SEOUL, South Korea — An 81-year-old South Korean fashion model fell short in her bid to become the oldest Miss Universe contestant after competing in the country’s national pageant against rivals old enough to be her grandchildren. Dressed in a beaded white gown, the silver-haired Choi Soon-hwa strutted across the stage and performed in a … Read more
NEW YORK — A New York woman is challenging the longstanding rules of Miss America and Miss World that disqualify mothers from their beauty pageants. Danielle Hazel said Monday that she’s always dreamed of entering the competitions but was devastated to learn that she’s no longer eligible because she had a son when she was … Read more
Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii was crowned Miss USA 2023 on Wednesday, more than a week after the previous titleholder resigned citing her mental health. Gankiewicz, a model who leads a female empowerment nonprofit, will hold the title until August — the remainder of the pagaent’s term, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. “I am ready to make … Read more
The reigning winners of Miss USA, Noelia Voigt, and Miss Teen USA, UmaSofia Srivastava, resigned from their titles within days of each other this week in a shock to the Miss Universe Organization. The resignations leave the longstanding pageant group without its top two titleholders for the first time in 72 years, shining a spotlight … Read more
In a first, Saudi Arabia is poised to make its debut appearance in the Miss Universe pageant, signaling a significant milestone for the nation. Rumy Alqahtani, a seasoned participant in beauty pageants and a notable influencer, revealed the news of her country’s representation in one of the world’s most prestigious pageants via her social media … Read more
MUMBAI, India — Krystyna Pyszková of the Czech Republic was crowned Miss World at a glittering contest held in India on Saturday night. Yasmina Zaytoun of Lebanon was the first runner-up among 112 contestants in the competition held in Mumbai, India’s financial and entertainment capital. “Being crowned Miss World is a dream come true. I … Read more
TOKYO — The Ukrainian-born winner of this year’s Miss Japan beauty pageant and the contest’s organizers say she has renounced her title after a magazine published an article about her affair with a married man. Karolina Shiino was crowned Miss Japan on Jan. 22, setting off renewed public debate over what it means to be … Read more
TOKYO — Crowned Miss Japan this week, Ukrainian-born Carolina Shiino cried with joy, thankful for the recognition of her identity as Japanese. But her Caucasian look rekindled an old question in a country where many people value homogeneity and conformity: What does it mean to be Japanese? Shiino has lived in Japan since moving here … Read more
