PAGEANT Circle

Former Miss USA Crystle Stewart will no longer be the national director for the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA competitions. To recall, the Miss Universe Organization gave her a license to run the pageants in 2020 but a suspension occurred in October of last year following rigged allegations that were thrown at the results of Miss USA 2022. Here's an official press release shared by MUO today: The Miss Universe Organization today announces a new chapter for the MISS USA and MISS TEEN USA brand and license. MUO, Miss Brand, and former USA national director Crystle Stewart have chosen to end their partnership. A spokesperson for the organization said:  The Miss Universe Organization is grateful for the longstanding relationship with Crystle Stewart over the years. As a stakeholder in the Miss USA brand, Crystle and her team enhanced prize packages, increased visibility of titleholders, secured a remarkable location for the Miss USA pageant, and strengthened brand partnerships. Cryst...

With an impressive seven winners so far, Venezuela can be considered a powerhouse country when it comes to the Miss Universe pageant. There is no doubt that the annual Miss Venezuela is also regarded as one of the most prestigious and anticipated national pageants in the world. Although the first titleholder was named in the early 1900s, the competition was officially established in 1952 — that same year the country debuted at Miss Universe. Prior to its first victory in 1979 courtesy of Maritza Sayalero, Venezuela had already achieved several placements and runner-up finishes that seemed to herald glorious decades ahead. Three more winners emerged during the 80s and 90s with Miss Universe 1981 Irene Sáez, Miss Universe 1986 Bárbara Palacios, and Miss Universe 1996 Alicia Machado On top of that, from 1983 until 2003, the country achieved a total of 21 consecutive placements — the second-longest streak next to the USA. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ste...

Sarah Anderson was crowned Miss Minnesota USA 2023 in a glittering state competition held on Sunday, July 30 at the Ames Center in Burnsville. The 20-year-old model representing Maple Grove bested more than 30 other competitors to win the state title. She succeeds last year's winner Madeline Helget (Miss USA 2022 Top 12) and will now prepare to represent her home state at Miss USA 2023. "Wow, the last 24 hours have been a whirlwind. Last night was so incredible and one I will never forget. I am so thrilled to be representing our amazing state at Miss USA as your new Miss Minnesota USA 2023," Sarah shared online after the pageant. Samantha Mangseth Akins of Grand Rapids was named first runner-up while Cara Rgnonti of Mendota Heights, Elle Gilbert of Apple Valley, and Kala Schmidt of Eden Prairie finished as the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. For Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2023, 18 contestants competed for the title that eventually went to Saint Paul's...

Pauline Amelinckx of the Philippines was greeted with a warm welcome in her hometown of Bohol following her stint at Miss Supranational 2023. The 27-year-old Boholana had her homecoming parade on Sunday, July 30 wearing a stunning blue ensemble by Filipino designer Mikee Andrei. "This welcome back home warmed my heart so much. I feel beyond grateful to be back in Bohol and share our victory with every Bol-anon," she shared on social media. "The support I have felt, I have carried with me thru every journey and it has given me so much strength and made me feel so loved." Her parade also coincided with the culmination of this year's Sandugo Festival — an annual historical celebration on the island of Bohol that commemorates the first friendship treaty in the Philippines. Pauline was named first runner-up among 65 competitors during the 15th Miss Supranational final held last July 14 in Małopolska, Poland. View this post on Instagram A post shar...

Reigning Mr Lebanon Seif Al Walid Hard has been confirmed to participate in the Mister International 2023 pageant in Thailand this September. The 24-year-old athlete and fashion model won the title of Mr Lebanon 2023 in a national competition aired on MTV Lebanon in October last year. He now prepares to represent his country at the 15th edition of Mister International whose final will be broadcast live on September 17 from Bangkok. Lebanon is a powerhouse in Mister International after winning the title three times with Wissam Hanna (2006), Ali Hammoud (2012), and Paul Iskandar (2016). Meet the new Mister International Lebanon: View this post on Instagram A post shared by سيف الوليد حرب (@seifalwalid.harb) Photos: Seif Al Walid Harb / Instagram RELATED POST: Mr Lebanon 2023 is Seif Al Walid Harb

Isabella García-Manzo bested 13 other beauties to be crowned Miss El Salvador 2023 (Miss Universe El Salvador 2023) on Sunday, July 30 at the Teatro Nacional de San Salvador (National Theater of San Salvador). The 20-year-old business administration student in hospitality representing the department of San Salvador succeeds Alejandra Guajardo and will now prepare to represent El Salvador at Miss Universe 2023 in the country this November. Heavy favorite Fátima Cuellar of Cuscatlán finished as first runner-up and Mariana Quintanilla of La Libertad was proclaimed the second runner-up. Valeria Maldonado of Morazán and Daniela Guevara of Usulután rounded out the Top 5 finalists. Daniela Ramos of Ahuachapán, Tiffany Catota of La Paz, Ana Moctezuma of La Unión, Elizabeth Cáder of Santa Ana, and Paola Vicuña of Sonsonate were the rest of the Top 10 semifinalists. El Salvador is set to welcome over 90 expected competitors from around the world for the second Miss Universe competition to take p...

Following their interviews, 35 contestants vying for Miss Universe Cambodia 2023 officially received their sashes on Thursday's opening ceremony held in Phnom Penh. The national final and coronation show will be held on September 7 at the Bayon TV Steung Meanchey Studio in Cambodia's capital city. This year's winner under the new license holder Mohahang Production will represent Cambodia at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador this November. Who will become the 5th Miss Universe Cambodia? Meet the contestants: View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐚 (@miss.universecambodia.official) Banteay Meanchey - Phorn Likhi Battambang - Channa Pisey Kampong Cham - John Sotima Kampong Chhnang - Sen Kasima Kampong Speu - Thorn Aleap Kampong Thom - Rouen Nareth Kampot - Ly Sovanreaksmey Kandal - Sok Soriyachantrea Kep - Soeun Sokunthea Khmer Australia - Sopha Mien Khmer Canada - La Srey Mech Khmer France - Ly Horng Khmer K...

Miss Universe Cambodia 2023 officially kicked off with the opening ceremony held on Thursday, July 27 at Bayon TV Steung Meanchey Studio in Phnom Penh. Thirty-five contestants who were chosen following an interview round also received their official sashes with the name of the Cambodian provinces they represent during the glittering show hosted by Leak Monyanita, Vorn Sela, and Kim Anna. Three important events will be held this August — the swimsuit competition (August 24), the national costume (August 28), and the preliminary (August 30). The much-awaited final and coronation night is set for September 7. At the culmination of this year's pageant, one contestant will walk away with a new crown inspired by Banteay Srei temple and the opportunity to represent Cambodia at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador. For the first time since its debut at Miss Universe 2017, the national competition has allowed transgender women to participate under the directorship of In Sophin. Here are t...

Herlene Nicole Budol who bagged the title Miss Tourism Philippines 2023 at the recently held Miss Grand Philippines 2023 announced her retirement from pageantry. From her first competition where she was crowned Binibining Angono, the famous vlogger and TV personality went on to place first runner-up at Binibining Pilipinas 2022 and clinched multiple sponsored awards. Following her withdrawal from the controversial Miss Planet International edition in Uganda last year, Herlene came back determined to conquer Miss Grand Philippines but the results unfortunately did not go in her favor. In one of her latest posts on social media, she emotionally shared a video captioned in Filipino — "Kung saan man po ako dalhin ng tadhana ng Philippines yun napo ang last pageant ko sa pageant lang susuko hindi sa buhay." (Wherever destiny takes me Philippines that was my last pageant I'm only giving up on pageantry not in life.) Watch it here: View this post on Instagram ...

Estonia is set to return to the Miss International pageant with former Miss World Estonia Karolin Kippasto who has recently been designated as Miss International Estonia 2023. The 26-year-old psychology graduate from the University of Tartu will now represent Estonia at Miss International 2023 in Tokyo, Japan this October. Hailing from Tartu, Karolin is currently employed as a project manager in Tallinn. In the past, the skilled dancer also worked for six months as a theatre performer in China. The new Miss International Estonia is not a stranger to pageantry having joined Miss Grand International, Miss Tourism International, and Miss World pageants. Estonia has yet to win Miss International since its debut in 2011. The northern European country last joined in 2014 with Birgit Konsin. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MISS INTERNATIONAL (@missinternationalofficial) Photos: Karolin Kippasto, Miss International / Instagram