Victoria Kjaer, a 21-year-old professional dancer originally from Denmark, was crowned Miss Universe this Saturday night in the pageant held in Mexico City and which featured women who have been mothers for the first time.
The Dane beat 130 contestants, the largest number in this contest that was in its 73rd edition.
The first runner-up, who would wear the crown in case Kjar faces any impediment, was Chidimma Adetshina, a law student who represented Nigeria.
The Mexican Fernanda Beltrán had to settle as the second finalist, followed by the Thai Suchata Chuangsri and the Venezuelan Ileana Márquez.
After its 2023 edition included married, plus-size contestants and two transgender women, this year ten women who have been mothers stood out, including Beatrice Njoya, from Malta, who is 40 years old and has three children.
Venezuelan Márquez, 28 years old and among the public’s favorites, is an educator, model and television presenter who has a daughter.
Jennifer Colón, a medical-grade esthetician from Puerto Rico who was among the 12 semifinalists, has three children at 36 years old.
The contest seeks to renew itself
Also among these 12, the presence of Logina Salah, a 34-year-old Egyptian model who suffers from vitiligo and is a single mother of a girl, stood out.
This is the fifth time that Mexico has hosted this contest, which has been held since 1952 and has been criticized for promoting outdated ideas of femininity.
The contest has sought to renew itself by opening its doors to women who were previously banned after it was acquired in 2022 by the Thai firm JKN Global Group, headed by transgender businesswoman Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip.
Last January, the company Legacy Holding, based in Mexico, acquired 50% of the shares of Miss Universe.
In 2023, Nicaraguan Sheynnis Palacios was crowned and the celebration of her victory sparked the largest mobilizations in Nicaragua since the 2018 street protests shook Daniel Ortega’s government.
According to opposition media, the beauty queen and her family have been forced to leave Nicaragua.
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Heard on such a prestigious stage.
1. Can you please introduce yourselves and share your backgrounds with our readers?
– Victoria Kjaer: My name is Victoria Kjaer, a 21-year-old professional dancer from Denmark. I’m honored to have been crowned Miss Universe this year. I started dancing at a very young age and have always been passionate about it. It’s a privilege to represent my country on this global platform.
– Chidimma Adetshina: Hi, I’m Chidimma Adetshina, a law student from Nigeria. I’m thrilled to be the first runner-up in this year’s Miss Universe pageant. I believe in the power of education and advocacy, and I’m excited to use this platform to make a difference.
2. Congratulations on your achievements! Can you tell us about your experiences during the competition? How did you feel when you heard your name announced as the winner?
– Victoria Kjaer: It was an incredible experience being part of such a diverse and talented group of women. The competition was intense, but I tried to stay true to myself and focused on what I wanted to achieve. When they announced my name as the winner, it was surreal. It’s a moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
– Chidimma Adetshina: The competition was challenging but also rewarding. I met so many amazing women from different backgrounds, and we brought our unique perspectives to the table. When they announced my name as the first runner-up, I was surprised but still proud of myself and all the hard work I put in. I’m excited to continue representing Nigeria and using this platform for good.
3. This year’s Miss Universe pageant included mothers for the first time, which was a significant change from previous years. Can you elaborate on how this added to the experience and the message it sent?
– Victoria Kjaer: I think including mothers was a great step forward in breaking stereotypes and celebrating diversity. It showed that beauty and motherhood aren’t mutually exclusive, and that women can be both successful and multifaceted. It was inspiring to see so many incredible mothers participate and make their voices
