MANILA, Philippines — Lalong lumalakas ang excitement bawat araw habang papalapit ang Miss Universe 2023, ang ika-72 edisyon ng pageant, na gaganapin sa El Salvador.
Magsisimula ang pageant sa preliminary competition sa Nobyembre 15 (Nobyembre 16, 8 a.m. sa Pilipinas) at sa national costume competition sa Nobyembre 16 (November 17, 9 a.m. sa Pilipinas), bago ang main coronation event sa Nobyembre 18 (Nobyembre 19, 9 a.m. sa Pilipinas).
Ang sariling Pilipinas na si Michelle Dee ay isa sa 86 beauty queen na umaasang hahalili sa Filipino-American at reigning Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel.
At least, umaasa si Michelle na maibalik ang Pilipinas sa semifinal round matapos ang pageant noong nakaraang taon ay minarkahan ang unang early exit ng bansa sa loob ng 12 taon.
Makasaysayan na ang edisyong ito ng Miss Universe dahil mayroon itong unang kasal na babae at ina na nakikipagkumpitensya, pati na rin ang dalawang transgender contestant.
Kilalanin ang Miss Universe 2023 candidates
Si Miss Albania Endi Demneri ay nagmula sa isang pamilya ng mga fashion designer at beauty queen at siya mismo ay isang propesyonal na modelo, na lumahok sa Milan Fashion Show noong nakaraang taon.
Noong 2022, ang Albania ay umabot lamang sa Top 10 mula noong unang sumali sa Miss Universe (ang kanilang inaugural candidate na si Anisa Kospiri ay isa sa dalawang pambansang delegado na umabot sa markang iyon), at si Endi ay itinuturing na isa sa mga mas malakas na kandidato para sa korona ngayong taon. .
Si Miss Angola Ana Coimbra ay nagtapos sa Economics, modelo, at project manager na ang mga adbokasiya ay kinabibilangan ng kamalayan sa kanser sa suso at kahalagahan ng agrikultura ng pamilya.
Isang beses lang nakoronahan ang Angola bilang Miss Universe, si Leila Lopes noong 2011, at si Ana ay pangalawang kandidato lang ng Angola mula noong 2019.
Si Miss Argentina Yamile Dajud ay may degree sa Social Communication na nagdadalubhasa sa opinyon ng publiko at political marketing mula sa Pontificia Universidad Javeriana sa Bogota, Colombia, ang sariling bansa ng kanyang mga magulang, at kasalukuyang nag-aaral ng abogasya.
Dahil sa pamana ng kanyang mga magulang, sumabak siya sa Miss Colombia 2021 at nagtapos bilang fourth runner-up. Noong taon ding iyon si Señorita Sucre ay nakipagkumpitensya siya sa Señorita Colombia 2021 at nagtapos bilang third runner-up.
Ang nag-iisang Miss Universe ng Argentina hanggang ngayon ay si Norma Beatriz Nolan noong 1962, at ang pinakahuling pagsulong ng bansa ay si Alina Luz Akselrad na nakapasok sa Top 21 ng 2020 na edisyon na kalaunan ay napanalunan ni Andrea Meza ng Mexico.
Si Miss Aruba Karol Croes ay isang entrepreneur, modelo, at social media marketer na ang adbokasiya ay nagbibigay ng pang-edukasyon, tunay, at kaalamang nilalaman para sa mga kabataan kasama ng mga halaga ng altruismo, kamalayan sa lipunan, at kabaitan.
Umaasa si Karol na pagbutihin ang pinakamahusay na pagtatapos ng kanyang bansa, Taryn Mansell bilang runner-up noong 1996. Nabigo ang kanyang hinalinhan na si Kiara Arends na makapasok sa semifinals, ngunit noong 2021 nailagay si Thessaly Zimmerman sa Top 10, ang unang pagtatapos ng bansa noon. markahan sa mahigit dalawang dekada.
Si Miss Australia Moraya Wilson ay isang modelo at isang secondary school sports coach para sa athletics, cross country, at snowsports, at nakipagkumpitensya pa sa internasyonal sa loob ng walong taon bilang isang downhill ski racer.
Siya ay nagtatapos ng isang Business Marketing degree sa Melbourne’s RMIT University at nagbabalak na maging ikatlong delegado ng Australia na nanalo ng Miss Universe pagkatapos ni Kerry Anne Wells noong 1972 at Jennifer Hawkins noong 2004.
Si Miss Bahamas Melissa Ingraham ay may bachelor’s degree sa Environmental Science at master’s degree sa Climate Change studies na humahantong sa kanyang karera bilang environmental scientist kasama ng modelling.
Si Melissa ay dating lumaban sa Miss Long Island 2023, ngunit ang titulong hinahangad niya ay Miss Universe; noong 2021, si Chantel O’Brian ay naging kauna-unahang delegado ng bansa na pumuwesto sa pageant, na nagtapos sa Top 10, mula noong sumali noong 1963.
Si Miss Bahrain Lujane Yacoub ay isang half-American na aktres, mananayaw, at modelo na ang adbokasiya ay nagbibigay ng kapangyarihan sa mga bata sa pamamagitan ng sining at pagpapahayag, at isa siya sa tatlong teenager na nakikipagkumpitensya sa Miss Universe 2023.
Talagang nakipagkumpitensya siya sa Miss Bahrain noong nakaraang taon at natapos lamang sa likod ng kanyang hinalinhan na si Evlin Khalifa, at siya ang ikatlong magkakasunod na kinatawan ng kanyang bansa sa Miss Universe.
Si Miss Belgium Emilie Vansteenkiste ay isang modelo, Latin dancer, at occupational therapy student na marunong magsalita Dutch at French.
Ang pinakamataas na pagtatapos ng Belgium sa Miss Universe ay nasa Top 6 ni Anke Vandermeersch noong 1992.
Si Miss Bolivia Estafany Rivero ay isang arkitekto, interior decorator, at modelo, at sa loob ng maraming taon ay nakikipagtulungan sa Fundación Armonía upang mapanatili ang endangered endemic Barba Azul macaw.
Wala pang napapanalunan ang Bolivia sa Miss Universe pageant.
Si Miss Brazil Maria Brechane ay isang mag-aaral sa pamamahayag na nagtatrabaho bilang isang modelo at aktres na may ilang background sa palakasan, at siya ang pangalawa sa tatlong teenager na nakikipagkumpitensya sa Miss Universe 2023.
Sa kabila ng pagiging pare-parehong paborito, dalawang beses lang nanalo ang Brazil sa Miss Universe — Iêda Maria Vargas noong 1963 at Martha Vasconcellos noong 1968 — at mula noon ay nakakuha na siya ng siyam na runner-up finish, pinakahuli si Julia Gama noong 2020 bilang first runner-up.
Si Miss British Virgin Island Ashelica Fahie ay isang legal na manager at may-ari ng negosyo na may degree sa General Studies na nakatuon sa Humanities at may hawak ding law degree, na interesado sa financial literacy at mental health awareness.
Si Ashellica ay dating nanalo ng Miss BVI Teen 2011 at naging second runner-up sa Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant sa parehong taon.
Ang British Virgin Islands ay hindi kailanman nakalagay sa Miss Universe ngunit nanalo ng Best National Costume ng dalawang beses mula noong unang sumali noong 1977.
Kasama sa pageant experience ni Miss Bulgaria Yuliia Pavlikova ang Miss Earth 2021 at Miss Grand International 2022, at sa edad na 30 ay siya ang pinakamatandang contestant sa Miss Universe 2023 kasunod ng pagtanggal ng pageant sa mga panuntunan sa limitasyon sa edad nito.
Siya ang huling kalahok para sa pageant ngayong taon kasunod ng mga panloob na isyu sa kanyang sariling organisasyon, ngunit hindi mabibigla si Yuliia sa pagtatangka na gumawa ng kasaysayan bilang unang kandidato sa Bulgaria mula noong sumali ang bansa noong 1991 upang ilagay o manalo man lang sa kompetisyon.
Si Miss Cambodia Sotima John ay isang modelo at aspiring fashion designer na nakipagkumpitensya sa Miss Tourism International 2019 kung saan siya ay nagtapos bilang fourth runner-up at nanalo ng Dreamgirl of the Year.
Ang Cambodia ay medyo bago sa Miss Universe, na unang sumali noong 2017 at hindi pa rin nakakuha ng korona.
Si Miss Cameroon Issie Princesse, isang management student at breast cancer advocate, ay naghihintay sa kanyang maningning na sandali mula nang mapili bilang kinatawan ng kanyang bansa sa Miss Universe 2023 noong isang taon.
Ang Cameroon ay bago rin sa Miss Universe, na nag-debut sa Miss Universe 2020 noong ginanap ito noong Mayo 2021 dahil sa pandemya ng COVID-19.
Si Miss Canada Madison Kvaltin ay isang negosyante na may degree sa Sociology and Business na ang karanasan sa pageant ay kinabibilangan ng Top 8 finish sa Miss International 2022 — ang pinakamahusay na pagtatapos ng Canada sa anumang nangungunang pageant mula noong 2009 — pagkatapos maging runner-up sa Miss Universe Canada sa parehong taon at Miss Intercontinental 2026.
Si Madison ay nagmamay-ari din ng kumpanya ng marketing at web design at nagtatag ng Skilla Athletics na nagtataguyod ng malusog na kumpiyansa sa katawan at ang pagdiriwang ng mga katawan sa pamamagitan ng paggalaw lalo na sa sports.
Dalawang beses nang nanalo ang Canada bilang Miss Universe, sina Karen Baldwin noong 1982 at Natalie Glebova noong 2005, at nalagay sa Top 10 apat na beses mula noong huli nilang koronasyon. Noong nakaraang taon, natapos si Amelia Tu sa Top 16.
Si Miss Cayman Islands Ileann Powery ay isang negosyante, isang self-taught photographer at videographer, at isang propesyonal na manlalaro ng volleyball para sa pambansang koponan sa loob ng mahigit isang dekada na ngayon.
Ang Cayman Islands ay madalas na nakikipagkumpitensya sa Miss Universe mula noong unang sumali noong 1980, na may ilang mga pagkagambala, ngunit hindi pa umabot sa semifinals at nanalo ng Miss Congeniality ng dalawang beses sa unang tatlong taon nito.
Si Miss Chile Celeste Viel ay isang modelo at health coach na nag-aaral ng Public Relations sa Florida International University ng Miami at anak siya ng Miss World Chile 1992 Paula Caballero.
Ang hinalinhan ni Celeste na si Sofia Depassier ay pinagsamang Miss Congeniality winner, bagama’t umaasa siyang magdagdag sa nag-iisang Miss Universe na panalo ng Chile ni Cecilia Fonck noong 1987.
Si Miss China Jia Qi ay isang dating track and field athlete na dating lumaban sa mga fitness competition.
Ang China ang second runner-up sa kanilang unang Miss Universe participation noong 2002, na kinakatawan ni Zhuo Ling, ngunit umabot lang ng kasing taas ng 4th runner-up noong 2011 (Luo Zilin) mula noon.
Si Miss Colombia Camila Avella ay isang modelo, tennis player, content creator, isang Social Communication at Journalism graduate, at gumagawa ng kasaysayan bilang isa sa mga unang kasal na babae at ina na lumahok sa Miss Universe kasunod ng pagbabago ng panuntunan ng pageant.
Ang Colombia ay palaging malakas na katunggali sa pageant, kung saan nanalo ang kauna-unahang kalahok na si Luz Marina Zuluaga noong 1958 at ang pinakahuling nagwagi na si Paulina Vega noong 2014, at isang napakalaking 13 runner-up. Ang hinalinhan ni Camila na si María Fernanda Aristizábal ay nagtapos sa Top 16.
Si Miss Costa Rica Lisbeth Valverde ay isang modelo at entrepreneur na may degree sa Special Education na dating lumaban sa Miss Centroamerican 2015, Miss Intercontinental Costa Rica 2016, at Reina de la Costa Maya at Miss Panamerican International na parehong noong 2019.
Ang Costa Rica ay nakarating sa semifinal round ng Miss Universe ng sampung beses ngunit hindi pa lumampas sa Top 10.
Si Miss Croatia Andrea Erjavec ay isang Education student sa University of Zagreb na nagtataguyod para sa pisikal at mental na kalusugan ng mga bata.
Si Andrea ay dating lumaban sa Miss Universe Croatia 2020 at nagtapos bilang second runner-up. Hindi pa napanalunan ng Croatia ang Miss Universe, na umabot sa Top 16 nang tatlong beses mula noong unang sumali noong 1997.
Si Miss Universe Curaçao Kim Rossen ay isang track and field medalist, modelo, at occupational therapist na may diploma mula sa University of Rotterdam, at natapos bilang runner-up sa Miss Curaçao Holland 2023.
Ang pinakamagandang Miss Universe finish ni Curaçao ay nananatiling 1st runner-up title ni Annemarie Braafheid noong 1968, ngunit umabot sa Top 10 ng limang beses mula noong 1991, kung saan ang hinalinhan ni Kim na si Gabriela Dos Santos ay nagtapos sa Top 5.
Si Miss Czech Republic Vanesa Švédová ay isang mag-aaral at modelo na naghihintay na lumaban sa Miss Universe mula nang mapili bilang kinatawan ng kanyang bansa noong Disyembre.
Naabot ng Czech Republic ang Top 15 nang tatlong beses sa loob ng apat na taon mula 2007-10, na may natapos na Top 10 noong 2009, ngunit hindi kailanman napanalunan ni haz ang korona.
Si Miss Denmark Nikoline Hansen ay isang cosmetic clinic receptionist at isang Marketing Economics student sa Copenhagen Business Academy, na may hangaring magtrabaho sa social media at paggawa ng content sa industriya ng fashion at kagandahan.
Hindi nagpadala ng kinatawan ang Denmark sa pageant noong nakaraang taon, at ang pinakamahusay nilang natapos sa Miss Universe ay si Aino Korva bilang 1st runner-up noong 1963.
Si Miss Dominican Republic Marana Downing ay isang half-British model at actress na nagtrabaho sa mga charity tulad ng Habitat for Humanity at Jack Brewer Foundation, at dati ay may relasyon sa singer-actor na si Marc Anthony.
Ang nag-iisang Miss Universe na panalo ng Dominican Republic ay nananatiling kay Amelia Vega noong 2003, na nanalo rin ng Best National Costume, na may limang runner-up finish mula noon kasama ang hinalinhan ni Mariana na si Andreína Martínez sa 2nd runner-up.
Si Miss Ecuador Delary Stoffers ay isang modelo, mag-aaral sa Business Administration, at aktibista sa mga karapatang panghayop na dating lumaban sa Reina de Carnaval 2020, Concurso Nacional de Belleza Ecuador 2020, at nagwagi ng Miss Guayas.
Ang pinakamahusay na natapos ng Ecuador sa Miss Universe ay si Constanza Jalil noong 2013 bilang 2nd runner-up.
Si Miss Egypt Mohra Tantawy ay isang Business Marketing at propesyonal na modelo na dating nakipagkumpitensya sa Miss Intercontinental 2022.
Ang Egypt ay minarkahan ang pagbabalik sa Miss Universe mula noong 2019, nang ang bansa ay kinakatawan ni Diana Hamed; wala pa itong panalo o puwesto man lang sa taunang pageant.
Si Miss El Salvador Isabella García-Manzo ay isang Hospitality Business Administration student sa Spain at sasalubungin si Miss Universe pabalik sa kanyang bansa sa pangalawang pagkakataon pagkatapos ng unang pagho-host ng El Salvador noong 1975, nang ito ay sa pamamagitan ng Finland Marie Pohtamo.
Ang bayang kinalakhan ay maghahanda para sa isang pioneer na panalo sa Miss Universe, dahil ang pinakamahusay na pagkilala ng El Salvador ay ang pagkapanalo ng Best National Costume noong 2018.
Si Miss Equatorial Guinea Diana Hinestrosa ay nagtapos sa Economic Sciences na nag-aaral para sa kanyang mga masters sa Psychology na nagtatag ng youth organization Proyecto Futuro.
Si Diana ay itinuturing na isa sa mga pinakamahusay na kinatawan ng Equatorial Guinea hanggang ngayon, na maaaring magpalakas ng mga pagkakataon ng bansa para sa unang korona ng Miss Universe.
Si Miss Finland Paula Joukanen ay isang modelo, propesyonal na manlalaro ng tennis, law student, legal trainee sa isang construction consulting firm, at nakakapagsalita ng anim na wika.
Ang Finland ay may dalawang korona ng Miss Universe hanggang ngayon, si Armi Kuusela noong 1956 at Anne Marie Pohtamo noong 1975, at sa pagitan ng mga koronasyon ay nagkaroon ng walong runner-up ang bansa.
Si Miss France Diane Leyre ay isang trilingual model at radio host na dating napanalo Miss Île-de-France at Miss Paris, parehong noong 2021, at may hawak na baccalauréat sa Economics at Social Sciences pati na rin degree sa Business Administration.
Si Diane ay dapat na lumaban noong nakaraang taon ngunit umatras dahil sa kakulangan ng paghahanda, at pagkatapos ay pinalitan ng kanyang Miss France 2022 1st runner-up na si Floriane Bascou.
Si Miss Germany Helena Bleicher ay isang trilingual model, designer, aspiring teacher, at advocate para sa environmental conservation at animal welfare na nalagay sa Top 10 ng Miss Aura International 2022.
Ang Germany ay isang contender noong mga unang taon ng Miss Universe, na magkakasunod na nagtatampok sa Top 16 plus limang runner-up finishes patungo sa nag-iisang panalo nito noong 1961 ni Marlene Schmidt, ngunit mula noon ay umabot na sa Top 15 nang 11 beses lang.
Si Miss Greece Marielia Zaloumi ay isang modelo na may degree sa Business Management na dating nakipagkumpitensya sa synchronized swimming.
Ang nag-iisang panalo sa Miss Universe ng Greece ay dumating noong 1964 sa pamamagitan ni Corinna Tsopei, ngunit mula noon ay umabot na sa semifinals ng 10 beses kasama ang dalawang runner-up finish, pinakahuli si Evelina Papantoniou na nagtapos sa likod ni Denise Quiñones ng Puerto Rico.
Si Miss Guatemala Michelle Cohn ay isang propesyonal na modelo, personalidad sa telebisyon at radyo, at negosyante na kasama ni Colombia Camila Avella ang magiging unang kasal na mga babae at ina na makakalaban sa Miss Universe kasunod ng pagbabago ng panuntunan.
Si Michelle ay mayroon ding karanasan sa pageant na lumaban sa Miss Grand International, nanalo bilang Miss Guatemala Latina, at nagtapos bilang third runner-up sa Miss América Latina del Mundo lahat noong 2013.
Maaari siyang gumawa ng higit pang kasaysayan sa pamamagitan ng pagkapanalo sa unang korona ng Miss Universe ng Guatemala dahil ang kanyang bansa ay dalawang beses pa lang nakapasok sa Top 10 mula noong unang sumali noong 1955, pinakahuli ni Jessica Scheel noong 2019.
Si Miss Guyana Lisa Narine ay isang creative coordinator, entrepreneur, dancer, model, archer, at radio host na may lahing Indian na may diploma sa Business and Marketing Management na kasalukuyang nagtatapos ng degree sa International Relations.
Ito ang unang pagkakataon ng Guyana sa Miss Universe mula noong 2017 kung saan ito ay kinakatawan ni Rafieya Husain dahil sa ilang kontrobersyang humahabol sa pambansang organisasyon.
Si Miss Honduras Zuheilyn Clemente ay isang presenter sa telebisyon at modelo na nagtapos sa Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos.
Ang nag-iisang Top 15 na natapos ng Honduras ay si Pastora Pagán Valenzuela noong 1955 sa panahon ng pangalawang Miss Universe appearance ng bansa.
Si Miss Hungary Tünde Blága ay isang modelo at nai-publish na may-akda na lumaban sa Miss Earth 2019 sa Pilipinas at nanalo sa inaugural na Miss Tourism Continental noong 2021, ang kanyang posisyon sa simula ay nasa ilalim ng kontrobersya nang siya ay isinilang at lumaki sa Transylvania, Romania.
Ang Hungary ay umatras mula sa pakikipagkumpitensya sa Miss Universe noong nakaraang taon at hindi pa nakakapagrehistro ng panalo sa pageant, ang pinakamataas nito ay si Ágnes Konkoly na umabot sa Top 10 noong 2012.
Si Miss Iceland Lilja Pétursdóttir ay isang empleyado ng nursing home at isa sa tatlong teenager na nakikipagkumpitensya ngayong taon sa Miss Universe; ang kanyang hinalinhan na si Hrafnhildur Haraldsdóttir ay tinedyer din noong lumaban siya noong nakaraang taon.
Ang pinakamahusay na pagtatapos ng Iceland sa Miss Universe ay si Anna Geirsdóttir na nagtapos sa likod ni Norma Nolan ng Argentina noong 1962.
Si Miss India Shweta Sharda ay isang modelo at koreograpo na nagtatapos sa kanyang pag-aaral sa Indira Gandhi National Open University na ang mga adbokasiya ay may kinalaman sa konservasyon ng kapaligiran at pagbibigay kapangyarihan sa mga kabataang mahihirap.
Umaasa si Shweta na tularan ang makasaysayang Miss Universe na panalo ni Harnaaz Sandhu noong 2021; ang kanyang hinalinhan at ang kahalili ni Harnaaz ay namamahala ng Top 16 finish noong nakaraang taon.
Si Miss Indonesia Fabiënne Groeneveld ay isang modelo, nagtapos sa International Business Management na may masters sa Business Administration, at animal welfare advocate na ipinanganak sa Netherlands na lumaban sa Miss Globe 2018 sa Pilipinas, na nalagay sa Top 20 at nanalo ng Best in Evening Gown at Miss Photogenic awards.
Ang Indonesia ay may walong placement sa Miss Universe ngunit walang runner-up na natapos o nanalo mula noong 1992; kasalukuyang sinisiraan ang pambansang organisasyon nito para sa mga di-umano’y insidente ng sexual harassment.
Si Miss Ireland Aishah Akorede ay isang half-Nigerian na modelo at corporate compliance consultant na may law masters degree sa International Corporate Governance na may Degree Plus Employability Award at nagtataguyod ng Chartered Governance Qualification Program.
Ang Ireland ay hindi kailanman nanalo ng Miss Universe — wala itong kinatawan noong nakaraang taon — at ang pinakamahuhusay nitong natapos ay 2nd runner-up nina Margaret McKeown at Roberta Brown noong 1963 at 1983, ayon sa pagkakabanggit.
Si Miss Italy Carmen Panepinto ay nagtapos sa Electronics Engineering na kasalukuyang nagtatapos ng kanyang masters sa Bionics Engineering at nasa robotics, biomechanics, at bioelectronics kaya itinataguyod ang pagbibigay-kapangyarihan sa mga kababaihan sa STEM.
Ang Italy ay hindi kailanman nanalo ng Miss Universe, ang pinakamalapit na naging 1st runner-up finishes nina Daniela Bianchi (1960) at Roberta Capua (1987).
Si Miss Jamaica Jordanne Levy ay isang Medicine and Surgery degree holder na nagsimula sa kanyang internship sa University Hospital of the West Indies noong unang bahagi ng taong ito, na may pangarap na magmamay-ari ng isang makabagong medikal na aesthetic spa habang nagpapalaki ng pamilya.
Ang Jamaica ay hindi kailanman nanalo ng Miss Universe, ang pinakamalapit na pagtatangka nito ay ang 1st runner-up finish ni Yendi Phillips noong 2011.
Si Miss Japan Rio Miyazaki ay kasalukuyang isang mag-aaral sa Early Childhood Education sa Kyoritsu Women’s University, na may dating karanasan bilang cheerleader para sa isang propesyonal na baseball team.
Dalawang beses lang nanalo ang Japan sa Miss Universe at halos limampung taon ang pagitan, si Akiko Kojima noong 1959 at Riyo Mori noong 2007.
Si Miss Kazakhstan Tomiris Zair ay isang Marketing student at model na naging Vice Miss Kazakhstan sa pambansang kompetisyon noong nakaraang taon.
Ang Kazakhstan ay hindi lumahok sa Miss Universe noong nakaraang taon matapos ang kinatawan nitong si Diana Tashimbetova ay umatras sa pageant dahil sa kakulangan ng suporta at mga kontrobersyang humahabol sa pambansang organisasyon.
Si Miss Kosovo Arbesa Rrahmani ay isang modelo at aktres na napili upang kumatawan sa kanyang bansa sa parehong kaganapan Napili si Endi Demneri na kumatawan sa Albania.
Mula nang sumali sa Miss Universe noong 2008 (nailagay sa Top 10 at nanalong Best National Costume), dalawang beses na napunta sa Top 16 ang Kosovo, nanalo ng Miss Photogenic noong 2012, at nananatili ang pinakamagandang pagtatapos nito Marigona Dragusha bilang second runner-up noong 2009.
Si Miss Laos Phaimany Lathsabanthao ay bilingual model at Business Administration graduate na first runner-up sa national competition noong nakaraang taon at dalawang beses na sumali sa Miss Laos, na nanalong Miss Photogenic noong 2018 at nalagay sa Top 15 noong 2021.
Ang hinalinhan ni Phaimany na si Payengxa Lor ay ang unang babaeng Hmong na sumabak sa Miss Universe at dinala pa niya ang kanyang bansa sa Top 16 sa unang pagkakataon matapos manalo sa boto ng tagahanga.
Si Miss Latvia Kate Alexeeva ay dapat lumaban sa Miss Universe noong nakaraang taon ngunit kinailangang umatras matapos masuri ang positibo para sa COVID-19.
Si Kate ay isang trilingual na modelo, entrepreneur, at content creator na may karanasan sa pageant tulad ng Miss Grand International at Top Model of the World sa ilalim ng kanyang sinturon.
Ito ang magiging ikatlong pagpapakita ng Latvia sa Miss Universe, at ang una nito sa mahigit isang dekada, kung saan naabot ni Ieva Kokorevi?a ang Top 10 sa kanyang Miss Universe debut.
Si Miss Lebanon Maya Aboul Hosn ay isang trilingual na modelo at personalidad sa telebisyon na may degree sa Communication na naging runner-up sa hinalinhan na si Yasmina Zaytoun.
Nauna nang sumabak si Maya sa mga lokal na pageant na Miss Beit Mery noong 2014 at Miss International Beauty Maten noong 2018, na parehong nanalo.
Ito ang magiging pangalawang paglahok ng Lebanon sa Miss Universe mula noong 2018, ang nag-iisang korona nito ay kay Georgina Rizk noong 1971 at ang pinakamahusay na pagtatapos mula nang maging Marcelle Herro sa Top 12 makalipas ang dalawang taon.
Miss Malaysia Serena Lee is a Law student at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom hoping to win her country’s first Miss Universe crown (it has been awarded Best National Costume twice).
Miss Malta Ella Portelli is an interior designer who also works in the gaming industry after studing Spatial Design and Interior Architecture. She was also a runner-up at Miss World Malta 2020.
Malta has never placed at Miss Universe since first joining in 1968 but Ella’s predecessor Maxine Formosa was a co-winner of the Miss Congeniality award with Chile’s Sofia Depassier.
Miss Mauritius Tatiana Beauharnais is a multilingual police constable who was appointed to represent her country after finishing as the second runner-up at last year’s Miss Maurice, and was previously Miss Eco International Mauritius Sport and Fitness 2019.
Mauritius has also never placed at Miss Universe since first joining in 1975.
Miss Mexico Melissa Flores is a model and Psychology graduate with a #NoMeLimites advocacy focusing on raising awareness for prevention and protection against courtship violence.
Melissa competed at Miss Earth 2018 when it was held in the Philippines and placed in the Top 4, earning the title of Miss Earth Fire 2018.
Mexico is a constant favorite at Miss Universe having won it three times — Lupita Jones in 1991, Ximena Rosete in 2010, and most recently Andrea Meza in 2020.
Miss Mongolia Namuunzul Batmagnai was the second runner-up of her national pageant and was appointed to represent her country after Nominzul Zandangiin withdrew due to undisclosed reasons.
This will be Mongolia’s first time in Miss Universe since 2019 which was just their second appearance at the pageant.
Miss Myanmar Amara Bo is a model (having competed in the local competition series “The Model Academy”) and Computer Science graduate who previously finished in the Top 10 of last year’s national pageant.
Myanmar has never placed since joining in 1959 though Thuzar Wint Lwin obtained her country’s first semifinal appearance in 2020.
Miss Universe Namibia Jameela Uiras is a model and marketing strategist advocating for environmental sustainability.
Michelle Mclean remains to be Namibia’s sole Miss Universe from 1992, with the country only reaching the Top 10 just once ever since.
Miss Nepal Jane Garrett is a nurse and business developer aiming to be the first plus-size winner of Miss Universe, in line with her advocacy for body positivity and women’s hormonal and mental health.
Since joining Miss Universe in 2017, Nepal’s only placed finish was by Manita Devkota landing in the Top 10 the year Catriona Gray won.
Miss Netherlands Rikkie Kollé is a queer content creator and model who has competed on “Holland’s Next Top Model” and “Elite Model Look.”
Together with Portugal’s Marina Machete, Rikkie is the second transgender woman to compete at Miss Universe after Spain’s Ángela Ponce in 2018.
Rikkie could make further history by adding to the sole Dutch Miss Universe win by Angela Visser in 1989, with the country’s highest recent placing being a third runner-up finish in 2014 by Yasmin Verheijen.
Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios is a trilingual model, television host, and community developer who finished in the Top 10 of Teen Universe 2017 and Top 40 of Miss World 2021.
Nicaragua has placed at Miss Universe four times since first joining in 1955.
Miss Nigeria Ugochi Ihezue is a visual artist with a master’s degree in Business Administration, previously finishing in the Top 15 of Miss World 2017.
Nigeria’s sole placements since joining Miss Universe in 1987 were a Top 10 finish by Agabni Darego in 2001 and more recently a Top 20 finish by Olutosin Araromi in 2019.
Miss Norway Julie Tollefsen is a fashion designer, makeup artist, product developer, and model advocating for mental health.
Mona Grudt won Miss Universe 1990, but since then Norway has only made the Top 15 twice — Kathrine Sørland and Helene Tråsavik back-to-back in 2004 and 2005.
Miss Pakistan Erica Robin is a model marking the debut of Pakistan at Miss Universe, though her title did not come without controversy as conservative politicians and religious leaders alleged she is representing Pakistan without the country’s consent.
Miss Panama Natasha Vargas is a journalist and model seeking to add to her country’s sole Miss Universe crown by Justine Pasek in 2002.
Justine’s reign is the only case to date where the first runner-up succeeded the winner as Russia’s Oxana Fedorova was dethroned for being unable to fulfill her duties as Miss Universe.
Miss Paraguay Elicena Andrada is a half-Spanish model and professional tattoo artist who has competed at Reinas del Paraguay 2022, was the second runner-up at Miss Grand Paraguay 2021, the first runner-up in Miss World Paraguay last year, and won Miss América Latina 2017.
Paraguay has never won Miss Universe, the closest being three runner-up finishes, the most recent one being Nadia Ferreira in 2021 behind Harnaaz Sandhu.
Miss Peru Camila Escribens is a bilingual model who was the first runner-up of Miss Perú 2019 and finished in the Top 10 of Miss Grand International the same year.
Peru’s sole Miss Universe crown was Gladys Zender in 1957, which was followed by 15 Top 16 finishes until Janick Maceta was a 2nd runner-up in 2020. Camila’s predecessor Alessia Rovegno finished in the Top 16.
Miss Philippines Michelle Dee is a bisexual model, host, and actress who finished in the Top 12 of Miss World 2019. Her mother Melanie Marquez won Miss Internationl 1979 while her cousin Winwyn Marquez won Reina Hispanoamericana in 2017.
The Philippines has won Miss Universe four times, most recently Catriona Gray in 2018, and prior to the country’s 12-year-streak appearing in the semifinals ending last year it also racked four runner-up finishes.
Miss Poland Angelika Jurkowianiec is a model, dental clinic employee, and Medical Analytics student from the Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum of the Nicolaus Copernicus University.
Poland has never won Miss Universe but have been a runner-up three times — Alicja Bobrowska in 1958, Brygida El?bieta Bziukiewicz in 1986, and Joanna Gapi?ska in 1989.
Miss Portugal Marina Machete is a queer bilingual model and flight attendant who along with Miss Netherlands Rikkie Kollé is the second transgender woman to compete at Miss Universe after Spain’s Ángela Ponce in 2018.
Mariana could make further history if she wins Miss Universe as Laura Gonçalves’s Top 10 placing in 2011 is Portugal’s best finish to date since joining in 1960; her predecessor Telma Madeira finished in the Top 16.
Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfú is a model and Psychology graduate who previously finished as Miss Elegance and the first runner-up of Miss Supranational 2021.
Puerto Rico has relative success at Miss Universe with five crowns to date: Marisol Malaret in 1970, Deborah Carthy-Deu in 1985, Dayanara Torres in 1993, Denise Quiñones August in 2001, and most recently in Zuleyka Rivera in 2006.
Miss Russia Margarita Golubeva is a model and singer who previously won Miss Student of Russia 2021 and finished as the first runner-up at Miss Europe 2023.
Russia has won Miss Universe once, Oxana Federova in 2002 who was later dethroned, and has only placed four times ever since including Vera Krasova’s 3rd runner-up finish in 2008.
Miss Saint Lucia Earlyca Frederick is a primary school teacher who is a former Miss World Saint Lucia, was a Miss Independence Saint Lucia first runner-up, and won Miss OECS.
This will be Saint Lucia’s second Miss Universe appearance since 2019 but are yet to make it to the semifinals following intermittent participation since 1977.
Miss Singapore Priyanka Annuncia is a model, entrepreneur, personal trainer, and private investigator who won Miss Congeniality at Miss Supranational 2018 and competed at the national pageant last year.
.In 2021 Nandita Banna ended over three decades of a Miss Universal semifinal drought by making it to the Top 16, though Priyanka is hoping to do even better.
Miss Slovakia Kinga Puhová is a model currently studying Fashion Product Development at Mod’Spe Paris Central Europe.
Slovakia has only ever placed during their first Miss Universe appearance in 1995 when Silvia Lakatošová made it to the Top 6, though Vladimíra Hre?ov?íková won Miss Photogenic in 1998.
Miss South Africa Bryoni Govender is a model and lawyer who was appointed to represent her country as Miss South Africa 2023 winner Natasha Joubert competed at Miss Universe 2020; Bryoni previously competed at the 2018 edition of the national pageant, finishing in the Top 12 then.
Bryoni is the first South African with Indian descent in 25 years to compete at Miss Universe since Kerishnie Naicker in 1998, who finished in the Top 10.
To date South Africa has won Miss Universe three times: Margaret Gardiner in 1978, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters in 2017, and most recently Zozobini Tunzi in 2019. Bryoni’s predecessor Ndavi Nokeri finished in the Top 16.
Miss South Korea So-yun Kim is a model and student at Seo Kyeong University aspiring to becomes a fashion designer.
South Korea has yet to win Miss Universe, the closest being Jang Yoon-jeong as a first runner-up in 1988 and the country’s most recent placing by Lee Ha-nui being a thirrd runner-up in 2007.
Miss Spain Athenea Pérez is a model with a Marketing and Advertising degree who is Spain’s first Black representative at Miss Universe, having previously been the first runner-up of the national pageant’s 2019 edition.
Spain’s sole Miss Universe win was by Amparo Muñoz in 1974, held in Manila, and the closest they have gotten since were 1st runner-up finishes by Teresa Sánchez in 1985 and Patricia Yurena Rodríguez in 2013; Athenea’s predecessor Alicia Faubel finished in the Top 16.
Miss Switzerland Lorena Santen is an Economics graduate who works at one of her country’s leading banks.
This is Switzerland’s second appearance back at Miss Universe since 2018 and have yet to ever win the crown, the closest being a 2nd runner-up finish by Lauriane Gilliéron in 2006.
Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild is a half-Danish model who previously won Miss Supranational 2019, the pageant’s first Thai winner; no woman has ever won two of the biggest beaty pageants.
Thailand has two Miss Universe crowns — Apasra Hongsakula in 1965 and Porntip Nakhirunkanok in 1988 — and from 2015 to 2020 made it to the Top 10. Anntonia’s predecessor Anna Sueangam-iam won the pageant’s Social Impact Award.
Miss Trinidad and Tobago Faith Gillezeau is a pharmacist, squash athlete, and model with a masters degree in Hospital Care and Hospital Management.
This will be Trinidad and Tobago’s second appearance at Miss Universe since returning 2017, having won it in 1977 and 1998 by Janelle Commissiong and Wendy Fitzwilliam, respectively. Faith’s predecessor Tya Jané Ramey finished in the Top 16.
Miss Ukraine Angelina Usanova is a multilingual model, musician, and yoga master with a Nutrition degree, appointed to represent her country via online interviews and jury voting due to the ongoing war in her country.
Ukraine has yet to pioneer a win since first joining in 1995, with Olesya Stefanko getting closest as a 1st runner-up in 2011. Angelina’s predecessor was the recipient of the Best National Costume and Spirit of Carnival Awards.
Miss USA Noelia Voigt is a bilingiual interior designer, author, licensed esthetician, and an anti-bullying advocate.
The United States has won Miss Universe nine times, the most by any country, with R’Bonney Gabriel set to crown her successor at this edition.
Miss Venezuela Diana Silva is a model, environmental activist, and flight attendant who finished in the Top 8 of Miss Earth 2018 when it was held in the Philippines.
Venezuela has seven Miss Universe crowns, the most recent being Gabriela Isler in 2013, and 20 runner-up finishes including Diana’s predecessor Amanda Dudamel who finished behind R’Bonney Gabriel.
Miss Vietnam Bùi Qu?nh Hoa is a model who won Miss Ao Dai Vietnam 2017, Vietnam Supermodel 2018, and Supermodel International 2022, and previously competed in the 2017 and 2022 editions of her national pageant (finishing in the Top 10 of the latter).
Vietnam’s best-ever finish at Miss Universe since joining in 2004 was the Top 5 finish of H’Hen Niê in 2018. Bùi’s predecessor Nguy?n Th? Ng?c Châu won the Swimsuit Cape Vote award.
Miss Zimbabwe Brooke Bruk-Jackson is a model, designer, and beauty therapist whose national pageant win was considered controversial as she was the only White contestant.
This is Zimbabwe’s first appearance in Miss Universe since 2001, its best finish a Top 10 placement by Corinne Crewe the year before.
The following countries withdrew from Miss Universe 2023 after being unable to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate: Armenia, Belize, Bhutan, Ghana, Haiti, Seychelles, Turkey, and Uruguay.
Diami Almazbekova withdrew from representing Kyrgyzstan due to lack of preparation and was replaced by Maya Turdalieva, who was then later replaced by Akylai Kalberdieva due to undisclosed reasons. Maya also withdrew, leaving Kyrgyzstan without a representative.
