The 74th Miss Universe competition is underway in Thailand, a country known for its dazzling production and passion for the global spectacle. Current titleholder Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark is set to crown her successor tonight.
A significant moment arrived with the announcement of the Top 30 contestants. This elite group notably features 13 representatives from Latin American nations.
Miss Paraguay, Yanina Gómez, secured the final spot in the Top 30. Her inclusion was determined by user votes cast on missuniverse.com.
The competition faced earlier controversy surrounding its judging panel. Three members reportedly resigned just before the grand finale.
The Miss Universe Organization underscored the contest’s commitment to transparency. It stated that the winner must embody social purpose, visible leadership, and the ability to connect with global audiences, in addition to elegance and charisma.
The presented judges include Miss Thailand 1998 Nok Chalida and Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza. Olympic medalist Saina Nehwal, entrepreneur Sharon Fonseca, and Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova are also serving on the panel.
Earlier, Miss Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, was notably absent from the initial contestant presentation. She had suffered a serious fall the previous day and required hospital attention.
Reports before the live gala mentioned Henry was backstage on a stretcher. Her participation in subsequent rounds remained uncertain.
The event commenced with 102 aspiring contestants parading in matching white skirt and crop top ensembles. Musical accompaniment was provided by Jeff Satur.
Crowd favorites during the televised presentation included representatives from Thailand, Colombia, and the Philippines. Contestants from Venezuela, USA, and Puerto Rico also received strong cheers.
Danilo Carrera and former Miss Mexico Jacqueline Bracamontes are hosting the live event. They are fronting the broadcast for Telemundo and its affiliated networks across Latin America.