Miss Earth 2021 is Destiny Wagner, first major crown for Belize
Destiny Wagner, representing Belize, bested over 80 contestants from across the world to be crowned Miss Earth 2021 during the virtual final aired on Sunday, November 21.
The 25-year-old entrepreneur from Punta Gorda, Toledo, made history for becoming the first-ever woman from her country to win the Miss Earth pageant and the first Belizean to win a major international beauty title.
"I am overwhelmed right now with emotions. The words and the gratitude, it’s very hard to express but I am thankful. I am thankful for the Miss Earth organization and thankful for my team as well," she said after being announced the new queen.
USA's Marisa Butler was crowned Miss Earth - Air 2021 while Chile's Romina Denecken van der Veen and Thailand's Baitong Jareerat Petsom completed the Top 4 and were respectively named Miss Earth - Water and Miss Earth - Fire 2021.
The rest of the Top 8 were the representatives from the Netherlands, Saartje Langstraat, Philippines, Naelah Alshorbaji, Russia, Anastasia Almyasheva, and Venezuela, María Daniela Velasco.
Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, and South Africa completed the Top 20 semi-finalists.
The newly crowned Miss Earth who was selected by a distinguished panel of international judges succeeds last year's winner from the USA, Lindsey Coffey. She will champion the protection and preservation of the environment across the Earth along with her elemental court winners.
The 21st edition of Miss Earth was hosted by TV host and automotive journalist James Deakin, and former Miss Earth Karen Ibasco.
It was the second time that the Miss Earth pre-pageant activities and coronation night was conducted virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Eighty-nine countries and territories participated in this year's pageant, surpassing the previous record of 88 contestants in 2007 and 2013.
FINAL RESULTS
Miss Earth 2021: Belize – Destiny Wagner
Miss Earth – Air 2021: USA – Marisa Butler
Miss Earth – Water 2021: Chile – Romina Denecken van der Veen
Miss Earth – Fire 2021: Thailand – Baitong Jareerat Petsom
Top 8
Netherlands – Saartje Langstraat
Philippines – Naelah Alshorbaji
Russia – Anastasia Almyasheva
Venezuela – María Daniela Velasco
Top 20
Belarus – Maria Perviy
Belgium – Selena Ali
Botswana – Mosa Dolly Balesamang
Colombia – Pola Ruiz
Czech Republic – Adéla Štroffeková
Denmark – Cecilie Fro Dissing
Ghana – Nylla Oforiwaa Amparbeng
Indonesia – Monica Khonado
Malaysia – Nisha Thayananthan
New Zealand – Eva Wilson
Nigeria – Christine-Telfer Edet Ugah
South Africa – Nompumelelo Maduna
Photos: Miss Earth