PAGEANT Circle

Helena Hafþórsdóttir O'Connor was crowned Ungfrú Ísland 2025 (Miss Universe Iceland) on Thursday, April 3 at Gamla Bíó in Reykjavik. The 20-year-old beauty from Viðey bested 19 other contestants to win the national title. Guðrún Eva Hauksdóttir, Kamilla Guðrún Lowen, Kristín Anna Jónasdóttir, and Dimmey Rós were the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. "I’m beyond honored and grateful to be crowned Miss Universe Iceland, Ungfrú Ísland," Helena shared online. "This journey has been filled with challenges, growth, and unforgettable moments—and I want to say from the bottom of my heart: thank you," she added. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Iceland was named last year's Miss Supranational Iceland. She went to Poland for Miss Supranational 2024 and made the Top 25. Helena succeeds last year's winner Sóldís Vala Ívarsdóttir and will now prepare to represent Iceland at Miss Universe 2025 to be held in Thailand this Novemb...

Miss Universe Philippines 2025, the 6th edition of the annual Miss Universe Philippines pageant will be held this May at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Sixty-nine contestants representing various municipalities, cities, and provinces of the Philippines will compete for a chance to represent the country at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. The contestants were officially revealed in an official press presentation held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City last month. This year's competition will be the first edition under the directorship of former titleholder and Miss Universe 2013 third runner-up Ariella Arida. The fierce batch of contestants includes former Reina Hispanoamericana winner Teresita Ssen Marquez and Miss International Philippines Maria Ahtisa Manalo. Also vying for the crown are former Miss Philippines Earth Yllana Marie Aduana, Miss Supranational Philippines Chanel Olive Thomas, and Miss Globe Philippines Chelsea Fernandez. Who will succeed last ...

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...

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...

Chiara Wijntuin was crowned Miss Suriname 2025 in a national competition held on Saturday, November 2 at the Assuria Event Center in Paramaribo. The 21-year-old student bested 14 other contestants to win the title and she is now expected to represent Suriname at Miss Universe 2025. Kyran Rampersad and Kimberly Kersting were announced as the first and second runners-up, respectively. Suriname has officially returned to the Miss Universe pageant this year with Pooja Chotkan who was appointed Miss Universe Suriname 2024 in August. Pooja will compete with over 100 women at the Miss Universe 2024 final this November 16 in Mexico City. Meet the new Miss Suriname: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Suriname (@miss_suriname) Photos: Suriname Pageantry, Miss Suriname / Instagram

Xue Hou was crowned Miss Universe China 2024 during the national competition on Sunday, July 28 in Sanya Bay, Sanya City, Hainan Province. The 22-year-old model from Beijing will represent China at Miss Universe 2025 (74th Miss Universe) whose date and venue have yet to be announced. "We are sure Xuhe will carry the Chinese flag with pride and she will bloom towards the universe to show her true self," the organizers posted on social media. China will be represented at this year's Miss Universe pageant in Mexico this November with her predecessor, last year's winner Jia Qi from Chengdu. Meet the new Miss Universe China: 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