Jessica Lane

 Australia wins Miss Earth 2024 crown, PH in Top 12

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte 

Jessica Lane of Australia was crowned the 24th Miss Earth winner at glitzy rites in Cove Manila, Okada Hotel. She was crowned by outgoing queen Drita Ziri of Albania. Philippine representative Irha Mel Alfeche finished in the Top 12.

The elemental court was comprised of Hrafnhildur Haraldsdottir of Iceland (Miss Earth - Air), Bea Millan Windorski of the USA (Miss Earth - Water), and Neva Antezana of Peru (Miss Earth - Fire).

The other ladies who went on to place in the Top 12 were Bianca Nicole Miranda (Puerto Rico), Shreeya Bokhoree (Mauritius), Shuntell Ezomo (Nigeria), Albertina Haimbala (Namibia), Tamara Aznar (Dominican Republic), Ekaterina Romanova (Russia), and Jasmine Jogenson. (Cabo Verde).

The other delegates who made it to the first cut (Top 20) were the candidates from Wales, Korea, United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Thailand, New Zealand, Cuba, and online poll winner Poland (People's Choice Award).

The semifinalists were announced right after the delegates performed a festive production number. Garbed with identical Angela Taloza dresses, together with Miss Earth 2023 Drita Ziri and elemental queens Yllana Marie Aduana, Do Thi Lan Anh (Water), and Cora Bliault (Fire), the ladies took turns dancing to a mash up of "Pamulinawen" and "Salidumay."

The 2024 panel of judges was comprised of Miss Earth 2022 Mina Sue Choi, environmental advocate/speaker Mattias Gelber, Miss Earth 2004 Priscilla Mereilles, Carousel Productions vice-president Lorraine Schuck, Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco, Singaporean lawyer Jimmy Yim, and Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Harrell.

Hosted by Robi Domingo, the 2024 Miss Earth coronation night was bbeamedlive to a global audience via Carousel Productions' channel on YouTube. This year's pageant theme centered on Heritage & Environment.