What 8 Miss Universe contestants look like without makeup

Melissa Ingraham recently earned her master's degree in climate change. The 26-year-old currently works as an environmental scientist and her hobbies include swimming, free diving, dancing, and gardening, according to her Miss Universe bio.

Ingraham is using her Miss Universe platform to advocate for initiatives to combat climate change, including infrastructure improvements and disaster preparedness plans.

Vanesa Švédová, 20, is a model who has walked for Dolce & Gabbana, according to her Miss Universe bio.

She is also a student at the University of Logistics and teaches children's swimming lessons. She says her proudest accomplishment is working with children, and she counts her mother as her biggest inspiration.

Mohra Tantawy, 21, is a model who was born and raised in Cairo. She has a degree in business marketing and recently appeared in Harper's Bazaar Arabia.

Tantawy told Arab News that she felt "a lot of pressure" representing Egypt at Miss Universe, and discussed how she handed online criticism from pageant fans.

"I did get a lot of messages saying that I was not pretty enough, or that there was better representation for Egyptian women, but it is important in these moments to be aware of who to — and not to — listen to," she said. "It is vital in these times to believe in yourself, to surround yourself with positivity, remember the voices that do believe in you and never give up on your dreams."  

Paula Joukanen, 22, is a law student who currently works as a volunteer teacher for refugees living in Espoo, Finland, according to her Miss Universe bio.

Joukanen, who speaks six languages, has visited more than 50 countries to teach and aid refugees. She also played tennis on Finland's national juniors team and has two TikTok-famous guinea pigs.

Lilja Síf Pétursdóttir, 19, plans to study nursing and hopes to work in a hospital one day. She serves as a caretaker for her younger sister, who has cerebral palsy.

Pétursdóttir has been visiting children's hospitals to learn more about how to care for children and adolescents who have the same medical condition.

Shweta Sharda, 23, has performed as the lead dancer on multiple Indian dance shows. She now works as a Bollywood choreographer.

Sharda, who is self-taught, has launched the Aatmanirbhar initiative to help encourage young people to pursue their passions, which she said was inspired by her father's decision not to support her dancing career.

Amara Bo, 23, has a degree in computer science and currently works as a runway model. In her Miss Universe bio, Bo said one of her proudest accomplishments is completing her college degree with honors while appearing on a reality show.

Bo wants to use her Miss Universe platform to advocate for people with disabilities, children who do not have parents in Myanmar, and adolescent girls who are forced to become mothers.

Elicena Andrada Orrego, 28, previously won Miss Latin America of the World in 2019 and competed in Miss Grand Paraguay in 2021.

Orrego wants to use her Miss Universe platform to help end human trafficking, and she launched the Rise Above campaign to raise awareness of the global issue.