Miss Universe Archives

2019 Miss Universe Pageant: Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi crowned the winner

December 8, 2019

by Yvette Thomas

Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi is crowned Miss Universe at the 2019 Miss Universe competition in Atlanta. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Fox)

Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe 2019, in a ceremony that took place December 8 at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Fox had the U.S. telecast of the show, which was hosted by Steve Harvey. Former beauty-pageant queens Olivia Culpo and Vanessa Lachey provided commentary, while Ally Brooke (of Fifth Harmony fame) was the show’s musical performer. The annual Miss Universe ceremony (now in its 68th year) is produced by the Miss Universe Organization.

The new Mouawad Power of Unity crown made its debut at the ceremony this year. According to Mouwad, the crown was created with 18-karat gold and handset with more than 1,770 white diamonds and three golden canary diamonds. The crown’s centerpiece is a shield-cut golden canary 62.83 carat diamond.

Contestants from 90 countries and territories were at the pageant, including Swe Zin Htet of Myanmar, who was the first openly lesbian contestant to compete for the Miss Universe title. Ultimately, she did not place in the Top 20. Bangladesh and Equatorial Guinea made their Miss Universe debuts this year.

The all-female panel of Miss Universe 2019 judges were:

Gaby Espino, Venezuelan actress
Sazan Hendrix, American businesswoman and social media personality
Riyo Mori. Miss Universe 2007 from Japan
Cara Mund, Miss America 2018^[39]
Bozoma Saint John, American businesswoman and marketing executive
Crystle Stewart, American actress and Miss USA 2008
Paulina Vega, Miss Universe 2014 from Colombia
Olivia Jordan (only as preliminary judge). American actress, model, and Miss USA 2015

Internet voting from the public returned after a two-year absence. The public Internet voting was for the contestants who placed in the Top 20.

Here are the Top 20 contestants of the 2018 Miss Universe pageant:

Zozibini Tunzi, Miss South Africa — Winner
Madison Anderson, Miss Puerto Rico — First runner-up
Sofía Aragón, Miss Mexico — Second runner-up
Gabriela Tafur, Miss Colombia — Top 5
Paweensuda Drouin, Miss Thailand— Top 5
Maëva Coucke, Miss France — Top 10
Birta Abiba Þórhallsdóttir, Miss Iceland — Top 10
Frederika Alexis Cull, Miss Indoensia — Top 10
Kelin Rivera, Miss Peru— Top 10
Cheslie Kryst, Miss USA — Top 10
Cindy Marina, Miss Albania — Top 20
Júlia Horta, Miss Brazil — Top 20
Mia Rkman, Miss Croatia — Top 20
Clauvid Dály, Miss Dominican Republic — Top 20
Vartika Singh, Miss India — Top 20
Olutosin Araromi, Miss Nigeria — Top 20
Gazini Ganados, Miss Philippines — Top 20
Sylvie Silva, Miss Portugal — Top 20
Thalía Olvino, Miss Venezuela — Top 20
Hoàng Thùy, Miss Vietnam — Top 20

2018 Miss Universe Pageant: Miss Philippines Catriona Gray crowned the winner

December 16, 2018

by Yvette Thomas

Miss Philippines Catriona Gray was crowned Miss Universe 2018, in a ceremony that took place December 16 at IMPACT Arena, Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand. Fox had the U.S. telecast of the show, which was hosted by Steve Harvey with Ashley Graham. Carson Kressley and Lu Sierra provided commentary, while Ne-Yo was the show’s musical performer. The annual Miss Universe ceremony is produced by the Miss Universe Organization. The show’s theme this year was “Empowered.”

Contestants from 94 countries and territories were at the pageant, including Spain’s Angela Ponce, who made history for being the first transgender contestant in the Miss Universe pageant. Ultimately, Ponce did not place in the Top 20.

According to a Miss Universe Organization press release: “Catriona Gray is passionate about the arts and previously received her Master Certificate in Music Theory from Berklee College of Music. She works closely with Young Focus Philippines, an education based NGO that provides free education and school sponsorships for children in Tondo Manila, one of the poorest neighborhoods within the country’s capital city. Additionally, [she] is an advocate for HIV/AIDS education and prevention after losing a close friend to the virus. She supports Love Yourself Philippines, an organization that offers free testing, education and treatment to those living with HIV/AIDS, and now as Miss Universe, plans to bring more awareness to the epidemic.”

The press release added, “For the first time in the competition’s history, the finalists had the opportunity to share a personal statement summarizing what they wanted the world to know about them. Topics ranged from female health care, the environment, ethnic minorities, body positivity, and cultural diversities. The first-ever all-women selection committee panel was made up of entrepreneurs, business leaders, industry experts, and former Miss Universe titleholders … Miss Universe Laos On-anong Homsombath was honored as the winner of the National Costume Show and shared about her costume, the Stream of Generosity, a half-human, half-bird spiritual creature in traditional Laos’ folklore.”

Here are the Top 20 contestants of the 2018 Miss Universe pageant:

Catriona Gray, Miss Philippines — Winner
Tamaryn Green, Miss South Africa — First runner-up
Sthefany Gutiérrez, Miss Venezuela — Second runner-up
Kiara Ortega, Miss Puerto Rico — Top 5
H’Hen Niê, Miss Vietnam — Top 5
Marta Stepien, Miss Canada — Top 10
Natalia Carvajal, Miss Costa Rica — Top 10
Akisha Albert, Miss Curaçao — Top 10
Manita Devkota, Miss Nepal — Top 10
Sophida Kanchanarin, Miss Thailand — Top 10
Francesca Hung, Miss Australia — Top 20
Zoe Brunet, Miss Belgium — Top 20
Mayra Dias, Miss Brazil — Top 20
Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, Miss Great Britain — Top 20
Enikő Kecskès, Miss Hungary — Top 20
Sonia Fergina Citra, Miss Indonesia — Top 20
Grainne Gallanagh, Miss Ireland — Top 20
Emily Maddison, Miss Jamaica — Top 20
Magdalena Swat, Miss Poland — Top 20
Sarah Rose Summers, Miss United States — Top 20

2018 Miss Universe Pageant: Event will take place in Bangkok; Steve Harvey returns as host

July 31, 2018

Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa at the Miss Universe Pageant at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas on November 26, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Fox)

The following is a press release from the Miss Universe Organization:

The Miss Universe Organization today announced that the 2018 MISS UNIVERSE® competition will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, and will air in the United States LIVE Sunday, December 16 (7:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. Five-time Emmy® Award winner, and one of television’s favorite entertainers,Steve Harvey returns to host. The three-hour event will feature women representing nearly 100 countries competing in multiple categories and will result in reigning Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, from South Africa, crowning her successor.

“The Miss Universe competition provides women from all walks of life and all corners of the globe the opportunity to represent their countries and share their ambitions, perspectives and personal experiences on an international stage,” added Nel-Peters. “Becoming Miss Universe changed the course of my life, and I look forward to seeing which amazing woman will benefit next!”

Over the pageant’s 67-year history, Bangkok has hosted MISS UNIVERSE® in 1992 and 2005, with representatives of Thailand capturing the crown twice in 1965 and 1988. This year, TW Investment Group will host the 2018 MISS UNIVERSE® and support in organizing the competition in Thailand.

Known for tropical beaches and pristine islands, sprawling metropolitan and lavish royal palaces, ancient ruins and lavish temples, Thailand’s colorful history and unique culture is home to one of Miss Universe’s most passionate fan bases. Bangkok, the country’s most populous capital city, is one of the most popular international tourist destinations. Bangkok and the country of Thailand will host the Miss Universe representatives, who will also have the opportunity to travel throughout the country and experience different “Go Local” points of interest.

Find MISS UNIVERSE^® on Facebook and YouTube, and follow onTwitter and Instagram.

2018 Miss Universe Competition: location, date, host announced

September 27, 2017

Contestants of the 65th Miss Universe Competition with host Steve Harvey (front row, center). (Photo courtesy of Fox)

The following is a press release from Fox:

The Miss Universe Organization announced that the 66th MISS UNIVERSE® competition will take place live from The AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, NV, on Sunday, November 26, 2017 (7:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Five-time Emmy® Award winner Steve Harvey returns to the Miss Universe stage, marking the third time that the multi-talented personality will host the international competition.

Nearly 100 women from across the globe will travel to compete for the opportunity of becoming the next Miss Universe. Iris Mittenaere from France will crown her successor at the conclusion of the live three-hour event.

Miss France 2016 Iris Mittenaere named winner of Miss Universe pageant

January 30, 2017

by Jackie Green

Iris Mittenaere, Miss Universe 2017 — Iris Mittenaere (Photo courtesy of Fox)

Iris Mittenaere, Miss France 2016, was crowned Miss Universe at the 65th Miss Universe pageant, which was held at Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines on January 29, 2017. Fox had the U.S. telecast of the show, which was once again hosted by Steve Harvey. Model/activist Ashley Graham served as backstage host. Flo Rida and and Boyz II Men performed at the event.

The first runner-up was Raquel Pelissier from Haiti. The second runner-up was Andrea Tovar from Colombia. The remaining contestants in the top six were Mary Esther Were from Kenya; Maxine Medina from the Philippines ; and Chalita Suansane from Thailand.

The judges who helped crown Miss Universe included:

Cynthia Bailey: Former model and founder of The Bailey Agency School of Fashion, a modeling and fashion school dedicated to helping young women achieve their dreams; current cast member on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
Mickey Boardman: Editorial Director and advice columnist for Paper magazine.
Leila Lopes: First Miss Universe from Angola and former United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Desertification; currently working with various charitable organizations in Africa.
Francine LeFrak: Emmy and Tony Award-winning producer, social entrepreneur, women’s empowerment activist and founder of Same Sky, an initiative that provides training and employment to HIV+ women survivors of the Rwandan genocide.
Sushmita Sen: Bollywood actress, philanthropist and champion of women’s rights in India; founder of I AM Foundation; and first-ever Miss Universe from India.
Dayanara Torres: Former UNICEF ambassador, writer, singer, model, actress and former Miss Universe from Puerto Rico.

Here are some photo highlights of the pageant on stage and behind the scenes.