Miss Universe Belize is a national beauty pageant that selects Belize's official representative to Miss Universe—one of the Big Four International beauty pageants.
History In the early days of Miss Universe Belize (then known as Miss Belize), one pageant was held yearly to select a representative for the Miss Universe pageant, with either the winner or a runner-up representing Belize at Miss World. Recently, there has been an emergence of different pageants to select representatives for different international pageants as opposed to just one pageant with several winners.
2008 Miss Universe Belize 2008 Tanisha Vernon spoke out against "Pageants Belize, owner, and only employee – Margaret Johnson". Her crown was then revoked in July 2008.
2016 In 2016, Opal Enriquez took over the Miss Belize franchise.
2018—2022 In 2018, Romeo Escobar, a three-time Emmy award-winning producer took over the franchise of Miss Universe in Belize. He left the franchise in 2023, citing disagreements with the Miss Universe Organization owners over how franchises should run.
2023—Present In 2023, Miss Universe Belize 2019, Destinee Arnold took over the Miss Belize franchise. The pageant was renamed to "Miss Universe Belize". The franchise is currently under the House of Crowns by Team Destination organization.
Titleholders
Year Miss Belize Placement at Miss Universe Special Award(s) Notes 2026 Caleigh-Rose West TBA TBA Destiny Wagner directorship. 2025 Isabella Zabaneh Unplaced 2024 Halima Hoy Unplaced Destinee Arnold directorship. 2023 colspan=5 2022 Ashley Lightburn Unplaced 2021 colspan=5 2020 Iris Salguero Unplaced 2019 Destinee Arnold Unplaced 2018 Jenelli Fraser Unplaced Romeo Escobar directorship. 2017 colspan=5 2016 Rebecca Rath Unplaced Best National Costume (Top 12) Opal Onriquez directorship. colspan=6 2009 Charmaine Chinapen colspan=2 Withdrawal — Charmaine allocated to Miss World 2008. 2008 Tanisha Vernon colspan=2 Failed to sign her contract and that she could not expect to continue as queen "Miss Belize". 2007 Maria Jeffery Unplaced 2006 colspan=5 2005 Andrea Elrington Unplaced 2004 Leilah Anne Magdalena Pandy Unplaced 2003 Becky Belinda Bernard Unplaced Margaret Johnson directorship. 2002 Karen Anita Russell colspan=2 Carolyn Trench-Sandiford directorship. 2001 colspan=5 2000 Shiemicka Richardson Unplaced 1999 Viola Jeffery Unplaced 1998 Elvia Lilia Vega Unplaced 1997 Sharon Domínguez Unplaced 1996 Ava Lovell Unplaced 1995 Deborah Wade Unplaced 1994 colspan=5 1993 Melanie Smith Unplaced 1992 colspan=5 1991 Josephine Gault Unplaced 1990 Ysela Antonia Zabaneh Unplaced 1989 Andrea Shermane McKoy Unplaced 1988 colspan=5 1987 Holly Emma Edgell Unplaced Solie Arguelles (Pageants Belize) directorship. 1986 Romy Ellen Taegar Unplaced 1985 Jennifer (Jenny) Woods Unplaced 1984 Lisa Patricia Ramírez Unplaced 1983 Shirlene Dianne McKoy Unplaced 1982 Sharon Kay Auxillou Unplaced 1981 Ivette Zabaneh Unplaced 1980 Ellen Marie Clarke Unplaced 1979 Sarita Diana Acosta Top 12 1978 Christina Margarita Ysaguirre Unplaced 1977 Dora Maria Phillips Unplaced 1976 Janet Joan Joseph Unplaced 1975 Pelisamay Longsworth Unplaced Under the UDP Minister Youth and Culture of Belize.
References
External links