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Miss Universe Ukraine 2024 is Alina Ponomarenko

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Alina Ponomarenko has been officially revealed as Miss Universe Ukraine 2024 on Thursday, July 18 following rounds of selection process online. The 20-year-old model from Odessa will represent Ukraine at the 73rd Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2024) in Mexico later this year. She succeeds Angelina Usanova , last year's titleholder who won the Miss Eco International 2024 pageant in Cairo, Egypt last April. The new Miss Universe Ukraine is a graduate of international justice and law from the National University Odesa Law Academy. No stranger to pageantry, she won Miss Odessa 2023 and went on to participate in the Miss Supertalent competition in South Korea where she made the Top 10. Alina created the social initiative "Tree of Love" whose aim is to support grandparents in the city of Odessa who need help. Since the start of armed conflicts in her country, she helped provide medicine, food, and basic necessities to the neglected older generation. "To become Miss Universe

Ukraine's Angelina Usanova crowned Miss Eco International 2024

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Angelina Usanova from Ukraine was crowned Miss Eco International 2024 on Sunday, April 28 at the Triumph Luxury Hotel in Cairo, Egypt. The 26-year-old singer-songwriter bested over 40 other contestants to win the international title. She succeeds last year's winner from Vietnam, Nguyen Thanh Ha. Chantal Schmidt of the Philippines was announced first runner-up while Nikita Dani of Canada, Fabiane Alcarde Goia of Brazil, and Valerie Avril of Indonesia were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. This year's event marked the 9th edition of the Miss Eco International pageant. It was also the first time for Ukraine to win the competition. The new Miss Eco International is no stranger to pageantry. Last year, she was named Miss Universe Ukraine then went to El Salvador for Miss Universe 2023 and became a silver finalist for the "Voice For Change" challenge. For the final question "From your point of view, what is the key quality that a world leader shou

Ukraine's Angelina Usanova reveals national costume for Miss Eco International 2024

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Ukraine's Angelina Usanova has revealed the phoenix-inspired national costume she will wear at this year's Miss Eco International competition. "The phoenix is ​​a mythical creature that symbolizes Ukraine and Ukrainians — a country that is under fire every day, but continues to live, rebuild destroyed cities, love, create, give birth to children," the 26-year-old model shared online. Created by Lesia Patoka of Patoka Studio and her team, the costume was made entirely from recycled materials provided by No Waster Ukraine, a non-profit organization promoting ​​responsible consumption and waste management in the country. More than 1,500 plastic spoons and 500 plastic knives were used for the costume. Plastic fittings were used for the wings, headdress, and corset while the skirt was made of used curtains. The stones and rhinestones on the dress were collected from dresses, tops, and t-shirts from second-hand stores. "I really wanted to create a dress that would be c

Miss Ukraine 2023 is Sofia Shamia, meet the winners

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The three winners of Miss Ukraine 2023 who will represent Ukraine in international pageants were officially announced on Monday, September 25 through social media. Sofia Shamia, an 18-year-old student from the Kyiv region was named Miss Ukraine 2023 (Miss World Ukraine 2023) and will compete in Miss World 2023 in India on December 16. The title of Miss International Ukraine 2023 went to Sofia Zgoba, 18, from Lviv region, and she will go to Japan for Miss International 2023 on October 26. Anastasia Feyer, 21, from Zakarpattia, was proclaimed Miss Earth Ukraine 2023 and will be sent to Vietnam for Miss Earth 2023 on December 22. This year's Miss Ukraine pageant was held entirely online due to the ongoing armed conflicts in Ukraine. The winners were selected by public votes. From left to right — Miss Earth Ukraine 2023 Anastasia Feyer, Miss Ukraine 2023 Sofia Shamia, and Miss International Ukraine 2023 Sofia Zgoba Photos: Miss Ukraine RELATED POST: Miss Ukraine 2023: Meet the contesta

Miss Ukraine 2023: Meet the contestants

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Following rounds of online screenings, the Miss Ukraine Committee has officially announced the 25 contestants for the Miss Ukraine 2023 pageant. This year's event will be held in an online format where every Ukrainian will for the first time be able to participate as a jury by voting on the Miss Ukraine official website . According to the organizers, proceeds from the competition will be used to help and support those affected by the ongoing armed conflict in the country. The winners will represent Ukraine at Miss International 2023 in Japan, Miss World 2023 in India, and Miss Earth 2023 in Vietnam. Meet the contestants: 1 - Valentina Burbelo 2 - Elizabeth Gonchar 3 - Kateryna Demyanova 4 - Sofia Zgoba 5 - Olga Kozlenko 6 - Julia King 7 - Elizabeth Kushniruk 8 - Sofia Krishchuk 9 - Valeria Lizenko 10 - Oksana Magera 11 - Victoria Makarova 12 - Adelina Mashkova 13 - Marina Mizhnova 14 - Daria Minenko 15 - Anastasia Mishchenko 16 - Oksana Omelchuk 17 - Ira Pilyaeva 18 - Maria Sitniko

Miss Universe Ukraine 2023 Angelina Usanova officially crowned

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Angelina Usanova was officially crowned as Miss Universe Ukraine 2023 in a special ceremony held on Thursday, September 7 at the National Botanical Garden in Kyiv. The 26-year-old singer-songwriter received her crown from last year's titleholder Viktoria Apanasenko, who won Best in National Costume and the Spirit of Carnival award during the 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans last January. At the end of the coronation event, Angelina performed her own song which translates as "Our prayers will be heard" and another one, "Hold on to your own" with talented Ukrainian pianist Dmytro Shurov. The new Miss Universe Ukraine was appointed for the national title last month following rounds of online screenings. A physical competition was not held due to the ongoing armed conflict situation in Ukraine. Angelina has already started her preparations and training in the United States to represent her country at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador this November. "

Miss Universe Ukraine 2023 is Angelina Usanova

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Following a series of online screenings and interviews, Angelina Usanova has been selected and officially announced on Thursday, August 17 as Miss Universe Ukraine 2023. The 26-year-old musician, songwriter, and yoga master from Kyiv will now prepare to represent Ukraine at the 72nd Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2023) to be held in El Salvador this November. She succeeds last year's titleholder, Viktoria Apanasenko, who was awarded Best in National Costume for her awe-inspiring "Warrior of Light" costume during the 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans last January. Due to the ongoing armed conflict situation in Ukraine, the Miss Ukraine Universe committee decided not to hold a physical competition and resorted to an online search for the country's next representative on the prestigious international stage. According to the national organization, the new Miss Universe Ukraine has been actively involved in humanitarian work since the beginning of a "full-scale

Ukraine wins best national costume at 71st Miss Universe

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Miss Universe Ukraine Viktoria Apanasenko was announced the winner of the 71st Miss Universe national costume which was determined by public votes. The Miss Universe Organization made the official announcement of the winning costume on Wednesday, March 15 via the Miss Universe official app. Viktoria paraded her "Warrior of Light" costume during the 71st Miss Universe national costume presentation last January in New Orleans, Louisiana. It consists of an archangel sword, a monolithic jumpsuit that serves like an armor covering her body, a vyshyvanka-styled dress, a headpiece, and angel wings. The beautiful masterpiece designed by Ukrainian costume designer Lesia Patoka took several months to complete under extreme conditions due to the armed conflicts in Ukraine. According to Viktoria, it is a symbol of her nation's fight against the darkness, like an archangel Michael with a sword protecting her country. Importantly, it represents the strength, courage, and determination

Miss Ukraine 2023 winner will be chosen through online voting

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For the first time in history, the next Miss Ukraine who will represent her country at Miss World 2023 will be chosen only through online voting. The announcement was made in Kyiv by the chairperson of the Miss Ukraine Committee, Veronika Shchiptsova, who also mentioned the importance of running the competition despite the military aggression in the country. According to Veronika, it will be an opportunity for the next Ukrainian representative on the prestigious global stage to draw attention to the ongoing conflict. The casting was done in person and online as some aspirants were forced to travel abroad. A total of 15 selected finalists, yet to be announced, will be vying for the national title. Here are 5 interesting facts about Miss Ukraine 2023: 1. For the first time, Ukrainians will be the sole jury. 2. The winner will go to the 71st Miss World in the United Arab Emirates. 3. Funds raised from online voting will benefit the children affected by the war. 4. For the safety of all pa

71st Miss Universe: Ukraine wins 'Spirit of Carnival' award

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Miss Universe Ukraine 2022 Viktoria Apanasenko received the "Spirit of Carnival" award during the 71st Miss Universe competition held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The award was presented to her by Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy "for embodying the company’s values of fun, friendship, diversity and inclusion." "Viktoria Apanasenko has made it her mission to remind us that the war is ongoing and people across Ukraine are working to support their military, as well as their neighbors affected by the war – especially those displaced from their homes," said Duffy. "I’m impressed by Viktoria’s strength and her kind and giving character which truly embodies the ‘Spirit of Carnival.' And through this recognition, we are also letting the people of Ukraine and especially our Ukrainian crew members know that we continue to support and admire their spirit as well." A short video of the award presentation was featured during the 71st Miss

71st Miss Universe: Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel shares 'I stand with Ukraine'

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Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel went to social media to share a photo with her fellow Miss Universe contestant from Ukraine and wrote "I stand with Ukraine" along with their countries' flag emojis in the caption. The beauty queens, who are now in New Orleans competing in the 71st Miss Universe pageant, posed for a photo while combining their hands to form a heart-shaped gesture. R'Bonney expressed: "I am mesmerized by the strength and beauty of my Universe sister [Viktoria Apanasenko]. I had a few moments to sit and talk with her about protecting human rights. I support her resiliency and am inspired by her heart." Miss Universe Ukraine first shared the same photo on her page and said, "Yesterday we did interview together about war in Ukraine, about human rights, about future, about our countries." "I’m so grateful USA for supporting Ukraine, and all people who help Ukrainians in this difficult time overcome evil and fight against it," she

Ukraine's Viktoria Apanasenko reveals national costume for 71st Miss Universe

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Miss Universe Ukraine 2022 Viktoria Apanasenko finally revealed her symbolic national costume for the 71st Miss Universe pageant. The "Warrior of Light" costume symbolizes her nation's fight against the darkness, like an archangel Michael with a sword protecting Ukraine. It was completed in four months of extreme conditions, to the sound of sirens, without electricity, and by candlelight. In addition to a weapon in her hand, the costume also features a monolithic jumpsuit that covers Viktoria's body like armor, a vyshyvanka-styled white dress with puffy sleeves and skirt with over 10 meters of fabric, a beautiful headpiece, and wings inspired by the colors of the Ukrainian flag. "It is the personification of inner strength, courage, determination and will flowing in our veins. War cannot break our strength and will not discolor our hearts. Ukraine will bloom like a phoenix even in a fire. It shines with bright rays of kindness and faith," Viktoria shared on

Applications now open for Miss Ukraine 2022 pageant

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The Miss Ukraine Committee has officially announced that applications for Miss Ukraine 2022 edition are now open. Ukrainian women living in any country who meet all the requirements of the pageant may submit their applications. For safety reasons, this year's casting will be held in two formats - online and offline. Details on the competition including the final date and format are yet to be announced but they will most likely be based on the security situation in the country. Every year, the contestants of Miss Ukraine engage themselves in various charitable initiatives, but this year due to the current situation in Ukraine, the pageant will focus on helping displaced children affected by the military action. According to the organizers, the next Miss Ukraine will represent the country at the Miss World pageant and will have an important mission to draw international attention and make all efforts to raise funds for the needs of Ukrainian children and tell the truth about armed co