PAGEANT Circle

Valeria Vasilieva was crowned Miss Universe Estonia 2024 in a glittering national competition held on Tuesday, October 1 in Tallinn. The 22-year-old entrepreneur, actress, and designer bested 10 other finalists to win the title. She will represent Estonia at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Romina Krizanovskaya was named first runner-up while Sophia Gordejev, Viktoria Igben Fondeh, and Merili Carola Kriisa were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Izabel Stoliar bagged the People's Choice award. Estonia last joined Miss Universe in 2013 with Kristina Karjalainen. The country made the Top 10 twice with Kristiina Heinmets in 1997 and Evelyn Mikomägi in 2000. "Words cannot fully express my gratitude for the incredible support I've received on this journey. I am overjoyed that my dream has come true, and I feel so blessed to experience this moment of triumph," said the new Miss Universe Estonia. "After 11 years, Estonia will shine on the

After a 23-year hiatus, Hong Kong is set to return to the Miss Universe stage this year with Miss Universe Hong Kong 2024 Joanne Rhodes. The 24-year-old art advisor and model edged out 15 other finalists to win the competition on September 26 at the Go Park Sai Sha. Aside from the crown, she also bagged the Fan Favorite and Miss Photogenic awards. Yan Kiu and Juliette Louie were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Hong Kong's last participation at Miss Universe was in 2000 with Hong Kongese actress and model Sonija Kwok. Its highest placement was second runner-up in 1954 with Virginia June Lee. The new Miss Universe Hong Kong will now prepare to compete in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝐉𝐨𝐣𝐨 𝐑. 姚祖恩 (@joannejosephinerhodes) Photos: Joanne Josephine Rhodes / Instagram

Ofir Natalie Korsia was crowned Miss Universe Israel 2024 in a national competition held on Sunday, September 29 at the Hilton Aventura Miami in Florida. The 23-year-old actress, dancer, and model from Rishon LeZion will now prepare to represent Israel at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. This year's event marked the return of Israel to the Miss Universe pageant after a 2-year hiatus. A total of eight contestants competed for the crown. It was organized under the new national director Edgar Saakyan of Edgar Entertainment (USA), in partnership with Blue Ocean Venture Funds. Israel's last participation at Miss Universe was in 2021 with Noa Cochva. The country once won the coveted crown with Rina Mor, Miss Universe 1976. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by GIGI FLOWERS | FLORAL DESIGN | MIAMI (@gigi.flowers.mia) Photos: Gigi Flowers Miami / Instagram

Victoria Velasquez Vincent was crowned Miss Universe New Zealand 2024 in a national final on Sunday, September 29 at the Dorothy Winstone Centre in Auckland. The 29-year-old Filipina-Kiwi beauty will represent New Zealand at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico City this November. Gazelle Garcia and Inge Carolus were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe New Zealand previously competed in Miss Universe Philippines twice. She placed in the Top 5 in 2021 and Top 10 in 2024. New Zealand's last participation at Miss Universe was in 2019 with Diamond Langi. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by V V V (@victoriavelasquezvincent) Photos: Johans Lucena / Miss Universe New Zealand, Steven Pascua

Laura Bircher was crowned Miss Universe Switzerland 2024 in a glittering national competition held on Saturday, September 28 at the Kursaal Arena in Bern. The 23-year-old mental health advocate from Stans succeeds last year's winner Lorena Santen and will now prepare to represent Switzerland at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Barbara Suter and Nadiya Karplyuk were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Last night's event was hosted by Mister Colombia International 2012 Rey Rodríguez with Swiss media personality Virgil Jamie. Former Miss Universe Nepal and Miss Universe 2023 Top 20 semifinalist Jane Dipika Garrett graced the event as one of the judges. The 73rd Miss Universe pageant will be held at the Mexico City Arena (Arena CDMX) in Mexico City, Mexico on November 16. Meet the new Miss Universe Switzerland: View this post on Instagram A post shared by od_photography (@od_fashionphotography) Photos: Oliver Dütschler / Miss Univers

Nora Kenez edged out 11 other contestants to win Miss Universe Hungary 2024 in a national competition held on Saturday, September 28 at the Budapest Operetta Theater. The 28-year-old pharmacist and freelance model from Szombathely will represent Hungary at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. Szimonetta Fekszi was named first runner-up while Molnár Mira and Kis Laura Dóra were the second and third runners-up, respectively. Petróczy Panna bagged the Audience award. The new Miss Universe Hungary succeeds last year's winner Tünde Blága. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nora Kenez (@dr_norakenez) Photos: Esztergályos-Stankovics Beáta, Tóth Szabolcs

Belarus is set to debut at the Miss Universe pageant this year with newly crowned Miss Universe Belarus 2024 Karyna Kisialiova. The 27-year-old pageant veteran bested six other finalists to win the national competition on Saturday, September 28 in Minsk. No stranger to pageantry, Karyna has previously participated in various international pageants including Miss Intercontinental, Miss Grand International, Miss Earth, and Miss Eco International. She made history as the first-ever Miss Universe Belarus and will now prepare to represent her country at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. "This incredible journey has been filled with emotions, challenges, and inspiration, and I am grateful to each and every one of you for your support and belief in me," she wrote online. "I promise my country and the world that I will proudly represent our beautiful Belarus on the international stage. I pledge to use this opportunity to promote important social issues and to inspire y

After 57 years, Cuba is set to return to the Miss Universe pageant with the newly crowned Miss Universe Cuba 2024 Marianela Ancheta. The 31-year-old entrepreneur representing the Central Region beat 23 other contestants to win the national competition held on Thursday, September 26 in Miami, Florida. She also bagged the Miss Photogenic award. Alina Robert and Maylin Hernández were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. "Today has been a day full of emotion and gratitude, going through media and sharing this achievement with all of you. I don't have enough words to thank you for all the support and love you have given me since the beginning," said the new Miss Universe Cuba. "This triumph is not only mine, it is of every Cuban who dreams, fights, and never gives up and of all the people who follow me. Let's go all out to Miss Universe," she added. Marianela will now prepare to represent Cuba at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this Nove

Glelany Cavalcante was crowned Miss Universe Italy 2024 during the national competition held on September 18 at Villa Cafiero in San Fernando di Puglia. The 30-year-old model and entrepreneur originally from Brazil bested 20 other contestants to win the title. She became the first Brazilian and married woman to become Miss Universe Italy. Giada Folcia and Marika Nardozi were named the first and second runners-up while Rachele Perelli and Catalina Jacob rounded out the Top 5 finalists. Completing the Top 10 were Carlotta Maggiorana, Federica Ligato, Angela Etiope, Veronica Siniscalchi, and Carolina Trombatore. The new Miss Universe Italy succeeds last year's winner Carmen Panepinto and will now prepare to represent Italy at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Glelany Cavalcante (@glelany) Photos: Miss Universe Italy, Glelany Cavalcante / Instagram

Melloney Dassanayake was crowned Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2024 during the national competition held on Friday, September 27 at Citrus Waskaduwa. The 25-year-old banker and professional model from Colombo beat 17 other contestants to win the title and will now represent Sri Lanka at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Sonali Silva was named first runner-up, while Prathibha Liyanaarachchi, Reshalee de Silva, and Chamanthi Bandara were the second, third, and fourth runners-up. This year's Miss Universe Sri Lanka, under the new national director Nirmal Bandara, marked the return of Sri Lanka to the Miss Universe pageant after a 5-year hiatus. Sri Lanka's last participation was during Miss Universe 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand with Ornella Gunesekere who bagged the Miss Congeniality award. Meet the new Miss Universe Sri Lanka: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Sri Lanka Universe (@miss_universe_srilanka) Photos: Miss Universe Sri Lanka / Inst