This time, nothing can stop Victoria Velasquez Vincent from realizing her dream of competing in the Miss Universe pageant.
Victoria, who represented Bacoor City in the Miss Universe Philippines pageant this year, took home the crown as Miss Universe New Zealand 2024 last Sunday, September 29, 2024 (Saturday in the Philippines).
The Miss Universe New Zealand organization announced Victoria's victory by posting videos from the competition and her winning moment.
Victoria emerged triumphant among 15 other candidates.
She will represent New Zealand in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant on November 14, 2024, in Mexico.
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VICTORIA VELASQUEZ VINCENT ON HER WAY TO MISS UNIVERSE 2024
Victoria's stint in the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 saw her land among the Top 10 candidates, with Chelsea Manalo winning the crown and the right to represent the Philippines.
Read: Chelsea Manalo wins Miss Universe Philippines 2024
She first competed in 2021, winning the title of Miss Universe Philippines Charity.
Beatrice Luigi Gomez emerged as the winner that year and represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe pageant.
Interestingly, Victoria was offered the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the Miss Universe pageant that same year, but she declined.
This year, she got another chance, and the rest, as they say, is history.
ORIGINALLY-APPOINTED MISS UNIVERSE NEW ZEALAND FRANKI RUSSEL
Originally, Filipino-Kiwi Franki Russel, who is also an actress and former Pinoy Big Brother housemate, was set to carry New Zealand's flag in the Miss Universe pageant.
Franki was appointed in March 2024 by Yugen PR as New Zealand's official candidate at the Miss Universe pageant.
At the time, the franchise for Miss Universe New Zealand was held by Yugen PR, a company owned by Filipino-Dubai-based businessman Josh Yugen.
Read: PBB Otso housemate Franki Russell tries her luck in Miss Universe UAE 2021
Unfortunately, Franki had to step down from the role after the Miss Universe Organization reportedly canceled the Miss Universe New Zealand 2024 franchise from Yugen PR in August.
Read: Franki Russell will no longer compete in Miss Universe 2024
Franki, for her part, believed that the organization had issues with her work as an actress, specifically the daring scenes she did for the movies produced by Vivamax.