THE most beautiful day in the universe has concluded with a new queen, Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark.
Theilvig bested 124 other aspirants from different countries and territories around the world in ceremonies held at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico, on Nov. 16 (Nov. 17 in Manila). She also made history as the first Danish queen to bring home the Miss Universe crown.
The new queen inherited her title from Sheynnis Palacios, who became the first Nicaraguan woman to be crowned Miss Universe in last year’s competition.
Theilvig is also the first Miss Universe queen to wear the Philippine-made crown which debuted in this year’s competition, the “Lumière de l’Infini” (Light of Infinity) crown, which is provided by luxury jewelry maker Jewelmer crafted by Filipinos using south sea pearls from Palawan.
Chidimma Adetshina of Nigeria settled for the first runner-up spot, while Maria Fernanda Beltran of Mexico was second runner-up.
Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand, and Ileana Marquez Pedroza of Venezuela finished as third and fourth runners-up, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Philippines’ Chelsea Manalo advanced to the Top 30 of the competition, but failed to make it to the Top 12.
Manalo was named the first-ever Miss Universe Asia during a post-pageant press conference.
On Instagram, Miss Universe Philippines 2024 shared a video of Chelsea greeting her fellow Filipinos: “Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! We are making history as Miss Universe Asia.”
The Bulakenya beauty queen is set to travel around Asia and will be joining some of the official trips of the Miss Universe organization.
The other three continental queens are Miss Finland (Europe and Middle East), Miss Peru (Americas), and Miss Nigeria (Africa and Oceania).
The 125-strong roster is also the biggest haul of delegates for the pageant, with the previous record at 94 in the 2018 competition won by Catriona Gray from the Philippines. (Armin P. Adina © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
