Lead Photo: 13 December 2021, Israel, Eilat: Miss India
Harnaaz Sandhu reacts as she is crowned as Miss Universe during the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant in Israel's southern Red Sea coastal city of Eilat. Photo: Ilia Yefimovich/dpa [Photo by Ilia Yefimovich/picture alliance via Getty Images] Read more Miss Universe is coming back on Jan. 14, 2023, and we finally know
where the delegates representing more than 85 countries will spend their days competing for the crown. The 71st Miss Universe competition is heading to New Orleans, Louisana — a significant switch-up from hosting it in Israel last year. The moment you’ve been waiting for… The #71stMISSUNIVERSE Competition
is heading to… NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA! 🇺🇸 MISS UNIVERSE will air around the world on January 14, 2023. Stay tuned for more information on the official Miss Universe app. pic.twitter.com/XYaoUEMKxg — Miss Universe [@MissUniverse] September 19, 2022
“The city of New Orleans and the Miss Universe Organization share common values of celebrating inclusion, culture, and the empowerment of women,” New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell told WDSU. “Hosting this event demonstrates the significant global impact an international city like New Orleans has on the world’s tourism and cultural stages. We are honored to host the 71st annual Miss Universe pageant and show people around the globe why New Orleans is the best in the world at executing major events, festivals, conferences, and conventions with a culture that is absolutely unmatched.”
The current contestants from around the world are featured on the official Instagram page, as well as the organization’s website, so you can get to know those vying for the crown before the big event.
The beauty pageant will feature around 90 women from around the world as they provide personal statements, in-depth interviews, and various categories, including the classic evening gowns and swimwear portions.
The current Miss Universe is Harnaaz Sandhu from India, who will be present to pass the crown to the next titleholder. The event will be held at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
The last time a beauty queen from Latin America won the title was Andrea Meza from Mexico in 2021.
In January 2023, 165 countries around the world will experience the unique, vibrant culture of New Orleans on international television.
NEW ORLEANS — About 90 women from 67 countries around the globe will take on the runway at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans to fight for the role of Miss Universe on January 14, 2023.
Earlier this month, the organization announced the pageant had been postponed to avoid conflict with the 2022 FIFA World Cup being held in Qatar from November 20 to December 18.
The City of New Orleans announced Monday it will be hosting the highly-anticipated event for the first time in history. “Hosting the 71st annual Miss Universe pageant is a rare, prestigious opportunity to positively showcase New Orleans to a global viewing audience in 165 countries and territories,” said Walt Leger III, Executive Vice President and incoming CEO of New Orleans & Company.
New Orleans had been on the top of the organization’s list to host the prestigious pageant for a while now, according to the president of the Miss Universe Organization, Paula Shugart. She said the city’s unique arts, entertainment, and culinary scene sealed the deal.
In a statement on Monday, Mayor LaToya Cantrell says it is an honor to host the 71st Miss Universe Competition, since the city and the Miss Universe Organization “share common values of celebrating inclusion, culture and the empowerment of women.” The mayor says she hopes this opportunity will “show people around the globe why New Orleans is the best in the world at executing major events, festivals, conferences and conventions with a culture that is absolutely unmatched.”
The area will likely see a major boost in tourism for the event, with contestants, fans, celebrities, journalists, and influencers expected to flock to the Big Easy for the world-renowned pageant.
The 71st Miss Universe Pageant will introduce its first contestant representing the country of Bhutan, and Seychelles is returning to the competition for the first time since 1995. Angola, Belize, Guam, Indonesia, Iraq, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Saint Lucia, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago and Uruguay are also returning to the competition after a hiatus.
“I look forward to our delegates from all over the world getting to experience all [New Orleans] has to offer," says Shugart.