71st Miss Universe preliminary and costume competition standouts
The 71st Miss Universe preliminary and national costume competition took place on Wednesday, January 11 at the New Orleans Ernest E. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Hosted by WDSU News Channel 6 anchor Randi Rousseau and Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu, the event featured 84 of the world's most ambitious and beautifully confident women competing for coveted spots in the semifinals.
The contestants paraded in their Portia and Scarlett dresses, swimsuits and evening gowns to impress an all-women selection committee consisting of sports broadcaster, TV host, and activist Emily Austin; author, model, TV host, producer, and Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam; Emmy-award winning journalist, TV and radio host, and author Myrka Dellanos; model, mom, women's advocate, and co-founder of Vyral Media PR Mara Martin; Senior Vice-President and Board Member of ImpactWayv Kathleen Ventrella; and actress, model, and Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan.
During the preliminary swimsuit competition, the contestants were wearing their personalized capes (either designed by them or with the help of artists from their countries), official swimsuits by Jacqueline Aguilera, and shoes by Jojo Bragais. Head over to the Miss Universe app to vote for your favorite cape.
Standouts in their swimsuits were Angola, Aruba, Australia, Bahrain, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Great Britain, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Japan, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Ukraine, USA, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
Following the swimsuit round, the contestants strutted the runway with poise and elegance wearing their chosen evening gowns. Standouts were Angola, Aruba, Australia, Bahrain, Colombia, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Great Britain, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, USA, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
The last part of the glittering event was the national costume competition, where the contestants paraded their colorful and breathtaking national costumes that showcased the history, culture, and tradition of their respective countries and territories. TV writer and producer Nick Teplitz joined the reigning Miss Universe in hosting this round.
Standout costumes were from Argentina, Cameroon, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Indonesia, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, The Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, Ukraine, USA, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
Based on their preliminary presentations in swimsuits and evening gowns, and closed-door interviews with the selection committee, only the Top 16 contestants will advance to the semifinals during the Miss Universe 2022 final telecast this Saturday, January 14.
Watch the preliminary and national costume competitions:
Photo: Benjamin Askinas / Miss Universe Organization
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