This year’s pageant features representatives from various countries, each with unique stories and aspirations.

Angola
Angola will be aiming for a comeback with Nelma Tchissola Ferreira, who previously competed in the 2018 Miss World but went unplaced. The 26-year-old hopes to reignite Angola’s success on this prestigious stage, having won the crown in 2011 with Leila Lopes.

Mia le Roux (South Africa)

Cameroon
Noura Raïssa Njikam, crowned Miss Cameroon 2024, will represent her country after winning the People’s Choice Award. Njikam is passionate about combating violence against women and young girls, a cause she holds dear.

Botswana
Thanolo Keutlwile, a 28-year-old medical doctor, will represent Botswana after an 11-year hiatus. She aims to follow in the footsteps of Mpule Kwelagobe, the first African woman to win Miss Universe in 1999.

Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina (Nigeria)

Democratic Republic of Congo Ilda Amani, a menstrual health advocate, seeks to empower women as she represents the DRC, which has a storied history in pageantry, having placed as second runner-up in 1985.

Sakhile Dube (Zim rep)

Ivory Coast
Marie-Emmanuelle Diamala, a 20-year-old student, represents Ivory Coast for only the second time in Miss Universe history. She is passionate about environmental conservation and community development.

Egypt
Logina Salah, a 34-year-old mother and influencer based in Dubai, will represent Egypt. As a model, makeup artist, and vitiligo advocate, she brings a unique perspective to the competition.

Eritrea
For the first time, Eritrea will participate in the Miss Universe pageant with Snit Tewoldemedhin, a 25-year-old neuroscience graduate and advocate for children with learning disabilities.
Equatorial Guinea
Diana Dashaira Mouhafo, 24, represents Equatorial Guinea, which has competed in Miss Universe since 2019. She aims to become her nation’s first semi-finalist in the competition.

Guinea
Nene Mariama Saran Bah will represent Guinea. A previous Miss World Guinea, she placed among the top 40 in Miss World 2021/22 and is actively involved in humanitarian efforts.

Kenya
Irene Ng’endo Mukii returns to the pageant after a two-year hiatus. The 26-year-old aims to build on Kenya’s past successes, having previously held the title of Miss Africa 2019.

Mauritius
Vishakha Tania René, a 28-year-old project manager and model, represents Mauritius. With 10 years of experience, she is passionate about manga, anime, and Japanese culture.

Namibia
Prisca Anyolo, 28, will represent Namibia, aiming to become her nation’s first back-to-back semifinalist after Namibia’s previous win in 1992.

Nigeria
Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina represents Nigeria after winning Miss Universe Nigeria. Her journey included a stint in the Miss South Africa pageant, and she hopes to make a significant impact in the competition.

Senegal
Fatou Bintou Gueye, originally the first runner-up at the official Miss Senegal pageant, will represent her country for only the fourth time in Miss Universe history.

Somalia
Khadija Omar, the first hijabi woman to represent Somalia at Miss Universe, is a beauty influencer advocating for inclusivity. She was born in the Hagadera refugee camp in Kenya and emigrated to Canada in 2010.

South Africa
Mia le Roux, the first hearing-impaired Miss South Africa, represents her country, which has won the Miss Universe crown three times. With her cochlear implant, Mia is set to continue South Africa’s legacy of success.

Tanzania
Judith Peter Ngusa, crowned Miss Universe Tanzania 2024, is returning after a four-year absence. A post-partum health activist, she aims to elevate Tanzania’s presence in the Miss Universe competition.

Zambia
Brandina Lubuli, a 28-year-old advocate for women’s and children’s rights, represents Zambia. This year marks Zambia’s first participation since 2018, and Brandina is the first-ever mother and married woman to compete for the title.

Zimbabwe
Sakhile Dube, who previously represented Zimbabwe at Miss Earth 2022 and Miss Supranational 2023, aims to improve Zimbabwe’s standing in the Miss Universe competition, having only placed once before.

As the competition unfolds, these representatives will showcase not only their beauty and poise but also their commitment to social issues and cultural representation, making the 73rd Miss Universe a celebration of diversity and empowerment. – (TimesLive)