Miss Universe 2024: Philippines' Chelsea Manalo wins Best in National Costume


The Miss Universe Organization has officially announced Chelsea Manalo of the Philippines as the Best in National Costume winner at Miss Universe 2024.

Completing the Top 3 finalists for the special award were Emilia Dides from Chile (second place) and Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen from Vietnam (third place).

Chelsea's national costume "Hiraya" meaning "the fruit of one's hopes, dreams, and aspirations" was voted the ultimate winner among 125 costumes showcased on this year's Miss Universe stage.

Created by Filipino fashion designer Manny Halasan, the winning costume was a homage to the Philippines' diverse history and culture.

It depicted the complex yet rich relationship between the Philippines and Mexico. The stunning creation was also an artistic interpretation of the introduction of both Christianity and Islam to the Philippines.

Aside from winning the Best in National Costume, Chelsea also placed in the Top 30 during the recently concluded 73rd Miss Universe pageant won by Denmark's Victoria Kjær Theilvig in Mexico City.

It was a back-to-back victory for the Philippines as last year's representative Michelle Dee, who made the Top 10 at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador, also bagged the special award.

Photos: Chelsea Manalo, Miss Universe Philippines / Instagram

Popular posts from this blog

Miss America 2025: Meet the contestants

Image
The Miss America 2025 final competition will be held this Sunday, January 5 at The Walt Disney Theater of the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida. You can watch the Miss America as well as Miss America's Teen 2025 preliminary competition, talent competition, gala fashion show, and finals live streaming on PageantVision.com   site. Fifty-two (52) contestants from across the country are vying for the national title. One of them will be crowned by reigning Miss America Madison Marsh at the culmination of this year's pageant. Following several years of hiatus, Puerto Rico has returned to the pageant. In terms of eligibility rules, the pageant only allows unmarried women, and transgender entrants must have fully completed gender affirming surgery from male to female to participate. Back in 2023, Brían Nguyen from New Hampshire was crowned Miss Greater Derry and made history as the first-ever transgender woman to win a local competition for Miss America. Ticke...
Read more

Xinying Zhu from Anhui crowned Miss Universe China

Image
China officially crowned two national queens for Miss Universe in one year. Two separate national events were held this year. Xinying Zhu from Anhui province was recently crowned Miss Universe China following an intense one-week competition in Zhangjiajie. The 18-year-old vocational student majoring to become a flight attendant at Suzhou Aviation Vocational College is expected to represent China at Miss Universe 2026. She was crowned by her predecessor, Xue Hou, who won the national title in Sanya last July. Xue will head to the Miss Universe 2025 pageant. China made the Top 30 among 125 contestants at this year's Miss Universe competition in Mexico. The country was proudly represented by Jia Qi from Chengdu. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe China • 环球小姐中国粉絲 (@missuniversechinapageantorg) Photos: Miss Universe China / Instagram
Read more

Miss Universe Ukraine 2024 is Alina Ponomarenko

Image
Alina Ponomarenko has been officially revealed as Miss Universe Ukraine 2024 on Thursday, July 18 following rounds of selection process online. The 20-year-old model from Odessa will represent Ukraine at the 73rd Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2024) in Mexico later this year. She succeeds Angelina Usanova , last year's titleholder who won the Miss Eco International 2024 pageant in Cairo, Egypt last April. The new Miss Universe Ukraine is a graduate of international justice and law from the National University Odesa Law Academy. No stranger to pageantry, she won Miss Odessa 2023 and went on to participate in the Miss Supertalent competition in South Korea where she made the Top 10. Alina created the social initiative "Tree of Love" whose aim is to support grandparents in the city of Odessa who need help. Since the start of armed conflicts in her country, she helped provide medicine, food, and basic necessities to the neglected older generation. "To become Miss Universe ...
Read more

Miss America 2024: Here's where to watch final show livestream

Image
The Miss America 2024 final is taking place tonight at the Walt Disney Theater (Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts) in Orlando, Florida. Fifty-one beautiful and talented women from across the United States of America are vying for the coveted title currently held by Grace Stanke of Wisconsin. The highly-anticipated event will be streaming live from 7 p.m. ET (local time) on Miss America's official streaming channel . For the first time since 2019, it will be FREE to the general public to watch anywhere in the world. In case you miss it, the Miss America 2024 final show will be uploaded on Miss America's official YouTube channel the day after it airs LIVE. Photos: Miss America / Instagram RELATED POSTS: Miss America 2024: Meet the contestants Miss America 2024: Meet the Preliminary Fitness winners Miss America 2024: Meet the Preliminary Evening Gown winners Miss America 2024: Meet the Preliminary Talent winners
Read more

'Becoming Miss World is a blessing beyond my wildest dreams' - Krystyna Pyszková

Image
Miss World Krystyna Pyszková took to social media to express her heartfelt reflections just hours before the arrival of the new year 2025. The stunning beauty from the Czech Republic, who was crowned the 71st Miss World last March in India, described 2024 as "one of the biggest challenges" she has faced. "I experienced some of the most beautiful moments and achieved many of my dreams, but it was also a tough year with its share of lows," she shared. "We often share only the good times, but I want to acknowledge both sides. Through it all, I've come out stronger," she continued. Krystyna expressed her gratitude to her supporters, stating that winning Miss World was a blessing that exceeded her wildest expectations. "It's a testament to the idea that when life takes something from you, it often gives back even more in return. Patience has been my guiding word this year," she remarked. As she prepared to welcome the new year, Miss World 2024...
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

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

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

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

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