Miss Denmark Victoria Kjær Theilvig, right, receives the crown after winning the 73rd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in Mexico City, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark has been crowned Miss Universe.
Kjaer, an animal protection advocate who works in the diamond selling business, beat out Miss Nigeria at the end of 73rd edition of the competition in Mexico City. Miss Mexico placed third.
It is the first time a Danish contestant has won Miss Universe.
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.
This year some countries were represented for the first time, such as Belarus, Eritrea, Guinea, Macau, Maldives, Moldova and Uzbekistan.
This is the third time that Mexico has hosted Miss Universe.
PH bet
Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo ended her Miss Universe 2024 journey when she failed to enter the Top 12 in Mexico on Nov. 17.
Candidates in the Top 12 were Bolivia, Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Nigeria, Russia, Chile, Thailand, Denmark, Canada, and Peru.
Manalo entered the Top 30 semifinalists of the 73rd Miss Universe Competition in Mexico City on Nov. 16 (Nov. 17 Manila time).
A total of 125 candidates vied for the title of Miss Universe 2024.