Miss Universe is about to crown its 65th queen and it has yet to see a winner from Mauritius. Miss Mauritius Kushboo Ramnawa, 26, will make history as the first Miss Universe from her country if she becomes the successor of Pia Alonzo Wurzbach, 27.
In Mauritius, Ramnawa has already made history as the first Miss Universe Mauritius to come from Riviere Du Poste, a village in the southern part of the country. The village is known for its waterfalls across the river at different spots.
The national costume worn by Ramnawa during the Miss Universe 2016 preliminary competition was a multi-colored dress with headdress and cape designed by Negrense Kirsten Regalado, a Filipino designer now based in Miami, Florida, according to Bacolod News. The dress represented the seven-colored earth of Chamarel in Mauritius.
On Jan. 30, Monday, Wurtzbach will crown her successor at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. Steve Harvey is returning as the host of the coronation night with "America's Next Top Model" judge Ashley Graham as the backstage host and Flo Rida and Boys II Men as the musical performers. Harvey arrived in Manila on Jan. 28, Saturday, ABS-CBN News reported.
The judging panel during the coronation night includes Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres from Puerto Rico, Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen from India and Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes from Angola. Joining them are theatrical, TV and film producer Francine LeFrak, Paper Magazine editorial director Mickey Boardman and "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Cynthia Bailey.
On Jan. 18, Wurtzbach participated in a dinner program in Baguio City, Philippines, which was hosted by Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup. Distinguished people of the city welcomed them along with Miss Universe Organization president Paula Shugart, Filipino tycoon Chavit Singson, a major sponsor, and some Miss Universe 2016 candidates including Ramnawa.
