PAGEANT Circle

During the 48th Miss Universe pageant held in Trinidad and Tobago, the final question was "If Miss Universe were to become pregnant during her reign, should she be allowed to continue as Miss Universe?” Botswana's Mpule Kwelagobe answered: "Personally, I think Miss Universe is a symbol of a woman as well as she's celebrating her femininity, and I believe that if she should fall pregnant it will not in any way interrupt her duties. I believe as a woman she should celebrate her femininity." The then 19-year-old triumphed over Miriam Quiambao of the Philippines (first runner-up) and Diana Nogueira of Spain (second runner-up) to win the title of Miss Universe 1999, a historic first time for her country. Fast forward to today, over 20 years later, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has announced its decision to allow "women who are or have been married, as well as women who are pregnant or have children" to compete starting next year (Miss Universe 2023).

Miss South Africa 2022 will take place on August 13 at Time Square's SunBet Arena in Pretoria. Ten finalists will compete for the national beauty title and the opportunity to represent South Africa on the global stage (Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss Supranational). Reigning Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane, who represented her country at 70th Miss Universe and recently won Miss Supranational 2022, will crown her successor at the end of the event. Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu, former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, and former Miss World Rolene Strauss will be part of the selection committee. Tickets for the live show and online streaming are available at https://www.misssa.co.za/ Get to know the Top 10 finalists: Anarzade Omar - 23, from Crown Gardens in Johannesburg, Gauteng. She holds a degree in strategic communication in marketing from the University of Johannesburg and works as a social media manager at a digital marketing agency. In addition, she is a social media cont

Miss Amazonas, Letícia Frota, edged out 35 other contestants to win Miss Mundo Brasil 2022 (Miss World Brazil) on Thursday, August 4 in Águas Claras, Brasília (Distrito Federal). The 20-year-old student will now prepare to represent Brazil at the 71st Miss World pageant whose date and venue are yet to be announced. Gabrielle Flávia Araújo of Espírito Santo was named first princess and Ana Carolina Manginelli of São Paulo finished as a second princess. The representatives of Recôncavo Baiano, Isabella Gregorutti, and Rio Grande do Norte, Thuany Cristine de Medeiros, were the third and fourth princesses, respectively. Last year's winner Caroline Teixeira crowned her successor at the end of the event. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Concurso Nacional de Beleza (@missbrasiloficial) Photos: Letícia Frota / Instagram

The Miss Namibia 2022 national competition is scheduled to take place at the Windhoek Country Club Resort and Casino on Friday, August 12. A total of 12 finalists are vying for the national title currently held by Chelsi Shikongo, who represented Namibia during the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel last December. The Miss Namibia organization currently holds the right to send Namibian representatives to Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss Teen International competitions. Last year's first runner-up Annerie Maré was named Miss World Nambia 2021 and went on to compete during 70th Miss World in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Meet this year's Top 12 finalists: Aina Kweyo - a 26-year-old news anchor from Oniipa Ashleigh Kleintjes - a 24-year-old candidate legal practitioner from Windhoek Cassia Sharpley - 21, from Windhoek. She is a basic life support paramedic and student at Namibia University of Science and Technology pursuing a degree in emergency medical care Diana Andimba - a

Former Miss Polonia, Natalia Gryglewska, has been officially announced by the Miss Polonia organization on Thursday, August 4 as the newly appointed Miss Grand Poland 2022. The 24-year-old beauty is a model, clinical dietitian and personal trainer from Lublin. She was crowned Miss Polonia 2020/21. As the new Miss Grand Poland, Natalia is expected to represent her country at the 10th Miss Grand International (Miss Grand International 2022) pageant in Indonesia this October. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Polonia Official (@miss.polonia) Photos: Miss Polonia Official

Miss Danmark 2022 (Miss Denmark) is scheduled to be held on August 28 at Shiny Star in Valby, Copenhagen. Hosted by "Dancing with the Stars" presenter Claus Elming, 33 contestants will battle it out to win the national beauty title and the opportunity to represent Denmark on the global stage. Meet the Top 33 official contestants: Melina Mira Michelle Desideriussen Zaara Naaz Ahmed Mathilde Michelle Laursen Nicoline Kristine Hansen Warda Abdiaziz Karoline Sargent Nimgaard Maja Bach Claire Schou Rasmussen Mathilde Vangkilde Camilla Andersen Lara Al-Medrasi Jasmin El-Khodr Victoria Arvin Lautrup Hella Sofia Bach Banuscha Baskaran Miamaja Isabel Langenbach Cecilia Matine Larsen Rikke Skovly Petersen Anniqa Jamal Iqbal Rebecca Larsen Nadja Reinhardt Sjøgaard Ann-Sofie Bisgaard Christiansen Helene Myrdal Jessica À. Pscheidt Josephine Amalie Pedersen Malou Peters Thalia Ortiz Rasmussen Cecilie Frost Wittchen Emilie Lærkegaard Andersen Melanie Denise Hansen Sabine Hansen Stephanie Ba

The Top 30 contestants who will be vying for the title of Miss Botswana 2022 have been officially announced by the organizers. Entries for the national competition closed on July 28 and a selection panel had a tough job narrowing down all applicants to just 30. The organizers also announced that the Top 15 will be determined by how the contestants perform by public vote, the selection panel, gym session, and the photography session. Four contestants with the most likes, shares, and comments on their pictures on the Miss Botswana official Facebook page will progress to the Top 15. This year's final competition is expected to take place in September and last year's winner Palesa Molefe, who placed in the Top 40 during the 70th Miss World edition, will relinquish her crown to her successor at the end of the event. Meet the official Top 30 contestants: Alipo Makosha Annita Tlagae Bridgette Mokgojwa Cheshe Tsayang Cynthia Kalayakgosi Diphetogo Kgotlaesho Godiraone Kgautlbe Goitsemo

Mariona Juncosa Ramírez of the Dominican Republic was crowned Miss Teen Mundial 2022 in a glittering competition held on Saturday, July 30 in San Salvador, El Salvador. The 16-year-old model and student succeeds last year's winner from Peru, Solana Costa. Leylani Leyton of Nicaragua and Da-Xia'N Philipa of Curacao were the first and second runners-up, respectively. The representatives from Bonaire, Puerto Rico, and Chile completed the Top 6 finalists. A total of 29 countries participated in the international competition for teens. Photos: Miss Teen Mundial

Miss France 2023, the 93rd edition of the Miss France pageant, will take place in December at M.A.CH 36 in Châteauroux, Centre-Val de Loire. Miss France organization made the official announcement of the host city last May. It will be the second time for Châteauroux to host the pageant after the 2018 edition. Reigning queen Diane Leyre of Île-de-France will crown her successor at the end of the event and the winner is expected to represent France at Miss Universe and Miss World. Meet the newly elected contestants from Côte d’Azur, Provence, Saint-Martin Saint-Barthelemy, Guadeloupe and Corse: Miss Côte d'Azur 2022 Flavy Barla Miss Provence 2022 Chana Goyons Miss Saint-Martin Saint-Barthelemy 2022 Inès Tessier Miss Guadeloupe 2022 Indira Ampiot Miss Corse 2022 Orianne Meloni Photos: Miss France

The ongoing "rivalry" between pageant fans from a few countries has lately seemed to have gotten out of control. In her latest Instagram story, Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi called out a lot of "edited photos, insults and threats" she is being flooded online. "I have seen quite a lot just today and now before going to sleep," she wrote. After the recent #UniverseUnited conversation she had with Miss Universe Indonesia 2022 Laksmi Shari De Neefe Suardana and Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart, Celeste was hoping this "unnecessary cyberbullying would somehow stop or lessen." The 24-year-old Filipino-Italian beauty, who will represent the Philippines at the prestigious Miss Universe 2022 pageant later this year, asked her fans to "not answer and fight back." "If you want to protect me then simply use the hashtag #kindnesscampaign. Let's not engage with any form of hate," she said. Photo: Dooki

Miss Universe Thailand 2022 Anna Sueangam-iam has kicked off her media week after winning her national title on Saturday, July 30 at True Icon Hall, Iconsiam in Bangkok. Accompanied by the Miss Universe Thailand team and runners-up, the 23-year-old beauty had the opportunity to meet with Miss Universe 1988 and Thailand's very own, Porntip Nakhirunkanok, and her family at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. The former Miss Universe gave the newly crowned Miss Universe Thailand some helpful advice such as overcoming language barrier and being confident in her quest to win their country's third crown at Miss Universe 2022. Dubbed "Miss Garbage" Anna, who came from very humble beginnings as a daughter of garbage collectors, has been making headlines for her inspiring life story. She triumphed over hardships in life, finished her studies with honors, and went on to win her country's most coveted national beauty title. Despite the online bashing she received for her pre-op photo

Reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu has been announced to be part of the selection committee for the upcoming Miss South Africa 2022 pageant. The Indian beauty will join former queens Zozibini Tunzi (Miss Universe 2020) and Rolene Strauss (Miss World 2014) at the judging table to select the next South African representatives for Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss Supranational. For her advice to the Top 10 finalists, Harnaaz said: "Be authentic! Use every minute and moment to showcase your true self, not only to the judges but to the people you are working with, those who are working on the production, your fans, and the global audience who is watching! This is your time to shine and make the most out of this magical storyline you have chosen to be a part of." Miss South Africa 2022 will air live from the SunBet Arena at Time Square, Pretoria on Saturday, August 13 at 6:30 p.m. local time. Photo: Miss South Africa

India's Sushmita Naveen Singh has been announced the winner of the Miss Continentes Unidos 2022 Best in National Costume. The event took place on Monday, August 1 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Joanna Camelle Mercado of the Philippines placed second while Gretha Matiauda of Paraguay placed third. The 15th edition of the Miss United Continents pageant will be held on Saturday, August 6 at Parque Las Vegas in the city of Portoviejo. A total of 25 contestants will battle it out for the title currently held by Colombia's Anairis Cadavid, who won in 2019. Photos: Organización Miss Continentes Unidos

Balsam Hussein was crowned Miss Iraq 2022 in a glittering competition held last Thursday, July 28 in Erbil, the capital and most populated city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The 26-year-old TV presenter who was born and raised in Baghdad is expected to represent her country at the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants. Sarah Saad and Jihan Majid were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Hind Akram and Sarah Khaled completed the Top 5 finalists. The Miss Iraq pageant was founded in 1947 but was suspended for over 40 years from 1973 until 2015 due to political and armed conflict in the country. The newly crowned Miss Iraq wants to send a message to all Iraqi women to never give up in the pursuit of their dreams. "Fight to get your goals and be patient. You have faced wars and difficulties, do not make the harsh conditions a rock in your path, destroy it and keep going until all your dreams are met." View this post on Instagram A post share

Kiara Arends was crowned Miss Universe Aruba 2022 in a special coronation event that took place on Sunday, July 31 in Oranjestad. The 23-year-old travel enthusiast, model, and law graduate is a social justice advocate who founded BUMP, a charity organization that benefits upcoming mothers during the pandemic. No stranger to pageantry, Kiara held the title Miss Teen Aruba International 2017 and she was Virreina de las Americas at Miss Teen Americas 2018. The newly appointed Miss Universe Aruba will now prepare to represent her country at the 71st Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2022) pageant. No official date and venue have been announced yet for the international competition. Aruba made a historic Top 10 finish at last year's Miss Universe edition in Eilat, Israel with Thessaly Zimmerman. No Aruban woman has ever placed in the pageant since Taryn Mansell was named first runner-up to Venezuela’s Alicia Machado during Miss Universe 1996. View this post on Instagram A