PEOPLE all over the world are waiting with bated breath to learn who will be crowned Miss Universe 2024 this weekend as the judges have to choose from a record number of impressive contestants.
The annual beauty pageant brought 127 contestants from around the globe to Mexico City ahead of the grand finale on Saturday.
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A preliminary competition on Thursday decided who’ll take the stage for the live event – and there are 30 semifinalists this year, up from the 20 chosen in previous years.
The preliminary contest featured a swimsuit segment, an evening gown round, and interviews
Miss Universe also kicked off the weekend with a national costume competition, where participants represented their homelands at the Arena CDMX show.
Footage of Miss USA 2024 Alma Cooper in the early rounds left fans stunned as they got a sneak peek at Cooper’s looks ahead of the competition.
“She is FLAWLESS!!!” one fan commented on a video of Cooper’s walk as another added, “she is so stunning – also deserving to win.”
“Wow! That’s how it’s done! Go Alma!” another wrote.
Cooper, a 22-year-old Army officer and Stanford student from Michigan, won the American crown in August.
As the beloved pageant queen eyes the Miss Universe title, let’s take a look at her competition.
HOME ADVANTAGE
María Fernanda Beltrán, Miss Mexico, is a fan-favorite as the competition is taking place in her country.
The 24-year-old entrepreneur has over 270,000 followers on Instagram and started a cosmetics company called Glaze.
“I think the feeling of being a host is a pride that all Mexicans feel along with me,” Beltrán said in an interview with the Miss Universe channel.
“Representing the history, the culture, the traditions, the beautiful festivities that we have here in Mexico.
“This edition is going to be historic for all of Mexico and the world.”
The crown could also go to Miss Chile, Emilia Dides.
Who is Miss USA 2024?
Miss Michigan Alma Cooper was crowned Miss USA 2024 on August 4, 2024.
The 22-year-old is from is from Okemos, Michigan.
Cooper is an Army officer and data scientist pursuing a master’s degree in statistics at Stanford University.
She previously studied at the United States Military Academy West Point, where she graduated with honors.
She’s also an advocate for the nonprofit Feeding America.
During the Miss USA final, she told judges why she deserved to win the crown.
“As the daughter of a migrant worker, a proud Afro-Latina woman, and an officer in the United States Army, I am living the American dream,” Cooper said.
She was crowned by Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii.
Dides, 25, is a pop singer with over 875,000 followers on Instagram.
She’s no stranger to the stage after winning the reality competition show Rojo in 2019.
The singer made waves in the costume competition by wearing a huge roulette wheel to pay tribute to a popular Chilean TV show called Sábado Gigante.
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Miss Jamaica, Rachel Silvera, also paid homage to her country by honoring female pioneers of dancehall music with her outfit.
Another costume that left the audience shocked on Thursday belonged to Miss Nicaragua, Geyssell García, who came dressed as her country’s famous León Cathedral.
If Geyssell García wins the competition, she’ll be the second Miss Nicaragua to win the title after Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios made history for the country by being crowned.
MEET MORE CONTESTANTS
Another stunning costume included Miss Spain Michelle Jiménez, a 21-year-old beauty queen who grew up the oldest of nine siblings.
Jiménez wore a red ensemble covered in flowers.
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Plus, a favorite in the competition is Miss Brazil, Luana Cavalcante, who shared an emotional tribute to her son, Pedro, ahead of the finale.
“In every achievement, in every goal I’ve reached, I hope that you see how discipline, perseverance, and knowledge are powerful forces that can turn challenges into great triumphs,” she wrote in a sweet message on Instagram.
Palacios will crown the next winner on Saturday’s grand finale at 7:30 pm ET.
The competition will be available to watch live on The Roku Channel.
Former Miss Universe winner Olivia Culpo is hosting the event alongside TV presenter Mario Lopez.
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