PAGEANT Circle

Following rounds of auditions, a total of 15 finalists have been selected to compete for the title of Miss Universe Laos 2023. The selection committee during the audition day on May 7 consisted of former queens Christina Lasimma, Jennie Tonkham, New Souphone, and Malaithip. Representing 15 provinces from across the country, the finalists will be officially welcomed in a special ceremony this Saturday, May 13 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Vientiane. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Laos Official 🇱🇦 (@themissuniverselaos) Reigning Miss Universe Laos, Payengxa Lor, achieved the historic Top 16 placement at Miss Universe 2022 in New Orleans last January. The winner of this year's national pageant will represent Laos at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador this December. Who will be Payengxa's successor for the crown? Meet the 15 finalists: BOKEO - Mouk Moukdavanh Many BOLIKHAMXAI - Bobby Phavina Mounvongsa CHAMPASAK - Xianxian Latdava

Dane County representative Alexis Loomans was crowned Miss Wisconsin USA 2023 during the state final held on Sunday, May 7 at the Fond du Lac Performing Arts Center. The 21-year-old native of Waunakee is an ambassador for Jovani Fashions and currently pursuing a degree in political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Not new to pageantry, Alexis is a former Miss Wisconsin Teen USA titleholder. She now succeeded last year's winner Hollis Brown and will now prepare to represent Wisconsin at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada this fall. Miranda Fenzau, Jady Flury, Jessica Hammer, and Jamie Walloch were announced as the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Kasshay Jones, Alefiyah Dawoodbhai, Haley Schonter, Autumn Mays, Gabby Aranda-Pino, Olivia Horvath, Marleign Petras, and Emma Loney rounded out the Top 13 semifinalists. For the teens' division, the title of Miss Wisconsin Teen USA 2023 went to Hundson representative Shelby Hohneke while the runners-u

The Miss Universe Curacao 2023 final competition will be held on Saturday, May 27 at the World Trade Center in Curacao's capital city Willemstad. Seven of the most beautiful and talented young Curaçaoan women have been announced by the Curaçao Beauty Pageant Committee to compete for the coveted national title. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RockSnakes media (@rocksnakes) One of them will take home the opportunity to represent Curacao at Miss Universe 2023 which is expected to be held in El Salvador this December. The reigning queen who placed in the Top 5 at the 71st Miss Universe pageant, Gabriëla Dos Santos, will crown her successor at the end of the event. Who will be the next Miss Universe Curacao? Meet the contestants: Bianty Gomperts Kimberley Becker Nethania Hill Kimberly Fernandes Julia Schreiber Kim Rossen Thianny Braafhart Photos: Curaçao Beauty Pageant Committee, Rocksnakes / Instagram

Filipino-American R'Bonney Gabriel arrived to a warm welcome in the Philippines on Wednesday, May 10 for her first visit to the country as reigning Miss Universe. Paula Shuggart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, and soon-to-be-resigned talent director Esther Swan accompanied her on this official trip. The Thai business mogul and owner of MUO from Thailand, Anne Jakrajutatip, arrived a few days ago. R'Bonney was invited as a special guest to the upcoming grand coronation night of the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 pageant this Saturday. Before heading to the luxurious hotel Okada Manila, Miss Universe 2022 gave interviews to members of the press who waited for her at the international airport in Manila. The beauty queen was also beaming with smiles as she posed for photographs with fans, supporters, and her proud parents. According to R'Bonney, the last time she visited the Philippines with her mom and dad was 5 years ago. Here are some photos shared by MUO:

Diana Spotarenko won the Miss Moldova 2023 (Miss World Moldova 2023) national competition on Monday, May 8 at the Radisson Blu Leogrand Hotel in Chişinău. The 20-year-old beauty from Gagauzia bested over 20 other competitors to win the title. She was crowned by Miss Moldova 2019 Elizaveta Kuznetsova. Djulieta Calalb and Daniella Kovall were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. "It is hard for me to describe in words the emotions I feel. I am happy and proud of myself that I found the courage to participate in this wonderful contest," shared the new Miss Moldova. "I still can't believe that a girl from a modest family became the holder of this honorary title and has the possibility and responsibility to represent our country." Diana will now prepare to compete in the 71st Miss World (Miss World 2023) to be held in Mumbai, India this December. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MISS MOLDOVA 🇲🇩 (@miss_moldova) Photos

Sertão Central representative Morgana Carlos was crowned Miss Brasil Terra 2023 (Miss Earth Brazil 2023) on May 1 at the World Trade Center Teater, Sheraton Hotel in São Paulo. The 27-year-old dentist from Ceará bested 23 other competitors to win the national title. She succeeds Jéssica Pedroso, last year's winner who placed in the Top 12 at Miss Earth 2022. Jennifer Jaworski (Paraná), Larissa Pissinatto (Mato Grosso), and Bianca Becker (Distrito Federal) were named the elemental queens while Gabriella Serafim (Cerrado Goiano) rounded out the Top 5 finalists. No stranger to pageantry, Morgana participated in Miss Brasil Be Emotion 2016 (Miss Universe Brazil) while representing her home state and placed in the Top 5. She will now prepare for Miss Earth 2023 to be held in Vietnam later this year. Brazil won the Miss Earth crown twice with Priscilla Meirelles in 2004 and Larissa Ramos in 2009. Meet the new Miss Earth Brazil: View this post on Instagram A post share

Miss Farmington, Mackenzie Hinderberger, was crowned Miss Arkansas USA 2023 in a state competition held on Sunday, April 30 at the ArcBest Corporation Performing Arts Center in Fort Smith. The 24-year-old former Miss Arkansas Teen USA from Fayetteville is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, a 3rd Grade teacher, and a dance coach. After Miss Teen USA 2018, Mackenzie persistently joined the Miss Arkansas USA pageant three times before finally winning the title. She was a semifinalist in 2020, second runner-up in 2021, and first runner-up in 2022. "It is such an honor and privilege to wear this state across my chest. Longer post to come but right now, all glory to God. His timing is ALWAYS perfect," she wrote in a statement on social media. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mackenzie Hinderberger (@mackenzie_elizabeth_) Mackenzie now succeeds last year's winner Rylie Wagner and will prepare to represent the state of Arkansas at Miss USA

Florida native Ashley Williams was crowned Miss Virginia USA 2023 on Sunday, April 30 at the Merchant Hall of the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas. The 24-year-old former NFL cheerleader for Miami Dolphins holds a degree in psychology from the University of Florida. She will now represent Virginia at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada. "BLESSED is an understatement. What an honor it is to be the new Miss Virginia USA 2023! Thank you [Nicewonderful Productions] for welcoming this pageant rookie with open arms. I’m so excited for the year ahead," she wrote on social media after winning her title. Rounding out the Top 6 finalists were first runner-up Mary McGeorge, second runner-up Justus Kelley, third runner-up Elizabeth McReynolds, fourth runner-up Gracyn Blackmore, and fifth runner-up Sarah Miranda. Another Ashley, Miss Virginia Teen USA 2023 Ashley Wang, who will proceed to Miss Teen USA 2023, was also proclaimed during Sunday's glittering event. Emma McReynolds, Hul

Andrea Erjavec was crowned Miss Universe Croatia 2023 on Wednesday, May 3 at the Emerald Hall of the Esplanade Hotel in Zagreb. The 23-year-old advocate for the mental and physical health of children hails from Perušić and is a student at the University of Zagreb pursuing a degree in education. She believes that everyone should have access to education, information, and resources to be able to actively participate in social processes and create positive change in the world. Lucciana Ćebo was named first runner-up while Sara Garac, Mihaela Posavec, and Polina Mytko were announced as the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. A total of 16 finalists from various fields and backgrounds have been chosen to take part in this year's competition. Paola Kliba from Pula was voted by her co-finalists to win the Miss Congeniality award. At the end of the event, last year's titleholder Arijana Podgajski passed the crown and sash to her deserving successor who will now prepare

Miss Middletown, Noa Mills (right) was crowned Miss Delaware USA 2023 on Sunday, April 30 at the Laird Performing Arts Center, Tatnall School in Wilmington. The 25-year-old entrepreneur, philanthropist, and published author also placed fourth runner-up when she joined last year while representing Claymont. She will now prepare to represent the state of Delaware at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada. Kelly Smith of Lewes was named first runner-up while Juliya Pattammady of Newark, Jasmine Lee of Dover, and Danielle Leigh Bjorlo of Georgetown were announced as the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. For the teens' division, Wilmington's Molly Lavelle clinched the Miss Delaware Teen USA 2023 title and will now proceed to the Miss Teen USA 2023 pageant. Her court of runners-up includes Alexia Inhof of Smyrma, Cali Williams of Middletown, Kassidy Baptiste of Dover, and Tyrina Money of Odessa. Last year's winners, Grace Lange and Ava MacMurray crowned their respective

Lola Wilson was crowned Miss RNB España 2023 (Miss Supranational Spain 2023) in a national competition held on Saturday, April 29 at the Impressive Playa Granada Golf Hotel in Granada. The 18-year-old social sciences student representing Málaga bested 24 other contestants to win the title. She succeeded Ana Karla Ramirez and will now prepare to represent Spain at Miss Supranational 2023 pageant in Nowy Sącz, Poland this July. Ornella Riva of Toledo and Sandra Pulido of Segovia were announced as the first and second runners-up, respectively. The representatives of Araba, Sara Lahidalga, Cordoba, Jessica Rodríguez, and Tenerife, Gisselle Villar rounded out the Top 6 finalists. Ainhoa Hernández of Barcelona, Rosa García of Granada, Cynthia Calixto of Las Palmas, Michelle Suárez of Madrid, Eva Moro of Salamanca, and Yaiza Sánchez of Teruel were the rest of the Top 12. The distinguished panel of judges consisted of former Miss World Spain Carmen Laura Garcia, Miss Gibraltar 2022 Faith Torre