HIGHLIGHTS: 72nd Miss Universe coronation night
This is it universe, Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios is the new Miss Universe queen!
Sheynnis bested 83 delegates at the 72nd Miss Universe coronation night held on Nov. 19, 9 a.m. in El Salvador. She made history as the first-ever Miss Universe winner from Nicaragua since debuting in 1955.
During the finals night, the candidates were narrowed down to 20 before they showcased their curves and confidence in the pageant's swimsuit competition.
The Top 10 candidates were announced next and it was followed by the contestants' display of grace and elegance in the evening gown competition.
The remaining candidates were narrowed down to half in the Top 5 announcement and joined the Q&A portion. The Top 3 were later announced and were asked to participate in another round of Q&A before the announcement of the winner.
Former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, Jeannie Mai Jenkins, and American TV presenter Maria Menounos served as this year's main hosts, while Catriona Gray and Zuri Hall returned as backstage correspondents.
Check out the highlights from the pagent below.
Miss Universe 2022 is Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios
Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua has been named the new Miss Universe 2023.
Thailand's Anntonia Porsild placed second while Australia's Morayah Wilson is third.
Palacios succeeds USA's R'Bonney Gabriel.
Mexico to host Miss Universe 2024
Miss Universe is heading to Mexico in 2024!
The hosts made the announcement before the winner was announced.
John Legend performs 'All of Me' for the Top 3 delegates
John Legend gave a smooth performance as the Top 3 candidates took the ramp in their evening gowns.
He sang All of Me while introducing Thailand, Australia, and Nicaragua in the evening gown segment.
Top 3 delegates appear on stage for the final Q&A
The three finalists returned to the Q&A segment to test their mental agility.
Thailand, Australia, and Nicaragua were given 30 seconds to answer.
For the final question, all three beauty queens were asked by hosts Olivia Culpo and Jeannie Mai Jenkins: "If you could live one year in another woman's shoes, who would you choose and why?"
Miss Universe 2023 names the Top 3 delegates
These ladies are getting closer to the crown! The MUO has announced the Top 3 delegates who are advancing to the next Q&A round, they are:
- Thailand
- Australia
- Nicaragua
The Top 5 queens engage in the Q&A portion
In the heart-stopping question-and-answer portion of the Miss Universe 2023 pageant, the final five queens stepped forward to showcase their aspirations and the causes they hold dear.
The questions delved into pressing social concerns and saw the ladies express what they stand for.
Only five remain: Australia, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Thailand and Colombia
— PhilSTAR L!fe (@philstarlife) November 19, 2023
The Q&A is happening now!
LIVE updates: https://t.co/hpBJUJ9qiY#MissUniverse #MissUniverse2023
📷: Screenshot/Kapamilya Channel pic.twitter.com/9vTsTu58RZ
With poise and conviction, the queens faced the esteemed panel of judges, including model Halima Aden, Mexican singer Mario Bautista, host Giselle Blondet, Miss Universe 1977 Janelle Commissiong, social media personality Avani Gregg, TV personality Carson Kressley, Filipino physician Connie Mariano, Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere, Roku representative Sweta Patel, and Miss Oregon 1994 Denise White.
Miss Universe names the Top 5 queens; Michelle Dee ends her journey
The heat is on! The Miss Universe pageant announced the top five queens moving forward. Here are the ladies who made it to the next round:
- Australia
- Puerto Rico
- Nicaragua
- Thailand
- Colombia
The Philippines' Michelle Dee has ended her Miss Universe journey. At the competition, she won the Spirit of Carnival and Voice of Change awards.
PH's Michelle Dee wins Spirit of Carnival award
The Philippines's Michelle Dee won the Spirit of Carnival by Carnival Cruise Line during the finals night of the 72nd Miss Universe.
The award is given to those who embody the company’s values of fun, friendship, diversity and inclusion.
John Legend serenades the Top 10 during the evening gown competition
12-time Grammy award winner John Legend performed Wonder Woman for the 10 beautiful ladies as they made their way to the stage during the evening gown competition.
The ten remaining candidates exuded poise and charm, captivating the audience with their dazzling smiles and confident strides as they showcased their gowns made by their chosen fashion designers.
PH's Michelle Dee among the Voice for Change gold winners
The Philippines' Michelle Dee is among the three winners of the Voice for Change segment of the competition.
"For the first time, we are making the gold winners extraordinary women who have gone above and beyond to drive positive change in their communities," the organization said.
Michelle was introduced as someone who "passionately advocates for autism acceptance and empowerment."
Puerto Rico's Carla Gill is spearheading the 'It's Okay Not Be Okay' program and 'Break the Silence' surrounding mental health challenges, and Angola's Ana Coimbra is addressing high infant mortality rates caused by malnutrition.
Crowd goes wild during the Top 10 announcement
These 10 ladies still have a shot at the crown:
- Puerto Rico
- Thailand
- Peru
- Colombia
- Nicaragua
- Philippines
- El Salvador
- Venezuela
- Australia
- Spain
Top 20 semifinalists slay the runway in the swimsuit round
The Top 20 candidates walked the Miss Universe runway for the swimsuit competition wearing pieces from Rubin Singer's Off the Runway collection. The queens also wore footwear by Jojo Bragais.
The swimsuits are available for pre-order via the Miss Universe website, with prices ranging from P4,000 to P7,400.
R'Bonney Gabriel shares how Miss Universe has helped her
Reigning queen R'Bonney Gabriel expresses her gratitude to Miss Universe for allowing her to use her voice to promote sustainable fashion practices.
"Miss Universe gave me the platform to amplify my voice for sustainable fashion. And even after Miss Universe I'll continue on. I'm actually dropping a new collection of recycled materials designed to continue this mission on my website at rbonneynola.com because this is what I stand for and this is who I am," she said.
Michelle Dee makes it to Top 20
The Philippines' Michelle Dee makes it to the Top 20.
Michelle was previously announced to be among the top 10 silver finalists in the Miss Universe 2023 “Voice for Good” category during the pageant’s preliminary competition on Nov. 16.
She also made it to beauty pageant expert organization Missosology's final hot picks for Miss Universe 2023 and placed the Philippine bet in the Top 3.
Miss Universe 2023 reveals the Top 20 semifinalists
From 83 delegates, the Miss Universe organization has announced the Top 20 queens who will be moving on to the next round. They are:
- Nicaragua - Sheynnis Palacios
- Spain - Athenea Paulinha Pérez Nsué
- Puerto Rico - Karla Acevedo
- Namibia - Jameela Uiras
- Venezuela - Diana Silva
- India - Shweta Sharda
- Thailand - Anntonia Porsild
- Chile - Celeste Viel
- Jamaica - Jordanne Levy
- USA - Noelia Voigt
- Nepal - Jane Dipika Garrett
- Peru - Camila Escribens
- Cameroon - Issie Princesse
- Colombia - Camila Avella
- Pakistan - Erica Robin
- Philippines - Michelle Dee
- Australia - Morayah Wilson
- Portugal - Marina Machete
- South Africa - Bryoni Govender
- El Salvador - Isabella Garcia-Manzo
The 72nd Miss Universe pageant begins
The 72nd Miss Universe opens with the introduction of the 84 beautiful delegates.
Jeannie Mai Jenkins, Olivia Culpo, and Mia Menounos serve as main hosts for the evening, while Zuri Hall and Catriona Gray as backstage hosts.
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