Miss Universe 2024 finals is finally here

Miss Universe Kenya 2024 Irene Ngendo [ Courtesy]

Tonight, the current Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua, will be handing over the crown to a new queen.

The 24-year old mental health activist and audiovisual producer will be crowning her successor as the curtains of the Miss Universe 2024 competition come down in Mexico City.

The last two weeks have seen winners from different countries from across the globe go through rigorous heats, which have already led to eliminations of some of the models.

Early this week, the world witnessed the official crown cocktail opening with the preliminary and national costume competition taking place yesterday. Now only 30 girls have been left in the competition.

The selection committee will be deciding on four regional contestants from either Latin America and the Carribean, Africa, Asia, Oceania or Europe. Additionally, the last semifinalist will be decided by a popular vote ahead of the final competition today.

During the grand finals, the 30 models will catwalk in an evening dress. After this round, seven will be eliminated from the competition. The five finalists that remain will be quizzed by the jury, before the final positions and the new Miss Universe 2024 is picked.

The candidate representing Kenya is Irene Ngendo Mukii.

The Miss Universe Kenya 2024 is not new to winning beauty pageants. She has previously won Miss Grand Kenya 2020 and finished as one of the Top 20 semi-finalists at Miss Grand International 2020.

The pageant has produced some of the top models in the country with some of the crown holders coming close to winning the international title.

Roshanara Ebrahim was crowned Miss Universe Kenya 2021. She had previously won Miss World Kenya 2016 but withdrew from the Miss World competition that year.

Then there is Stacy Michuki who represented Kenya at Miss Universe 2019. Wabaiya Kariuki carrying the crown in 2018. Mary Esther got a Top 6 finish in the 2016 global finals.

The Miss Universe Organization is a global organisation that celebrates all cultures, backgrounds and religions. It creates and provides a safe space for women to share their stories and make an impact.

Reigning Miss South Africa Mia le Roux is the first ever deaf contestant to participate in Miss Universe.

Miss Universe Panama Italy Mora was recently removed from the Miss Universe 2024 pageant.

According to the disappointed Italy Mora, she was informed about her dismissal on her way to attend an event.

“The Miss Universe organization regrets to announce the withdrawal of Panama’s candidate from the Miss Universe 2024 pageant. This decision has been taken after a thorough evaluation by our disciplinary commission. It is important to note that we made this decision with the utmost respect for all parties involved. Our number one priority remains the welfare and transparency for all of our candidates, who exemplify diversity, talent, and dedication,” the Miss Universe Organization said in a statement.

The Miss Universe Organization insisted on maintaining confidentiality during the disciplinary process of Italy Mora.

The ‘noncompliance’ issue that led to her removal had something to do with her room arrangements. She said the issue occurred when she went to her room briefly to pick up some personal items and to put on makeup.

On her Instagram page, she wrote, “Unfortunately, I trusted and followed instructions without measuring the consequences. I would like to express that it was a severe measure and that it could have been solved with a dialogue or warning.”

She thanked and appreciated all her fans and supporters throughout the competition.