Miss Universe 2012 is the 61st Miss Universe pageant, and will be held on December 19, 2012 in PH Live at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Leila Lopes from Angola will crown her successor at the end of the event. 89 countries and territories are expected to participate in this year pageant and broadcasted live in participant countries and teritorries by NBC, Telemundo & the international broadcasters.
HOMETOWN: Reshen
AGE: 19
Adrola Dushi was brought up in Rreshen. Her interests include swimming, dancing, shopping, modeling, and watching movies. Currently, she is studying Public Relations and Communications at the European University of Tirana. Adrola’s dream in life is to become a famous model.
Miss Universe ANGOLA 2012, MARCELINA VAHEKENI
HOMETOWN: Luanda
AGE: 22
Marcelina Vahekeni grew up in a humble village in the South of Angola. She had a very happy childhood, despite the political tensions in her country at the time. Her biggest interest is cooking. Currently, Marcelina works in social work, but dreams of one day opening her own cosmetic company.
Miss Universe ARGENTINA 2012, CAMILA SOLORZANO AYUSA
AGE: 23
Camilla Solórzano spent her childhood in Tafi Viejo, a city located in Tucumán. She loves learning about other cultures, so she enjoys traveling and studying topics such as history and geography. Camilla also enjoys volunteering, and spending her remaining free time sharing memories with family and friends. Currently, Camily works as a model and is attending college.
Miss Universe ARUBA 2012, LIZA HELDER
HOMETOWN: Oranjestad
AGE: 23
Liza Helder was born and raised in the small community of Santa Cruz. Her childhood was full of athletics growing up. Liza liked to engage in many sports, such as tennis, basketball, and taekwondo.
She also has a strong passion for synchronized swimming. Currently, Liza is studying both Pharmacology and Political Science so she can one day work in philanthropy to help neglected children in need.
Miss Universe AUSTRALIA 2012, RENAE AYRIS
HOMETOWN: Perth
AGE: 22
Renae Ayris was born and raised in Perth, Western Australia. Renae has worked as a professional model in Sydney, Australia and Germany. She also has a passion for dance and loves jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop and contemporary forms. Renae’s interests include: traveling, cosmetics, photography, fashion and baking.
Miss Universe BAHAMAS 2012, CELESTE MARSHALL
HOMETOWN: Nassau
AGE: 20
Celeste Marshall was born and raised in the island of New Providence, Bahamas. She spent her childhood going to the beach, modeling, and dancing. In 10 years from now, Celeste hopes to be running a successful Pediatric Clinic.
Miss Universe BELGIUM 2012, LAURA BEYNE
HOMETOWN: Brussels
AGE: 20
Laura Beyne grew up in the multicultural city of Brussels, Belgium. With a father from Belgium and a mother from Congo, Laura was raised in both cultures as the youngest child in a large family. She enjoys dancing, singing and sports. Laura has several career ambitions in hopes of traveling the world, ranging from working as a businesswoman in real estate to modeling.
Miss Universe BOLIVIA 2012, YESSICA MOUTON
HOMETOWN: Santa Cruz
AGE: 24
Yessica Mounton lived in many cities throughout her home country of Bolivia. Her favorite way to spend time is with her big family. She also enjoys playing basketball and traveling. Currently, Yessica is studying Public Relations at the Universidad Nur in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, in efforts to achieve her dream of being the CEO of her own PR firm.
Miss Universe BOTSWANA 2012, SHEILLAH MOLELEKWA
HOMETOWN: Gaborone
AGE: 19
Sheillah Molelekwa was raised in a small village by her grandmother. Eventually, she moved in with her mother in Gaborone. Sheillah likes to spend her free time reading, swimming, drawing and singing. She is most passionate about helping others around her, and is always looking to participate in ways through which she can benefit those in need. Currently, Sheillah is studying Accounting at Botho Colloege in the capital of Botswana. With this degree, Sheillah hopes to become an auditor at a national bank.
Miss Universe BRAZIL 2012, GABRIELA MARKUS
HOMETOWN: Teutonia
AGE: 24
Gabriela Markus grew up in a small town in Brazil. She enjoys going to the movies, the theatre, and listening to good music. Gabriela is currently studying Food Engineering at the University of State of Rio Grande do Sul and has worked for her school’s microbiology laboratory.
Miss Universe BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 2012, ABIGAIL HYNDMAN
HOMETOWN: Road Town
AGE: 22
Abigail Hyndman grew up between the U.S and British Virgin Islands. Growing up in the islands, she had a very peaceful childhood where the air was filled with the sea breeze. Abigail is currently studying Biology at the Xavier University of Louisiana in efforts to pursue her goal of becoming a Board Certified Anesthesiologist. Her favorite ways to spend time include reading, cooking, and hanging out with her family.
Miss Universe BULGARIA 2012, ZHANA YANEVA
HOMETOWN: Sofia
AGE: 23
Zhana Yaneva grew up in the capital city of Sofia, Bulgaria, with her mom, dad, and younger sister. Her interests include tennis, skiing, and jogging in the park. It is important to Zhana to continue to remain an active volunteer for orphanages. She also dreams of one day having her own television program where important topics can be discussed.
Country/Territory Contestant Age Height Hometown
Albania Adrola Dushi[4] 19 1.79 m (5 ft 10 1⁄2 in) Rreshen
Angola Marcelina Vahekeni[5] 21 1.72 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in) Ondjiva
Argentina Camila Solórzano Ayusa[6] 23 1.79 m (5 ft 10 1⁄2 in) Tucumán
Aruba Liza Nerelyn Helder[7] 22 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) Oranjestad
Australia Renae Ayris[8] 20 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) Perth
Bahamas Celeste Marshall[9] 19 1.81 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in) Nassau
Belgium Laura Beyne[10] 19 1.72 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in) Brussels
Bolivia Yéssica Mouton Gianella[11] 24 1.72 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in) Santa Cruz
Botswana Sheillah Molelekwa[12] 22 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) Gaborone
Brazil Gabriela Markus[13] 24 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Teutônia
British Virgin Islands Abigail Hyndman[14] 22 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) Road Town
Bulgaria Zhana Yaneva[15] 23 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) Blagoevgrad
source: Missuniverse, Wikipedia