PAGEANT Circle

Monika Grigoryan has departed for the USA on Thursday, April 29 to represent Armenia in the upcoming 69th Miss Universe pageant. "And finally off we go. I would like to express my gratitude to you for being always with me. It is a real privilege, that gives me the confidence to attain goals," she said in a post on her official social media page along with the photos of herself during her departure at the Zvartnots International Airport. The 21-year-old social science student from Yerevan was officially named Miss Universe Armenia 2020 last March. She is no stranger to pageantry as she finished first runner-up at Miss World Armenia 2019 competition. "It's never too much to dream and it's never too late. Life is wonderful. Dream until they become reality. Dream while you live," she shared to her online followers shortly after she was named the new titleholder. Monika will be the third Armenian representative at Miss Universe since her country's debut at th

Denise Speelman, 24, of the Netherlands will be wearing a symbolic orange national costume in the upcoming 69th Miss Universe pageant in Hollywood, Florida, USA. Created by Miss Pearl Couture, the beautiful costume represents the "colorful open-minded country where the foundation is freedom." It features a spring-inspired floral crown, a dramatic three-color flowy veil that represents the Dutch flag, and acrylic handpainted symbols that the Netherlands is known for such as the windmill and tulip flowers. Denise is also proud to present her roots as she brings her family business and Dutch heritage together with symbols of the funfair and cotton candy. Photos: Selina De Maeyer / Designer: Miss Pearl Couture / Silk painting: Rattiya Mahawan / Makeup:  Dainora Dulcyte / Drone pilot: David Van de Ville / Location: Michel Passion for Tulips

Argentina's Alina Luz Akselrad has departed for the USA after completing her self-quarantine and finally tested negative for COVID-19. The 23-year-old writer and volunteer will compete with over 70 other beauties vying for the 69th Miss Universe title at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on May 16. During her departure, Alina took to social media to share a personal message for her country. She wrote: "I am just a passenger destined to be happy. My beloved Argentina, the universe is waiting for us. These suitcases are full of dreams, illusions, and a lot of love for our country." "This title that I have the honor to hold represents the 45 million of us, I am not alone, we are a great team. I invite you to dream together," she said in another post. It has been 59 years since Argentina captured its first Miss Universe title. Since Norma Beatriz Nolan was crowned Miss Universe 1962 in Miami Beach, Florida, no other Argentinian represen

California resident Alyssa Klinzing has been officially named Miss Charm USA 2021 and will represent the United States next October at the inaugural Miss Charm 2021 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The 23-year-old beauty who hails from Olathe, Kansas is a graduate of political science. She is an entertainer at Disneyland and a Lagree fitness trainer at Bare Fitness in Orange County. As a lifetime Girl Scouts member, Alyssa knows "the importance of having women represented in politics and leadership roles" across her country. She also hopes as a domestic abuse survivor "to reach young children to share her story" and encourage them "to never let go of their dreams." The first Miss Charm USA is no stranger to pageantry as she represented Kansas at Miss USA 2019 where she placed in the Top 10, and California at Miss Earth USA 2021 where she achieved a runner-up finish. Based in Vietnam, Miss Charm is a new international pageant that aims "to search for the

Miss Universe Thailand 2020 Amanda Obdam has departed for the USA aboard a Turkish Airlines flight on Tuesday, April 27 to compete at the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Hollywood, Florida this May. The 27-year-old Thai-Canadian model looked absolutely stunning in a magenta outfit by Milin during her send-off at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. "Thankful for every single thing in my life right now. Thank you all of my team, without you I wouldn’t be here right now. Thank you to everyone who always supported me, I am forever grateful. I’m going to the Universe everyone!! What a dream come true," she posted on her official social media page. While it has been 33 years since Thailand last won the international pageant with Miss Universe 1988 Porntip Nakhirunkanok, the country has been consistently achieving placements since 2015. Thai fans are "hungry" for their third Miss Universe and they have high expectations that Amanda is more than ready to finally bring the co

A 25-year-old part-time model and former public relations and marketing executive, Francisca Luhong James, will represent Malaysia at the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Hollywood, Florida this May. The Kayan-Kenyah-Iban native from Kuching, Sarawak, is the first woman with full native heritage to win the Miss Universe Malaysia title. She holds a first-class honors degree in mass communications and majored in public relations. Beauty-and-brain Francisca used to be a track-and-field athlete who despite having asthma was awarded three medals and she would like to inspire more native women to pursue their dreams. Besides advocating for women's empowerment, she also started a foundation Beyond Aid to raise money for refugees and underprivileged children. In a recent interview with a Malaysian morning TV show, she was asked "Why should you be the next Miss Universe?" and she genuinely replied: "I should be the next Miss Universe because I am not just representing myself and

Puteri Indonesia 2020 (Miss Universe Indonesia) Ayu Maulida has left for the USA on Tuesday, April 27 to compete in the upcoming 69th Miss Universe pageant in Hollywood, Florida. Ayu was wearing a classy form-fitting short sleeve pencil dress by Victoria Beckham during her send-off at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta. The 23-year-old was supported by her national organization, pageant-lover fans, and especially her sister queens Puteri Indonesia Lingkungan 2020 (Miss International Indonesia) Ayu Saraswati and Puteri Indonesia Pariwisata 2020 (Miss Supranational Indonesia) Jihane Almira at the airport. Indonesian fans have high hopes that the statuesque Ayu will surpass her predecessor Frederika Alexis Cull's Top 10 finish at Miss Universe 2019, the highest placement that Indonesia has ever achieved in the competition. Photos: Puteri Indonesia