PAGEANT Circle

Gwendolyne Fourniol, representative of Negros Occidental, bested 35 other contestants to win the Miss World Philippines 2022 title at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday, June 5. The 21-year-old Filipino-French beauty pursued a degree in economics from Oxford Brookes University in London. She is an advocate for education and has been working with a non-profit organization that sends underprivileged kids to school. "As an advocate of education, I do agree that during the pandemic we have suffered the most, but the children who have a lack of access to education have suffered the greatest," she answered during the question and answer portion.  She added, "And working hand in hand with ERDA Foundation who empowered the marginalized Filipino, I believe by uniting benefactors and encouraging our children and allowing them to go back to school, especially during this pandemic will make this world a better place because education is the greatest weapon against povert

Tashi Choden Chombal was crowned Miss Universe Bhutan 2022 in a national competition held on Saturday, June 4 in Thimphu. The glittering event that aired on Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) coincided with the birth anniversary of the queen of Bhutan, Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck. Sonam Pelden and Eden Zangmo were the first and second runners-up, respectively. The first-ever Miss Universe Bhutan is a 23-year-old fashion model from Wangdue. She bested 24 other contestants to win her title and is expected to represent her country at the Miss Universe 2022 pageant, whose date and venue are yet to be announced. Bhutan is located between China and India in the geographical subregion of Southern Asia. It is a Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas’ eastern edge and is known for its monasteries, fortresses (or dzongs), and dramatic landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tashi

Miss Sugar Hill, Heather Nunez, was crowned Miss New York USA 2022 in a glittering state competition held Friday, June 4 at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls. Originally from the Dominican Republic, the 26-year-old beauty who holds a degree in criminal justice grew up in New York City. Before finally winning her state title, she only placed as runner-up during the past two editions of Miss New York USA. "I am representing survivors of domestic violence, all the hard work I’ve accomplished was for you. So that you can see me and feel hope. We aren’t afraid to use our voice and we aren’t victims. We are survivors," she shared on social media before the competition. Last year's titleholder, Briana Siaca, relinquished her reign and crowned her successor at the end of the event. Heather will now prepare to represent New York at the national Miss USA 2022 pageant, whose date and venue are yet to be announced. View this post on Instagram

Ivana Batchelor was crowned Miss Universe Guatemala 2022 on Friday, June 3 at the Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias in Guatemala City. The 21-year-old professional model is a native of Quetzaltenango. She is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in social communication and enjoys dancing flamenco. Ivana is no stranger to pageantry as she placed second runner-up at Miss Grand International 2020 pageant which was held in Thailand. The new Miss Universe Guatemala succeeds last year's titleholder Dania Guevara Morfin and will now prepare to represent her country at Miss Universe 2022. Guatemala has yet to win Miss Universe. The Central American country only placed three times in the pageant since 1955 and the last one was in 2010 with Jessica Scheel. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ivana Batchelor (@ivana.batch) Photo: Josue Cuella / Miss Universe Guatemala, Mardoqueo Pérez / Ivana Batchelor / Instagram

The Mister and Miss Supranational Nepal 2022 national competition was held at Soaltee Hotel, Kathmandu on Monday, May 30. Twenty contestants from over 100 applicants competed in the finals. They were challenged on fitness, talent, swimwear, and top model in the preliminary rounds. Sanish Shrestha, a 23-year-old cinematographer, was named Mister Supranational Nepal 2022 while Keshu Khadka, a 27-year-old dentist, clinched the title Miss Supranational Nepal 2022. They will represent their country at the international Mister and Miss Supranational 2022 final in Poland this July. The first and second runners-up were Manash K. Rai, Aditi Adhikari, Anish Karki, and Eri Tuladhar. Reigning Mister Supranational Varo Vargas from Peru and former Miss Supranational Anntonia Porsild from Thailand were special guests at the event. Photos: Mister and Miss Supranational Nepal

New Jersey representative, Keith Williams, was named Mister Supranational United States 2022 at Alex Theatre in Glendale, California on Saturday, May 28. The 31-year-old photographer based in Los Angeles bested 19 other gentlemen to win his national title. He succeeds last year's titleholder, Felix Ray Martin II. "I never once thought about competing in a male pageant before so I can't begin to express how much of an amazing experience this has truly been for me," he shared on social media after the competition. "I'm extremely grateful to have been selected to be a part of this and to have the opportunity to inspire others. The entire team behind the pageant was amazing to work with," he added. Colorado's Elijah Van Zanten was the first runner-up while California's Jesse Pattison was the second runner-up. The representatives of Hawaii, Anthony Borengasser, and Washington, Serghei Boldesco, were the third and fourth runners-up, respectively. Forme

Alannah Larkin was crowned Miss Earth Ireland 2022 in a glittering competition held on Saturday, May 28 at Mount Falcon Estate in Ballina. The 18-year-old student from Eyrecourt in Galway bested over 20 other beauties to win her national beauty title. She will now prepare to represent Ireland at the international Miss Earth 2022 pageant later this year. "I had the most surreal night last night surrounded by the most amazing people. I am honored to be representing Ireland for Miss Earth 2022," she shared on social media after winning the competition. Tierna Maguire, Claudia Nigowska, and Tessy Ehiguese were the rest of the Top 4 finalists and were named the elemental court Miss Earth Air, Water, and Fire, respectively. Photos: Miss Earth Ireland

Miss Okeechobee USA, Taylor Fulford, was crowned Miss Florida USA 2022 in a state pageant held at Coral Springs Center for the Arts on Sunday, May 29. The 27-year-old life sciences graduate of the University of Florida and a teacher won her state title after trying for several years. She is the director and founder of Fit2BeYou and Crowns for a Cure. "Today I will compete for the title of [Miss Florida USA] for the last time. This journey I will always cherish for a lifetime and I wouldn’t change one thing regardless of the outcome because it has made me the person I am today," she wrote on social media before winning the competition. "No matter what challenges you may face that you can still pursue your wildest dreams," she added. Palm Coast's Sara Zeng and Lake Nona's Shakera Quince were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while West Delray Beach's Victoria DiSorbo, Homosassa's Caroline Dixon, and Central Delray Beach's Amy Rosado co

Miss RNB Cuenca, Ana Karla Ramírez, was crowned Miss Supranational Spain 2022 during the Miss RNB España 2022 pageant held on Saturday, May 28 in Torrox, Málaga. The 25-year-old TV internship student and dancer bested over 50 other beauties to win the national competition. She will join Mister Supranational Spain Manuel Ndele, who won his title last year, in representing their country at the Miss and Mister Supranational 2022 pageants in Poland this July. Caroline Rueda of Sevilla and Claudia Blanco of León were the first and second runners-up, respectively. Reigning Miss Supranational Chanique Rabe of Namibia was a special guest at the national competition. Miss Supranational 2021 Chanique Rabe with newly crowned Miss Supranational Spain Team Supranational Spain 2022: Ana Karla Ramírez and Manuel Ndele Photos: Juan Chu / RNB España

The Miss Universe Romania organization has released an official statement that they will not send a representative to the 71st Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2022) pageant. "After much deliberation, we regret to inform you that we had to put a pause on this year's edition of Miss Universe Romania," the organization wrote. "We were looking forward to the boot camp week, the grand final, and choosing our 3rd consecutive queen, after Miss Bianca and Miss Carmina. Unfortunately, due to new events that we could not anticipate, our plans have changed," the organization further explains. Miss Universe Romania plans to return to the Miss Universe competition next year. The reigning titleholder is a history student and model from Cluj-Napoca, Carmina Elena Olimpia Coftas. She competed during the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel last December. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Romania (@missuniverseromania.official) P

Gabriela Dos Santos was crowned Miss Universe Curacao 2022 in a glittering event held at Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao Resort in Willemstad on Saturday, May 28. The 20-year-old beauty from Willemstad edged out two other finalists to win her national title. She succeeds last year's titleholder, Shariengela Cijntje. Mariana Pietersz and Andreina Pereira were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Former Miss Universe Colombia and Miss Universe Top 5 finalist Valeria Ayos, and Miss Universe Colombia national director Natalie Ackerman were special guests at the recently held competition. The new Miss Universe Curacao will now prepare to represent Curacao at the 71st Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2022) pageant, whose date and venue have yet to be announced. Gabriela founded the Light4change foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to raise awareness against cyberbullying. Curacao, a Dutch Caribbean island known for its beaches, has yet to win the Miss Universe pagea

Miss Bali, Laksmi Shari De Neefe Suardana, was crowned Puteri Indonesia 2022 (Miss Universe Indonesia) on Friday, May 27 at the Jakarta Convention Center. The 26-year-old marketing manager bested 43 other contestants to win her title. She succeeds Puteri Indonesia 2020 Ayu Maulida Putri and will represent her country at Miss Universe 2022. Cindy May McGuire of Jakarta was named Puteri Indonesia Lingkungan 2022 while Adinda Cresheilla of East Java clinched the title Puteri Indonesia Pariwisata 2022. They will be sent to Miss International and Miss Supranational pageants, respectively. Reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss International Sireethorn Leearamwat, and Miss Supranational first runner-up Karla Guilfú graced the glittering event. The new Miss Universe Indonesia holds a degree in fashion business. She enjoys reading books and social activities, and considers herself inspired, driven and resilient. Miss International Indonesia 2022 Cindy May McGuire, Miss Universe Indonesia

Krystyna Sokołowska was crowned Miss Polonia 2021/2022 in a national competition held at the OSiR Sports and Spectacle Hall in Włocławek on Friday, May 27. The 25-year-old student and sports club owner from Białystok edged out 19 other beauties to win her title. She succeeds last year's winner, Natalia Gryglewska. Karolina Malina of Kołobrzeg and Julia Baryga of Łódź were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Klaudia Andrzejewska of Włocławek and Sylwia Bober of Biłgoraj completed the Top 5. Miss Polonia 2019 and reigning Miss World Karolina Bielawska was present as a special guest at the glittering event. The new Miss Polonia was a former Miss Earth Poland winner who placed in the Top 10 at Miss Earth 2019 pageant held in the Philippines. It is not yet confirmed which international competition Krystyna will be sent to. Miss Polonia organization currently holds the national franchise for Miss World, Miss Intercontinental, and Miss Grand International pageants.

Solaris Barba was officially named Miss Universo Panamá 2022 (Miss Universe Panama) in a press presentation that took place on Wednesday, May 25 in Panama City. The 23-year-old psychology student, model, TV host and businesswoman from Arraiján edged out nine other beauties to clinch the title. She succeeds last year's titleholder Brenda Smith and will now prepare to represent Panama at Miss Universe 2022. "Today officially marks the beginning of a path full of change and hope for all, this is the moment to break a pattern in the contests, truly celebrating women. Not only to its beauty but to its essence and the strength that transcends facing fears to touch hearts through dreams," Solaris shared on social media after being named Miss Universe Panama. "From the bottom of my little heart I thank immensely each of the souls that have been part of the path that brought me here and what continues from it," she added. The new Miss Universe Panama is no stranger to pa

Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss International 2019 Sireethorn Leearamwat, and Miss Supranational 2021 first runner-up Karla Guilfú will be gracing the final of Puteri Indonesia 2022. The reigning queens arrived in the Indonesian capital city of Jakarta on Wednesday, May 25 ahead of the national competition to be held this Friday, May 27 at Jakarta Convention Center. Puteri Indonesia 2022, the 25th Puteri Indonesia pageant, will be crowning a new set of winners who will represent their country at Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss Supranational. View this post on Instagram A post shared by PUTERI INDONESIA (@officialputeriindonesia) Photos: Puteri Indonesia