Drama has surrounded the 2025 Miss Universe pageant, but the show must go on.
A new winner will be crowned in Thailand on Friday morning by Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjær Theilvig, the first woman from Denmark to win the title. In the US, coverage of the pageant will stream on Peacock starting at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Here’s every woman competing in this year’s Miss Universe pageant.
Albania: Flavia Harizaj
Flavia Harizaj, 26, was born in Fier, Albania, and has a degree in finance. She believes that financial literacy is “not only a professional pursuit, but a tool of empowerment,” according to her Miss Universe bio.
Harizaj works as a model and is an advocate for women’s empowerment. She wants to encourage women to “embrace independence, confidence, and purpose.”
Angola: Maria Cunha
Maria Cunha, 22, spent her childhood in Luanda, Angola, where she was the youngest of nine siblings. She moved to South Africa for school when she was 17 and was shaped by the experience of learning a new culture and language, according to her Miss Universe bio. She moved back to Luanda in 2023 to pursue a degree in international relations.
The pageant queen’s platform, Mwiji Wami, has provided training, workshops, and mentorship to over 40 young women with hearing disabilities in Angola. Someday, she hopes to open the Mwiji Wami Academy.
Argentina: Aldana Masset
Aldana Masset, 25, was surrounded by music growing up and learned to play three instruments. In 2022, she became the lead singer for the band Agapornis.
Masset has worked as a model since she was 16 and also earned a scholarship to study law at one of Argentina’s top universities, according to her Miss Universe bio. She currently works as a professional makeup artist and image consultant.
The pageant queen has embraced her experience with alopecia and uses her platform to connect “music, education, and disability, giving visibility to those who express themselves despite barriers.”
Armenia: Peggy Garabekian
Peggy Garabekian, 30, was born in Tehran, Iran, to an Armenian family. They spent a few years living in India before moving to California. Garabekian has a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from California State University, Northridge, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Southern California.
She specializes in neurological and vestibular rehabilitation and also works as a model.
Garabekian has been a longtime advocate for the Armenian community, serving as president of Unified Young Armenians and organizing an Armenian Genocide Commemoration March with over 100,000 participants in Glendale, California, according to her Miss Universe bio. She has been recognized by her local representative and mayor for her “commitment to youth empowerment and cultural preservation.”
Aruba: Hannah Arends
Hannah Arends, 24, launched her first business at the age of 13 when she created “Kids Dushi Sushi.” She earned a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Aruba and is completing her master’s degree in civil law while working as a paralegal.
Arends loves to sing, write songs, and play the guitar and drums. She aspires to create a network of businesses “centered on culinary experiences, entertainment, and community impact,” according to her Miss Universe bio.
The pageant queen also launched an initiative to teach financial literacy and life skills to adolescents.
Australia: Lexie Brant
Lexie Brant, 21, is pursuing a degree in occupational therapy and hopes to specialize in pediatric therapy. She also works as a medical secretary for an orthopedic surgeon.
Brant’s life changed at the age of 12 when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. The pageant queen has since dedicated her life to “healing, empathy, and helping others find hope through adversity,” according to her Miss Universe bio.
Bahamas: Maliqué Maranda Bowe
Maliqué Maranda Bowe, 25, graduated magna cum laude from Florida Memorial University with a degree in accounting. She works as a model and has walked at New York Fashion Week.
Bowe was diagnosed with anxiety when she was 10 years old and has also struggled with high-functioning depression. Pageantry has been a “transformative path” through her struggles, according to her Miss Universe bio. Bowe previously won Miss Teenager Universe Bahamas in 2017.
The pageant queen uses her platform to advocate for mental health awareness, trauma recovery, and youth empowerment by partnering with schools and nonprofits throughout the Bahamas.
Bangladesh: Tangia Zaman Methila
Tangia Zaman Methila, 33, began modeling when she was 16. She has walked in Paris Fashion Week and won the British Bangladeshi Fashion Council’s award for international female model of the year.
Methila is also an actor, appearing in the Bollywood production “Rohingya” and the coming Bangladeshi film “Thursday Night,” according to her Miss Universe bio.
The pageant queen is also a chief advisor for the nonprofit Rising Star City Charity Bangladesh, where she has worked with the United Nations to help provide disaster relief, aid underprivileged families, and combat food insecurity.
Belarus: Alena Kucheruk
Alena Kucheruk, 18, is a student at the Novopolotsk State Music College, where she is studying conducting and perfecting her piano and vocal skills. She fell in love with the arts when she performed onstage for the first time at the age of 6.
Kucheruk is an advocate for helping homeless animals. She also once helped a visually impaired girl sing with her favorite band.
Belgium: Karen Jansen
Karen Jansen, 24, was born and raised in the Belgian city of Lommel, where her father served as mayor. The pageant queen has modeled everywhere from Miami to Milan and has a degree in psychology.
After she was hospitalized for an eating disorder, Jansen began exploring how nutrition and mental health were connected. She has since built a platform to help people avoid misinformation.
Belize: Isabella Zabaneh
Isabella Zabaneh, 21, is pursuing a master’s degree in professional communication.
Zabaneh founded her own nonprofit, Project Royalty, when she was 15 years old. The organization provides prom dresses and mentorship to young women, according to her Miss Universe bio. She has traveled to over 20 countries and worked in reconciliation programs in a war zone while living in the Middle East.
Bolivia: Yessica Hausermann
Yessica Hausermann, 25, was born to Swiss parents who moved to Bolivia “seeking a life connected to nature,” according to her Miss Universe bio. Hausermann grew up among her parents’ chickens and cattle in the Bolivian Amazon.
Hausermann received a scholarship to study dentistry in Uruguay. After returning to Bolivia, she launched an oral health and hygiene program to provide education and dental care to children and survivors of violence.
The pageant queen also has a black belt in tae kwon do.
Bonaire: Nicole Peiliker-Visser
Nicole Peiliker-Visser, 42, was born and raised in Bonaire, where her family owned the oldest restaurant on the island. She returned to her home country after attending university, working as a bank manager before deciding to focus on her family.
A mother of four, Peiliker-Visser was inspired to pursue pageantry after her youngest daughter won Mini Miss Bonaire and Mini Miss Universe.
“With the full support of her husband and children, she embraced the challenge, discovering that pageantry is about confidence, representation, and purpose rather than appearances alone,” according to Peiliker-Visser’s Miss Universe bio.
Botswana: Lillian Nompumelelo Andries
Lillian Nompumelelo Andries, 31, was born in Krugersdorp, South Africa. She began performing in dance and school pageants at the age of 11.
Andries earned a degree in geology from the Botswana International University of Science and Technology and now works as a geologist.
According to her Miss Universe bio, Andries became a mental health advocate after struggling with depression. She is using her platform to promote mental wellness through technical and vocational education.
Brazil: Maria Gabriela Lacerda
Maria Gabriela Lacerda, 24, has a degree in journalism and works as an ambassador for Mães da Sé, a Brazilian nonprofit that provides support and resources to the families of missing persons.
She hopes to one day specialize in religious journalism and “use storytelling to build bridges of understanding and hope,” according to her Miss Universe bio.
Lacerda began competing in pageants when she was 11. She won Miss Teen Brazil in 2017 and placed first runner-up at Miss Universe Brazil 2021.
British Virgin Islands: Olivia Freeman
Olivia Freeman, 22, has been involved in academic and leadership positions since she was the president of the National Elementary Honor Society at her primary school.
Freeman was the president of multiple clubs at her secondary school and earned the titles of head prefect and head girl before graduating third in her class, according to her Miss Universe bio.
The pageant queen earned a degree in economics with honors from Georgia State University, supporting herself through school by offering professional braiding services. Now, she works as a budget officer at the British Virgin Islands’ Ministry of Finance.
Bulgaria: Gaby Guha
Gaby Guha, 26, was born in France, where her grandparents raised her after an accident left her father handicapped. She began modeling when she was 17, working all over the world as she collaborated with brands including Gap and Elie Saab.
Guha has appeared on Fashion TV and MTV, as well as on the pages of Elle and Icon magazines. She began her pageant career in 2019 when she won second runner-up at Miss Supermodel Worldwide. The following year, she won Miss Europe 2020 while representing France.
The pageant queen is an advocate for breast cancer awareness and has worked with the Pink Ribbon Foundation.
Cabo Verde: Prissy Gomes
Prissy Gomes, 32, has a degree in interior architecture and manages the construction of two-family homes in France, where she currently lives. She has also worked as a model, actor, and television host.
Gomes has used her Miss Universe platform to launch a scholarship program that promotes digital education access to underserved Cape Verdean students.
Cambodia: Neary Socheata Thai
Neary Socheata Thai, 30, goes by the stage name Fi Yata. She is a singer, model, and entrepreneur.
Fi Yata first fell in love with performing when she won first runner-up at a national talent show at the age of 15. She put her dreams on hold after she became a single mother at the age of 19, a journey that taught her “endurance, patience, and unconditional love,” according to her Miss Universe bio.
The pageant queen decided to pursue music and modeling in 2017 and also launched an accessories business and her own skincare line.
Canada: Jaime VandenBerg
Jaime VandenBerg, 28, was born and raised in Coaldale, Alberta, and has a degree in philosophy from the University of Lethbridge. She has worked as an actor and model, walking on the runway for brands including Versace and Balmain.
VandenBerg survived a kidnapping attempt, which inspired her to launch a fundraising campaign that raised thousands of dollars for victims of gender-based violence. The pageant queen hosts safety workshops and boxing classes and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for her humanitarian work.
VandenBerg, who was Miss World Canada in 2022, has also volunteered as a crisis support worker at the Lethbridge Police Station, offering support and resources to victims.
Cayman Islands: Tahiti Moorea Seymour
Tahiti Moorea Seymour, 22, holds a degree in politics and international relations from Queen Mary University of London, where she specialized in governance and diplomacy, graduating with honors. She is currently pursuing a career in acting and modeling.
Seymour also has a black belt in Purple Dragon Don Jitsu Ryu karate and can speak English, Spanish, and Mandarin. She collaborated with the United Nations to launch the Zero Hunger Universe campaign and raise awareness about food insecurity around the world.
Chile: María Ignacia Moll
María Ignacia Moll, 28, is professionally known as Inna Moll. She began modeling at the age of 8 and competed in the Elite Model Look contest at 15. Moll then moved to Los Angeles to work with top fashion and lifestyle brands.
Moll launched a successful YouTube channel and now has over 1 million followers on Instagram. She has used her platform as Miss Universe Chile to launch Universal Spirit, a project dedicated to equine therapy for hospitalized children.
China: Zhao Na
Zhao Na, 20, has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Shandong Agricultural University and a master’s degree in business from the University of Queensland.
Na specialized in asset management and investment research before she became a high-fashion model, walking at Beijing and Shanghai’s respective fashion weeks and working with brands including Louis Vuitton and Max Mara.
The pageant queen is also trained in ballet and can play the traditional Chinese instruments guzheng and pipa. Na also hosts conferences and university events to help advocate for women’s empowerment.
Colombia: Vanessa Pulgarín
Vanessa Pulgarín, 34, studied social communication at Pontifical Bolivarian University. She moved to Australia to learn English and worked as a model for brands including Valentino, Chanel, Dior, and Formula 1, according to her Miss Universe bio.
Pulgarín immersed herself in sports and the arts after her father and uncle were murdered during a robbery when she was 10 years old. She founded a health food market and activewear brand and promotes sports and wellness to underserved communities.
She entered her first pageant in 2016, winning first runner-up at the National Beauty Contest and later competing at Miss International.
Costa Rica: Mahyla Roth
Mahyla Roth, 26, is pursuing a degree in business administration and studying radio, television, and broadcasting, according to her Miss Universe bio. She currently works as an international model and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Swiss German.
Roth founded the social project Working Together Costa Rica, which promotes mental health, education, and climate awareness. She believes Miss Universe is a way to “amplify voices, advocate for causes, and foster hope.”
Côte d’Ivoire: Olivia Yacé
Olivia Yacé, 27, has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Widener University in Pennsylvania, as well as a master’s degree in luxury brand management, which she earned while living in London.
Yacé previously represented Côte d’Ivoire at the Miss World 2021 competition, where she won second runner-up and the title of Miss World Africa.
The model and pageant queen — who is fluent in French, English, and Spanish — founded the Olivia Yacé Foundation to promote education, health initiatives, and anti-inequality programs for women and children. She is also a tourism ambassador for Côte d’Ivoire and a brand ambassador for Air Côte d’Ivoire.
Croatia: Laura Gnjatović
Laura Gnjatović, 23, left home at 14 to pursue a career in nursing. She now works in the emergency department of a hospital in Dubrovnik.
Gnjatović also has a career as a model, which began when she walked in a humanitarian fashion show. She is using her Miss Universe platform to raise money for a center that supports children who don’t have parental care.
The pageant queen is also an avid cook and volleyball player.
Cuba: Lina Luaces
Lina Luaces, 23, was raised in Miami by her Cuban parents. According to her Miss Universe bio, representing Cuba at Miss Universe has been a “tribute to her family’s journey.”
Luces is a professional model who has worked with brands such as Victoria’s Secret. She became certified in nutrition, a path that was inspired by her own struggles with depression.
The pageant queen has partnered with the Adolescent Wellness Academy to support teens recovering from substance abuse.
Curaçao: Camille Thomas
Camille Thomas, 26, left Curaçao when she was 16 to attend a military academy in North Carolina, where she earned two officer posts, including second in command. After graduating, Thomas moved to Atlanta and Amsterdam to study psychology, theater, and on-camera acting.
Thomas has since returned to Curaçao, where she co-owns a restaurant and helps run her family’s farm, according to her Miss Universe bio. The farm donates food to the Child First Afterschool Academy, where Thomas also serves as an ambassador.
The pageant queen also launched an initiative to repaint the homes of her older and underserved neighbors. Thomas is fluent in English, Spanish, Dutch, and Papiamentu and is an experienced archer and freediver.
Czech Republic: Michaela Tomanová
Michaela Tomanová, 27, is a mother, model, and scientist. She began modeling at the age of 12 and has walked on runways in Milan and Paris.
Tomanová studied medicine and nutrition at Charles University in Prague and is completing her Ph.D. at the Clinic of Infectious and Tropical Diseases at Bulovka Hospital, where she’s specializing in metabolic and nutritional health for people living with HIV.
The pageant queen was invited to present her research at the United Nations in Geneva. In her free time, Tomanová hosts workshops to support people living with HIV.
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Dorcas Dienda
Dorcas Dienda, 30, graduated with a degree in business management and currently works as an art merchant. She also owns a wine and spirits business called La Cave des Jumelles.
The pageant queen — who is fluent in four languages and learning two more — founded the Dorcas Dienda Foundation to provide educational sponsorships and nutritional programs to underserved children. She also launched MLL’Arts and the Festival de la Mode et des Arts du Congo to “promote African creativity and connect local artists to global audiences,” according to her Miss Universe bio.
Denmark: Monique Sonne
Monique Sonne, 21, became a mental health advocate following her own struggles with anxiety. She is using her Miss Universe platform to “normalize conversations about emotional wellness, encouraging individuals to seek help and understand that vulnerability is a sign of strength,” according to her Miss Universe bio.
The pageant queen is an avid volunteer and advocate for organizations that combat poverty and homelessness.
Dominican Republic: Jennifer Ventura
Jennifer Ventura, 27, has a double international degree in civil engineering from Universidad Iberoamericana in Santo Domingo and Florida International University in Miami. She also has a master’s degree in business management from IMF in Madrid.
The pageant queen currently works as a civil engineer and is the CEO of Ventmar, her construction company.
She is using her platform to raise awareness for the families of children with autism.
Ventura is “transforming grief into action” after losing her mother in a national tragedy, according to her Miss Universe bio. Her mother was among the people who died after the roof of the Jet Set nightclub collapsed during a Rubby Pérez concert in April.
Ecuador: Nadia Mejía-Webb
Nadia Mejía-Webb, 29, is the daughter of Gerardo Mejía, who recorded the hit ’90s song “Rico Suave.” Her mother, Kathy Mejía, is a former Miss West Virginia.
A professional model, Mejía-Webb has walked runways in New York and Milan and shot editorial campaigns in Australia and South America.
The pageant queen became a mental health advocate after her experience with anorexia. She is married to the Australian actor Sam Webb, who has appeared in “Neighbours” and “Home and Away.”
Egypt: Sabrina Maged
Sabrina Maged, 23, was born in a small town in Egypt. She moved to Cairo alone at the age of 15 to pursue modeling, attending numerous casting calls as she worked to launch a professional career.
Maged has modeled throughout Asia and the Arab world, according to her Miss Universe bio. She is also an advocate for women’s empowerment and participates in workshops and community events that focus on education.
El Salvador: Giulia Zanoni
Giulia Zanoni, 25, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in international relations at Universidad Francisco Gavidia. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, and aspires to represent El Salvador at the United Nations someday.
Zanoni entered her first pageant in 2022 as a “personal challenge to overcome shyness and self-doubt,” according to her Miss Universe bio. She won Miss Teen Mundial in Curaçao in 2023 and placed first runner-up at Teen Mesoamérica International. García reached the top 20 at Miss Grand International 2024 and won Miss Universe El Salvador with just two days of preparation.
The pageant queen is an advocate for mental health and family diplomacy, which was inspired by her own experience after her parents separated.
Equatorial Guinea: Carmen Ismelda Avomo Obama
Carmen Ismelda Avomo Obama, 19, is a pre-university student who aspires to become a psychologist someday. She is fluent in Spanish, French, and Hausa.
Obama was raised by a single mother who made and sold buñuelos to feed her seven children. The pageant queen said she learned perseverance and resilience from watching “her mother’s hands covered in flour and her heart filled with hope,” according to her Miss Universe bio.
Estonia: Brigitta Schaback
Brigitta Schaback, 28, was a professional model in New York before she decided to return home to Estonia in her early 20s to study computer science.
Schaback has since established a nonprofit that offers free marketing and awareness campaigns to NGOs. She launched an abuse prevention program with Estonia’s Ministry of Education and has also worked with Estonian Television and the Gender Equality Commission to promote women’s stories.
Finland: Sarah Dzafce
Sarah Dzafce, 22, began working in her family’s restaurant when she was 14 years old. After graduating with a business administration degree, she started working at her family’s olive oil business.
Dzafce is a former artistic gymnast and coach. She continues to advocate inclusion through sports in her work with the Finnish nonprofit Hope Ry. She also recently held an art auction to provide school supplies for underserved children.
France: Ève Gilles
Ève Gilles, 22, became the first woman with a pixie haircut to win the Miss France competition in its 105-year history.
“We’re used to seeing beautiful Misses with long hair, but I chose an androgynous look with short hair,” she said during the competition. “Every woman is different, we’re all unique.”
Gilles is pursuing a degree in mathematics and hopes to have a career in biostatistics. She is an advocate for young women in the sciences and victims of cyberbullying. This year, the pageant queen competed on France’s version of “Dancing with the Stars.”
Ghana: Andromeda Peters
Andromeda Peters, 37, is a first-generation Ghanaian-American. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in theater and a master’s degree in social work.
Peters was inspired to work in trauma care after surviving a violent assault attempt, according to her Miss Universe bio. A licensed psychotherapist, Peters wants to use her platform to destigmatize therapy.
The pageant queen launched a mental health initiative to provide self-defense education and empowerment workshops to women and children. She has also been a mentor at the United Nations Peace Jam conferences and worked on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Great Britain: Danielle Latimer
Danielle Latimer, 37, is working full-time as a facilities manager while also running her own businesses as a photographer, women’s stylist, and founder of an events company.
Latimer became the primary caregiver for her older sister, who has Down syndrome, when she was 7 years old. She later shared her experience in a documentary with the British TV presenter Amal Fashanu, according to her Miss Universe bio.
The pageant queen is an advocate for homeless women and survivors of abuse and acid attacks.
Greece: Mary Chatzipavlou
Mary Chatzipavlou, 31, earned a degree in economics from the University of Patras. She currently works as a model and economist.
Chatzipavlou found fame in her native country after appearing on Greece’s version of “Big Brother” earlier this year.
Guadeloupe: Ophély Mézino
Ophély Mézino, 26, found success as a model, actor, and content creator, even appearing in the Netflix series “Lupin.”
Mézino grew up with parents who are deaf, so she learned to sign before speaking. As an adult, she works to support the deaf community through Un Mot, Un Signe, which she cofounded with her mother.
She also created the project We Are HERd to support survivors of domestic abuse.
Guatemala: Raschel Paz
Raschel Paz, 25, is a human rights advocate and model who studied political science and international relations in college.
Paz was raised by her grandparents, although she believed them to be her parents, according to her Miss Universe bio. As a child, she discovered that the woman she thought was her sister was actually her mother. Paz says that stress from finding out she was lied to throughout much of her childhood shaped the adult she became, as did watching her grandfather experience cancer.
Paz uses her platform to expand access to education through a social project.
Guinea: Tiguidanké Bérété
Tiguidanké Bérété, 24, is studying fashion in Milan. Although Bérété was born in Guinea, she spent much of her life in Italy, moving there at age 6 after a rough battle with meningitis. She came back to Guinea in 2023 to compete in the Miss Guinea competition, bringing her story full circle.
Bérété also founded the HASNA Foundation to support women who have postpartum depression, aiming to bring better mental health support to women in Africa.
Guyana: Chandini Baljor
Chandini Baljor, 23, is a student pursuing two degrees at separate universities: a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Guyana and a Bachelor of Public Health at Texila American University. Baljor aims to prioritize equitable healthcare access through her dual areas of study.
Baljor also founded Popalicious, a baking business, and her poetry and photography have been published in different magazines.
Haiti: Melissa Sapini
Melissa Sapini, 22, has already found success as a model and broadcast journalist while pursuing a degree in journalism. Sapini appeared on-air as a sports reporter at just 18, and she has appeared on “Hell’s Kitchen” and in a Super Bowl campaign for Dunkin’.
Although Sapini was born in the US, she has long celebrated and advocated for her Haitian community. She co-founded The Two Queens Foundation alongside her mother to increase access to literary programs and scholarships for Haitian children, honoring her grandmother, who didn’t learn to read until she was 78.
Honduras: Alejandra Fuentes
Alejandra Fuentes, 31, has had a passion for charity since childhood. Her father took her to volunteer at orphanages, and she started volunteering with humanitarian agencies and organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous when she was just 11.
Fuentes obtained her bachelor’s degree in international relations from UNITEC in Honduras and her master’s in corporate communication and public relations from ESERP in Spain. She also earned fellowships with USAID and the International Council on Human Rights, furthering her advocacy work.
Fuentes became a TV host and the founder of a sustainable toy company. She also works with youth in Honduras through AHAM Education and her Youth Changemakers Hub, and she hopes to partner with youth ambassadors if she is crowned Miss Universe.
Hong Kong: Lizzie Li
Lizzie Li, 27, got her bachelor’s degree at UCLA before becoming an investment banker. During her studies, she created the initiative Women in STEM to support women pursuing careers and leadership positions in mathematics and science. She continued the project upon her return to Hong Kong, expanding its reach to support women in multiple male-dominated industries.
In addition to her love of STEM, Li has a passion for film, and she directed and wrote a short series at China’s largest film studio, Hengdian World Studios.
Hungary: Kincső Dezsényi
Kincső Dezsényi, 22, is a physiotherapy student and model based in Budapest. Dezsényi aims to work in pediatric rehabilitation, and she is passionate about treating children with empathy and respect.
Dezsényi has already had an expansive modeling career that has taken her all over the world. She even walked in a show during Milan Fashion Week, which she says is one of her proudest accomplishments to date.
India: Manika Vishwakarma
Manika Vishwakarma, 22, studies political science and economics at Delhi University. She also served in the National Cadet Corps.
Vishwakarma balances her studies with her creative pursuits, as she is a professional model and actor. She is also a painter, winning national awards for her work.
Vishwakarma also advocates for people with ADHD through Neuronova, aiming to increase inclusivity for people who are neurodivergent.
Indonesia: Sanly Liu
Sanly Liu, 29, became a beauty content creator after a video she created from a makeup competition went viral, and she used her success as a springboard to broaden her career. She went on to work on villa developments in Bali, make investments, and launch her clothing line, Spring Summer Style.
Liu shares her business knowledge with others, educating women about financial literacy.
She also published a journal cataloging her path to success called “This Changed My Life.”
If crowned Miss Universe, she hopes to use her platform to help other women find their purpose.
Iraq: Hanin Al Qoreishy
Hanin Al Qoreishy, 29, was born in Iraq, but her family moved to the US when she was 9 amid conflict in her home country. According to her Miss Universe bio, Qoreishy herself was kidnapped and exposed to gun violence before being rescued. She became a caregiver for her siblings in her teen years as they tried to recover from their experiences.
At just 18, Qoreishy became the youngest finance manager at Group 1 Automotive, though her young adult years were full of ups and downs as she went through marriage, divorce, and miscarriages. Today, she is a legal assistant.
Qoreishey turned her turmoil into purpose, founding Legacy Insurance Advisors to support people seeking financial independence and the Uplifted Hearts Foundation, an organization that helps displaced and orphaned children around the globe.
She further supports children in the Middle East through partnerships with organizations like the YMCA and Shoe Palace, never forgetting her roots.
Ireland: Aadya Srivastava
Aadya Srivastava, 19, is an advocate for cultural inclusivity, as her own experiences as an Indian person in Ireland shaped her.
Srivastava felt isolated from her Indian heritage in her childhood, but after visiting India as a teen for a family wedding, she became newly empowered to celebrate her roots, particularly through dance.
Srivastava was crowned Miss Ireland at just 18, and she hopes to use her platform to inspire others to celebrate their identities.
Israel: Melanie Shiraz
Melanie Shiraz, 25, spent her childhood splitting her time between Israel and the US, learning from both cultures.
She went on to study data science and interdisciplinary studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and she started her career in Silicon Valley before pursuing her Global MBA in Tel Aviv. She also launched a startup in London, but she put the venture on pause to pursue her goal of becoming Miss Israel.
Shiraz collaborates with charities in Israel to support the provision of medical care and clean water to children.
Italy: Lucilla Nori
Lucilla Nori, 26, holds a bachelor’s degree in fashion studies and is currently pursuing her master’s in business management.
Nori, who is passionate about yoga, travel, and watercolor painting, used to be held back by shyness as a child, but a posture class helped her harness her inner confidence and become a professional model. Now, she teaches those same skills to other women and girls through classes.
Nori also partners with organizations like Villaggio So.Spe. to support women who have experienced violence.
Jamaica: Gabrielle Henry
Gabrielle Henry, 29, is an ophthalmologist who has been passionate about supporting individuals with visual impairments since her clinical studies during medical school.
Henry created the SeeMe Foundation to advocate for accessibility and inclusion for people who are visually impaired.
In addition to her work in ophthalmology, Henry is an accomplished singer and pianist, and she loves to use dance and fitness to bring balance to her life.
Japan: Kaori Hashimoto
Kaori Hashimoto, 22, practiced the Japanese martial art kendo in her childhood, which helped her gain confidence and center herself throughout her adolescence.
Hashimoto holds a degree in business administration, having learned from her father’s example as the owner of a construction business.
Honoring her Japanese heritage is critical to Hashimoto, leading her to compete in Miss Universe.
Kazakhstan: Dana Almassova
Dana Almassova, 20, studied public relations and advertising while attending university in Turkey. She is also a professional model.
Almassova has been ambitious since she was a child, first in gymnastics and then on television, where she appeared as a host on a children’s series for six years. After she moved on from gymnastics, Almassova studied other sports, eventually becoming a Candidate for Master of Sports.
As Miss Kazakhstan, Almassova advocates for women’s empowerment and environmental protection.
Kosovo: Dorea Shala
Dorea Shala, 18, is a model who grew up in the United States with her Kosovar Albanian parents. She also participated in the 2024 Miss Nebraska competition, highlighting her passion for pageants.
Shala graduated from high school early, and she wants to use her platform to empower girls, especially those in Kosovo.
Kyrgyzstan: Mary Kuvakova
Mary Kuvakova, 19, was raised by her grandparents while her parents pursued careers abroad, and she loved dancing and animals from a young age. She works as both a marketing specialist and a model.
One of the youngest contestants in the 2025 competition, Kuvakova hopes to use her Miss Kyrgyzstan platform to inspire others to chase their dreams.
Laos: Lattana Munvilay
Lattana Munvilay, 31, was born in a smaller province in Laos, but when she was 12, she moved to Vientiane to further her education after earning a scholarship.
She earned her degree in architecture from the National University of Laos, working as a model, actor, and presenter while pursuing her studies. Now, she owns her own interior design firm, designing everything from hotels to retail spaces.
Munvilay is passionate about increasing access to education for children, especially those living in remote areas, as she did in her childhood.
Latvia: Meldra Rosenberg
Meldra Rosenberg, 23, has been working in the modeling industry since she was 11. Rosenberg spotted an ad for an agency, and she secured a deal after convincing her parents to let her audition. She later became a stylist and hairdresser.
Rosenberg loves animals, and she uses her Miss Latvia platform to advocate for stronger anti-animal cruelty laws.
Lebanon: Sarah Bou Jaoude
Sarah Bou Jaoude, 20, is a marketing and communications contractor with experience in a wide range of professions, despite her young age. At 16, she became a professional model. She also earned a degree in finance from the American University of Beirut, where she interned with brands such as Elie Saab and Deloitte Middle East.
Jaoude gave a TEDx Talk about inner beauty in 2024 after being crowned Miss Lebanon, and she volunteers with the organization Caritas to promote mental health and confidence among youth.
Macau: Kristen Feng
Kristen Feng, 23, is pursuing her master’s in financial economics at the University of Oxford. She also has a bachelor’s in physics from the University of Warwick. She’s blending her two degrees to approach the finance industry with fresh eyes, incorporating AI technology into her studies as well.
Feng is passionate about helping other women gain access to careers and education in STEM, mentoring girls as part of her advocacy work as Miss Macau.
Malaysia: Chloe Lim
Chloe Lim, 27, is a management consultant and entrepreneur who co-founded a smoothie brand.
Born in Kuala Lumpur, Lim moved to the United Kingdom at the age of 16 to attend boarding school, marking the beginning of her higher education years. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance, a master’s degree in both law and international management, and studied venture capital and luxury management at HEC Paris.
Lim loves adventure, and participating in the Miss Universe pageant is just the latest challenge she’s excited to take on.
Malta: Julia Cluett
Julia Cluett, 27, has walked in runway shows not only in Malta, but also in New York and Milan. In addition to her modeling career, Cluett got a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education from the University of Malta.
Through her diverse experiences, Cluett developed a passion for fitness and poetry.
In addition to her modeling work, Cluett became passionate about supporting people going through mental health struggles, particularly after losing her father, uncle, and grandfather. She is a mental health first aid instructor with the Richmond Foundation, and she hopes to create an international organization to spread mental health awareness globally.
Martinique: Célya Abatucci
Célya Abatucci, 31, was born in Paris but grew up in Martinique with her grandmother and great-grandmother. She returned to Paris at 19 to get her master’s degree in management and sustainable development and went on to work for L’Oréal.
Abatucci is a champion for women’s health and safety. She uses her platform to advocate for domestic violence awareness, as well as greater access to personal hygiene products and healthcare for women dealing with conditions like endometriosis and PCOS.
Mauritius: Aurélie Alcindor
Aurélie Alcindor, 31, is an Olympian who sprinted at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro. She went on to attend college in the US, first at Cowley College and then at Oklahoma City University, where she continued to compete in sprinting at the collegiate level.
After college, Alcindor became a coach, using the lessons she learned through her running career to help others. Alcindor is also a mom to a 6-year-old and a 5-month-old.
Mayotte: Nourya Aboutoihi
Nourya Aboutoihi, 24, is a mental health advocate driven by her own experiences with hardship.
When she was just 14, Aboutoihi had a tumor in her breast, but she didn’t let the experience hold her back. Just three years later, at 17, she moved from Mayotte to further her education and explore different countries throughout Europe. Later, Aboutoihi’s cousin died by suicide, and she was diagnosed with endometriosis, teaching her even greater lessons about how to endure and treat yourself with kindness.
Aboutoihi hopes to use her platform as Miss Mayotte to help bring greater resources to her homeland.
Mexico: Fátima Bosch
Fátima Bosch, 25, struggled with school when she was young after being diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, but she became passionate about her education as the years went on, even studying abroad in the US for a year when she was 16.
After returning to Mexico, she got her bachelor’s degree in fashion and apparel design at Universidad Iberoamericana, dedicating her career to sustainable fashion.
Fátima, the first Miss Mexico from Tabasco, is dedicated to volunteering with children with cancer, hosting an annual toy drive during the holiday season at the Oncology Hospital of Tabasco. She also partners with Corazón Migrante and Ruta Monarca on social initiatives to support migrants and environmental causes.
Latina: Yamilex Hernández
Yamilex Hernández, 29, will be representing the Latino community of the US at the 2025 Miss Universe competition. Hernández was born in the Dominican Republic and later immigrated to the United States with her father and siblings when she was 13.
In college, Hernández studied communication, media, and film studies, going on to appear on the radio show “Juego de Damas.”
Hernández has been competing in pageants since 2021. With her platform, she created the project Universo sin Fronteras to help children in immigrant and Latin communities in the US with their mental health and emotional education.
Moldova: Mariana Ignat
Mariana Ignat, 27, spent much of her childhood with her grandparents in a small village in Moldova while her parents pursued a future for their family in Germany. She joined her parents when she was 16, ascending to the top of her class despite not speaking German or English and struggling to be apart from her grandmother when she arrived.
During her studies, Ignat discovered a love of style at a school fashion show, which led her to become a model and later study law to protect those in the industry.
Ignat also supports clean water projects and volunteers with children in hospice.
Myanmar: Myat Yadanar Soe
Myat Yadanar Soe, 27, was inspired by her parents’ entrepreneurial efforts from a young age. She earned her degree in mechanical engineering and held various jobs before transitioning into a career as a makeup artist and model, which ultimately paved the way for her pageant career.
Soe supported survivors of the 2024 earthquake in Myanmar by joining the Miracle for Myanmar Team, grounding her in a desire to serve others.
Namibia: Johanna Swartbooi
Johanna Swartbooi, 28, knew the exact modeling agency she wanted to work with, manifesting a career with them by writing it down on a piece of paper. Her dream came true mere months later, eventually leading her to the Miss Universe stage.
Swartbooi also created the Hapo Initiative in 2021, which is dedicated to helping other models kick-start their careers through mentorship programs and workshops. She hopes her work can help other Namibians achieve their goals.
Nepal: Sanya Adhikari
Sanya Adhikari, 24, developed a passion for sports in her childhood, from swimming to horseback riding, thanks to encouragement from her father. Her passion also taught her the power of perseverance after she had to recover from a serious fall on a horse.
Adhikari has been adventuring from a young age, attending boarding school at 11, and later attending college at Assumption University in Thailand, where she met people from all over the world.
She went on to work at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, leading her to her advocacy work against child labor. Today, she partners with the International Labour Organization to help protect children in Nepal.
Netherlands: Nathalie Yasmin
Nathalie Yasmin, 28, was born and raised in Amsterdam and has been competing in pageants in the Netherlands for a decade. Being crowned Miss Netherlands was her dream come true.
Outside her pageant career, Yasmin is a senior associate at Audit and Assurance Group, and she founded the empowerment campaign Inneract to support young women as they develop their mental health and self-esteem.
She also partners with the Water Justice Fund to ensure women and girls around the world have access to education and clean water.
New Zealand: Abby Sturgin
Abby Sturgin, 28, has family from New Zealand and Laos, and she is passionate about sharing the beauty of her heritage. New Zealand shaped her, from summers spent on the coast to the passion she shares with her father for the country’s rugby team.
Sturgin works as a police officer, finding meaning in helping survivors of domestic abuse and supporting people going through emergencies.
Through her Miss New Zealand platform, Sturgin aims to help other women celebrate the people they are.
Nicaragua: Itza Castillo
Itza Castillo, 30, began modeling at the age of 9, and she holds an undergraduate degree in social communication and a master’s degree in digital marketing.
When she was 20, Castillo immigrated to the US to further her modeling career, which led her to partner with household names like Maison Valentino and Neiman Marcus.
Castillo cemented herself into her community in the US by volunteering with groups like the Food Bank of Philadelphia, giving back as she made a new life for herself. She also founded LeadHer, supporting girls in Central America through education and mentorship.
Nigeria: Onyinyechi Basil
Onyinyechi Basil, 25, is a biochemist with a passion for motherhood.
The loss of her brother inspired Basil to create an advocacy group called Nwanyi Bu Ife, which helps to make maternal healthcare more accessible across Nigeria. She also founded the Reach Moms Initiative nonprofit, which helps women in rural communities access hospital care, supplies, and childbirth education.
Having been raised in a small apartment by her father, Basil says she’s proof that “humble beginnings cannot limit extraordinary dreams,” according to her Miss Universe bio.
Norway: Leonora Lysglimt-Rødland
Leonora Lysglimt-Rødland, 19, found her calling in 2014 when she saw a group of Norwegian majorettes perform.
She was so inspired that she joined the organization and advanced through the ranks over the years. She’s since participated in national championships, won medals, and coached over 50 children.
Outside her sport, Lysglimt-Rødland studied at Oslo Handelsgymnasium, a Norwegian business school, and is now an entrepreneur. Her goal is to encourage fellow young people to pursue their dreams.
Pakistan: Roma Riaz
Roma Riaz, 25, is deeply inspired by her family. Her parents taught her the importance of inclusion and purpose, while her sisters taught her the value of empowerment, according to her Miss Universe bio.
She holds a degree in business management and dedicates her free time to speaking out against issues like sexism and colorism. She’s also collaborated with organizations like Humari Taqaat to support the empowerment of women and promote literacy.
With her Miss Pakistan platform, Riaz aims to challenge societal beauty standards and celebrate diversity.
Palestine: Nadeen Ayoub
Nadeen Ayoub, 30, has experience in education, previously working as a teacher for children with special needs.
She’s also worked with nonprofit organizations and the United Nations. Through the latter, she helped provide children with medical aid and mental health resources.
Ayoub is equally passionate about women’s empowerment, which led her to create two initiatives. One is the Sayidat Falasteen Foundation, which encourages women’s education and entrepreneurship. The other is called the Olive Green Academy. It teaches young people about sustainability and innovation.
Panama: Mirna Caballini Bouche
Mirna Caballini Bouche, 22, is an actor, fashion designer, and entrepreneur. She began performing at the age of 6 with her father, a fellow actor, and learned more about the trade through her mother, an architect and decorator.
She earned a degree in fashion design and marketing, and later founded her own clothing brand, Pálquea by Mirna Caballini.
According to her Miss Universe bio, Caballini Bouche is also the founder of MCaballini Productions, which hosts children’s theater productions.
Paraguay: Yanina Magali Anahí Gómez Ojeda
Yanina Magali Anahí Gómez Ojeda, 28, is a multilingual lawyer, notary, and dance teacher. Education played a major role in each of those accomplishments.
She has a master’s degree in management and administration of culture and educational policies, according to her Miss Universe bio, and serves as a senior professor of Paraguayan classical dance.
When she has free time, Ojeda leads Ñamoporã Paraguay, a group she formed to support indigenous communities, preserve native languages, and provide scholarships to young people.
Peru: Karla Bacigalupo
Karla Bacigalupo, 33, has a background in the performing arts. She spent her childhood singing and acting in plays, then later studied acting in Colombia and Los Angeles. She’s now a screenwriter and has appeared in short films.
Bacigalupo also has a degree in business administration and management, and she works in hospitality and sales.
For fun, Bacigalupo enjoys mountain climbing. She previously scaled a glacier that expanded over 3 miles.
Philippines: Ahtisa Manalo
Ahtisa Manalo, 28, learned the importance of being responsible and disciplined from her parents. Her family moved often throughout her childhood, and Manalo eventually became their breadwinner.
She then entered the pageant world at age 10 to secure scholarships for education, according to her Miss Universe bio.
Outside of competing, Manalo has founded five nationwide brands and has worked with Alon Akademie to become an advocate for youth empowerment.
Poland: Emily Reng
Emily Reng, 19, might have grown up in Chicago, but her mission is to bridge the gap between her US roots and her Polish heritage. She also aims to support immigrants and people “navigating the space between cultures,” her Miss Universe bio says.
She first learned about Polish culture through her parents, who are from Kluczbork, and later followed in her grandfather’s footsteps by joining a famous Polish-American organization called the Chicago Society.
Reng studies business and fashion at the University of South Carolina and is a dancer in her free time. She’s also skilled at playing piano and cheerleading.
Portugal: Camila Vitorino
Camila Vitorino, 26, was raised by a Brazilian mother and a Portuguese father — so she’s passionate about diversity and embracing culture, her Miss Universe bio says.
She started dancing ballet at the age of 3 and grew her athletic skills from there. She played basketball, ran cross country, and performed acrobatic gymnastics throughout her youth.
Now a mom and marketing student, Vitorino works as a logistics coordinator at SIBS and volunteers with groups like the Jovens Impulsionador@s Project to promote gender equality. She also founded “Paths of Hope,” an initiative that supports mothers and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Puerto Rico: Zashely Alicea Rivera
Zashley Alicea Rivera, 26, is the youngest daughter of a single mother who taught her the value of community and perseverance at a young age.
She attended the Julián E. Blanco Specialized Ballet School in 2009 and went on to become a soloist for Mauro Ballet in 2014 and 2017.
Rivera is also a trained gymnast, model, graphic designer, and social-media manager. She holds a degree in psychology and is the founder of ElevArte, a group that offers free dance and art workshops to young people.
Romania: Catalina Jacob
Catalina Jacob, 28, has overcome adversity to stand on the Miss Universe stage. She was in a serious car accident at 6 years old, which resulted in numerous injuries and the death of her father, according to her Miss Universe bio.
She went on to study psychology and communication, during which time an Italian fashion agent encouraged her to try modeling. She did and eventually worked with brands including Dolce & Gabbana and Versace.
Jacob is even more passionate about helping those in need. She volunteers to spend time with children at hospitals and runs Cappelli delle Font, a group that helps provide hats made by Jacob and offers therapeutic horse sessions to children in need.
Russia: Anastasia Venza
Anastasia Venza, 22, is pursuing her two passions: medicine and fashion.
She’s enrolled at the First Moscow State Medical University by Sechenov, where she’s focusing on neonatal pathology and nutrition science. She also previously trained at Vyacheslav Zaitsev’s School of Models and walked the runway at Moscow Fashion Week.
For fun, Venza enjoys playing volleyball, going to the gym, and equestrian sports. She also volunteers with an organization called Sunflower to support children with immune disorders.
Rwanda: Solange Tuyishime Keita
Solange Tuyishime Keita, 42, survived the Rwandan genocide and has been helping others in need ever since, according to her Miss Universe bio. She’s a UNICEF Ambassador and the president and CEO of a nonprofit she founded called Elevate International, which supports women and children.
She relocated to Canada as a young adult, where she received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in public administration. She then spent 15 years working for Canada’s government on public policy.
Now, Keita runs Naylah’s Legacy, a fund inspired by the loss of her daughter to help premature and newborn babies. She also created an initiative called The Heart of the Universe, through which she aims to provide education to girls around the world.
Saint Lucia: Shianne Smith
Shianne Smith, 21, is a neuroscience student who’s passionate about supporting mental health needs and fostering human connection. That interest stems partially from her own birth, during which she entered the world in critical condition and survived against expectations.
Later, at the age of 16, Smith created Mindfield, a digital mental-health platform that connects individuals with healthcare providers. She also began volunteering around the world, according to her Miss Universe bio, and working with incarcerated men to help them earn degrees.
Now, Smith has given talks at the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum to share the importance of mental health support.
Senegal: Camilla Diagne
Camilla Diagne, 26, is proof that unexpected paths can still lead to success. Her family faced financial difficulties during her youth, which led them to move and prevented Diagne from completing high school.
Still, she became a model, entrepreneur, and certified car wrapping technician — a role she says challenges gender norms, according to her Miss Universe bio. She also spends each Thursday preparing meals for children in need.
Outside work, Diagne enjoys fashion, singing, dancing, and doing karate.
Serbia: Jelena Egorova
Jelena Egorova, 28, can speak four languages: Serbian, English, Russian, and French.
She studied communications and performing arts, which taught her confidence. She then created an initiative called The Voice Within to encourage young women to reach that same level of empowerment. Egorova now works as a mentor and public speaker for the program.
Her hobbies include ballet dancing, writing poetry, and doing humanitarian work.
Singapore: Annika Xue Sager
Annika Xue Sager, 25, is pursuing her master’s degree in luxury and fashion marketing after earning her bachelor’s degree in hospitality business. Meanwhile, she works as a model and fitness instructor.
Sager spent her childhood in various places across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East with her mother, who is Singaporean Chinese, and her father, who is German, according to her Miss Universe bio. The experience influenced her to care deeply about inclusion, sustainability, and mental health support.
She volunteers at the APSN Centre for Adults to assist individuals with disabilities, and she enjoys riding motorcycles for fun.
Slovakia: Viktoria Güllová
Viktoria Güllová, 20, is a professional equestrian, model, and student of marketing and management.
She began horseback riding at the age of 4 and now represents Slovakia in jumping competitions. She’s also an advocate for hippotherapy, during which adults and children spend time with horses for therapeutic purposes.
Standing 6 feet tall, Güllová has been insecure about her height in the past, according to her Miss Universe bio. Now, though, she proudly stands tall and is eager to spread a message of self-acceptance and individuality.
Slovenia: Hana Klaut
Hana Klaut, 29, wears a few hats. She’s a dentist, a model, and a representative of the Slovenian Junior Doctors Association.
She’s also a humanitarian who has been volunteering since childhood. She’s served as a tutor, a CPR instructor, and a fundraiser organizer. In recent years, she has also started advocating for mental health awareness.
According to her Miss Universe bio, her family disapproved of Klaut participating in pageants until they learned how much service and skill the role entails.
South Africa: Melissa Nayimuli
Melissa Nayimuli, 29, is a storyteller. She was raised by a Xhosa mother and Ugandan father, and she appreciated how stories could bring cultures and people together.
As an adult, she went on to study at AFDA Johannesburg and earn a degree in filmmaking. She’s since directed, produced, and written film and TV projects that have been published on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and more.
She competed for the Miss South Africa crown four times and was in the top five twice before winning, according to her Miss Universe bio.
South Korea: Soo-yeon Lee
Soo-yeon Lee, 30, has appeared in series like “Two Universes” and “Broke Rookie Star.” In addition to acting, Lee has also become a speech and interview coach for college students.
After she was crowned Miss Korea 2017, Lee created initiatives that protected children’s welfare and advocated for sustainable living. Environmental consciousness is a huge passion for Lee, particularly when it comes to fashion, including upcycling and the use of sustainable fabrics.
Spain: Andrea Valero
Andrea Valero, 28, developed a passion for travel and fashion at a young age. According to her Miss Universe bio, she pursued those interests in college, studying fashion in Milan and design in Paris.
She later lived in New York City and London, but moved to Dubai once the COVID-19 pandemic hit. There, she launched a luxury travel agency called The Detailist, which now works with major resorts around the world.
Valero is also dedicated to women’s empowerment and education. She created the Alas Por Ellas nonprofit, which connects young women with skilled mentors.
Sri Lanka: Lihasha Lindsay White
Lihasha Lindsay White, 27, is deeply inspired by her family. She’s the youngest of three siblings raised by an entrepreneur father and a homemaker mother. They supported each other through White’s three bouts of dengue fever, her mother’s breast cancer, and her father’s collapsed lung.
White studied at Colombo International School and earned a degree in international business management. Now, she works as the operations manager of her family’s company.
Outside of competing, White is an animal lover and an advocate for kindness.
Sweden: Daniella Lundqvist
Daniella Lundqvist, 26, has been performing since childhood. She’d make costumes from her grandmother’s clothes and perform skits for family and friends. That passion led her to pageants in 2017.
Lundqvist is also a student. She holds a bachelor’s degree in interaction design and is working toward a master’s degree in innovation. All the while, she works in visual merchandising for retail, according to her Miss Universe bio.
As Miss Sweden, Lundqvist wants to raise awareness for mental health issues and suicide prevention. She’s been a volunteer for Suicide Zero since 2019.
Switzerland: Naima Acosta
Naima Acosta, 20, is representing Swiss and Mexican cultures on the Miss Universe stage.
She was born in Switzerland and moved to Mexico at age 9. There, she and her family worked with communities in need to provide food and clothes. She eventually returned to Switzerland, where she earned a degree and began her career in hospitality.
Acosta is currently pursuing a second degree in hotel management at a school in Spain. She speaks three languages — Italian, Spanish, and English — and is learning German and French. She aims to speak seven languages in total.
Tanzania: Naisae Yona
Naisae Yona, 28, is a mother, entrepreneur, and advocate. She studied economics at Monash University in Australia and went on to create multiple businesses, including a real-estate venture called Ney Homes.
Yona is also the founder of Carry Kindness with Naisae Yona. The initiative supports children who have disabilities and the adults who care for them.
In her Miss Universe bio, Yona states that she learned humility, kindness, and the value of hard work from her parents. Together, they lived across Tanzania and Cape Town, South Africa.
Thailand: Veena Praveenar Singh
Veena Praveenar Singh, 29, is the founder and CEO of an environmentally conscious makeup brand.
She created the company after earning a full scholarship to Thammasat University, where she studied and worked as a tutor in math and English. She also competed to be Miss Thailand for the first time during her university days. She didn’t win, but she vowed to return.
According to her Miss Universe bio, Singh has worked as a model and been an advocate for causes important to her. She founded the Be an Ally, Not a Bully initiative to promote kindness and combat cyberbullying.
Trinidad and Tobago: Latifah Morris
Latifah Morris, 32, learned the value of responsibility at a young age. She’s the oldest of four siblings.
She’s also the mother of a 6-year-old son and an entrepreneur within the fashion and beauty industries.
Outside of work and family, Morris is dedicated to the causes that matter most to her. She created the BBL Movement, which stands for Building A Better Life, to help young people have healthy and purposeful futures.
Turkey: Ceren Arslan
Ceren Arslan, 26, learned valuable life lessons from dance. She began performing with traditional Turkish folk groups as a child, and eventually became a team leader for her dance company. Through the venture, she learned the importance of teamwork and discipline.
She grew up in her grandparents’ home and is an advocate for older people, often visiting care centers and spending time with residents.
According to her Miss Universe bio, Arslan has a bachelor’s degree in English linguistics and is now working toward a master’s degree in Turkish language education.
Turks and Caicos: Bereniece Dickenson
Bereniece Dickenson, 22, has always been inspired by her mother’s “unbreakable spirit,” her Miss Universe bio says. Her mom became the sole caregiver when Dickenson’s father left, and she moved the family to the Dominican Republic.
There, Dickenson experienced colorism and discrimination. She also walked miles to school and had limited resources. Still, she persevered and earned three college scholarships.
She returned to Turks and Caicos with $600 in hand to study architecture. She worked full-time while in school and eventually earned her degree. She also launched a nonprofit organization called The Butterfly Effect Project, which supports young women in need.
Ukraine: Sofiya Tkachuk
Sofiya Tkachuk, 26, is a multilingual and multicultural individual. She was born in Ukraine and raised across Europe, which allowed her to grow up with an appreciation for the diverse cultures and traditions of numerous countries.
Her parents also inspired her early on. As her Miss Universe bio says, she grew up witnessing their “resilience, hard work, and sacrifice,” which taught her to “live with gratitude.”
She works as a life coach and volunteers with Voices of Children, a group that supports children affected by war. For fun, she enjoys cooking, journaling, and spending time with her younger brother.
United Arab Emirates: Mariam Mohamed
Mariam Mohamed, 26, aims to merge her three passions — economics, fashion, and advocacy — on the Miss Universe stage.
She studied economics abroad, which gave her an appreciation for new cultures and traveling. The experience also showed her how to blend Arabian traditions and aesthetics with modern fashion, according to her Miss Universe bio.
Mohamed’s goal is to launch her own fashion brand, through which she can put her studies to use and also raise awareness for important issues, like reducing poverty.
Uruguay: Valeria Baladan Liste
Valeria Baladan Liste, 24, worked in her family’s business and studied communication, marketing, and advertising in college simultaneously. She works as a model and creative project manager, balancing her work with her passions, including Pilates, creative writing, and baking.
Liste wants to use her Miss Uruguay platform to help others achieve their goals, forming a creative-industry mentorship program.
USA: Audrey Eckert
Audrey Eckert, 23, is a fifth-generation Nebraskan. She was a Division I athlete and captain of the Husker cheerleading squad at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Eckert currently works as a social media and marketing coordinator for Sapahn, a human rights fashion brand based in Thailand.
A longtime pageant queen, Eckert began competing when she was 9 years old and was named Miss Nebraska Teen in 2020.
US Virgin Islands: Britanny Robinson
Britanny Robinson, 33, became a caretaker from an early age when her parents were incarcerated, supporting her siblings and grandparents.
She continued that caretaker mindset in her career when she started working at a luxury resort, as she has for the past 17 years. Robinson is also an entrepreneur who developed her own beauty brand, BARE Artistry, and she is passionate about mentoring other female entrepreneurs.
Now, with two sons of her own, Robinson hopes to use her Miss US Virgin Islands platform to inspire other women to chase their dreams.
Venezuela: Stephany Abasali
Stephany Abasali, 25, has heritage from not only Venezuela but also Syria, Australia, and Lebanon, and she grew up spending time in Venezuela, Australia, and the United States. Her travels gave her a taste for adventure early in life, and Abasali went on to develop passions for a wide range of hobbies, from horseback riding to reading.
Abasali is passionate about education, making it her mission to help people gain access to education to help end generational poverty.
In addition to winning the top crown at Miss Venezuela 2024, she was awarded “Most Beautiful Skin” and “Miss Leader” at the pageant.
Vietnam: Hương Giang Nguyễn
Hương Giang Nguyễn, 33, is no stranger to the spotlight. She got her first taste of fame when she appeared on “Vietnam Idol” in 2012, becoming the first transgender person to appear on the show.
Her time on the series led to a successful music career, and she also appeared on other reality shows, including “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Amazing Race,” which she won in 2014. Nguyễn later became a television producer, focusing on bringing inclusive voices to television.
Nguyễn first achieved pageant success in 2018 when she was crowned Miss International Queen, marking the beginning of her path to Miss Vietnam. With her platform, she aims to make diversity in the entertainment industry the standard, calling for 10% of staff on television productions to be from marginalized communities through her program Commitment to Diversity.
Zambia: Kunda Mwamulima
Kunda Mwamulima, 29, studied nursing at Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, and today, she works as a registered nurse. In her free time, she dances, which helps give her confidence and joy when she takes the stage at Miss Universe.
Mwamulima has long advocated for better mobility and accessibility for people with disabilities, as evidenced by her five-year partnership with Mumba Children’s Project. Her work ensures that people have access to the necessary medical equipment and raises awareness about the cause.
Zimbabwe: Lyshanda Moyas
Lyshanda Moyas, 27, began modeling at the age of 14 and eventually relocated to South Africa to pursue her career aspirations. She ended up walking in runway shows during South Africa Fashion Week.
She moved back to Zimbabwe in 2021 to pursue her pageant goals, and after being crowned Miss Zimbabwe in 2025, Moyas made helping teenage mothers a priority of her platform. She hopes to give these young women access to better healthcare at clinics and help them prepare for their futures with education in life skills and vocational training.
She has already worked with hundreds of teen mothers through her work.
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