Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark Is Crowned the 73rd Miss Universe

Denmark
Miss Denmark Victoria Kjær Theilvig, right, receives the crown after winning the 73rd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in Mexico City, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark has been crowned Miss Universe.

Kjaer, an animal protection advocate who works in the diamond selling business, beat out Miss Nigeria, Cnidimma Adetshina, at the end of 73rd edition of the competition in Mexico City. Miss Mexico María Fernanda Beltrán placed third. Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand was fourth, and Ileana Márquez from Venezuela was fifth.

It is the first time a Danish contestant has won Miss Universe.

AP24322165297096
Miss Denmark Victoria Kjær Theilvig waves after winning the 73rd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in Mexico City, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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 that Mexico has hosted Miss Universe.

AP24322192499575
Miss Thailand Suchata Chuangsri, right, and Miss Denmark Victoria Kjær Theilvig compete during the final round of the 73rd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in Mexico City, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
AP24322192544997
Miss Thailand Suchata Chuangsri competes during the final round of the 73rd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in Mexico City, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
AP24322240385512
Miss Denmark Victoria Kjær Theilvig, left, Miss Malaysia Sandra Lim, center, and Miss Venezuela Ileana Márquez compete during the final round of the 73rd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in Mexico City, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
AP24322170338930
Miss Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina, left, and Miss Denmark Victoria Kjær Theilvig compete during the final round of the 73rd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in Mexico City, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
AP24322243454456
Miss Denmark Victoria Kjær Theilvig, center, poses for the crowd with her mates after winning the 73rd Miss Universe beauty pageant in Mexico City, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)