PAGEANT Circle

The Miss World 2021 Top 40 will return to Puerto Rico to compete for the 70th Miss World final at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan on March 16. Meet the semi-finalists from Puerto Rico, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, USA, Venezuela, and Vietnam: PUERTO RICO - Aryam Diaz - Aryam is studying Journalism and is currently working as a TV Presenter and a Model, she would like to pursue a Master’s Degree and work as a TV Journalist. She enjoys writing poetry and enjoys telling stories, reading, and traveling around Puerto Rico. Her favorite film is ‘Avatar’ and she enjoys listening to Electronic and Jazz music. Aryam’s Beauty with a Purpose “Para esto Naci” (I was Born For This) works with low-income children in Puerto Rico, most of whom are orphans or children without family support. The children are offered free courses in self-esteem, catwalk, crafts, diction, acting, and photography. Aryam’s goal is to teach children a sense of responsibility, toleranc

Former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi has announced the exciting news on her social media that she was cast for an upcoming American historical epic film. The South African beauty will have her acting debut alongside stars Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, and John Boyega in "The Woman King" film written by Dana Stevens and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. "I am so honored and excited to announce that I have been cast for the film," the 28-year-old beauty shared on her social media. "It is a completely new world and first-time experience for me so I enter it with the utmost respect and humility. Forever grateful and looking forward," she added. The film was inspired by the true events that happened in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is scheduled to be theatrically released by Sony Pictures Releasing on September 16. Zozibini became the third woman from South Africa to be crowned Mi

The Miss World Organization has officially announced the Top 6 contestants of the Miss World 2021 Beauty With A Purpose, the core of the pageant. They are from  England , Rehema Muthamia, India , Manasa Varanasi, Kenya , Sharon Obara, Philippines , Tracy Perez, South Africa , Shudufhadzo Musida, and the United States , Shree Saini. The selected contestants will now automatically advance to the Miss World 2021 semi-finals and their Beauty With A Purpose projects in their own countries will also receive support from the MWO. Here are the Top 6 and their Beauty With A Purpose videos from the official Miss World YouTube channel: Don't miss watching the 70th Miss World final competition live this Thursday, December 16 from the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Source: Miss World

Lalela Mswane bested nine other finalists to be crowned Miss South Africa 2021 in a glittering competition held at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town on Saturday, October 16. The 24-year-old model and dancer from KwaZulu-Natal holds a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Pretoria. She succeeds last year's winner, Shudufhadzo Musida. Zimi Mabunzi and Moratwe Masima were named runners-up while Bianca Bezuidenhout and Jeanni Mulder completed the Top 5. The prestigious national pageant was attended by reigning Miss Universe Andrea Meza, Miss World Toni-Ann Singh and Miss Supranational Chanique Rabe. Former queens Pia Wurtzbach, Catriona Gray, Zozibini Tunzi and Rolene Strauss also graced the event. Miss South Africa 2021 winner and runners-up are expected to represent the rainbow nation at the next Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Supranational competitions. Photos: Miss South Africa

Miss South Africa organization has just made another announcement today that reigning Miss World Toni-Ann Singh has been invited to attend the Miss South Africa 2021 final. The Jamaican beauty will grace the national event on Saturday, October 16 with Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza and Miss Supranational 2021 Chanique Rabe. They will also be joined by former Miss Universe winners from the Philippines and South Africa. "South Africa, as promised we are making history! From the Universe to Miss Supra and now the WORLD all under one roof," the organizers shared on social media. Miss South Africa 2021 will air live from the Grand Arena at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World in Cape Town. Photo: Miss South Africa

Jeanè Van Dam was crowned Miss Grand South Africa 2021 in a national competition held on Saturday, August 14. She succeeds last year's winner Anrónet Roelofsz. The 20-year-old model and dancer from Johannesburg is a law and commerce student. She will represent South Africa at the Miss Grand International 2021 competition later this year. Lu Juan Mzyk was the first runner-up while Danielle Van Zyl was the second runner-up. Genive Trimble and Jordan Van Rensburg were the third and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Grand South Africa is no stranger to pageantry. She was the first runner-up during last year's competition. "Last night I had the honour of sharing a stage with 26 incredible women. I formed friendships that will never never be forgotten," she shared on social media. "To all my sisters, I am so proud of how far you've come. May your light continue to shine bright and may you always chase your GRANDest dreams," she added. Photos: Mis

The Top 10 finalist of the Miss South Africa 2021 national competition was virtually announced on Tuesday, August 3 on the pageant's online platform. Four finalists are from Gauteng, three from Western Cape, two from Eastern Cape and one from KwaZulu-Natal. They are Zimi Mabunzi, Jeanni Mulder, Bianca Bezuidenhout, Cheneil Hartzenberg, Kgothatso Dithebe, Catherine Groenewald, Moratwe Masima, Kaylan Matthews, Lalela Mswane and Tiffany Francis. The distinguished panel of judges includes former Miss South Africa titleholders Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala (2010), Liesl Laurie (2015), Melinda Bam (2011), and Tamaryn Green (2018). Miss South Africa 2021 will take place at Sun International's Grand West Arena in Cape Town on October 16. Three winners will be chosen to represent South Africa at Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss Supranational pageants. Photo: Miss South Africa / Instagram

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

Sean van Noordwyk bested 14 other finalists to be named Mr World South Africa 2021 in a competition held on Saturday, May 22 in Johannesburg. The 26-year-old actor and model from Gauteng succeeded former Mr World South Africa and Mr World 2019 first runner-up Fez Mkhize. In a post on his social media page, he shared that taking each other into consideration is the only way we can possibly achieve unity especially during this difficult time of the pandemic. "Placing yourself in your neighbor’s shoes. Spreading as much love, kindness, and hope that we possibly can," he said. Sean will represent his country South Africa at the next edition of the Mr World international pageant. Photos: Mr World South Africa / Instagram

Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa took her final walk as the longest-reigning Miss Universe at the culmination of the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Hollywood, Florida last Sunday, May 16. "My Miss Universe win is my ancestors' wildest dream. We are now in a world where a Black African girl from a country that is only 27 years into democracy can represent them on the global stage," she said in her emotional speech. "I want to honor them for fighting for my freedoms so I could be where I am today. I'm proud to know I did my best to make a difference, cementing a footprint for others to follow in the future," she added. Wearing an exquisite Xhosa ensemble perfectly made for the special event by Biji - La Maison de Couture, Zozibini passed on her reign to the new Miss Universe Andrea Meza of Mexico. Photos: Benjamin Askinas / Miss Universe Organization