The Miss Universe pageant is back for 2024 and the costumes are as dazzling and outlandish as ever.
On Thursday night in Mexico City, the glamorous contestants put on an extravagant display at the 73rd Miss Universe preliminary and national costume competition, showcasing sparkling outfits that represent what they love about their homelands.
127 pageant queens took to the stage in glitzy ensembles including British contestant Christina Dela Cruz who dressed up as an oak tree and Japan’s Kaya Chakrabortty who wore a bedazzled kimono and roller skates.
The stunning women put their best foot forward in a bid to make it into the top 30 which will be announced at Saturday night’s Miss Universe final before the winner is crowned.
This is a record braking year for the competition as it is the first year 30 contestants will go through to the final, down from 20 in previous years.
Even though the grand final is the competition’s main event, the national costume round at the preliminary is a fan favourite and this year’s queens did not disappoint.
Nature and botanical were the inspiration for many of the costumes including Miss Guatemala, Ana Gabriela Villanueva’s beaded leaf display and Miss Belarus, Eleonora Kachalovskaya in a fantastical floral garb.
Miss Argentina, Magalí Benejam sported a sparkling toucan atop her head in a rainforest themed display with blue feathers cascading down from her arms to represent a waterfall.
Miss Universe has kicked off in Mexico City as the preliminary contest has started ahead of the final on Saturday. Pictured: Miss Venezuela
Miss Great Britain dressed up in a leaf-adorned jumpsuit with a huge gold crown to represent the UK’s 121 million oak trees
Similarly, Miss Guatemala, Ana Gabriela Villanueva, had palm and fern leaves exploding from her silhouette as she wore a sequined one-piece which paid homage to her country’s indigenous women and children.
Miss Great Britain dressed up in a leaf-adorned jumpsuit with a huge gold crown to represent the UK’s 121 million oak trees.
Taking a unique approach, Miss Chile, Emilia Dides represented one of her country’s favourite game shows Sábado Gigante by wearing the program’s roulette wheel.
Miss Ecuador, Tema Mara’s larger-than-life costume featured a model of her homeland’s capital Quito’s historic churches balanced across her shoulders.
Miss Netherlands, Faith Landman stunned onlookers as her blue-and-white gown transformed to look like an enormous piece of pottery as a nod to the traditional Dutch craft.
On Saturday, 30 finalists will be announced including one fan-voted favourite who will then take to the stage for the swimsuit round.
From there, the 30 finalists will be whittled down to just 12 pageant queens and they will compete in the evening gown and question-and-answer rounds.
This year’s judges include social media star Lele Pons, 1978 Miss Universe Margaret Gardiner, Colombian singer Fariana, Telemundo, host Jéssica Carrillo, music producer Emilio Estefan, Brazilian artist Romero Britto, fashion icon Eva Cavalli, and designer Michael Cinco.
Miss Bolivia, Juliana Barrientos, adorned a stunning skirt and headdress in the shape of an owl
Miss Jamaica, Rachel Silvera, adorned a magnificent ruffled dress paying homage to the flag of her home nation
Miss Switzerland channeled a look reminiscent of Disney’s Frozen as she adorned a sparkling corset with a ruffled skirt and gem-encrusted sleeves
Miss Sri Lanka Melloney Dassanayake adorned a stunning feature engraved with traditional markings
Miss France, Indira Ampiot, donned a stunning diamante corset and a full silk skirt in the colours of the flag
Host and former Miss Universe winner Olivia Cuplo will end the night by announcing who will be crowned this year’s winner by reigning 2023 winner Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.
The 2024 crown, named ‘Lumiere De L’Infini’, has been described by president and founder of Miss Universe Raul Rocha as ‘the most beautiful in the history of Miss Universe’.
Designed and handmade by Filipino jeweller, Jewelmer, it features 23 rare golden pearls, the national gem of the Philippines.
Belarus, Eritrea, Guinea, and the United Arab Emirates are being represented at the Miss Universe event for the first time this year.
Seven nations have made their return to the competition including Cuba who was last represented in 1967 and Fiji in 1981.
Panama contestant, Italy Mora, was unfortunately disqualified just days ago after she allegedly broke the pageant’s strict rules by leaving her hotel to visit her boyfriend without permission.
