Mexico

 Spilling some tea

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

The 73rd Miss Universe edition will take place in another Central American nation in 2024. In a video announcement during the San Salvador show, businessman Raul Rochas Cantu confirmed that his home country, Mexico, will host next year's competition.

Mexico has produced three former Miss Universe winners: Andrea Meza (2020), Ximena Navarrete (2010), and Lupita Jones (1991). Jones, during her stint as national director, has produced the two other titleholders. She has been replaced by Miss Mexico World 2010 Cynthia de la Vega as Miss Universe Mexico's national director.

After the 72nd pageant edition in El Salvador, Ximena was seen walking out of the pageant's venue - the Gimnio Nacional Jose Adolfo Pineda Arena - when Mexican delegate Melissa Flores failed to place in the Top 20 semifinal round.

Interestingly, Ximena Navarette drew up a Top 20 list on the eve of the final show, putting Melissa Flores in the top spot. Her list, however, did not include Philippine delegate Michelle Marquez Dee.

After the coronation night, Michelle joined newly crowned winner Sheynnis Palacios and her runner-up, Anntonia Porsild of Thailand - plus four other delegates (including Miss Universe Lebanon 2023 Maya Aboul Hosn, Miss Universe Colombia 2023 Camila Avella, Miss Universe Germany 2023 Helena Bleicher, and Miss Universe Venezuela 2023 Diana Silva) in a trip to Mexico as part of the initial rites of next year's show.

Mexico has hosted the Miss Universe competition in four previous occasions - 1978, 1989,  1993, and 2007. Thus, it has crowned titleholders hailing from all parts of the globe: Margaret Gardiner, South Africa (1978); Angela Visser, Netherlands (1989); Dayanara Torres, Puerto Rico (1993); and Riyo Mori, Japan (2007).

After crowning an African, a European, a Latin American, and an Asian queen, which continent will it give the crown to next year? Stay tuned!