PAGEANT Circle

Miss World Philippines 2021 candidates have been officially announced and the final will be held this July 11. Over 40 beauties are vying for the coveted national title and the opportunity to represent the Philippines at the Miss World 2021 pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico later this year. Other titles at stake will be for the next representatives at various international competitions such as Miss Supranational, Reina Hispanoamericana, and Miss Eco International. Here are the early standouts from the first official photos released by the Miss World Philippines Organization: Photos: Charvin Valdez Torne / Miss World Philippines Organization

Indonesian-English model from Bali, Sophia Rogan, has been officially named Miss Grand Indonesia 2021 on Thursday, May 20. The 19-year-old beauty was chosen to succeed Miss Grand Indonesia 2020 and Miss Grand International 2020 third runner-up Aurra Kharishma. "With this platform, my goal is to embody an authentic and genuine spirit, and use my voice to stand up for what I believe in - because at the end of the day making a positive impact in the world is what really matters," she wrote on her official social media page. Sophia will represent her country at the Miss Grand International 2021 competition whose date and venue are yet to be announced. Photos: Mozawahyu Photography

For the former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, hosting the 69th Miss Universe pageant last Sunday, May 14 in Hollywood, Florida was "nostalgia overload." "So crazy how life comes full circle like this. I feel very very lucky," she shared online along with photos taken from the prestigious event. "I will always have the deepest gratitude for what my experience as Miss Universe taught me and it's an honor to be back as a host this year," she said. The 29-year-old beauty stole the show with stunning looks in exquisite gowns by Zuhair Murad, NERVI, and Valentino. Olivia was crowned Miss Universe 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada prior to becoming a fashion influencer and social media personality. She has also appeared in several films and television shows. Photos: Olivia Culpo / 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

Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 Francisca Luhong James has cried out "stop cyberbullying" after she was incorrectly tagged as "nude model" on the Google knowledge panel. Knowledge panels are information boxes that appear on Google when you search for people, places, organizations, or things and are meant to provide a quick snapshot of information on a topic. The 25-year-old beauty from Kuching, Sarawak, took to social media to air her sentiments against whoever initiated this unacceptable bullying online. In an Instagram story, she said: "You guys really have nothing to do. What is this? Why do you have to do this and lock this information? Any benefits you get from doing this? Have I done anything wrong to you or your family? I think I've been through this enough." Francisca has represented Malaysia at the recently concluded 69th Miss Universe pageant won by  Mexico's Andrea Meza in Hollywood, Florida. Feedback has already been sent to correct the wro

The Miss Universe Philippines organization has already opened applications for its second edition to look for another phenomenal Filipina woman to represent the Philippines at the next Miss Universe. Don’t miss the chance to represent your city or province and advocate for the causes close to your heart at the Miss Universe Philippines 2021 pageant. If you are at least 18 to 27 years old, a Filipino citizen, and at least a high school graduate, you may now submit your application for a chance of becoming the next Miss Universe. No height requirement. Visit the official social media pages of the pageant and the website missuniverseph.com for additional details on how you can be part of the prestigious national event. The Philippines currently holds an 11 consecutive year of placement streak at Miss Universe since 2010 with four runners-up (Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Janine Tugonon, and Ariella Arida) and two winners (Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray). Photo: Miss Universe Philippines /

Nguyen Huynh Kim Duyen has been officially announced by her national pageant organization on Tuesday, May 18 as the newly appointed Miss Universe Vietnam 2021. The 25-year-old business administration graduate from Can Tho was first runner-up to Nguyen Tran Khanh Van during Miss Universe Vietnam 2019 competition. Kim Duyen is expected to represent her country at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant to be held possibly later this year. The exact date and host country for the international competition are yet to be announced. Vietnam has yet to win the Miss Universe pageant but managed to successfully place in the final of the last three editions. Its highest achievement was in 2018 when H’Hen Nie entered the Top 5. Photo: Hoang Phuc / Makeup: Hang Thanh Thien / Hair: Bi Ha / Stylist: Kiet Cao / Trang phuc: Lafunsy

Mexico's Andrea Meza has officially kicked off her media week as the new Miss Universe after winning the prestigious international competition in Hollywood, Florida on Sunday, May 16. The 26-year-old has already left the sunshine state for New York where she will be based for the duration of her reign. She has now embarked on her new journey representing the Miss Universe brand and the social causes supported by the organization. “I am so honored to have been selected among the 73 other amazing women I stood with tonight,” Andrea said shortly after winning her title. “It is a dream come true to wear the Miss Universe crown, and I hope to serve the world through my advocacy for equality in the year to come and beyond,” she added. Photos: hoy Día, Andrea Meza / Instagram

Sebastian Čufer was named Mister Slovenije 2021 (Mister Slovenia) in a competition that was streamed on Friday, May 14 on the pageant's official social media page. The 25-year-old sports enthusiast from Tolmin succeeded Mister Slovenije 2019 Simon Blažević. He edged out seven other finalists to win his national title. "It is impossible to describe in words how happy and grateful I am for this experience, which really gave me a lot. For me, this was something completely new, and in the end, I can say that I got a lot more from the project itself than I expected," he shared online shortly after the competition. Another title winner in the event is a 23-year-old from Šmarje-Sap, Tadej Polajžer. He was named Mister Cosmo 2021. The winner of Mister Slovenije is now expected to represent Slovenia at the next Mister Grand International competition. Photos: Luka Brataševec / Mister Slovenia

Florida representative Felix Martin II was named Mister Supranational USA 2021 in a national competition held last Friday, May 14 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 31-year-old fitness coach and commercial model from Hollywood beat 19 other contestants to win the national title. Cayman Cardiff of Utah was the first runner-up while Kendall Jo of California was the second runner-up. Hector Mosqueda of Nevada and Marc Mansour of District of Columbia were the third and fourth runners-up, respectively. Felix succeeded the last national winner and the current Mister Supranational Nate Crnkovich. He will represent the United States at the Mister Supranational 2021 competition this August in Nowy Sacz (Malopolska), Poland. Photos: Reflex Photography STL