Miss Universe 2021 Top 15 Final Hot Picks

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Miss Universe United States of America 2021 Elle Smith

Elle Smith was crowned as Miss USA 2021 on 29tth November 2021 at the Paradise Cove Theater of River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She succeeded Miss USA 2020 Asya Danielle Branch for the title. Elle is one of the most charming ladies on the competition and is emerging as a crowd favourite. The 23-year-old is a broadcast journalism graduate from the University of Kentucky’s School of Journalism and Media and currently works as a news reporter in WHAS11 Louisville and covers stories throughout southern Indiana. As a Wildcat, she was the vice president of UK’s National Association of Black Journalists chapter, a reporter for the UK Student News Network and a videographer for UK Athletics and SEC Network. Elle previously shared that her participation in pageants doesn't take away from her professionalism as a journalist, even though some may be quick to criticize. "There's always going to be people who think pageants exploit people, that they only show brainless beauties," she said. She doesn't let that negativity bother her. Instead, she said she finds strength and confidence in what she does.

03 / 16

Miss Universe India 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu

LIVA Miss Diva 2021, the 9th edition of the national pageant, was held on 30th September, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency, Mumbai where Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu was crowned Miss Universe India 2021. She succeeded Miss Universe India 2020 Adline Castelino for the title. Harnaaz is emerging as a frontrunner at the competition and is a strong candidate for the crown. An advocate for women's empowerment, Harnaaz is an actor by profession and loves writing couplets in her mother tongue Punjabi. Harnaaz Sandhu is 21 years of age and hails from Chandigarh. She is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Public Administration and loves acting, dancing, swimming, and horse riding. Harnaaz has always had a special connection with animals and is a fitness freak who likes swimming, yoga and playing chess. She firmly believes in the saying, ‘life is a process of learning, so make the most out of it.

04 / 16

Miss Universe South Africa 2021 Lalela Mswane

The Miss South Africa organization hosted its 63rd edition of the pageant on 16th October 2021 at Sun International Grandwest Arena where Lalela Mswane was crowned as Miss Universe South Africa 2021. Although Lalela has faced severe criticism from the South African government for going ahead with her delegation at Miss Universe, she has not let it demoralize her and has only determined harder to make her dreams come true. Hailing from Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, 24 year-old Lalela currently resides in Pretoria. She is a model, dancer and a graduate with a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Pretoria. She is the founder of the ‘Lalela Mswane Foundation’, an NGO that strives to empower the youth to soar beyond the boundaries that life has placed before them. The foundation envisions to empower young South Africans, particularly those stemming from parentless backgrounds, to soar beyond the boundaries life has placed before them by means of mentorship programs as well as equip them with the necessary tools to ensure that they succeed in their chosen paths. One interesting fact about her is that her name means “listen to the commemoration of the Passover”.

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Miss Universe Brazil 2021 Teresa Santos

Teresa Santos was crowned Miss Universe Brazil 2021 on 9th November 2021 as she succeeded Miss Universe Brazil 2020 Julia Gama for the title. Teresa Stela Barbosa Silva Santos is a 23 years old Brazilian model and beauty pageant titleholder. Santos had previously been crowned Miss Ceará 2021 and Miss Ceará 2018, and placed as the second runner-up at Miss Brazil 2018. She is the fourth woman from Ceará to win Miss Brazil. She is a fitness enthusiast and a last-year psychology student. She also owns a jewellery business. The queen grew up in close contact with nature in northeast of Brazil and is a staunch believer in the power of sustainability. She grew up playing volleyball and lived in the United States for an year on an exchange program. She wishes to help women who live in vulnerable conditions by opening up a safe space where they can access better help, both physical and mental.

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Miss Universe Thailand 2021 Anchilee Scott Kemmis

The Miss Universe Thailand organization hosted the 2021 edition for the national pageant on 24th October 2021, where Anchilee Soctt-Kemmis was crowned as the new queen. She succeeded Miss Universe Thailand 2020 Amanda Obdam for the title. 22 years old Anchilee is a Thai Australian model; originally from Chachoengsao but currently she lives in Bangkok, Thailand. She has a Bachelor’s degree from University in Sydney majoring in Sociology. She currently works as a model in Bangkok. Ann's mission is to celebrate ourselves, our uniqueness, love our own beauty by setting our own standards. The queen stands for redefining beauty standards by celebrating diversity, individuality and has been successful in starting more discussions around the topic in the pageant world. Anchilee faced body shaming while growing up and felt it her responsibility to create a better space for all bodies to exist as they are. ‘Real-size beauty’, her online movement was borne out of her own experiences and strives to normalise all body shapes and sizes.

07 / 16

Miss Universe Paraguay 2021 Nadia Ferreira

The Promociones Gloria organization held the official presentation of the greatest exponent of Paraguayan beauty, Miss Universe Paraguay for the 2021 edition on 31st August 2021 where Nadia Ferreira was crowned Miss Universe Paraguay 2021. She succeeded Miss Universe Paraguay 2020 Vanessa Castro for the title. 22 year-old Nadia is currently studying towards a degree in business engineering. She speaks English fluently and can also communicate in Portuguese. In 2015, she appeared in ‘Parodiando in Telefuturo’, a television show in which participants performed parodies of famous singers. She is a Paraguayan supermodel who has graced some of the most important runways all over the world, shot tons of major campaigns for prominent brands and appeared on covers of various magazines. The pinnacle of her career was the New York Fashion Week. She walked the runway on many occasions creating an uproar in the local and international media from supporters and critics. She has walked in fashion shows in Milan, Santiago, Paris, Brazil, Paraguay, Mexico, Qatar, Dubai. Also not new to pageantry, she competed at Miss Teen Universe 2014 in Guatemala where she was adjudged as the third runner-up.

08 / 16

Miss Universe Chile 2021 Antonia Figueroa

The Miss Chile Universo organization hosted the coronation for the Miss Universe Chile 2021 on 11th September 2021 at Hotel Ontiveros in San Fernando, where Antonia Cristal Figueroa was crowned as the new queen. She succeeded Miss Universe Chile 2020 Daniela Nicolás for the title. Hailing from Coquimbo, Antonia is a 26 years-old Civil Environmental Engineering student and a model by profession. She is also a Taekwondo champion and former professional violinist of the municipal theater in her region. She speaks fluent English, German and Portuguese. Figueroa is a pageant veteran as she has won the titles of Miss Mundo Chile 2016 and Miss Earth Chile 2018. She represented Chile and competed at Miss World 2016 where she was unplaced but she finished in the Top 10 in the talent competition. In 2018, she represented Chile at Miss Earth and finished in the Top 12. Apart from being a beauty queen, she is also the president of an NGO called, ‘Volunteers for Children’, that helps children and adolescents in Sename residences. She is also an environmentally aware citizen who wishes to bring about a change in the society through her delegacy. Antonia is confident, experienced and determined making her one of the strongest contenders for the title of Miss Universe 2021.

09 / 16

Miss Universe Costa Rica 2021 Valeria Rees

The Miss Costa Rica organization appointed Valeria Rees as the new Miss Costa Rica 2021. She succeeded Miss Costa Rica 2020 Ivonne Cerdas for the title. Valeria is a 28 year-old law student and has extensive experience in modelling. Not new to the pageant industry, she participated in Repretel's Battle of Talents and was the vice-queen of Miss Mundo Costa Rica 2019 and one of the candidates for Miss Costa Rica 2020, where she was the first runner-up. Previously in an interview, she spoke about her stage with anorexia and how that experience of more than five years ago prompted her to create a foundation that seeks to help other people suffering from eating disorders. She also created a foundation to support people with eating disorders, called Open Cage Foundation.

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Miss Universe Panama 2021 Brenda Smith

The organization of Senorita Panama hosted the coronation ceremony for Senorita Panama 2021 on 7th November 2021 at Hotel Whyndham Convention Center, Panama City, where Brenda Smith Lezama was crowned as the new queen. She succeeded Señorita Panamá 2020 Carmen Isabel Jaramillo for the title. Hailing from Ciudad de México, 26 years-old Brenda stands 171 cm tall and has a degree in Journalism and Cultural Studies and is an activist and a lecturer. She is well-spoken and has had a multi-cultural background. Brenda is a well-known name in the pageant industry, having won some of the most acclaimed titles being a proud Latina. She was crowned Mexicana Universal Ciudad de México 2019 and represented Ciudad de México at the Mexicana Universal 2020 where she was adjudged as the second runner-up. Apart from this, she has previously participated and was crowned Miss Missouri Teen USA 2013 and represented Missouri at Miss Teen USA 2013 where she was placed at Top 15 and as the first runner-up at Miss Georgia USA 2017. She has also participated in Our Latin Beauty 2018.

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Miss Universe Vietnam 2021 Nguyen Huynh Kim Duyen

Miss Universe Vietnam organization appointed Nguyen Huynh Kim Duyen as Miss Universe Vietnam 2021 and became the official representative of the country at the competition. Kim is 25-years-old and stands 173 cm tall and graduated in Business Administration from Stamford Raffles University, Singapore. The diva worked hard and aspired to be a beauty queen and participated at Miss Vietnam 2016 where she was placed at top 30 and then she participated at Miss Universe Vietnam 2019 where she was adjudged as the first runner-up at the end of the event finale. She was highly appreciated for her performance at the competition but she couldn’t win the title. She is also the co-founder of the ‘Spread of Love’ fund and accompanying the implementation of the project ‘With Me to School’, that is responsible for giving backpacks, books, and small fruits to add love to the children before entering the new school year. Kim is known for her seductive charisma and the sheer confidence she exudes.

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Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2021 Michelle Marie Colon

Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2021, the 65th edition of the national pageant, was held last night i.e. 30th September 2021 at the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center, San Juan where Michelle Marie Colón was crowned as the new queen. She succeeded Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2020 Estefania Soto for the title. Born and raised in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Michelle is of Puerto Rican and Afro-Caribbean descent. The 6 feet tall beauty has an extensive career in modelling as she has worked for various accomplished designers. She is the founder of the C.A.R.E. Empowering Program. Not new to the pageantry, Colon was Miss Teen Americas Puerto Rico 2018. Representing Puerto Rico, she was crowned Miss Teen Americas 2018 in El Salvador in May 2018. In 2020, she and Miss Earth 2019 Nellys Pimentel of Puerto Rico walked the runway at the New York Fashion Week in New York, USA. She wore Giannina Azar designs. She is currently attending school as a biology and pre-medical student.

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Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez

Miss Universe Philippines 2021, the 2nd edition of the national pageant, was held on 30th September 2021 at the Henann Resort Convention Center, Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol where Beatrice Luigi Gomez was crowned the new queen at the end of the event finale. She succeeded Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo for the title. The 26-year-old is a Philippine Navy Marines Reservist under the 82nd Marine Battalion Reserve of the Naval Reserve Center of Eastern Visayas. She created history by becoming the first member from the LGBTQIA+ community to win the Miss Universe Philippines title. She is currently pursuing a degree in Mass Communication from the University of San Jose and is a sports enthusiast who played in the volleyball varsity team during her academic years. Hailing from Cebu, the diva has been closely working with youth in contact with the law at a juvenile facility called Operation Second Chance of the Department of Social Welfare Services of Cebu City.

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Miss Universe Argentina 2021 Julieta Garcia

The Miss Universe Argentina organization hosted its coronation ceremony for the 2021 edition of Miss Universe Argentina on 16 October 2021 at Teatro Broadway in Buenos Aires, Argentina where Julieta Gracia was crowned as Miss Universe Argentina 2021. The 22-year-old is a professional model and loves to create content. Standing 180 cm tall, the diva has walked the runway at the ModaStyle 18 fashion show in La Plata, Argentina. The queen is not new to the pageant world, previously she competed in Miss Universe Argentina 2019 and was placed as the first runner-up. She bested 21 other candidates for the title of Miss Universe Argentina 2021. The diva is currently studying psychology and wishes to raise awareness about the significance of mental health. She has a great capacity of adaptation and is passionate about performing arts and loves to express herself in different ways.

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Miss Universe Cambodia 2021 Marady Ngin

The coronation ceremony for Miss Universe Cambodia 2021 took place on 28th October, 2021 at Phnom Penh, Cambodia where Ngin Marady was crowned as the new queen. Ngin Marady succeded Miss Universe Cambodia 2020 Sarita Reth for the title. Ngin Marady, also known as Rosa Ngin, is professional model and an actress. She is also the brand ambassador for a renowned brand in Cambodia. She is not new to the world of pageantry, previously she took part in Miss Cat of the City 2016 where she awarded Best in Catwalk. She is used to working in front of the camera and keenly takes to fashion and styling, all of which is going to prove immensely helpful to her on the finale night. The 22-year-old is a freshman international relations student. Marady is multilingual and can speak fluent Khmer, English and Thai. She is also well versed with Cambodian traditional dance styles like Romvong, Saravann, Lam Leav, Chok Krapeus and Rom Kbach and can perform them with grace. A spokesperson and ambassador of an LGBTQ organization called Love is Diversity, Marady helps raise awareness against such discrimination. Her confidence is what makes her stand out among the rest, the queen makes sure her presence is felt at every step of the way.

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Miss Universe Aruba 2021 Thessaly Zimmerman

The coronation of 52nd edition of Miss Universe Aruba, i.e. Miss Universe Aruba 2021, was held on 30th July 2021 at the House of Mosaic where Thessaly Zimmerman was crowned the new queen. She succeeded Miss Universe Aruba 2020 Helen Hernandez for the title. From Oranjestad, Aruba, Thessaly speaks English, Spanish and Dutch fluently. From 2006 to 2013, she attended Colegio Arubano in Oranjestad. In May 2010, she started raising money for the cancer fund of Koningin Wilhelmina Kanker Fonds Aruba. She also competed in Aruba Model Search and finished in the Top 7 an went on to work as a model for KOMA Models in Aruba for four years. In April 2013, she started raising money for the breast cancer fund of Mary Joan Foundation Aruba. She was Miss Teen Aruba International 2012 and represented Aruba at Miss Teen Americas 2013 in El Salvador. She was runner-up to Fulvia Villarreal of Panama. Thessaly attended the University of Applied Science Utrecht in Utrecht, Netherlands where she earned her bachelor’s degree international communication and media studies. From 2016 to 2017, she studied music marketing and management at the university. She competed at Miss Amsterdam 2016 at the Stadsschouwburg of Amsterdam in Amsterdam where she was runner-up to Ireda Nijboer. This year, in July, she served as one of the judges at Miss Teen Aruba International 2021.