Miss Universe 2018

Miss Universe 2018
Catriona Gray, Miss Universe 2018
Date17 December 2018
Presenters
EntertainmentNe-Yo
VenueImpact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi Province, Thailand
BroadcasterInternational: Official broadcaster:
Entrants94
Placements20
Debuts
  • Armenia
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Mongolia
Withdrawals
  • Austria
  • Ethiopia
  • Guyana
  • Iraq
  • Romania
  • Slovenia
  • Tanzania
  • Trinidad and Tobago
Returns
  • Belize
  • Denmark
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Kenya
  • Kosovo
  • Switzerland
WinnerCatriona Gray
 Philippines
CongenialityOrnella Gunesekere
 Sri Lanka
Best National CostumeOn-anong Homsombath
 Laos
← 2017
2019 →

Miss Universe 2018 was the 67th Miss Universe pageant, held at the IMPACT Arena, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi Province, Thailand on 17 December 2018.

At the end of the event, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa crowned Catriona Gray of the Philippines as Miss Universe 2018. It was the Philippines' fourth victory after their recent victory in 2015.

Contestants from ninety-four countries and territories competed in this year's pageant, surpassing the previous record of ninety-two in 2017 and marking the biggest turnout to date for Miss Universe as of 2023. The pageant was hosted by Steve Harvey in his fourth consecutive year, with supermodel Ashley Graham. Television personality Carson Kressley and runway coach Lu Sierra provided commentary and analysis throughout the event. American singer-songwriter Ne-Yo performed in this year's pageant.

Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, the final venue of Miss Universe 2018.

Background

Location and date

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden, the venue for national costume round.

The Miss Universe Organization was in talks to host the Miss Universe 2018 competition in China. Negotiations collapsed after the Chinese refused to broadcast the pageant live. Afterward, the Miss Universe Organization opened negotiations with the Philippines after they had previously hosted 2016.

In April 2018, then-Secretary of Tourism Wanda Tulfo-Teo spoke with President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte regarding the possibility of hosting the pageant in Boracay in November 2018, which will be newly rehabilitated by then after being closed to tourists for six months. On 6 May 2018, Tulfo-Teo announced that the Philippines had a "90% chance" of hosting the pageant and also disclosed that the tourism department would be looking for sponsors since the LCS Holdings Inc. of Chavit Singson, the major sponsor of Miss Universe 2016, had declined to finance the 2018 pageant. On 18 May 2018, Tulfo-Teo's successor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat announced that the country dropped the hosting bid due to budget constraints and other concerns. Romulo-Puyat also pointed out that the Philippines had hosted the pageant recently, and had no reason to do so again so soon.

On July 31, 2018, it was announced by Miss Universe Organization President, Paula Shugart, in a live press conference at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, that the 2018 pageant would be in Bangkok, Thailand on 17 December 2018. The city has hosted the Miss Universe pageant twice, in 1992 and 2005. Current Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters with Miss Universe 1965 Apasra Hongsakula and Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova participated in the announcement. The national costume competition took place on 10 December 2018 at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya, Thailand.

Selection of participants

Contestants from ninety-four countries and territories were selected to compete in the pageant. Nine of these delegates were appointees to their titles after being a runner-up of their national pageant or an audition process or other internal selection.

Reception

Ángela Ponce of Spain was the first openly transgender delegate to compete at Miss Universe. Despite not being one of the twenty semi-finalists, Ponce was recognized by the Miss Universe Organization for her historical importance during the competition. The pageant rules were changed to allow transgender women to compete in 2012.

Replacements

Zoé Brunet, the first runner-up of Miss Belgium 2018, was appointed to represent Belgium after Miss Belgium 2018 Angeline Flor Pua chose to compete in Miss World. Eva Colas of France and Magdalena Swat were also appointees to their titles after their original titleholders, Miss France 2018 Maëva Coucke and Miss Polonia 2017 Agata Biernat respectively, were unable to compete because of commitments to Miss World. Coucke and Pua competed in the pageant the following year.

Debuts, returns and withdrawals

The 2018 edition saw the debuts of Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia and the returns of Belize, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Kenya, Kosovo, and Switzerland. Greece last competed in 2015, and the others in 2016.

Austria, Ethiopia, Iraq, Romania, Slovenia, and Tanzania withdrew after their respective organizations lost their Miss Universe license, failed to hold a national competition or designate a contestant. Guyana was suspended from participating in Miss Universe due to a controversy involving "nasty emails" and "death threats" sent to the organization over a delegate issue in 2017. No license holder replaced the previous license holder, forcing the country to withdraw. Trinidad and Tobago withdrew after they announced that there would be no pageant held, despite Martrecia Alleyne having crowned as Miss Universe Trinidad and Tobago 2018 at their 2017 national pageant.

Marie Esther Bangura of Sierra Leone arrived in Bangkok after registrations had ended, and was unable to participate due to visa and logistical concerns. However, she was allowed to participate in the pageant's activities and watch the competition from the audience. She was also invited to compete in the next edition of the pageant.

Results

Placements

Placement Contestant
Miss Universe 2018
1st runner-up
2nd runner-up
Top 5
Top 10
Top 20

Special awards

Award Contestant
Best National Costume
  •  Laos – On-anong Homsombath
Miss Congeniality

Pageant

Format

The number of semifinalists was increased to twenty— the same number of semifinalists in 2006. The results of the preliminary competition— which was composed of the swimsuit and evening gown competition and closed-door interviews, determined the twenty semifinalists. The continental format was retained, with five semifinalists from the Americas, Europe, Africa & Asia-Pacific, and wildcards coming from any continental region. The twenty semifinalists competed in the opening statement round, after which the judges narrowed down the semifinalists to ten, who then competed in both swimsuit and evening gown competitions. After the swimwear and evening gown competitions, the judges then selected the top five to compete in the preliminary question and answer round. After said segment, the judges selected the final three, who participated in the final word and final look portions.

Selection committee

The seven judges for both the preliminary competition and the final telecast were an all-female panel which included:

Contestants

Miss Universe 2018 participating countries and territories.

Ninety-four contestants competed for the title.

Country/Territory Contestant Age Hometown Continental Group
Albania Albania Trejsi Sejdini 18 Elbasan Europe
Angola Angola Ana Liliana Avião 24 Andulo Africa & Asia-Pacific
Argentina Argentina Agustina Pivowarchuk 22 Buenos Aires Americas
Armenia Armenia Eliza Muradyan[citation needed] 25 Etchmiadzin Europe
Aruba Aruba Kimberly Julsing 20 Wayaca Americas
Australia Australia Francesca Hung 24 Sydney Africa & Asia-Pacific
The Bahamas Bahamas Danielle Grant 23 Nassau Americas
Barbados Barbados Meghan Theobalds 27 Christ Church Americas
Belgium Belgium Zoé Brunet 18 Namur Europe
Belize Belize Jenelli Fraser 27 Belize City Americas
Bolivia Bolivia Joyce Prado 21 Santa Cruz Americas
Brazil Brazil Mayra Dias 27 Itacoatiara Americas
British Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands A'yana Keshelle Phillips 23 Sea Cows Bay Americas
Bulgaria Bulgaria Gabriela Topalova 22 Plovdiv Europe
Cambodia Cambodia Rern Nat 22 Kampong Cham Africa & Asia-Pacific
Canada Canada Marta Stępień 24 Windsor Americas
Cayman Islands Cayman Islands Caitlin Tyson 24 Bodden Town Americas
Chile Chile Andrea Díaz 27 Santiago Americas
China China Meisu Qin 24 Anshan Africa & Asia-Pacific
Colombia Colombia Valeria Morales 20 Cali Americas
Costa Rica Costa Rica Natalia Carvajal 28 San Jose Americas
Croatia Croatia Mia Pojatina 23 Nova Gradiška Europe
Curaçao Curaçao Akisha Albert 23 Willemstad Americas
Czech Republic Czech Republic Lea Šteflíčková 20 Prague Europe
Denmark Denmark Helena Heuser 22 Copenhagen Europe
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic Aldy Bernard 23 Laguna Salada Americas
Ecuador Ecuador Virginia Limongi 24 Portoviejo Americas
Egypt Egypt Nariman Khaled 22 Hurghada Africa & Asia-Pacific
El Salvador El Salvador Marisela de Montecristo 26 San Salvador Americas
Finland Finland Alina Voronkova 23 Helsinki Europe
France France Eva Colas 22 Bastia Europe
Georgia (country) Georgia Lara Yan 25 Telavi Europe
Germany Germany Celine Willers 25 Munich Europe
Ghana Ghana Akpene Diata Hoggar 25 Tefle Africa & Asia-Pacific
United Kingdom Great Britain Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers 25 Birmingham Europe
Greece Greece Ioanna Bella 22 Veria Europe
Guam Guam Athena McNinch 20 Mangilao Africa & Asia-Pacific
Guatemala Guatemala Mariana García 19 Guatemala City Americas
Haiti Haiti Samantha Colas 26 Port-au-Prince Americas
Honduras Honduras Vanessa Villars 20 Santa Bárbara Americas
Hungary Hungary Enikő Kecskès 21 Budapest Europe
Iceland Iceland Katrín Lea Elenudóttir 19 Reykjavík Europe
India India Nehal Chudasama 22 Mumbai Africa & Asia-Pacific
Indonesia Indonesia Sonia Fergina Citra 26 Tanjung Pandan Africa & Asia-Pacific
Republic of Ireland Ireland Grainne Gallanagh 24 Buncrana Europe
Israel Israel Nikol Reznikov 18 Afula Africa & Asia-Pacific
Italy Italy Erica De Matteis 24 Rome Europe
Jamaica Jamaica Emily Maddison 19 Saint Andrew Americas
Japan Japan Yuumi Kato 22 Aichi Africa & Asia-Pacific
Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Sabina Azimbayeva 18 Almaty Europe
Kenya Kenya Wabaiya Kariuki 22 Nairobi Africa & Asia-Pacific
Kosovo Kosovo Zana Berisha 24 Suhareke Europe
Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Begimay Karybekova 20 Bishkek Africa & Asia-Pacific
Laos Laos On-anong Homsombath 23 Vientiane Prefecture Africa & Asia-Pacific
Lebanon Lebanon Maya Reaidy 23 Tannourine Africa & Asia-Pacific
Malaysia Malaysia Jane Teoh 21 Penang Africa & Asia-Pacific
Malta Malta Francesca Mifsud 22 Żejtun Europe
Mauritius Mauritius Varsha Ragoobarsing 28 Flacq Africa & Asia-Pacific
Mexico Mexico Andrea Toscano 20 Manzanillo Americas
Mongolia Mongolia Dolgion Delgerjav 27 Ulaanbaatar Africa & Asia-Pacific
Myanmar Myanmar Hnin Thway Yu Aung 22 Bago Africa & Asia-Pacific
Namibia Namibia Selma Kamanya 21 Windhoek Africa & Asia-Pacific
Nepal Nepal Manita Devkota 23 Gorkha Africa & Asia-Pacific
Netherlands Netherlands Rahima Dirkse 25 Rotterdam Europe
New Zealand New Zealand Estelle Curd 27 Auckland Africa & Asia-Pacific
Nicaragua Nicaragua Adriana Paniagua 23 Chinandega Americas
Nigeria Nigeria Aramide Lopez 21 Lagos Africa & Asia-Pacific
Norway Norway Susanne Guttorm 22 Karasjok Europe
Panama Panama Rosa Montezuma 25 Alto Caballero Americas
Paraguay Paraguay Belén Alderete 24 Asunción Americas
Peru Peru Romina Lozano 21 Bellavista Americas
Philippines Philippines Catriona Gray 24 Oas Africa & Asia-Pacific
Poland Poland Magdalena Swat 27 Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski Europe
Portugal Portugal Filipa Barroso 20 Setúbal Europe
Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Kiara Ortega 25 Rincón Americas
Russia Russia Yulia Polyachikhina 18 Cheboksary Europe
Saint Lucia Saint Lucia Angella Dalsou 24 Castries Americas
Singapore Singapore Zahra Khanum 23 Singapore City Africa & Asia-Pacific
Slovakia Slovakia Barbora Hanová 24 Lučenec Europe
South Africa South Africa Tamaryn Green 24 Paarl Africa & Asia-Pacific
South Korea South Korea Baek Ji-hyun 25 Daegu Africa & Asia-Pacific
Spain Spain Ángela Ponce 27 Seville Europe
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Ornella Gunesekere 26 Mount Lavinia Africa & Asia-Pacific
Sweden Sweden Emma Strandberg 22 Hallstahammar Europe
Switzerland Switzerland Jastina Doreen Riederer 20 Spreitenbach Europe
Thailand Thailand Sophida Kanchanarin 23 Bangkok Africa & Asia-Pacific
Turkey Turkey Tara De Vries 20 Istanbul Europe
Ukraine Ukraine Karyna Zhosan 23 Odesa Europe
Uruguay Uruguay Sofía Marrero 18 Canelones Americas
United States United States Sarah Rose Summers 24 Omaha Americas
United States Virgin Islands US Virgin Islands Aniska Tonge 27 Charlotte Amalie Americas
Venezuela Venezuela Sthefany Gutiérrez 19 Barcelona Americas
Vietnam Vietnam H'Hen Niê 26 Đắk Lắk Africa & Asia-Pacific
Zambia Zambia Melba Shakabozha 23 Lusaka Africa & Asia-Pacific

This page was last updated at 2023-12-31 12:26 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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