Filipina-Kiwi Victoria Velasquez Vincent bags Miss Universe New Zealand 2024
Victoria Velasquez Vincent was hailed as Miss Universe New Zealand 2024.
The Filipina-Kiwi beauty queen, who will represent New Zealand at the 73rd Miss Universe, bested 15 other candidates for the title.
Gazelle Garcia and Inge Carolus were named first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively.
Vincent started her Miss Universe journey in 2021 and won Miss Universe Philippines Charity, but Beatrice Luigi Gomez won the Philippines' crown and represented the country in the international pageant.
That same year, she was offered to represent New Zealand but declined a week later, stating that "it was the right thing to do."
In 2024, she represented Bacoor again in Miss Universe Philippines but ended her journey as one of the top 10 candidates. Bulacan's Chelsea Manalo emerged triumphant.
Vincent will compete for the Miss Universe crown against Manalo and another local pageant candidate, Great Britain's Christina Chalk, in Mexico.
Filipina-Kiwi Franki Russell was first appointed to represent New Zealand in Miss Universe 2024 but withdrew in August when the Miss Universe Organization revoked the franchise from Filipino-Dubai-based businessman Josh Yugen.
The 73rd Miss Universe will be held in Mexico on November 16.