Getty Miss Venezuela Luiseth Materan during the 70th Miss Universe pageant
Here are the 2021 Miss Universe Top 16 finalists. They were selected after a preliminary competition that took place in the few days’ prior to the live pageant. The preliminary competition included interviews, a swimsuit competition and an evening gown competition, plus an online vote where fans got to vote for one woman to make the Top 16.
The Top 16 contestants are listed below. This is the first time the pageant has done a Top 16 since the 2017 pageant; the past few years have started with a Top 20.
Here is how to watch a live stream online of the pageant.
The Top 16 Finalists Are…
- Miss France Clémence Botino
- Miss Colombia Valeria Maria Ayos Bossa
- Miss Singapore Nandita Banna
- Miss Panama Brenda Smith Lezama
- Miss Puerto Rico Michelle Marie Colón Ramírez
- Miss Bahamas Chantel O’Brian
- Miss Japan Juri Watanabe
- Miss Great Britain Emma Collingridge
- Miss United States Elle Smith
- Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu
- Miss Vietnam Nguyen Huynh Kim Duyen (voted in by the fans)
- Miss Aruba Thessaly Zimmerman
- Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira
- Miss Philippines Beatrice Luigi Gomez
- Miss Venezuela Luiseth Emiliana Materán Bolaño
- Miss South Africa Lalela Lali Mswane
Seven of our predicted Top 10 are in the Top 16. When the actual Top 10 were revealed, they were as follows:
- Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira
- Miss Puerto Rico Michelle Marie Colón Ramírez
- Miss United States Elle Smith
- Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu
- Miss South Africa Lalela Lali Mswane
- Miss Bahamas Chantel O’Brian
- Miss Philippines Beatrice Luigi Gomez
- Miss France Clémence Botino
- Miss Colombia Valeria Maria Ayos Bossa
- Miss Aruba Thessaly Zimmerman
Then when the Top 5 were announced, they were:
- Miss South Africa Lalela Lali Mswane
- Miss Colombia Valeria Maria Ayos Bossa
- Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu
- Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira
- Miss Philippines Beatrice Luigi Gomez
And the Top 3 were Miss South Africa Lalela Lali Mswane, Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu, and Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira. They finished in this order — the second runner-up was named Miss South Africa Lalela Lali Mswane; the first runner-up was named Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira and that means the winner of the 2021 Miss Universe pageant was Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu. This is the first time India has won the title since 2000.
The first to make it in to the Top 16 is France! #MISSUNIVERSE
The 70th MISS UNIVERSE Competition is airing LIVE around the world from Eilat, Israel on @foxtv”
Before they were announced, judge Adriana Lima gave them some advice, saying, “As Miss Universe, you’re going to be under the public eye. You’re going to be an example for women around the world. It’s a big responsibility. Use this responsibility to do good, to create and express positive vibes and represent women around the world and help women.”
The 2021 Miss Universe Pageant Information
The 70th annual Miss Universe competition is airing live from Eilat, Israel on Sunday, December 12.
Steve Harvey is back hosting the pageant after taking 2020 off and his daughter, Lori Harvey, is on the selection committee that is judging the contestants. Performers include U.S. pop star JoJo and Israeli pop star Noa Kirel.
“I’m so excited and honored to be performing at Miss Universe,” said Kirel in a statement. “By believing in themselves and fearlessly chasing their dreams, these women from around the world live and breathe the values of the Miss Universe Organization, and I can’t wait to share this celebratory moment with all of them on this incredible global stage.”
The 2021 competition features two competitors who have not been a part of the Miss Universe competition ever or in a very long time — 2021 is the first time that a delegate from the United Arab Emirates has competed in the competition, plus Miss Universe Morocco returns to the competition for the first time in over 40 years.
Prior to the competition starting, the delegates toured the host country, beginning in Jerusalem and ending in Eilat.
The 2021 competition aims to “shine a spotlight on the issue of global warming as part of a green agenda that corresponds with the values of the host country,” according to the pageant’s press release.
It continues:
Using the Miss Universe platform, the December 12 production will highlight both the bold contestants of the past and the social and global issues they faced in their time, and the fact that climate change is on the world agenda for the next generation of women. The broadcast will aim to raise awareness amongst the hundreds of millions of spectators, with the hopes of inspiring action in contestants’ community.
“As a company that has the distinct advantage of bringing a global spotlight to world issues, I look forward to showcasing both how our contestants can make a difference in their communities and around the world,” said Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, in a statement. “I know that the city of Eilat will provide a great space for our contestants to learn and grow together.”
READ NEXT: Watch Miss Universe 2021 Competition Live Stream Online