Victoria Kjaer, Denmark’s ‘Barbie’, Reigns at Miss Universe in its 73rd Edition
At 21, she is a professional dancer, businesswoman and mental health advocate. She was crowned by Nicaraguan Sheynnis Palacios, the outgoing queen. Nigerian Chidimma Adetshina was the first runner-up.
Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer became the new Miss Universe 2024, at a gala held on Saturday, November 16, at the Arena, Mexico City. Since the beginning of the pageant, she has always been among the favorites to take home this year’s crown. Missiologists and pageant fans nicknamed her “Barbie” for her figure, blonde hair and blue eyes. She was crowned by Nicaraguan Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe 2023, and received the new tiara called Lumiere De L’Infini (the light of infinity, in Spanish), a jewel made of 18-carat gold, adorned with diamonds and 23 golden South Sea pearls. Victoria, 21, has experience in beauty pageants. In 2022, she represented her country at Miss Grand International, where she was a semi-finalist. She is a professional dancer, businesswoman and mental health advocate. In addition, she is the first blonde miss to win the pageant 20 years later (the last was Australian Jennifer Hawkins in 2004) and for eight years, no representative from the European continent has won. The last to do so was French Iris Mittenaere, Miss Universe 2016.
The 73rd edition of Miss Universe (MU) is one of the most historic due to the large number of contestants: a total of 125 candidates. It also saw the return of Cuba, after an absence of 58 years. This year, Panama had no representation. Italy Mora, who won the title of Miss Universe Panama 2024 in August, was withdrawn at the beginning at the beginning of the contest by decision of the international organization. This year, the MU selected a top 30 that was announced minutes after the opening that started the final gala. This top 30 was made up of: France, India, Serbia, Vietnam, Puerto Rico, Nigeria, Canada, Cuba, China, Japan, Egypt, Mexico, Argentina, Thailand, Peru, Macao, Philippines, Ecuador, Bolivia, Malaysia, Russia, Aruba, Finland, Dominican Republic, Cambodia, Nicaragua, Denmark, Venezuela, Zimbabwe and Chile (chosen by public vote). These contestants paraded in swimsuits. The designs were the same as those modeled in the preliminary competition.
After this presentation, the top 12 of the contest was announced: Bolivia, Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Nigeria, Russia, Chile, Thailand, Denmark, Canada and Peru. Big favorites like the Dominican Republic and Finland failed to qualify. The semi-finalists appeared on the catwalk in evening gowns, while American singer Robin Thicke performed his songs live on stage. The group was then narrowed down to five: Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina; Mexico, María Fernanda Beltrán; Denmark, Victoria Kjaer; Thailand, Opal Suchata Chuangsri; and Venezuela, Ileana Márquez, who then went on to a question round. First, each was asked a different question. Their answers were evaluated by the jury, called this year the selection committee. Later, the top five faced a second round of questions. This time the finalists were asked the same question: Miss Universe has inspired generations of women, what would you say to those watching you right now? Finally, Victoria Kjaer from Denmark was chosen as the winner of the gala. Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina was the first runner-up. Mexico’s Maria Fernanda Beltran came in second. Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri and Venezuela’s Ileana Marquez became the third and fourth runners-up, respectively.
