PAGEANT Circle

Miss Kanagawa, Shiori Kojima, was named Miss Japan 2022 in a national final held on Friday, September 16 at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. The 27-year-old advertising agency employee triumphed over 41 other finalists to win her title. Rounding out the Top 5 finalists were Nanaha Takaoka of Ehime, Risa Kitano of Tokyo, Kanako Tamura of Kumamoto, and Akari Motojima of Nagano. For the first time, Miss Japan Premium 2022 Mari Uehara (for age 30 plus) was also crowned at the same event. She beat 15 other finalists in her division. Miss Japan first ran from 1952 until 1995 and was re-established in 2019 in addition to Mister Japan by HDR Corporation, the same organization which has in the past staged Miss Universe and Miss Earth Japan. From left to right: Miss Japan Premium Mari Uehara, Miss Japan Shiori Kojima, and Mister Japan Kaito Iwami Although the winner of Miss Japan does not compete in any international pageants, she will engage in official events and charity events during her reign. The new...

Fashion designer and model R'Bonney Gabriel was crowned Miss Texas USA 2022 at Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel on Saturday, July 2. The 28-year-old Friendswood representative became the first-ever Filipina woman to win the state title. She also joined last year and finished as first runner-up to Victoria Hinojosa. Sydni Leonard, Allie Drake, Lluvia Alzate, and Gisela Contreras were the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. "My heart is filled with joy," the new Miss Texas USA wrote in a statement on social media. "It's an honor to become Miss Texas USA 2022. I want to thank everyone involved in this special time! I have so much gratitude for your support," she added. R'Bonney will represent Texas in Miss USA 2022 while another winner Miss Texas Teen USA 2022 Chanel Williams will go to Miss Teen USA 2022. The final date and venue for the national competitions are yet to be announced. View this post on Instagram A pos...

Chinese-Canadian Amelia Tu triumphed over 50 other contestants to be crowned Miss Universe Canada 2022 in a national competition held on Thursday, May 14 at the Meridian Arts Centre in Toronto. The 20-year-old biology and business student at Universe of California, Berkeley hails from Vancouver, BC. She succeeds Tamara Jemuovic and will represent Canada at the Miss Universe 2022 pageant later this year. Madison Kvaltin was named first runner-up while Yuliya Shcherban finished second runner-up. Sophie Church and Oceanne Gemme-Rose were the third and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Canada has a vast variety of interests but her all-time favorite hobby is exploring different genres of dance. She has been dancing since the age of 3 and winning the gold medal at IMTA’s dance competition is one of her proudest personal accomplishments. Canada has won the Miss Universe crown twice with Karen Baldwin in 1982 and Natalie Glebova in 2005. The country's last placement w...

The Top 15 official finalists of Miss Universe Malaysia 2022 were officially announced in a closed-door event held last March 29 at the MyEG auditorium in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. After last year's national competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MUMO national director Datin Elaine Daly said they are back bigger, better and stronger this year. Miss Universe Malaysia 2022 pageant week and final are expected to be held this June. The winner will succeed Francisca Luhong James and represent Malaysia at Miss Universe 2022 later this year. Meet the Top 15 finalists: Wong Siu (Siu Jane) 25, Selangor, 171 CM, Banker Siu Jane graduated from The London School of Economics and Political Science in Accounting and Finance and currently works in the banking industry. An inquisitive, goal-driven, and hardworking person, she supported herself in her studies through part-time jobs and an education scholarship. Academic excellence comes naturally to Siu Jane, as evidenced by her re...

Miss Southern Magnolia, Hailey White, bested 43 other contestants to be crowned Miss Mississippi USA 2022 in a glittering state competition held on Saturday, April 2 at the Pearl River Resort in Choctaw, Mississippi. The 23-year-old beauty from Hattiesburg succeeds last year's winner, Bailey Anderson. She will represent the southern state at the Miss USA 2022 national pageant. Hanna Perrigin of Lowndes County was named the first runner-up while Michaela Lian from South Mississippi finished as the second runner-up. Lauderdale County's Sydney Russel and Heart of Oxford's Maggie Ulmer were the third and fourth runners-up, respectively. The newly crowned Miss Mississippi USA took to social media to share that winning her title was a dream and she is so proud to wear Mississippi across her chest and represent such an amazing state. "It is such a humbling experience to be chosen from the amazing group of women I spent the past several days getting to know. I hope to make eve...

Domitila Barros bested nine other finalists to win Miss Germany 2022 competition at Europa-Park Arena in Rust, Baden on Saturday, February 19. The 37-year-old Berlin resident holds a master's degree in politics and social sciences. She is an entrepreneur, green influencer, activist, and actress who hails from northern Brazil. Miss Germany no longer considers itself as a beauty pageant. It has redefined itself two years ago to anchor female empowerment in the mainstream, provide an inclusive platform where individuality and diversity are paramount, and establish a movement for a better tomorrow. This year's final competition, themed "The Female Celebration" was participated by a diverse set of contestants including its first-ever transgender finalist. TV personality Nicolas Puschmann hosted the spectacular event while pop singer-songwriter Leony performed on stage. Photos: Miss Germany

Former Miss World Philippines titleholder, Michelle Dee, has confirmed her participation in the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines 2022 pageant. In an Instagram post on Tuesday, November 15 she shared her photos by Dennis Sulit with the caption "It’s now or never. Hey Universe, my application video is now live on KUMU (@michellemdee) please check it out if you can." The 26-year-old model and actress is the daughter of a former supermodel and Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez. She was crowned Miss World Philippines 2019 and went on to compete at the 69th Miss World pageant in London, where she placed in the Top 12 among over 100 contestants. Michelle said in her application video that the road to the crown will not be easy but taking her chances to win takes courage. She also shared, "Tenacity, love for my country, and the willingness to do good with this platform are what I believe will become my greatest advantage on the Miss Universe Philippines stage." ...

Manita Duangkham Farmer was crowned Miss Thailand 2022 in a glittering competition held on Sunday, February 6 at Central World in Bangkok. The 25-year-old Thai-American beauty who was born and raised in Phuket bested 24 other finalists to win her national title. She succeeds Natthapat Pongpraphan. Anphat Pitiprajakwat of Nakhon Pathom was named first runner-up while Wanida Rose of Bangkok, Athicha Rennie of Kanchanaburi, and Sornson Wittayaruengsuk of Bangkok, were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Thailand is a communication arts graduate of Bangkok University International College, a sales manager, and a volunteer teacher. It is still unknown if she will be sent to an international pageant but as the reigning titleholder, she will represent modern Thai women with a voice in society, participate in many public philanthropic missions, promote education, especially to disadvantaged children, and become an ambassador for culture and tourism. This year...

Miss Alaska, Emma Broyles, was crowned Miss America 2022 during the 100th anniversary of the national pageant held on Thursday, December 16 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. The 20-year-old beauty from Anchorage is a student at Arizona State University. She bested 50 other contestants to succeed Camille Schrier of Virginia and become the first-ever Miss America winner from Alaska. Alabama's Lauren Bradford was named first runner-up while Massachussetts' Elizabeth Pierre finished second runner-up. Sydney Park of New York and Abigail Hayes of Oregon were the third and fourth runners-up, respectively. Completing the Top 10 are the contestants from the District of Columbia, Andolyn Medina, Florida, Leah Roddenberry, Illinois, Isabelle Hanson, Texas, Mallory Fuller, and Utah, Sasha Sloan. The new Miss America was selected by a distinguished panel of judges consisting of all former winners. She will receive a $100,000 worth of scholarship and a six-figure salary. During her ...