LIST: Meet the Miss Universe 2024 candidates, including 4 Filipinas

MANILA, Philippines — Anticipation is growing as the 73rd edition of the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico draws near.

The Philippines' representative Chelsea Manalo, the country's first Filipino-Black American delegate, is one of nearly 130 beauty queens hoping to succeed reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua.

Chelsea will hope to improve on her predecessor Michelle Dee's Top 10 finish last year, hoping to bring home the Philippines' fifth Miss Universe crown.

She is not the only Filipino competing. There are also three other half-Pinay contestants: New Zealand's Victoria Velasquez Vincent, Great Britain's Christina Dela Cruz Chalk, and Bahrain's Shereen Ahmed.

All the delegates are already in Mexico preparing for the preliminary competition happening on November 14 (the 15th in the Philippines). The main competition and coronation is on November 16 (the 17th in the Philippines).

Related:  Where to watch Miss Universe 2024

Meet the Miss Universe 2024 candidates:

Albania - Franceska Rustem (19 years old)

Angola - Nelma Ferreira (26)

Argentina - Magali Benejam (29)

Armenia - Emma Avanesyan (32)
The country is returning to Miss Universe after missing out on last year's edition.

Aruba - Anouk Eman (32)

Australia - Zoe Creed (23)

Bahamas - Selvinique Wright (32)

Bahrain - Shereen Ahmed (30)
One of the four Filipinos competing at Miss Universe this year.

Bangladesh - Aniqa Alam (32)
The country is returning to Miss Universe for the first time since 2018.

Belarus -  Eleanora Kachalovskaya (24)*

Belgium - Kenza Ameloot (22)

Belize - Halima Hoy (30)
The country is returning to Miss Universe after missing out on last year's edition.

Bolivia - Juliana Barrientos (27)

Bonaire - Ruby Pouchet (29)
The country is returning to Miss Universe for the first time since 1999.

Botswana - Thanolo Keutwile (28)
The country is returning to Miss Universe for the first time since 2013.

Brazil - Luana Cavalcante (25)

British Virgin Islands - Deyounce Lowenfield (20)

Bulgaria - Elena Vian (38)

Cambodia - Davin Prasath (33)

Cameroon - Noura Njikam (25)

Canada - Ashley Callingbull (35)

Cayman Islands - Raegan Rutty (22)

Chile - Emilia Dides