PAGEANT Circle

The national costume competition of the 69th Miss Universe pageant was held on Thursday, May 13 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Over 70 beauties from around the world dazzled the audience with their colorful costumes. Some ensembles sent powerful messages related to current social issues. Our favorite costumes include Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, and Vietnam. Here are some delegates in their costumes: JAMAICA CANADA UKRAINE BAHAMAS INDONESIA Photos: Benjamin Askinas / Miss Universe Organization

Thuzar Wint Lwin's journey to represent her country Myanmar at the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Hollywood, Florida has not been easy. Despite the odds from her departure to losing her luggage including the national costume she was supposed to wear in the competition, she arrived with a powerful message for the Junta. During the national costume competition held on Thursday, May 13, she showcased another costume that identifies the delicate weaving skills of Burmese women and their strong spirit. At the end of the runway, she raised a banner that read “Pray for Myanmar.” The 22-year-old model from Hakha has been openly using her platform to criticize her country's military coup and support the pro-democracy movement. Photo: Benjamin Askinas / Miss Universe Organization

Former Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete of Mexico has revealed her favorites for the 69th Miss Universe competition. In a post on social media, she shared her bikini photo taken by Albanian-born photographer Fadil Berisha her Top 21 favorites in the caption. The beauty queen-turned-actress and model, who was crowned Miss Universe 2010 in Las Vegas, reminded everyone to never take her list of favorites personally because it's just her opinion and that "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." "The Miss Universe organization always looks for a complete woman in every way and although it is a beauty contest, the most beautiful is always carried in the soul and that is something that the jury is also in charge of looking for in all the candidates, if you are as observant as I am, you will notice that the beauty of the soul in some cases also penetrates the photos and videos" she added. On top of her list is her fellow Mexican Andrea Meza whom she wished well and descri

Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart has shared some valuable advice to the 69th Miss Universe delegates during a special dinner event she had with them. Paula said she's always excited about Miss Universe and never thought the day would come for the 69th edition to push through this month. She also thanked the delegates for making it to the competition despite the challenges. "I want you all to realize your worth, you deserve to be here, but more than these 10 days, i want you to take it and make the most of it. Take into your life and realize you can do whatever you want," she told them. "You do not to be Miss Universe to do whatever you want. You just need to be you and you need to believe in yourself," she added. "There are a million reasons for you to say I cannot do something. All you need is one good reason to say I can." The 69th Miss Universe pageant will air live from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Flori

Miss Universe Organization has officially announced the all-women panel of judges for the upcoming 69th Miss Universe competition. The selection committee consists of eight personalities from various fields of expertise including two former Miss Universe winners. Arden Cho - Korean-American actress, singer, and model best known for her role as Kira Yukimura on Teen Wolf. She also played the lead in the 2010 short film "Agents of Secret Stuff," presented by Ryan Higa and Wong Fu Productions. Brook Lee - American actress, television host, model, and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 1997, Miss USA 1997, and Miss Universe 1997. Christine Duffy - American businesswoman and the president of Carnival Cruise Line. Deepica Mutyala - South-Asian beauty entrepreneur, businesswoman, and founder and CEO of Live Tinted, a multicultural community about beauty and culture. She is best known for a viral YouTube video in which she covered her dark under-eye circles with red lip

Mister Normandie, Bilal Malek, was named Mister France 2021 in a competition held on Saturday, May 8 in Montpellier, Hérault. The 25-year-old master's student in international marketing from Le Havre bested 23 other contestants to win his national title. He succeeds Mister France 2020 Thomas Cornelus. Mister Corse, Anael Fridi, and Mister Languedoc, Gaultier Aucher, were the first and second runners-up, respectively. Photos: Mister France

It's officially Miss Universe season as over 70 women from around the world have arrived at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, USA, to compete in the 69th edition of the prestigious pageant. The contestants kicked off the competition with registration and fittings for their official shoes, dress, and swimsuit from sponsors. Their schedules also include photo shooting, touring, filming, rehearsing, and preparing for the preliminary and final show. Standouts during their arrivals and initial activities were the Philippines, Thailand, Colombia, Nepal, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Canada, Romania, Denmark, South Africa, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Venezuela. The 69th Miss Universe pageant will air live on FYI and local channels across the world on Sunday, May 16 at 8 p.m. ET. Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa will crown her successor at the end of the event. Here are some photos during registration and fitting: Photos: Benjamin Askinas / Miss Universe