By
OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN ROSE
21-year-old Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjær Theilvig has been crowned Miss Universe 2024.
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.
Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina finished as the first runner-up Miss Universe 2024.
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.
This is the third time Mexico hosted Miss Universe.
Reigning Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua crowned the new Miss Universe.
Chidimma, 22, was the only African who reached top 12 in the Miss Universe 2024.
