Ecuador's Leyla Espinoza to wear 'SUMAQ' national costume at the 69th Miss Universe pageant


Miss Universe Ecuador 2020 Leyla Espinoza will wear the "SUMAQ" national costume at the 69th Miss Universe pageant this May in Florida, USA.

The 24-year-old international business student who hails from Quevedo, Los Rios, will compete with over 70 other contestants from around the world in the upcoming competition.

Created by Cuenca designer Andrea Segarra from the University of Azuay, the costume is inspired by "the importance of the popular festival" of the Inti Raymi or the Andean people's Fiesta del Sol (Festival of the Sun).

Ecuador has yet to win Miss Universe since its debut in 1955. The country's highest placement was second runner-up in 2013 courtesy of Constanza Báez.

Photo: Bernardo Arteaga / BAPH

Popular posts from this blog

Malaysia's Rashmita Rasindran crowned Miss Charm 2024

Image
Rashmita Rasindran of Malaysia was crowned Miss Charm 2024 on Saturday, December 21 at the Nguyen Du Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The 24-year-old model and social activist from Kuala Lumpur bested over 30 other contestants to win the international title. She succeeds last year's winner Luma Russo of Brazil. Alana Deutsher-Moore of Australia and Nguyen Thi Quynh Nga of Vietnam were first and second runners, respectively. Vanesa Velasquez of Colombia, Melati Tedja of Indonesia, and Xiadani Saucedo of Mexico rounded out the Top 6 finalists. The Top 10 finalists were Delary Stoffers of Ecuador, Maria Ignat of Germany, Shivangi Desai of India, Georgia Garises of Namibia, and Onosetale Iribhogbe of Nigeria. Completing the Top 20 were from El Salvador, Alejandra Guajardo, New Zealand, Georgia Waddington, Philippines, Kayla Jean Carter, Puerto Rico, Carolina Mia Gomez, Russia, Polina Ivanova, South Africa, Silindokuhle Dlamini, Thailand, Pornsirikul Puata, USA, Angeliz Reyes, and ...
Read more

Plus-sized Sara Milliken crowned Miss Alabama for National American Miss 2024

Image
Plus-sized beauty Sara Milliken was crowned the National American Miss Alabama 2024 during the state final held on May 27 at the Renaissance Marriot in Montgomery. The 23-year-old model and mental health advocate from Atmore, Alabama is now expected to represent her home state at the National American Miss 2024 competition later this year. "This is a dream that has been 8 years in the making for me," said the new National American Miss Alabama who first joined the state pageant when she was 15 years old. After enduring bullying upon her return at the age of 16, she decided to take a break from joining for 7 years. However, this year, she mustered up the courage to give the crown another shot. "I returned to the NAM stage to prove to myself I didn't give up. I could do this. I was more than the mean things that was said to me," Sara wrote online. "I was authentically myself. I had fun. I had the most genuine smile on my face. I wasn't perfect." In r...
Read more

Mister International titleholders from 2006-2024

Image
The Mister International pageant, a celebrated event in the world of male beauty, was established in 2006 in Singapore by Alan Sim, its original president and founder. After the unfortunate passing of Sim, the pageant relocated its headquarters to Bangkok, Thailand, where it is now guided by the current president, Pradit Pradinunt. In a significant change starting in 2023, the Mister International organization opened its doors to fathers, married men, and divorced men aged 18-33, allowing a broader range of contestants to participate. The annual Mister International competition is recognized as one of the premier male beauty pageants in the world. Meet the titleholders from 2006-2024: 2006: Lebanon - Wissam Hanna 2007: Brazil - Alan Bianco Martini 2008: Vietnam - Ngo Tien Doan 2009: Bolivia - Bruno Kettels 2010: Great Britain - Ryan Terry 2011: Brazil - César Curti 2012: Lebanon - Ali Hammoud (resigned) 2013: Venezuela - José Anmer Paredes 2014: Philippines - Neil Perez 2015: ...
Read more

Nigeria's Samuel Nwajagu wins Mister International 2024

Image
Samuel Nwajagu of Nigeria was proclaimed the grand winner of the Mister International 2024 pageant on Saturday, December 14 in Bangkok, Thailand. Aside from the international title, the 23-year-old model also bagged the Best in Swimsuit award. He succeeds last year's winner from Thailand, Kim Goodburn. Nguyen Man Lan of Vietnam and Glenn Victor Sutanto were announced as the first and second runners-up, respectively. Anthony Henricus of the Netherlands, Justine Carl Ong of the Philippines (fan vote winner), and Rafael Dominguez of Spain rounded out the Top 6 finalists. The contestants from China, Liu Xu Adrien Lorin, Ecuador, Abel Diaz, Italy, Leonardo Castaldo, Korea, Joon-Sung Heo, and Mexico, Brian Arturo Faugier made the Top 10. Completing the Top 15 semifinalists were Colombia, Sebastian Melo Nieves, Cuba, Christian Jesus Anoceto, France, Lavigne Swann, Thailand, Chutipong Buddharak, and Venezuela, Emmanuel Serrano. The Philippines, USA, and the Netherlands received the Best in...
Read more

Miss France 2025 is Angélique Angarni-Filopon of Martinique

Image
Angélique Angarni-Filopon from Martinique beat 29 other contestants to win Miss France 2025 on Saturday, December 14 at the Futuroscope Arena in Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The 34-year-old flight attendant became the oldest winner of the prestigious national pageant. She also made history as the first woman from Martinique to become Miss France. Sabah Aïb of Nord-Pas-de-Calais was named first runner-up while Stella Vangioni of Corsica, Moïra André of Guadeloupe, and Lilou Emeline-Artuso of Côte d'Azur were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Contestants from Alsace, Isabella Hébert, Aquitaine, Laura Marque, Bourgogne, Clara Diry, Champagne-Ardenne, Louison Thevenin, Lorraine, Assia Roosz-Tomenti, Midi-Pyrénées, Olivia Sirena, Normandie, Lucile Lecellier, Picardie, Marina Przadka, Rhône-Alpes, Alexcia Couly, and Tahiti, Temanava Domingo made the Top 15. This year's competition marked the 95th edition of the annual Miss France pageant and was the first edition...
Read more

Mr World 2024: Meet the Top 12 finalists of the Top Model competition

Image
The Mr World 2024 Top Model competition was held during the Vietnam Beauty Fashion Fest on Saturday, November 9 at the spectacular Villa Blanche in Vung Tau, Vietnam. Over 50 contestants vying for this year's title walked the runway wearing creations by talented local designers and outfits they prepared specially for the challenge. The fast-track event culminated with the announcement of the Top 12 finalists: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mr World (@mrworld.official) Italy - Bruno Barbieri Northern Ireland - James Moody Spain - Antonio Company China - Wei Zihong India - Gokul Ganesan Philippines - Kirk Bondad Türkiye - Ege Karabenli Vietnam - Pham Tuan Ngoc Kenya - Teddy Rossiter Colombia - Juan Esteban Rodriguez Mexico - Alan Salazar Venezuela - Juan Alberto Garcia The winner of the Top Model competition, to be announced during the final in Phan Thiet this November 23, will automatically advance to the Top 20. Photos: Mr World / Instagram
Read more

Miss Alabama USA 2024 is Diane Westhoven

Image
Miss Southern Plains, Diane Westhoven was crowned Miss Alabama USA 2024 during the state final on Saturday, June 1 at Auburn University's Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center. The 21-year-old student from Birmingham will now prepare to represent Alabama at Miss USA 2024 this summer in Hollywood, California. She succeeds Sophie Burzynski, last year's winner and Miss USA 2023 Top 20 semifinalist. Diane is currently studying psychology at Auburn University with the goal of empowering others to feel confident in their physical and emotional well-being. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RPM Productions, Inc (@rpmproductions) FINAL RESULTS Miss Alabama USA 2024 - Diane Westhoven (Southern Plains) 1st runner-up - Ashlyn Powers (Fairhope) 2nd runner-up - Allyssa Weyant (Lake Jordan) 3rd runner-up - Olivia Burchfield (Magic City) 4th runner-up - Halle Sullivan (Northport) TOP 10 Maleigha Lewis (Enterprise) Melody Mills (Bailey Cove) Margaret Anne Mc...
Read more

LIVE UPDATES: Miss Universe 2024 Final Competition Results

Image
Tonight, the much-awaited culmination of the Miss Universe 2024 pageant will broadcast live from the Arena CDMX in Mexico City. For the past two weeks, equally beautiful and empowered beauties from 125 countries and territories have been busy filming, touring, and preparing for the upcoming final show. Actor, TV host, and producer Mario Lopez and Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo will serve as hosts while Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and TV personality Zuri Hall will be backstage commentators. Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Robin Thicke, Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, Brazilian artist Richaelio, Nico Ruiz, Latin pop star Vikina, and The Mariachi will be the musical guest performers. The selection committee consists of Camila Guiribitey, Emilio Estefan, Eva Cavalli, Fariana, Gabriela Gonzalez, Gary Nader, Gianluca Vacchi, Jessica Carrillo, Lele Pons, Margaret Gardiner, Michael Cinco, Nova Stevens and Romero Britto. Tonight's final competition will feature the Top 30 semifin...
Read more

Miss Universe 2024: Meet the contestants

Image
Miss Universe 2024, the 73rd Miss Universe pageant will be held on November 16 at the the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico. The country known for its rich culture, ancient ruins, dazzling beaches, and incredible cuisine has been chosen to host the competition for the fifth time after 1978, 1989, 1993, and 2007. A total of 127 national queens have been crowned up to this point and are all set to compete in this year's highly anticipated beauty pageant. Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua will crown her successor at the end of the much-awaited event. Don't forget to download the Miss Universe official app and vote for your favorites. The most-voted contestant will automatically earn a spot in the Top 30. Who will be crowned the next Miss Universe? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe (@missuniverse) Meet the contestants: Albania - Franceska Rustem Angola - Nelma Ferreira Argentina - Magalí Benejam Armen...
Read more

Ukraine's Viktoria Apanasenko reveals national costume for 71st Miss Universe

Image
Miss Universe Ukraine 2022 Viktoria Apanasenko finally revealed her symbolic national costume for the 71st Miss Universe pageant. The "Warrior of Light" costume symbolizes her nation's fight against the darkness, like an archangel Michael with a sword protecting Ukraine. It was completed in four months of extreme conditions, to the sound of sirens, without electricity, and by candlelight. In addition to a weapon in her hand, the costume also features a monolithic jumpsuit that covers Viktoria's body like armor, a vyshyvanka-styled white dress with puffy sleeves and skirt with over 10 meters of fabric, a beautiful headpiece, and wings inspired by the colors of the Ukrainian flag. "It is the personification of inner strength, courage, determination and will flowing in our veins. War cannot break our strength and will not discolor our hearts. Ukraine will bloom like a phoenix even in a fire. It shines with bright rays of kindness and faith," Viktoria shared on ...
Read more