The Caribbean secured a good showing in the Top 16 of the 71st Miss Universe pageant.
Miss Puerto Rico Ashley Carino, Miss Haiti Mideline Phelizor, Miss Dominican Republic Andreina Martinez, Miss Trinidad and Tobago Tya Jane Ramey and Miss Curaçao Gabriela Dos Santos were named a short while ago inside the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Miss Universe Jamaica Toshami Calvin, who performed creditably in the preliminaries, did not make it to the Top 16. Calvin paid tribute to National Heroine Nanny of the Maroons in her national costume, which featured a burlap cascading overskirt; upcycled silk lame bustier, decorated with crystals and a necklace made from upcycled fabrics, sequins, crystals, and feathers. It was designed and constructed by Dermoth Williams Couture, in consultation with Anna-Lisa Guthrie and Jerome Marshall.
Other finalists include Miss Australia Monique Riley, Miss Laos Payengxa Lor, Miss South Africa Ndavi Nokeri, Miss Portugal Telma Madeira, Miss Canada Amelia Tu, Miss Peru Alessia Rovegno, Miss India Divita Rai, Miss Venezuela Amanda Dudamel, Miss Spain Alicia Faubel, Miss United States R'Bonney Gabriel and Miss Colombia Maria Fernanda Aristizabal.
Hosted by Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo and Jeannie Mai Jenkins, the show featured a performance by New Orleans-based musical group Tank and the Bangas.
At the end of the night, Miss Universe 2021, India's Harnaaz Sandhu will crown a new queen.
Miss Universe Top 16 semi-finalists
1. Miss Puerto Rico Ashley Carino
2. Miss Haiti Mideline Phelizor
3. Miss Australia Monique Riley
4. Miss Dominican Republic Andreina Martinez
5. Miss Laos Payengxa Lor
6. Miss South Africa Ndavi Nokeri
7. Miss Portugal Telma Madeira
8. Miss Canada Amelia Tu
9. Miss Peru Alessia Rovegno
10. Miss Trinidad and Tobago Tya Jane Ramey
11. Miss Curaçao Gabriela Dos Santos
12. Miss India Divita Rai
13. Miss Venezuela Amanda Dudamel
14. Miss Spain Alicia Faubel
15. Miss United States R'Bonney Gabriel
16. Miss Colombia Maria Fernanda Aristizabal