As the Miss Universe 2025 season unfolds, the spotlight turns to four women from different corners of the world all under national director Josh Yugen.
From Egypt, 23-year-old Sabrina Maged enters the competition as a full-time model from Cairo, known for her work on runways and photoshoot projects.
When she was crowned Miss Universe Egypt nearly two months ago, she admitted it was a surprise she hadn’t expected.
“I’m so excited, I’m so happy,” she said, almost holding back tears.
For Sabrina, her greatest strength lies in her advocacy, saying: “For me, it’s my charity. Helping kids’ education. It’s very important, especially in Egypt, we need that for new generations.”
Being a Christian and mixed race, Sabrina also sees her role as one that goes beyond beauty as she hopes her participation opens doors for women who want to see themselves represented on the Miss Universe stage.
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Denmark’s Monique Sonne, a 21-year-old model, enters the competition with enthusiasm and drive.
Monique who wore the same winning shoes as compatriot Victoria Theilvig the current Miss Universe 2024 says winning back to back crowns for Denmark is the goal . I will take action. I’m action over words,” she said. “For me that’s really important, to do what you say you will do. That’s my thing, and the impact I will have on the charity I will do.”
She dreams of studying law and eventually running her own health-related business.
“Another big passion is to have my own business, a health business,” she shared. “Health is wealth. If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything. So for me, I want to make [others] feel better.”
Currently in the Philippines for training before the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand , Monique has also been soaking in the PH culture. “People here are so warm and so sweet, everybody I meet is so nice [and] wants to hug me. It’s amazing,” she said. “People here are also very disciplined.”
For 25-year old Roma Riaz, Miss Universe Pakistan, this year’s pageant holds historic significance as she represents her country at a time when inclusivity is being more widely embraced.
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“I am so happy that Josh Yugen has given me this [opportunity], a chance to show the world that girls like me deserve to be on stages like this.”
A full-time merchandising professional, Roma has been involved with Smile Train Dubai in support of children with cleft conditions and also advocates for girls’ education in Pakistan. She describes herself as very close to her mother and sisters, and takes pride in “embrac[ing] every shade of beauty.”
“Dark skin is not celebrated in Pakistan,” she said. “I have faced a lot of backlash for being who I am and for being put on a stage like this, being told I’m not ready for the Miss Universe title.”
To her critics, Roma has learned to respond with grace. “It’s okay, just let them get it out of their system this time because I’m happy to suffer if it makes things easier for the girl after me.”
Roma, also a Christian, shared that she, like Egypt’s Sabrina, applied for the pageant “on a whim.”
From Sweden comes Daniella Lundqvist, a very experienced pageant queen . She aims to put Sweden back in the MU map marking her country’s return to the competition after a three-year hiatus.
Daniella’s story is one of resilience. Having battled depression as a young adult, she’s turned her experiences into a mission to help others. A graduate with a bachelor’s degree in design, she’s now pursuing a master’s in innovation through business, engineering, and design.
If internationally crowned, Daniella plans to continue her studies while fulfilling her duties as Miss Universe—a balance she’s used to as a working student. “This might be a bit of a challenge to complete both,” she admitted, but she says that she is willing to push through.
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Before joining Miss Universe, she held the title of Miss Planet International Sweden 2024, where she finished as sixth runner-up.
Experience, she said, is what sets her apart. “I started (pageantry) in 2017. I’ve been a finalist of Miss Universe Sweden three times, and I’ve competed in six international pageants over the past eight years.”
“I believe I work really hard and I only have one goal in mind, to become the next Miss Universe,” she said.
The four girls will compete in the international pageant in Thailand in November 2025. Also Ahtisa Manalo is representing the Philippines.