This year’s pageant will be held in Mexico City this month

Contestants from more than 80 countries have arrived in Mexico City for the Miss Universe 2024 pageant. Mexico is hosting the long-running competition, now in its 73rd year, for the first time since 2007.

Organisers have promised a new format for the show, which is set to be held from November 14 to 16 at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City. Preliminary and national costume competitions will take place on November 14, followed by the final competition on November 16, where reigning Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua, will crown her successor.

This year’s pageant will feature the return of Belize, Botswana, China, Cuba, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan and Samoa. Iran is also sending a representative for the first time, but under the title of Miss Universe Persia. The UAE, Somalia and Uzbekistan are also entering the pageant for the first time. Here is a list of who has been crowned so far.

Miss Universe UAE: Emilia Dobreva

Dobreva is a fashion model and a mother of three children. The Dubai resident will be the first UAE representative at the Miss Universe pageant. The model is not new to beauty competitions, having been crowned Miss Friendship International in 2019. During the coronation, Dobreva beat four other finalists to be crowned.

The UAE was first announced as part of the international competition in September. In an Instagram post by the Miss Universe Organisation, Indonesian businesswoman Poppy Capella was named as the national director for the UAE franchise, as well as for Cyprus. She was formerly the national director of Miss Universe Indonesia and Miss Universe Malaysia.

Miss Universe Bahrain: Shereen Ahmed

The Filipino-Bahraini beauty queen, 29, finished second in the Miss Universe Bahrain competition in 2022. Ahmed has a background in journalism and advocates for single mothers and mental health awareness.

“This pageant journey has always been about more than just a crown – it’s about creating impact, giving hope, and showing single mothers that they are not alone. Together, we can make a difference, and I am so excited to see the change we’ll create on this global platform,” she posted on Instagram.

Miss Universe Egypt: Logina Salah

Salah, 34, is a Dubai resident and model, who says she was bullied throughout her childhood due to a skin condition called vitiligo, which causes patches to lose pigment. Despite the disease, she told The National she’s excited to represent her country on the world stage.

“I am excited to represent Egypt, women with vitiligo, and anyone who has ever felt that they don’t belong,” she says. “After enduring bullying throughout my childhood because of my skin condition, it took me 15 years to embrace self-love. My mission is to empower those who feel marginalised, letting them know they are not alone and I aspire to make a significant impact on the global Miss Universe stage.”

Miss Universe Australia: Zoe Creed

Creed, 23, is from Queensland and has been modelling and working in the fitness industry since she was 15. She has launched her own platform called Born Creed where she hopes to empower women of all ages and stages of life.

“For so long, my mindset was probably that I had let others stop me from achieving things in my life. However, I guess with age and more life experiences, I’ve realised it was never anyone else standing in my way,” she told GC Mag. “The only person stopping me from achieving what I wanted was, well, me! That’s why I entered the programme – I stopped getting in my own way, and I just went for it.”

Miss Universe Mexico: Maria Fernanda Beltran

All eyes will be on Beltran as the representative of this year’s host country. The model, 24, is a marketing and communications student who is fluent in Spanish, English and French. A former Miss Grand International 2023 contestant, Beltran was crowned by reigning Miss Universe Palacios at the Mexico pageant. “I want to bring to the stage the message of the Mexican woman, full of culture, education, values and qualities that deserve recognition,” Beltran said following her win.

Miss Universe Lebanon: Nada Koussa

A clinical psychologist, Koussa, 26, beat 14 other contestants to the Miss Universe Lebanon title at a star-studded event held at Beirut’s waterfront. She was crowned by her Miss Lebanon 2022 predecessor Yasmina Zaytoun, the runner-up in Miss World last year.

Eight women made up the judging panel, including Nour Arida, a women’s rights activist and model. “On my platform, I always talk about being natural, being true to yourself, I talk about accepting yourself, about not having beauty stereotypes,” Arida told The National.

“For me, I wanted to be here today and share this message, this reminder that each girl has something that is different, she’s beautiful in her own way and that we should stop stereotyping women in general.”

Miss USA: Alma Cooper

An army officer, Cooper, a Miss Michigan, beat 50 other contestants to the Miss USA title. “As the daughter of a migrant worker, a proud Afro-Latina woman and an officer of the United States Army, I am living the American dream,” she had told judges during the competition.

Her win, however, came amid controversy surrounding the annual pageant, which resulted in the shock resignation of last year’s title holder Noelia Voigt in May. Voigt’s departure was followed by the exit of UmaSofia Srivastava, Miss Teen USA 2023. Both pageants are owned by former beauty queen Crystle Stewart.

Cooper was crowned on stage by Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii, who inherited the Miss USA 2023 title for three months after Voigt stepped down.

The US has the won the Miss Universe title nine times, the highest number of wins since the competition was first held in 1952. Filipino-American R’Bonney Gabriel last won the title in 2022.

Miss Universe Pakistan: Noor Xarmina

An actress and model, Xarmina, 29, is from Islamabad. Having lived in nine different countries, she worked as a venture capitalist in London before deciding to pursue acting and modelling full time.

“Pakistan is scarcely represented internationally across so many industries and I want to enhance our representation on an international stage,” she said during the competition.

Xarmina is only the second Miss Universe Pakistan. The first event was held last year after Dubai’s Yugen Group bought the rights to the franchise.

Miss Universe Philippines: Chelsea Manalo

Manalo, 24, is the first black Filipina to be crowned Miss Universe Philippines. Born to an African-American father and a Filipina mother, Manalo represented the Bulacan province at the competition, one of the most-watched events in the beauty pageant-obsessed nation.

Her win was notable in a country where Western ideals of beauty are still largely held, influenced by its colonial past.

Asked on stage how she would use her beauty and confidence to empower others, she said she has faced many challenges “as a woman of colour”.

“I was told that beauty has standards, actually,” she said. “But I have always listened to my mother who told me to always believe in yourself and uphold the vows that you have. Because of these, I am already influencing a lot of women who are facing me right now.”

The Philippines has won the Miss Universe crown four times.

Miss Universe Venezuela: Ileana Marquez Pedroza

The model, 28, is the first mother to win the Miss Venezuela title. She beat 24 other contestants to the crown in December, becoming the third winner from the Amazonas.

Her hobbies include singing, dancing and acting. She says she put herself forward after organisers allowed mothers as well as married and divorced women to compete for the first time.

Miss Universe China: Jia Qi

Crowned Miss Universe China 2023, Jia Qi could not attend the Miss Universe competition that year in El Salvador because of visa issues. She will instead compete in this year’s contest. The 23-year-old won her crown after beating 31 other finalists in October last year.

Hailing from Chengdu, in the Sichuan province of China, Qi is a former track and field athlete, as well as a fitness enthusiast.

Miss Universe Kazakhstan: Madina Almukhanova

The model, 23, was crowned Miss Kazakhstan after beating 24 other contestants at the Republic Palace in Almaty in December. Before that, she also held the title of First Vice Miss Almaty 2023.

Outside of beauty pageants, she has been modelling for five years, but is also a choirmaster conductor, who sings professionally and plays the piano.

Miss Universe France: Indira Ampiot

French model Indira Ampiot, 20, has previously been crowned Miss Basse-Terre and Miss Guadeloupe in 2022. She is the fourth woman from Guadeloupe to win Miss France.

Ampiot is of Indian descent through her maternal grandfather and is the niece of French footballer Frederic Tejou. She beat 29 other contestants in the competition held in December.

Miss Universe Kyrgyzstan: Maya Turdalieva

The 25-year-old is from Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Although she was crowned last year, Turdalieva could not make the Miss Universe pageant due to an undisclosed reason and will instead participate this year.

Posting on Instagram, she vowed to “work hard and strive to make Kyrgyzstan proud”, adding: “Our culture, our nature and our people are my inspiration”.

Miss Universe Germany: Pia Theissen

Hailing from Cologne, the 25-year-old is fluent in German, Spanish and English. A trained occupational therapist, she is also a yoga instructor and currently training to be a DJ.

She beat 14 other contestants to the Miss Universe Germany title. “Words can’t describe how grateful I am,” she posted on Instagram after her win. “Representing my country is an honour.”

Miss Universe Greece: Christianna Katsieri

A model by profession, Katsieri already has pageant experience, representing her country at Miss Earth 2023 in Vietnam.

She won Miss GS Hellas 2022, which sends Greece’s representative to top global pageants. She will be the first Greek woman to participate in two top global pageants.

Miss Universe Dominican Republic: Celinee Santos Frias

Hailing from Distrito Nacional, the 24-year-old beat 18 other hopefuls to the Miss Universe Dominican Republic 2024 title.

The student is an experienced pageant queen, having represented her country at Miss Intercontinental 2019 and Miss International in 2022. She’s currently pursuing a law degree at the Universidad del Caribe in Santo Domingo.

Miss Universe Croatia: Zrinka Coric

The 22-year-old is from the coastal town of Dubrovnik. Through her participation, the medical student hopes to raise awareness of mental health and to reduce the stigma associated with it.

She also wants empower young girls and encourage them to realise their full potential. Croatia has yet to win a Miss Universe crown and held its first national pageant in 1997.

Miss Universe Albania: Franceska Rustem

Hailing from Durres, the second largest city in Albania, Rustem, 19, is a model who wants to promote mental health awareness and environmental activism.

Bullied as a young girl for her thick eyebrows, Rustem told an Albanian radio station soon after her crowning that she has grown to embrace it and use it as her power.

“Even the make-up artists tell me to clean it a little and I tell them not to touch them. That’s how I want to keep them. It characterises,” she said.

She says she lives by a Winston Churchill quote: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal.”

Miss Universe Argentina: Magali Benejam

Benejam, 29, is a model from Cordoba, the second most populous city in Argentina. She beat 27 hopefuls to the Miss Universe Argentina title, including 60-year-old Alejandra Marisa Rodriguez.

Rodriguez made waves earlier when she became one of the oldest participants in the beauty contest’s history. The Miss Universe pageant has done away with age limits, meaning all adult women can now compete.

Miss Universe Bahamas: Selvinique Wright

Wright, 31, previously competed in the Miss Universe Bahamas pageant in 2016, 2018 and 2020, where she earned second place. Not one to give up easily, and thanks to Miss Universe rules doing away with age limits, it looks like fourth time’s the charm for this beauty queen.

“I consider myself to be a fighter, a person who is very dedicated to what it is that she wants, so I’m not easily swayed by the noise in the market, and that is one thing that kept me going,” she told The Nassau Guardian soon after her win. “No matter how many times I fall off a bike, I will get back on.”

Miss Universe Belgium: Kenza Ameloot

Ameloot, 22, is a model and business student. Born to a Rwandan father and Belgian father, she beat 31 other contestants to the Miss Universe Belgium title. She says her favourite country to visit is Rwanda, where she travels every year.

Miss Universe Belize: Halima Hoy

Hoy, 29, beat nine other contestants to the Miss Universe Belize title. Hailing from San Pedro Town, she is a fitness coach and sports medicine-certified trainer.

“I am doing this for the community, and I will share the journey with them,” she told the San Pedro Sun following her win.

Miss Universe Colombia: Daniela Toloza

A fashion designer, Toloza, 30, runs her own label called La Rochelle. She is also the first married woman to represent Colombia at the Miss Universe pageant.

Having struggled with her weight while growing up, she is also a champion for inclusivity and body positivity.

“I am here to remind you the privilege of counting your body, to honour your processes, to feel absolutely proud of what you have today, and that you are still on the way to bring out your best version,” she posted on Instagram following her win.

Miss Universe Bolivia: Juliana Barrientos

An accomplished pianist with an International Relations degree, Barrientos, 26, entered the Miss Universe Bolivia pageant as Miss Cochabamba.

“This title is not just for me. It is for every young girl who dreams of making a difference,” she said after her win. “I am committed to using this platform to amplify the voices of those who are often unheard and to promote positive change in our society.”

Miss Universe Bonaire: Ruby Pouchet

The Caribbean island nation will be represented by the 27-year-old pageant veteran. Pouchet, an advertising graduate, has won a number of titles, including Miss Bonaire in 2022 and Miss Grand Bonaire in 2023, which led her to the Miss Grand International pageant. She will now represent the tiny island country at the Miss Universe pageant.

Miss Universe Curacao: Kimberly de Boer

At the age of 18, de Boer beat seven other contestants to the Miss Universe Curacao title. “This crown is a symbol of our collective hard work and dedication,” she posted on Instagram following her win. “Winning Miss Universe Curacao is a dream come true, achieved with unwavering determination and passion.”

Miss Universe Ecuador: Mara Topic

An actress and model, Topic previously participated in Miss Grand Ecuador in 2019 and represented her country at the Miss Grand International pageant that year, when she placed inside the top 10.

Representing the city of Guayaquil, she beat 24 other contestants to the Miss Universe Ecuador crown earlier in June.

“I want to invite everyone to stop calling me Mara Topic Verduga and call me Ecuador, because I want us to be one family, united by our nation, our flag and our values,” she posted on Instagram following her win.

Miss Universe Peru: Tatiana Calmell

Calmell, 29, is an actress, model and business woman. A former Miss Peru 2022, she represented her country at Miss International 2022 when she placed third.

Calmell gave the Miss Peru 2024 competition a shot again earlier this year, and went on to beat 34 other hopefuls to the title.

“When they changed the rules of Miss Universe I remember how tears of excitement fell on me to feel that I again had an open door to participate in Miss Peru,” she said of the rule change to do away with age limits.

“I am so happy that I dared to take the difficult road. Perseverance and consistency have been key to my present.”

Miss Universe Puerto Rico: Jennifer Colon

A single mother-of-three, Colon, 36, made history by becoming the first woman over 28 and a mother to win the Miss Universe Puerto Rico crown.

A business woman who runs her own medical aesthetics firm, Colon is an experienced beauty queen. She was crowned Miss World Puerto Rico in 2009 and participated at the Miss World competition that year, making it to the semi finals.

Miss Universe Myanmar: Thet San Andersen

Part Swedish, Andersen beat 52 other hopefuls to the Miss Universe Myanmar title. Andersen is fashion designer and her label, Seint Studios, is heavily influenced by Burmese heritage.

“Winning Miss Universe Myanmar hit a whole new level of life goal achievement,” she said, following her win.

Miss Universe Thailand: Suchata Chuangsri

A finalist at the Miss Universe Thailand pageant in 2022, second time’s the charm for Chuangsri, 21, who beat 39 other contestants to the 2024 title. She is a politics student and a breast cancer survivor, and was crowned by last year’s winner Anntonia Porsild, who earned second place at the Miss Universe 2023 pageant.

Miss Universe Canada: Ashley Callingbull

A model, actress and TV presenter, Callingbull made history as the first indigenous woman to win the Miss Universe Canada crown.

Hailing from the Enoch Cree Nation, Callingbull, 34, is a pageant veteran, having won Mrs Universe in 2015.

“This is the most surreal feeling. I’ve been chasing this dream for years and I’m still in awe that it really came true. A girl from the Rez is going to represent Enoch Cree Nation, Treaty 6, Indigenous peoples and all Canadians on the Miss Universe stage,” she wrote on Instagram following her win. “Representation truly matters because when one of us wins, we all win.”

Miss Universe Ukraine: Alina Ponomarenko

Hailing from the city of Odessa, Ponomarenko, 20, is a law student and a model. Like previous years, due to the continuing war in her home country, Miss Universe Ukraine was held online, with the winner crowned virtually.

“I understand the full responsibility that has fallen on my shoulders, and my journey does not end with this victory – it is only beginning,” Ponomarenko posted on Instagram following her selection. “I am ready to work hard for the sake of the country I love dearly and to make sure its name is heard in every corner of the world.”

Miss Universe Zimbabwe: Sakhile Dube

A model, Dube, 27, beat 17 other contestants to the Miss Universe Zimbabwe title. Hailing from Bulawayo city, she is a pageant veteran, having won Miss Earth Zimbabwe in 2022 and Miss Supranational Africa in 2023.

Miss Universe Japan: Kaya Chakrabortty

Born to a Japanese mother and a Bengali father, Chakrabortty, 25, is a figure skating champion. She beat 35 other contestants to the Miss Universe Japan title.

“The abolition of the age limit and the inclusion of married women have shown me that women’s empowerment knows no boundaries. Strength, resilience, and determination can come from any age and any background, and I am committed to championing these values,” she posted on Instagram following her win.

Miss Universe Great Britain: Christina Chalk

The Scottish-Filipina does not give up easily, having competed at the Miss Universe Great Britain pageant four times. She’s even won second place twice. She also participated at the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 pageant where she placed in the Top 20.

Chalk beat 40 other contestants to the Miss Universe Great Britain title.

“Many know this wasn’t my first, second, or even third attempt at Miss Universe Great Britain. Whilst I was proud to be first runner-up twice I was relieved when I aged out … with so many ups and downs I felt it was time to move on,” she wrote on Instagram soon after her crowning. “However when Miss Universe lifted their age restrictions, I knew there was unfinished business. I’m glad I followed my heart.”

Miss Universe Kenya: Irene Ng’endo Mukii

After a two-year absence at Miss Universe, Kenya will this year be represented by Mukii, 26, a dancer and software engineer. A former Miss Grand Kenya, she competed in Miss Grand International 2020 pageant where she placed in the Top 20.

Miss Universe Namibia: Prisca Anyolo

A former Dubai resident, Anyolo is a beauty entrepreneur and public relations professional. She competed at the Miss Namibia pageant in 2022 and placed in the Top 12.

“I feel exceptionally proud, honoured and blessed to be able to finally reach my goal. It was not easy because I had tried before, but I realised that there is no such thing as failure, only learnt lessons or success. I consider this crown my learnt lesson,” she told the Namibia Economist following her win. “I would like my win to be a testament of never giving up on your dreams, and that one should always try and try and try again, till you get what you want.”

Miss Universe Norway: Lilly Sodal

Sodal, 21, is no stranger to pageantry, having participated in Miss Earth in 2022 and the Miss Globe last year. She will now represent her country on one of the biggest beauty pageant stages, Miss Universe.

“Words can’t describe how grateful I feel right now. My big ‘unrealistic’ dream since I was 17 became true this weekend, and I don’t know how I could ever express in words what this means to me, and how thankful I am,” she posted on Instagram following her win. “I am beyond excited to start this new chapter as Miss Universe Norway 2024, and to travel to Miss Universe in Mexico this fall to represent my country!”

Miss Universe Netherlands: Faith Landman

A Miss Earth Netherlands 2017 winner, Landman beat 15 other contestants to the Miss Universe Netherlands title. The model and photographer is also the first mother from her country to win the title.

“Slowly, it’s sinking in that my hard work has paid off. I’ve given everything I have, and I couldn’t have done it without the incredible support I’ve received,” she posted on Instagram following her win. “This support has allowed me to keep my family running, be a loving mother, run my business, and make my biggest dream a reality. I hope to inspire other women and mothers to pursue their dreams and ambitions by never giving up and always believing in themselves.”

Miss Universe Malaysia: Sandra Lim

Lim, 23, is an actress and model who beat 15 other contestants to the Miss Universe Malaysia title. A former Miss Global 2022 contestant, she leveraged her pageant experience to shine on the stage and clinch the crown.

“I decided to join Miss Universe Malaysia, putting all my heart and soul into it, putting my faith in god that the stars would align,” she posted on Instagram following her win. “I hope my grit and determination in creating changes inspire you to fight for your dreams.”

Miss Universe Australia: Zoe Creed

A model and fitness entrepreneur, Creed, 23, was among 27 hopefuls at this year’s Miss Universe Australia pageant. “I entered the Miss Universe Australia programme because I wanted more,” she said after her win.

“We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are. Take lead and be the woman you know that little girl always looked up to. One day it will all just fall into place. It’s not destiny, it’s not luck, it’s hard work, but you will have created it.”

Miss Universe Cambodia: Davin Prasath

The first married woman from her country to win the Miss Universe Cambodia crown, Prasath, 33, is an actress, model and mother of a five-year-old girl. Only five candidates took part at this year’s pageant.

“I am a testament to the fact that dreams are not just a sculpture of our imagination but achievable realities,” Prasath said following her win. “As a mother, I feel more empowered than ever. Motherhood is not a barrier or a burden but a badge of honour.”

Miss Universe El Salvador: Florence Garcia

Garcia, 24, is a model who beat 13 other contestants to the Miss Universe El Salvador title. “This has been a dream of mine since I was 16,” she said in a video posted on social media after her win.

“And being here with you is proof that when you have a dream, when you have the desire to get ahead, when you want to achieve something in your life, we are not going to let fear limit us or paralyse us. And we are going to show ourselves and the universe that when you have a dream, anything is possible.”

Miss Universe Persia: Ava Vahneshan

A first for Miss Universe, Iran’s unofficial entry to the global pageant will be Vaneshan, a singer and Chinese medicine specialist. Last month, Vaneshan replaced the first-ever winner of the title, Fay Asghari, who earlier this year beat 20 other women of Iranian descent to the Miss Universe Persia title at an event in Rome.

Miss Universe Persia said they and Asghari, the sister of Britney Spears’s ex husband Sam Asghari, had mutually agreed to part ways, with the title going to second place winner Vaneshan. The daughter of an Iranian immigrant in Portugal, Vaneshan said that at the Miss Universe contest, she will represent Persia and “the weight of its history, its culture, and the heart of my people.”

“But my mission is larger than just representing my country. I stand for every voice, for all those who have never had the chance to be heard, for every story that has been forgotten, for every heart that yearns to be understood. I will stand tall, and I will speak for you,” she posted on Instagram.

Miss Universe Nepal: Sampada Ghimire

Ghimire, 17, will be one of the youngest contestants at the Miss Universe pageant this year. A digital marketeer, Ghimire stood out among the 22 contestants at this year’s pageant, where she was asked what she thought about the relationship between spirituality and happiness and how they can contribute to Nepal’s prosperity.

“I deeply cherish spirituality. Nepal, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the messenger of peace, is a spiritual land. By spreading peace to the world, we can ensure Nepal’s prosperity and development,” she answered.

Miss Universe Somalia: Khadija Omar

Omar, 23, will make history as the first ever Miss Universe Somalia and the first-ever hijabi at the international competition. A familiar name now in pageant circles, she made waves in 2022 when she became the first hijabi Miss World contestant and the first Miss Somalia. She also took part in Miss Universe Canada earlier this year, placing fourth.

A former refugee who is immigrated to Canada in 2010, Omar told The National earlier that she has always dreamt of being a beauty queen.

“I want to make sure I represent my people right and that I make them proud and do my best,” she said.

Miss Universe Brazil: Luana Cavalcante

An actress, model and mother, Cavalcante, 25, was crowned by reigning Miss Universe Palacios who was a guest at the competition. “Today, with a well-established career as an actress, model and mother of the most important person in my life, Pedro, I have just conquered what sometimes seemed almost impossible: To make history for my beloved Pernambuco,” she said following her win, referring to her state, which she represented.

Miss Universe Indonesia: Clara Shafira Krebs

A business student, entrepreneur and model, Shafira Krebs, 22, is of German and Indonesian descent. She beat 13 other contestants to the title of Miss Universe Indonesia, now held under new ownership following controversy last year, which included allegations of sexual abuse.

“Embracing self-confidence and self-love has been a transformative journey for me, and modelling has taught me to fully appreciate and celebrate the way I look,” she wrote earlier on Instagram.

Miss Universe Zambia: Brandina Lubuli

The first-ever mother and married woman to participate in Miss Universe Zambia, Lubuli, 28, will now represent her country and the international competition. “It’s more than just a crown – it’s about inspiring others and making a lasting impact in our communities which I stand for proudly and passionately,” she said following her win.

Miss Universe Ireland: Sofia Labus

Labus, 21, was born in the city of Cork, Ireland to Serbian immigrants. An entrepreneur and criminology student, she beat 26 other contestants to the Miss Universe Ireland crown.

“The feeling of waking up as your Miss Universe Ireland is indescribable. This has taken months of preparation, hard work and dedication,” she posted on Instagram following her win. “I am eternally grateful for everyone behind the show and most importantly for my Miss Universe Ireland sisters who are my friends for life. Most importantly, I want to thank my mother, who has taught me strength and resilience, who I look up to each and every day.”

Miss Universe Nicaragua: Geyssell Garcia

No pageant was held to crown this year’s Miss Universe Nicaragua. Instead, Garcia, a finalist at Miss Nicaragua 2020 was named the representative this year. She will have some major support in the form of reigning Miss Universe Palacios, who made history by becoming Nicaragua’s first Miss Universe ever.

“Being able to fulfil one of my greatest dreams is definitely a great blessing from God. Representing my Nicaragua is one of my personal goals that I thought I would no longer achieve, but destiny puts everything in its place, at the right time and moment,” Garcia said.

Miss Universe India: Rhea Singha

At 19, Singha is one of the youngest winners of the Miss Universe India crown, beating 50 other contestants to the title. Hailing from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, she is a teen pageant winner, has been modelling since 16 and aspires to be an actress.

“I have done so much work to get to this level where I can consider myself worthy enough for this crown. I am so inspired by the previous winners,” Singha told news agency ANI following her win.

Miss Universe Nigeria: Chidimma Adetshina

Following her controversial participation at the Miss Universe South Africa contest earlier this year, Adetshina was later crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, the country of her father’s birth.

Law student Adetshina, 23, who was born in South Africa, was at the centre of a row over her national identity papers, with many questioning her South African citizenship. The controversy prompted an official investigation, with her Nigerian heritage attracting xenophobic attacks online.

The furore forced Adetshina to withdraw from the South African competition, which she was tipped to win, for her and her family’s “safety and well-being”. She then flew in September to Nigeria where she won the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant after being welcomed into the country with open arms.

Miss Universe South Africa: Mia Le Roux

Following Adetshina’s exit from the Miss Universe South Africa competition, Le Roux became a hot favourite and eventually made history as the first deaf woman to win the Miss South Africa crown.

Le Roux, 28, was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one and has a cochlear implant to help her perceive sound. “I am a proudly South African deaf woman and I know what it feels like to be excluded. I know now that I was put on this planet to break boundaries and I did it tonight,” she told the BBC following her win.

Miss Universe Russia: Valentina Alekseeva

A medical student, Aleksiva, 18, beat 85 other contestants to the title of Miss Universe Russia.

“When I went on stage, I didn’t expect anything, didn’t have any hopes or guesses, because I think it’s very important to be in the moment, just enjoy the stage, the process, and everything turned out the way it was supposed to,” she told news agency Tass following her win.

“My future plans are, of course, to worthily represent Russia at the Miss Universe contest. I will do everything possible and impossible so that we are the best.”

Miss Universe Singapore: Charlotte Chia

A public relations professional, Chia, 24, has participated in global pageants before, representing her country at the Miss International competition in 2019. She beat 14 other contestants to the Miss Universe Singapore 2024 at a pageant held on the sidelines of the Singapore Formula One in September.

“Honestly I’m still a little bit in shock. I’m on the verge of tears. I’m going to call grandma and share the good news with her, she’s at home, she couldn’t make it here because she caught a cold,” she told online magazine 8days following her win.

“My mum was the reason I realised I won. My ears are a little blocked from the music, so when I initially heard my name I thought I was hearing things, until I saw my mum jumping like a giant disco ball.”