By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GettyImages.
Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, is crowned Miss Universe 2024 in the 73rd Miss Universe Competition in Mexico City on November 16, 2024.
It is the first time a Danish contestant has won Miss Universe.
Chidimma Adetshina of Nigeria finished as first runner-up and Maria Fernanda Beltran of Mexico was named second runner-up. Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand and Ileana Marquez Pedroza of Venezuela followed – with Pedroza, a 28-year-old mother, making history in the top five after the competition removed several restrictions in recent years.
Miss Egypt Logina Salah was the first woman with vitiligo to compete in the pageant, while 40-year-old Miss Malta Beatrice Njoya was the oldest woman to compete in the Miss Universe pageant.
The pageant was held in the Mexico City Arena, an indoor venue with a capacity for 20,000 people. Supporters inside shouted and waved flags from countries around the world.
The ceremony began with 131 mariachi musicians and singer Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas playing “Mexicana”, a song created by Emilio Estefan for the contest.
The gala was hosted by Mario López; Olivia Culpo, Miss Universe 2012; presenter Zuri Hall; and Catriona Gray, Miss Universe 2018.
Organizers said that there were more than 120 contestants.
This year some countries were represented for the first time, such as Belarus, Eritrea, Guinea, Macau, Maldives, Moldova and Uzbekistan.