The 73rd Miss Universe Competition concluded with a historic crowning, celebrating talent and diversity from around the globe.

Victoria Kjær Theilvig made history on Saturday, November 16, 2024, by being crowned Miss Universe 2024. Representing Denmark, she became the first-ever Danish contestant to win the title, breaking a 20-year drought for blonde winners in the pageant. Her victory sparked a flurry of responses online, with fans sharing admiration and some expressing mixed feelings about the results.

The official Miss Universe Instagram account celebrated Victoria’s achievement with a series of posts. One highlighted the unforgettable moment with the caption, “The crowning moment! Denmark’s jaw-dropping reaction says it all! We can’t wait to see the incredible impact she’ll make as our new Miss Universe. 👑✨”

A video from the event captured the Danish beauty standing on stage, holding hands with the first runner-up, Chidimma Adetshina of Nigeria.

When her name was announced, Victoria dropped to her knees in disbelief and was quickly adorned with the “Miss Universe” sash and crown by outgoing titleholder Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua. Amid applause and cheers, Victoria waved to the audience while being embraced by her fellow contestants.

Another Instagram post lauded her thought-provoking answer during the Q&A round, which likely secured her win. The caption read, “A night to remember! Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig shines bright as Miss Universe 2024. Her winning answer stole our hearts: ‘No matter where you come from, no matter your past, you can always choose to turn it into your strengths.'”

The celebrations continued with another post declaring, “A new era begins! Congratulations to Denmark, our 73rd Miss Universe. May your reign inspire and empower women worldwide.”

Fans online were quick to respond to Victoria’s win, with many showering her with praise for her stunning looks and intelligence. One admirer exclaimed, “Real life BARBIE!!!! 👑 absolutely breathtaking🥰.” Another added, “When she came on the screen, I yelled, there’s your winner!”

Many fans appreciated her unique beauty, with one writing, “My Ist time to see this kind of perfect beauty in the Miss Universe so far! one in a million, barbie doll in a barbie world [sic].” Yet another commenter gushed, “Omg she looks like an angel…”

A recurring sentiment among fans was joy over the representation of blondes and Europeans in the competition after a long absence. “It’s been ages since a blonde won Miss Universe,” one user remarked.

Another celebrated her achievement as overdue recognition for Europe, stating, “Why are people being mean? She was a favorite since the beginning, the first crown for Denmark, the first blonde crown in MU in 20 years, and the first European to be crown since 2017. It’s was time for Europe and a stunning blonde to shine in Miss Universe again [sic].”

Many fans praised her as a perfect blend of beauty and intellect. A comment read, “Beauty and [brains]! Congratulations!” Others admired her Barbie-like aura, with one user simply stating, “A literal Barbie😍.”

Another added, “Its like the crown was made for her. She’s so beautiful and congratulations [sic].” Supporters were overwhelmingly thrilled for Denmark, with a fan sharing, “congratulations! ms denmark is so beautiful! she deserves the crown this year [sic]!”

Despite the widespread praise, a few fans debated the outcome. One user wrote, “The first runner up, Chidimma Adetshida, in my opinion is more deserving of the crown. All the same, congratulations to d young Dane [sic]!” Another noted, “She looks almost [AI-generated]. Surreal in an almost fantastical way. Women are gorgeous.”

Victoria’s crowning as Miss Universe 2024 was the highlight of a monumental evening that saw contestants from across the globe gather to compete for the prestigious title.

Held in Mexico for the first time since 2007, the 73rd Miss Universe Competition featured 130 contestants who participated in events such as personal statements, in-depth interviews, and evening gown and swimwear segments. Victoria’s triumph capped off the evening, marking a historic first win for Denmark.

Following Victoria’s crowning moment, the official Miss Universe Instagram account acknowledged the achievements of her fellow finalists with a post captioned, “Meet our remarkable runners-up!”

Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina was named the first runner-up, followed by Mexico’s representative as the second runner-up, Thailand in third place, and Venezuela in fourth.

The post celebrated their incredible journeys and contributions to the competition, shedding light on the global diversity and talent showcased during the event.

As Victoria begins her reign, the achievements of last year’s Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua, remain an inspiring benchmark. Crowned on November 18, 2023, Sheynnis, now 24, is a mental health activist and audiovisual producer from Managua.

Miss Universe 2022, R’Bonney Gabriel from the U.S., crowned Sheynnis during the 2023 event, with Sheynnis holding a bouquet and getting emotional on stage. This moment marked the beginning of her impactful reign, which was defined by her dedication to mental health advocacy.

Sheynnis pursued a degree in communications while supporting her family financially, working at her mother’s snack business. When her mom migrated due to an economic crisis, Sheynnis became the primary caregiver and provider for her grandmother and younger brother.

During her reign, Sheynnis vowed to focus on raising awareness about mental health issues, particularly in her home country, where such topics are rarely addressed.

She created an accessible initiative called “Understand Your Mind,” through which she interviewed specialists on emotional well-being in her television segments. Beyond that, the young activist produced events and audiovisual projects centered on this cause, showcasing her dedication to finding solutions to global challenges.

Outside her advocacy, Sheynnis demonstrated a strong creative streak. She dreamed of running a newsroom and producing content for international brands, combining her love for storytelling and problem-solving.

Her hobbies included rescuing cats and dogs, tackling mental puzzles, and engaging in games challenging her intellect. Her compassion and resilience left a lasting impression on the Miss Universe community and audiences worldwide.

The 73rd Miss Universe Competition not only celebrated the crowning of Victoria Kjær Theilvig but also honored the shared achievements and inspiring stories of women from more than 100 countries.

As Victoria steps into her new role, her historic achievement serves as a testament to the pageant’s mission to empower women and foster global unity. Fans and supporters eagerly await the impact she will make as Miss Universe 2024.