MMXXViss UNIVERSE

2025 Miss Universe Contestants Gallery


Continuing with the Roman numeral theme, the 2025 Miss Universe contestant gallery will be called MMXXViss UNIVERSE since MMXXV is 2025 in Roman numerals!

The big day for the finals of Miss Universe 2025 is November 20, 2025 to be held in the Impact Arena in Nonthaburi Province, Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Thailand. Ancillary events are scheduled to be held in Phuket and Pattaya in Thailand. The pageant will be held in the morning of November 21 in Thailand time but will air in North America during the evening of November 20, 2025. The date and venue was confirmed during a press conference held in New York held on February 7, 2025. Some originally speculated that the date would be moved up from November to October but this will be the third year in a row that the Miss Universe pageant will be held in November. The reigning Miss Universe, Denmark's Victoria Kjaer Theilvig will reign for a full year plus 4 (technically 5) days since she was crowned on November 16, 2024. This also marks the first time the Miss Universe pageant isn't airing on a weekend date in North America since 2012!
8 countries were supposedly in the running to host the 2025 Miss Universe pageant and they were: Argentina, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Morocco, India, South Africa, Spain, or Thailand. In February, the list of potential host countries for the 74th Miss Universe pageant was later narrowed down to: Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Nigeria, Spain, South Africa, Thailand and the Philippines.
Did you notice that the two co-owners of the Miss Universe pageant, Raul Rocha Cantu of Mexico and Khun Anne Jakrajutatip of Thailand had their countries host the Miss Universe pageant in consecutive years?? Mexico hosted in 2024 and now Thailand will host for 2025 which will be the 4th time in history that the golden kingdom hosts which breaks the 13-year-chain of Thailand serving as the Miss Universe host country as they first hosted in 1992, then 13 year later in 2005, then another 13 years later in 2018 but instead of 2031 (which could still be held in Thailand so I guess we'll find out that year) but 7 years later, Thailand is hosting the Miss Universe pageant for the fourth time. Khun Anne's time with MUO might be limited as the news of the 2025 Miss Universe pageant being held in Thailand comes on the heels of former MUO president, Paula Shugart suing current MUO co-owner, Khun Anne. Paula Shugart resigned from her position in November 2023 and claims Khun Anne Jakrajutatip made false statements about Shugart, including claims that Shugart was corrupt and received bribes to influence the outcome of the Miss Universe pageant. Shugart claims that Jakrajutatip's comments defamed her and discredits the women who have won the Miss Universe pageant and is seeking damages and reserving all rights to take legal action so we will see where this goes... Some state directors are also allegedly complaining about having to forward a significant amount of their national pageant profits over the owners of Miss Universe and many directors say they are not doing this for profit but for their love of pageantry so the business aspect might be ruining it all. Thailand might also have been chosen as a last-minute option due to other countries not wanting to pay exorbitant hosting fees which was often the reason that the USA hosted so many Miss Universe pageants back when it was American-owned.

Despite all this, a new Miss Universe will be crowned on November 20, 2025. Who will be the lucky woman chosen this year?!?!



OTHER NEWS

(posted 2025 October 27) News of the passing of Queen Sirikit of Thailand means that there will be a period of mourning which could disrupt this year's Miss Universe pageant and affect its venue but we shall see if exceptions are made given the enormity of the planning behind the 2025 Miss Universe pageant.
Also, recently passing away is June Lockhart who served as a color commentator for the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants from 1966 to 1971 after which Helen O'Connell performed June's role. June passed away at the age of 100 (June 25, 1925 – October 23, 2025) and will be receiving a tribute piece in my first round prethoughts along with the most recently deceased Miss Universe, Norma Nolan of Argentina who won in 1962 and also passed away in 2025.
The delegates are departing for Thailand throughout this week.
Tom's highly anticipated first round prethoughts for Miss Universe 2025 will be posted on November 6.
Thoughts of Miss Universe 2025



OLDER NEWS

(posted 2025 October 3)
All 51 delegates for Miss USA and Miss Teen USA have been selected and a schedule of events has been posted on social media.

In the lead up to these pageants, as always, I will post my First Round Prethoughts for Miss USA 2025 on October 9. (posted 2025 September 23)
Puerto Rico is officially named host country for Miss Universe 2026!
On September 23, the shining star of the Caribbean has officially been declared the host nation of the 2026 Miss Universe pageant (the 75th anniversary)! This will be the fourth time that Puerto Rico hosts the prestigious event succeeding 1972 (the first pageant to broadcast via satellite outside of mainland United States), 2001 (when the host delegate, Denise Quinones August claimed the crown during the 50th anniversary) and 2002. 24 years later, the Boricuas are very proud to host the Miss Universe pageant yet again and it will be held in the Jose Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in the capital city of San Juan. Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez announced that the Puerto Rican government will invest $9 million U.S. in the production, split between this fiscal year and the next and organizers anticipate the 2026 Miss Universe pageant will help to generate approximately 700 direct and 400 indirect temporary jobs in addition to ten related special events being held across the island and is expected to be broadcast in 166 countries! Que viva Puerto Rico!!!

Miss Universe winners/runners-up present at the grand announcement of Puerto Rico hosting the 75th Miss Universe pageant in November 2026!
From Left to Right: Denise Quinones-Miss Universe 2001, Zuleyka Rivera-Miss Universe 2006, Deborah Carthy-Deu-Miss Universe 1985, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig-Miss Universe 2024, Joyce Giraud-2nd runner up to Miss Universe 1998

In other Miss USA news, last-minute open-casting calls were held for the remaining 8 directorless states (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Hampshire and Vermont) which haven't crowned titleholders for both Miss and Teen and potential contestants. A new website has been created thenextmissusa.com and on September 17, the new CEO of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, Thom Brodeur posted on his instagram on September 17 that there are no residency requirements (so the delegates that represent these 8 states at Miss USA and Miss Teen USA 2025 may not necessarily actually live in these states) and the deadline for applicants to enter was September 21, 2025 and we will learn who is assigned to represent these states in the coming weeks.
I will be posting my highly anticipated First Round Prethoughts for Miss USA 2025 on October 9th.

(posted 2025 September 16)
We finally have dates for Miss USA and Miss Teen USA!

Just when it looked like these treasured pageants weren't happening, Thom Brodeur recently announced that he has taken the reins from Laylah Rose as the new franchise holder of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants and new staff has been recruited including: Miss USA 1989-Gretchen Polhemus Jensen as head of partnerships with Laura Clark and Elise Banks-Lovely as co-national directors with Thom. The news was made official by the Miss Universe Organization today. The 2025 Miss USA and Miss Teen USA delegates will be arriving in Reno, Tahoe, Nevada for activities during the week of October 18 to 24 with Miss Teen USA finals being held on October 23 and Miss USA finals being held the day after on October 24! Some state titleholders have yet to be chosen as many previous state directors stepped aside during Laylah Rose's tenure so we shall see if we can have all states represented this year so it will be a huge challenge but Thom and his team are certainly up for it!

(posted 2025 September 4)
Thom Brodeur is named new CEO and National Director of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA


Just when things were looking abysmal for the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants and some questioning if the annual pageants would even be held this year, news broke that Laylah Rose Loiczly has been dethroned as CEO and National Director and replaced by Thom Brodeur who is well-known amongst pageant fans especially in the United States as an entrepreneur and pageant director for other systems and a pageant enthusiast. He tried to obtain the USA franchise prior to Laylah Rose but her questionable and controlling methods which led to the resignation of the 2023 Miss USA-Utah's Noelia Voigt (replaced by runner-up Hawaii's Savannah Gankiewicz) and the 2023 Miss Teen USA-New Jersey's UmaSofia Srivastava clearly made an impact and many state directors/employees followed. Laylah has posted on social media that she denies being stripped of the franchise but perhaps she wasn't told yet? There's a lot more to come with this story!

(posted 2025 August 23)
Don't Cry For Her, Argentina

Miss Universe 1962-Norma Nolan of Argentina is crowned by her predecessor, Miss Universe 1961-Marlene Schmidt of Germany.
Norma Nolan becomes the 8th Miss Universe to enter mortality.

At the age of 87 years old, Miss Universe 1962-Norma Nolan of Argentina (and the country of Evita Peron's only winner) became the 8th Miss Universe to enter mortality sadly passing away on August 20, 2025 of natural causes in Aventura, Florida. Norma was of Irish-Italian descent and was one of those Miss Universe winners that evaded the spotlight following her reign but she did make a few appearances in Miss Universe pageants notably as a model for Lilt hair products in the 1964 pageant and of course, completing her reign in 1963 while her last appearance as a special guest at a Miss Universe pageant would be back in 1975. She married in the mid-1960s and had a daughter, Zita Norma Zanotti who had a daughter named Olivia making Norma a grandmother. Norma would lead a private life and opened a bookstore. Norma's death succeeds those of 7 other Miss Universes: Sweden's Hillevi Rombin Schine-Miss Universe 1955 (passed in 1996), Spain's Amparo Munoz Quesada-Miss Universe 1974 (passed in 2011), USA's Sylvia Hitchcock Carson (passed in 2015), Colombia's Luz Marina Zuluaga (passed in 2015), USA's Linda Bement (passed in 2018), USA's Chelsi Smith (passed in 2018) and Puerto Rico's Marisol Malaret Contreras (passed in 2023)


Rest in Peace, Norma Nolan-Miss Universe 1962 (April 22, 1938 - August 20, 2025).



(posted 2025 August 6)

Natalie Glebova-Miss Universe 2005 models the new crown awaiting the 2025 winner of Miss Universe Thailand

Miss Universe 2005-Natalie Glebova (looking like she could win all over again!) who represented Canada when she won the Miss Universe title when Thailand was the host country that year is back modelling the new fabulous crown that will rest of the head of the new Miss Universe Thailand. Natalie celebrates the 20 year anniversary of her momentous win and of course, the golden kingdom of Thailand is hosting this year's Miss Universe pageant this year as well. Thailand's representative for Miss Universe will be selected on August 23, 2025. The new franchise holder, Nawat Itsaragrisil (who founded the Miss Grand International pageant) announced that the 26th edition of Miss Universe Thailand will be held at MGI Hall Bravo BKK, Bangkok, Thailand. Will the favorite Veena (Praveenar) Singh finally claim the crown or will someone else get the coveted host-country title?? We'll soon find out!

Natalie Glebova-Miss Universe 2005 models the new crown awaiting the 2025 winner of Miss Universe Thailand standing next to current Thai franchise holder, Nawat Itsaragrisil

(posted 2025 August 2)
The Miss Teen All-American pageant was revived on August 2, 2025 after 15 years of going defunct not crowning a winner since 2010. The rights to this pageant (originally started by late pageant-industry veteran, Frank Sweeney back in 1977 and crowning its first winner for 1979) were obtained by Paula and Ryan Miles who directed several state pageants for Miss USA and Teen USA for 45 years. Miss Teen All American has crowned some pageant icons including: Halle Berry (1st runner up to Miss USA 1986, top 7 at Miss World 1986 and Oscar winner of Best Actress 2001/02), Lynnette Cole (Miss USA 2000), Shanna Moakler (Miss USA 1995), Bridgett Jordan (1st runner up to Miss Teen USA 1998 and Miss Oktoberfest 1999), Erin Nance (1st runner up to Miss USA 1993), Alita Dawson (4th runner up at Miss USA 2002) and Jenna Edwards (Miss Florida 2004 and Miss Oktoberfest 2000) among other notable pageant contestants. What was interesting about this pageant is that it featured as ambassadors, the original winners of Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA 2023, UmaSofia Srivastava (who both notably resigned from their titles as a rage against the regime of current owner of Miss USA, Laylah Rose who made the contestants sign non-disclosure agreements and not giving the titleholders a good reign resulting in several state directors jumping ship). Noelia and UmaSofia gave farewell speeches as if they were the reigning titleholders and crowned the new winners. Paula and Ryan Miles decided to add a Junior and Miss division to the All American trio of titleholders. The winner of Miss Teen All American 2025 is Greenville's Noelia Velazquez (coincidentally having the same first name as Noelia Voigt) but the rightful and deserving winner. The winner of Miss Junior All American 2025 is August McDowell of Foothills and the winner of Miss All American 2025 is East Tennessee's McKinley Farese (a win I predicted as I remember McKinley placing as 4th runner up at Miss Teen USA 2022 representing Tennessee). The star of the show was the winner of the People's Choice award and noticeably the shortest contestant in the pageant, Braleigh Mitchell of Robeson County who obviously competed in the Junior division. Judges included Miss Teen USA 1998-Vanessa Minnillo-Lachey, Miss USA 1998-Shawnae Jebbia and Miss USA 2020-Asya Branch.
There is still no word on when Miss USA and Miss Teen USA are being held but the Alabama and Louisiana state pageants are the last to be held on September 21st leading some to believe that Miss USA 2025 and Miss Teen USA 2025 might be held in October but there is no official confirmation yet and no word if Laylah Rose is still involved and if the pageant will be broadcast on television like last year so we are still anticipating when Miss USA/Teen USA are happening. In the meantime, here are some pictures of winning moments from the All-American pageant!


(posted 2025 May 20)
Ronald Day named CEO of Miss UniverseVeena Singh at CannesA new CEO of Miss Universe has been named. The Miss Universe Organization welcomed Ronald Day as the new CEO - Executive Director - for the Western Region of the Miss Universe Organization. Ronald recently stepped down in February from his position as President of Entertainment and Content Strategy for NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises and he was involved with the previous Telemundo broadcasts of Miss Universe for the Latin American market. Will he be able to use his position to get the Miss Universe back on a major American network like previous broadcasters: NBC, FOX or CBS? Or maybe ABC this time rather than the Roku Channel? It looks like Miss Universe 2025 is still going to be broadcast on Roku and Telemundo in the U.S. but perhaps a deal is in the works for 2026 and beyond. The announcement was made this Tuesday, May 20, from Cannes, France, by Raul Rocha Cantu, President of the Miss Universe Organization and here we see Raul presenting Ronald with an official plaque declaring Ronald the new CEO. Many pageant contestants and winners have recently appeared at the Cannes Film Festival and curiously, one of them is Veena (Praveenar) Singh who is competing for the 2025 Miss Universe Thailand title so is this a clear sign that she will represent Thailand as the host delegate at Miss Universe this year? If so, Veena's a huge favorite so she could pull off the win! But back to Ronald, Ronald Day has over three decades of experience in media and entertainment and a passion for promoting cultural diversity and empowering women. Will his inclusion among the staff of the Miss Universe Organization further elevate the brand? On the Miss USA front, new directors have been named for the states that lost their previous franchise holders so it looks like the 2025 Miss USA pageant will happen this year but we still don't have a date! We will probably learn that soon!

(posted 2025 April 23)
Opal Suchata Chuangsri represents Thailand at Miss World 2025 therefore losing her 3rd runner up placement at Miss Universe 2024Interesting changes are afoot. Nawat Itsaragrisil, who founded the Miss Grand International pageant and was recently named the director of Miss Universe Thailand was just named as an executive director in the Miss Universe organization. Does this mean Khun Anne and her company JKN will be selling her 50 percent stake in the Miss Universe organization to Nawat and will Raul Rocha Cantu also retain his 50 percent stake that he purchased from Khun Anne? Also, it was recently announced that the former franchise holders of Miss Universe Thailand (TPN Global) have appointed Opal Suchata Chuangsri (who recently finished as 3rd runner up at Miss Universe 2024 representing Thailand) to represent Thailand at the upcoming 2025 Miss World pageant being held for a consecutive year in India in the city of Hyderabad, Telangana on May 31, 2025. The Indian city of Mumbai hosted last year's Miss World pageant. This has resulted in the Miss Universe Organization issuing a formal statement stripping Opal Suchata Chuangsri of her 3rd runner-up placement due to her competing for the 2025 Miss World pageant which has shocked many pageant followers who have seen several contestants crossover after competing at Miss Universe and doing well at Miss World including Nigeria's Agbani Darego who won Miss World 2001 after placing 7th at Miss Universe 2001 only a few months earlier and many South African contestants have competed at different international pageants in the same year with the most recent instance being Lalela Mswane who placed 2nd runner up at Miss Universe 2021 going on to win Miss Supranational 2022 but strict new ownership in a new era has changed all this in recent years. Opal obviously won't be crowning her successor at Miss Universe Thailand 2025 but is considered a favorite for Miss World and is receiving much praise for pursuing her dream rather than letting the backlash affect her. The 2025 Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants also appear to have newer and stricter contracts for the potential contestants restricting things like their present and future aspirations in social media or even writing books about their experiences so potential contestants are being warned to be fully aware of what they are getting into prior to competing. While the 2024 titleholders, Alma Cooper and Addie Carver appear to be active on social media, rumor has it that Miss USA franchise holder, Laylah Rose has not been in contact with the reigning titleholders since the 2024 Miss Universe pageant in November and she was recently involved in a lawsuit with executive producer of the Miss USA/Teen USA pageants, Renato Basile for an unpaid $2.5 million for the pageants' production but there is still no word on the result or even when the 2025 Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants will be held and if they will still air on the CW like they are supposed to and if Laylah Rose is still even involved or not but state pageants are being held with a few states still not having directors so this year is looking messy but we will see if it all comes together in time. We have been here before (2015 comes to mind) so we shall see how all these interesting developments affect our beloved pageants in 2025!



(posted 2025 March 14)
Some interesting developments in Thailand. Nawat Itsaragrisil, who is a Thai media personality and businessperson, best known as the president and founder of the Miss Grand International pageant, has struck a deal with Khun Anne to be the national director for Miss Universe Thailand from 2025 to 2029 taking the franchise away from TPN Global. Veena (Praveenar) Singh who is a favorite for the Thai title and has been a runner-up multiple times before has confirmed her participation yet again in Miss Universe Thailand and Veena even divorced her husband, who opposed her participation, to pursue her dream. Will she take the title and be the first Miss Universe Thailand of Indian descent? In addition to this, the Miss Grand International team is going to responsible for the production of the 2025 Miss Universe pageant being held in Thailand. Is this a good thing or a bad thing that another pageant is getting heavily involved with this year's Miss Universe pageant? We'll soon find out!
In the meantime, there was a press conference held on March 13 confirming dates of special events leading up to the 2025 Miss Universe pageant. The event was held in the MGI Hall with the presence of the Miss Universo organization, Tio Nawat, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig (Miss Universe 2024), Rachel Gupta (Miss Grand International 2024) and Tia Teresa.
Nawat said that the Miss Grand International team has invested a lot of money in this project to prove to the world that Thailand is the top country for producing beauty contests. He also accused the newly formed Vietnamese international pageant, Miss Cosmo of copying Miss Universe. You may remember that former MUO president, Paula Shugart and Miss Universe 2021-Harnaaz Sandhu of India participated as judges in the 2024 Miss Cosmo pageant. Nawat expressed that while Miss Grand International is a fun pageant, Miss Universe will be a pageant that will maintain its class.
Nawat also informed that the event will be held in the Impact Challenger Hall (which is said to be the largest hall in the world) with a capacity of 15000 people and that the tickets will go on sale at the beginning of June.
The schedule of activities for Miss Universe 2025 were presented as follows:
November 2 and 3: Arrival of 130 participants in Bangkok.
November 4: Fashion Show of welcome and band handover ceremony.
November 5: City Tour and Gala Dinner.
November 6 to 7: Various activities.
November 8: Trip to Phuket.
November 9 to 12: Tour and Fashion Shows in Phuket.
November 12: Trip to Pattaya.
November 13 to 16: Tour in Pattaya and Swimsuit Event in the Water Fun Park.
November 16: Interview with the judges and return to Bangkok.
November 17 to 18: Rehearsals.
November 18: National Costume competition at 7 PM Thai time.
November 19: Preliminary competition in Swimsuits and Evening gowns at 7 PM Thai time.
November 20: Final rehearsal.
November 21: 8 AM (Thai time) Final Show
The participants will be in Thailand for three weeks with many activities which is reminiscent of how pageant activities were prior to 2015. When asked about financial concerns, Nawat boasted, "I have enough money, don't worry!"
Will this year's pageant live up to the hype? We shall see! Thailand has always put on a fantastic show in their previous years hosting Miss Universe (1992, 2005 and 2018) so will this year's pageant outdo them all???

(posted 2024 December 25)
Delegates are starting to be crowned for the 74th Miss Universe pageant to be held in 2025 but the date and venue are not yet confirmed and yes, all women who are at least 18 years of age are eligible to compete and there will continue to be no age limit and contestants who have been married or have children or are transgendered are eligible to compete.

Are you excited?!?!?! Is it your country's turn?!?!?!

Who will be crowned MMXXViss UNIVERSE (a.k.a. Miss Universe 2025?)
Let's meet the contestants crowned so far!!!

Albania-Flavia Harizaj

25-year-old fashion model and finance student Flavia hails from Fier. Albania has placed four times in Miss Universe history (2002, 2009, 2010 and 2019) so could flavorful Flavia bring Albania back in the game?


Angola-Maria Cunha

What a gorgeous headshot! 21-year-old Maria will represent Angola and she hails from the city of Lianda. Angola has placed four times and they won their only Miss Universe crown in 2011 thanks to Leila Luliana da Costa Vieira Lopes but this nation hasn't placed since so could Maria make a huge comeback?


Argentina-Aldana Masset

Aldana is a 25-year-old singer and model hailing from Entre Rios who previously attempted to win her nation's title in 2019. She was considered the most famous participant this year in Argentina's national pageant due to her year as a vocalist for the cumbia pop group Agapornis in 2022, when she replaced Melina Lezcano. Aldana currently lives in Brazil with her boyfriend, former Argentinos Juniors player Fausto Vera, now with Atletico Mineiro. The land of Evita Peron has claimed the Miss Universe crown once thanks to Norma Nolan back in 1962 and Argentina did place last year among the top 12 thanks to Magali Benejam who was dethroned after claims that the Miss Universe pageant was fixed and she also badmouthed fellow contestants. Will Aldana be able to bring Argentina back into the current organization's good graces and have her fellow Argentinians not cry for her???


Armenia-Peggy Garabekian

30-year-old Peggy is Iranian-Armenian as she was born in Iran to Armenian parents who relocated temporarily to India before settling in the United States. Using her Armenian heritage, Peggy hopes to be her country's first Miss Universe semifinalist and she is experienced having competed in numerous American pageants including Miss California USA in 2024.


Aruba-Hannah Abigail Angelle Arends

28-year-old Hannah originally from Savaneta but currently situated in Oranjestad previously competed in Reinado Internacional del Cafe 2019 but going unplaced. The one happy island has come close to the crown placing as 1st runner up in 1996 thanks to Taryn Mansell and 4th runner up in 1974 thanks to Maureen Vieira and they also placed among the top 10 in 2021 thanks to Thessaly Zimmermann and even last year, 2024 with Anouk Eman. Will Hannah be able to bring some glory to her tropical paradise of a country???


Australia-Lexie Brant

21-year-old Lexie hails from Brisbane, Queensland who is completing her degree in Occupational Therapy and works as a medical secretary for an orthopaedic surgeon. The land down under has enjoyed sporadic success over the last few years missing the semifinals last year but they have claimed the Miss Universe crown twice thanks to Kerry Anne Wells in 1972 and Jennifer Hawkins in 2004. Lexie even defeated a strong competitor, Sheridan Matlock who previously placed in the equivalent of 1st runner up at Miss Earth 2022 but surprisingly, Sheridan didn't fare as well at her nation's pageant to select the representative for Miss Universe which goes to show that different pageants and different judges can have different results. How will Lexie do?


Bahamas-Malique Maranda Bowe

The host country of the 2009 Miss Universe pageant sends us 25-year-old Malique this year who hails from Grand Bahama and works as an accountant. She attended Florida Memorial University and is passionate about singing and combatting mental health issues. The Bahamas have only placed once in Miss Universe history which was in the top 10 of 2021 thanks to Chantel O'Brian. Malique also competed for the 2023 Miss Supranational title going unplaced. How will Malique do at Miss Universe?


Bangladesh-Tangia Zaman Methila

Tangia is 33 years of age and is already a Bollywood film actress who had a leading role in the 2021 movie, Rohingya (People From Nowhere). She is also a model and television host who has competed in pageants before and was originally supposed to compete in Miss Supranational 2019 but she withdrew and then was also supposed to compete for Miss Universe 2020 but Covid restrictions at the time stopped that. Now, five years later, she has been given the opportunity to represent her nation in the 2025 Miss Universe pageant so we will finally get to see how she does on the international stage and see if she can get a first placement for her country.


Belarus-Alena Kucheruk

One of the youngest contestants competing this year at the age of 18, Alena hails from Polotsk. Belarus has never placed in the history of Miss Universe so could young Alena pull off a first placement for her country?

Belgium-Karen Jansen

The diamond capital of Europe last placed in 2018 and has never won the crown but they came close twice in 1981 with Dominique Van Eeckhoudt placing as 4th runner up and in 1992 with the sexy Anke Van Dermeersch getting 5th runner up that year. Karen is a 23-year-old psychology student from Lommel and is the latest hope for the land of the Flemish so can she do it?

Belize-Isabella Zabaneh

Isabella is 21 years old and has won titles as a teen in Florida. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts Degree in Professional Communication and already holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Studies. She is a model and her advocacy is empowering young women by instilling an unshakable confidence and Christ-centered identity. The land of the jaguar and Mundo Maya has never won the Miss Universe crown. In fact, they have only placed once which was back in 1979 when Sarita Diana Acosta finished in 7th place. Will bella Isabella bring the glory back to Belize?

Bolivia-Yessica Hausermann Buhler

Yessica is 24 years old and hails from Magdalena and she even knows karate! She is of Swiss descent, which explains her surnames that are not typical of Bolivians, which have sparked public curiosity. She holds a degree in Dentistry and received a scholarship to study in Uruguay where she completed her professional training. She later returned to Bolivia to pursue modeling, a career in which she has successfully established herself. The land where the Amazon and the Andes meet has never claimed the Miss Universe crown. Their best performance was when 17-year-old Rosario Rico Toro made the top 6 in 1990. They have also placed in 1964, 2006 and just last year in 2024 so will the judges say 'Yes' to Yessica and give Bolivia their first consecutive placement and possibly their first Miss Universe crown??

Bonaire-Nicole Peiliker-Visser

At age 41, Nicole ties the Persian delegate, Sahar Biniaz as the oldest contestants to compete in Miss Universe history since the age limit was removed. Nicole is also married and a mother of four children. The unspoiled and unforgettable diver's dream in the Caribbean has never placed in the history of Miss Universe but their 1998 delegate, Uzmin Everts was considered a favorite but went unplaced so is it finally time for Bonaire to place and could Nicole take it all??

Botswana-Lillian Nompumelelo Andries

30-year-old Lillian from Ramotswa hopes to repeat the feat of Botswana's only semifinalist, Mpule Kwelagobe who went all the way to get the crown of Miss Universe 1999 and she was Botswana's first Miss Universe delegate ever! Lillian is a geologist and entrepreneur who studied at the Botswana International University of Science & Technology and she previously competed at the 2014 Miss Grand International pageant going unplaced but will her experience garner different results at Miss Universe??

Brazil-Maria Gabriela Lacerda

Gabriela hails from the state of Piaui and this state last won the Brazilian title in 2017 with Monalysa Alcantara. Gabriela answered during her national pageant held on February 13 that she has a social project and wants to talk about the missing people who are often forgotten by the law and the justice system in her country. There are women and mothers who have been searching for their lost children for at least 30 years. Brazil enjoyed a streak in the semifinals since hosting for the first time in 2011 to 2020 but they haven't placed since. The land of the Samba has claimed the Miss Universe twice thanks to Ieda Maria Vargas in 1963 and Martha Vasconcellos in 1968 so they have had to wait a long time for another win. Will Gabriela bring this tropical paradise back in the spotlight?

British Virgin Islands-Olivia Margaret Freeman

Olivia won all the individual awards at her national pageant including Miss Photogenic, Miss Popularity, Best Swimwear, Best Evening Gown, and Best Intellect competing against three other candidates. Olivia is also the sister of the 2015 representative of the British Virgin Islands, Adorya Racio Baly. Nature's Little Secret has never placed in the history of the Miss Universe but could Olivia turn things around for the land of the turtle dove??

Bulgaria-Gaby Morgane Guha

Gaby who will be 27 years of age when she competes for Miss Universe is the latest hope for the land of the roses. A French-Czech-Bulgarian model and businesswoman with an extensive modeling career, Gaby has enjoyed much pageant success winning Miss Supermodel Worldwide France 2019 finishing as 2nd runner up at Miss Supermodel Worldwide and then going on to win Miss Europe 2020 (representing France)! Bulgaria has never placed in the history of the Miss Universe pageant so will Gaby get their first placement ever and possibly their first Miss Universe crown??

Cambodia-Nearysocheata Thai

A 30-year-old from Phnom Penh, Nearysocheata Thai might have more than an offensive name to the Thais as the 2025 Cambodia–Thailand border conflict is an ongoing dispute over their shared boundary, mainly around the ancient Hindu temple of Preah Vihear so if this delegate does compete, will she be shunned by the Thai people or warmly received? Cambodia placed for the first time ever last year thanks to Davin Prasath so let's see if Nearysocheata can pull off a successive placement if she even competes.


Canada-Jaime Yvonne Vandenberg

Wow! I predicted the winner of my country's representative three years in a row now! Jaime is 28 years of age and hails from the small town of Lethbridge, Alberta and is a graduate of the University of Lethbridge earning her bachelor's degree in legal studies. Jaime is one of those rare delegates that will now have represented Canada at three major international pageants (the other was Riza Santos who represented Canada at Miss Universe 2013, Miss World 2011 and Miss Earth 2006). However, after Jaime participated in some the preliminary activities of the 2018 Miss Earth pageant in Manila, she decided to withdraw before the coronation night accusing one of the Filipino food sponsors of sexual harassment during a dinner at the Manila Yacht Club. She would then represent Canada at Miss World 2023/24 placing among the top 40. Jaime survived gender-based violence after claiming an ex-boyfriend aimed a gun at her. Jaime was even 2nd runner up at Miss Universe Canada 2020 and also won Miss Teenage Alberta 2014 so she is tremendously experienced. The land of the maple leaf has claimed the crown twice thanks to Karen Baldwin in 1982 and Natalie Glebova in 2005 who also won her crown in Thailand who is hosting again this year so will luck strike twice for Canada in Thailand??


Cape Verde-Prissy Gomes

Cape Verde will be debuting at Miss Universe this year with the appointed delegate, Prissy Gomes who was previously her nation's representative at Miss Supranational 2017 going unplaced that year. Miss Prissy speaks French, Spanish and Portuguese and studied in Paris where she got a degree in Interior Design.


Cayman Islands-Tahiti Moorea Seymour

A 22-year-old from Bodden Town, Tahiti is the latest hope for the islands that have some of the best diving in the Caribbean. I just hope having someone named Tahiti representing the Cayman Islands doesn't get confusing! The Cayman Islands have yet to place at Miss Universe despite having competed in multiple years. Will Tahiti's exotic look get the land of crystal blue waters and white coral beaches in the game?


Chile-Maria Ignacia (Inna) Moll

Inna from Vitacura is the latest hope for the land of the Andes and she is well-known in her country already as a model since the age of 8 and an influencer with a popular YouTube channel and even Inna's mother competed for the Miss Chile but now Inna is living her dream and getting to the Miss Universe stage. Chile has claimed the crown once back in 1987 thanks to Cecilia Bolocco and they have made sporadic appearances in the semifinals including last year so does Inna have the crown inna the bag???


China-Na Zhao

The land of the great wall sends us Na this year appearing to have replaced Xuhe Hou who withdrew for personal reasons. China has never won the crown but their best finish was as 2nd runner up in 2002 which was technically elevated to 1st runner up when the original 2002 Miss Universe winner was dethroned. China recently placed in the 2024 Miss Universe pageant among the top 30 so will the woman who is representing 1/6th of the world's population place for a consecutive year?


Colombia-Vanessa Pulgarin Monsalve

Vanessa has quite the pageant history finally winning the right to represent the world's finest coffee land. This 34-year-old who hails from Medellin, Antioquia first competed for the original Miss Colombia pageant in 2017 won by Laura Gonzalez who went on to become 1st runner up at Miss Universe 2017 but as runner-up, Vanessa was sent to compete at Miss International 2017 where she mysteriously went unplaced but don't let that fool you as this lady came back strong and fully prepared winning her national title and is a serious contender for the 2025 Miss Universe title. Colombia has claimed the crown twice (1958 and 2014 thanks to Luz Marina Zuluaga and Paulina Vega) and has been 1st runner up a whopping six times (1992, 1993, 1994, 2008, 2015 and 2017). Will Vanessa surpass or match the feat of Laura Gonzalez who defeated her for the Colombian title in 2017 and went on to become 1st runner up at Miss Universe 2017?? The land of passions and emeralds and victoric orchids hopes to see Vanessa claim another Miss Universe crown for their country.

Costa Rica-Mahyla Valeria Roth Benavides

This 26-year-old who hails from Cahuita, Limon has been training to win her national title for the past 18 years and finally, all those years of preparation have paid off and Mahyla is headed to the Miss Universe stage. Her father is Swiss and her mother is Costa Rican. She previously represented Costa Rica at Miss International 2022 where she placed among the Top 8 finalists so will experienced Mahyla be able to capture a first Miss Universe crown for the land of peace and brotherhood? The only country without an army has placed six times (1954, 2004, 2011, 2013, 2018 and 2020) so we shall see if Mahyla can make a big comeback for Costa Rica.

Cote D'Ivoire-Olivia Yace

The ivory coast sends us Olivia who is 27 years of age and hails from Yamoussoukro and if she looks familiar, it would be because Olivia recently represented her nation at Miss World 2021 being a favorite and obtaining the high placement of 2nd runner up and being named Miss World's Continental Queen of Africa that year. Cote D'Ivoire is obviously hungry for the crown with this move appointing Olivia so we shall see if this ebony enchantress is able to achieve a first placement at Miss Universe for her nation and possibly their first Miss Universe crown!


Croatia-Laura Gnjatovic

Laura is 23 years old and hails from Zadar. The greatest treasure of middle Europe has placed four times (2009, 2012, 2017 and 2019 but they have never advanced past the first round so will Laura be able to change that?


Cuba-Lina Teresa Luaces Estefan

Lina is a very interesting candidate due to her being related to Emilio Estefan who was heavily involved in previous Miss Universe pageants and especially last year's Miss Universe pageant co-composing the opening song "Mexicana" and being the mastermind behind the Miami Sound Machine which launched the musical career of Emilio's famous wife, Gloria Estefan. Lina is a Cuban-Lebanese-American model born in Miami, Florida, USA to businessman Lorenzo Luaces Sr. and Emilio's niece, model and television personality, Liliana “Lili” del Carmen Estefan. With these connections, does this win reek of nepotism? We shall see if Cuba can get their first Miss Universe crown this year after placing in the top 30 last year thanks to Marianela Ancheta who was Cuba's first Miss Universe representative after not competing since 1967. Cuba's best placement was as 3rd runner up thanks to Maria Rosa Gamio Fernandez in 1957.


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Curacao-Camille Sabina Thomas

Camille is 26 years old and hails from Willemstad. The sunny island has yet to win the Miss Universe crown but they have close with three of their delegates making the top 5 (Anne Marie Braafheid was 1st runner up in 1968, Verna Vasquez was 3rd runner up in 1997 and Gabriela Dos Santos made the top 5 for 2022. Camille was a standout having undergone military training in the United States and participating in theatre arts as well so will her diverse experience and strong stage presence enable Camille to capture her nation's first Miss Universe crown?


Czech Republic-Michaela Tomanova

Michaela is 27 years old and hails from Prague. She bridges the worlds of international fashion and science as she has worked with global brands such as Alexander McQueen and Desigual while also pursuing a PhD at the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, where she conducts research focused on nutritional care for people living with HIV. The headline maker of this pageant though was grey-haired contestant, Monika Exlerova who is a 59-year-old Czech model and influencer and placed among the national pageant's top 20. This beautiful country in the centre of Europe has never won the Miss Universe crown but they did enjoy a four year streak in the semifinals from 2007 to 2010 which was the last year they placed but this country recently won the Miss World crown for 2023/24 thanks to the gorgeous Krystyna Pyszkova. Will stunning and accomplished Michaela make a huge comeback for the Czechs and possibly win the Miss Universe crown?


Democratic Republic of the Congo-Dorcas Dienda Kasinde

An interesting scenario happened here where a pageant was staged which crowned Deborah Djema as the Congolese representative but the directors of their national pageant opted to remove Deborah and instead of crowning a runner-up, Dorcas has now been appointed by the directors to represent the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At 31 years of age, Dorcas has prior experience as she previously won Miss Africa Calabar 2018. Formerly known as Zaire, this country has placed twice (1985 and 1986) thanks to Benita Mureka Tete who finished as 2nd runner up in 1985 and Aimee Dobala who made the top 10 in 1986 but they hadn't competed since then until last year, 2024.


Denmark-Monique Sonne

The country of the reigning Miss Universe almost didn't compete this year when former director, Lisa Lents said so but just like that, the franchise was taken away from her and assigned to Josh Yugen who directs several other countries like Egypt and the United Arab Emirates so now we have 21-year-old Monique appointed to represent the land of the Little Mermaid and pastry. Could she pull off the elusive back-to-back win (a feat only achieved by Venezuela in 2009)?


Dominican Republic-Jennifer Ventura

The land where your heart flames to the rhythms of merengue sends us 27-year-old Jennifer who hails from Barahona which hasn't won the national crown for 40 years! Jennifer has a heartbreaking story saying that she lost her mother, Roselin Marte Nova in the Jet Set nightclub tragedy of April 8 when the roof collapsed during a live performance by merengue musician, Rubby Perez. The Dominican Republic has claimed the Miss Universe crown once in 2003 thanks to Amelia Vega and has also enjoyed multiple runner-up placements in recent years so could J-Ven be the new savior of the land where culture reaches your heart???


Ecuador-Nadia Grace Eicher Mejia-Webb

Well, here's a familiar face! Nadia Mejia has a storied history in pageantry as the daughter of two very notable parents, Ecuadorian musician Gerardo Mejia, known for the 1991 hit "Rico Suave" and Kathy Eicher, Miss West Virginia USA 1989 (unplaced at Miss USA 1989). Nadia would follow her mother's quest to the crown by winning Miss California USA 2016 making the top 5 at Miss USA 2016 won by DC's Deshauna Barber. With new rules and limits eliminated, Nadia took another route to get to the Miss Universe stage as many other delegates have done before. She used her Ecuadorian heritage to compete in her father's country placing as 1st runner up nationally last year but coming back strong at age 29 to take the Ecuador crown in 2025 making this year at Miss Universe that much more competitive! The land where the hemispheres meet has never captured the Miss Universe crown but Constanza Baez earned as 2nd runner up placement for them in 2013 and the woman who defeated Nadia last year, Mara Topic Verduga did earn a top 30 placement for Ecuador. Will Nadia be triumphant this time around??


Egypt-Sabrina Erian Maged

Sabrina is a fashion model of Moldovan descent. Egypt placed for the first time ever last year thanks to Logina Salah who made headlines as one of very few contestants with vitiligo. Will Sabrina be able to keep the streak going for the land of ancient wonders and modern progress?


El Salvador-Giulia Zanoni

Guilia is 20 years of age and hails from La Union and she is experienced as she previously placed among the top 20 of Miss Grand International 2024. The host country of the 1975 and 2023 Miss Universe pageants has never won the crown but they have placed five times (1955, 1975, 1995, 1996 and 2023) with the 1955 delegate, Maribel Arrieta Galvez coming very close placing as 1st runner up. Will Guilia capture the crown for the gentleman of the Americas?


Equatorial Guinea-Carmen Ismelda Avomo Obama

It looks like Carmen will be this year's youngest contestant crowned at age 17 and will turn 18 two weeks after thus making her barely eligible to compete in this year's Miss Universe pageant! No relation to former U.S. president, Barack Obama as far as I know, by the way! Carmen has a chance to make history for her country as it has never placed so we'll see if youthful Carmen can get that first placement!


Estonia-Brigitta Schaback

Brigitta is 28 years of age and represents the land of one of the most epic Miss Universe contestants ever, Kristiina Heinmets who had to settle for 7th place at Miss Universe 1997 but she was easily one of the most memorable contestants in history. Estonia would place 7th again in 2000 thanks to Evelyn Mikomagi's charisma. Brigitta has a story of overcoming anxiety as a teenager and is now an outspoken mental health advocate. Will Brigitta bring some glory to Estonia?


Finland-Sarah Anjelica Dzafce

Sarah is a fashion model who is 22 years of age and hails from Helsinki. The land where tolerance and northern lights shine bright has claimed the Miss Universe crown twice thanks to the very first official Miss Universe, Armi Kuusela in 1952 and then again in 1975 thanks to Anne Marie Pohtamo but recent years haven't been kind to the land of thousands of lakes even though they placed last year in 2024 but they hadn't placed prior to that since 1996 when Lola Odusoga earned a 2nd runner up placement. How will Sarah do?


France-Eve Gilles

Funny story. In 2001, I won a dance competition at a cabaret called La Nouvelle Eve in Paris, France and now I have dubbed France's representative, Eve Gilles as "La Nouvelle Eve" and she will represent the land of the Eiffel Tower and recent host of the 2024 Olympics. France won two Miss Universe crowns (1953 and 2016) and they last placed in 2024 and is one of only two countries that has competed at every Miss Universe pageant since its inception in 1952 (Canada is the other one and USA was disqualified in 1957 after preliminaries but before finals).


Ghana-Andromeda Osam-Peters

37-year-old Andromeda Peters previously held the title of Miss United States 2018 and was appointed to represent the shining star of Africa's gold coast. Ghana has only placed twice thanks to Akuba Cudjoe in 1999 and Ruth Quarshie in 2017 so we shall see if Andromeda's stellar past pageant experience can propel her on the Miss Universe stage.


Great Britain-Danielle Latimer

At age 36, Danielle is one of the older contestants competing this year. In fact, the entire top 5 of Great Britain's national pageant were all over the age of 30 in a historic first! Danielle is a stylist for women's wear and a photographer. She is extremely experienced in pageantry and has even served as a director of Miss Earth Wales and Miss Global England. She even previously held the titles of Ms. Galaxy 2023 and Miss Grand Wales 2015 but going unplaced at Miss Grand International 2015. The land of the union jack has never captured the Miss Universe crown and they haven't placed since 2021 so with her vast experience in pageantry, will Danielle bring some glory to the land where royalty reigns??


Greece-Mary Chatzipavlou

The birthplace of civilization sends us 31-year-old Mary who is already famous in her country for participating in the 8th edition of Big Brother Greece as the first of 19 contestants to be evicted from the house in her season so Mary certainly hopes the same fate doesn't await her at Miss Universe! The land of ancient gods has claimed the Miss Universe crown once thanks to Corinna (Kiriaki) Tsopei in 1964 but they haven't placed since 2005 so we shall see what fate awaits Mary this time around!


Guadeloupe-Ophely Mezino

'Cause when she's bad, she's so, so bad... Sorry, this hair just immediately makes me think of Donna Summer! But this is a very interesting candidate for Miss Universe. For you see, Ophely has quite the storied pageant history as she originally represented Guadeloupe in the Miss France 2018 pageant finishing as 1st runner up to Vaimalama Chaves but Ophely was sent to represent France at the 2019 Miss World pageant where she finished as 1st runner up to Jamaica's Toni-Ann Singh! We all remember that Miss Universe 2020, Mexico's Andrea Meza was 1st runner up at Miss World 2017 before going on to win the Miss Universe crown for 2020 so will Ophely pull a repeat and not only be Guadeloupe's first semifinalist ever but take her country's very first Miss Universe crown??? I feel love and this time we know it's for real!!!


Guatemala-Raschel Paz

The eternal spring land sends us 24-year-old Raschel Paz who hails from Guatemala City. She has a degree in Political Science and International Relations and is a professional model. She is fluent in Spanish, English, and German. Raschel previously represented her country at the 2023 Miss Grand International pageant going unplaced but will her experience pay off this time around? Guatemala has placed only three times in Miss Universe history (María del Rosario Molina Chacón made the top 15 in 1955, Ilma Julieta Urrutia Chang made the top 10 in 1984 later going on to win Miss International 1984 and Jessica Scheel placed in the top 10 of 2010). Will Raschel bring the glory back to Guatemala?


Guinea-Tiguidanke Berete

Berete is a 23-year-old model who was crowned Miss Guinea 2024 on November 30, 2024 and is said to be representing her nation at Miss Universe 2025. Guinea only competed for the first time last year so we shall see if this delegate can earn a first placement for her country. Tiguidanke Berete previously won the World Top Model Guinea 2024 competition which was held in Monaco.


Guyana-Chandini Baljor

22-year-old stunning Chandini is also very bright. She has an Associate Degree in Natural Sciences and is currently in her fourth year of Medical School at the University of Guyana while also pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health at Texila American University. She is also an entrepreneur with her own baking business. Guyana has never placed in the history of the Miss Universe pageant but Chandini has a very good chance of being her country's first semifinalist but could she go also the way and pull an Armi/Luz Marina/Mpule and win the first Miss Universe crown for her country being its first semifinalist??


Haiti-Melissa Sapini

Melissa should be a familiar face as she was previously Miss Massachusetts USA 2024 and placed among the top 10 at Miss USA 2024 so she has used her Haitian heritage to countryhop and now we see Melissa competing on the Miss Universe stage. This has happened before as Haiti was represented in 2015 by Lisa Drouillard-Miss New York Teen USA 2011 and even the Bahamas' 2011 representative, Anastagia Pierre was also Miss Florida USA 2009 and Miss Florida Teen USA 2004 so let's see if Melissa can get Haiti back in the spotlight after last placing for 2022 and while they have never won the crown, Haiti has come close twice placing as 1st runner up in 1975 with Gerthie David and 2016 with Raquel Pelissier.


Honduras-Alejandra Fuentes Sierra

Alejandra is 31 years of age and hails from Olancho. She serves as the Youth Representative of AHAM Education at the United Nations speaking about the need for sustainable development and equal access to education. She is also a Global Ambassador for the International Council on Human Rights. Honduras has had to wait the longest of any country for a repeat semifinalist as they have only placed once which was way back in 1955 so will Alejandra finally get the heart of Central America back in the game?

Hong Kong-Shi Yi (Lizzie) Li

Lizzie is 27 years of age and hopes to bring a first Miss Universe crown to the economic heart of Asia. Hong Kong has come close to the title 3 times placing as 3rd runner up in the inaugural Miss Universe pageant in 1952 with Judy Dan then Virginia June Lee earned a 2nd runner up placement in 1954 then Pauline Yeung placed as 4th runner up in 1988 and they haven't placed since. Will Lizzie bring some glory to her shopping paradise of a country??

Hungary-Kincso Dezsenyi

A 21-year-old model from Budapest, Kincso is the latest hope for the land of the blue Danube. Hungary has placed only four times in Miss Universe history (2006, 2008, 2012 and 2018) with their 2012 delegates Agnes Konkoly making the top 10. Is Kincso hungry enough to get Hungary's first Miss Universe crown??

India-Manika Suthar Vishwakarma

Manika is a 22-year-old from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. She is an artist who likes to sing and dance but she is also a dedicated youth advocate, climate action delegate, and aspiring legal professional. The land that believes that its people are its most valuable resources (and also the current most populated country in the world) has claimed the Miss Universe crown three times thanks to Sushmita Sen in 1994, Lara Dutta in 2000 and Harnaaz Sandhu in 2021 and the country which embodies unity through diversity currently has a six-year streak in the semifinals placing every year since 2019 bested only by Puerto Rico with a 7-year streak so will Manika keep the streak going or could she even be India's fourth Miss Universe??


Indonesia-Sanly Liu

A 29-year-old from Denpasar, Sanly is an entrepreneur and influencer/content creator. Indonesia enjoyed some temporary success placing from 2013 to 2020 (excluding 2017) with their first placement being in 2005 but recent years haven't been kind to this multiracial land consisting of over 17000 islands and the 4th most populated country in the world so let's see if Sanly can influence the judges and get Indonesia back the game.


Iraq-Hanin Al Qoreishy

Hanin is Iraqi-American and she was even a former Miss Grand Nevada. She is a co-owner and president of the company, Legacy Insurance Advisors based in Houston, Texas. She migrated from Iraq at age 12 and has established a non-profit organization, Uplifted Hearts, based on the experiences she faced as a young person migrating from a foreign country to the USA. This will only be the third time that Iraq is competing for the Miss Universe crown after making sporadic appearances in the years of 1972 and 2017 so we shall see if Hanin can make history for her country of birth.


Ireland-Aadya Srivastava

One of the youngest contestants competing this year at the tender age of 18, Aadya (from Galway) is one of the few Irish titleholders of Indian descent but we all remember, Andrea Roche in 1998 mentioning during her interview with Jack Wagner after making the top 10 that her mother was Indian. The land of shamrocks and leprechauns has yet to claim the Miss Universe crown. The closest they have come was as 2nd runner up thanks to Marlene McKeown in 1963 and Roberta Brown in 1983 but they haven't placed since 2018. Will Aadya who studies law at the University of Galway impress the judges enough and use her lucky charms to earn a placement for Ireland?


Israel-Melanie Shiraz

That small land with a very rich history is being represented this year by 26-year-old Melanie who hails from Caesarea but this year's crowning occurred at the Hilton Aventura Hotel in Miami, Florida, USA and Melanie is even a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. Israel has claimed the crown once thanks to Rina Messinger-Mor in 1976 but they haven't placed since 2005. Will Melanie be able to change that?


Italy-Lucilla Nori

The land of culture, pasta and fashion sends us the bella Lucilla who is 25 years of age and hails from Anzio. Italy is the highest ranking country in the list of Who Has the Most Miss Universes without a winner. They have placed as 1st runner up twice thanks to Bond girl, Daniela Bianchi in 1960 and the pasta-loving Roberta Capua in 1987. Lucilla studied Fashion Sciences and as a professional model, she also runs a business teaching others her modelling skills. Is it finally time for this artistic land to claim the Miss Universe crown?

Jamaica-Gabrielle Henry

The island that moves to the beat of reggae sends us a 29-year-old doctor from Kingston who specializes in ophthalmology and is also a professional performing artist in Gabrielle. Dreams can come true for Jamaica as they have yet to claim the Miss Universe crown despite winning a whopping four Miss World crowns (1963, 1976, 1993 and 2019) but they did get as high as 1st runner up at Miss Universe in 2010 thanks to Yendi Phillips so is it finally time for the birthplace of some of the fastest people on Earth??


Japan-Kaori Hashimoto

Kaori is 21 years of age and hails from Tochigi. The land of cherry blossoms has captured the Miss Universe crown twice thanks to Akiko Kojima in 1959 and Riyo Mori in 2007 and they did place last year but their placements have been more sporadic recently so how will Kaori do?


Kazakhstan-Dana Almasova

Kazakhstan has never placed at Miss Universe so Dana has a chance to make a name for her country. Will she achieve that elusive first placement for this land rich with accessible mineral and fossil fuel resources and can she even go all the way and capture her country's first Miss Universe crown?


Korea-Soo-yeon Lee

Soo-yeon is 30 years old and hails from Gyeongbuk who is a model, actress and instructor. The host country of the 1980 Miss Universe pageant has never won the crown but they have come close three times with Myoung-Ja Kim placing as 4th runner up in 1963, Yunjung Chang placing as 1st runner up in 1988 and Honey Lee placing as 3rd runner up in 2007. Will the land of the morning calm and Kimchi be triumphant this year with Soo-yeon's presence??


Kosovo-Dorea Shala

Dorea was born and raised in America to Kosovar parents and she admires her father for coming to America as a struggling immigrant and turning into a successful businessman allowing Dorea to live like a princess. Kosovo has never won the Miss Universe crown but they have placed four times (2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012) so could Dorea bring the glory back to Kosovo?


Kyrgyzstan-Mary Kuvakova

Mary hails from the city of Bishkek and has a background in social work and takes active involvement in community initiatives. Kyrgyzstan has never placed so Mary has a chance to get her country's first placement.


Laos-Lattana Munvilay

Hailing from Salavan, Lattana Munvilay is 31 years of age and was also the second runner-up in Miss Universe Laos in 2022 so her experience paid off and she now has won the right to represent her country at Miss Universe. She won her national title on Sunday, September 21 which was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Vientiane with 18 candidates competing. Laos has placed once thanks to Payengxa Lor who placed among the top 16 semifinalists of Miss Universe 2022 and since Lattana was one of Payengxa's runners-up at the national level, will she earn another placement and cause some chaos in Laos???


Latina-Yamilex Hernandez

Well, it happened! Miss Universe Latina is a reality contest that was conducted to select a Latina delegate for Miss Universe. Rumblings about this started way back in 2013 but many questioned why there is a special preference for a Latina-American delegate being selected when there is already a Miss USA and all the Latin countries already compete and no other ethnic group seems to be getting their own delegate but hey, it's all about ratings and business, right???
The winner of this first edition of "Miss Universe Latina, El Reality" which aired on Telemundo is 29-year-old New Jersey resident, Yamilex Hernandez who was born on January 26, 1996, in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic and she even competed for the Miss Dominican Republic title twice finishing as 2nd runner up in 2021 and 1st runner up in 2023 which led to her to competing for the 2023 Miss International title placing among the top 15. Former Miss Universes, Alicia Machado and Zuleyka Rivera also participated as coaches during the show. Yamilex won $100,000 USD as part of her prize and will represent "Latina" at Miss Universe... Yamilex's notable runner-up was the storied Puerto Rican, Genesis Davila who made top 5 at Miss USA 2018 representing Florida after being dethroned the previous year. Will "Miss Universe Latina" be a brief stint like the year of "Miss 52 USA" in 2016 which saw Oklahoman Alex Miller (runner-up at the state level to Olivia Jordan-Miss USA 2015) compete at Miss USA 2016? We shall see if Miss Universe Latina becomes an ongoing thing or if this delegate doesn't place at all like Dominican Republic's Mariana Downing in 2023.

Latvia-Meldra Rosenberg

Meldra is 29 years of age and hails from Riga. She was born in 1996 into Latvian-German family and began her modelling career at the age of 11. She has past experience in the pageant game having represented her country at the 2016 Miss Grand International pageant and the 2025 Miss Supranational pageant going unplaced at both but will that experience pay off on the Miss Universe stage? Meldra used her German heritage to represent Germany at the 20th edition of Super Talent of the World, an international supermodel competition held in Pyeongchang, South Korea. She was crowned the winner among more than 100 contestants from 51 countries. Latvia has only placed once which was back in 2005 thanks to the lovely Ieva Kokorevica. How will Meldra do?

Lebanon-Sarah Leena Bou Jaoude

Appointed to represent the land of cedars is last year's runner-up to Nada Koussa, 20-year-old Sarah Leena is a model and actress who studies finance at the American University of Beirut and was recently featured in a music video for Lebanese artist, Siilawy. Lebanon has captured the crown once in 1971 thanks to Georgina Rizk but they haven't since 1973 when the late, great Marcelle Herro placed among the top 12 that year. Will Sarah Leena make a huge comeback for her nation?


Macau-Kristen Feng

Macau's Cassandra Chiu made a surprise placement last year as their debut candidate in 2024 so let's see if Kristen can do it again for the island where East meets West. Even though Kristen obtained a bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. She transitioned into finance and should graduate from Said Business School of the University of Oxford in 2026 and she also serves as an intern at Hyde Park Investment Services in New York City.


Malaysia-Chloe Lim

A 27-year-old from Kuala Lumpur, Chloe is the latest hope for the land of the hornbill birds. Malaysia managed to place for only the second time last year with Sandra Lim making the top 30 long after Josephine Lena Wong placed in 1970 so Chloe hopes to be Malaysia's third semifinalist at Miss Universe and we shall see if she can claim the crown as she is a management consultant and is obviously quite bright.


Malta-Julia Cluett

The heart of the Mediterranean has never placed in the history of the Miss Universe pageant but they have had groundbreaking delegates in recent years including Beatrice Njoya who was the oldest woman ever to compete at Miss Universe last year at age 40. Julia is 27 years of age and is a model with Supernova Model Management who studied psychology and is a mental health advocate. Will Julia finally get Malta's first Miss Universe placement ever and could she even get the crown??


Martinique-Celya Emma Abatucci

Celya is very passionate about the environment and sustainable development so will her mission garner enough interest to make her the first Miss Universe semifinalist ever from Martinique?


Mauritius-Marie Aurelie Carinne Alcindor

We have an Olympian among us! 31-year-old Marie competed in the women's 200 metre race during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil but didn't qualify. Let's see if the Miss Universe competition gets different results for this peaceful island of paradise. Mauritius has never placed so could Marie's competitive nature get them far in the game?


Mayotte-Nourya Aboutoihi

25-year-old Nourya was appointed and will be the debut entrant for her nation, Mayotte which is a French territory that will now be competing for Miss Universe rather than Miss France (similarly to Martinique). Mayotte is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the coast of Mozambique. Nourya also previously held the title of Miss Excellence Mayotte 2023. Will this debuting delegate make a huge impact for her country at Miss Universe this year?

Mexico-Fatima Bosch

This 24-year-old from Teapa is the latest hope for her nation. The land of the Mariachi placed as 2nd runner up last year and they have claimed the Miss Universe crown three times thanks to Lupita Jones in 1991, Ximena Navarrete in 2010 and Andrea Meza for 2020 so the land where the optimism lives in their hearts hopes to get another Miss Universe crown with our lady of Fatima. She lists her many talents as being a designer, poet, photographer and painter so will this artistic soul conjure up yet another win for last year's host country?


Moldova-Mariana (Maria) Ignat

Maria is a German-Moldovan model with a law degree and she previously has represented Germany in Miss Supranational 2023 going unplaced and then Miss Charm 2024 placing as a top 11 finalist. Moldova debuted just last year so they have yet to place so we shall see if Maria's experience will enable her to make a name for her country.


Myanmar-Myat Yadanar Soe

This 22-year-old from Mandalay is the latest hope for her nation. Myanmar has only placed once which was back in 2020 when Thuzar Wint Lwin boldly told the world through her national costume to "Pray for Myanmar" and now, their new national titleholder who has been praised for her poise and elegance has a chance to make a name for her country. Can she do it?


Namibia-Johanna Swartbooi

A 27-year-old from Valgraas, Kharas Region, Johanna Swartbooi is a model and business graduate who was previously 2nd runner-up at Miss Namibia back in 2019. The land of the Khoisan and the host country of Miss Universe 1995 (the only African country to ever host the Miss Universe pageant) has claimed the crown once thanks to the eloquent and classy Michelle McLean in 1992. Namibia has placed two more times after that win (2003 and 2023). Will Johanna's experience pay off and bring the smile of Africa back in the game?


Nepal-Sanya Adhikari

Hailing from Kathmandu, Sanya is 23 years old and went from studying in Assumption University in Thailand to working with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok. The land of Mount Everest has placed twice since they first started competing in 2017 thanks to Manita Devkota in 2018 and Jane Dipika Garrett promoting body positivity in 2023. Will Sanya's impressive background prompt the judges to bring Nepal back into the spotlight?


Netherlands-Nathalie Yasmin Mogbelzada

Nathalie is 28 years old and hails from Amsterdam. Her parents have owned a Greek restaurant for more than 20 years and Nathalie has two younger sisters. Nathalie is quite the seasoned pageant veteran as she has already represented the Netherlands at Miss Grand International 2021 making the top 20 there and Miss Supranational 2019 making the top 25 there. Nathalie studied International Business and Languages and she even moved to China to study Chinese for a year. Holland has claimed the crown in 1989 thanks to Angela Visser but they haven't placed since 2014 when Yasmin Verheijen finished as 3rd runner up. Will Nathalie be able to make a huge comeback for the land of tulips and windmills?


New Zealand-Abbigail Sturgin

Abbi has previous pageant experience representing the Kiwis at the 2017 Miss Earth pageant going unplaced but now she has a new opportunity. New Zealand has won the crown once thanks to Lorraine Downes back in 1983 but the land of the long white cloud hasn't placed since 1992.


Nicaragua-Itza Castillo

This year, Nicaragua's national pageant was held in Miami, Florida, USA and Itza remained triumphant earning the right to represent the land of lakes and volcanoes. Nicaragua claimed its first Miss Universe crown just two years ago thanks to the much-beloved Sheynnis Palacios who didn't have a homecoming and the celebration in the streets caused the Nicaraguan government to do some unpleasant things which is likely why the pageant was staged in Miami. Will the judges be saying it's a crown for Itza???


Nigeria-Basil Onyinyechi

A 25-year-old from Anambra, Basil won a pageant fraught with controversy after the pageant directors denied the entry of Nyekachi Douglas who represented Nigeria at Miss World 2019 finishing in the top 5 there with one of the most notable reactions in history to the winner of Miss World 2019, Jamaica's Toni-Ann Singh. Nigeria placed as 1st runner up last year with Chidimma Adetshina who notably countryhopped using her father's ancestry after placing among the top 10 at Miss South Africa 2024. Nigeria is the 6th most populated country in the world yet they have only placed three times at Miss Universe (2001-thanks to Agbani Darego who finished 7th but went on to win Miss World 2001, 2019-thanks to Olutosin Araromi who made top 20 that year and finally Chidimma last year). Will Basil be able to do some wonders for Nigeria?

Norway-Leonora Lysglimt-Rodland

At age 19, Leonora from Nordstrand is one of the youngest contestants competing this year. The land of the fjords, mountains and the midnight sun claimed the crown once thanks to Mona Grudt in 1990 but this country hasn't placed since 2005. How will Leonora do?

Pakistan-Roma Riaz

24-year-old Roma actually lives in Manchester, United Kingdom having studied at the University of Wolverhampton but she was born in Lahore, Punjab in Pakistan and she is also of the minority Christian Pakistani community. The fifth most populated country in the world has placed only once thanks to their debut delegate, Erica Robin who made the top 20 in 2023. How will Roma do?


Palestine-Nadeen Ayoub

A delegate to represent Palestine has been appointed and it is Nadeen Ayoub who previously represented Palestine at the 2022 Miss Earth earning the Miss Earth Water title which is similar to 2nd runner up at that pageant. This will be Palestine's debut in the competition. Nadeen is 27 years of age and is dedicated to fundraising for childhood cancer treatment and medical aid in Palestine, is passionate about mental health support and currently leads a project to inspire awareness and environmental change.


Panama-Mirna Alejandra Caballini Bouche

The tropical isthmus sends us Mirna this year who is 22 years of age and hails from Chiriqui. She was appointed as this year's Panamanian representative since she was the 2nd runner-up to last year's Panamanian representative, Italy Mora who was unceremoniously dethroned last year after getting caught leaving her hotel room without a chaperone so we will see if Panama can make a comeback this year. Mirna is a fashion designer with an emphasis on marketing and she is also a professional model, singer, theater actress, decorator, and event planner and is currently the CEO of MCaballini Productions, a company dedicated to the production of children's plays. Panama last placed in 2021 thanks to Brenda Smith-Lezama and Panama inherited its only Miss Universe crown in 2002 when original 1st runner-up, Justine Pasek succeeded original winner, Russia's Oxana Fedorova after she relinquished the crown. Will well-seasoned Mirna be able to outright capture the crown for her country?


Paraguay-Yanina Gomez

Yanina hails from Asuncion and founded Namopora Paraguay which promotes learning and dignity, respect and inclusion of indigenous peoples. She holds a Bachelor of Education degree and a Master's degree in Management and Administration of Cultural and Educational Policies. Paraguay has never won the Miss Universe crown but they have come very close placing as 1st runner up in 2021 thanks to Nadia Ferreira and twice as 3rd runner up thanks to another Yanina, Yanina Gonzalez in 2004 and Lourdes Arevalos in 2006. How will Yanina do for Paraguay this year?


Peru-Karla Bacigalupo

The land of the Incan empire and Machu Picchu sends us Karla this year. A married 33-year-old actress, producer, and model, Karla was introduced as an activist who promotes art as a tool to raise awareness about mental health. She has volunteered at the Peruvian consulate in Los Angeles and is an ambassador for the organization 1,000 Children of Jesus. She will also soon represent the NGO Tierra y Ser, which focuses on providing more educational resources to children in Peru. Peru has had to wait the longest for a repeat win of all the countries that have won Miss Universe since they haven't won since way back in 1957 thanks to Gladys Zender but they have had some sporadic successes in recent years placing in the semifinals in 5 of the last 6 Miss Universe pageants so is it finally time for a win for the host country of Miss Universe 1982??


Philippines-Ahtisa Manalo

28-year-old Ahtisa Manalo is a very familiar face in the pageant scene. Ahtisa previously competed for the coveted Binibining Pilipinas title originally in 2018 won by Miss Universe 2018 herself, Catriona Gray but Ahtisa finished as Catriona's runner-up earning the right to represent the Philippines in Miss International 2018 where she finished as 1st runner up to Venezuela's Mariem Velazco. Ahtisa would try again in 2024 earning a 2nd runner-up placement for the Philippines title and represented her nation at Miss Cosmo 2024 finishing among the top ten. Does Ahtisa's close ranking to Catriona make her an automatic contender and will she earn the 5th Miss Universe crown for the pearl of the Orient Seas??? The four women who captured the Miss Universe crown for the Philippines were: Gloria Diaz (1969), Margarita Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015) and Catriona Gray (2018). Ahtisa had a notable fall during the evening gown competition of the 2025 Miss Universe Philippines pageant but she recovered nicely prompting loud audience applause reminiscent of what happened to the 1999 Philippines Miss Universe representative, Miriam Quiambao who parlayed her fall during the preliminary evening gown competition into a 1st runner up placement at Miss Universe 1999! Will all of this fuel yet another win for the tropical haven of Asia?


Poland-Emily Reng

Emily Reng is replacing Oliwia Mikulska whom the Miss Poland organization decided to send to Miss Supranational so Emily who was 2nd runner up at Miss Poland 2024 and is from Chicago, Illinois in the USA has been appointed to represented the country of her Polish heritage. The land of noted pianist and composer Frederic Chopin has never won the Miss Universe crown but they have made the top 5 three times (1958, 1986 and 1989) but they haven't placed since 2018. They did recently win the Miss World crown for 2021/22 thanks to Karolina Bielawska so will Poland be able to make a comeback at Miss Universe with Emily?

Portugal-Camila Vitorino

Sending yet another groundbreaking delegate, Portugal's Camila Vitorino is a married mother of one young son. Camila has previous pageant experience having won the Miss Queen Portugal 2019 pageant and was supposed to be representing the land of explorers at the 2020 Miss Earth pageant but Covid derailed those plans so she ended up not competing at Miss Earth. Now, Camila finally gets her chance. Portugal has never won the Miss Universe crown and they have placed four times (2011, 2019, 2022 and 2023) so will Camila bring some glory back to her country?

Puerto Rico-Zashely Nicole Alicea Rivera

Hailing from Dorado, Zashely was honored for her runway skills at her national pageant. She is 26 years old, a professional ballet dancer, and holds a bachelor's degree in psychology. The shining star of the Caribbean has claimed the Miss Universe crown a whopping five times thanks to the late Marisol Malaret in 1970, Deborah Carthy-Deu in 1985, Dayanara Torres in 1993, Denise Quinones in 2001 and Zuleyka Rivera in 2006 but it has been 19 years since that momentous win and Puerto Rico has placed 7 years in a row so far (even placing in the top 12 each time) which gives them the current longest streak in the semifinals of Miss Universe and India is right behind them with 6 years in a row and these nations have even crowned each other! Could Zashely finally get another win for Puerto Rico??

Romania-Catalina Jacob

The land of mysterious Dracula sends us Catalina this year who interestingly enough was 2nd runner up at the 2025 Miss Universe Italy pageant this year which was won by Lucilla Nori so Catalina and Lucilla will compete together once again on the Miss Universe stage! Catalina is 28 years of age and was a delegate of Milan, Italy's Romanian community being crowned in the national pageant held at OXYA Club in Bucharest. The country where the Danube makes its Delta has never placed since they started competing for Miss Universe in 1991 so will Catalina who shares a name with the swimsuit company that founded the Miss Universe pageant back in 1952 finally be able to make a name for the country of hospitality??

Russia-Anastasia Venza

Anastasia is a 22-year-old model and medical student from Moscow who comes to us from Russia with love. Russia did manage to place among the top 12 last year showing us that politics weren't in play so can Anastasia keep the streak going? Russia claimed the crown in 2002 thanks to Oxana Fedorova who came to a mutual agreement with the Miss Universe Organization at the time to end her reign early and the 2002 title was then awarded to runner-up, Justine Pasek of Panama.


Rwanda-Solange Tuyishime Keita

Solange has quite the pageant history in Canada yet she was born in East Africa in the Rwandan region and survived war and genocide. She immigrated to Canada in 1996 at age 13. She won the title of Miss Canada International in 2006 and Miss Galaxy Canada 2011 and Mrs. Canada 2017 and she has competed for the Miss Universe Canada title before using her Rwandan heritage to become Rwanda's debut delegate at Miss Universe. Will all this pageant experience pay off for Solange?

Saint Lucia-Shianne Smith

Shianne hails from Micoud and is representing a country that has never placed. Shianne studies neuroscience and is a global volunteer in addition to being a mental health advocate. Will Shianne be able to bring her country into the spotlight?


Senegal-Ndeye Ngone (Camilla) Diagne

Camilla is 26 years of age and hails from Dakar who is a top model in her country who knows karate! She is even an entrepreneur who owns her own clothing company called Milla’s Wax and she is experienced having competed at Miss Earth 2022 and Miss Planet International 2024 where she earned a Top Model award but mysteriously going unplaced at both pageants. Will this stunner chop down the competition and earn her country's first Miss Universe placement and possibly get the crown???

Serbia-Jelena Egorova

Jelena is actually a resident of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and represented Mongolia under the name Elena Egorova in Miss Grand International 2022 going unplaced and this delegate has been appointed by Poppy Capella (one of Khun Anne's friends...) returning as director of Miss Universe Serbia 2025. Some question if this delegate even has any ties to Serbia but this nation has not placed on its own but it has in previous incarnations like Serbia & Montenegro placing as 3rd runner up in 2003 with Sanja Papic and other Yugoslavian representatives have placed in the past.


Singapore-Annika Xue Sager

Annika is 25 years of age and is a fitness instructor and model currently studying for her Master's degree and she has lived all over the world in such exotic locales as Tokyo and Dubai with a German father from Hamburg and a Singaporean Chinese mother. Annika is also an athlete who has run marathons and is an advocate for sustainable fashion. Singapore has never won the crown but they have placed three times (1983, 1987 which was the year they hosted the Miss Universe pageant and 2021). Will Annika make her mark this year for the multiracial and very clean land of Singapore?

Slovakia (Slovak Republic)-Viktoria Gullova

The Slovak Republic has only placed once with its debuting delegate, Silvia Lakatosova who finished in 5th place in 1994. Silvia was the director for her nation's pageant to select her country's representative to Miss Universe from 1999 to 2022. This year's representative Viktoria is an equestrian horseback rider who has participated in competitions and she is a model who has travelled the world. Is it time for the Slovak Republic to make a comeback?


Slovenia-Hana Klaut

Hana is 28 years old and hails from Sempeter. Slovenia has only placed once which was back in 2007 when Tjasa Kokalj made the top 15 and this is the first time Slovenia is competing since 2017 so will Hana make a huge comeback for her nation?


South Africa-Melissa Nayimuli

Melissa has been appointed to represent the rainbow nation at Miss Universe whereas the original Miss South Africa 2025, Qhawekazi Mazaleni will not go to Miss Universe and may represent South Africa at another international pageant. Melissa is a two-time Miss South Africa participant placing top 5 in 2020 and 2023 and is also a TV and film producer known for her powerful presence and eloquent speaking ability. South Africa has claimed three Miss Universe crowns (1978, 2017 and 2019) and is hungry for a fourth Miss Universe crown so we shall see how Melissa fares.


Spain-Andrea Valero

The land of flamenco sends us Andrea Valero who is 28 years old and hails from A Coruna. At just 18, she left home to pursue her dreams. She has lived in Milan, Paris, New York, London, and Dubai. She is passionate about fashion so much so that it has defined her career path. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Business at the Marangoni Institute and founded a sustainable fashion brand in Galicia that promotes the use of recycled materials. Her participation in the pageant seeks to raise awareness of ethical fashion. Spain missed the semifinals last year after placing in 2022 and 2023 and they have captured the crown once back in 1974 with the late Amparo Munoz who did not complete her reign but wasn't replaced so is it time for Spain to claim a full-term queen with Andrea?


Sri Lanka-Lihasha Lindsay-White

The pearl of the Indian Ocean has only placed two times thanks to Maureen Hingert in 1955 who placed 2nd runner up representing Sri Lanka's former name (Ceylon) and they placed again in 2017 with Christina Peiris so will Lihasha from Colombo be able to do some wonders for the multilingual and multireligious country of Sri Lanka?


Sweden-Daniella Lundqvist

The land of the midnight sun returns to the Miss Universe pageant after being absent since last competing in 2021. Sweden was once triumphant at Miss Universe claiming three Miss Universe crowns thanks to Hillevi Rombin in 1955, Margareta Arvidsson in 1966 and Yvonne Ryding in 1984 but they haven't placed since 2009 so let's see if Daniella can bring the glory back to the Nobel Prize country. Daniella is 26 years of age and hails from Kalmar.


Switzerland-Naima Acosta

Naima is 20 years of age and hails from Tocino. The land of the Alps and great chocolates has never won the crown. Their best placement was as 2nd runner up in 2006 when Lauriane Gillieron became a favorite for the crown. Now, Naima has a chance to do some wonders for the land of time. Can she do it?


Tanzania-Naisae Yona

A 28-year-old from the capital city of Dar-Es-Salaam, Naisae Yona is a mother of one child and an entrepreneur and a businesswoman. Tanzania has only placed once which was back in 2007 when Flaviana Matata sported a bald head and charmed her way to 6th place that year. Will Naisae be able to bring Tanzania back in the game?


Thailand-Praveenar (Veena) Singh

She finally did it, folks! Veena has long been a highly touted favorite for the Thai crown and now she has achieved her dream at 29 years old. Veena was born in Chiang Mai and is of Indian descent making history as the first Indian woman to represent Thailand at Miss Universe and she was crowned by Miss Universe 2005-Canada's Natalie Glebova who won her crown in Thailand. Veena has quite the storied pageant history as she was Miss Universe Thailand 2018's 2nd Runner-Up, Miss Universe Thailand 2020's 1st Runner-Up and Miss Universe Thailand 2023's 2nd Runner-Up. She had temporarily gotten married giving up on her dream but then the restrictions of age and marriage were lifted but her husband did not approve of Veena wanting to compete again for Miss Universe Thailand so she divorced him!! Veena has always been a heavy favorite for the crown due to her astounding, exotic beauty and commanding catwalk skills that have improved dramatically over the years. Veena even made a coveted appearance at the Cannes Film Festival and with Thailand's directorship is now under Nawat Itsaragrisil, noted founder of the Miss Grand International pageant and recently becoming an employee of the Miss Universe Organization and with Thailand hosting this year, many pundits are saying Veena can pull a Denise Quinones (and 7 of the 9 American Miss Universe winners) and win the Miss Universe crown in her home country which would lead to the most abundantly enthusiastic audience reaction in history. Thailand claimed the crown in 1965 and 1988 and even recently won the Miss World crown so is Veena about to be named Thailand's third Miss Universe???

Trinidad & Tobago-Latifah Shanice Morris

Latifah Morris was originally the 1st runner up at her national pageant but has assumed the responsibility of representing the oh-so-beautiful twin islands of Trinidad & Tobago after the original winner, Dr. Sihle Lihren opted to relinquish her title due to personal reasons. Latifah is 31 years of age and hails from Chaguanas East. The island that created Carnival and gave it to the world has claimed the Miss Universe crown twice thanks to Janelle (Penny) Commissiong in 1977 who was also the first black Miss Universe succeeded by Wendy Fitzwilliam in 1998. How will Latifah do?


Turkiye/Turkey-Ceren Arslan

Ceren is 26 years of age and hails from Istanbul. Ceren previously won Miss Model of Turkey in 2018. Turkey has placed only three times in Miss Universe history (1953, 1990 and 2012) so will Ceren bring some glory to the country of Thanksgiving??


Turks & Caicos-Bereniece Dickenson

The peaceful and pristine land of coral reefs sends us 22-year-old Bereniece from Salt Cay this year and she came back strong after placing 2nd runner up in her nation's pageant last year. She holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture and building technologies from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and works as a junior accountant. Turks & Caicos has only placed once which was back in 1987 when Carmelita Ariza placed among the top 10 that year. How will Bereniece do?


Ukraine-Sofiya Tkachuk

25-year-old Sofiya from Rivne is the latest hope for the breadbasket of Europe. This entrepreneur and motivational speaker was elected by a jury vote with only 5 finalists selected due to her country's situation. Sofiya holds a bachelor's degree from EAE Business School in Barcelona. She is fluent in English and Spanish and has experience in business and international projects. Ukraine has never captured the crown but they have come close placing as 1st runner up in 2011 thanks to Olesya Stefanko. Ukraine enjoyed some success from 2006 to 2014 placing in 6 of those 9 years but they haven't placed since 2014 so how will Sofiya do?


United Arab Emirates-Mariam Mohamed

24-year-old Mariam from Dubai has previous pageant experience as a finalist of Miss Middle East Earth UAE 2024 and winner of Miss Arab World UAE 2022. Will Mariam do the land of Burj Khalifa proud and become their very first Miss Universe semifinalist and possible winner?


Uruguay-Valeria Baladan Liste

The land of the Gauchos sends us 24-year-old Valeria who hails from Montevideo. Valeria is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in communication, advertising and marketing. She is experienced as she previously also held the title of Miss Latinoamerica Uruguay 2024. Uruguay has never claimed the crown but they did reach the top 5 in 1985 with the Madonna-esque Andrea Lopez but that was also surprisingly the last time that they placed. Will Valeria be able to do some miracles for her country and place 40 years later?


USA-Audrey Eckert

Audrey hails from Lincoln, Nebraska and is 23 years of age. She previously placed as 3rd runner up at Miss Teen USA 2020 prior to her 2025 Miss USA win. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a specialization in marketing and also was the captain of the Husker Cheer Squad and even helped organize the largest event in a football stadium to support women's athletics. The United States of America comfortably has more Miss Universe winners than any other country winning the crown 9 times (1954, 1956, 1960, 1967, 1980, 1995, 1997, 2012 and 2022) and after missing the semifinals last year, will Audrey be able to bring the land of the free and the home of the brave back in a big way?


U.S. Virgin Islands-Britanny Robinson

Britanny is a licensed professional nail technician, professional makeup artist, and the proud founder and lead technician of BARE Artistry so she should be groomed and styled well for the competition. The U.S. Virgin Islands only placed once back in 1971 thanks to Sherri Creque of St. Thomas who made the top 12 that year so will Britanny bring the land of beauty and culture back into the spotlight?


Venezuela-Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser

Stephany was born on the 12th of June in the fabulous year, 2000 and is only the second contestant who represented the state of Anzoategui to win the official Miss Venezuela title. The other winner from Anzoategui was Olga Antonetti in 1962 who represented Venezuela at Miss International 1962 making the top 15 only to tragically die in a plane crash in 1968 when Olga was only 24 years old. Stephany is an Economics student at Florida International University and she was born in the state of Bolivar and comes from a family of Syrian immigrants to Venezuela. Of course, Venezuela has done extremely well in international pageantry claiming 7 Miss Universe crowns. Venezuela has placed in 15 of the last 18 Miss Universe pageants missing the semifinals only in 2010, 2016 and 2020 and last winning the crown in 2013 and placing among the top 5 last year. There was a 12 year gap between the Venezuelan wins of Alicia Machado in 1996 and Dayana Mendoza in 2008 so will this pattern continue and will Venezuela claim its 8th Miss Universe crown 12 years after Gabriela Isler won in 2013??


Vietnam-Huong Giang Nguyen

Huong Giang is the first Asian transwoman to compete for the Miss Universe title in history since it was permitted in 2012 when Jenna Talackova broke down barriers and made the top 12 of the 2012 Miss Universe Canada pageant which interestingly enough was won by Sahar Biniaz who withdrew in 2012 but Sahar is now representing Persia (Iran) in this year's 2025 Miss Universe pageant. Other transwomen have previously made it to the Miss Universe stage including: Spain's Angela Ponce in 2018, Netherlands' Rikkie Kolle in 2023 and Portugal's Marina Machete in 2023 but Marina was the only one to place in her year. However, Huong Giang has a leg up as she has previously won a competition exclusively for trans delegates called Miss International Queen in 2018! Will Huong Giang's experience propel her in the Miss Universe competition and will she be the next trans delegate to place and possibly the first to win the Miss Universe crown?? Vietnam made the top 5 at Miss Universe 2018 thanks to the sensational H'Hen Nie who recently became a mother giving birth to a baby girl on September 20. Vietnam also placed in 2008 (the year they hosted Miss Universe) as well as 2019-2021 and 2024 so with this successful recent track record, will we see this 33-year-old from Hanoi triumph on the Miss Universe stage as she did at Miss International Queen??


Zambia-Kunda Mwamulima

Kunda is a 29-year-old registered nurse who previously represented the smoke and thunder of Victoria Falls in the 2023 Miss Earth pageant and the 2023 Top Model of the World pageant going unplaced. Zambia has never placed in Miss Universe history so will Kunda's experience help her get noticed in a big way??


Zimbabwe-Lyshanda Moyas

Lyshanda is a 27-year-old nurse and finance/marketing consultant who previously won the right to represent her nation at the 2021 Miss Intercontinental pageant but ended up not competing. The land where the waterfalls stand out and wildlife thrives has only placed twice thanks to Corrinne Crewe in 2000 and last year in 2024, Sakhile Dube made a comeback placing among the top 30 so will Lyshanda be able to keep Zimbabwe's momentum going and earn a consecutive placement for her country at Miss Universe??





Keep checking back regularly and pick your favorites for the 2025 Miss Universe title otherwise known as...
MMXXViss UNIVERSE!



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