PAGEANT Circle

Ora Antonia Ivanišević bested 14 other contestants to be crowned Miss Universe Croatia 2021 on Wednesday, July 14 at Esplanade Zagreb Hotel. The 20-year-old tourism management student from Dubrovnik succeeds last year's winner Mirna Naiia Marić. She will represent Croatia at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant later this year. Lorena Mustać from Privlaka and Ozana Franović from Split were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Matea Babić and Ivona Gradečak completed the Top 5. The new Miss Universe Croatia is a skilled make-up artist and hairstylist and speaks fluent English and Russian. Her hobbies include volunteering at the Down Syndrome Association's home. She wants to advocate for equal opportunities for advancement in business for women and men. Photos: Miss Universe Croatia / Facebook

The representatives of Albania and Kosovo for the Miss Earth 2021 pageant have been announced. Ornella Karruku, a 23-year-old Albanian-German was named Miss Earth Albania 2021 while educator, model and activist Vonesa Alijaj clinched the Miss Earth Kosovo 2021 title. The stunning beauties won their titles in a national competition held last Friday, July 9 at Adorions Palace in Tirana. Miss Universe Albania and Kosovo were also crowned at the same glittering event. They will compete in the international Miss Earth 2021 pageant, whose date and venue are yet to be announced. Photos: Miss Earth / Facebook

Tutti Sejdiu was crowned Miss Universe Kosovo 2021 last Friday, July 9 at Adorions Palace in Tirana. The 19-year-old beauty from the small and beautiful town of Gjilan succeeds last year's winner, Blerta Veseli. Over 20 contestants from Albania and Kosovo competed in the glittering national competition. Tutti will represent Kosovo at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant, whose date and venue are yet to be announced. Photos: Miss Universe Albania & Kosova Instagram

Ina Dajci was crowned Miss Universe Albania 2021 in a national competition held last Friday, July 9 at Adorions Palace in Tirana. The 27-year-old architect and model from Tirana bested over 20 other contestants to win her national title. Ina succeeds last year's winner Paula Mehmetukaj and will now prepare to represent Albania at the 70th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2021) pageant. Photos: Miss Universe Albania & Kosova Instagram

Masbate representative Hannah Arnold bested over 30 other contestants to win the Binibining Pilipinas 2021 pageant on Sunday, July 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. The 24-year-old Filipino-Australian science advocate and model took home the title of Binibining Pilipinas International 2021 (Miss International Philippines) in her second attempt at the national competition. "Freedom of speech is a basic human right that we all must remember and it is important for democracy and with the upcoming elections, we definitely need free speech. On Twitter, we are limited to a few characters, and what I've seen from these tweets have been powerful and helped me think of who I would like to vote for in the upcoming elections," she said during the question and answer round. Other winners were Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2021 Samantha Alexandra Panlilio of Cavite, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2021 Cinderella Faye Obeñita of Cagayan de Oro, Misamis

In just a few hours, the Binibining Pilipinas 2021 coronation will take place for the first time without an audience at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. After several cancellations and postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the national competition will finally reach a culmination. Over 30 contestants will be vying for four coveted crowns at stake and the opportunity to represent the Philippines at Miss International, Miss Grand International, Miss Intercontinental, and Miss Globe. The pageant can be watched at 9:30 p.m. (Philippine time) live on A2Z Channel, Kapamilya Channel, Metro Channel, iWantTFC, and the Binibining Pilipinas online streaming platforms. Former Miss Universe Catriona Gray and Miss Grand International runner-up Nicole Cordoves will host the highly-anticipated event. Photo: Binibining Pilipinas / Facebook

Miss Earth Thailand 2021 held an audition round last July 8 in Bangkok where over 40 aspirants went through a nerve-wracking question and answer in front of a distinguished panel of judges. Only the lucky 20 beauties made it as official Top 20 contestants. Voting is open and the contestant who receives the highest number of votes will automatically advance to the final Top 15. To vote, type MET followed by the number of your favorite contestant and send to 4141555 for 1 point (standard vote), or send to 4141111 for 3 points (big vote). The preliminary competition will be on August 6 and the final will air live on PPTV this August 8 from the SHOW DC Hall in Bangkok. Meet the official Top 20: Photos: Miss Earth Thailand / Facebook

Andrea Meza has finally returned to Mexico for the first time after being crowned the 69th Miss Universe in Florida last May. Wearing a black ensemble, the beauty queen arrived in her home country after over four hours flight from JFK in New York to Mexico City on Monday, July 5. Former Miss Universe Lupita Jones graciously welcomed her at the airport along with a large group of journalists and eager fans. "I come with a pretty busy tour. I am happy to return to Mexico, I come with all the interest to generate conversation, to speak with various organizations about gender violence, violence against women. It is vital to talk about it," she said. Photos: Mexicana Universal Organización / Facebook

Janice Sampere was officially crowned as Miss Gibraltar 2021 in a special ceremony held at the Mayor's Parlour at City Hall on Tuesday, July 6. The 23-year-old tax associate was first runner-up during the Miss Gibraltar 2019 pageant. She was appointed to succeed Celine Bolaños as a national competition will not be held this year due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Janice will now prepare to represent Gibraltar at the Miss World 2021 pageant to be held later this year in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photo: Miss Gibraltar / Facebook

Natalia Balicka was officially announced as the newly appointed Miss Supranational Poland 2021 on Wednesday, July 7. The 21-year-old medical student from Poznan was first runner-up at Miss Polski 2020 won by Anny-Marii Jaromin. She will represent Poland at the Miss Supranational 2021 pageant to be held this August in Nowy Sącz. "I don’t have much time to prepare but thanks to the people who are surrounding me and helping me with preparing for the competition I know that I will show my best side," she said. Photo: Miss Polski / Facebook