Miss Universe 2024 standouts in the preliminary competition
Hosted by reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios and Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel, the important event kicked off with the contestants parading in their colorful and stunning national costumes.
After the national costume segment, each contestant walked on stage in their swimsuits and capes, and then by group during the evening gown.
An esteemed panel of selection committee carefully assessed each of their performances. Scores from last night's event including their closed-door interviews, will help determine the semifinalists.
Standouts were from Aruba, Botswana, Brazil, Cambodia, Cuba, Curacao, DR Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Iceland, Italy, Martinique, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Thailand, US Virgin Islands, USA, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
Albania, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Belarus, Bolivia, China, Colombia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Guinea, India, Jamaica, Korea, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, New Zealand, Norway, Persia, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Samoa, Slovakia, Somalia, Spain, and Turks and Caicos Islands also performed well.
Several awards were also announced following the preliminaries. Jenelle Thongs of Trinidad and Tobago was awarded Miss Congeniality while Stephanie Cam of Honduras received the Best Skin award.
For the first time, special awards were also handed out to the national directors. Best National Director went to Canada, while Vietnam and the Philippines received the Best National Pageant and Best National Host Tour Country, respectively.
The Top 10 winners of the Voice for Change competition were also revealed. Gold winners were from Bolivia, Cambodia, and Guatemala while Aruba, Bahrain, Cayman Islands, Eritrea, Finland, Guinea, and Thailand were named the silver finalists.
Who will be the next Miss Universe? Stay tuned for the upcoming final and coronation show this Saturday, November 16 also live from the Arena CDMX in Mexico City.
Photo: Miss Universe