PAGEANT Circle

Karen Jansen, representing the Dutch province of Limburg, was crowned Miss Belgium 2025 on Saturday, February 15 in De Panne. The 23-year-old psychology student and freelance model from Lommel bested more than 30 other contestants to win the national competition. She succeeds last year's winner, Kenza Ameloot. Jane Baesen and Astrid Lafaut were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Axana Carmoy and Kiana Verstraete were the other runners-up. The new Miss Belgium is now expected to represent "The Land of Waffles and Fries" at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by MISS BELGIUM ORGANISATION (@missbelgium_official) Photos: Miss Belgium Organization

Maria Gabriela Lacerda, representing the state of Piauí, was crowned Miss Universe Brazil 2025 on Thursday, February 13 in Alphaville, São Paulo. The 22-year-old journalist bested 23 other contestants to win the beauty title. She received her crown from Brazil's first Miss Universe winner, Miss Universe 1963 Ieda Maria Vargas. Aline Fritsch of Rio Grande do Sul and Ana Carolina Ceolin Comério of Espírito Santo were the first and second runners-up, respectively. "This crown is ours, my Piauí. Let's go together to the Universe," the new Miss Universe Brazil shared online following her victory. Maria Gabriela previously placed first runner-up when she joined the national pageant in 2021. She will now prepare to represent Brazil at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maria Gabriela (@mariagabriela_lacerda) Photos: Maria Gabriela Lacerda / Instagram

Former Reina Hispanoamericana titleholder Teresita Marquez is set to represent the city of Muntinlupa at the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 pageant. Popularly known as Winwyn Marquez, the Filipino actress and mother won her country's first-ever Reina Hispanoamericana winner in 2017 in Bolivia. Born in Parañaque City to actor-politician parents Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno, Winwyn first joined Binibining Pilipinas in 2015 and then Miss World Philippines in 2017 where she claimed the first Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas title. She is also a niece of former Miss International Melanie Marquez and a cousin of former Miss Universe Philippines and Miss Universe 2023 Top 10 finalist Michelle Dee. In a heartfelt social media post, Michelle wrote, "As someone who has given me so much strength in my journey, I definitely can’t wait for everyone to witness yours." "I know you'll take every step with pure intentions and nothing but love for your purpose and our home," ...

Former Miss Philippines Earth Yllana Marie Aduana will represent the municipality of Siniloan, Laguna, at the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines 2025 pageant. The 26-year-old medical technology graduate and environmental education advocate was previously crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2023 in Toledo, Cebu. After winning the title, Yllana represented the Philippines at Miss Earth 2023 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, made the Top 4 among 85 contestants, and reigned as Miss Earth Air. "I am ultimately grateful for the Miss Universe Philippines and the [Miss Universe Philippines Laguna] Organization for trusting me and allowing me to represent my beloved hometown Siniloan, Laguna," she recently wrote online. "Truly honored and grateful when I heard that it's also the first time a municipality is represented by a delegate in the MUPH stage," she added. The winner of this year's Miss Universe Philippines competition will represent the Philippines at the 74th Miss Un...

Thailand has been officially announced as the host country for the Miss Universe 2025 competition. The Miss Universe Organization unveiled the ultimate destination for the 74th Miss Universe pageant at a press conference in New York City. Before the exciting announcement, several countries were mentioned as possible hosts including Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Spain, South Africa, Nigeria, and the Philippines. Thailand will host the prestigious pageant for the fourth time. The last time was in 2018 when the iconic Catriona Gray of the Philippines emerged as the winner. Located in Southeast Asia on the Indochinese Peninsula, Thailand, which was formerly known as Siam until 1939, is officially called the Kingdom of Thailand. Often referred to as "The Land of Smiles," Thailand earns this nickname due to the warm and welcoming attitude of its people, the significance of smiles in their culture, and the various cultural traditions and festivals that foster a strong sense of...

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

Miss Venezuela 2024, the 71st Miss Venezuela pageant, was held on Thursday, December 5 at Espacio Caracas. Stephany Abasali, a 24-year-old economics student representing Anzoátegui, bested 22 other contestants to be crowned Miss Universe Venezuela 2024. Karín Aridi of Amazonas was named first runner-up while Vanessa Pérez of Distrito Capital, Sarilé González of Miranda, and Vanessa Peroza of Nueva Esparta were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Completing the Top 10 finalists were the representatives of Falcón, Fabianna Buysse, Sucre, Marian Villegas, Táchira, Laleska Mora, Yaracuy, Oriana López, and Zulia, María Peinado Ileana Márquez, last year's winner who made the Top 5 at the recently held Miss Universe 2024 competition in Mexico, crowned her successor at the end of the event. The new Miss Universe Venezuela is expected to represent her country at the 74th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2025) whose date and venue have yet to be announced. View this p...

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 Univ...

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has officially released a response to a recent controversial documentary that aired on Hulu. According to MUO, IMPACT x Nightline's documentary "Cracks in the Crown: Miss Universe in Crisis" is "disseminating false claims with the intention of smearing" the organization. "It falsely targets not only our organization but also our executives and members, who are individuals of recognized honorability, living the values of our organization daily." Here's MUO's entire statement: "The Miss Universe Organization, a celebrated institution showcasing the empowerment of women globally for over 73 years, stands resolute in addressing recent unfounded allegations presented in a newly released documentary. The content alleged contains misleading information intended to undermine the integrity and values for which our organization is known and esteemed. Throughout decades, the Miss Universe Organization has exemplif...

Denmark's Victoria Kjær Theilvig bested 124 other contestants to win Miss Universe 2024 on Saturday, November 16 at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City. The 21-year-old beauty made history as the first-ever Danish woman to win the highly coveted international title. She succeeds last year's winner Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua. Chidimma Adetshina from Nigeria was named first runner-up while María Fernanda Beltrán from Mexico, Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand, and Ileana Márquez from Venezuela were announced as the second, third and fourth runners-up, respectively. Contestants from Argentina, Magalí Benejam, Bolivia, Juliana Barrientos, Canada, Ashley Callingbull, Chile, Emilia Dides, Peru, Tatiana Calmell, Puerto Rico, Jennifer Colón, and Russia, Valentina Alekseeva made the Top 12 finalists. The rest of the Top 30 were from Aruba, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, India, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Philippines, Serbia, Vietnam, and ...

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...