Meet the 120 women competing to be Miss Universe 2025

• The 74th annual Miss Universe contest will be held in Bangkok on Friday morning.
• There will be 120 women competing in the pageant.
• The contestants include a civil engineer, a "Big Brother" star, and a Ph.D. candidate specializing in HIV research.

Drama has surrounded the 2025 Miss Universe pageant, but the show must go on.

A new winner will be crowned in Thailand on Friday morning by Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjær Theilvig, the first woman from Denmark to win the title. In the US, coverage of the pageant will stream on Peacock starting at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday.

Here's every woman competing in this year's Miss Universe pageant.

Albania: Flavia Harizaj

Flavia Harizaj, 26, was born in Fier, Albania, and has a degree in finance. She believes that financial literacy is "not only a professional pursuit, but a tool of empowerment," according to her Miss Universe bio.

Harizaj works as a model and is an advocate for women's empowerment. She wants to encourage women to "embrace independence, confidence, and purpose."

Angola: Maria Cunha

Maria Cunha, 22, spent her childhood in Luanda, Angola, where she was the youngest of nine siblings. She moved to South Africa for school when she was 17 and was shaped by the experience of learning a new culture and language, according to her Miss Universe bio. She moved back to Luanda in 2023 to pursue a degree in international relations.

The pageant queen's platform, Mwiji Wami, has provided training, workshops, and mentorship to over 40 young women with hearing disabilities in Angola. Someday, she hopes to open the Mwiji Wami Academy.

Argentina: Aldana Masset

Aldana Masset, 25, was surrounded by music growing up and learned to play three instruments. In 2022, she became the lead singer for the band Agapornis.

Masset has worked as a model since she was 16 and also earned a scholarship to study law at one of Argentina's top universities, according to her Miss Universe bio. She currently works as a professional makeup artist and image consultant.

The pageant queen has embraced her experience with alopecia and uses her platform to connect "music, education, and disability, giving visibility to those who express themselves despite barriers."

Armenia: Peggy Garabekian

Peggy Garabekian, 30, was born in Tehran, Iran, to an Armenian family. They spent a few years living in India before moving to California. Garabekian has a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from California State University, Northridge, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Southern California.

She specializes in neurological and vestibular rehabilitation and also works as a model.

Garabekian has been a longtime advocate for the Armenian community, serving as president of Unified Young Armenians and organizing an Armenian Genocide Commemoration March with over 100,000 participants in Glendale, California, according to her Miss Universe bio. She has been recognized by her local representative and mayor for her "commitment to youth empowerment and cultural preservation."

Aruba: Hannah Arends

Hannah Arends, 24, launched her first business at the age of 13 when she created "Kids Dushi Sushi." She earned a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Aruba and is completing her master's degree in civil law while working as a paralegal.

Arends loves to sing, write songs, and play the guitar and drums. She aspires to create a network of businesses "centered on culinary experiences, entertainment, and community impact," according to her Miss Universe bio.

The pageant queen also launched an initiative to teach financial literacy and life skills to adolescents.

Australia: Lexie Brant

Lexie Brant, 21, is pursuing a degree in occupational therapy and hopes to specialize in pediatric therapy. She also works as a medical secretary for an orthopedic surgeon.

Brant's life changed at the age of 12 when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. The pageant queen has since dedicated her life to "healing, empathy, and helping others find hope through adversity," according to her Miss Universe bio.

Bahamas: Maliqué Maranda Bowe

Maliqué Maranda Bowe, 25, graduated magna cum laude from Florida Memorial University with a degree in accounting. She works as a model and has walked at New York Fashion Week.

Bowe was diagnosed with anxiety when she was 10 years old and has also struggled with high-functioning depression. Pageantry has been a "transformative path" through her struggles, according to her Miss Universe bio. Bowe previously won Miss Teenager Universe Bahamas in 2017.

The pageant queen uses her platform to advocate for mental health awareness, trauma recovery, and youth empowerment by partnering with schools and nonprofits throughout the Bahamas.

Bangladesh: Tangia Zaman Methila

Tangia Zaman Methila, 33, began modeling when she was 16. She has walked in Paris Fashion Week and won the British Bangladeshi Fashion Council's award for international female model of the year.

Methila is also an actor, appearing in the Bollywood production "Rohingya" and the coming Bangladeshi film "Thursday Night," according to her Miss Universe bio.

The pageant queen is also a chief advisor for the nonprofit Rising Star City Charity Bangladesh, where she has worked with the United Nations to help provide disaster relief, aid underprivileged families, and combat food insecurity.

Belarus: Alena Kucheruk

Alena Kucheruk, 18, is a student at the Novopolotsk State Music College, where she is studying conducting and perfecting her piano and vocal skills. She fell in love with the arts when she performed onstage for the first time at the age of 6.

Kucheruk is an advocate for helping homeless animals. She also once helped a visually impaired girl sing with her favorite band.

Belgium: Karen Jansen

Karen Jansen, 24, was born and raised in the Belgian city of Lommel, where her father served as mayor. The pageant queen has modeled everywhere from Miami to Milan and has a degree in psychology.

After she was hospitalized for an eating disorder, Jansen began exploring how nutrition and mental health were connected. She has since built a platform to help people avoid misinformation.

Belize: Isabella Zabaneh

Isabella Zabaneh, 21, is pursuing a master's degree in professional communication.

Zabaneh founded her own nonprofit, Project Royalty, when she was 15 years old. The organization provides prom dresses and mentorship to young women, according to her Miss Universe bio. She has traveled to over 20 countries and worked in reconciliation programs in a war zone while living in the Middle East.

Bolivia: Yessica Hausermann

Yessica Hausermann, 25, was born to Swiss parents who moved to Bolivia "seeking a life connected to nature," according to her Miss Universe bio. Hausermann grew up among her parents' chickens and cattle in the Bolivian Amazon.

Hausermann received a scholarship to study dentistry in Uruguay. After returning to Bolivia, she launched an oral health and hygiene program to provide education and dental care to children and survivors of violence.

The pageant queen also has a black belt in tae kwon do.

Bonaire: Nicole Peiliker-Visser

Nicole Peiliker-Visser, 42, was born and raised in Bonaire, where her family owned the oldest restaurant on the island. She returned to her home country after attending university, working as a bank manager before deciding to focus on her family.

A mother of four, Peiliker-Visser was inspired to pursue pageantry after her youngest daughter won Mini Miss Bonaire and Mini Miss Universe.

"With the full support of her husband and children, she embraced the challenge, discovering that pageantry is about confidence, representation, and purpose rather than appearances alone," according to Peiliker-Visser's Miss Universe bio.

Botswana: Lillian Nompumelelo Andries

Lillian Nompumelelo Andries, 31, was born in Krugersdorp, South Africa. She began performing in dance and school pageants at the age of 11.

Andries earned a degree in geology from the Botswana International University of Science and Technology and now works as a geologist.

According to her Miss Universe bio, Andries became a mental health advocate after struggling with depression. She is using her platform to promote mental wellness through technical and vocational education.

Brazil: Maria Gabriela Lacerda

Maria Gabriela Lacerda, 24, has a degree in journalism and works as an ambassador for Mães da Sé, a Brazilian nonprofit that provides support and resources to the families of missing persons.

She hopes to one day specialize in religious journalism and "use storytelling to build bridges of understanding and hope," according to her Miss Universe bio.

Lacerda began competing in pageants when she was 11. She won Miss Teen Brazil in 2017 and placed first runner-up at Miss Universe Brazil 2021.

British Virgin Islands: Olivia Freeman

Olivia Freeman, 22, has been involved in academic and leadership positions since she was the president of the National Elementary Honor Society at her primary school.

Freeman was the president of multiple clubs at her secondary school and earned the titles of head prefect and head girl before graduating third in her class, according to her Miss Universe bio.

The pageant queen earned a degree in economics with honors from Georgia State University, supporting herself through school by offering professional braiding services. Now, she works as a budget officer at the British Virgin Islands' Ministry of Finance.

Bulgaria: Gaby Guha

Gaby Guha, 26, was born in France, where her grandparents raised her after an accident left her father handicapped. She began modeling when she was 17, working all over the world as she collaborated with brands including Gap and Elie Saab.

Guha has appeared on Fashion TV and MTV, as well as on the pages of Elle and Icon magazines. She began her pageant career in 2019 when she won second runner-up at Miss Supermodel Worldwide. The following year, she won Miss Europe 2020 while representing France.

The pageant queen is an advocate for breast cancer awareness and has worked with the Pink Ribbon Foundation.

Cabo Verde: Prissy Gomes

Prissy Gomes, 32, has a degree in interior architecture and manages the construction of two-family homes in France, where she currently lives. She has also worked as a model, actor, and television host.

Gomes has used her Miss Universe platform to launch a scholarship program that promotes digital education access to underserved Cape Verdean students.

Cambodia: Neary Socheata Thai

Neary Socheata Thai, 30, goes by the stage name Fi Yata. She is a singer, model, and entrepreneur.

Fi Yata first fell in love with performing when she won first runner-up at a national talent show at the age of 15. She put her dreams on hold after she became a single mother at the age of 19, a journey that taught her "endurance, patience, and unconditional love," according to her Miss Universe bio.

The pageant queen decided to pursue music and modeling in 2017 and also launched an accessories business and her own skincare line.

Canada: Jaime VandenBerg

Jaime VandenBerg, 28, was born and raised in Coaldale, Alberta, and has a degree in philosophy from the University of Lethbridge. She has worked as an actor and model, walking on the runway for brands including Versace and Balmain.

VandenBerg survived a kidnapping attempt, which inspired her to launch a fundraising campaign that raised thousands of dollars for victims of gender-based violence. The pageant queen hosts safety workshops and boxing classes and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for her humanitarian work.

VandenBerg, who was Miss World Canada in 2022, has also volunteered as a crisis support worker at the Lethbridge Police Station, offering support and resources to victims.

Cayman Islands: Tahiti Moorea Seymour

Tahiti Moorea Seymour, 22, holds a degree in politics and international relations from Queen Mary University of London, where she specialized in governance and diplomacy, graduating with honors. She is currently pursuing a career in acting and modeling.

Seymour also has a black belt in Purple Dragon Don Jitsu Ryu karate and can speak English, Spanish, and Mandarin. She collaborated with the United Nations to launch the Zero Hunger Universe campaign and raise awareness about food insecurity around the world.

Chile: María Ignacia Moll

María Ignacia Moll, 28, is professionally known as Inna Moll. She began modeling at the age of 8 and competed in the Elite Model Look contest at 15. Moll then moved to Los Angeles to work with top fashion and lifestyle brands.

Moll launched a successful YouTube channel and now has over 1 million followers on Instagram. She has used her platform as Miss Universe Chile to launch Universal Spirit, a project dedicated to equine therapy for hospitalized children.

China: Zhao Na

Zhao Na, 20, has a bachelor's degree in finance from Shandong Agricultural University and a master's degree in business from the University of Queensla

Samantha Grindell Pettyjohn,Anneta Konstantinides,Amanda Krauseمصدر