PAGEANT Circle

Maria Gabriela Lacerda, representing the state of Piauí, was crowned Miss Universe Brazil 2025 on Thursday, February 13 in Alphaville, São Paulo. The 22-year-old journalist bested 23 other contestants to win the beauty title. She received her crown from Brazil's first Miss Universe winner, Miss Universe 1963 Ieda Maria Vargas. Aline Fritsch of Rio Grande do Sul and Ana Carolina Ceolin Comério of Espírito Santo were the first and second runners-up, respectively. "This crown is ours, my Piauí. Let's go together to the Universe," the new Miss Universe Brazil shared online following her victory. Maria Gabriela previously placed first runner-up when she joined the national pageant in 2021. She will now prepare to represent Brazil at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maria Gabriela (@mariagabriela_lacerda) Photos: Maria Gabriela Lacerda / Instagram

Dia Maté of the Philippines was crowned Reina Hispanoamericana 2025 on Sunday, February 9 at the Salón Sirionó, Fexpocruz in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. The 23-year-old singer-songwriter from Cavite became the second Filipina to win the international pageant next to Teresita Ssen Marquez who won in 2017. She also bagged the Best in National Costume award. Her costume "Banaag" by Ehrran Montoya was inspired by her country's baroque churches recognized in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Sofia Férnandez of Venezuela was named Virreina while Sharon Gamara of Colombia, Carolina Barroso of Spain, Nikita Palma of Peru, Julia de Castro of Brazil, and Zuzanna Balonek of Poland were the runners-up. Completing the Top 12 were Estefanía Ibarra of Bolivia, Catalina Murillo of Costa Rica, Dagmar Prieto of Ecuador, Elizabeth Blanco of Guatemala, and Daniela Cardona of Mexico. This year's competition marked the 33rd edition of the annual Reina Hispanoamericana pageant. M...

Former Reina Hispanoamericana titleholder Teresita Marquez is set to represent the city of Muntinlupa at the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 pageant. Popularly known as Winwyn Marquez, the Filipino actress and mother won her country's first-ever Reina Hispanoamericana winner in 2017 in Bolivia. Born in Parañaque City to actor-politician parents Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno, Winwyn first joined Binibining Pilipinas in 2015 and then Miss World Philippines in 2017 where she claimed the first Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas title. She is also a niece of former Miss International Melanie Marquez and a cousin of former Miss Universe Philippines and Miss Universe 2023 Top 10 finalist Michelle Dee. In a heartfelt social media post, Michelle wrote, "As someone who has given me so much strength in my journey, I definitely can’t wait for everyone to witness yours." "I know you'll take every step with pure intentions and nothing but love for your purpose and our home," ...

Former Miss Philippines Earth Yllana Marie Aduana will represent the municipality of Siniloan, Laguna, at the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines 2025 pageant. The 26-year-old medical technology graduate and environmental education advocate was previously crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2023 in Toledo, Cebu. After winning the title, Yllana represented the Philippines at Miss Earth 2023 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, made the Top 4 among 85 contestants, and reigned as Miss Earth Air. "I am ultimately grateful for the Miss Universe Philippines and the [Miss Universe Philippines Laguna] Organization for trusting me and allowing me to represent my beloved hometown Siniloan, Laguna," she recently wrote online. "Truly honored and grateful when I heard that it's also the first time a municipality is represented by a delegate in the MUPH stage," she added. The winner of this year's Miss Universe Philippines competition will represent the Philippines at the 74th Miss Un...

Thailand has been officially announced as the host country for the Miss Universe 2025 competition. The Miss Universe Organization unveiled the ultimate destination for the 74th Miss Universe pageant at a press conference in New York City. Before the exciting announcement, several countries were mentioned as possible hosts including Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Spain, South Africa, Nigeria, and the Philippines. Thailand will host the prestigious pageant for the fourth time. The last time was in 2018 when the iconic Catriona Gray of the Philippines emerged as the winner. Located in Southeast Asia on the Indochinese Peninsula, Thailand, which was formerly known as Siam until 1939, is officially called the Kingdom of Thailand. Often referred to as "The Land of Smiles," Thailand earns this nickname due to the warm and welcoming attitude of its people, the significance of smiles in their culture, and the various cultural traditions and festivals that foster a strong sense of...

Miss Earth Caguas Valeria Meléndez was proclaimed Miss Earth Puerto Rico 2025 in a national competition held on Saturday, February 1 at the Centro de Bellas Artes de Caguas. The 25-year-old fashion designer edged out 17 other contestants to win the national title. She will represent Puerto Rico at the Miss Earth 2025 pageant. Valeria was crowned by her predecessor Bianca Caraballo who made the Top 8 at Miss Earth 2024 last November in the Philippines. "I still can't find the words to describe what I feel right now. It has been a path of much effort, sacrifices, and growth, but every step has been worth it," she shared online. "This crown is not just mine, it belongs to everyone who has been part of this dream. Now a new chapter begins, and I promise to give my best on the international stage. Puerto Rico, this is for you." The new Miss Earth Puerto Rico was joined by her co-winners Miss Global Puerto Rico 2025 Gabriela Vázquez of Salinas and Miss Earth Puerto Ri...

Miss Fairfield USA Jenna Hofmann was crowned Miss Connecticut USA 2025 on Sunday, January 26 at the Marriott Hartford Windsor Airport in Windsor, Connecticut. The 23-year-old real estate professional, originally from New York, will now prepare to represent Connecticut at the Miss USA 2025 pageant. She succeeds last year's winner Shavana Clarke. Amber Corbett (Fairfield County) was named first runner-up while Samantha Labonne (Southbury), Christina Judd (New Haven County), and Samantha Sarelli (Westport) were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jenna Hofmann (@jennahofmann) The new Miss Connecticut USA is a communications graduate of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. She is no stranger to pageantry, having previously competed in Miss New York USA and Miss New York Teen USA and finishing second runner-up in last year's Miss Connecticut USA pageant. Also crowned on Sunday was Mi...

Singaporean lawyer Madeleine Poh was crowned Mrs. Petite Global 2025 in an international pageant held on January 9 at Shantanand Auditorium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The 28-year-old newly-wed has made history as the first Singaporean representative to be crowned Mrs Petite Global. She also bagged several awards including Best in Evening Gown, Sport Wear, Interview, and Catwalk. Margaret Riba of Borneo clinched the Mrs. Elite Petite Global 2025 title while Jolynn Ch'ng of Malaysia, Ruby Tran of Vietnam, Aya Sakuma of Japan, and Tomomi Mori, also from Japan, were proclaimed the runners-up. "As the first Singaporean to win this prestigious international title, I believe this is a significant achievement for our country," said the new Mrs. Petite Global. "As a lawyer and a strong advocate for increased access to legal justice, I am committed to using this platform to raise awareness about important social issues and inspire other petite married women to pursue their dre...

Amadea Zupan was crowned Miss Slovenia 2024 (Miss World Slovenia) in a national competition held on Friday, January 10 in Lendava. The 26-year-old medical student at the University of Ljubljana beat 12 other contestants to win the title. She received the crown from her predecessor Alida Tomanič. Katja Zver was named first runner-up while Neja Prosenjak finished as second runner-up and also bagged the Miss Personality award. The new Miss Slovenia is expected to represent her country at the Miss World competition. "I don't think I have quite understood the whole event yet. Indescribable happiness and a wonderful end of the year, full of extraordinary experience and incredible people," Amadea said in an interview after winning her crown. Meet the new queen: View this post on Instagram A post shared by MISS SLOVENIA for MISS WORLD (@miss.slovenia) Photos: Miss Slovenia / Instagram