MANILA, Philippines – Filipina-Kiwi Victoria Vincent Velasquez will be representing New Zealand in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant.
The 29-year-old beauty queen bested 15 other finalists during the pageant’s coronation night on Sunday, September 29.
Prior to Velasquez, it was initially Filipino-Kiwi model-actress Franki Russell who was supposed to represent New Zealand in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant. In August, she disclosed that she was dethroned after the Miss Universe organization found issues with her previous films.
Vincent first competed in the Miss Universe Philippines 2021 pageant, where she was named Miss Universe Philippines Charity 2021. That same year, she was offered the Miss Universe New Zealand title but she turned down the opportunity.
“I had to choose what I know in my heart was the right thing to do,” she said then. At the time, Vincent, who was born and raised in New Zealand, said that her heart is and always will be “here to serve the Philippines.”
In 2024, she also took another shot at the Miss Universe Philippines crown, but she only finished as part of the Top 10. The competition was won by Chelsea Manalo of Bulacan.
Aside from Vincent and Manalo, Filipino-British Christina dela Cruz Chalk will also be competing in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant. She will be representing Great Britain.
The Miss Universe 2024 coronation night is set to take place on November 14 in Mexico. Nicaragua’s Sheynnis Palacios will crown her successor. – Rappler.com
