The glitzy and glamorous world of beauty pageants reached new heights with the 2024 Miss Universe pageant held on November 16, 2024, at the picturesque Mexico City. This highly anticipated event brought together 125 contestants from across the globe, all vying for the prestigious title. Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, made history by being crowned the first Danish contestant to win the coveted Miss Universe title.
Victoria, only 21 years old, is not just another pretty face; she is also described as an animal protection advocate, entrepreneur, and former professional dancer. Her dynamic personality and passion for various causes quickly captured the audience's and judges' attention. Following her crowning, Victoria reacted with pure joy, exclaiming, “Miss Universe!” as she jumped up and down, embracing the moment captured for posterity on the pageant’s official Instagram account.
Victoria's victory was not just about her poise and charm; it was rooted deeply in her strong advocacy for animal rights and her entrepreneurial spirit. After the pageant, she shared her excitement on social media, writing, “First sunrise as Miss Universe,” and expressing gratitude for the incredible opportunity she has been granted. With her title, she will not only tour 30 countries as part of her responsibilities but also host her very own travel show—a first for the Miss Universe franchise.
Chidinma Adetshina from Nigeria, who won the national title earlier this year, made headlines by finishing as the first runner-up. This placement was historic for Nigeria, marking the highest position ever achieved by any Nigerian contestant. Adetshina's inspiring story traveled throughout the pageant, showcasing resilience after facing rejection by South Africa’s pageant system before rising to prominence at Miss Universe.
The competition showcased remarkable inclusivity this year, featuring contestants from countries like Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Moldova, and Somalia, which were making their debut. The pageant began with 125 entries, and after various rounds, the number of semifinalists increased from the usual 20 to 30, reflecting the heightened competitiveness of the event.
During the Swimsuit segment, 30 semifinalists later narrowed down to just twelve, who then showcased dazzling evening gowns. The final five contestants—Denmark, Nigeria, Mexico, Thailand, and Venezuela—impressed both judges and viewers alike.
Among the finalists, Mexico's Maria Fernanda Beltran Figueroa took third place, Opal Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand was fourth, and Ileana Marquez Pedroza from Venezuela rounded off the top five. At the same time, Miss USA, Alma Cooper, who also won her title amid controversy, did not make it to the final stages of this year's competition.
This 73rd edition of the Miss Universe pageant was ably hosted by renowned personalities Mario Lopez and Olivia Culpo, who crowned Miss Universe of 2023, Sheynnis Palacios. The event also featured live commentary from Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray, alongside Zuri Hall, adding both flair and excitement to the proceedings.
The Philippines rejoiced as well, with contestant Chelsea Manalo snagging the Best National Costume award, continuing the nation’s strong showing at this highly competitive event. Manalo’s costume was richly symbolic, reflecting the culture and heritage of the Philippines, and she expressed her appreciation to everyone who supported her efforts.
This year's Miss Universe pageant was not just about beauty but also about empowerment and representation. The event clearly illustrated the evolution of beauty contests, where advocacy and strong personal narratives are equally valued alongside traditional attributes of poise and grace.
Overall, the success of champions like Victoria Kjaer Theilvig and Chelsea Manalo reaffirms the vibrancy and diversity of global beauty, celebrating not just physical beauty but also causes and narratives behind each contestant. With the inclusion of contestants from diverse backgrounds, it seems the pageant is carving out new paths and redefining what it means to be beautiful.