The Miss Universe Organization has increased the competition this year with a record-breaking thirty semifinalists, an increase from the previous years’ twenty. The Miss Universe 2024 pageant promises a historic and captivating competition set to take place in Mexico City on November 16.
As fans worldwide eagerly await the crowning of the next Miss Universe, the excitement begins with the preliminary competition and national costume show on Thursday, November 14. To add to the anticipation, the reigning Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios, will host a farewell tea party on November 15 before passing on her crown.
This year’s pageant has seen several surprising changes among national representatives. Initially, franchise ownership changes led to the replacement of Franki Russell as New Zealand’s representative by Victoria Vincent. Similarly, the Iranian-American nurse practitioner Fay Asghari, the original Miss Universe Persia 2024, relinquished her crown due to work conflicts, passing it to Ava Vahneshan.
Meanwhile, Andrea Radford of Guatemala stepped down due to her pregnancy, and Armenia’s Irina Zakharova faced backlash for her nationality, ultimately leading to her disqualification and replacement by Emma Avanesyan.
This year, the Miss Universe stage will feature new countries like Belarus, Eritrea, Guinea, and the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, several nations return after years of absence, including Cuba (last competing in 1967) and Fiji (absent since 1981). However, the Miss Universe Organization disqualified Italy Mora of Panama for allegedly leaving the hotel without permission, reinforcing the strict regulations of the pageant.
A prestigious panel known for its fairness will judge the Miss Universe contestants on evening wear, traditional outfits, and interviews. This year’s lineup includes social media star Lele Pons, Colombian singer Fariana, Telemundo host Jéssica Carrillo, music producer Emilio Estefan, Brazilian artist Romero Britto, fashion icon Eva Cavalli, former Miss Universe Margaret Gardiner, and renowned designer Michael Cinco.
Among The Most Talked About Contestants Are
- Argentina – Magalí Benejam
- Brazil – Luana Cavalcante
- Chile – Emilia Dides
- Dominican Republic – Celinee Santos
- Mexico – María Fernanda Beltrán
- Peru – Tatiana Calmell
- Puerto Rico – Jennifer Colón
- Spain – Michelle Jiménez
- United States – Alma Cooper
- Venezuela – Ileana Márquez
- Zimbabwe – Sakhile Dube
Fans already have favorites this year, and their choices go beyond mere patriotic support for the contestants representing their countries. According to fans’ predictions, Latina contestants again stand out for their beauty, intelligence, and charisma.
On social media, the representatives from Colombia, Chile, Peru, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Honduras, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, and the United States are among the favorites to be crowned and succeed Sheynnis Palacios.
On Saturday, November 16, Telemundo in the United States, Telemundo Internacional, and USA Network’s cable channels across Latin America will exclusively broadcast Miss Universe in Spanish.