzary Salvatierra completed the Top 6. The new Miss Mundo Nicaragua will represent her country at the 71st Miss World (Miss World 2022) competition. Photos: Miss Mundo Nicaragua

Miss World 2019 Toni-Ann Singh has on the weekend arrived in Puerto Rico together with Miss World Organization's Julia Morley ahead of the Miss World 2021 competition on the island later this year. They were welcomed by former Miss World from Puerto Rico and Miss World 2021 organizer, Stephanie del Valle. It was Toni-Ann's first official trip since the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions happened. The Jamaican beauty said she was very excited about her visit as Puerto Rico is so much like her own country. During their official visit, they will attend meetings with local government officials and look at various locations to be selected for the 70th edition of the international pageant. Miss World 2021 is scheduled to be held on December 16 at the Coca-Cola Music Hall in San Juan. The event is aiming to promote the Caribbean island as a tourist destination to an expected two billion viewers worldwide. Photos: Miss World

Miss World Philippines 2021 candidates have been officially announced and the final will be held this July 11. Over 40 beauties are vying for the coveted national title and the opportunity to represent the Philippines at the Miss World 2021 pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico later this year. Other titles at stake will be for the next representatives at various international competitions such as Miss Supranational, Reina Hispanoamericana, and Miss Eco International. Here are the early standouts from the first official photos released by the Miss World Philippines Organization: Photos: Charvin Valdez Torne / Miss World Philippines Organization

Julia Morley's Miss World Organization took to social media on Monday, May 17 to congratulate the newly crowned Miss Universe Andrea Meza of Mexico. The 26-year-old software engineer and women's rights activist from Chihuahua has placed first runner-up at Miss World 2017 pageant won by India's Manushi Chhillar in Sanya, China, and was named Miss World Americas 2017. "As part of her duties as Miss World Americas 2017, Andrea joined Miss World 2017, Manushi Chhillar and her fellow continental winners on a Global Humanitarian Tour visiting India, China, Indonesia, British Virgin Islands, and the USA. This was documented in the series Miss World – The Story Never Told," MWO said. Andrea replied in a comment: "Thank you so much. My experience at Miss World was life-changing, will always have you all in my heart." Miss Universe and Miss World are considered two of the world's most important beauty pageants for women. Based in the United Kingdom, Miss World

Miss Mundo Naranjito Aryam Díaz Rosado was crowned Miss Mundo Puerto Rico 2021 at the Alejandro Tapia Theater in Old San Juan on Saturday, April 24. The 22-year-old TV host and international model succeeded Daniella Rodríguez. She bested 16 other contestants to win the coveted national title. Miss Mundo San Juan, Bárbara Betancourt Cortés, and Miss Mundo Fajardo, Bianka Loriel, were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Miss Mundo Río Grande, Raishmar Carrillo, and Miss Mundo Rincón, Chelsey García, completed the Top 5. The new Miss Mundo Puerto Rico previously held the title Miss Teen Global Beauty International 2018. Later this year, she will be representing the Caribbean island at the Miss World 2021 pageant in San Juan's Coca-Cola Music Hall. Photo: Miss Mundo Puerto Rico