In the early hours of December 7, María D. Cepero from Puerto Rico was crowned Miss Intercontinental 2024 at the 52nd edition of the competition held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Vietnam's representative, Bui Khanh Linh, claimed the title of third runner-up, marking another milestone for Vietnamese beauty on the global stage.

Over 70 contestants from around the world competed in the prestigious pageant, which featured dazzling segments including evening gown, swimsuit, and a final question-and-answer round. The outgoing Miss Intercontinental, Chatranalin Chotjirawachat of Thailand, crowned her successor in a ceremony filled with elegance and cultural pride.

The final results saw María D. Cepero of Puerto Rico take the top honor. The other runners-up were Georgette Musrie (Venezuela), Alyssa Marie D. Rendondo (Philippines), Bui Khanh Linh (Vietnam), Celina Weil (Germany), Kenyatta Michelle (USA), and Amanda Peresu Moyo (Zimbabwe).

María D. Cepero: The new Miss Intercontinental, María, is a multifaceted achiever - a businesswoman, lawyer, and philanthropist. She holds two bachelor's degrees in Business Administration and an MBA specializing in Accounting. Currently pursuing law at the University of Puerto Rico, María is fluent in Spanish, English, and French, and is learning Portuguese. She also founded a foundation to empower women through entrepreneurship.

Bui Khanh Linh: Vietnam’s Bui Khanh Linh shone brightly, earning the title of Miss Intercontinental Asia and Oceania and excelling in the final Q&A segment. Asked about the qualities of a Miss Intercontinental, she emphasized beauty, warmth, and a spirit of learning as essential traits to inspire and serve the community.

The night began with a mesmerizing group performance by the contestants, dressed in sophisticated black attire, exuding elegance and mystery.

Two awards provided direct entry into the Top 7:

Power of Beauty: Philippines
People’s Choice Award: Puerto Rico

The evening gown segment showcased a variety of stunning designs, with contestants demonstrating grace and poise. In the swimsuit round, where contestants donned chic black bikinis, the representative from the Philippines won the Best in Swimsuit award.

The Top 7 finalists included representatives from the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Zimbabwe, Vietnam, Germany, USA, and Venezuela.

The finalists delivered thoughtful responses on themes of beauty, self-worth, and societal change:

Philippines: Expressed support for cosmetic surgery when done for oneself but cautioned against changing to meet others’ expectations.

Puerto Rico: Highlighted the importance of empathy and compassion in an ideal partner.

Zimbabwe: Celebrated the modern woman breaking barriers and positively transforming society.

Germany: Defined inner beauty as living authentically and aligning with life’s purpose.

USA: Learned from the competition that beauty standards are subjective and urged self-love and authenticity.

Venezuela: Stressed emotional control and self-awareness as keys to success.

Miss Intercontinental 2024 showcased not only physical beauty but also the intellect, cultural pride, and humanitarian values of its contestants. Vietnam’s Bui Khanh Linh brought pride to her nation with her strong performance and compelling presence, reinforcing Vietnam's rising prominence in international pageantry.

Nguyen Le