News Americas, New York, NY, 15 November 2024: The stage is set for the 73rd Miss Universe pageant, which will crown a new winner tomorrow, November 16, 2024, in Mexico City, Mexico. Among the 130 contestants from around the world are a number of contestants from the Caribbean and Latin America, each vying for the prestigious title through events including personal statements, in-depth interviews and highly anticipated evening gown and swimwear segments.
Preliminary and final selection process
The journey to the crown begins with the preliminaries, where all 130 contestants will compete in swimsuits and display the traditional costumes representing their countries. Unlike previous years, the prelims will not feature a gala runway show, focusing instead on swimwear and suit presentations.
From this round, the selection committee will narrow the field to 25 finalists. Four additional finalists will be selected regionally, representing Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and Asia and Oceania. A public vote will determine the 30th and final place.
Caribbean and Latin American Competitors
The Caribbean and Latin America are well represented this year with a diverse group of contestants:
- Argentina – Magali Benejam, 29 years old
- Aruba – Anouk Eman, 32 years old
- Bahamas – Selvinique Wright, 32
- Belize – Halima Hoy, 30 years old
- Bolivia – Juliana Barrientos, 27 years old
- Bonaire – Ruby Pouchet, 29 years old
- Brazil – Luana Cavalcante, 25 years old
- British Virgin Islands – Deyounce Lowenfield, 20
- Cayman Islands – Raegan Rutty, 22
- Costa Rica – Elena Hidalgo, 32 years old
- Cuba – Marianela Ancheta, 31 years old
- Curaçao – Kimberly de Boer, 19 years old
- Dominican Republic – Celinee Santos, 24 years old
- Guadeloupe – Coraly Desplan, 20
- Guatemala – Ana Gabriela Villanueva, 22 years old
- Guyana – Ariana Blaize, 26 years old
- Honduras – Stephanie Cam, 32
- Jamaica – Rachel Silvera, 25 years old
- Mexico – María Fernanda Beltrán, 24 years old
- Nicaragua – , Geyssell Garcia, 29 years old
- Paraguay – Naomi Mendez, 32 years old
- Peru – Tatiana Calmell, 30
- Puerto Rico – Jennifer Colin, 36
- Saint Lucia – Skye Faucher, 26 years old
- Suriname – Pooja Chotkan, 23
- Trinidad and Tobago – Jenelle Thongs, 32
- Turks and Caicos – Raynae Myers, 23
- Uruguay – Yanina Lucas, 28 years old
- US Virgin Islands – Stephany Andujar, 28
- Venezuela – Ileana Márquez, 28 years old
An unexpected disqualification
Miss Panama, Itali Mora, was disqualified before the competition, reducing the number of contestants to 130.
The Grand Final
The final event, held at Arena CDMX in Mexico City, will culminate in the crowning of the 73rd Miss Universe. With Caribbean and Latin American contestants bringing beauty, talent and cultural pride to the stage, all eyes will be on the region to see if one of its representatives takes home the crown.
This year’s pageant promises to be an unforgettable celebration of global beauty and diversity.
